Mihir Bose's Blog, page 37

The Cricket Crowd – Episode 8 – West Indies Revival & Yorkshire County Champions

The whole world respects Chelsea now, says chief executive Ron Gourlay

Rival fans in England might dismiss the idea but the Blues’ chief executive believes there is now ‘massive respect’ for the club across the globe and says even Jose Mourinho has been taken aback by the support.

The bookies make Chelsea favourites for the title and the fans may already be ­dreaming but chief executive Ron Gourlay says: “I do not want to be disrespectful to other clubs. There are five who could win the League: ourselves, Liverpool, Arsenal and the two Manchester clubs. You can never write off Manchester United.”

QPR’s Tony Fernandes: I won’t wreck Harry Redknapp’s dream if he is offered England job

London Evening Standard


Tony Fernandes is proud of the bond he has built up with Harry Redknapp but will not stand in his manager’s way if England come calling.

Redknapp was snubbed by the Football Association in favour of Roy Hodgson after they axed Fabio Capello but the knives were out for the present incumbent before last night’s impressive win in Switzerland.

Queens Park Rangers chairman Fernandes believes that, even at the age of 67, Redknapp is still the man to take England forward and says: “I would, of course, hate to lose Harry. But I am not going to stand in the way of someone’s dream. Harry will make a great England manager. But that’s beyond my control.

Can positive discrimination deal with racism and sexism?

The Malky Mackay saga has once again brought racism and sexism in football back on the agenda. And in particular it has raised the question: why is it that the world's greatest game is so integrated and seems so inclusive on the field of play but off it is "hideously" white, to use FA chairman Greg Dyke's phrase. If there were any doubts about that last week's launch of the Champions League once again displayed European football's Janus face.

The setting in Monaco could not have been more glitzy and UEFA made all the right noises about inclusion. All of UEFA's events, including Michel Platini's press conference and the Champions League draw, were held against a background where the most prominent word was respect. This is UEFA speak for saying respect all minorities. Yet at the various events, including the lavish dinner, I doubt if there were more than a handful of black and brown faces and just as few women of any colour. So what is the solution? Could it be positive discrimination to increase the number of minorities at the top table?

‘Mohamed Al-Fayed is to blame, not us’ – Fulham duo Felix Magath and Shahid Khan vow to battle on at Craven Cottage

Fulham supporters were calling for Felix Magath to go even before their side were hammered 5-1 at Derby on Saturday.

That defeat left the club ­bottom of the Championship and with just three wins in 16 games since owner Shahid Khan appointed Magath in February.

The Cricket Crowd – England v India ODI Series Preview

The Cricket Crowd - England v India ODI Series Preview

Rio Ferdinand: Why I’m still backing Manchester United to win the title

Manchester United may have lost at home on the opening day of the season for the first time since 1972 but Rio Ferdinand has no doubt which team will be celebrating come May.

He tells me defiantly: “I’m backing Manchester United to win the League.”

This puts him at odds with his former team-mate, and Standard columnist, Paul Scholes who sees the title returning to Stamford Bridge.

5th Test Preview: England v India

Following the England victory over India at Old Trafford, join David Brook, Mihir Bose and Superfan Paul Simper in the studio as we look ahead to the final Test of the series at The Oval.
thecricketcrowd.com

Old Trafford 4th Test Preview: England v India

Ahead of the 4th Test at Old Trafford, listen in to David Brook’s series of reports from The Rose Bowl and an in-depth catch-up with Mihir Bose for thecricketcrowd.com

The Cricket Crowd – Episode 3 with Chris Jordan and David Fulton