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Scotsman
7 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Readers' Letters: Edinburgh's Tour de France ‘Grand Depart' could be a 'Grande Débâcle'
A reader fears for Tour de France riders forced to cope with Edinburgh's pot-holed roads at 2027's Grand Depart Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With the Tour de France finishing this Sunday, it would be interesting to find out what Edinburgh councillors intend to do about the state of the city's roads for Le Grand Depart in 2027 otherwise there will be a lot of buckled wheels, or worse, due to the all-prevailing potholes. Never mind road bikes or time trial bikes – they'll all be boneshakers! Will it be La Grande Débâcle? Cars can sometimes avoid the potholes if careful, but not always, such is the state of the roads. Travelling by bus is another matter. I like to read when on the bus but there are stretches of road where this is nigh on impossible due to the shaking. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There seems to be money for a multitude of cycle lanes but not for roads. And aren't bus lanes for cyclists too? Riders' cycles cast shadows on the road as they tackled yesterday's 16th stage of this year's Tour de France, 171.5km between Montpellier and Mont Ventoux in southern France (Picture: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty) James D Paterson, Edinburgh Training collars Scotland faces a choice: uphold evidence-led animal welfare, or surrender to ideology. The delay in banning so-called 'electric shock collars' is not a 'farce' as it has been described – it is restraint in the face of immense political pressure and lobby-driven pseudoscience. The Association of Responsible Dog Owners represents thousands of dog owners and professionals across the UK. We categorically reject the misrepresentation of electronic training collars (ETCs) as abusive. Our position is grounded in data, law, and lived experience. In more than 2,500 reports submitted through our five-year user survey 98.6 per cent of users reported no negative effects from ETC use, and 93 per cent stated that the inclusion of the tool helped resolve their dog's problem behaviour. This is not conjecture. It is the lived experience of real, animal-loving people. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Contrast this with the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC), whose 2023 recommendation to ban ETCs fails to declare conflicts of interest: seven of its 11 members are directly linked to organisations already lobbying against these tools. ETCs are not quick-fix substitutes for considered and effective training. They are often the only effective means of interrupting deeply ingrained behaviours like predation, aggression, and compulsions. The welfare calculus is simple: how many dogs have been harmed by a responsibly used e-collar in Scotland in the past seven years, versus how many livestock animals have been mauled, maimed, or killed by out-of-control dogs? In a formal submission to the government, both the Kennel Club and the British Veterinary Association admitted to having no evidence of abuse or harm caused to a single dog in Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Policymakers must not ignore the weight of international research—including studies showing that e-collars used in accordance with best practices cause no significant distress and are often more effective than treat-only methods for high-stakes behaviourslike recall when chasing and livestock avoidance. The world is crying out for non-lethal, evidence-based solutions to dog predation. Scottish ministers hold one in the palm of their hands. To discard it for the sake of optics or ideology would be a profound betrayal – not only of the responsible people who rely on these tools, but of the very animals this debate claims to protect. James Penrith, Association of Responsible Dog Owners Pension minefield Once again, the Westminster Labour Government is going after Pensioners with the announcement of a review of the State Pension Age. The last State Pension age review took place in 2023 and is scheduled to take place every six years, which would mean a further review in 2029, yet the Government are in a hurry once again. The current state of affairs regarding state pension age currently stands at age 66, with an increase to 67 planned for the next two years with further increases to follow to 68 in the next 20 years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Continuing to raise the state pension age is all very well for those who have been fortunate enough to work in dry and heated environment where the heaviest load lifted is a pen. However, for those working and keeping the infrastructure of the country operating in our harsh winters or very hot sunny days (more to follow), lifting heavy loads, then having to work till 68 and above is an outrage. Pensions are a minefield and the introduction in 2012 of auto-enrolment certainly brought the future of the State Pension as we know it, into question, begging the question, has the State Pension got a future. And while we are on the issue of State Pensions and just in case the Labour Government are in any doubt, WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) women are still waiting for the justice, which incidentally the Parliamentary Ombudsman recommended. Catriona C Clark, Banknock, Falkirk Joking apart The long-running 'Funniest Joke of the Fringe' award is to be scrapped this year. Is this because no matter what the joke, someone will be offended? Or could it be that the best joke of the lot is our current Labour government so no other contenders can come close, except for our very own SNP government? Gerald Edwards, Glasgow Tariffs trap The latest meeting of the 'Coalition of the Willing' was notable for the first-time attendance of President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, and Senators Richard Blumenthal and Lindsey Graham. The involvement of these politicians is concerning because it suggests that Washington's primary objective is not to discuss further aid to Kyiv, but rather to advance US economic interests. