Brad Pitt to compete with Beckham for World Cup bid

June 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, June 4 (ANI): Actor Brad Pitt will compete with ace footballer David Beckham after the Hollywood superstar joined the committee trying to bring the 2018 World Cup to the United States.

Last month, Beckham officially presented England’s bid for the 2018 World Cup to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, and now Pitt has joined the USA Bid Committee.

“Soccer is a truly global sport and the opportunity to join the effort to have the US host the world’s greatest sporting event again is a great honour,” The Mirror quoted Pitt, as saying.

Comedian Drew Carey and actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger are also on the US committee.

Both countries are also bidding for the 2022 World Cup, as are Australia, Russia, Spain-Portugal and the Netherlands-Belgium.

Japan, South Korea and Qatar are also bidding for the 2022 tournament.

The US staged the tournament in 1994, while England hosted the European Championships in 1996.

FIFA’s executive committee will select the 2018 and 2022 hosts in a vote on December 2. (ANI)

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Lewis Hamilton charged for bad driving

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, May 23 (DPA) Police charged British Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton for ‘over-exuberant’ driving near the Melbourne circuit where the Australian Grand Prix was held in March, media reports said Sunday.

The 2008 world champion was charged with ‘intentionally losing control of a vehicle’ when he did burnouts and fishtails in a borrowed Mercedes on a public road.

‘What I did was silly and I want to apologise for it,’ the 25-year-old said at the time.

In 2007, Hamilton had his licence suspended for a month after being caught speeding on a motorway in France.

A court date was set for Aug 24 in Melbourne, but it is not known whether Hamilton is obliged to be present.

A court appearance in Australia would clash with preparations for the Belgian Grand Prix Aug 29.

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Glittering Rezai blasts into French Open second round

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

France’s Aravane Rezai followed up her Madrid title with a crushing 6-1 6-1 demolition of Canadian qualifier Heidi El Tabakh in the first round of the French Open on Sunday.

Wearing an eye-catching black and gold space-age dress on centre court, the 15th-seeded Rezai cracked winner after winner to blast past her helpless opponent in just 48 minutes.

Rezai, who beat Justine Henin, Jelena Jankovic and Venus Williams en route to winning the Madrid Open last weekend, wrapped up a straightforward victory with an ace.

She will next face either Russian Anna Chakvetadze or Angelique Kerber of Germany.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; editing by Miles Evans; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Aston Villa rejects Man City’s 25-mn pound bid for Milner

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 20 (ANI): Aston Villa has rejected Manchester City 25 million pound bid for James Milner, and now plans to negotiate a new long-term deal with the England midfield ace.

The Sun reports that Villa boss Martin O’Neill would still struggle to hold on to the player.

The deal was worth an initial 20 million pounds with a further five million pounds of add-ons for success and appearances.

Both Villa owner Randy Lerner and manager O’Neill have been adamant that Milner, 24, is not for sale.

In a statement Villa said: “We have received an offer from Manchester City and this has been firmly rejected. We plan to sit down with James and his representative after the World Cup to agree a new, long-term deal.”

Milner learned of City’s move on Wednesday at England’s training camp in Austria, the paper said.

Mancini has up to 150 million pounds to spend this summer as he tries to build a side for a Premier League title push next season, it adds. (ANI)

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Messi under no pressure to to take Argentina to World Cup glory

May 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 19 (ANI): Ace striker Lionel Messi has said that he feels under no pressure to take Argentina to World Cup glory.

The Barcelona striker is tipped to be World Player of the Year and is Diego Maradona’s best hope of winning in South Africa.

“I don’t feel pressure playing in the Argentina shirt. In Spain, I’m also in a team that has to win everything,” The Mirror quoted him, as saying.

“The World Cup is a nice ­opportunity to show I can do the same things in the national team as for Barcelona,” Messi added. (ANI)

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Shilton backs Rooney to live up to expectations of English fans during WC

May 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 19 (ANI): England legend Peter Shilton has backed ace striker Wayne Rooney to live up to the expectations of fans during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa

“At the end of the day Wayne is only 24, but I’m sure he can deal with everything. He’s really matured as a player and shaken off the impetuousness of his younger years,” The Sun quoted Shilton, as saying.

