Skip to main content

Sport in brief: May 24, 2022

WOMEN’S BOXING: Mexican boxer Alejandra Ayala, who underwent surgery after a defeat to Scotland’s Hannah Rankin in Glasgow earlier this month, has woken from her induced coma.

Rankin’s team announced the news on social media, paying tribute to a “brave, brave warrior” and adding: “We will be on hand to support her in any way we can.”

Ayala was knocked out in the 10th round of her WBA super-welterweight title fight against Rankin on May 13.

MEN’S RUGBY LEAGUE: London Broncos head coach Jermaine Coleman has left the club by mutual consent.

Coleman’s departure follows the Broncos’ 28-12 defeat at Batley Bulldogs on Sunday, which left them in the relegation zone in the Championship.

Head of performance Mike Eccles will take over on an interim basis, with the Broncos facing a crucial trip to bottom club Workington on June 2.

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL: A new strategy designed to strengthen the third and fourth tiers of English women’s football has been launched, backed by Premier League funding.

Empowering For Success will have £1 million of investment from the Premier League behind it per season for the next three years.

A statement from the Football Association said the strategy would enable Women’s National League clubs to “flourish both on and off the pitch through the development of players, workforce, and infrastructure.”

MEN’S FOOTBALL: All clubs in the top two tiers of English football could be allowed to introduce licensed safe standing areas next season.

Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said he was minded to change the existing all-seater policy to enable all Premier League and Championship clubs to introduce safe standing sections under strict conditions, following a pilot involving five clubs in the second half of the current campaign.

A firm decision is subject to a final independent evaluation of the pilot confirming the findings of an interim report, the minister said.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen and Leicester’s James Justin received their first England call-ups as Gareth Southgate named his squad for June’s Nations League matches yesterday.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, Aston Villa skipper Tyrone Mings and Arsenal youngster Emile Smith Rowe were absent from the 27-man selection, and there was no recall for in-form Leicester playmaker James Maddison.

MEN’S CRICKET: Nottinghamshire batter Joe Clarke has spoken of his “embarrassment and shame” over his past involvement in a vulgar WhatsApp group with convicted rapist Alex Hepburn.

In 2017, Clarke used the messaging app to engage in discussions of a degrading game of sexual conquests alongside then Worcestershire teammates Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Hepburn.

Clarke was not accused of any wrongdoing on the night in question, but recent talk of an England call-up has met with fierce criticism from those who feel his past sexist actions, and scarce public contrition, make him an unsuitable candidate.

MEN’S CRICKET: England’s new white-ball coach Matthew Mott has yet to arrive in the country but has already started planning his reign with captain Eoin Morgan.

While Test coach Brendon McCullum will be building a partnership with red-ball skipper Ben Stokes from scratch, Mott arrives with a strong, established leader in the form of World Cup winner Morgan.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: Erik Ten Hag is determined to get Manchester United challenging for titles again but his “first target” next season is Champions League qualification.

Having masterminded a third Eredivisie title as manager of Ajax, the 52-year-old swiftly turned his attention to the work at hand at Old Trafford after a wretched season for the Red Devils.

The Dutchman has big plans for the club but accepts it will take time to turn things around, with Champions League qualification the least he is hoping for in his first season.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today