No plans to move Champions League final from Russia, says Uefa February 22, 2022 European football chiefs Uefa say there are no plans to move the Champions League final from St Petersburg despite Russia invading Ukraine. The final of club football’s most prestigious competition is due to take place at the Gazprom Arena in the Russian city on 22 May. “Uefa is constantly and closely monitoring the situation,” the [...]
Winter Olympics: Worst GB haul in decade as cost per medal soars February 22, 2022 The curtain has fallen on another Winter Olympics – this time in the famously snowy destination of Beijing – bringing to a close a disappointing Games for Team GB. In terms of the medal table, Great Britain matched their performance of the previous three Winter Olympics. That is an underwhelming 19th place, however, and this [...]
Why sport is taking over terrestrial TV airwaves again February 21, 2022 If you’ve turned on your subscription-free, Nadine Dorries-unfriendly, terrestrial TV recently you may have been transported back to a time when moustachioed behemoths like Dickie Davies and Des Lynam ruled the afternoon airwaves – for we again live in an era of live, free-to-air sport. Of course, you may not have noticed. Sky and BT [...]
Saudi-backed golf tour ‘dead in water’, says Rory McIlroy February 21, 2022 Former world No1 Rory McIlroy believes Saudi-backed plans for a breakaway golf tour are “dead in the water” after more leading players turned their back on the talks. McIlroy also issued a stinging rebuke of Phil Mickelson after the US PGA champion indicated he would overlook his humanitarian concerns about Saudi Arabia in the name [...]
Trap door opens for more clubs in Premier League relegation battle February 20, 2022 Harry Kane’s virtuoso display at the Etihad Stadium and its effect on the title race might have grabbed the headlines but this was also a hugely significant weekend in the Premier League relegation battle. Watford and Burnley both won for the first time in three months to reignite their chances of climbing out of the [...]
TV row comes back to bite Turkish football’s Super Lig rights sale February 20, 2022 Turkish football provided one of the most bizarre stories of last year when Fenerbahce president Ali Koc waged a public relations war with broadcaster BeIN Sports. Koc attempted to blame BeIN for bad results, cooking up an implausible conspiracy theory that it was manipulating replays shown to the video assistant referee to penalise his team. [...]
Blavatnik’s firm pumps $4.3bn into sports media group DAZN February 19, 2022 Billionaire investor Sir Len Blavatnik has announced a $4.3bn capital injection into sports media firm DAZN as the firm eyes an expansion into betting, gaming and NFTs.
Post-pandemic comeback for RideLondon as cycling festival returns in May with new 100 and 60 mile routes February 18, 2022 The RideLondon cycling festival returns to the capital in 100 days’ time with cyclists of all ages, backgrounds and abilities being encouraged to get on their bikes. The route takes in Epping Forest, Ongar and Chigwell Row while those completing 100 miles will also pass Fyfield, Leaden Roding, Great Dunmow, Felsted and Writtle. The event [...]
World No1 Rahm delivers another blow to Saudi golf league plans February 17, 2022 Men’s world No1 Jon Rahm has become the latest high-profile golfer to rule out joining a new Saudi-funded circuit. Leading players have been offered tens of millions of dollars to leave the PGA Tour and sign up to a new Super League competition fronted by Greg Norman and bankrolled by Saudi Arabia. “There has been [...]
Ed Warner: Commonwealth Games has earned extra life by embracing esports February 17, 2022 If you want to win a full bore rifle shooting medal at the Commonwealth Games you’ll need a keen eye, steady hand, ability to lower and control your heart rate, thousands of hours of practice – and a host city willing to include the event. However good you might be, then, Birmingham 2022 isn’t your [...]