“The aggression and will to win remain, along with the competitive spirit, but he’s harnessed it in the right way now. Wayne’s far more disciplined and that’s obviously going to be important in South Africa,” he said.

Capello has a number of options with the likes of Emile Heskey, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent to partner Rooney in front, the paper said.

But Shilton expects Aston Villa player Heskey to get the nod when England’s Group C campaign kicks off against the United States on June 12, it added.

“It’s a difficult one to call. Heskey’s not an out-and-out goal scorer but his strength makes him a terrific target man. At the end of the day I think it will come down to the system Capello plays,” he said.

“However, I wouldn’t like to see Rooney up front on his own as that would take away from his strengths. I think Heskey will get the nod because Capello likes to play with a strong man leading the line,” Shilton said. (ANI)

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Barcelona’s 80-mn pounds bid for ace striker Rooney

May 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 19 (ANI): Barcelona is preparing a massive bid of 80 million pounds for Manchester United’s ace striker Wayne Rooney.

Double Footballer of the Year Rooney, 24, was with England’s squad in the Austrian Alps unaware of Barcelona making discreet moves to take him to La Liga.

Barcelona’s interest in Rooney has similarities with Real Madrid’s pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo and football power on the pitch and politics off it are interwoven in their interest in him, The Daily Express reports.

Europe’s most attractive club has been knocked off their perch after their Champions League semi-final defeat against Inter Milan.

Coach Pep Guardiola is keen to restore the side to the top immediately and will seek reinforcements, the paper said.

Barcelona also has advanced plans to sign Valencia’s David Villa and Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas, but the real coup would be a successful move for Rooney, it added.

The Barcelona camp has activated agents to sound out the possibility of a Rooney move.

Rooney is still under contract with United until 2012, but selling the club’s biggest asset will help them prevent making a loss of millions of pounds. (ANI)

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Tiger confirms he will compete in the Open at St Andrews

May 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 18 (ANI): Tiger Woods has confirmed his participation in the prestigious Open in St Andrews known as the �Home of Golf�.

Fans feared that Tiger would not be able to compete following an inflamed joint in his neck that rendered him out of action for the Players� Championship a little over a week ago.

However the ace golfer is expected to make a full recovery by the time the Open starts in mid-July, and has confirmed his participation on his website.

The troubled star who is still ranked no.1 and was triumphant at the Home of Golf by eight shots in 2000 and by five in 2005, returned to the game at The Masters last month after five months out because of a sex scandal.

If he wins this year�s Open, he will become the first player in golf�s history to claim the title three times the Daily Express reports. (ANI)

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Lampard determined to be England”s nominated penalty taker

May 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 18 (ANI): Ace midfielder Frank Lampard has insisted he would not shy away from taking spot-kicks during the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer and is determined to be England”s nominated penalty taker.

“Frank Lampard has promised he can beat England”s World Cup penalty curse. England fans would have been left fearing the worst at the sight of the Chelsea star missing a penalty in the FA Cup final at Wembley,” reports Mirror.

“I have missed penalties for England, I have missed penalties for Chelsea and it comes with the territory. But it would not put me off,” said Lampard.

“I am big enough to stand up. I missed [in the final] and it will play on my mind a little, but it will be completely overshadowed by the fact that we won the game and won the Double,” he added.

“It”s quite good for me too because that kind of thing makes me address it and look at it and when I go away with England I will work on that kind of stuff. Sometimes you need a little reminder of what you have got to do,” claimed Lampard.

Despite Lampard missing two penalties for his club this season, he still has an exceptional record from the penalty spot for club and country.

“England, World Cups and penalties do not go well together as Lampard will remember from seeing his spot-kick saved in the shoot-out with Portugal in the 2006 quarter-final defeat. He has not missed for England since being given penalty duties after the last World Cup, scoring four out of four,” reports Mirror.

