Number of top officials is unhealthy, says ex-ref Poll January 4, 2010 FORMER referee Graham Poll has called for new refs’ chief Mike Riley to promote more officials to the Premier League’s roster. Top-light matches are currently allocated to a pool of 16 elite refs. But Poll believes that officials would be under less pressure if they did not come into contact with the same teams and [...]
United dumped out by Leeds January 4, 2010 MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson risked further punishment by criticising referee Chris Foy following his side’s shock FA Cup elimination by League One Leeds United. A first-half goal from Jermaine Beckford was enough to inflict Ferguson’s first FA Cup defeat to lower league opposition, and his maiden exit at this stage of the competition, [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF January 4, 2010 FOOTBALL: FA Boss: Capello going nowhere Football Association chief executive Ian Watmore insists Fabio Capello will see out his England contract. Rumours have emerged that the Italian may stand down after this summer’s World Cup in South Africa, with Fulham boss Roy Hodgson being touted as a possible successor. But Watmore said: “We expect Fabio [...]
Kroenke nears Arsenal threshold December 21, 2009 US sports and real estate entrepreneur Stan Kroenke has bought another 25 shares in Arsenal football club, taking him close to the threshold for a mandatory takeover offer. The Premier League club said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange yesterday that Kroenke bought the shares for £8,500 each on 17 December, giving him [...]
Bring on Man United, blasts boss Mancini December 21, 2009 NEW Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says is ready to do battle with city rivals United – with the aim of bringing the Premier League title to Eastlands within 18 months. Mancini won three successive titles with Inter Milan before resigning last summer, and is already comparing the City/United rivalry to that of his former [...]
Ferguson rejects plans to strengthen in January to ease defensive crisis December 21, 2009 SIR ALEX FERGUSON has ruled out the possibility of delving into the transfer market to ease Manchester United’s defensive crisis. Ferguson saw his United side slump to a fifth defeat of the campaign at Fulham on Saturday – one more that than the whole of last season. It left them four points behind Chelsea at [...]
Wigan and Bolton must wait December 21, 2009 FOOTBALL: No new date has yet been set for last night’s scheduled Premier League clash between Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers which was postponed on health and safety grounds. The DW Stadium pitch was playable but the freezing conditions made areas around the stadium unsafe for fans.
Sports Direct reported to FSA December 21, 2009 Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct is understood to have been reported to the Financial Services Authority for allegedly breaking the regulator’s rules in its attempt to buy rival Blacks Leisure. The sports billionaire, who also owns the Premier League’s Newcastle United Football Club, already faces separate investigations by the Office of Fair Trading and the Serious [...]
Lampard saves sloppy Blues December 20, 2009 CARLO ANCELOTTI admitted his Chelsea side were feeling the pressure of a hectic winter schedule after being held by London rivals West Ham in a tale of two penalties. Alessandro Diamanti’s spot-kick on the stroke of half-time gave the Hammers a deserved lead before Frank Lampard rescued the Blues with a thrice-taken penalty after Matthew [...]
I didn’t see the axe coming, insists betrayed boss Hughes December 20, 2009 MARK HUGHES hit back at Manchester City chiefs last night, insisting he was given no warning of his ruthless sacking. Hughes’ 18-month reign as City boss came to an end after Saturday’s 4-3 victory over Sunderland with the club’s billionaire Arabic owners announcing Roberto Mancini as his successor. On reflection, Hughes’ demeanour during Saturday’s match [...]