Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/
Whiley wins US Open wheelchair title
US Open: Jordanne Whiley wins first Grand Slam wheelchair title
Britain's Jordanne Whiley won her first Grand Slam singles title by beating her doubles partner Yui Kamiji in the US Open women's wheelchair final.
Whiley, 23, won 6-4 0-6 6-1 against 31-year-old Kamiji of Japan in her first appearance in a major singles final.
Fellow Briton Gordon Reid, 23, won his second Grand Slam title as he paired with France's Stephane Houdet to clinch the men's wheelchair doubles.
The top seeds beat French pair Michael Jeremiasz and Nicolas Peifer 6-3 6-1.
"It feels like a dream," said Whiley, who was beaten with Kamiji in the doubles at Flushing Meadows. "I said at the beginning of the year that I wanted to win the singles title here and I've actually done it.
"To play Yui, who is my best friend, was pretty hard. I know her game so well so it is an advantage but at the same time it was hard to see her in tears at the end.
"I've always said to people that I'm not just a doubles player, I am a singles player and one day I'll show you. Today is that day and I'll take it further by winning more singles Slams."
From war-torn Ukraine to Ilkeston
FA Cup: Ilkeston goalkeeper's journey from war in Ukraine
Playing in the seventh tier of English football was probably not quite how Evandro Rachoni saw his career going when he left Brazil to seek fame and fortune. But then, being threatened by masked gunmen as a platoon of tanks drove by was probably not part of the plan either.
That, though, is just one part of an incredible journey that has seen the Brazilian goalkeeper go from playing against Ballon d'Or winner Rivaldo in Angola, escaping war-torn Ukraine to now living in the small Derbyshire town of Ilkeston preparing to play in the FA Cup first qualifying round.
"It is quiet, and there is not much to do, but it means I can focus on football," the 25-year-old told BBC Sport.
The quiet life was something Evandro had not dreamed of having when he was a youngster growing up in the bustling metropolis that is Rio de Janeiro.
Dream move turns into a nightmare
Evandro was saving shots from Brazilian former world footballer of the year Rivaldo (l) when he played in Angola
Developing his craft at Fluminense, the ambitious teenager recognised he could use his talent to make good money, and when his agent found a lucrative opportunity in Angola, he jumped at the chance.
"It was a lot of money," Evandro said. "I was 19 and when you are young you are looking for a lot of money, so I moved there and spent two seasons there, playing against Rivaldo. He was one of the best players and it was a real pleasure to play with him."
As good as the money was, watching the greats of the game play in the Champions League on television fuelled Evandro's determination to play in Europe.
His brother-in-law, playing in the Ukrainian top flight, mentioned there was a potential opportunity at Arsenal Kiev in the summer of 2013 and Evandro saw it as a chance to finally show what he could do on the continental stage.
"They were playing in the Europa League qualifiers," he added. "You have Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kiev, Metalist and Dnipro, but Arsenal Kiev were up there too."
Joining the second biggest club in Ukraine's capital city must have seemed like a dream come true for Evandro, but it quickly turned into a nightmare.
Arsenal Kiev were owned by Ukrainian millionaire Oleksandr Onyshchenko, who competed at London 2012 in equestrianism, but he stepped down in November 2013 and the club were declared bankrupt.
Dodging tanks on the way to a war zone
Evandro says it was not uncommon for his team bus to pass more than 50 tanks on the way to games in Ukraine
Evandro joined Ukrainian lower league side FC Retro as he looked to maintain his fitness while he considered his options, but when war broke out in February 2014 the young goalkeeper found himself increasingly concerned for his safety.
"On the way to a game once our bus was passed by something like 50 tanks on the way to the war zone," he said.
"Maybe the other guys were used to seeing that but for me it was very different, very hard to see. You cannot imagine, tanks of war coming in your direction."
However, it was the moment gunmen burst onto his team bus on the way to one game that convinced him he had to leave the country.
"I was the only one on the bus from Brazil while everyone else was from Ukraine, so it was very bad," said Evandro.
"We were going to the game and rebels stopped our team bus and got on, with guns and masks on, and asked what we were doing there.
"Some were angry and when they came inside the bus with guns, we didn't know what they wanted, so for me it was very scary and of course my family were very worried."
Evandro Rachoni (back row, second from right) briefly played for FC Retro in Ukraine, and it was while playing for them that gunmen boarded his team bus
Evandro's fears for his safety grew when a Malaysian Airlines plane crashed in Ukraine in July 2014 - it was at that moment he decided he had to leave.
But he found some resistance from his agent.
"I spoke to my agent but he didn't want to move me out because he could make a lot of money there," he said.
"For me, when the airplane went down it just made me think 'you never know what can happen'.
"We used to fly a lot to games when I was at Arsenal Kiev and it was then I thought 'no way can I stay here'. I had to get out."
'I nearly joined Peterborough, but everyone got sacked'
Evandro, who holds an Italian passport through his grandfather, cut ties with his representative and decided to fend for himself, leaving Kiev and flying to London in September last year.
"The best football is in England and a friend of mine said there were a lot of clubs in London and suggested I moved there, so I did," he said.
"I arrived without any contacts but searched on the internet and managed to get a game with a club that played in the ninth level, London Bari."
Brief spells at Conference South side Concord Rangers and Crawley, then in League One, followed before a successful trial at Peterborough saw him on the verge of signing a permanent deal with with the third-tier club.
"I played in a reserve game for them, which we won, and the manager Darren Ferguson came to say he liked me and they would sign me the week after," he added.
"But they played on Saturday against MK Dons, lost 3-0 and everyone got sacked."
Once again, Evandro found himself in a situation where his future was uncertain. Dave Robertson, who replaced Ferguson, assured him a deal was still on the cards.
