The misguided celebration of a reduced doping ban as a victory underscores the profound tone-deafness around the industry that is Maria Sharapova IncFidelity can be virtuous, especially in the most adverse situations. Sticking by someone as they endure tumultuous times is a sign of ultimate, unwavering love. That loyalty can also be foolish, to the extent where even Goodfellas materfamilias Karen Hill would question such irrational devotion.Enter racquet company Head, and their peculiar bond with Maria Sharapova – which resulted in one of the most bizarre press releases from a sports company, in the midst of the most awkward victory lap tennis has ever had. Related: Maria Sharapova returns to tennis court for first time since drugs ban Related: Maria...
Peru face Chile in a vital derby on Tuesday, and much rests on their world-class No9 – a man who, if he wasn’t Peruvian, would be playing for BarcelonaLet me begin by saying that Ramiro Funes Mori is a fine player. Since making his international debut last year, the 25-year-old Everton defender has emerged as an important member for Argentina, as his versatility (he can play center-back or left-back) mixed with his strength and aerial dominance make the ex-River Plate player a valuable asset for the Albiceleste. Related: Conmebol enters gruelling second half and Chile need to start winning Continue reading...
The South American section of World Cup qualifying has reached the halfway stage, and while Uruguay and Brazil look well placed, Chile could get left behindWith Conmebol at the halfway stage, and with an important round of fixtures on Tuesday, it might seem timely to ponder the following: is this the most difficult confederation from which to qualify for the World Cup? Luis Suárez certainly thinks so. “Yes, yes, yes,” the Uruguay dynamo said last year when pressed on the how hard it was, so to speak. “The Argentinians can tell you, so can the Brazilians and the Colombians, all of them can tell you. It’s the most difficult thing there can be, qualifying for a World Cup from South...
Head coach Patrick Vieira admits his Spanish is ‘really, really bad’, but NYC FC take on Necaxa on Friday – and hope to strengthen ties between MLS and MexicoFor the first time in their short history, New York City FC are in Mexico. On Friday night, they face Club Necaxa from Liga MX at Estadio Victoria in Aguascalientes. This also marks NYC FC’s first ever mid-season friendly: the blue side of New York still have two games of the regular season, against DC United and Columbus Crew. After a five-year absence, Necaxa are back in the Mexico’s top division and are currently sitting in fifth place thanks to a solid run that has seen them go undefeated in their last...
This week’s roundup also features Ben Duckett with a bat’s-eye-view, Warrington v Wigan memories and an angry cyclist smashing a borrowed bike1) Formula One heads to Suzuka this weekend. Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost had plenty of tussles here: in 1988, where Senna won his first world title; in 1989, when Prost prevailed after a controversial collision, and one year on, when Senna took ice-cold revenge. The Brazilian also triumphed in 1993, but only after some strong words for “very unprofessional” upstart Eddie Irvine. Related: The Joy of Six: revenge | Simon Burnton and Jacob Steinberg Continue reading...