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Sepp Blatter responds directly to Rio Ferdinand on Twitter as Fifa president criticised over racism comments

2011-11-17T22:50:00.001-08:00

Footballers,managers, anti-racism campaigners and even Prime Minister David Cameron unitedto condemn Blatter’s comments, issued in two separate television interviews onWednesday, in which he claimed racism was not a problem in football and thatblack players should remember it is “just a game” and “shake hands” with theirabusers.

Blatter’s desperatebacktracking continued on Thursday, when he conducted another interview withFox Sports to highlight his desire to take the World Cup to South Africa lastyear, as well as his friendship with black delegates at Fifa as evidence he isnot racist. He also suggested his comments were misunderstood. “I can tell youall my life in football has been accompanied by fighting discrimination andfighting racism,” he said.

But thatattempt to douse the controversy failed to impress his critics in Britain, whofound an unofficial ringleader in Ferdinand. The defender used his Twitteraccount to urge Blatter to step down.

In areference to a picture posted by Fifa of Blatter hugging Tokyo Sexwale, a SouthAfrican politician, the Manchester Uniteddefender said: “Fifa clear up the blatter comments with a pic of him posingwith a black man..I need the hand covering eyes symbol!!”

In a seriesof tweets sent directly to Blatter, he added: “Your comments on racism are socondescending its almost laughable. If fans shout racist chants but shake ourhands is that ok? Just for clarity if a player abuses a referee, does a shakeof the hand after the game wipe the slate clean?

“To say what you said about racism in footballspoke volumes of your ignorance on the subject.”

Remarkably,Blatter then responded with a tweet of his own at Ferdinand. “The 'black man’as you call him has a name: Tokyo Sexwale. He has done tremendous work againstracism and apartheid in Africa,” he said.

“We havedone several joint activities to raise awareness on the struggle against racismin South Africa. Fifa has a long standing and proud record in the area ofanti-discrimination, which will continue.”

Ferdinand’soutrage was mirrored by several Premier League players. The Aston Villamidfielder, Jermaine Jenas, attacked Blatter’s “ignorant” and “ridiculous”views, while Louis Saha described his comments as “poor”.

TheBirmingham manager, Chris Hughton, was stunned Blatter thought his remarkswould not spark controversy. “The massive concern is firstly that one personwho heads the world’s governing body is allowed to make the comments he madeand secondly that he has made the comments he’s made,” Hughton said.

“Whatconcerns me is that you have the head of our world organisation and he hasprobably had to make apologies on four, five or six occasions. He almost seemsuntouchable.”

The chiefexecutive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, Gordon Taylor, did nothold back in his criticism either.

“It’s thestraw that broke the camel’s back. When you see the corruption they’ve had atFifa, the comments he made about homosexuals not going to Qatar, the way hetalked about women’s football, the style of the arrangements for the World Cup,the fact he won’t have technology. I think it’s really time to move over for[Uefa president] Michel Platini,” Taylor said.

“It isembarrassing — if one person should get it about racism it is the head of Fifa,which has 200 countries in the world, is so diverse with different cultures,creeds and colours. He doesn’t understand how divisive racism is — it creates'them and us’.”

The FootballAssocation, mindful of its frosty relations with Fifa in recent months, choseto express its displeasure with a short statement reiterating its “zerotolerance approach against racism.”

ButBritain’s politicians had no reason to contain their anger, with Cameroncalling Blatter’s comments “appalling”. In a statement he said: “A lot of workhas gone into ridding racism from all aspects of our society, includingfootball. It’s appalling to suggest that racism in any way should be acceptedas part of the game.”

Sportsminister Hugh Robertson went further, calling for Blatter to stand down. “Thisis incredibly serious but it is part of a pattern of behaviour,” he said. “Yes[he should go]. His comments are completely unacceptable. This is the latestepisode that calls into question whether this man should be the head of worldfootball. For the sake of the game, he should go.”

Sir Clive Woodward blasts Rugby Football Union for 'ignoring' former England coach Martin Johnson

2011-11-17T22:49:00.001-08:00

Woodward,who also said he had no interest in being England coach again, did not mentionnames but elite rugby director Rob Andrew was an implicit target.

“To put in arookie manager like Martin and to put no one alongside him, to let him run hisown ship for 3½ years without any analysis is so, so wrong,” said Woodward,speaking on Sky Sports Rugby Club.

“Who madethese decisions? Martin had no coaching experience so it was a big risk. Herang me before he took the job and I advised him not to take it. I told himthat he should earn his stripes at a club like Leicester, for example, earn hiscredibility.

“I don’t seeMartin as a big risk-taker but he took a risk. And the union did, too, and tonegate that risk they should have put someone alongside him. For the union toleave him on his own was wrong. It left him horribly exposed. It’s ended intears and someone should be accountable. As for me, I have no wish to coachEngland again.”

Johnson wasa surprise attendee at Thursday’s Professional Game Board meeting in Londonwhich was considering reviews from three different sources on England’s World Cupcampaign. He was accompanied by Andrew, who submitted his own report. Therewere also reports from the players’ association and considerations canvassedfrom the Premiership clubs.

“The members had a robust, open and detaileddiscussion,” PGB review chairman Ian Metcalfe said. The body will now take timeto consider its recommendations before reporting to the RFU management board onNov 30. They heard concerns expressed over various aspects of the World Cupcampaign including conditioning, medical protocols and preparation.

SteveDiamond, who knows Jim Mallinder as well as anyone in English rugby, has calledfor “the dream ticket” of the Northampton head coach and Woodward to be pairedto launch England’s campaign towards the 2015 Rugby World Cup. “It would be amarriage made in heaven,” said the Sale director of rugby, a former team-mateof Mallinder at the Cheshire club, coaching colleague there, too, and withEngland Saxons. Woodward was head coach of England at the time.

“Clive hasgot fantastic vision and the ability to deal with a whole range of issues atthe union. It’s crying out for that. Jim would thrive as the front-of-househead coach with someone of Clive’s stature there as the statesman figure of thegame. You’ve got to have a coach that coaches and that’s Jim’s forte.”

Diamond andMallinder go back 20 years. Their coaching alliance entailed a stint with theSaxons when Woodward was in charge of the senior side.

“He rarelyinterfered but he knew exactly what was going on,” said Diamond, who remained aclose ally of Mallinder even when he took up a post with Russia, leading themto World Cup qualification for the first time. He was a scouting consultant forMallinder’s Northampton during those years. Wing Vasily Artemyev is atFranklin’s Gardens this season.

Diamonddismissed concerns that Mallinder might be too nice a guy to succeed. “He’s gotthat hard streak, don’t worry about that,” he said. “Everyone knows who theboss is. He’s definitely tough enough. He fits the bill for me.”

Northamptonstressed on Thursday they would do all they could to retain Mallinder. “Iwouldn’t want him to leave – that is a no-brainer,” chairman Leon Barwell said.

However, healso said he would not deny Mallinder the right to pursue his personal goals,even if he did not want to lose such a great asset should England come looking.

“I don’twant to be seen to be building Jim up too much as if I’m keen for England tocome and get him,” said Barwell, son of Keith, the retired chairman and drivingforce of the Saints for over two decades, and the man who brought Mallinder toFranklin’s Gardens five years ago.

“Jim is agreat man-manager as well as a great rugby technician. It’s rare to have thatcombination. He manages to draw the best from people, and that’s a preciousskill. His success is evident in where we are today as a club as to where wewere when Jim arrived.”

Martin Johnson resigns: Nick Mallett rules himself out of the running for England managerial role

2011-11-17T00:34:00.001-08:00

Mallettrevealed he was contacted by the RFU earlier this week to inquire about hisavailability for the job, suggesting he was the governing body’s first choiceto replace Johnson, who resigned from his position yesterday following England'sdreadful World Cup campaign, which was marred by off-field controversies.

English-bornMallett, 55, is out of contract having completed a successful four-year spellwith Italy.

But justhours after Johnson ended his three-and-a-half year tenure by announcing hisresignation at a press conference at Twickenham, Mallett informed TelegraphSport that he was ruling himself out of contention.

The decisionof Mallett, who was approached for the England job in 2006 following thesacking of Andy Robinson and before Brian Ashton was appointed, could be seenas a set-back and leaves Northampton’s director of rugby Jim Mallinder as theoverwhelming favourite for the job.

