England v USA: How Europe embraced America’s young footballers November 25, 2022 When the USA hosted the World Cup in 1994, their squad was an overwhelmingly domestic selection. Fourteen of their 22-man party were based in the States, with 12 of those on central contracts with the US Soccer Federation. Only two of the players belonged to clubs in Europe’s five biggest leagues, among them Coventry City [...]
Premiership and English rugby bigwigs hounded at DCMS hearing November 24, 2022 Rugby bigwigs were scolded earlier today at the hands of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee at the Palace of Westminster. Premiership Rugby chief Simon Massie-Taylor was lambasted by the committee, led by the chair Julian Knight MP, while Rugby Football Union chief Bill Sweeney, too, was held to the fire over [...]
Ed Warner: Manchester United should have refused to tear up Cristiano Ronaldo contract November 24, 2022 Watching Cristiano Ronaldo’s conversation with Piers Morgan I was instantly reminded of Princess Di’s (in)famous interview with Martin Bashir, so much in the news in recent months. No sense here though that the footballer was duped into his doe-eyed criticisms of Manchester United – certainly not if we accept Morgan’s subsequent justifications for the guest [...]
World Cup briefing: Final day of round one gets underway in Qatar November 24, 2022 As Japan joined Saudi Arabia in inflicting a shock World Cup result on opponents fancied for the title, the final day of round one action gets underway in Qatar. City PM looks at today’s games and what’s at stake. Group G: Switzerland v Cameroon, ITV Having reached the last 16 in the previous two World [...]
Manchester United: Glazers face disappointment over £6bn price tag November 23, 2022 Manchester United’s owners, the Glazer family, look likely to have to drop their asking price of £6bn to £8bn for the Premier League football club. The Glazers, who also own NFL franchise the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, announced they were ready to sell United after 17 years in charge earlier this week. The Americans fired the [...]
Glazers to explore sale of Manchester United, state reports November 22, 2022 Premier League club Manchester United’s owners, the Glazer family, are reportedly ready to announce their intention to look at potential investment in the club. The news could see one of the world’s most famous clubs change hands after a dynasty of ownership lasting 17 years. The examination of potential income sources could include an auction, [...]
Only 5.8m viewers stuck around for whole England v Iran 6-2 victory November 22, 2022 Only 5.8m viewers stuck around to watch the whole of England’s 6-2 victory against Iran in its World Cup opening match yesterday. According to fresh data from ratings body Barb, the lunchtime match raked in far fewer viewers than the Lions’ opening match back in 2018 at the Russia World Cup, as well as the [...]
Comment: Criticise me not Qatar for World Cup, says Infantino. OK then, here goes November 20, 2022 In a speech riddled with crass false equivalences on the eve of the World Cup, Gianni Infantino had a message for critics of this tournament. “Don’t criticise Qatar. Don’t criticise the players” the Fifa president said. “Criticise me, because I am responsible for everything.” OK, Gianni; here goes. There is no shortage of material. Criticise [...]
Fifa president accuses West of ‘hypocrisy’ in Qatar World Cup coverage November 19, 2022 Fifa president Gianni Infantino has accused the West of “hypocrisy” in its reporting of Qatar’s human rights record. In a news conference in Doha, Infantino defended Qatar and the tournament, which is due to kick off tomorrow evening. “Today I have strong feelings. Today I feel Qatari, I feel Arab, I feel African, I feel [...]
Exclusive: Powerleague chief on price rises and making the ‘tinder of grassroots football’ November 18, 2022 On the eve of the World Cup, grassroots football is the focus for Powerleague boss Christian Rose, who has dragged it out of red and through pandemic with a metaphorical Cruyff Turn. The CEO has been in post for four years after being brought in during 2018 when the company was “not in great shape.” [...]