The midfielder has managed a season”s best tally of 26 goals in 50 games for Chelsea this term and the two missed penalties are unlikely to play on his mind too much.

“It was a disappointing penalty at Wembley to say the least. I actually changed my mind in the run-up, which is a bit of a sin. Once you do that, you are probably going to miss and I did that,” admitted Lampard. (ANI)

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Hamilton warns McLaren to sort out mess or forget about title

May 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 18 (ANI): Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton has warned his team to sort the mess out, after McLaren was swept from the top of the drivers and constructors championships by the Red Bulls.

Hamilton and teammate Jenson Button’s challenge for title glory has been hit by a series of reliability problems.

Button slumped from top of the drivers standings to fourth after his engine blew up in Monaco on Sunday, The Sun reports.

Button is now eight points behind of race winner Mark Webber with Hamilton at seventh position.

Hamilton said: “We’ve under-performed. We’ve a big gap to make up. I doubt whether we can catch up with them by the next race. It’s not impossible but not likely. It’s up to me and Jenson to go in and really push the guys and get them on it.”

“We have to keep stressing to them they have to make that step forward. But they are under no illusions we have a big gap to make up.

“It’s too easy for Red Bull at the moment. They weren’t even pushing in the race. It’s not that it was scary but it was just taking the mickey a little bit,” the paper quoted him, as saying.

Hamilton fears it could take until the British Grand Prix on July 11 before he and Button can trouble Red Bull.

“I’m hoping by Silverstone we will be able to challenge them. Just imagine me and Jenson with a one-two. We’re fired up – don’t worry about that. I think we’re doing an exceptional job considering our true pace. We’re punching a bit above our weight. I still reckon we can win both championships. We”re the best team,” he said. (ANI)

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Driver with biggest balls will win in Monaco: Hamilton

May 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 15 (ANI): Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton, who is hoping to win his second Monaco Grand Prix, has said that the driver with the biggest balls should come out on top in Monaco.

The Briton triumphed in Monaco in 2008.

“Here you are always on the edge and think if you brake a little bit too late, you’ll be in the barrier. This is a track where you really have to have serious confidence in your car.

“When you say people outside of F1 could never understand what it feels like to drive around a track, this is the place where you really could never get anywhere near to understanding,” The Sun quoted Hamilton, as saying.

“There is nowhere else you could experience anything close to what we experience here. And even when you are away for a year you seem to forget how crazy this race is.

“There is a certain buzz and special atmosphere here. When you have a good car here it just feels phenomenal – and this car feels light years ahead of last year’s car,” he said.

Hamilton heads into the race 21 points behind title pacesetter Button after his cruel tyre failure in Barcelona last week.

But Hamilton is confident he can still regain his drivers’ crown this year, despite lying sixth in the standings going into the sixth round of the 19-race season.

“I don’t feel I’m at the point where I need to turn it around as such because what needs turning around is just my fortunes. We’ve got the pace and the speed to get better results than we have been getting. We have the power in our hands,” he said.

Hamilton’s biggest threat could come from former teammate Fernando Alonso, who dominated Friday’s practice sessions for Ferrari. (ANI)

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Ancelotti wants Torres to play for Chelsea

May 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 14 (ANI): Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has admitted for the first time that he would like to see Liverpool striker Fernando Torres playing for them.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is willing to give 50 million pounds needed for Torres and Blues striker Didier Drogba is also keen to link up with the Spanish ace.

Ancelotti said: “It’s not only Drogba – I would like to play with Torres. He’s a very good player. But this is not an issue for now. He is a Liverpool player and is a good striker but we have two fantastic strikers and this is not for this moment.”

Ancelotti is on the brink of winning a second trophy in his maiden season, The Sun reports.

He praised the work of Portsmouth manager Avram Grant, while admitting that Chelsea’s victory at Fratton Park two months ago was the turning point of their season.

“That game was an important game for us because it was a difficult moment. At the time they didn’t have much motivation but, on Saturday, they have a lot of motivation in the final,” Ancelotti said.