“I wouldlike to lay to rest the speculation linking me to the now-vacant England Rugbycoaching position,” said Mallett, who coached the Springboks to a record run of17 successive victories during his tenure between 1997 and 2000, including thedefeat of England in the quarter-finals of the 1999 World Cup at the Stade deFrance.

“The RFU contacted me earlier this week toenquire about my availability for the position, should Martin Johnson resign.

“I hadpreviously expressed my interest in the position publicly and was interested tohear what RFU representatives had to say. After mulling it over for a few daysand discussing the opportunity with close friends and family, I have decidedthat I will not be making myself available for the position and I havedisclosed this to the RFU.

“My primaryconcern is my family — I am happy to have returned home to South Africa after atremendous four-year term with the Italian national team.

“We aresettled in Cape Town and it is my wish to be able to enjoy time with my wifeand kids after four years in Italy.

“I thank theRFU for making their interest known to me. The job of England coach is one ofthe most prestigious in world rugby and I wish them all the best in their questfor the best possible man for the job.”

WhileMallett pointed to family reasons as the primary motive behind his decision towithdraw, it is clear that the turmoil at the top of the RFU following thesacking of John Steele as chief executive, has also been a significantinfluence.

In an interviewlast week Mallett hinted at criticism of Rob Andrew, the current director ofelite rugby who is due to produce a report on England’s World Cup campaign tothe professional game board today.

“It’s notonly the performance of the team on the field that needs freshening up, it alsothe performance of the guys off the pitch,” Mallett said. “There is a lot to doand it’s a real challenge.

“But firstof all you have to sort out what’s happening at the Union and who you phone topitch for the job. I don’t know who that person would be in the England set-up.

“In 2006 Iwas asked to apply for the head coach job with England and I had my views onthe director-of-rugby role at the RFU.

“My view isfairly simple; the head coach should answer to the management board, not to adirector of rugby who may have less experience.”

Sepp Blatter's 'condescending' comments on racism blasted by Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand

2011-11-17T00:33:00.001-08:00

In twoseparate television interviews Blatter said racism on the pitch was not aproblem and that racist abuse between players should be settled by a handshake.

The75-year-old later claimed he had been misunderstood but he had already provokeda furious backlash.

Ferdinandcontacted Blatter's Twitter account directly, writing: ''@SeppBlatter your commentson racism are so condescending its almost laughable. If fans shout racistchants but shake our hands is that ok?''

He alsowrote: ''Tell me I have just read Sepp Blatter's comments on racism in footballwrong... if not then I am astonished.

''I feelstupid for thinking that football was taking a leading role againstracism.....it seems it was just on mute for a while.

''Just forclarity if a player abuses a referee, does a shake of the hand after the gamewipe the slate clean??''

Blatter'scomments came on the same day that the Football Association charged Liverpoolforward Luis Suarez with racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

A racisminvestigation is also ongoing against England captain John Terry, allegationshe strenuously denies.

Asked ifracism was a problem on the pitch, Blatter had earlier told CNN World Sport:''I would deny it. There is no racism, there is maybe one of the playerstowards another, he has a word or a gesture which is not the correct one.

''But alsothe one who is affected by that, he should say that this is a game.

"We arein a game, and at the end of the game, we shake hands, and this can happen,because we have worked so hard against racism and discrimination.''

He also saidon Al Jazeera: ''During a match you may say something to someone who's notlooking exactly like you, but at end of match it's forgotten.''

Piara Powar,executive director of FARE, European football's anti-discrimination andexclusion campaign, was scathing about Blatter's remarks.

Powar said:''Sepp Blatter's comments about player-on-player racism are at best naive, andat worst, ignorant.

"Theyundermine the good work of both Fifa and a global movement againstdiscrimination in football and in society.''

Blatterattempted to douse the controversy by issuing a statement on Fifa's officialwebsite, where he pledged his commitment to stamping out racism from football.

He said:''My comments have been misunderstood.

"What Iwanted to express is that, as football players, during a match, you have'battles' with your opponents, and sometimes things are done which are wrong.

''But,normally, at the end of the match, you apologise to your opponent if you had aconfrontation during the match, you shake hands, and when the game is over, itis over.

''Havingsaid that, I want to stress again that I do not want to diminish the dimensionof the problem of racism in society and in sport.

''I amcommitted to fighting this plague and kicking it out of football.''

England v Sweden: Fabio Capello hails performances of Jack Rodwell, Phil Jones and Kyle Walker

2011-11-16T01:06:00.001-08:00

“It’simportant to win, always,” he said. “It’s important to beat Sweden after 43years [England'slast victory over the same opponents was in 1968].

“But, forme, it was more important to see Jones, Walker, Rodwell, to play against a teamwhich is really organised on the pitch and difficult to play against. Theanswer that I received from the performance is really, really important. Thesethree players played really, really well.”

Jones, just19, and making his third consecutive start for England in yet another role forthe team, was particularly impressive according to Capello.

“For me, itwas important to see the players. I changed the system and played with threemidfielders and three forwards, and it was important to see Jones in theposition where Scott Parker usually plays,” he said.

“It’sdifferent to the back four. He played really well. It was also also importantto see Rodwell as a midfielder, to see these players against a team who aredifficult to beat.”

Askedwhether 20-year-old Rodwell, after making his first start for his country, wasa contender for Euro 2012, Capello added: “At the end of the season I willdecide. I hope that all the midfield will be fit. Rodwell is a reallyinteresting player, a young player. I think the competition to play for theEuros will be really, really strong. I hope it will be strong for all theplayers.”

England’s goalwas their 2,000th scored in all competition but Capello said: “I read all thestatistics but, for me, it’s not so important. It’s important, probably, after10 years: people will say ‘this player scored the 2,000th goal’. But duringthese games I’m looking for something new, and I found it.

“I foundthree really interesting players. These three players are really goodtechnically, really good physically, and all three are fast. That is importantin modern football.”

The youngplayers who featured at Wembley also performed “without fear”, Capello said.

The Englandmanager added: “I’m happy but we need to improve. When you have the ball youhave to move it quicker. I learned a lot [about playing without Wayne Rooney]and that was important. I’m happy for the experiments.

“WithoutRooney we changed the style and played with three midfielders, we won two games[against Spain and Sweden] and we created a lot of chances. I know that Rooneyis a fantastic player but I saw during these two games really good spirit.”

Theback-to-back friendly victories over Spain and Sweden meant England finishedthe calendar year unbeaten. “I’ve been really interested in the last two gameswe’ve played, against Spain and Sweden – difficult games.

“We’reunbeaten in 2011, but those are just statistics. It will be important what wedo in the Euros, not what we’ve done in this year.”

There wassome dispute over England’s goal but Gareth Barry, whose header deflected offdefender Daniel Majstorovic, later revealed it had been attributed to theSwede.

“I just gottold it’s going down as an own goal,” the midfielder said. “I got a touch on itand it skimmed off the defender.

“It wouldhave been great to score the 2,000th goal and I’m a bit disappointed but I’mnot a goalscorer and I won’t be crying too much.”

WayneRooney’s appeal against the three-match ban which is threatening hisparticipation at Euro 2012 will be heard on Dec 9.

Uefa’sappeals body will deal with the case of the England striker a week after thedraw for the tournament is made. Rooney was shown a red card for violentconduct in England’s final qualifier against Montenegro last month.

The victimof Rooney’s challenge, defender Miodrag Dzudovic, has already written to Uefato lend his support to the Manchester United striker.

England assistant coach Graham Rowntree being targeted by Wales to join Warren Gatland's team

2011-11-16T01:04:00.001-08:00

Gatland, whoworked with the former England prop as part of the British and Irish Lionscoaching team in South Africa in 2009, is believed to be keen on appointingRowntree as his forwards coach, with incumbent Robin McBryde expected to partcompany with the Welsh Rugby Union in the next few weeks.

It isunderstood that Rowntree, one of the few England coaches to emerge fromEngland’s dreadful Rugby World Cupcampaign with an enhanced reputation, may also be targeted by Scotlandhead coach and former England coach Andy Robinson.

The interestcomes as Rowntree’s future with England is still uncertain ahead of Thursday'swide-ranging review into the World Cup campaign by the Professional Game Board.

Englandmanager Martin Johnson’s position could also come under threat during themeeting at Twickenham as the PGB considers reports from Rob Andrew, the RugbyFootball Union’s elite rugby director, Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Players’Association.