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Recently, Lindsey Graham introduced a bill in Congress that would impose tariffs of up to 500 per cent on goods imported from countries that have a strong trade relationship with Russia. There is a risk that, under the pretext of discussing the future of Ukraine, Graham was trying to draw the coalition members into a tariff war. However, it's important to remember that Donald Trump hasn't made any decisions about the bill yet. It's possible that Graham could just be luring European countries into a trap only to abandon them later in this tariff war. This scenario is dangerous because it could further strain relations between Europe, India, and China. The participation of London and Brussels in the tariff war will make them implacable enemies of Beijing and New Delhi. This leaves Europe without alternative economic allies and makes it dependent on Washington. Henry Byers, Glasgow Trump must act Your editorial (22 July) is highly critical of Israel and rightly so. Benjamin Netanyahu and his gang are responsible for war crimes. Professor Nick Maynard, an Oxford surgeon currently working at the Nasser hospital in Gaza, has described the most awful scenes he encounters there daily. Civilians including children are being brought in, the victim of Israeli snipers as they scramble for food at the American-Israeli Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's food distribution centres, where they are corralled through tall wire fences. He and other surgeons have noticed a pattern which makes this even more reprehensible: on different days the snipers target different parts of the body. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Prof Maynard also describes the horrendous malnutrition affecting Palestinians because of Israel's restriction on supplies entering Gaza. 'The malnutrition I have seen here is indescribably bad,' he says. UNICEF reports that in May 2025 more than 5,000 children were treated for acute malnutrition,making the total number in that category between January and May over 16,000. Separately the BBC has carried out a thorough and detailed survey of the controlled demolition of thousands of buildings throughout Gaza by Israel, supplying photographs showing bulldozers clearing the rubble after the explosions and levelling once thriving neighbourhoods. They have released before and after satellite images which shows exactly the crimes against international law the Netanyahu regime is committing. And just as the US supplies planes, bombs and missiles for air attacks on Gaza so it supplies bulldozers to demolish not only damaged buildings but perfectly intact ones as well. The BBC reports that last week America supplied 'dozens' of Caterpillar D9 bulldozers for that purpose. Without American support Netanyahu's regime would collapse. Preseident Trump must act. William Loneskie, Lauder, Scottish Borders Enemy's friends It's about time Israel's assistance to Argentina during the Falklands War was made more widely known. Via Peru, Israel supplied aircraft, missiles and other lethal weapons to the Argentinians. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Israeli Prime Minister at the time was Menachim Begin, a former Irgun terrorist and no friend of Britain. Now Benjamin Netanyahu is constantly grovelling and wheedling to Donald Trump for more fiscal and military assistance. In the Falklands War, 255 British military personnel died. Seven Royal and Merchant Navy ships were sunk. Should we be assisting Israel in any way now? Doug Morrison, Tenterden Kent Careful now As Israel sends tanks and snipers to attack civilians queueing for food, David Lammy warns that Israel is 'tarnishing' its reputation. Careful, David, don't overdo it. Graham M McLeod, Kinross, Perth & Kinross Vested interests Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Eric Knight, chief executive of the Knight Vinke Energy Transition Fund, a long-term shareholder of SSE plc, is somewhat out of touch, urging readers 'Don't listen to Donald Trump' (Scotsman, 21 July). In fact, the Scottish Government's wind farm fiasco is so despised most Scots actually agree with Donald Trump. Let's have no more nonsense from the vested interests of the wind industry! George Herraghty, Lhanbryde, Moray Write to The Scotsman
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Nigel Owens says Springboks should have been penalised for illegal scrum tactic
Penalty Former referee Nigel Owens believes the Springboks' scrum tactic in last weekend's Test against Italy in Gqeberha should have been deemed illegal and against the spirit of the game. Photo: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP Image: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP The Springboks broke the law with their scrum tactic in the second Test against Italy and should have been penalised, said former referee Nigel Owens. Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks created a stir with a number of contentious tactics in the second Test against the Italians in Gqeberha, which they won 45-0. Right off the bat, the Boks manufactured a scrum off the kick-off when André Esterhuizen went ahead of kicker Manie Libbok, resulting in a scrum being awarded for having a player in front of the kicker. Later in the match, the Boks came up with another tactic that saw Ruan Nortjé being lifted to secure a ball in the middle of the park. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading According to Owens, a penalty should have been given to Italy, while the lifting incident is open for interpretation. 'The key word is 'deliberate'. Normally, in this kind of situation, if a player is in front of the kick-off, it's deemed to be offside and a scrum is awarded. What we saw in this instance is that it looks deliberate. It's a ploy, an action to get a scrum. 'In this instance, if I was refereeing this game, that would have been a pretty straightforward, clear penalty because it's not the normal action of being slightly in front,' said the Welshman when talking to England great Ugo Monye on Whistle Watch on YouTube. On Nortjé being lifted in the middle of the field, again, Owens felt it was a grey issue that was open for interpretation. 