Evandro believed he was set to get his break in English league football at Peterborough, but that fell through when manager Darren Ferguson (r) left the club
He added: "Robertson said they just needed to wait for the chairman to come back from overseas but when he did he said they would not be making any signings at that point."
Without a club, Evandro found himself back where he had started when he first arrived in England.
However, the chance to join Ilkeston came in July this year when the club's manager Gavin Strachan, son of Scotland boss Gordon, invited him to join the Derbyshire side.
"I knew Gavin from when he was a coach at Peterborough," added Evandro.
"Ilkeston have really good facilities and are really ambitious. Carlo Nash, who played for Manchester City, is the goalkeeper coach there. It was a really good opportunity."
Three months into his time at Ilkeston, Evandro is already a fans' favourite.
"They call me Brazilian Bob," he said.
"I can see that it might be hard for some people to pronounce my name and I think some kid called me Bobby and then everyone called me Brazilian Bob.
"It is nice, though, and great to have that sort of fun with the supporters."
'I grew up wanting to play in the FA Cup'
Now more accustomed to dodging tractors rather than tanks on the roads of Derbyshire, Evandro feels more settled than ever before.
His focus now, is to make a name for himself.
After spells in Brazil, Angola and Ukraine, Evandro Rachoni now plays his football at Ilkeston's 3,000-capacity New Manor Ground
Having seen the giant-killing exploits of Blyth Spartans and Warrington in last year's FA Cup, Evandro is hoping that the competition can propel both himself, and Ilkeston, into the headlines.
"The FA Cup is the most important club competition in the world," said Evandro, before this Saturday's FA Cup game against Rugby Town.
"There is nothing like it in Brazil or Ukraine - where every level of clubs can play and have the opportunity to show what they can do.
"For me, it will be a real privilege to play in the FA Cup and we are determined to make a name for ourselves in it this year."
Rooney 'can reach 70 England goals'
Wayne Rooney can reach 70 England goals - Gary Lineker
Wayne Rooney can score 70 England goals and his international record will last for "at least a decade", says former striker Gary Lineker.
The 29-year-old forward netted his 50th goal in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Switzerland to move clear of Sir Bobby Charlton's total of 49 England goals.
"It's going to be a long time before anyone gets close to Wayne," ex-England captain Lineker told BBC Radio 5 live.
"He's still going so could take it to 60 or 70 if he maintains his fitness."
More on Rooney's record |
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Match of the Day presenter Lineker, who scored 48 England goals and is third in the all-time list, added: "Wayne does not reach 30 years old until next month and there's no-one behind him in the team with any kind of goals tally."
Lineker, a former Leicester, Everton and Tottenham player, said he considered himself more of a "natural goalscorer" than Rooney, but added: "You have to play for a long time to score that many goals so his record will be there for at least a decade.
"It's a wonderful achievement for Wayne and he has been pretty consistent in terms of goalscoring since he burst on the scene in spectacular fashion.
Rooney record is fantastic - Shearer
"But he's not just a goalscorer - his all-round game is excellent, he has great spatial awareness and is a very intelligent footballer - so congratulations to him."
Asked to compare Rooney with previous England strikers, Lineker said: "Different players, whatever era, have different strengths.
"Wayne is quite creative and has a better all-round game than me.
"Bobby Charlton was a midfielder by and large who could score great goals from 25 yards and Jimmy Greaves was a fabulous goalscorer with a phenomenal record for England."
England's leading scorers. Wayne Rooney has 50 in 107 caps; Sir Bobby Charlton scored 49 in 106; Gary Lineker scored 48 goals in 80 games; Jimmy Greaves scored 44 in 57; Michael Owen hit 40 in 89.
'You have to fear for your place'
Wayne Rooney's 50th goal for England was a penalty as his side beat Switzerland 2-0 in a Euro 2016 qualifier
Despite scoring more goals than any other England player, Rooney says he constantly worries about being dropped from the side.
"There are a lot of young lads in this team and I don't want to give my place up," said the Manchester United captain.
"I train every day as if my place is on the line and I have always done that throughout my career.
"I come and work harder every time and I want to make it hard for the manager to leave me out over the next couple of years. You have to fear for your place."
'Shaw can be the next Cole'
Luke Shaw made his England debut against Denmark on 5 March 2014
England boss Roy Hodgson believes Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw can go on to have a career like Ashley Cole, who won 107 caps.
Shaw, who has made six international appearances and never been on a losing England side, struggled for fitness last season following a £27m move from Southampton to Old Trafford in June 2014.
"I would advise Luke to study Ashley, look at what he did for England and set his sights on the same thing," said Hodgson.
"He's still only 20 and if he keeps going then he's on track to be another Ashley Cole.
"It's nice to see Luke back, playing confidently and showing the form that got him the move to Manchester United. We've always believed in him."
'Brave' Hodgson finds a 'stronger' group of players
England's Nathaniel Clyne, Ross Barkley, Jonjo Shelvey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and John Stones are all aged 24 or under
Hodgson has been impressed by the character shown by his young players as the side recorded eight successive wins to become the first team to qualify for Euro 2016.
"We've certainly found a stronger group, there's no doubt about that - I think we've probably been quite brave," said Hodgson.
"We played Jonjo Shelvey and Ross Barkley for 90 minutes in the team together and it's a fairly brave move to do those kind of things. It puts them under enormous pressure, but I think they'll learn from it.
"I really do believe we have a pretty clear idea of what our players can do and how we can use them."
Federer & Wawrinka advance in style
US Open 2015: Roger Federer & Stan Wawrinka win
US Open |
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Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York, Dates: 31 August-13 September |
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Coverage: Live radio and text commentary on every Andy Murray match plus selected matches. |
Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka will meet in an all-Swiss semi-final at the US Open after impressive wins over Richard Gasquet and Kevin Anderson.