“Avram is a very good coach. He was here in Chelsea for one year and did a very good job. And also this year, Portsmouth have had a difficult year but he did well to take them to the final and get his players to go out with strong, strong motivation,” he added. (ANI)

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Victoria Beckham has ‘Worst Celebrity Feet’

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 12 (ANI): Victoria Beckham a.k.a Posh has been named the celebrity with worst feet in a new UK poll.

According to the survey by Scholl, conducted to mark the footwear firm”s Keeping Britain on its Feet campaign, 71 per cent of think that the wife of soccer ace David Beckham has the worst celebrity feet and 67 per cent say that she should have urgent surgery to deal with her heel-induced gnarly bunions, reports the Sun.

However, 81 per cent of women surveyed still feel sexier wearing high heels and half the nation admitted to buying a new pair of ill-fitting shoes.

Of the 21 per cent who would let a famous person near their feet, Cheryl Cole for men and George Clooney for women topped the list. (ANI)

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Monaco Grand Prix could be a disaster: Hamilton

May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 11 (ANI): Formula One ace driver Lewis Hamilton has said that Monaco Grand Prix could be a disaster as back markers will cause a smash on Monte Carlo’s steel-lined streets.

Hamilton blasted the also-rans as dangerous in Spain on Sunday and says cars going six seconds a lap slower could cause a massive shunt.

“It could be a disaster. It’s just very difficult when there is such a big difference in speed,” The Sun quoted Hamilton, as saying.

“So far, fortunately, there have been no incidents and it”s been okay. But Monaco will be very tough,” he added.

Hamilton and team-mate Jenson Button know how dangerous Monaco’s streets can be.

Hamilton smacked into the barriers in qualifying last year while Button was taken to hospital after a horrific 180mph shunt in 2003. (ANI)

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Chelsea, Man City in a race to get ace striker Torres

May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 11 (ANI): Chelsea is all set to match Manchester City in order to get Spanish striker Fernando Torres this summer.

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has been given the go-ahead to bid for 50 million pounds-rated Liverpool striker Torres.

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said: “If it was good for the club then we can make an exception to buy a marquee player.”

“We have to challenge for trophies. We have a good squad and don’t feel we are required to spend a huge amount.

“It’s a balancing act between keeping to our strategy of trying to become self-sufficient and improving the team,” The Sun quoted Gourlay, as syaing.

“However, we want to let our on-field success drive our commercial income and any decision about signings will be made by Ancelotti,” he said.

“There is a balance to be had between young players coming through from the academy and those players that we might sign,” Gourlay added. (ANI)

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Bulging disk in neck forces Woods to quit Players Championship

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ponte Vedra Beach (Florida), May 10 (ANI): Ace golfer Tiger Woods” had to quit The Players Championship being held here when he pulled up with a bulging disk in his neck.

The Los Angeles Times and The Independent reported that Woods’ will be undergoing an MRI to confirm the injury and its gravity.

“I”ve been playing through it. I can”t play through it anymore,” he said, visibly upset at his locker.

He added: “I”m having a hard time playing with the pain. There”s tingling down my fingers.”

Woods visited the PGA Tour fitness trailer for 37 minutes after being driven off the golf course. When he emerged, he walked stiffly down some stairs and into a waiting black SUV that whisked him away to an uncertain future.

He was 2-over par through six holes and trailing by 10 shots when he hit a drive 270 yards into the pine straw. After hitting out to 50 feet short of the green, he shook hands with playing partner Jason Bohn and told him he was quitting.

It”s conceivable the neck was originally injured when he crashed his SUV into a fire hydrant Thanksgiving night, touching off an unprecedented sex scandal that forced him into a five-month layoff. (ANI)

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Florida cops taser drunk golf fan of Woods

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New York, May 8 (ANI): Florida cops had to taser a drunk fan of ace golfer Tiger Woods after he refused to stop his heckling during the The Players Championship.

