Players had been frozen out under Enzo Maresca Chelsea’s preference would be to move players on Liam Rosenior will hold talks with Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi before deciding whether the pair have a future at Chelsea. The head coach, who wants to assess his new squad before concluding whether...
Sport England suspends X social media account and takes aim at Elon Musk
Chair decries platform’s ‘hostility to women and girls’ Chris Boardman criticises ‘divisive’ conversations Sport England has revealed that it has suspended its account on X, because the social media platform “increasingly promotes and monetises an environment that is hostile to women and girls”. In a blog post explaining the decision...
The hidden hierarchy of tennis practice courts: ‘I was back in the park, smelling the weed’
The unwritten rule in professional tournaments? Do not hog the practice court. But as leading players testify – the reality is very different On a cool Wednesday afternoon before the US Open last year, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev were busy fine-tuning their games in an intense practice set at Louis...
Semenyo and Cherki give Manchester City edge over Newcastle after VAR storm
Eddie Howe was not exactly overjoyed to learn that, rather than being cup-tied, Antoine Semenyo was free to play for Manchester City here. Sure enough the Newcastle manager’s worst fears were realised as the winger – who played in the competition this season for Bournemouth – scored City’s opener and...
Olympic tensions flare as US skeleton star alleges Canadian coach rigged qualifying event
Katie Uhlaender misses sixth trip to Olympics Athlete says she was deliberately deprived of points Sporting tensions between the USA and Canada have erupted once again, this time in skeleton as next month’s Winter Olympics approach. The USA’s Katie Uhlaender, a five-time Winter Olympian in skeleton, has accused the Canadian...
Texans extend Steelers’ playoff losing streak in possible farewell for Aaron Rodgers
Houston Texans 30-6 Pittsburgh Steelers Rodgers says he is yet to make decision on future Texans will face Patriots in divisional round Sheldon Rankins returned a fumble by Aaron Rodgers 33 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to highlight a dominant performance by the NFL’s top-ranked defense,...
Mark Allen advances in Masters despite battle with food poisoning
Allen wins five frames in a row against Mark Williams Zhao Xintong cruises to 6-2 win over Gary Wilson Mark Allen shrugged off a bout of food poisoning to beat Mark Williams 6-2, winning five successive frames, and book a Masters quarter-final with Judd Trump or Ding Junhui, who play...
Brilliant, battered and unkillable: Josh Allen lurches towards the Super Bowl
The Buffalo Bills quarterback is not only a danger to opponents. His bravery and skill inspire his teammates to elevate their play Two things about the NFL playoffs are predictable: Josh Allen will play out of his skin ... and Josh Allen will suffer a soul-sucking, stupefying loss. Except, maybe,...
FA Cup fourth round draw: Macclesfield to host Brentford, Villa face Newcastle
Seven Premier League clubs will be visiting lower-league opposition with Chelsea’s Liam Rosenior returning to his former club Hull City And spare a thought for Palace fans after this weekend … Wembley glory in May and despair in January … News filtering through that Arne Slot will be taking this...
Australian Open is drawing record crowds before the tournament has even begun
To supercharge the Melbourne Park event, ‘Opening Week’ maximises the music, food and wellness – and adds a $1m tennis showcase “Cricket’s in December,” Tennis Australia’s chief executive, Craig Tiley, says with a smile on a record-breaking first day of the Australian Open on Monday. The veteran may be rumoured...