Latest news with #Talksport
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Gossip: West Ham keen on Ramsdale
Aaron Ramsdale has held talks about a move to West Ham from Southampton, who are hoping to get £20m for the goalkeeper following relegation from the Premier League. (Talksport), externalWant more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
French Open fans have become the most rowdy in tennis, and players do not like it
We can expect several of the world's finest tennis players to see red over the next few days – and not only because that is the colour of the Parisian clay. In recent seasons, the French Open has become arguably the most testing event on the circuit. On top of the physical and technical demands of best-of-five-set tennis, you have to deal with the spikiest fans in the game. Advertisement Last year, the issue came to prominence after Belgian veteran David Goffin endured what he described as three-and-a-half hours of insults, culminating in a fan spitting chewing gum at him at the conclusion of his five-set victory over home favourite Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. 'It's becoming football,' said Goffin after that match. 'Soon there will be smoke bombs, hooligans and fights in the stands. Some people are there more to cause trouble than to create an atmosphere.' Goffin's complaints did not go unheeded. Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo responded by instituting an unprecedented 'booze ban', in which spectators are allowed to drink in the concourses but cannot take alcohol onto the court. These measures have now been extended into 2025 as well, so it will be interesting to see how well they work. Advertisement The early rounds of Roland Garros are often the most tempestuous, because of the preponderance of home hopes. No fewer than 27 French players are involved in the singles draws that start on Sunday, although – like Brits at Wimbledon – they tend to be winnowed out quickly once play begins. The involvement of a Frenchman or woman is usually what sends the Parisian crowds off the deep end. The former British No3 Liam Broady described the experience in colourful terms during an interview with Talksport last year. 'I've had all sorts there, personal abuse,' said Broady. 'Last year in qualifying I had to ask for a group of people to get removed. I think it's been happening for a few years now and the umpires don't seem to be able to do anything. 'I do get the feeling at the French Open that a few guys go for a drink with their mates and see which players you can rattle. A lot of people don't actually go to watch the sport.' French tennis fans at Roland Garros are a passionate bunch - Bertrand Guay/AFP Players like Broady and Goffin would contend that they do not mind what is usually known as a 'Davis Cup atmosphere' – in reference to tennis's international team event – in which the crowd is noisy and partisan. It is the personal element which pushes this behaviour over the edge. Advertisement Such distinctions are difficult for umpires to make, in the absence of any obvious way to measure rowdiness. But it is interesting that French fans are emerging as the most likely offenders. French fans can get boisterous when a compatriot takes to the court - Emmanuel Dunand/AFP Even at the Australian Open – which takes place in Melbourne, a city without a large French-speaking community – there have been a couple of incidents in recent years. In January, the chanting that supported France's Arthur Cazaux against Great Britain's Jacob Fearnley grew so loud that the players on the next-door court asked to be moved further away. Twas not ever thus. 'When I played Frenchmen at Roland Garros, the crowd were lairy – but in a good way,' recalls Tim Henman, who reached the semi-finals here in 2004. 'It was a fun, lively atmosphere. I think now there are times when their behaviour is questionable.' Advertisement As for Sue Barker, who became the last British player to land a title here when she beat Renata Tomanova in the 1976 final, she remembers the fans being gloriously well behaved. But then, as she points out, 'That was the way the world was then. It's all different now!' This may all be part of an unfortunate post-Covid trend. We hear of people being determined to go out and enjoy themselves in any way they deem appropriate, even if that means disrupting theatre performances by singing along or interrupting the actors. In tennis, the players have become so exasperated that they are beginning to return fire. The day after the chewing-gum incident, serial Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek interrupted her own on-court interview to scold the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier. 'When you scream something during the rally or right before the return,' she tutted, 'it's really, really hard to be focused.' Swiatek may perhaps have been influenced by Goffin's stand, which proved popular within the locker-room. After falling in the second round, Goffin explained that he had lost count of the number of players who had thanked him for taking a stand. Advertisement Not everyone agrees with the principle of the on-court booze ban. Mark Petchey, the experienced broadcaster and former British No 1 who is now coaching Emma Raducanu, queried Mauresmo's decision on social media during last year's French Open. 'Tennis wanting to get younger people watching,' wrote Petchey. 