'A player being lifted in the air to catch the ball from a kick-off is perfectly legal. We see it every game and nothing's wrong with it at all. Within the laws, this is not an illegal action. 'Is it against the sportsmanship of the game or is it an unfair advantage? If a guy is in the air, the defenders cannot do anything to compete for that ball. You can't touch the player or bind around those who are supporting him. The opposition pretty much have to wait for him to come down, then they can do something. 'It's a very clever ploy. Some like it, some think it's not right, but it all comes down to whether you think it's fair.' Owens went on to discuss Jasper Wiese's red card, which was shown to him after a supposed headbutt on an opponent. While many commentators in South Africa have felt it was a headbutt and the red card was a harsh sanction, Owens felt it was appropriate given the coming together of heads. Wiese has since been suspended for four matches following a World Rugby disciplinary hearing and will be available for selection again on September 13 when the Boks play the All Blacks in Wellington. IOL Sport Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Tour de France: Jasper Philipsen good value for another stage win
Monday's 178km Stage 3 is from Valenciennes to Dunkirk and is likely to end with a bunch sprint into the historic town of World War 2 fame. The Tour de France is in full swing, with Monday's stage set to end in another bunch print finish. Picture: Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP Four legs gives way to two wheels. After excitement overload at the weekend, headlined by the 2025 Durban July, local horse racing takes a break with a blank Monday in the programme. It's a chance for punters to relax and switch focus. The Tour de France, the world's premier cycle race, set off on its three-week journey on Saturday. Traversing the French countryside, towns and cities, it's a relaxing watch on TV while also offering betting opportunities for competitive-spirited sports fans. Every day of the Tour is a new race for the 180-odd competitors. 'Odd' is appropriate as these guys are fit to the point of insanity. The trick for bettors is to match the stage to the rider. Monday's 178km Stage 3 is from Valenciennes to Dunkirk and is likely to end with a bunch sprint into the historic town of World War 2 fame. The winner of Stage 1, also a sprint finish, speed merchant Jasper Philipsen, is one of the obvious favourites to consider at a generous R4.00 for a win with Betway. The bookmaker's favourite is Tim Merlier at R2.60, ahead of Jonathan Milan at R3.20. All three of these riders have been in good form this season. Philipsen had a very efficient lead-out from his teammates in Stage 1, but that finish was a chaotic affair that worked against the other fast men – something unlikely to happen twice running. For anyone in search of value, Biniam Ghirmay at R15.00 and Kaden Groves at R67.00 could be interesting. The winner of Sunday's hilly Stage 2, Mathieu van der Poel (R34.00), is no mean sprinter himself and is clearly in fighting mood. But he might fancy an easy day after his efforts. Hot overall Tour de France favourite Tadej Pogacar (R1.40) finished second in Stage 2 but is not likely to be challenging on Monday – as reflected by his stage odds of R81.00. Pogacar will make his presence felt again on Stage 5 on Wednesday, a tough time trial around the city of Caen.
The Citizen
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
PICTURES: The best from the world of sport over the past weekend
PICTURES: The best from the world of sport over the past weekend Here is a selection of the best sporting pictures from around the world over the last weekend. Harold Vorster of the Bulls on his way to scoring a try during their United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images Fez Mbatha of the Sharks is helped over the tryline by his captain Eben Etzebeth during their United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Munster at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday. Picture: Steve Haag/Gallo Images Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos lifts the Uefa Champions League trophy surrounded by team-mates at the at the Parc des Princes Stadium on Sunday after they beat Inter Milan 5-0 in the final in Munich on Saturday. Picture: Thibaud Moritz/AFP Paris Saint-Germain's players light smoke flares as they parade on a bus on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris a day after they won the Champions League. Picture: Thibaud Moritz/AFP Pyramids' Egyptian defender Ahmed Samy raises the trophy as his team-mates celebrate winning the CAF Champions League final against Mamelodi Sundowns at 30 June Stadium in Cairo on June 1, 2025. Picture: Khaled Desouki / AFP McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri crosses the finish line to win the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo on Sunday. Picture: Albert Gea/AFP Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after beating American Amanda Anisimova in the fourth round of the French Open at Roland Garros Complex on Sunday. Picture: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP Frances Tiafoe of the US serves to Germany's Daniel Altmaier during their fourth round match at the French Open at Roland Garros on Sunday. Picture: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP Team Visma-Lease a Bike's British rider Simon Yates kisses the Giro d'Italia trophy wearing the pink jersey of the overall winner after the 21st and last stage in Rome on Sunday. Picture: Luca Bettini/AFP England's Joe Root celebrates after hitting the winning runs to win the second one-day international against the West Indies at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Sunday. Picture: Paul Ellis/AFP Siyakholwa Kuse (right) and Samuel Salva trade punches during their fight at the Coronation Boxing Tournament at Emperors Palace on Saturday. Picture: James Gradidge/Gallo Images Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia celebrate their victory against Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae of South Korea in their men's doubles final match at the Singapore Open badminton tournament in Singapore on Sunday. Picture: Roslan Rahman/AFP