Seventeen-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer did not face a single break point as he beat Frenchman Gasquet 6-3 6-3 6-1 in just 87 minutes.
Wawrinka made almost as short work of Andy Murray's conqueror Kevin Anderson, beating the South African 6-4 6-4 6-0.
Top seed Novak Djokovic will face holder Marin Cilic in the other semi.
Federer hopes to maintain home rule
TV host Jimmy Fallon (left) and pop star Justin Timberlake (right) danced to Beyonce's hit All the Single Ladies during a changeover
Federer has won 16 of his 19 meetings with compatriot Wawrinka, but lost the most recent in this year's French Open quarter-finals and found his wife's courtside conduct called into question after a bad-tempered encounter at last year's World Tour Finals in London.
However he said he was relishing the chance to meet his friend and Davis Cup team-mate in the last four.
"Stan played a wonderful match against me in Paris," he said.
"I couldn't be happier to play him here. It is cool for us to have two Swiss in the semi-finals."
Wawrinka finds form...as Anderson loses it
Wawrinka is aiming to win his third Grand Slam title after victories in the 2014 Australian Open and 2015 French Open
Anderson's win over Murray in the previous round was built on relentless aggression off the ground as well as his powerful serve, but he could replicate those tactics against Wawrinka.
Anderson hit less than half the number of aces and less than a third of the number of winners that he managed against Murray.
By contrast, Wawrinka put together his most impressive performance of the tournament after making relatively heavy weather of beating the likes of Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Hyeon Chung in the opening rounds.
"Stan didn't make it easy," admitted Anderson.
"He was taking time away from me. He was swinging out and I was just a step slow."
Quotes of the day
"Seeing all those big serves coming down, meant I felt I had more time. " Roger Federer says that everything seems easier on return when compared to playing John Isner in the last round.
"I needed a shirt change after the 5th game the other night. Don't think Roger changed his shirt all match." John Isner returns the compliment on Twitter.
Halep & Pennetta make US Open semis
US Open: Pennetta beats Kvitova and Halep beats Azarenka
US Open |
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Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York, Dates: 31 August-13 September |
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Coverage: Live radio and text commentary of selected matches. |
World number two Simona Halep and Italian 26th seed Flavia Pennetta will meet in the US Open semi-finals after prevailing in absorbing three-setters.
Romania's Halep, 23, beat Belarusian Victoria Azarenka 6-3 4-6 6-4 in a rain-interrupted match in New York.
Pennetta, 33, capitalised on two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova's inconsistency to win 4-6 6-4 6-2 and reach her second US Open semi-final.
Roberta Vinci and Serena Williams will contest Thursday's other semi-final.
With both Pennetta and her compatriot Vinci in the last eight, two Italian women have made the last four of the same Grand Slam tournament for the first time in the Open era.
Halep helped by the heavens
Construction of a retractable roof is due to be completed over the top of Arthur Ashe Arena in time for the 2016 tournament
Former world number one Azarenka, who spent 51 weeks as world number one earlier in her career, is climbing back up the rankings after a series of injuries over the past two seasons.
Halep looked in danger as her 26-year-old opponent came into the third set with momentum after winning the second in impressive style.
Halep's determination struck a chord with three-time US Open champion Kim Clijsters
But a rain delay took the players off court for an hour and 25 minutes and Halep revived to reach the US Open semi-finals for the first time.
"I got behind the baseline in the second set and had to to do a lot of running. That break helped me. Thanks, God, for raining," she said.
Pennetta's New York love affair
Flavia Pennetta (left) ended Petra Kvitova's longest run at the US Open
In 38 appearances at the other three Grand Slam events, Pennetta has made the last eight just once.
However she has made the quarter-finals six times in seven years at Flushing Meadows and made only 16 unforced errors to Kvitova's 60 to progress to the semi-finals for the second time in New York.
"The second set I was really in trouble, but I just kept going," Pennetta said after her win over Kvitova, 25. "It's unbelievable."
She has won three of her four previous meetings with Halep.
Williams reflects on sister act
Serena Williams paid tribute to sister Venus on social media after her win in Tuesday's quarter-final.
Quotes of the day
"When I heard my alarm I didn't want to wake up. Yeah, I'm kind of sleepy right now, as well." Petra Kvitova, who has been diagnosed with glandular fever, struggles for energy.
"We are old. I know. I mean, old for tennis. For the life we are younger." Flavia Pennetta, 33, reflects on the durability of herself and fellow Italians Roberta Vinci, 32, and Francesca Schiavone, 35.
"You forget something - the perfect 10." Simona Halep takes on-court interviewer Pam Shriver to task after she forgets an important point on the CV of former gymnast and entourage member Nadia Comaneci. Fellow Romanian Comaneci was the first female gymnast in Olympic history to register a perfect score with a series of faultless performances at the 1976 Olympics.
Yorkshire retain Championship title
County Championship: Yorkshire skittle Middlesex to seal title
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LV= County Championship Division One, Lord's (day one, close) |
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Middlesex 106: Simpson 28; Sidebottom 5-18, Bresnan 4-30 |
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Yorkshire 238-9: Gale 98, Lees 39; Dexter 3-24, Roland-Jones 3-70 |
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Yorkshire lead by 132 runs with one wicket remaining |
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Middlesex 3pts, Yorkshire 4pts |
Yorkshire clinched a second consecutive Championship title as a superb bowling display dismissed Middlesex for 106 on the first morning at Lord's.
The home side were 0-3 at the end of Ryan Sidebottom's opening over, taking him past 700 first-class victims.
The left-armer later bowled last man Tim Murtagh for figures of 5-18, with Tim Bresnan contributing 4-30.