'Tennis also spending most of its time telling crowds to quieten down, don't make a sound in rally, don't pick a side too vigorously, don't drink in your seat but you should also be in that seat continuously from 11am to 7pm.' Yet there appears to have been no effect on ticket sales. Qualifying this week has been packed, and the roars that encouraged France's Titouan Droguet on Friday evening must have been audible far into the greenery of the neighbouring Bois de Boulogne. The next few days will give a sense of how the Mauresmo rule affects fan behaviour, particularly during the all-action intensity of the opening round. There are suspicions that the rules were not enforced with any great diligence last year, when punters could be seen with a beer in each hand while sitting on the outside courts. Advertisement As for the larger stadia, the authorities may be keeping an eye on the possible early clash between Novak Djokovic – the three-time champion who has described the Roland Garros crowd as 'not easy' – and Corentin Moutet, the tricky French left-hander and undisputed master of s---housery. If that second-round meeting should come to pass, they might have to call in the army. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gossip: Magpies organise Delap talks
Newcastle United are among the clubs set to hold talks with Ipswich Town's 22-year-old striker Liam Delap this week. (Talksport), externalWant more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
BBC News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Man Utd name Garnacho price - Tuesday's gossip
Manchester United name Alejandro Garnacho's asking price, two Premier League clubs are chasing Nicolas Pepe, and Leroy Sane's Bayern Munich future is in United have told Chelsea they will have to pay £65m to sign 20-year-old Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho this summer. (Star), externalEverton and Wolves are interested in signing former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe, with the 29-year-old Ivory Coast international out of contract at Villarreal in the summer. (Foot Mercato - in French), externalGermany winger Leroy Sane, 29, has changed his agent, which has put a question mark over his future at Bayern Munich and the contract extension that was close to being agreed. (Sky Sports Germany) , externalLiverpool are set to spend big in the summer with the Reds in the market for a new left-back, centre-back and striker. (Talksport), externalChelsea are set to hold talks with Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo, 23, over a new contract this summer as reward for his impressive performances this season. (Telegraph - subscription required), externalOutgoing Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is poised to sign a six-year contract with Real Madrid which will take effect from 1 July. (The Athletic - subscription required), externalAlexander-Arnold, 26, rejected the offer of a significant pay rise to remain with Liverpool beyond the end of this season. (ESPN), externalSouthampton and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, 26, is wanted by Manchester United and West Ham. (Mirror), externalFulham manager Marco Silva and Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo are among the candidates being considered by Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. (Talksport), externalAston Villa are keeping tabs on Real Madrid and Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, 26, as Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, 32, continues to be linked with a summer exit. (Birmingham Mail), external
Dublin Live
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
Noel Gallagher confirms Oasis rehearsal dates ahead of huge Croke Park gigs
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Noel Gallagher has confirmed Oasis will hit the studio next month as the band gears up for their huge comeback shows. The Britpop legends will return to the stage after a 16 year absence when they play Cardiff's Principality Stadium on July 4. The reunion tour will also take in two gigs at Croke Park on August 16 and 17. And guitarist Noel, who penned timeless classics such as The Masterplan and Don't Look Back in Anger, has confirmed that the band will be getting together next month to start rehearsals for the biggest concerts of the year. "I'm in the studio, noodling around. We're just getting ready for rehearsals to start now in about three weeks," he told Talksport yesterday. "And then we'll see what happens." The full line-up for the reunited 90s icons has yet to be officially confirmed but is reported to feature former guitarists Bonehead and Gem Archer alongside former bass player Andy Bell and new drummer Joey Waronker. But one man who is most certain to feature is Noel's brother Liam. The elder Gallagher revealed he had met up with Liam the day before and said he was in "tip-top form". He said: 'I was with him yesterday actually. He's alright. He's on tip-top form." The Gallaghers were estranged for 15 years following a huge row which broke out before a show in Paris in 2009. But the buried the hatchet last year and have met up regularly since. Liam earlier last week that Noel and his sons Donovan and Sonny had visited him at home over Easter, giving him a chance to meet his nephews for the first time. Liam said on X: "So we had a BIBLICAL Easter Sunday Noel Donavan and Sonny popped over to ours for a cup of tea it was absolutely incredible to meet the young guvs i obviously blew there minds coz im cool as f**k you heard it here 1st LG x." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
