International Olympic Committee calls for Russia and Belarus ban February 28, 2022 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have urged sporting federations and organisations to “not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions”. As part of a list of recommendations released today, the IOC Executive Board (EB) have said their motives relate to the inability of Ukrainians to compete as [...]
Sport is guilty of shutting its eyes to Russia’s geopolitical ambitions February 27, 2022 Roman Abramovich’s near 20-year ownership of Premier League club Chelsea has been shrouded in mystery and therefore subject to constant scrutiny and speculation. Indeed, until the weekend, it remained unclear why he is there and what he is seeking to achieve. The oligarch has denied having direct links with Vladimir Putin but has been seen [...]
Ukraine war day three: Kyiv under curfew as Russia continues advance to the capital February 26, 2022 Day three of the Russian invasion of Ukraine marks another day of upsetting scenes for many across the world. After a night of gunfire and explosion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a self-shot video walking around the streets of the capital. As it stands this evening, Ukrainian forces remain in control of the capital city [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group snaps up online retailer Studio after firm’s funding bid fails February 25, 2022 British retail conglomerate Frasers Group, which owns shops including House of Fraser and Evans Cycles, has acquired online and mail order shopping company Studio Retail Group, following the firm’s collapse earlier this month. Frasers Group – the firm initially set up as Sports Direct International by British retail billionaire Mike Ashley – has acquired Studio [...]
Why it’s time to bring back the house party February 24, 2022 There’s no question that the pandemic, and the lock- down restrictions which were introduced to help control it, have profoundly affected the way we interact so- cially. From wearing masks to the dreaded “rule of six”, we suddenly found our lives governed by regula- tions in a way no-one has experi- enced since (yes, I’m [...]
Ed Warner: Russia has taken us all for fools, especially spineless Thomas Bach February 24, 2022 Second in the table of overall medals won isn’t half bad for a nation denied a place at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Russia has taken us all for fools. You if you watched any of it. Me for doing just that. All the sporting politicians who allow Russian athletes to compete. The greatest fool [...]
Britain’s richest man foots bill as Dazn faces $1.3bn in losses February 23, 2022 Sir Leonard Blavatnik is patching losses for sports streaming company Dazn which hase reported a $1.3bn shortfall for 2020.
Premiership Rugby CEO Simon Massie-Taylor on chasing audience reach February 23, 2022 When US presidents are sworn into office, they are often assessed on their first 100 days in charge. But less than 60 days into his new role as chief executive of Premiership Rugby, Simon Massie-Taylor is already judging himself against his own checklist of objectives. “My purpose in my first 100 days is to be [...]
Jury out on Crystal Palace gamble ahead of reunion with Hodgson February 22, 2022 Crystal Palace face Roy Hodgson’s Watford tomorrow in a match that serves as a reminder of both their recent past and the significant gamble they have made on their future. After almost four unadventurous but reliable years under Hodgson, last summer Palace traded in the former England manager for a decidedly sexier brand of football [...]
Bookies look Stateside for betting wins February 11, 2022 Sunday night’s Super Bowl will see the Bengals battle the Rams - but the real action might be off the field, writes Leah Montebello