Yorkshire also struggled with the bat in reply, but skipper Andrew Gale made 98 as they reached the close on 238-9.
Their title was confirmed when Notts were bowled out for 204 in their home game with Durham.
Following Middlesex's collapse, they were the only side with a mathematical possibility of denying Yorkshire, but needed the maximum of five batting bonus points to stay in the race, and only managed one.
Sidebottom's golden arm |
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Ryan Sidebottom has played in nine of Yorkshire's 14 Championship games this summer, taking 39 wickets - including five or more in an innings on three occasions. |
Yorkshire arrived at Lord's with a 43-point lead over Middlesex, and opted to put them in on a greenish surface after winning the toss.
Sidebottom's third ball trapped Paul Stirling lbw and he had Nick Compton caught behind and bowled Dawid Malan with successive deliveries later in the over.
Debutant Stevie Eskinazi edged to Adam Lyth in the slips and when Bresnan took over from Sidebottom's new-ball partner Jack Brooks, he quickly had Neil Dexter caught behind.
Sam Robson (26) followed in similar fashion and off-spinner James Middlebrook removed John Simpson (28) with the final ball before lunch.
From 92-7 at the interval, Middlesex lost their last three wickets for 14 runs as Sidebottom finished the innings with the final ball of the 33rd over.
Failing to gain any batting bonus points meant the home side could no longer catch Yorkshire in the Division One table, even if they somehow manage to win the match.
The visitors progressed to 129-3 at tea in reply, with skipper Andrew Gale, who was not on the field when they won the title in 2014 because of suspension, unbeaten on 54.
The left-hander looked set for a third century of the summer, but was caught at second slip off Neil Dexter (3-24) as he looked to play the ball into the leg-side and the champions slumped from 187-4 to 221-9.
It looked like they might be dismissed before stumps, but bad light brought a slightly premature end with Jack Brooks 12 not out and Sidebottom on nine.
Ryan Sidebottom's opening over gave Yorkshire an immediate initiative at the home of cricket
Yorkshire skipper Andrew Gale receives a painful blow during his innings for the 2015 champions
Yorkshire cricket director Martyn Moxon:
"The first win is really special, but given the circumstances this is probably a bigger achievement than winning last year.
"That first over epitomised what Ryan was all about, and to get his 700th wicket as well, he's been a fantastic bowler over the years and there's still a lot of life left in him.
"To combine developing England players with domestic success is a fantastic effort from everyone involved.
"To have provided so many England players this summer and still won the Championship, with two and a half games left, I think it's a remarkable achievement."
Lord Coe to explain 'war' comments
Blood doping: Lord Coe to explain 'war' comments
Lord Coe will be called to parliament to explain why he said media reports on doping were a "declaration of war".
Lord Coe is the new president of world governing body the International Association of Athletics Federations.
On Tuesday, Marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe accused Jesse Norman MP of "implicating" her in the Sunday Times blood doping allegations and reiterated she has never cheated.
Norman said his comments at a select committee were "taken out of context".
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In August, the Sunday Times published data from 5,000 athletes, which it had reviewed by scientists and said revealed an "extraordinary extent of cheating".
The IAAF called the allegations "sensationalist and confusing" and denied it had failed in its duty to carry out effective blood testing.
Coe, in the run-up to the IAAF presidential election, said: "The fightback has to start here. It is a declaration of war on my sport. There is nothing in our history of competence and integrity in drug testing that warrants this kind of attack."
Lord Coe was also critical of the Sunday Times reports, but on Wednesday committee member Damian Collins MP said the double Olympic champion's comments were "inappropriate".
Collins said Lord Coe would be called to the next committee session so that they could understand "what he actually thinks now he is president of the IAAF".
Radcliffe, 41, said she "categorically" denied any form of cheating and Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee chairman Jesse Norman suggested London Marathon winners and medallists and "potentially, British athletes" were under suspicion.
Radcliffe was not specifically named but she is a three-time London Marathon winner and the only British athlete since 1996 to triumph at the event.
The parliamentary hearings are looking into allegations that hundreds of athletes had suspicious blood results.
Overseas fans in Britain now at 800k
Overseas football fans visiting Britain now at 800,000
The number of overseas fans visiting Britain to watch top-flight football rose to 800,000 in 2014 and brought in almost £700m, according to research.
Most fans came from the Republic of Ireland (121,000), with Norway (93,000), Sweden (58,000) and the United States (53,000) next.
Old Trafford and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium were the most popular venues, both receiving 109,000 visits each.
Premier League chief Richard Scudamore said the rise was "very encouraging".
However, football supporters groups said the figures, released by tourism body Visit Britain, underlined concerns they have about the make-up of fans in stadiums, ticket prices and club identity.
The last time Visit Britain - which has a partnership with the Premier League to encourage visitors to come to Britain and see a live match - published figures was in 2010, when 50,000 fewer fans attended games.
The Norwegian branch of the Liverpool Supporters' Club estimates that for big games, up to 1,500 Norwegians descend on Anfield.
The Premier League is already a huge global brand with an estimated 1.2bn fans worldwide and overseas TV rights expected to exceed the £2bn which was paid for the last deal running from the 2016-17 season.
The research shows that fans want to experience that excitement in person, which in turn is boosting the British economy.
Republic of Ireland accounted for 121,000 of 800,000 fans visiting Britain to watch top-flight football
Boosting Britain's economy
Visit Britain says it is targeting key markets across the globe through its 'Football is Great' campaign, which includes a video from Manchester United assistant manager Ryan Giggs on the ease of travelling around the country.
And from a financial point of view, it appears to be paying off.
The 800,000 overseas fans who watched football in Britain last year spent £684m collectively, up £89m since 2010. On average they were likely to spend £855 per visit, considerably higher than those who chose not to watch football at £628.
