From the back pages, June 24: England suffer meltdown with victory in sight


GUS POYET was tonight axed as Brighton boss - a day before pre-season training - after being suspended for a month. The Uruguayan took Albion to the Championship play-offs but has had his employment “terminated with immediate effect”. (The Sun)
In his first innings since March, Pietersen confirmed form and fitness emphatically with a century from just 106 balls on day three of the rain-affected County Championship match against Yorkshire. Pietersen has played no cricket since having to leave England’s Test tour of New Zealand with bone bruising behind his knee. (The Telegraph)
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Hide AdAustralia captain James Horwill is available to play in the second match against the Lions after his charge of stamping on Lions lock Alun-Wyn Jones was not upheld, the Australian Rugby Union has confirmed. (The Times)


Wayne Rooney is demanding an apology from Manchester United for Sir Alex Ferguson’s parting shot at the striker, writes Steve Bates of the Sunday People. Rooney’s Old Trafford future hinges on a meeting with club chiefs this week where the angry 27-year-old will insist that United make it clear to supporters that he did NOT hand in a transfer request at the end of last season. (The Mirror)
MANCHESTER CITY could launch a surprise £35million bid for Liverpool’s want-away striker Luis Suarez. (The Express)
The return, when it came, skidded just inside the white lines of credibility for a winner on match point. Rarely has Serena Williams moved so nimbly as when trying to repair the self-inflicted, mutually indiscreet damage of her love-tangled, word-mangled, rolling spat with Maria Sharapova. One reply among many on Sunday gave us at least part of the story we had scrambled into the main interview room like slavering hounds to hear: “I personally talked to Maria at the player party. I said, ‘Look, I want to personally apologise to you if you are offended by being brought into my situation. I want to take this moment to just pour myself, be open, say I’m very sorry for this whole situation.’” (The Guardian)
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Hide AdAndy Murray has not always been a crowd favourite at Wimbledon. On his second senior appearance at the All England Club seven years ago, shortly after his infamous joke that he would be supporting “whoever England are playing” at the football World Cup, he recalled passing through the crowds and hearing a woman talking on her mobile phone. “That Scottish wanker’s just walked by,” she said. (The Guardian)