Real Madrid refuse to turn up for pre-match events Club had previously demanded action from RFEF Real Madrid have denied that they ever considered refusing to play the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona after they boycotted the pre-match activities, prompting uncertainty that the game would go ahead. A statement...
Will Jacob Kiplimo be the first to run a marathon in less than two hours?
Hugh Brasher, the London Marathon race director, certainly thinks so but the Ugandan faces stiff competition from Eliud Kipchoge and Tamirat Tola Earlier this year Jacob Kiplimo produced a performance so staggering that it sent the jaws of even seasoned track and field watchers crashing to the floor. It came...
Mohamed Salah: a bridge between worlds in Liverpool
The Egyptian is more than simply a role model in his adopted home, he speaks to the city’s broader mythology There are occasional sightings of him around the city. A face is glimpsed; perhaps climbing out of a car, perhaps stepping into a mosque. A phone is surreptitiously brandished. The...
Eubank Jr v Benn feels like a mistake – bad TV pretending to be good sport | Barney Ronay
Without their fathers’ surnames there is zero chance the mixmatched catchweight contest would take place Back in his pomp as an era-defining, generational dog-torturer, the great Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov did an interesting experiment with shapes. This involved showing a dog called Vampire a combination of circles and ovals. Circles...
First Europe, then the world: Twickenham awaits in year of twin peaks for England
Grand slam clash is vital stepping stone in Red Roses’ quest to reclaim the World Cup crown they last held in 2014 There are two games to think about at Twickenham on Saturday, the one the Red Roses will play in, and the one they want to play in. The...
FA Cup semis, Celtic’s title chase, Copa del Rey final and more – matchday live
Premier League and FA Cup: 10 things to look out for Today’s fixtures | Latest tables | And mail us or post BTL Blackdogmax has asked for a little bit of focus on the Championship relegation battle. My colleague James Dart has pitched in BTL. My workings have it that...
Chris Eubank Jr silences Eddie Hearn and pledges to ‘take out’ Conor Benn
In a circus-like press conference, Eubank Jr goads his rival while Benn threatens to ‘take his head off’ The latest saga in the endless hyping of a bout that should not be happening unfolded in a pantomime atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday evening when Chris Eubank Jr...
Ashton hat-trick helps Warrington ignite season in win over tepid St Helens
Warrington 32-18 St Helens Wolves run in seven tries to move up to seventh Sam Burgess has made it his business to keep his emotions in check for most of his tenure as Warrington Wolves coach – which made his reaction to Rodrick Tai’s crucial try here in the final...
Mansfield forward Lucas Akins jailed for 14 months after causing death of cyclist
Leeds crown court heard how Adrian Daniel, 33, died 10 days after he was hit by Akins, who was driving his seven-year-old daughter to a piano lesson in 2022 The Mansfield Town forward Lucas Akins has been jailed for 14 months after causing the death of a cyclist he hit...
Chess: Carlsen scores record nine out of nine at Grenke Freestyle Open
The world No 1 swept the board with a result comparable to the great performances of Bobby Fischer, Anatoly Karpov and Alexander Alekhine, but it won’t count for Fide ratings Magnus Carlsen, the world No 1, soared to a new landmark in chess history last weekend, when the 34-year-old won...