Rowntreeappears to be in the safest position of Johnson’s five assistant coaches, withBrian Smith (attack), Mike Ford (defence), John Wells (forwards) and Dave Alred(kicking) all under threat to differing degrees.

Rowntree,who won 54 caps for England and two for the Lions, would almost certainlyremain in his current position if he was offered a new contract. But given theuncertainty surrounding the futures of Johnson and his coaching team, Wales mayhope an offer to join Gatland’s crew, following their impressive fourth-place finishin New Zealand, would prove attractive to Rowntree.

Wales tookadvantage of the disarray at the RFU by swiftly re-signing Shaun Edwards, whoon Tuesday penned a new four-year deal to remain as defence coach despiteconsiderable speculation that he would be offered the England head coachposition in the event that Johnson and the RFU parted ways.

Rowntree,who was appointed England assistant coach in 2008, is understood to haveretained the respect of the players during England’s ill-fated campaign. “WhenWig [Rowntree] speaks, everyone listens,” said a source close to the players.

Anothersource said that Johnson was keen to retain his coaching team if he decided tocarry on as England manager and received the backing of the PGB, which willpresent its review to the RFU board of directors on Nov 30.

However, itseems almost certain that the PGB review will recommend changes to the set-upwhich has been in place since Johnson took over as head coach in July 2008.

Ford retainsstrong support and England’s defence, if nothing else, was one of the tightestduring the World Cup. Wells and Smith appear to be most vulnerable. Alred, asurvivor from England’s 2003 World Cup-winning campaign, is also unlikely toremain a part of the coaching team.

Meanwhile, Englandlock Simon Shaw looks set to make his debut for Toulon against Lyon in the Top14 on Saturday. Shaw, who has signed a one-year deal having secured releasefrom his contract with Wasps, is also expected to play for the Barbariansagainst Australia at Twickenham on Nov 26.

What the future might hold for England'scoaches...
Graham Rowntree
One of the few who enhanced reputation despite England’s poor World Cupshowing. Should be offered a new deal by RFU.

Mike Ford
England had best defensive record at the World Cup before quarter-final defeatto France. Likely to stay.

Brian Smith
Has struggled to make a big impact on England’s attacking game and will bevulnerable.

John Wells
England’s forwards were well drilled but they lacked dynamism and a groundhogopenside flanker.

Dave Alred
Having been with England since 1995, and particularly for Jonny Wilkinson, thekicking guru is thought by some to have run his course.

London 2012 Olympics: BOA's Lord Moynihan wants tougher sanctions in fight against drug cheats

2011-11-16T01:03:00.001-08:00

Speaking ata forum of international sports federations in Lausanne on Tuesday, Moynihandefended the BOA’s right to set its own selection criteria, insisting that theban “sends out a very strong and positive message that doping in sport is wrongand in contravention of the values of the Olympic Movement”.

He alsocalled for tougher punishments for drug cheats than the current two-yearsuspension laid down in the World Anti-Doping Agency code, and called for anindependent review of WADA’s performance in the fight against doping in sport,including its sanctions policy and testing procedures.

“The systemput in place by WADA has failed to catch the major drug cheats of our time,” hesaid. “The likes of Marion Jones, many cyclists and the BALCO operation areonly a few of those who have been tracked down and prosecuted, not by WADA butby the law enforcement officers. So now is a time for change. Now is a time forinformed review.”

Moynihan’shard-hitting comments signal his determination to stick with the BOA’seligibility by-law, which excludes athletes guilty of serious doping violationsfrom competing at the Olympic Games in a British vest.

The BOA hascome under increasing pressure to scrap the by-law following the success of Americanathlete LaShawn Merritt in overturning the International Olympic Committee’s‘Rule 45’, which sought to ban athletes who have served drug bans of six monthsor more from taking part in the next Olympic Games after their offence.

Merritt, theOlympic 400metres champion who served a 21-month ban after testing positive fora banned drug, won a judgment against the IOC at the Court of Arbitration forSport, which ruled that ‘Rule 45’ amounted to double jeopardy and was “invalidand unenforceable”.

The rulingmeans the BOA’s by-law could be open to a legal challenge from sprinter DwainChambers or cyclist David Millar, both of whom served two-year drug bans andare therefore excluded from next summer’s London Olympics.

Last week,the Danish Olympic federation announced that, in the wake of the Merrittruling, it was dropping its own ban on drug cheats competing at the nextOlympic Games.

Theeligibility issue will be top of the agenda at Wednesday's ’s BOA executiveboard meeting, the first to be held since the Merritt court case, though thetone of Moynihan’s speech suggest he is in no mood to follow the Danish exampleby backing down.

Hiscriticism of WADA also represents a firm riposte to the agency after it wroteto the BOA following the Merritt judgment urging it to test the legality of itsby-law.

The BOA saysthe by-law has the support of more than 90 per cent of British athletes, thoughit has been criticised by Chambers’s lawyer, Siza Agha, for leaving no room forredemption for reformed athletes.

Moynihansaid: “We need to ask where in this case is the redemption for the cleanathlete denied selection by a competitor who has knowingly cheated?”

England v Sweden: defiant John Terry insists he will never give up the captaincy

2011-11-16T01:02:00.001-08:00

Quitesomething when you consider that on Tuesday night he could not even count onunanimous support inside a half-full Wembley.

Terry haslong been the most divisive of England captains. Against Sweden he led outthe team for the 34th time, equalling Alan Shearer’s record, but not for thefirst time in an England shirt he could not rely on universal approval.

Until thepoppy row clouded the build-up to last weekend’s game against world championsSpain, Terry’s selection and retention as captain in the wake of the Ferdinandallegations was the dominant issue of this international break.

Thesynthetic remembrance debate was timely for Terry and the Football Association,sparing both a week of interrogation as to the appropriateness of a man underpolice investigation for allegedly racially abusing an opponent leading thenational team.

It wasapparent it had not been forgotten by the time Terry appeared at the head ofEngland’s experimental side.

Tuesdaynight’s crowd, at 48,876 the lowest since the stadium reopened in 2007, wasboosted by the presence of a high proportion of children, many of whom werearmed with inflatable “clacking” sticks handed out by sponsors to confect anatmosphere.

Togetherthey made a tinny racket as the teams were announced, but the booing of Terry’sname was clearly audible beneath the din, a bass-note reminder of the dismalallegations against him.

With thepolice investigation continuing, Terry is judged innocent until proven guilty.But his admission that he did indeed use a phrase that sandwiched “black” withtwo sexual expletives has eroded sympathy for the idea that he is a mantraduced.

Context iseverything, Terry argued when he appeared before the FA disciplinary bodyinvestigating the allegations, claiming that he only swore to correct theperception he had already employed the phrase pejoratively. He will tell thepolice the same, if he has not already been interviewed.

For manyEngland supporters however, both last night and on Saturday, when there was thejeering amid applause as he warmed up, the context of Terry’s pastmisdemeanours frames their willingness to believe him.

In anincreasingly parochial club game plenty will boo Terry because of hisperformances as an outstanding leader and centre-half for Chelsea. Ashley Coleand Frank Lampard have suffered for club allegiance and public perception asmuch as for their performance in the national shirt.

Cluballegiances have bafflingly been brought to bear on the racism row, and notonly that involving Terry. The Manchester United captain Patrice Evra’sallegation that Liverpool forward Luis Suárez repeatedly racially abused himsix weeks ago has descended in some quarters into a depressing proxy for clubrivalry.

The notionthat a club badge matters more to some supporters than respect for the colourof a man’s skin is deeply noxious, and Terry is too long in the tooth to expectthe fact that he had the Three Lions on his breast last night would spare himbarracking.

Not that itappears to bother him. “No chance,” he shot back when asked after the game ifhe had considered standing down from the captaincy and the squad.

“I wouldnever step down, this is something I have dreamed since I was a boy when Iwatched England games. I have worked hard to get here and to be Englandcaptain. I am proud to lead the side out. The fans were great with me tonight.I can’t ask for any more than that.”

Suchdefiance has been Terry’s USP and it was on display again as he puffed out hischest at the playing of the national anthem. When the television close-up came,as he will have known it would, he was singing with the flinty focus thatcounts as his game-face.

He startedassuredly, having little to do but adjust and readjust his stockings toabove-the-knee length as England dominated. He was comfortable in principallymarking Johan Elmander, a lumpy target man familiar to Terry from his seasonsat Bolton Wanderers and lacking the pace to expose him.