Football also appears to be a good way of encouraging visitors to Britain in winter months while the football season continues, with 31% of visitors from January to March taking in matches, compared with 19% in July to September.
Almost three quarters (73%) of visitors who gave their primary journey purpose as watching sport said they had attended a football match.
Manchester taxi drivers will tell you how much busier they are on match days when Manchester United are at home, and it is clear that football is a big attraction to the area.
Ten percent of visitors to the North West of England, which is also the home of Manchester City and Liverpool, head to the region to watch football, compared to 5.6% in the north-east and just 1.3 in the south-east.
Tourism minister Tracey Crouch said: "It's fantastic to see the positive role football is playing in showcasing key destinations in many different regions of the UK."
Fans merchandise is often geared towards overseas tourism
What is the appeal?
Tore Hansen is the chief executive of the official Norway branch of the Liverpool Supporters' Club and has been travelling to Anfield for the past 30 years.
He says the love affair started in the 1960s when many Norwegians adopted English teams as a result of games being screened on TV. He also believes the numerous flight routes to Britain have made it easier for fans to travel.
"It's been building for many years," he told BBC Sport. "One of the reasons was because the standard of football in Norway wasn't that great. British football has always been popular in Norway and it's also a nice country to visit."
So popular in fact, that the clamour for tickets has increased at Anfield, a stadium which holds 45,500 fans and is dwarfed by the 60,000 capacity at Emirates Stadium and 75,700 at Old Trafford.
Hansen, 48, says that some Norwegian fans end up buying from season ticket holders, with some choosing to sell their seats every week. He also says there are many examples of fans paying for tickets on the internet, never to see them in person.
"The demand is massive and it's a shame it's gone that way, especially for local people in Liverpool," he added.
The Premier League says that stadiums were at 96% capacity last season.
Liverpool is expanding its stadium to 59,000 seats for the start of the 2016-17 season
Keeping a club's heritage
Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) vice-chairman Sean Bones says there needs to be equilibrium between welcoming overseas fans and maintaining the club's heritage.
Asked whether a local or overseas supporter was considered more important by clubs, he said: "Manchester United has been built by generations of local support and we deserve that recognition. It's a question of balance, the fact we are so attractive to tourists is because of our history."
Bones also has concerns about the demand for tickets increasing prices. A BBC study found that the average price of cheapest tickets in England has increased by 13% since 2011, with the Football Supporters' Federation calling for clubs to reduce their cost.
Bones told BBC Sport: "It's good for the country when additional funds come into the economy but we need clubs to reward the long-term loyalty of our supporters."
As for whether overseas fans contribute to subdued atmospheres at Old Trafford, Bones says: "That's probably more to do with all-seater stadiums."
Most visited stadiums in Britain by overseas fans |
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Old Trafford (Manchester United): 109,000 |
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Emirates Stadium (Arsenal): 109,000 |
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Anfield (Liverpool): 99,000 |
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Stamford Bridge (Chelsea): 89,000 |
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Wembley (England): 51,000 |
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White Hart Lane (Tottenham): 40,000 |
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Etihad Stadium (Manchester City): 33,000 |
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Craven Cottage (Fulham): 30,000 |
Will numbers of overseas fans increase?
The top-10 largest markets for overseas visitors to British football are limited to European countries, the US and Australia.
But Visit Britain believes that the growth of the Premier League's appeal in Asia means the established order may not remain for long.
"The London 2012 Olympics put Britain on the map as the home of sport, and obviously football is a global draw," says Patricia Yates from Visit Britain.
"It's interesting to see the strong appeal it has in new-growth markets like China, Hong Kong and Indonesia where those new out-bound travellers tend to be younger and affluent. They have the same loyalty to their clubs as British fans and they want to come and see them play in the stadium."
Like Bones, Yates believes there needs to be a balance between local and overseas supporters but argues that foreign fans "add to the flavour of the match".
As for overseas football visitors reaching the 1m mark, do not expect Visit Britain to halt its use of the Premier League as key marketing tool.
"In 2014, we saw 35m people come to Britain where they spent £22bn, and we plan to grow that to 40m by 2020," Yates added. "So we have ambitious targets and we will continue to use football as a major draw to this country."
As Hansen says, the Anfield Stadium expansion has come at just the right time.
Beckham finds site for Miami MLS team
David Beckham finds site for planned Miami MLS team
Former England captain David Beckham has found a site for his proposed Major League Soccer team in Miami.
Beckham's plan to field a side in the 2018 MLS season has been hampered by the lack of a suitable venue.
But the 40-year-old is now looking to build on the site of the Orange Bowl, the former home of the Miami Dolphins which was demolished in 2008.
"We are as confident as we have ever been that we can move this forward," MLS chief Don Garber told BBC Sport.
The site Beckham is interested in is adjacent to the Miami Marlins' baseball stadium.
Beckham was given the right to own an MLS franchise as part of the contract he agreed when he joined LA Galaxy in 2007.
David Beckham won 115 England caps, a tally only Peter Shilton (125) bettered
"He has been trying very hard to get a stadium built. There has been a lot more progress lately than in the last 12 to 15 months," said Garber.
"We have to finalise a whole bunch of deals with the city and the landowners but the site has been selected."
Garber is looking forward to Beckham's return.
"David has been out of MLS for many years now but we still talk about him," he said.
"He is a big part of our history. MLS wouldn't be what it is today if he hadn't decided to come in 2007."
'We're not a toddler now'
This season is the 20th since the MLS was formed.
Although it is still loss-making across its 20 member clubs, the competition - which features 17 sides from the United States and three from Canada - is expanding rapidly.
Average attendances are above 21,000 and newcomers Orlando City and New York City have attracted a combined crowd in excess of 863,000 for their 28 home games so far.
