The start of the English football season could be delayed so it does not clash with the 2012 London Olympic Games, organisers said on Thursday.

Paul Deighton, chief executive of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, said talks had taken place to ensure that the Games would not overlap with other major sporting events in Britain, such as the English Premier League or Test cricket.

Part of the agreement with the International Olympic Committee when London won the right to host the Games was that there should not be such clashes.

I can confirm that we have been in discussions with all the sports bodies responsible for the schedules in the UK in 2012 and we are on track to meet that obligation, Deighton told a press conference.

Asked if that…

Paulo Dybala says he thought about taking the lucrative deal offered to him from the Saudi Pro League before ultimately deciding to stay at Roma.

The World Cup winner was being linked with a move to Al-Qadsiah, who reportedly offered him a three-year contract worth €75million.

However, Dybala chose to turn the offer down to stay in Italy and was part of the team that started their 2-1 defeat to Empoli in Serie A on Sunday.

Everybody looks at the money, but I put many things on the table to come to my decision: my family, my wife, the city, the team, and my desire to return to the national team, Dybala told Sky Italia.

I m 30 and feel good. I ve seen a lot of criticism about the injuries, but I try to work hard every day to take care of myself and per…

England defeated Australia 3-1 in Sydney to reach the Women’s World Cup final.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look back at some other memorable victories for England on Australian soil.

Wilkinson’s golden boot

Jonny Wilkinson’s last-gasp drop-goal secured England’s men a dramatic triumph in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final in Sydney.

Wilkinson’s kick sealed a 20-17 extra-time victory over hosts Australia in front of a then-record record crowd of almost 83,000 – with millions more watching on television around the globe.

After the scores were locked at 14-14 at full-time following a second-half fightback from the Wallabies, Wilkinson’s fourth penalty edged Martin Johnson’s men back in front, only for Elton Flatley to level things up again.…

Mikel Arteta will urge his Arsenal side to treat their trip to title rivals Manchester City as a home fixture.

The Gunners are a point above the reigning champions at the top of the table ahead of Sunday’s clash at the Etihad Stadium – where Arsenal have lost on their last seven visits.

Arteta’s side, however, have the best away record in the Premier League as they look to win their first league title in two decades.

They have won nine of 14 games on the road and face tough trips to Brighton, Wolves and Tottenham in the coming weeks – as well as a Champions League quarter-final clash at Bayern Munich.

Sights set on Sunday

Sobha Realty Training Centre

— Arsenal (@Arsenal)

Asked why his team are so good away from home, …

Verdict: Draw no bet Stuttgart

Best odds:

Bookmaker: 

Stuttgart are hosting Leverkusen in a much-expected Bundesliga blockbuster. A win can help hosts join the challenge for the supreme crown in German football, a trophy they won last time more than 16 years ago (2007).

Stuttgart

Sebastian Hoenes impressed since taking over Stuttgart at the end of the last season, saving the team from relegation in the last rounds. The young manager built on his previous year s success taking this season s Bundesliga by storm. Despite having a difficult summer when key players departed from the team, Hoenes built a squad that is challenging for at least a top 4 finish. Serhou Guirassy, the Guinea striker, has been outstanding so far challenging Harry Kane for the Bunde…

Caleb Porter still believes New England Revolution have an outside chance of making the playoffs if they win all their games, starting with Nashville SC.

The Revs currently sit bottom of the Eastern Conference on 28 points and are eight points behind Philadelphia Union in ninth.

They are winless in their last five matches though, alternating between losses and draws, and were heavily beaten 4-0 by Charlotte FC last weekend after Dylan Borrero s sending-off.

Porter remains hopeful, though even he admits it may be just out of the Revs reach.

I might be stupid, but I still believe that we can win all five [games] and get in [the MLS Cup Playoffs] somehow, he said, as quoted in The Blazing Musket substack.

That is the approach that I m going to take…

There is no doubt that Belgium are one of the biggest candidates heading into the 2018 World Cup. The Red Devils cruised their way through the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers, and undoubtedly feature some of the best players in the world in their current squad. However, it might be a stretch to call them a title contender.. at least just yet.

When looking Belgium s squad, we can see they have a top-class goalkeeper in Thibaut Courtois. The midfield zone feature quality names such as Marouane Fellaini even if you hate him or love him! , Radja Nainggolan, Kevin de Bruyne, and other promising names such as Youri Tielemans. And the attacking line is even better. Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and the list goes on and one.

However, there is one area we …

Spain and reigning European champions Italy both won their opening matches at Euro 2024, and will now face off in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday.

But both sides endured differing performances in their respective encounters, with La Roja cruising to a 3-0 victory over Croatia to condemn their opponents to joint-heaviest ever defeat at a major international tournament.

However, Luciano Spalletti s pre-match words would still have been ringing in his Italy players ears when Nedim Bajrami s goal after 23 seconds gave Albania a shock lead the fastest goal ever scored at the European Championships.

Yet two goals in five minutes from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella ensured the Italians quest of becoming the second team to win back-to-back Euros tournaments after Thu…

Former Chelsea youth player Phil Younghusband scored a brace as Philippines ended Sri Lanka s 2014 FIFA World Cup dreams on Sunday.

After a first-leg 1-1 draw, the Philippines were 4-0 winners over Sri Lanka in the second leg to cement their spot in the second round of AFC World Cup qualifying.

Midfielder Emelio Caligdong scored a 19th-minute opener for the hosts in Manila before striker Younghusband s first goal on 43 minutes effectively sealed the result.

Second-half strikes from Spanish-born midfielder Angel Guirado and a second from Younghusband this one from the penalty spot wrapped up the easy win.

Elsewhere, Laos needed extra time to progress against Cambodia, 8-6 on aggregate.

After Cambodia won the first leg 4-2, a 4-2 reverse for Laos e…

Les Bleus are one step away from their first World Cup trophy in exactly twenty years.

Led by the man who wore a captain’s armband as France marched to glory in 1998, Didier Deschamps’ young players have been installed as firm favourites against the perennial dark horses Croatia.

The Vatreni are bidding for their first-ever World Cup title after an impressive and emotionally exhausting campaign in Russia, which saw them go through a string of extra-time scares and come-from-behind triumphs.

France can be backed at remarkable 40/1 betting odds at Betfair in their new customer special available to all those who using promo code ZFBDQV.

Bet maximum of €1 on France to beat Croatia at this enhanced price and claim your winnings as free bets. There is al…