Harlequins rugby coach given three year ban: after "bloodgate" inquiry. The episode centres around last year's Heinekin Cup quarter-final where Harlequins winger Tom Williams faked a blood-injury (video) in order to leave the field and be replaced by a specialist kicker. [more inside]
posted by afx237vi to other at 09:35 AM - 8 comments
From Exeter City to the 2010 World Cup... via Singapore?: After struggling to forge a professional career in the lower leagues of English football, John Wilkinson was about to pack it all in and quit the sport. Then the Singaporean FA came calling, and he now has a realistic chance of competing at the next World Cup in two years time.
posted by afx237vi to soccer at 10:10 AM - 9 comments
Broken Faces: During 2006, photographer Denis Rouvre travelled throughout France to document Top 14 French rugby matches. Granted open access to the locker rooms, he captured portraits of 220 players immediately after they left the pitch. "Bruise, grimy, bandaged, these smiling or grimacing faces reveal the impacts, the high stakes, the solidarity." (Note: Lots of Flash. Click Work ? Broken Faces.)
posted by afx237vi to culture at 08:22 AM - 4 comments
The 6th Rugby World Cup: kicks off tomorrow with the hosts France taking on the Argentineans. The BBC and the Independent have each compiled a handy team-by-team guide of the 20 nations taking part. [more inside]
posted by afx237vi to other at 05:06 PM - 10 comments
Fantasy Tour 2007: In amongst all the scandal, there was actually a race in there somewhere. So congratulations to qbert72, the winner of the inaugural fantasy Tour de France!
posted by afx237vi to fantasy at 08:33 AM - 5 comments
Fantasy Tour: The scores on the first rest day are...
posted by afx237vi to fantasy at 05:46 PM - 11 comments
Anyone interested in a game of fantasy Tour de France?: Details inside...
posted by afx237vi to fantasy at 04:29 PM - 11 comments
Ullrich hangs up his cleats.: After failing to find a team for the new season, and persistent doping allegations that refuse to go away, 1997 Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich announces his retirement. Ullrich was caught up in the Operacion Puerto doping case last year, and despite numerous other cyclists being given the all-clear, Der Kaiser has chosen to call it a day.
posted by afx237vi to other at 10:30 AM - 6 comments
Test Catch Cricket.: Practice your catching skills ahead of the Ashes 2nd Test with this fun cricketing game. You can also try the insanely addictive Stick Cricket or the slightly less addictive The Ashes.
posted by afx237vi to other at 09:46 AM - 4 comments
"She shouldn't be here. I know that sounds sexist but I am sexist. This is not park football, so what are women doing here?": Luton Town boss Mike Newell faces an FA investigation after a scathing verbal attack on female match officials.
posted by afx237vi to soccer at 09:43 AM - 25 comments
Hip hip hooray.: A few days after announcing that he would need hip replacement surgery in the off-season, Floyd Landis takes the yellow jersey in the Tour de France.
posted by afx237vi to other at 05:14 PM - 5 comments
La Corsa Rosa - A preview of the 2006 Giro d'Italia: With mountains aplenty, this year's Tour of Italy should be a very exciting race. Here's a quick look at the riders to look out for over the next three weeks
posted by afx237vi to commentary at 09:33 AM - 0 comments
Cycling.tv: is an online TV channel dedicated to the sport of pro cycling. Already this year they've shown a number of live one day classics from Belgium, absolutely free to anyone with a good broadband connection. You can also watch on-demand edited highlights of recent races and some of the Pro Tour races from last year.
posted by afx237vi to other at 09:22 AM - 16 comments
The qualifying draw for Euro 2008: was made earlier today in Montreaux.
posted by afx237vi to soccer at 07:43 AM - 12 comments
George Best dies, aged 59: Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers ever, he passed away earlier today in London after a long illness related to his alcoholism.
posted by afx237vi to soccer at 10:20 AM - 20 comments
Armstrong to go for a 7th consecutive Tour in 2005.: There had been much speculation that he would give this year's event a miss, choosing to focus on the Spring Classics and a possible attempt at the hour record instead -- but perhaps unsurprisingly, come July, Lance will be in Fromentine attempting to break yet more records.
posted by afx237vi to other at 08:58 AM - 30 comments
Max Schmeling has died, aged 99.: Schmeling, one of the greatest boxers of his era, defeated Jack Sharkey in 1930 to become World Heavyweight champion, but he is probably best known for the legendary bouts with Joe Louis and his uncomfortable closeness to the Nazi Party.
posted by afx237vi to boxing at 04:05 PM - 2 comments
Stumped: England loses one of it's most loved sporting icons. At over 200 years old, it certainly had a good innings.
Glenn Hoddle linked with Spurs: Despite being appointed as the Wolves boss on Wednesday, Hoddle - who is not unknown for making controversial statements - has claimed he is in talks with a group of millionaire businessmen who want to buy Tottenham Hotspur and place him in charge. Unsurprisingly, the Tottenham chairman is not too pleased about this.
posted by afx237vi to soccer at 08:19 AM - 7 comments
England could have walked: FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he would have supported England had they opted to leave the pitch in last week's friendly against Spain, where several black players were subjected to racist chants from the terraces. Does this set a dangerous precedent? Who decides if the abuse is serious enough to warrant a walk-out? Heck, who decides if the abuse is racist? And what happens when the crowd realise they can stop a match whenever a result is going the wrong way just by chanting unpleasant slogans?
posted by afx237vi to soccer at 08:30 AM - 11 comments