Alisher Usmanov: Arsenal need Arsene Wenger March 26, 2016 Arsenal's second largest shareholder Alisher Usmanov has given his unequivocal backing to beleaguered manager Arsene Wenger. Read more: Alisher Usmanov is no longer Russia’s richest man Some fans have called for Wenger to step down following a season which looks set to end without silverware unless the Gunners can overhaul an 11-point gap between themselves and [...]
Johan Cruyff: Ajax market value grows by €7m as investors buy 14 shares at a time in tribute to club icon March 24, 2016 Ajax's share price enjoyed a mini-rally on Thursday afternoon as investors placed orders for 14 shares in the Dutch football club, a reference to the number worn by club icon Johan Cruyff who passed away earlier today. The club's market value swelled by as much as €7m (£5.5m) as shares rallied by roughly four per cent [...]
Stoke City chairman Peter Coates says Brexit would be damaging for football March 24, 2016 Stoke City owner Peter Coates has warned that a Brexit would cause long-term damage to football in the UK. The founder of bet365 claims the UK opting to leave the European Union would have "frightening" consequences for its economy. Coates echoed the argument of West Ham vice-chairwoman Karren Brady, in suggesting that Premier League clubs [...]
Manchester City target Paul Pogba going nowhere insists Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta March 24, 2016 Incoming Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola may have to forget about buying Paul Pogba this summer after a Juventus director insisted the midfielder was unlikely to leave. Bringing the former Manchester United player to the Etihad is believed to be one of Guardiola's top priorities this summer but Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta insists Pogba [...]
Johan Cruyff: Barcelona, Ajax and Holland legend dies from cancer at 68 March 24, 2016 Legendary footballer Johan Cruyff has died from cancer at the age of 68. The iconic former Barcelona, Ajax and Holland player passed away on Friday surrounded by his family. A three-time winner of the Ballon d'Or in 1971, 1973 and 1974, Cruyff was also one of the game's most influential managers after introducing the Dutch [...]
RFU: Rugby injuries have become more dangerous than ever as reported concussions continue to rise March 24, 2016 Professional rugby is becoming more dangerous than ever, according to a new RFU audit which reveals that last season the severity of injuries in top level was the highest on record. An injury picked up in a match in Premiership Rugby, European and international competition resulted in an average lay-off of 29 days last season [...]
Champions League: Uefa considers changes which could lock out smaller clubs March 24, 2016 Uefa is considering proposals to change the format of the Champions League which would reduce the number of teams in the group stage from 32 to just 16. Continental clubs are believed to be driving a move toward introducing two mini "super-leagues" of eight to replace the existing eight groups of four as a response [...]
England need to prove there are different strings to their T20 bow March 24, 2016 England managed to scramble over the line against Afghanistan but it was a pretty lacklustre performance from the top order and shows how susceptible we are to spin on slower pitches. We seem to have these collapses and it’s not just the current team, it’s an historic problem where panic tends to set in. On [...]
Afghanistan victory was never in doubt, insists England skipper Eoin Morgan despite nerve-jangling batting collapse March 23, 2016 England skipper Eoin Morgan insists the prospect of defeat never crossed his mind despite minnows Afghanistan threatening to land a knockout World Twenty20 blow before succumbing to a 15-run defeat in Delhi. A stumbling England stuttered to 42-4 and then 57-6 before a 33-ball stand of 57 between all-rounders Moeen Ali and David Willey propelled [...]
Six Nations 2016: England’s Joe Marler hauled before World Rugby over “gypsy boy” row with Wales prop Samson Lee March 23, 2016 England's Joe Marler is facing belated punishment for calling Wales prop Samson Lee “gypsy boy” after World Rugby last night summoned him to an independent disciplinary hearing. The governing body intervened because Six Nations chiefs opted not to sanction Marler despite him admitting to an offence that typically carries a minimum suspension of four weeks. Marler, [...]