"We are not a toddler now," said Garber. "We are probably a college kid.
"Our best days are ahead of us but we are growing up."
Retirement home?
Steven Gerrard, 35, is playing for LA Galaxy this season while former England team-mate Frank Lampard, 37, and 36-year-old Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo have joined New York City.
It has been claimed that signing older players is detrimental to the development of MLS.
Lampard: MLS is no retirement home
"The interesting question is whether it matters," said Garber, who said the league needed a "blend" of players.
"David Beckham came over when he was 31. Michael Bradley, the captain of our national team, came back when he was 26. Sebastian Giovinco - formerly of Juventus -came over when he was 28 and just got into the Italian national squad again.
"We signed 35 players this summer, more than ever before, and the average age was 27. It is understandable that the biggest signings were players coming to the back end of their careers and that is what some people focus on."
Garber said the MLS needed "world stars who attract attention" to increase its profile.
He added: "When you have Gerrard playing for LA against Lampard in New York, that is going to resonate around the world.
"At the same time we are investing millions of dollars in academy programmes. Last weekend, Dallas had five home-grown players in their first team.
"It is a combination of all of those things that give us our identity."
Are China and India a threat?
When Didier Drogba left Chelsea for the first time, he joined Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, though he has since moved to MLS side Montreal Impact.
Shanghai Shenhua have subsequently signed Demba Ba - another former Chelsea striker - and ex-Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, while Brazilian pair Paulinho and Robinho have joined Guangzhou Evergrande.
The second season of the Indian Super League, meanwhile, will feature former Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos - who is the boss of Delhi Dynamos - and ex-France internationals Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda.
Does the MLS regard the Chinese and Indian leagues as rivals?
"Not in any way," said Garber. "Drogba left China to come to a league that could provide him with experiences more in line with his vision of what he wanted for his career.
"India and China might be where we were 20 years ago. They are new leagues.
"It is ironic we might not be the new kids on the block any more. We are past that fledgling stage."
Are Premier League 'pre-season' tours a good thing?
A crowd of 68,414 watched Manchester United beat Barcelona at the Levi's Stadium on 25 July, bigger than any MLS attendance this season
Seven Premier League teams spent part of their pre-season in North America while teams from six countries played in the North American part of the International Champions Cup.
This was in July, the middle of the domestic season as the MLS runs from March to December.
New York Red Bulls played Philadelphia Union in a cup tie on 21 July, the day before they faced Chelsea.
"The rest of the world does look at our region as a bit of an ATM," said Garber. "There is a lot money, there is a lot of interest and there is a lot of fan potential.
"There was a time when we believed wholeheartedly that the rising tide of soccer interest would raise all boats - and we had the most boats on that water. Whether that remains true is still to be seen.
Garber said he has had talks with the Premier League about an official competition every summer.
"I would love to find a way that we could play our cup champion and our league champion against an FA Cup and league champion in a tournament and play it in New York City every year," he said. "If not every year, then every four years."
Football looking at the USA with fresh eyes?
Even those who dismiss MLS as an irrelevance could not be unmoved at the United States' involvement in shaking world governing body Fifa.
An FBI investigation has led to the indictment of 14 former and current Fifa officials. Indirectly, it also prompted the resignation of Fifa president Sepp Blatter.
"The Department of Justice certainly weren't calling us up and saying 'guess what, we are about to go', but I will say many of us were proud," said Garber.
"We are in this game and were around a situation where there was perhaps less governance than would be around businesses in the US. Fifa was operating in a way that is culturally very different to the way we operate in our part of the world. That could be frustrating.
"It is good to see that finally, some folks are going to have to answer for that. People need to be accountable for what they do and I very much support what is happening.
"There is a great movement of reform and a new quest for different governance. As a person that is involved in the governance of my league, I think that benefits everybody, owners, fans, players."
Inglot joins Murray in doubles semi
US Open: Dom Inglot joins Jamie Murray in doubles semi-final
US Open |
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Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York, Dates: 31 August-13 September |
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Coverage: Live radio and text commentary on selected matches. |
There will be British interest in both men's doubles semi-finals at the US Open after Dom Inglot and his Swedish partner Robert Lindstedt went through.
Briton Jamie Murray, 29, and Australian John Peers have already reached the final four at Flushing Meadows.
And they will be joined by Inglot, 29, and Lindstedt after they overcame sixth seeds Rohan Bopanna of India and Romania's Florin Mergea 7-6 (7-2) 6-3.
The pair will meet French duo Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut.
Inglot, who partnered with Mergea until the Briton was dropped in March, will compete in his first Grand Slam semi-final against the 12th seeds.
Eighth seeds Murray and Peers will face Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey after the unseeded American team beat Argentina's Leonardo Mayer and Joao Sousa of Portugal 6-3 6-4.
Dom Inglot is looking forward to his US Open semi-final
Welling player charged for feigning injury
Welling player charged for feigning injury against Tranmere
Welling striker Sahr Kabba is the first player to be charged by the Football Association under a new rule against feigning injury.
Tranmere defender Ritchie Sutton was shown a red card after an incident in a 1-1 National League draw on Saturday.
Sutton successfully appealed against the decision and Kabba has now been charged for "allegedly exaggerating or feigning an injury which directly led to an opponent being dismissed".
The rule is new for this season.
Kabba - who now faces a three-match ban - has until 11 September to respond to the charge.
Feigning injury to get opponent sent off
Under the rule introduced this season, a player who feigns injury and gets an opponent sent off could face a suspension.
Scenario
- Player A is sent off for violent conduct
- Dismissal overturned after the referee reviews the incident and sees that player B had feigned injury
- Player B is open to a charge and could face a three-match ban
Ali to stand for Fifa presidency
Fifa election: Prince Ali announces presidential candidacy
Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan has announced that he will stand in the upcoming Fifa presidential election.
