scotland

Football Braced For Financial Impact From Coronavirus Hit

March 13, 2020 4:41 pm

Domestic club football across much of Europe has been halted completely due to the coronavirus pandemic, with Germany following France, England and Scotland in suspending their competitions on Friday, while UEFA has postponed Champions League and Europa League games due to be played next week.

Numerous countries had been initially planning to carry on playing matches behind closed doors, following the example of several Champions League and Europa League games this midweek, but that was not to everyone’s liking.

“My opinion is that all competitions should be suspended. In China they have been more responsible than they have been …

You Can’t Force Scotland To Remain In UK Against Its Will

December 16, 2019 7:16 am

Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, warned Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday that he could not keep Scotland in the United Kingdom against the country’s will.

Johnson and his government have repeatedly said they will not give the go ahead for another referendum on Scottish independence, but Sturgeon said after the Scottish National Party won 48 of Scotland’s 59 seats in the UK parliament, her party had been given a mandate for one.

“If he thinks … saying no is the end of the matter then he is going to find himself completely and utterly wrong,” Sturgeon told the BBC’s Andrew

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Former Scotland Captain Barclay Calls Time On Test Career

December 4, 2019 4:41 pm

Former Scotland rugby union captain John Barclay announced his retirement from Test rugby on Wednesday.

“All good things must come to an end,” Barclay wrote on Instagram.

“This isn’t an easy decision to make; playing for Scotland is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication and undoubtedly one the best things I will achieve in my life.

“But for me and my family it feels like the right time.”

The 33-year-old flanker was capped 76 times after making his debut in the 2007 World Cup and was part of the …

Scotland To Host Israel In Euro 2020 Play-Off

November 22, 2019 3:25 pm

Scotland were drawn Friday to play Israel in Glasgow in the Euro 2020 play-off semi-finals next March, but Steve Clarke’s team must win that game and then a second one-off away tie, if they are to make the tournament itself.

Scotland, who performed poorly in the main qualifying campaign but did win their last three matches, will fancy their chances at home to an Israel side ranked 89th in the world and who finished fifth out of six teams in qualifying Group G. They will meet at Hampden Park on March 26.

Friday’s draw at UEFA headquarters also decided who

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Former Scotland Rugby Captain Smith Reveals Cancer Battle

November 21, 2019 3:04 pm

Former Scotland rugby captain Tom Smith has revealed he is battling stage four colorectal cancer.

The 48-year-old prop forward, who won 61 Scottish caps and toured with the British and Irish Lions, has received intensive rounds of chemotherapy and is also undergoing radiotherapy after the cancer spread to his liver and brain.

“I was in my hospital bed and I said to staff, ‘I’m determined to fight this’,” Smith said on the Scottish Rugby Union website.

In an interview with the BBC, the former Scotland international, who lives in the south of France, recalled how earlier this year continued pain …