Sport
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The World Cup, patriotism and a history of sport
Is sport really a force for good? The 32 countries competing at the World Cup will be spurred on by nationalist sentiment. But many feel sport is the perfect place to express these feelings.
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El Gasico, Vikings and a Spanish inquisition
Can football triumph over World Cup controversies? Tonight the greatest show on earth kicks off as Russia takes on Saudi Arabia. We explore the deeper stories behind week one’s biggest games.
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The World Cup’s big match: politics v sport
Is it true that politics and sport don’t mix? The world’s biggest ever sporting event will launch on Thursday to bitter accusations against Russia, the next host, Qatar, and the organisers,...
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How data has transformed the World Cup
Are statistics killing the magic of football? The upcoming World Cup will be the most analysed ever, as football has finally started to take data seriously. How much does it matter?
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Vanity rubs with poverty at £8bn World Cup
Is hosting the World Cup worth it? Russia’s tournament looks set to be the most expensive of all time. Organisers hope it will reboot the country’s economy, but many remain unconvinced.
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Football meets politics at Russia’s World Cup
Could the World Cup bring Russia back in from the cold? The tournament starts in just over two weeks’ time. Some expect a turning point for relations with the West; others are more sceptical…
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England’s true football champion: Huddersfield
Do you agree? Manchester City may have won the title, but at the other end of the table, financial featherweight Huddersfield Town pulled off the greatest survival in Premier League history.
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Liverpool triumph in 13-goal Roman epic
Is football the greatest sport? Liverpool has thrilled the world with its full-blooded football — with a bruised Roma the latest victim of the team’s march to the Champions League final.
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Adieu Arsène: the ‘last emperor of management’
Is Arsène Wenger a true great of football? The long-serving Arsenal manager announced that he would step down at the end of the season. Supporters are divided over his legacy.
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Cheating Aussies and a mealy-mouthed apology
Have public apologies become meaningless? Australian cricket is in crisis after their team was caught blatantly cheating. Captain Steve Smith faces a lengthy ban as his tepid apology falls flat.
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England collapse amid doubts over Test cricket
Is Twenty20 leading to the death of Test cricket? Yesterday England were skittled for 58 in the first test in New Zealand. Now this shambles is being blamed on shorter forms of the game.
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Row brewing over global craze for beer yoga
Does doing the “Drunken Row Boat” betray a sacred tradition? Purists have condemned yoga teachers who incorporate beer into their classes. Beer fans say it makes yoga more accessible…
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Clamour grows for England World Cup boycott
Are sporting boycotts a good idea? Amid the fallout from the poisoning of a Russian ex-spy and his daughter, some are calling for England to skip this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
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Wiggins slammed for ‘unethical’ use of drugs
Was sport better before doping took hold? Until recently, Bradley Wiggins was a cycling hero. In an increasingly familiar turn of events, he has now been accused of misusing medical drugs.
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Video referee poised for World Cup debut
Would video referees improve football? The sport’s lawmakers have given the go-ahead for them to be used across the game from next season — and even at this summer’s World Cup.