Ali, 39, pushed incumbent president Sepp Blatter to a second round of voting in May's poll, winning 73 votes, before standing aside in the contest.
He joins Uefa president Michel Platini as confirmed candidates to replace Blatter and lead football's world governing body.
The election is due to be held on 26 February next year.
"This election should be about football, not personal ambition. We have come too far to walk away now," Ali said.
"We must overcome deep-seated corruption but I was not brought up to walk away from a tough fight. This is about right and wrong."
Prince Ali took to twitter to stake his claim to be Fifa president
Blatter, 79, triggered next year's election by announcing shortly after winning the last vote that he would resign amid twin criminal investigations into alleged corruption at Fifa.
Seven Fifa officials were arrested in May on charges of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering.
Former Fifa executive Chung Mong-joon of South Korea has also indicated that he will run in next year's election, as has Liberian FA president Musa Bility.
Referring to May's election, Ali added: "I was the only person who dared to challenge Blatter, I ran because I believe that Fifa needs change.
"I had the courage when others feared. They didn't have the guts to run, but I did."
Dumoulin takes narrow Vuelta lead
Vuelta a Espana: Thomas Dumoulin takes three-second lead
Dutchman Thomas Dumoulin gained a three-second lead in the Vuelta a Espana after a superb time-trial.
Dumoulin, 24, completed the 38.7km course in Burgos in 46 minutes one second, more than a minute faster than Maciej Bodnar and Alejandro Valverde, who finished second and third.
Italian Fabio Aru, second overall, lost only 1min 53secs to Dumoulin and is expected to do well in the mountain climbs over the final four days.
"This race is not finished," said Aru.
Aru, 25, who won the mountainous Giro d'Italia stage 19 summit finish this year, added: "I will be saving my best until the end."
Dumoulin, who is trying to become the first Dutch rider to win a Grand Tour since Joop Zoetemelk was victorious in the 1980 Tour de France, was surprised by his wide margin of victory.
"The course suited me but to win by over a minute is amazing," he said.
"It - the overall lead - is only three seconds so I am a little bit worried. A small gap in a bunch finish is three seconds.
"It is going to be very stressful but, with two stage wins, the Vuelta has already been a success for me."
The overnight leader, Joaquim Rodriguez , could only finish joint 30th in the time-trial and is now 1:15 back in third overall.
The 21-stage Grand Tour finishes in Madrid on Sunday, 13 September.
Stage 17 result:
1. Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Giant) 46mins 1sec
2. Maciej Bodnar (Pol/Tinkoff-Saxo) +1min 4secs
3. Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Movistar) +1min 8secs
4. Vasil Kiryienka (Blr/Team Sky) +1min 31secs
5. Jerome Coppel (Fra/IAM Cycling) +1min 32secs
6. Nairo Quintana (Col/ Movistar) +1min 33secs
7. Romain Sicard (Fra/Europcar) +1min 36secs
8. Nelson Oliveira (Por/Lampre) +1min 38secs
9. Steve Cummings (Gbr/Team MTN) +1min 40secs
10. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana) +1min 53secs
General classification after stage 17:
1. Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Giant) 68hrs 40mins 36secs
2. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana) +3sec
3. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa/Katusha) 1min 15secs
4. Rafal Majka (Pol/Tinkoff - Saxo) +2min 22secs
5. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) +2mins 53secs
6. Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Movistar) +3mins 15secs
7. Esteban Chaves (Col/Orica) +3min 30secs
8. Daniel Moreno (Spa/Katusha) +3mins 46secs
9. Mikel Nieve (Spa/Team Sky) +4mins 10secs
10. Louis Meintjes (SA/ Team MTN) +6mins 51secs
Man Utd's Wilson to go out on loan
James Wilson: Man Utd striker to go on loan to Championship
Manchester United striker James Wilson is to be sent on loan to a Championship club.
The England Under-21 international, 19, is one of the few orthodox forwards in Louis van Gaal's squad.
But he will be allowed to leave to aid his development, although a deal will have an instant release clause.
A number of clubs expressed an interest in signing Wilson during the transfer window, with Derby amongst those most heavily linked.
Wilson has scored four goals in 18 first-team appearances, including two on his debut against Hull in May 2014.
He is yet to feature for United this season, but he scored the winner for England Under-21s against USA Under-23s on 3 September.
Gaviria wins Tour of Britain stage
Tour of Britain: Mark Cavendish helps Fernando Gaviria to stage win
Mark Cavendish helped Etixx - Quick-Step team-mate Fernando Gaviria to victory on stage four of the Tour of Britain.
Cavendish guided the Colombian to a sprint finish at the end of the 217km route from Edinburgh to Blyth.
Gaviria held off German Andre Greipel to win in a time of five hours 13 minutes eight seconds with Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen in third place.
Movistar's Juan Lobato (Spain) finished 15th to retain the overall lead.
The race ends in London on Sunday.
Welshman Owain Doull - riding for Sir Bradley Wiggins' team - remains in contention, 14 seconds off the lead in sixth place.
Wiggins - using the Tour of Britain as preparations for his European Track Championships and Rio 2016 campaigns - is in 101st place overall, nearly three minutes down.
Analysis from BBC Sport's Matt Slater
"Mark Cavendish started this Tour of Britain by losing the first stage by about an inch and then launching into a defence of the sprinter's art.
"His main point was that the Vuelta, with its emphasis on gear-grinding gradients, has forgotten that sprinters are good riders too, and a bunch sprint can make for great TV.
"It has taken three days but Cavendish can now point to some compelling evidence, although his star witness is team-mate Fernando Gaviria, the winner of a thrilling fourth-stage sprint into Blyth.
