Omicron: New Covid-19 strain could scupper sport further November 28, 2021 The Omicron variant of Covid-19 could derail the upcoming sports calendar, having already been the cause of chaos over the weekend. The strain, prominent in Southern Africa but also appearing elsewhere, has put governments across the world on red alert. And sports organisations are no different. International sports events in the southern hemisphere are prominent [...]
Five things we learned this weekend: United show Rangnick hallmarks to hold Chelsea November 28, 2021 We may not yet know how much he influenced Manchester United’s approach in their 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Sunday but their approach bore some of the hallmarks of Ralf Rangnick. Rangnick is expected to arrive at United this week to take up the role of interim manager until the end of the season, when [...]
Storm Arwen: Heavy snow writes off Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur Premier League match November 28, 2021 Today’s scheduled Premier League match between Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur has been called off due to heavy snow related to Storm Arwen. The game at Turf Moor was due to kick off at 2pm but the decision to postpone the fixture was announced 50 minute beforehand. “In these conditions it is not football. I want [...]
Can fans truly have a bigger role in sports clubs? November 26, 2021 The recommendations within the Crouch review will be, quite simply, a symphony to many sports fans up and down the country. But they are just that… recommendations. So just how can real-world examples of fans holding authority in sport push what are currently ideals into actions. Long have sports clubs been toys for owners: left [...]
Competition Law likely to have a place in sport long into the future November 26, 2021 Although historically associated more with corporate CEOs in smoke-filled rooms than the world of sport, competition law has certainly hit the back pages in 2021. The ever-increasing commercialisation of sport means that this crossover is only likely to continue and, in the case of football, could soon ultimately decide the future. European Super League While [...]
The World Cup countdown to Qatar is on: one year to go November 23, 2021 “It’s actually 363 days, 21 hours and 49 minutes to go,” said Fifa president Gianni Infantino yesterday as he began his monologue of praise towards next year’s World Cup hosts Qatar. “One year before kick off, all venues are ready. Some other host countries, many years after the event has taken place, have stadiums that [...]
Record £3.2bn in private equity deals for sports teams as funds target football, rugby and F1 November 22, 2021 The last twelve months saw a record £3.2bn of sports team acquisitions by private equity funds, almost treble last year’s total, as they targeted football, rugby and Formula 1 teams, according to new data shared with Morning Wire this afternoon. Last year saw an all-time high of 11 PE purchases of stakes in sports teams [...]
Solskjaer: Was it ever meant to be for the United legend? November 21, 2021 The writing has seemingly been on the wall for quite a while, and yesterday morning the Manchester United board made the final move in a game of managerial chess that, until recently, was at a stalemate. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is synonymous with Old Trafford. Over 200 appearances as a player for the Red Devils spanning [...]
United part ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Watford defeat November 21, 2021 Manchester United have this morning confirmed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left his role as manager. Norwegian Solskjaer took over at Old Trafford in 2018 as caretaker before signing a permanent deal with the Red Devil’s in March 2019. The news comes after United’s 4-1 loss at the hands of Watford yesterday. In a club [...]
Lilian Thuram: Gareth Southgate sets a good example of what white people can do November 20, 2021 A bespectacled Lilian Thuram reaches for a map of the world and turns it upside down to illustrate his point. France’s most capped footballer is sitting at the desk of his office for this video interview, his studious appearance and the shelf full of books behind him indicating the direction he has taken since retiring [...]