There was amoment of alarm following England’s first-half goal when over-elaboration sawhim turned by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and grateful first to a fortuitous hand-ball,undetected by the officials, and then to defensive partner Gary Cahill, forrelief.

It will takebetter and more dynamic forward lines than Sweden offered to disturb Terry’son-field equilibrium. Given the furore that has surrounded him this lastfortnight, goodness knows what could disturb his self-assuredness off it.

Joe Worsley forced to retire over neck injury

2011-11-14T04:15:00.001-08:00

The formerEngland No 8 has made the decision after failing to recover from the injurysustained last season.

"SinceMarch I have been following medical and rehab advice but it hasn'thelped," said Worsley.

Worsleyadmitted his future looked bleak from the moment he was dropped from England'straining squad for the recent World Cup, denying him participation in hisfourth tournament.

The 34year-old, who could cover all three back row positions and was feared for hisferocious defence, was left with no option but to hang up his boots.

"Lastseason I suffered an injury to my neck that has effectively ended mycareer," he said.

"Restartingcontact work during the England World Cup camp made it obvious that I could notcontinue.

"Mylife as a rugby player started at Welwyn under-nines and finished in an Englandtraining session - I want to say thanks to everyone who helped me on that path.

"I'mproud of what I achieved and how I played the game."

Worsley wascapped 78 times by England and made one appearance for the Lions, against SouthAfrica in 2009.

The 2003World Cup winner played over 300 times for Wasps in a career spanning almosttwo decades, lifting the Heineken Cup twice and clinching the Aviva Premiershiptitle four times.

"Joe isa real legend at Wasps and we are very sad to see his playing days come to anend," said Wasps owner Steve Hayes.

"He'sbeen a fantastic servant to Wasps and played a huge role in much of the club'ssuccess.

"He wasalso a superb representative on the international stage, becoming a key figurefor England and inspiring many budding young players with his tenacious backrow play.

"Hewill leave big boots to fill and we wish him all the very best as he moves onwith the next stage of his life.

"I hopethat we will still see him regularly around Adams Park and he knows he iswelcome back here any time."

John Terry's press conference ahead of England v Sweden: live

2011-11-14T04:14:00.001-08:00

Got anythoughts about John Terry, England’s encouraging efforts against Spain, FabioCapello or the England team in general? Do email in, especially if they areprintable, to alan.tyers@telegraph.co.uk

12.00 Helloand welcome to our live blog of the England press conference from the team’sHertfordshire hotel, where John Terry will speak in public for the first timesince the Anton Ferdinand row. Should be a lot to talk about, right? Well, yesand no. Displaying the sort of tight control that is often beyond our on-fieldheroes, the FA brass have mandated that England’s Lionheart John Terry will NOTanswer questions on the alleged racial incident itself.

Assumingthat the gentlemen of Her Majesty’s football press are worth their salt, theymust be licking their lips at the prospect of nagging and probing and pickingaway at the Terry defences like Xavi and Iniesta against a massed back four. Ora massed back nine, if Fabio has anything to do with it. Or perhaps they willjust give him an easy ride on the basis that the Met police have told the FA not to discuss theincident or allow it to be discussed.

Either way,we will be bringing you the press conference as it happens, where the man whowill captain England against Sweden on Tuesday will appear alongside managerFabio Capello. We should be off and running at 1pm.

Hopefully,we should see some good ‘Yes Minister’ style convoluted probing from thejournalists.

“If youhypothetically had been involved in the incident which did not happen, whatwould you hypothetically say to somebody who might be related to the individualwhom you definitely did not abuse if you were playing alongside this person incentral defence?”

Former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier dies after losing cancer fight

2011-11-07T23:20:00.000-08:00

It emergedover the weekend that Frazier was fighting liver cancer and he was reported tobe in hospice care.

And a familystatement reported by Philadelphia's WPVI-TV read: "We, the family of the1964 Olympic boxing heavyweight gold-medallist, former heavyweight boxingchampion and International Boxing Hall of Fame member Smokin' Joe Frazier,regret to inform you of his passing.

"Hetransitioned from this life as "One of God's Men," on the eve ofNovember 7, 2011 at his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We thank you foryour prayers for our father and vast outpouring of love and support.

"Respectfully,we request time to grieve privately as a family. Our father's home goingcelebration will be announced as soon as possible. Thank you for yourunderstanding."

Frazier wonOlympic gold in 1964 after going to the Games as a replacement for the injuredBuster Mathis, who had beaten him in the trials.

He won theprofessional heavyweight title in 1970 by stopping Jimmy Ellis in the fifthround at Madison Square Garden and defended it successfully four times beforelosing it to George Foreman in 1973.

Frazier isbest remembered for his three bouts with Muhammad Ali, the first of which sawhim unify the world title when he inflicted Ali's first professional defeat inthe so-called 'Fight of the Century' in 1971.

But in twofurther fights, including the epic 'Thrilla in Manila' in 1975, it was Ali whowas victorious.

Ali, 69,said yesterday upon hearing of Frazier's illness: "The news about Joe ishard to believe and even harder to accept.

"Myfamily and I are keeping Joe and his family in our daily prayers. Joe has a lotof friends pulling for him - and I'm one of them."

Britishheavyweight Dereck Chisora, also talking before Frazier's death, said:"It's a sad time. I watched all the fighters as a kid and he was a realinspiration.

"Theguy's lived his life and you know what, if you have to die after you'veachieved all you've achieved, you go in a good way.

"Whatcan you say about 'Smoking Joe'? A great fighter."

Frazierretired in 1976 after losing a rematch against Foreman, and aborted anattempted comeback five years later after a draw with the unheralded JumboCummings.

Tiger Woods accepts apology from former caddie Steve Williams and believes slur was 'not racist'

2011-11-07T23:14:00.001-08:00

Woods saidhe met with Williams on Tuesday morning in Sydney and shook hands with the NewZealander, who used the term “black --------” at an awards dinner in Shanghailast Friday.

“Obviously,it was the wrong thing to say – something we both acknowledged,” Woods said.“It was hurtful, certainly. But life goes forward.”

Woods, inSydney for the Australian Open at the Lakes golf course, said he and Williamshad “met face to face” and the caddie showed remorse.

“We talkedit through,” he said. “Steve is certainly not a racist. There is no doubt aboutthat. It was a comment that should not have been made.

"It wasone he wished he did not make.”

Asked aboutthe source of the apparent animosity with his former caddie, who accompaniedWoods to 13 major championship wins over 12 years, he said: “That is betweenSteve and me.”

Ian Thorpe comeback starts well as he finishes second in individual medley heat at Fina World Cup in Singapore

2011-11-04T03:05:00.000-07:00

After the five-timeOlympic champion’s first, much-hypeddip back into the water, the 29-year-old, expressing his happiness at the waythe race had gone, admitted his overriding feeling was one of “relief” that hehad got the hoopla surrounding his return out of the way.

Competing atthe World Cup short course meeting here in a heat of the 100m individualmedley, an event so unfamiliar to him that he had not actually taken part inone since he was 12, Thorpe qualified for tonight’s final without too muchproblem.

He was wellbeaten by the race favourite, Colombian Omar Pinzon, but after watching himease through the gears in the multi-stroke event, seasoned Thorpe observerswere suitably impressed by the opening salvo of his comeback as he clocked56.74secs to qualify sixth fastest for the final.

Even Thorpe,though, had to concede that since it was so long since he had swum this shortcourse medley he had no idea whether that represented a good time or not. Thewhole point of the exercise was to familiarise himself again with thecompetitive arena.

In low-keysurroundings, watched by a crowd not much larger than the huddle of hundred orso competitors at poolside and made up mainly of local schoolchildren, Thorpe’smorning entrance at the start of his historic comeback earned little morefanfare than a few schoolgirl screams.

“There wasn’t a chance I wouldn’t be nervousbut once I walked out there, I was a little bit better. I didn’t vomit oranything like that,” smiled Thorpe.

The race, headmitted, went by in a blur. “I can’t remember the race at all. I rememberstarting and touching the wall. So I think there’s probably a lot of things Ican do better in the final.

“But I’mhappy. I’m really happy to get the first one out of the way. Now I’m able tofocus on improving my swimming, rather than getting my first race back.”