"With Cavendish widely expected to be leaving Etixx - Quick-Step next season, this will no doubt prompt some to speak of a changing of the guard.
But I am not ready to write off the Manxman just yet - he has made a nonsense of such predictions before - and it should be noted that it was Cavendish leading the celebrations even before Gaviria had crossed the line."
Stage four result
1 Fernando Gaviria (Col/ Etixx - Quick-Step) 5 hours 13 minutes 8 seconds
2 Andre Greipel (Ger/Lotto Soudal) Same time
3 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor/MTN - Qhubeka)
4 Owain Doull (GB/Team Wiggins)
5 Jens Debusschere (Bel/Lotto Soudal)
6 Jonas Vangenechten (Bel/IAM)
7 Elia Viviani (Ita/Team Sky)
8 Gerald Ciolek (Ger/MTN - Qhubeka)
9 Floris Gerts (Ned/BMC Racing Team)
10 Graham Briggs (GB/JLT Condor)
Selected others:
13 Mark Cavendish (GB/ Etixx - Quick-Step) Same time
101 Sir Bradley Wiggins (GB/Team Wiggins) + 2 minutes 49 seconds
General classification after stage four:
1 Juan Jose Lobato (Spa/Movistar) 18 hours 50 minutes 12 seconds
2 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor/MTN - Qhubeka) +5 seconds
3 Floris Gerts (Ned/BMC Racing Team) +12 seconds
4 Wouter Poels (Ned/Team Sky) +13 seconds
5 Dylan Van Baarle (Ned/Cannondale-Garmin) Same time
6 Owain Doull (GB/Team Wiggins) +14 seconds
7 Graham Briggs (GB/JLT Condor) Same time
8 Rasmus Guldhammer (Den/Cult Energy Pro Cycling)
9 Matteo Trentin (Ita/Etixx - Quick-Step)
10 Serge Pauwels (Bel/MTN - Qhubeka) +20 seconds
Selected others:
63 Mark Cavendish (GB/Etixx - Quick Step) +21 minutes 52 seconds
88 Sir Bradley Wiggins (GB/Team Wiggins) +26 minutes 36 seconds
Halfpenny 'gutted' to miss World Cup
Leigh Halfpenny: Wales full-back 'gutted' to miss World Cup
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Host: England Dates: 18 September-31 October |
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Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and sports extra, BBC Radio Wales and in Welsh on BBC Radio Cymru, plus live text commentary on every match on the BBC Sport website. |
Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny says he is "gutted" to have been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup with a knee injury.
Toulon's Halfpenny, 26, ruptured anterior cruciate knee ligaments during Wales' 23-19 win over Italy.
Writing on Twitter, he thanked fans for their support and backed Wales to win the World Cup in his absence.
"Whilst I'm gutted I won't be able to see through this particular journey, I've no doubt the squad has what it takes to go all the way," he said.
"Along with the rest of the country, I'll be passionately cheering on the Welsh boys and would like to wish them all the very best."
Highlights: Wales 23-19 Italy
British and Irish Lions player Halfpenny and scrum-half Rhys Webb were both ruled out of the World Cup following their injuries in the warm-up win against Italy.
'Life has to go on'
Halfpenny's likely replacement at full-back, Liam Williams, has not played since having foot surgery in June.
But Wales head coach Warren Gatland says Williams will start Wales' World Cup opener against Uruguay in Cardiff on 20 September.
"I am devastated not to be taking part in the 2015 World Cup but injuries are part of professional sport and life has to go on," added Halfpenny.
"For me, this will involve working towards playing again."
Scarlets full-back Liam Williams has won 23 caps for Wales, scoring two tries
The other two potential full-backs in Wales' 31-man squad - Bristol's Matthew Morgan and Newport Gwent Dragons' Hallam Amos - have six caps between them.
After starting their World Cup campaign against Uruguay, Wales play hosts England, Fiji and Australia their remaining Pool A matches.
But they will have to do without Halfpenny, who was a part of the Welsh squad which reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2011.
"I want to thank everyone for the immense support I've received," the former Cardiff Blues full-back added.
"It has been truly humbling and overwhelming.
"I wish I could thank everyone individually, but I can say that the support I've received from the medical staff at the Millennium Stadium, all of my team-mates and coaches, everyone at both the WRU [Welsh Rugby Union] and my club Toulon, my sponsors, management, friends, family, fellow professionals and, in particular, from the general public around the world, has helped me immeasurably."
Wales' final World Cup squad
Props: Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Samson Lee (Scarlets).
Hookers: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets).
Locks: Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Dominic Day (Bath), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys).
Back-rows: Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt).
Scrum-halves: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing 92), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues).
Fly-halves: Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Matthew Morgan (Bristol), Rhys Priestland (Bath).
Centres: Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Scott Williams (Scarlets).
Wings: Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys).
Full-back: Liam Williams (Scarlets).
Hull's Livermore to avoid drug ban
Jake Livermore: Hull City midfielder to avoid drug ban
Hull City midfielder Jake Livermore will not be banned after testing positive for cocaine.
The 25-year-old was suspended by the Football Association and his club in May after failing a drug test, pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.
The England international, who faced a possible two-year ban, tested positive after the death of his newborn child.
"There's no question it was a mitigating factor," said Hull manager Steve Bruce to the BBC last month.
"Unfortunately he lost his baby just after the FA Cup final last year.
"Jake has kept all of the problems that he had to himself. All footballers think they are macho-men but they have problems like everybody else."
A disciplinary hearing took place last week at which it was decided the FA would not extend its provisional suspension.
Hull also suspended Livermore following his positive test, but have yet to comment on whether he will now be available to play.
Livermore joined Hull from Spurs for £8m in August 2014 after a season-long loan, making 35 league appearances last season as the Tigers were relegated to the Championship.
