Sports News from Times Online

Sepp Blatter calls emergency Fifa meeting after Ireland's controversial defeat

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:05 GMT

Sepp Blatter has called an emergency meeting of Fifa’s executive committee to discuss the fallout from Ireland’s World Cup qualifying play-off elimination by France.

Rafael Nadal out of sorts as he succumbs to Robin Söderling

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

The roof didn’t cave in on Rafa. That was the problem. The roof of the O2 arena stayed solidly in place, all ready for Eddie Izzard next week, and so Rafael Nadal, a man who needs much sunlight and fresh air, was forced to cave in himself.

Why we may yet end up grateful to Thierry Henry

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

It has been called an extraordinary general meeting and the location will certainly be remarkable when Fifa’s executive committee gathers next week on Robben Island, prison home of Nelson Mandela for 18 years.

Folly of critics on the outside looking in

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

The three England games that I have just been through are the first autumn series I have played in since 2002. I have watched all the others and so I know what it is like to be on the outside. I say this because I want to explain how I feel about criticism and what it is like to be on the wrong end of it.

Liverpool need Lyons to go for top billing to stay in Champions League

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Jamie Carragher is hoping that the desire of Lyons to finish top of Champions League group E can help to banish the possibility of Liverpool repeating their nightmare of seven years ago.

Kevin Nolan returns Newcastle to the top with winner against Preston

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Newcastle United continued to demonstrate that they have mastered the art of doing just enough after a second-half finish from Kevin Nolan helped them return to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship in an occasion that failed to live up to expectation at Deepdale.

Fiorentina raise stakes in the push for qualification

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

“The biggest game of the season.” That’s how Cesare Prandelli, the Fiorentina coach, described Tuesday night’s clash with Lyons. Indeed, Florentines have taken up the club’s call to decorate windows, balconies and terraces in the Tuscan city with purple and white banners to underscore the importance of the clash with the French giants. Yet whether Lyons will enter the Stadio Artemio Franchi with the same do-or-die spirit remains to be seen.

Barcelona at risk from Jose Mourinho and Inter Milan

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

The last thing Barcelona need is the return of the bogeyman.

Mercedes refuse to rule out possible return by Michael Schumacher

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Norbert Haug, a German former motorsports journalist, is an old-timer in the Formula One paddock and knows the rules when it comes to hot stories: if you do not deny claims, you are as good as admitting them to be true.

Arsene Wenger enraged by World Cup mention

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

It takes a lot to get Arsène Wenger agitated, even more for him to turn the air blue. Yet agitated the Arsenal manager did get yesterday and occasionally blue, too, as he was questioned about the World Cup finals.

Kolo Toure blames whispering campaign within club for Arsenal exit

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Kolo Touré has claimed that he had to leave Arsenal after falling victim to a whispering campaign by a team-mate.

Wigan players to refund fans after 9-1 humiliation by Tottenham

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:09 GMT

After the pounding, the payback. Having short-changed their fans with one of the worst performances in modern English football history (watch the highlights here), Wigan Athletic’s players have agreed to refund all their supporters who paid to watch them lose 9-1 to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Rafael Nadal loses to Robin Soderling in ATP World Tour finals

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:25:38 GMT

Rafael Nadal, the player who doesn't like confined spaces, lost to Robin Soderling, who is one of the finest indoor players in the world, in his opening round robin of the Barclays ATP World Tour finals yesterday and very few people were surprised at the outcome.

Wigan players to refund fans after 9-1 humiliation by Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Sunday

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:39:32 GMT

After the pounding, the payback. Having short-changed their fans in yesterday's 9-1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur, Wigan Athletic's players have decided to refund the 250 supporters in the away end who witnessed the nightmare unfold in person.

Bad management is crucifying English rugby, says Stuart Barnes

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:02:06 GMT

What have England learnt from the autumn series?

Steven Gerrard optimistic as Liverpool face must-win game

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:57:19 GMT

Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, says the club can still turn their season around, despite setting out for their must-win Champions League match against with Debrecen without injured striker Fernando Torres

I could happily end my career at Arsenal, says Cesc Fabregas

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:48:28 GMT

Cesc Fabregas has hinted he could stay at Arsenal for the remainder of his career, despite interest from Barcelona.

Stan Kroenke moves closer to obligatory Arsenal takeover

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:54:35 GMT

Stan Kroenke requires 62 more shares to trigger a mandatory takeover bid of Arsenal.

Thierry Henry considered quitting international football over cheat storm

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:41:29 GMT

Thierry Henry says he considered quitting international football because of the controversial goal that sent France to the World Cup finals at Ireland's expense. The Barcelona forward's blatant handball in the build-up to William Gallas's extra-time equaliser last Wednesday night went unpunished and sent France through 2-1 on aggregate.

David Beckham proud despite LA Galaxy defeat in MLS Cup

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:44:10 GMT

David Beckham's hopes of leading Los Angeles Galaxy to the MLS Cup were dashed by defeat in a penalty shoot-out.

Ricardo Fuller makes Portsmouth pay penalty

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:11 GMT

Even Tony Pulis has given up on Ricardo Fuller’s poor punctuality, but the Stoke City manager was toasting his mercurial striker’s timing last night after the former Portsmouth forward came up with a belated first league goal of the season.

England rugby's snobbery drove sweet chariot into the ditch

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Let us go back to the autumn of 2002. In the course of 15 splendid days, England beat New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. The first two were tight matches that emphasised the unity of the victors. South Africa tried to sucker England into a punch-up; England, coldly aloof, punished violence with points.

David Dunn give timely tonic to Sam Allardyce as Blackburn win again at Bolton

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Given that Sam Allardyce was told to refrain from watching his Blackburn Rovers team yesterday on health grounds, it would be wrong, in the strictest sense, to say this result was just what the doctor ordered.

Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel set to miss must-win match for Liverpool

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Fernando Torres will not be fit enough to travel to Hungary for Liverpool’s Champions League match against Debrecen tomorrow.

‘Players are too spoilt’, says Gary Neville

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Gary Neville, the Manchester United and England defender, has launched a scathing attack on players who are so mollycoddled they “don’t know how to set up their own bank account” or “buy a new fridge”.