Pinzon, a22-year-old US-based swimmer from Bogota, evidently quite enjoyed his moment inthe sun, having been the first man to beat the great Thorpedo on his comeback,and by almost a second. “When he retired, I was just starting to get intoswimming seriously. I’m excited.”

Watch the Australian make his highly anticipatedcomeback alongside fellow Aussie Libby Trickett at the Fina World Cup event inSingapore on Nov 4 and 5 on Telegraph Sport's live stream, in association withpartners GBsport.tv. (UK users)

Wayne Rooney: I was stupid picking up red card playing for England against Montenegro in Euro 2012 qualifier

2011-11-04T03:03:00.000-07:00

The FA haveuntil 5pm today to formally appeal against the ban the Manchester Unitedstriker incurred for his dismissal in last month's qualifying match againstMontenegro.

The victimof Rooney's challenge, defenderMiodrag Dzudovic, has written to Uefa to lend his support to the striker.

However,Rooney insists there is no-one to blame but himself.

The 26year-old said: "Obviously, it's devastating for me but it's somethingthat's my own fault, so I can't really complain.

"It wasstupid by me - I regretted it as soon as I did it. It's no excuse, but I stillfeel the punishment is a bit harsh. I'm disappointed with it.

"Allthe details we have been waiting on have come through, so we'll be making adecision as to whether we will be appealing.

"Evenif it's reduced by one game, it will be a bonus for me."

Rooney addedthat he has no idea why he kicked out at Dzudovic, earning a straight red cardin England's 2-2 draw inPodgorica last month.

Heexplained: "I honestly don't know why. It was just one of those momentswhich I live to regret now.

"Therewas no tackle beforehand, and I didn't think 'I'm going to beat him.' It justhappened. I can't explain it."

Villarreal 0 Manchester City 3: match report

2011-11-02T23:24:00.000-07:00

Surely itcannot continue to look so easy for ManchesterCity?

Anothergame, another rout as Roberto Mancini’s team cruised past Villarreal to taketheir goal haul to 27 goals in seven games since the roof threatened to cave atBayern Munich six weeks ago.

City haveseemingly forgotten how to make life difficult for themselves and even a YellowSubmarine failed to halt their cruise towards the Champions League knock-out stages.

Two goalsfrom Yaya Toure and a first-half penalty from Mario Balotelli secured City’sfirst victory on Spanish soil, moving them into second place ahead of thismonth’s decisive clash against Napoli in Italy.

Villarreal,nicknamed the Yellow Submarines, were brushed aside, but with qualification forthe knock-out stages up for grabs with a victory in Naples on Nov 22, Mancinihas warned that the intimidating Stadio San Paolo will be no place forcomplacency

“It’simportant to be in second place, but we know everything will depend on Naples.”Mancini said. “We now have two results to go for against Napoli, but it isclear that if we win there, we will go through to the second stage.

“But everytime they play at night in Naples, there is an incredible atmosphere and itwill be very difficult. There will be 60,000 people there and if we lose, itwill be difficult for us (to qualify).

“I enjoyedthis performance, though. Villarreal were without some important players, butit is not easy to win away in Europe and it is good for our confidence. If wequalify fir the second stage, anything can happen.” Villarreal were hamstrung —literally — by a raft of injuries to key players, most notably the formerManchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi, who faces six months on the sidelineswith a cruciate ligament injury.

With afurther six players out of action, including midfielder Marcos Senna andBrazilian forward Nilmar, Villarreal faced a mountain to climb merely to revivetheir hopes of securing the consolation prize of a place in the Europa Leaguein the new year.

For much ofthe first-half, however, Villarreal stuck rigidly to their defensive shape,suffocating the space around the City players — David Silva, in particular —and only broke forward with long passes to lone striker, Joselu.

Joselushould have opened the scoring for the hosts on 17 minutes when he escapedVincent Kompany and Stefan Savic to receive a forty yard pass just inside theCity penalty area, but the Spanish forward took his eye off the ball at thecrucial moment and mis-controlled, enabling City to clear the danger.

Silva, theformer Valencia winger, was forced to overcome the shackles imposed by theclose marking of Borja Valero on his first return to Spain in a City shirt, butwith everything flowing through the mercurial playmaker, it was no surprisewhen Silva created the opening for Yaya Toure to put Mancini’s team ahead.

Silvaappeared to be expecting a return ball from Toure as he laid the pass offbefore darting into the penalty area.

But his runopened the space for the former Barcelona midfielder and Toure stroked the ballbeyond goalkeeper Diego Lopez and into the far corner of the net from 18 yardsto claim his first goal of the season and hand City the lead.

City sensedan opportunity to extend their lead, however, and Portuguese referee PedroProenca correctly pointed to the penalty spot deep into first-half stoppagetime following a shove by Mateo Musacchio on Balotelli.

The Italianstriker stepped up to score his seventh goal in seven games, despite attemptsto distract him with a laser pen being brandished in his direction from thestands.

Faced withincessant jeers, Balotelli stared down his terrace tormentors after scoring hisgoal, but although the nature of booing could have been construed as monkeychanting, Mancini dismissed such suggestions after the game, while clubofficials confirmed that the issue was not raised by Balotelli or any of histeam-mates in the dressing-room There was no doubting the presence of the laserpen, however. Television cameras also highlighted the green beam being shone onthe face of referee Proenca in the second-half and, with City midfielder SamirNasri forced to bear the brunt of objects thrown at him while taking a corner —mainly paper aeroplanes and litter — Villarreal could find themselves thesubject of a Uefa investigation.

Theoff-field nonsense did not affect City’s performance, however, as theycomfortably dealt with the minimal threat posed by their opponents on thepitch.

Balotelliwas unlucky not to score his second on 53 minutes when, after being teed up byJames Milner, he turned sharply 25 yards out and saw a powerful shot deflectedbehind for a corner.

Thedefensive organisation and solidity displayed by Villarreal in the first-halfbegan to evaporate as the combined talents of Silva and Nasri ensured waveafter wave of City attacks as the second-half progressed.

Silva’sinvolvement was halted, however, by a knock which led to him being replaced byAdam Johnson, but City had found their groove and the change made littledifference.

It merelyenabled Nasri to claim centre stage as City’s creative force and the Frenchmidfielder filled the void left by Silva by creating the third goal for Tourewith a pass which released Balotelli to tee up the Ivorian.

Balotelli’sfirst-time pass to Toure resulted in the midfielder beating the helpless Lopez witha right-foot strike from 20 yards to confirm victory.

Now forNaples.

RFU chief executive Martyn Thomas removed from post

2011-11-02T23:20:00.000-07:00

After six years in office, Thomas’sdeparture from all posts that he holds on Dec 16, when his contract as actingchief executive officer runs out, has seriously diminished the prospects ofWoodward, England’s 2003 World Cup-winning coach, returning as performancedirector.

Thomas has long championedWoodward’s cause, as has Cotton, whose independent review into the RFU’sstructure of elite rugby, has been abandoned.

Telegraph Sport understands that at the scheduled RFU management boardmeeting, operations director Rob Andrew argued against the putativeindependence of the Cotton review on the grounds that the former Lions andEngland prop had already made public his views as to the failings of England’sdismal World Cup campaign.

Sports minister High Roberston hadwelcomed an external audit of England’s elite structure.

Andrew, who himself was sidelined byformer chief executive John Steele earlier in the year, moving from elite rugbydirector to his present role, won a significant battle in helping dismantle theThomas axis of power.

He and Woodward are no comfortablebedfellows. The master of political manoeuvre at Twickenham has yet againpulled off a neat sidestep, although he will be aware that he remains in thesights of those who want answers as to the underperformance of the seniorEngland side, their first Six Nations title in eight years notwithstanding.

“There will still be a spotlight onAndrew’s department,” said one source.

However the removal of a strongcharacter such as Thomas means that there is no standout individual to callAndrew to account. The RFU is in desperate need of decisive leadership withdirectors such as Ian Metcalfe now needing to come to the fore.

There was little of substancedecided as to the future of England manager Martin Johnson, who is stillweighing up his options. Johnson’s contract expires at the end of December.That decision may yet be taken out of his hands with the RFU due to rule on suchmatters at a board meeting on Dec 14.

There are get-out clauses that allowfor an external review to take place but only after the Professional Game Boardhas completed its own appraisal of England’s dismal World Cup campaign. That inturn is due to be presented initially on Nov 17.

