Revolutionary times at Fir Park, where the board has been cutting prices and attracting bigger crowds. David Innes reports on their crazy, madcap schemes
Motherwell FC are not a very fashionable side. We have the dubious honour of having lost more Premier League games than any other team, due to the fact that we have avoided relegation narrowly in the majority of seasons since we were promoted in 1985.
Italian football has been hit by accusations of drug abuse. As Richard Mason reports, each new revelation hints at an official cover up
On Monday, September 28th, Mario Pescante, president of CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee, announced his resignation. CONI is, in effect, the government of Italian sport and its president a kind of prime minister. No former president has ever re-signed while in office.
Manchester Utd may be the biggest club in the world and have the most fans, but recent talk of takeovers and turnover is causing some to forget the team's humble beginnings. Andrew Ward explains
When news came through of Rupert Murdoch’s proposed takeover of Manchester United, who did the Sun seek out for a reaction first? Bobby Charlton maybe, or fellow Sixties legends George Best and Denis Law? How about Sir Matt Busby’s son, Sandy, or former manager and Busby Babe Wilf McGuinness? No, none of these would do, the opinion which most mattered was that of Zoe Ball.
Wednesday 1 The start of Real Madrid's Champions League semi with Borussia Dortmund is held up for seventy-five minutes after one of the goalposts is damaged by Real fans jumping on the adjacent perimeter fencing. Dortmund lose the match 2-0 but may lodge an official complaint with UEFA that could lead to the tie being replayed. In the other game, Juventus beat Monaco 4-1.
Thursday 2 Chelsea are lucky to escape with a 1-0 defeat at Vicenza in the first leg of their Cup-Winners Cup semi final. "We can blame a bit of tiredness. You are never at your best five days after a cup final," says Gianluca loftily. Wembley Stadium has been bought by the English National Stadium Trust backed by the FA. Rebuilding work will start after the 1999 FA Cup Final and might even include proper toilets.
An influx of investment is changing football in South America, explain Peter Hudson and Veronica Goyzueta, but it's not necessarily benefitting the clubs on the receiving end
While the conversion of football into big business has raised the hackles of many British supporters, there are few such misgivings in Latin America. The footballing public is largely indifferent, or else open to any change that might improve the stricken finances of their clubs.