Key Laporte-Altrad court decision could send rugby into a pit of chaos December 12, 2022 The world order of rugby could descend into a pit of chaos should World Rugby vice-chairman Bernard Laporte and Top14 club Montpellier’s billionaire owner Mohed Altrad – as well as three others – be convicted of bribery and bribery-related charges in the French courts tomorrow. Rose-Marie Hunault, the president of the 32nd courtroom, is due [...]
England v France TONIGHT: Why World Cup opponents’ rivalry lacks spice December 10, 2022 For two neighbouring countries with such a long history of conflict and mutual suspicion, England’s World Cup quarter-final with France tonight is curiously short on piquancy. There is no love lost when the nations’ rugby teams meet each year in Le Crunch, while recent political developments have soured more than a century of Entente Cordiale. [...]
You can still reach the Qatar World Cup final. Here’s how December 8, 2022 It may be coming home in nine days’ time, but what if you want to be anywhere but home when England lift the World Cup in Doha next Sunday? City A.M. got the travel magazines out and scoured the web to see just whether it was still possible to get to Qatar. Where in the [...]
MLB London: Why baseball bosses believe the sport can thrive in London December 8, 2022 Once a fortnight during the football season, the Emirates Stadium fills up with 60,000 committed Arsenal fans cheering on the Gunners. Online, millions of supporters across the world tune in for highlights and videos – with more to shout about this year than most. One could imagine that Ben Ladkin, who spent 11 years masterminding [...]
Ed Warner: Everybody Wants to Rule the World December 8, 2022 Hop to it! Harking back to an innocent ‘70s youth of balmy summers and winter power cuts, when even Space Invaders had yet to land, a friend gets in touch to sense-check his vision for an organised sport of space hopper racing. Sad sack that I am, my thoughts instantly turn to governance, and the [...]
(Over)performing Lions: Can England keep defying data and beat France at World Cup? December 7, 2022 It is easy to see why bookmakers have anointed France, the reigning champions and home of the best player at this World Cup, Kylian Mbappe, as favourites for Saturday’s quarter-final against England. But should they? Based purely on performances in Qatar over the last fortnight, England can make a strong case of their own. They [...]
Freed From Desire: Why did 90s hit become England’s World Cup goal music? December 6, 2022 Lashed home by Harry Kane, dinked by Bukayo Saka or headed by Jude Bellingham, each England goal at this World Cup has had one thing in common. All have been celebrated to the sound of 90s dance hit Freed From Desire, the track that the Three Lions nominated to be played every time they rippled [...]
Ronaldo close to £172m-a-year Al-Nassr contract: Here are the most expensive sports deals ever December 6, 2022 Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly close to agreeing to a contract with Saudi Arabian football club, Al-Nassr, in a deal that could see the striker earn £172.9m a year – the most expensive contract ever offered to a sports player. The 37-year-old footballer mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Manchester United this November, after his relationship with [...]
Eddie Jones sacked: England Rugby coach axed after team’s worst year since 2008 December 6, 2022 England Rugby have sacked head coach Eddie Jones after seven years in charge following a review of the team’s dismal form. The move comes just nine months before he was due to lead England at another Rugby World Cup, having guided them to the final in 2019. England forwards coach Richard Cockerill is to take [...]
Ed Warner: Is Infantino a moonbeam or a clown? Either way, Fifa boss is here to stay December 1, 2022 Gianni Infantino. Moonbeam or clown? Flibbertigibbet? Certainly. Problem-solver, or problem to be solved? All depends on where you are coming from – quite literally. Just don’t expect Fifa’s demon/angel (delete according to taste) president to be going anywhere soon. Most likely not until 2031. Football’s Swiss-Italian head honcho has been front and centre of the [...]