The RFU did confirm the appointmentof two independent directors yesterday, Miles Templeman, recently directorgeneral of the Institute of Directors, and Andrew Higginson, a board directorof Tesco for the past 14 years. RFU chief financial officer Stephen Brown willtake over as acting CEO from Thomas until a new chief executive is in place.

The runes were set in place forThomas’s demise from the moment that RFU chief disciplinary officer JeffBlackett was so damning of his conduct in a report compiled in the wake ofevents that led to Steele’s sacking in May.

Thomas has survived two votes of noconfidence since. There has been a long-standing threat of a special generalmeeting with clubs determined to call him to account. Now that he has stoodaside, there is little point in that SGM being called.

Thomas has given notice that he willrelinquish all his posts, from acting CEO to RFU representative on theInternational Rugby Board and the European Rugby Cup and even the position aschairman of England 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Evidently Thomas has enemies withinTwickenham but he is held in high regard at the IRB. They think well of one ofthe men who helped win the bid for England.

Any suggestion that England’shosting rights might be removed because of Thomas’s predicament do not bearscrutiny. The World Cup is awarded to a country not to an individual.

However Telegraph Sportunderstands that the IRB was concerned as to the turmoil at Twickenham tosummon high-ranking RFU officials during the World Cup in New Zealand andinstruct them that they needed to quell the warring factions to present aunited front.

If there are those happy to see theback of Thomas, then they need to recognise that he has brokered several key cross-factioninitiatives during his time, bringing together the professional clubs and theunion.

However, the manner in which hemoved against Steele, was to prove costly. Woodward had been due to beinterviewed as performance director only for Steele to do an about-turn.

It was Thomas’s unilateral decisionwhile at the World Cup in New Zealand to commission Cotton to head up anindependent review, drawing experts such as Mike Forde at Chelsea andswimming’s Brian Sparkes, that drew the ire of figures on the RFU managementboard.

On Wednesday they got their ownback. Now they have got to sort it all out for themselves. The game is watchingclosely and expects robust action.

Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif all guilty in Pakistani spot-fixing trial

2011-11-02T00:15:00.000-07:00

Theconvictions deal a huge blow to the reputation of the game and the trial couldlead to further damaging revelations. The International Cricket Council maylaunch an investigation into corruption allegations heard in court against twoother members of the Pakistantouring squad, Kamran Akmal and Wahab Riaz.

Followingthe four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court, Butt and Asif were each foundguilty of conspiracy to accept corrupt payments and conspiracy to cheat,offences that carry a maximum jail term of seven years.

Amir, 19,pleaded guilty to the same offences at a pre-trial hearing two weeks before thecase began, a fact not revealed to the jury until they had returned verdicts onhis senior colleagues on Tuesday afternoon after more than 17 hours ofdeliberation.

At thepre-trial hearing Ben Emerson, QC representing Amir, said the player had beensubject to “extreme pressure” from senior colleagues: “Amir wants to make itclear he wants to take full responsibility for what he did by deliberatelybowling two no balls.

"Thisvulnerable 18-year-old boy, as he was then, was subjected to extreme pressurefrom those upon whom he should have been able to rely. He recognised the damagehe has caused Pakistan cricket and he wants to do his best to put this right.”

Amir willface questions about his guilty plea from trial judge Mr Justice Cooke in courton Wednesday and will be sentenced alongside Butt and Asif on Thursday.

Theconvictions mean the trio become the first sportsmen convicted for on-fieldcorruption in a UK court since the 1960s, when three footballers, including twofrom Sheffield Wednesday, were jailed for throwing matches.

A dramaticday in court began with news that Butt’s wife, Gul, had given birth to hissecond child, a son, at home in Lahore. News reached Butt just an hour beforehe stood in the dock to hear the verdicts.

Butt’sfather, Zulfiqar, said his son would fight the convictions. “It is a mixed dayfor us. We are sad and shocked [at the verdict handed out to Butt], but we arealso happy at the birth of the son,” he said. “My son is innocent of thesecharges and we will fight to the end.”

The courtheard that all three players were part of a conspiracy to bowl no-balls duringthe Lord’s Test against England last year, originally revealed by the News ofthe World. Undercover journalist Mazher Mahmood filmed Butt’s agent MazharMajeed, described in court as a conspirator, accepting £140,000 to ensure theno-balls were delivered.

The caserepresents a victory from beyond the grave for the newspaper, which was closedearlier this year following the phone-hacking scandal.

Butt, Asifand Amir were banned earlier this year by the ICC for terms of between five and10 years, and the governing body will now consider launching a freshinvestigation into Akmal and Riaz.

Both playerswere linked in court to betting scams allegedly organised by Majeed. Akmal’sname also came up in correspondence between Majeed and his contacts around theworld in evidence collated by police from the early stages of Pakistan’sfateful tour of England.

Prosecutingcounsel Aftab Jafferjee QC said in court that Akmal had led a “charmed life” toescape investigation. He also said the roles of Riaz and Akmal “raise deep,deep suspicions”.

Akmal hasnot played for Pakistan since the World Cup although Riaz is in the squadcurrently playing in Abu Dhabi against Sri Lanka. Pakistan play England in theUnited Arab Emirates in January, with the sides set to contest three Tests,four one-day internationals and three Twenty20s.

DetectiveSuperintendent Matthew Horne, who led the investigation for the MetropolitanPolice, said he would co-operate with any ICC investigation and was willing toshare evidence that until now has been withheld.“We have been in constantco-operation with the ICC throughout and we will offer them any assistanceshould they ask for it,” he said.

The ICCchief executive, Haroon Lorgat, said he hoped the convictions would act as adeterrent and said all allegations of corruption would be investigated.

“I wouldreiterate that the ICC has a zero-tolerance attitude towards corruption andthat we will use everything within our power to ensure that any suggestion ofcorrupt activity within our game is comprehensively investigated and, where appropriate,robustly prosecuted,” he said.

Metropolitan Police launch investigation into allegations John Terry racially abused Anton Ferdinand

2011-11-02T00:13:00.001-07:00

Officershave spent the past few days “assessing” whether to pursue a complaint from amember of the public, who had seen video footage, following the Premier Leaguematch at Loftus Road between QPR and Chelsea and on Sunday Oct 23.

It has nowbeen decided that, given the potential seriousness of the matter, a fullinvestigation is required involving interviewing all parties and taking witnessstatements.

The policehave studied hours of videotape of the match after requesting it be handed overby the broadcaster Sky, who had 20 cameras at the game. Terry has vehementlydenied making a racist remark to Ferdinand.

In astatement the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were notified of an incident onSunday Oct 23 involving alleged racial abuse. This is currently beinginvestigated by officers from Hammersmith and Fulham.”

The policeinvestigation will take precedence over inquiries being made by the FootballAssociation, which has now received statements from both players. It would beexpected that, by moving matters on, the police may delay the FA’s own findingsbut it is still hoped that the case might be resolved quickly.

All partiesare also acutely aware that Fabio Capello his England squad on Sunday eveningfor friendly matches against Spain and Sweden.

If thepolice have not concluded their investigations by then, the FA and Capello willhave to decide whether it is in everyone’s best interests if Terry is notselected. However, that course of action might also lead to assumptions aboutTerry’s guilt. If Terry were charged it is likely to be under the public orderact relating to racial or religious hatred.

Ferdinandhas submitted his account to the FA, and said he had “strong feelings on thematter”, adding in the statement: “In the interests of fairness and not wishingto prejudice what I am sure will be a very thorough inquiry by the FA, thiswill be my last comment on the subject until the inquiry is concluded.”

An FAspokesman said it would be inappropriate for the FA to comment until the policehave completed their own enquiries.

However,Chelsea fans at their match in Genk chanted: “You know what you are, AntonFerdinand, you know what you are.”

NewcastleUnited, meanwhile, have asked police to identify the person who racially abusedstriker Sammy Ameobi on the social network site, Twitter. It has also emergedthat Ferdinand has been verbally attacked on the site.

Ameobiretweeted a message to his followers on Monday in which someone had called hima n-----. Ameobi added: “It’s sad some people are still racist these days.”

On Mondaynight, Ferdinand retweeted messages of support for his stance on the Terryallegations, but also reproduced a racist comment directed at him from someonepurporting to be a Chelsea supporter. The tweet, repeating what Terry isalleged to have said, read: “RT [retweet] this you ------- black ----, 1England captain.”