Travis Parmelee, 36, of Jacksonville, was charged with disorderly intoxication and for resisting arrest, officials said.

Security guards at the Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, told Parmelee to stop yelling several times before calling in the sheriff, who asked his deputies to make an arrest, The Daily News reports.

Captain Dave Messenger said the officers attempted to calm Parmelee down, but when he became more combative, had to tasered him.

Captain Messenger said Parmelee had been drinking.

Meanwhile, Woods made the cut after the second round of the Players Championship, shooting a 70 the first round and a 71 the second round. He is nine strokes back from the lead. (ANI)

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Waiting to win title is like sitting on a lottery ticket: Lampard

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 8 (ANI): Chelsea’s ace midfielder Frank Lampard has said that waiting to win the Premier League title is like sitting on a winning lottery ticket.

Table toppers Chelsea can clinch their third Premier League championship with a win over Wigan at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

“It’s hard to describe the feeling right now but I guess it might be a bit like having a winning lottery ticket and waiting for someone to tell you you”ve won to make it real,” he said.

Lampard said that everyone must stay focused on the job or risk losing the crown. “This is the league but, in effect, we are playing a cup final.”

“We have played 37 games this season and now it all comes down to one match. Everything that has gone before almost counts for nothing. To put in a sloppy performance is unthinkable,” The Sun quoted him, as saying.

Lampard has not allowed himself to dream about what winning a third title might be like, as there is work still to be done. \

“I’m superstitious and I don’t let myself visualise situations. But I remember what it was like to celebrate when we won the league before. I know how good that felt.

“It has been a nervous few weeks. You go into every game knowing any little slip will give heart to Manchester United. When I think about it, this has been a nerve-wracking month. Sunday is the culmination of it,” he added. (ANI)

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Hamilton reconciles with dad, on the lookout for new manager

May 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 7 (ANI): Formula One star Lewis Hamilton has made up with his father after a cold war that lasted two months.

The duo had fallen out earlier when Hamilton had relieved his father and long-time manager of his managerial duties days before the start of the F1 season.

“We have been in contact recently. He”s coming to terms with it. He”s said he supports me. That’s all I”ve always wanted from my dad,” an elated Hamilton was quoted by The Daily Express, as saying.

His father, who had been handling him since his karting days, was stunned at being dropped, leading to the split.

The move has had the world’s top sports managers lining up to for the vacancy. Hamilton did not go in for a replacement, preferring to mull over his options before taking a call.

The reunion does not mean that his dad will play an active role in selecting his successor.

“I’ll probably speak to him, but we won’t decide together on my new manager. I want to set the direction I’m going in. It’s not a weight off my mind. It just takes time. The future’s bright. I’m thinking of getting someone while I am in Formula One, someone who would help me grow as a brand,” says Hamilton

Amongst those vying for the job are leading talent agency IMG and ace manager Simon Fuller known for catapulting the Beckhams to fame. He also counts Andy Murray as his client. (ANI)

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‘Unfancied’ Wigan can halt Chelsea’s title charge: Ferdinand

May 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 7 (ANI): Manchester United’s ace defender Rio Ferdinand has tried to increase pressure on table toppers Chelsea by saying that Wigan can halt the Blues’ Premier League title charge at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The England defender hopes to play some part against Stoke as he returns from groin and back problems.

“It’s been an exciting season. More so-called lesser teams on paper have been taking points off the top four,” The Sun quoted Ferdinand, as saying.

“In previous seasons it’s been a case of the big teams beating all the others and then dropping points against each other. It’s been a weird season. Hopefully that’ll bode well for Chelsea’s game,” he said.

Ferdinand’s team-mate Edwin van der Sar said it will be strange going into the final game with their fate out of their hands after being champions for the past three years.

He knows that the mood at Old Trafford could change very quickly if they hear some positive news from Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

“It is very strange. In the last three years we have been in command. Now we have to wait. It is going to be difficult. We have lost a lot of games this year but we are still in there. Hopefully Wigan will go for it on Sunday and we will hear some positive news,” Van der Sar said. (ANI)

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