Defiant Zola vows to save Hammers March 29, 2010 WEST HAM manager Gianfranco Zola insists he will return to England this week and steer the club to safety, having spent the last 48 hours mulling over his future. The Italian sought refuge in his native Sardinia after Saturday’s defeat to Stoke – their sixth on the trot – left them just goal difference off [...]
Platini welcomes Labour plans to boost fan power March 29, 2010 EUROPEAN chief Michel Platini has thrown his support behind Labour proposals to give fans greater rights to own stakes in their clubs. Under plans set be included in the government’s manifesto for this year’s election, clubs could be forced to hand up to 25 per cent of shares to supporters. Fans would be given first [...]
Sports bodies ready for ruling March 28, 2010 SPORTING bodies and TV networks are gearing up for an Ofcom ruling, expected this week, that could cap the wholesale price Sky can charge its rivals for Premier League matches. Bodies such as the Premier League and the Rugby Football Union have voiced concern their revenues could be hit by the ruling. However, analysts are [...]
Lethal Torres has Liverpool firing again March 28, 2010 LIVERPOOL (3) vs SUNDERLAND (0) LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez revelled in a vindication of his tactics after seeing his team reignite their charge for a Champions League spot with a devastating attacking display. Striker Fernando Torres, whose return to fitness could yet prove a major factor in deciding who finishes in the much-coveted fourth place, [...]
Swashbuckling Chelsea strengthen Carlo’s claims March 28, 2010 CARLO ANCELOTTI’S unshakeable confidence less than a week ago that he would still be Chelsea manager next season provoked raised eyebrows among some observers. The doubters are biting their tongues for now, however, after the Blues ran riot for a second successive game, tearing Aston Villa to shreds 7-1 on Saturday. That romp came just [...]
Wenger: We want to win for Eduardo March 25, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger admits Eduardo is still traumatised by the career-threatening injury he suffered more than two years ago, as the striker prepares to return to the scene of the horror tackle for the first time. The Croatian has struggled to recapture his best form since spending more than a year on the sidelines [...]
Hammers get stadium boost March 25, 2010 WEST HAM’S hopes of relocating to the Olympic Stadium have been boosted after City A.M. learned that 2012 legacy chiefs are open to the club selling naming rights for the ground. The Hammers hope to increase matchday revenue by moving into the £537m stadium in Stratford after the Games and have opened talks with Newham [...]
Title blow for Chelsea as Carvalho out for a month March 25, 2010 CHELSEA’S title charge suffered a major blow last night after defender Ricardo Carvalho was ruled out for at least four weeks with an ankle injury. The 31-year-old suffered ligament damage in the 5-0 victory at Portsmouth on Wednesday night and may now require surgery. Carvalho will definitely miss the key fixtures against Aston Villa and [...]
Portsmouth deny player exodus despite special league ruling March 24, 2010 PORTSMOUTH were yesterday granted special permission to sell players outside of the transfer window to ease their financial crisis. Cash-strapped Pompey, who were deducted nine points for going into administration last month, can now offload players with immediate effect – but they will not be able to play for any other Premier League club until [...]
Sky worried despite likely revenue boost March 23, 2010 BSkyB could generate additional revenue of more than £700m if it is allowed to sell Premier League football through Freeview. In a move described by Sky as a “sop”, Ofcom is likely to allow the broadcaster to go ahead with a project dreamed up in 2007 codenamed “Picnic”. This would involve setting up a subscription [...]