The accountsfrom which the comments were made have now been shut down, but Newcastle aredetermined to pursue the matter.

The clubasked police to discover the identity of the account holder so legalproceedings could begin. A statement read: “Newcastle United are aware of a racistremark that was directed towards Sammy Ameobi via Twitter on Sunday evening.The club and Sammy have reported the matter to the police, who are now dealingwith the incident.

“The racistcomment is wholly unacceptable. Newcastle United will not tolerate racism ofany kind and will take the strongest possible action against thoseresponsible.”

Northampton Saints coach Jim Mallinder signals his interest in taking Martin Johnson's job as England boss

2011-10-31T23:28:00.001-07:00

Speaking atthe Twickenham launch of the Heineken Cup, the 45-year-old Mallinder, whoguided the Saints to the final of last season’s tournament, said that it was anunderstandable ambition to want to coach at the very top level.

“Everyplayer should want to aspire to play for his country and I think that’sprobably the same for coaches too,” said Mallinder, the former Sale full-backwho won two England caps in 1997. “You should always aspire to be the very bestyou can.

“If one day,I ever have that honour, it would be something that would be very difficult toturn down.” Mallinder has already coached at the level below full internationallevel, taking charge of the England Saxons between 2006 and 2007. In that rolehe achieved the impressive record of 15 wins in 16 matches, including a victoryover the New Zealand Maori in the final of the Churchill Cup. He had previouslycoached Sale and had also worked in the RFU’s National Academy.

Johnson’sfate is in the hands of two reviews, one headed by Rob Andrew and the other ledby Fran Cotton. Whether the Cotton review actually goes ahead is open toquestion as leading players and other figures in the game have alreadyquestioned its authority. Its scope, and possibly its future, is due to bediscussed by an RFU board meeting onTuesday.

Oneindividual who will certainly not be taking the England reins is Leicester head coach Richard Cockerill. Asked ifhe was interested in a role with the national team, the former Test hookercould hardly have been more adamant in his rejection of the suggestion.

Cockerillsaid: “In my opinion, the experience needed to manage the national job and thepressure that it entails is just not right for me. They haven’t asked and Idon’t expect them to. And I certainly wouldn’t apply. So that rules me out.”

Cockerill,who was a team-mate of Johnson with both Leicester and England, explained thattaking charge of England was a job for someone with substantially more coachingexperience than he has acquired in his three years with the Tigers.

“The Englandjob is a huge job, completely different in its objectives and management ofplayers,” said Cockerill. “For me, given 10 years more experience I might thinkabout it, but I’m still trying to master the club game, never mind Test matchrugby.”

Johnson’sown lack of experience has often been questioned, but Cockerill praised the2003 World Cup winner for having the courage to take it on in the first place.However, he also suggested that Johnson would have to bite the bullet and makechanges to his wider coaching team if he were to carry on.

Currently,three of Johnson’s assistants - John Wells, Graham Rowntree and Brian Smith -are former Leicester players. Cockerill hinted that Johnson’s old loyaltiesmight have to be put to one side.

Cockerill said:“The thing you have to admire about Johnno is that he didn’t need the job. Hewanted to do it because he thought he could add something to it.

“He has ahuge amount of rugby knowledge. It’s the things around that that have let himdown really. I still think there’s a place for him in the England set-up andthat he can still offer a lot to the environment.

“Sometimesyou have to make awkward, hard decisions that people don’t like. If Johnnowants to stay on he has to accept that there have been mistakes and he willhave to make hard decisions about the environment he’s got. People come and go,players come and go. You have to take it in a very professional manner.”

Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke says Manchester United are streets ahead of Manchester City off the pitch

2011-10-31T23:27:00.000-07:00

“I would be much more proud if all our leagues were developed with the idea that you are competing on the basis of intellect and work and effort instead of just simply, 'I am going to throw dollars against the wall’,” said Kroenke. With the rest of the Premier League struggling to keep pace with Manchester City, Kroenke defended Arsenal’s self-sustainable model and made a point of acclaiming the Glazers for underpinning their phenomenal success by developing Manchester United infrastructure and revenues. Kroenke’s own takeover at Arsenal differs fundamentally from the controversial leveraged model that has loaded debt on United, but he said that supporters should focus on the results. “What was so tough about the Glazers’ situation?” said Kroenke. “They won. And they have increased revenues by a huge amount. If I was a fan of that club I would go ’wow’. Because how could you do it any better?” When it was put to him that the Glazers had taken money out of the club, Kroenke said: “Some of their players have taken money out and maybe they haven’t performed. I think it’s time maybe for everybody to think a little bit. “In the States, you would never get this dialogue. He [Glazer] took money out of the club. So what? Jerry Buss [the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers] takes money out of the club. A lot of owners in the US do. No-one ever says anything about it. Did the Lakers win anything? Well, yeah, they did. How big is their revenue? Pretty darn good.” There were also words of caution when the subject turned to the business models of Manchester City or Chelsea, who have been so reliant on the respective wealth of Roman Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour. When asked how Arsenal can compete with “petro-dollar fuelled” clubs, Kroenke said: “I think you can have people, and we have had them in the States, where they will spend a lot and they will do it for a little while and they might have some success. “But maybe the person everyone is relying on maybe gets tired of it or has a financial reversal. What you are doing is that you are putting the focus on one person, one resource and is that really in the interests of a long term situation for a great club that many people identify with and rely on? “Anybody who is a sportsman would rather compete on the basis of intellect and cleverness than they would at being able to throw money against the wall. Anyone can go and buy a player, but it takes a lot more to identify that player, develop that player and position him. “If you look at our history we are long-term investors. We don’t get involved just to be here, be gone tomorrow, flip and make a profit. That’s not us.” Kroenke has never taken money out of his various sports teams and has guaranteed that his share purchases will place no debt on Arsenal. Yet the intentions of Premier League owners have been placed firmly under the spotlight in recent weeks. Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre raised the idea of selling overseas television rights individually while Richard Bevan, the chief executive of the League Managers’ Association, claimed that “a number” of overseas owners were debating whether relegation should be scrapped. “I’m not going to start throwing out that there’s a direction that the Premier League should take,” said Kroenke. “It’s a tremendously successful league. It would be presumptuous of me to comment. I think that is for people who have studied that and understand it.” Krorenke has been in London since last Thursday and, after watching the 5-3 win against Chelsea, he personally addressed the players at the club’s London Colney training base yesterday morning. “I told them that I’m proud of them, that they have faced adversity but I think they have shown a real class and spirit in fighting through it,” he said. Kroenke also told of how he became engaged in conversation with Chelsea fans as he walked to Stamford Bridge. “They were very good,” he said. “They were talking to me a little bit about the stadium. It [Arsenal’s stadium] has been developed. We have a strong economic model, something they don’t have and it is something they are interested in.” Kroenke has also spoken with Robin van Persie, the Arsenal captain, whose contract expires in 2013. While Kroenke would not comment on that specific situation, he did further explain the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. “One of the players who departed had nothing to do with money,” said Kroenke. “You could say, 'well, the other player departed for money’. That’s where being smart and not being smart comes in. You’ve got one year left on a player’s contract. You’ve got a large sum of money being offered. “Can you employ those resources better than you could had you not taken the money, taken a chance on losing the guy for nothing in a year or perhaps overpaying for him now and having less resources later?” Of Van Persie, he said: “I think he’s doing a great job. Arsene said the other day 'can we succeed if we are not together? Absolutely not’. If we are together we have a chance. I think that Robin van Persie gets that and I think he has shown real leadership.” Van Persie later tweeted his approval: “It was great to hear from Stan Kroenke today before training - great speech,” he said.

Indian Grand Prix 2011: Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa still at loggerheads after latest collision

2011-10-31T01:18:00.000-07:00

Not only didthe pair disagree over who was at fault for the incident on lap 24, for whichMassa earned a drive-through penalty, but the Brazilian rejected Hamilton’s claim afterwards that hehad attempted to patch things up between them on the grid before the race.

Hamiltontold reporters he had put his arm around Massa after the one-minute silence inmemory of British IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon and Italian MotoGP rider MarcoSimoncelli, who died on successive weekends leading up to yesterday’s race, andwished his Ferrari rival luck.

Massa,though, said that Hamilton’s effort at reconciliation was insufficient andrecalled a previous perceived snub from the Briton as proof that Hamilton wasnot interested in a serious reunion.

“No, hedidn’t try,” Massa said. “When I tried to speak to him [after a clash inSingapore] he passed through. He didn’t look at my face.

Here afterthe minute’s silence he just said ‘have a good race’. This is trying to what?‘Have a good race’ is not part of talking or whatever.” It is unclear whatHamilton made of Massa’s remarks since the 26 year-old left the circuit earlyon the advice of McLaren principal Martin Whitmarsh, without fulfilling all ofhis media commitments.

SimonFuller, Hamilton’s manager, was also present in the McLaren motor home and waslikely to have been consulted. But it was clear from Hamilton’s initialreaction that he is weary of the quarrel with Massa and desperately wants toput both it and the season behind him.

“Disappointedwould be an understatement,” he said of a race in which he started fifth andthen recovered from the Massa incident to finish seventh, five places belowteam-mate Jenson Button who nowleads him by 38 points with two races remaining.

“We wereclearly quick enough — Jenson did a great job. I just can’t apologise enough tomy team for the negativity that surrounds me nowadays.” Hamilton cannot catch abreak at the moment.

After hisencouraging second in Korea last time out, he had arrived in India determinedto put his recent woes behind him. He said his main goal was to put hishigh-profile split with American pop star Nicole Scherzinger out of his mindand stay “focused on business”.

Yet it wasalmost inevitable, from the moment he closed in on Massa’s Ferrari after 23 lapsof yesterday’s inaugural Indian Grand Prix, that the pair would end upcolliding. Their cars seem almost magnetically attracted to one another thisyear.

Hamilton hasbeen far from blameless — earning two drive-through penalties to Massa’s one —but yesterday he was deeply unfortunate.

Attemptingto pass Massa up the inside into turn five, he looked to have done enough onlyfor the Brazilian to turn in on him. The stewards sided with Hamilton andawarded Massa a drive-through penalty, which the Ferrari driver felt was harsh.

Askedwhether there was bad blood between himself and the Briton, Massa added: “Maybefor him. Because all the incidents are that he touched my car. I have nothingagainst him. Zero. Zero.” Hamilton also denied that he held any grudge, sayinghis major concern was cutting out the mistakes which are costing him, such ashis failure to slow down under double yellow flags in practice, which resultedin him dropping from second to fifth on the grid.

“I shouldhave been second on the grid and I wouldn’t have been anywhere near Felipe ifthat was the case,” he said. “But [as for Felipe] no, before the race, duringthe minute’s silence we were standing next to each other — and he hasn’t spokento me for a long, long time — and I put my arm around him and wished him goodluck for the race. He hasn’t spoken to me for months now, so I just wanted toquash whatever beef, or any anger he has towards me. I still have respect forhim.”

Whitmarshsaid the pair needed to sort it out between themselves.

“They’reyoung drivers but they’re not that young. They’re men. I have discussed it withFerrari but I think it’s got to come from them. If I arranged for the two ofthem to shake hands outside the garage you would all take a picture and have alaugh about it.

“I thinkFelipe is under enormous pressure within that team and that causes him toreact. And in truth Lewis will be feeling under pressure because of the greatperformance of Jenson at the moment.

“But astaged handshake... you don’t want that, unless it’s to take the mickey out ofit. They’ve got to sort it out themselves.”

Massa andHamilton's five collisions this season:

Monaco: The infamous race that ended withHamilton doing his best Ali G impression, joking the stewards might have it infor him “because I’m black”. Hamilton had been given two drive-throughpenalties relating to incidents with Massa and Maldonado. He described them as"an absolute frickin' joke".

Silverstone: Entering the final lap at his homegrand prix, Hamilton was running short of fuel and coming under severe pressurefrom Massa. The two cars touched as they went through the final corner, butdespite losing part of his front wing Hamilton reached the line first. Nopenalties were meted out.

Singapore:This was as heatedas it has got between the pair this year. They collided on lap 12, Hamiltonearning a drive-through after giving Massa’s Ferrari a puncture. In the penafterwards the Brazilian grabbed him by the shoulder and said, sarcastically,“Good job, man” to which Hamilton responded: “Don’t touch me, man”.

Japan: Hamilton apologised to Massa afterthe pair again touched on the final run to the chicane; the Briton claiming hecould “not see” the Ferrari in his vibrating mirrors. "For what he says, Idon't care,” responded Massa. “I care about what the FIA does. They havepenalised people for much less this year.”

India: For the first time in 2011 Massa isdeemed to be at fault for a collision with Hamilton, earning a drive-throughafter being adjudged to have turned in on the McLaren as they vied for fifth.“I didn't do anything wrong,” he protested. “He didn't give me any space,” wasHamilton’s verdict.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard facing the agony of lengthy injury lay-off due to an infected ankle

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Gerrard hadfluid drained from the ankle at a Liverpool hospital yesterday and the club arenow awaiting to gauge the effect of that procedure.

There arefears, however, that the injury will force Gerrard out for a prolonged spell.

Confirmationof the recovery time is likely to arrive tomorrow, but there was a grim mood atAnfield as the captain received treatment.

Gerrard isunderstood to be distraught that what seemed to be an innocuous cut on hisankle, sustained in training last week, has developed into a potentially moreserious problem.

The 31year-old Liverpool stalwart hasonly recently returned to PremierLeague action after a six month absence due to an unrelated groinproblem, and he was just regaining his full match fitness. He has endured anightmarish few months, and is believed to be devastated at the prospect of afurther prolonged absence.

This latestsetback means Gerrard is certain to miss England's forthcoming friendlies with Spain and Sweden on Nov 12and 15, games which manager Fabio Capello is using to assess his options forEuro 2012.

Liverpoolwere already eager for Gerrard to be used sparingly by the Italian due to hislong absence from the previous injury, but Capello will now know there is nopossibility the player will be available for selection.

That will bea source of immense frustration to Gerrard, who has not appeared for hiscountry since the friendly defeat by France last November, but it is theinjury’s impact on the player himself and Liverpool’s quest to regain aChampions League place which will be of greater concern for his club.

Much of thestress will be caused by the bewilderment about how and why the injurydeteriorated so badly in the 24 hours before Liverpool’s 2-0 win at TheHawthorns.

Gerrardtravelled with the rest of the Liverpool squad to the Midlands on Friday.

He wasalready in some discomfort due to the knock he sustained on the ankle, but itwas anticipated it would heal quickly and he would be fit to face Roy Hodgson’sside.

Instead, itgot worse and on Saturday morning it was clear he would not be fit forselection and Gerrard returned to Merseyside for treatment.

The latestsetback has come in the midst of key period of the season.

Liverpoolplay Swansea in the Premier League next weekend and have high-profile fixtureswith Chelsea and Manchester City following the international break, as well asa Carling Cup tie at Stamford Bridge.

ManagerKenny Dalglish is as concerned as Gerrard to establish the full extent of thedamage.

He had hopedon Saturday it would only be a minor knock and the player would be fit within aweek.

“Steven hasgot an infection in his ankle. He was in our minds for the game, it just flaredup,” explained Dalglish.

“It’snothing to do with any injuries before, it’s an infection.

"Isuppose it’s like having an abscess on your mouth.

"We canbe more accurate next week than we can be just now.”

Anyoptimistic assessment of a swift return has certainly evaporated over the last24 hours, however, and yesterday Gerrard was photographed leaving hospital oncrutches.

By his ownadmission, it has been one of the most physically and emotionally stressfultimes of Gerrard’s career since he underwent groin surgery before the end oflast season.

Thatoperation cured a long-standing muscle injury which had forced Gerrard toconsistently undergo pain killing injections in order to play.

Hisrehabilitation was further complicated by an infection which did not clear upproperly, delaying his return this season by three months.

Gerrard saidat the time he feared he may never return after that setback.

“There weretimes when I was as low as I’ve ever been as a footballer,” Gerrard saidrecently.

“I thinkit’s only natural that you have doubts and different things do cross your mindfrom time to time.”

Gerrard hasmade just five appearances this season, and marked his first start with a goalagainst Manchester United earlier this month.

He thoughthis luck had changed and he could look ahead to a successful campaign alongsideDalglish’s new signings, but he has barely been able to forge an on-fieldrelationship with the recent acquisitions.

Indeed,Gerrard, Luis Suárez and Andy Carroll still have not started a fixture in thesame line-up.