Van Gaal Key to win over Spain

ROBIN VAN PERSIE praised Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal for masterminding the team's crushing 5-1 win over reigning world champions Spain. Van Persie scored two goals along with Arjen Robben, while Stefan de Vrij also netted as Spain were humiliated at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.

But Van Persie said the emphatic win was down to the tactics of Van Gaal, his new manager at Manchester United.
"This is definitely down to him," added the 30-year-old.
Spain, who are also the European champions, were humbled and humiliated as the Netherlands came from behind to embarrass their opponents. Van Persie cancelled out Xabi Alonso's penalty with a sublime header before goals by Bayern Munich's Robben and Feyenoord defender De Vrij made it 3-1. Two goals in the space of eight minutes by Van Persie and Robben completed Spain's embarrassment. "If you see how he prepared us, and how he predicted the game would go, and you see how it went - unbelievable," added Van Persie about Van Gaal.

 
 *High flying Dutch players

"For the whole Netherlands, this is a dream come true.''
Van Gaal, who will take over at Old Trafford after the tournament, was delighted with his team's win.

"The Netherlands were sensational, it should have been seven or eight. Some of the performances - Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Daley Blind down that wing, they were absolutely brilliant. I have never seen that Spain back four pulled around as much as they were."

The 62-year-old returned Van Persie's compliment, praising the striker along with the rest of the side.

"With strikers like Van Persie, Robben and Wesley Sneijder behind them, things like this can happen,'' he said.
Van Gaal's side face Australia next on 18 June in Porto Alegre and the former Barcelona boss urged caution despite getting their campaign off to a flying start.
"We don't have anything yet," he added. "We've made a pretty start. If you beat Australia [on Wednesday], then you've made a good start.''
Spain's experienced goalkeeper Iker Casillas says he was responsible for the reigning champions' disastrous defeat.
"I wasn't at the level I needed to be. I have to accept all criticism.
"I didn't do things like I should have, especially to start a World Cup," said Casillas, who was dispossessed by Van Persie for the fourth goal.

Sagna joins Manchester City

Manchester City have announced the signing of Bacary Sagna on a free transfer from Arsenal.

The France international right-back joins the Premier League champions on a three-year contract after confirming on Thursday that he would not renew his deal at the Emirates Stadium.


The defender's future at the Gunners had been in doubt for a long time. As revealed by Goal, talks over a potential renewal began again in earnest in January but an agreement was not quickly forthcoming.






By the start of May, Arsenal feared that Sagna would jump ship to join a Premier League rival at the end of his deal, a concern that grew more real when the 31-year-old told the club that he would not stay beyond the summer.

Sagna joined the likes of Porto midfielder Fernando as City manager Manuel Pellegrini's top targets in the close-season and he opened formal negotiations with his soon-to-be-new side on May 19.
























It leaves Arsene Wenger needing a new option at right-back, with Atletico Madrid's Juanfran and Toulouse star Serge Aurier chief among his considerations for the Frenchman's replacement.

Chelsea complete Fabregas signing

CHELSEA have completed the signing of Barcelona midfielder and former Arsenal star Francesc Fabregas.
Chelsea are believed to have paid £30m for the Spain international, who has signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Fabregas scored eight La Liga goals for Barcelona and provided a further 19 assists in 36 appearances last season and thanked the Catalan giants after sealing his move to Stamford Bridge.












Says Fabregas to the club's official website: "Firstly I would like to thank everyone at FC Barcelona where I enjoyed three wonderful years. It was my childhood club and I will always be proud and honoured that I had a chance to play for such a great team.

"I do feel that I have unfinished business in the Premier League and now is the right time to return.

"I considered all the other offers very carefully and I firmly believe that Chelsea is the best choice. They match my footballing ambitions with their hunger and desire to win trophies. They have an amazing squad of players and an incredible manager. I am fully committed to this team and I can't wait to start playing."

Fabregas spent eight years at Arsenal before joining Barcelona

Powell appeals Doping ban

ASAFA POWELL, former world 100m record holder, has asked the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to reduce his 18-month doping ban. Powell 31, and three-time Olympic medal winner Sherone Simpson tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrine at Jamaica's national trials last June.

Simpson, 29, has also asked for her own 18-month suspension to be reduced.
"The athletes put forward that the offence committed is minor," a CAS statement read.
"They request that the suspensions be reduced to three months."

The pair, who have been suspended from competition since their doping case was disclosed last July, received an 18-month ban from the Jamaican anti-doping disciplinary panel in April.

Powell called the ruling "unfair and unjust", and said a legal supplement he took, Epiphany D1, was contaminated. Simpson, an Olympic 4x100m relay gold and silver medallist, is a training partner of Powell and took the same substance at the same event. Powell. who was the biggest name in Jamaican sprinting before the rise of double world and Olympic champion Usain Bolt, broke the world record in the 100m when he ran 9.77 seconds in 2005, then lowered the mark to 9.74 in 2008.
In January, Powell testified that Canadian physical trainer Chris Xuereb provided him with nine supplements, including Epiphany D1.
Xuereb has denied providing performance-enhancing drugs. Powell and Simpson will miss the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July, but will be eligible to return to competition on 20 December.

Andy Murray meets Matosevic in the French Open

 
 BRITISH Andy Murray will be facing Australian Marinko Matosevic in round two of the French Open on Thursday. The pair meet on Court One at around 14:00 BST, while Heather Watson follows against fourth seed Simona Halep. A thrilled Matosevic rolled in the clay after beating Dustin Brown on Tuesday to win his first Grand Slam match at the 13th attempt.

"It was an interesting celebration," said Murray. "I have not seen that before. I get on very well with Marinko. He's a funny guy. He's a good ball striker, he can play good tennis. He's a strong guy. It will be tough."

Murray won their only previous match, on the grass of Queen's Club last year, but the 28-year-old Australian will go into Thursday's match in high spirits after finally ending his Grand Slam slump.
"You feel like there is a huge gorilla off your shoulders," said Matosevic, ranked 66th. "It's just relief more than anything else. Hopefully it can free me up now."
Murray, 27, is seeded seventh in Paris after slipping down the rankings following back surgery last September, but he remains as motivated as ever to contend for the major titles.
"I felt once I had my surgery was when I started looking forward again," he told BBC Sport.
"The way I train in the gym is tough, it's hard. I enjoy that and getting into shape to perform over five sets in the tournaments, and my goal is to try to win Grand Slams. That's what motivates me.
"Some people think number one should be my goal but what motivates me is Grand Slams, so I want to get myself in the best possible shape to win another one if I can."

Watson is brimming with optimism ahead of her encounter with Romania's Halep, arguably the form player in women's tennis over the last year after Serena Williams.

The pair met at the US Open in 2013, with Halep prevailing in three sets, but Watson is on a run of nine consecutive wins as she employs a more attacking style.
"If anything, I'll try to be more aggressive against a player like that, so solid, so high up in the rankings, doing so well," said the 22-year-old from Guernsey.
"You're not going to get free points. You have to win those matches. That's what I'm going to have to do. "I'm not going to hope for her to miss, because she's not going to miss."

Tiger Woods out of US Open

 
TIGER WOODS has withdrawn from the US open as he recovers from a back injury. The 38-year-old American, a 14-time major champion, has not played since the WGC-Cadillac Championship in March.
"I'm not yet physically able to play competitive golf," the world number three said on his website. 
"Despite missing the first two majors and several other important tournaments, I remain very optimistic about this year and my future."

Woods missed the Masters in April for the first time in his professional career after undergoing surgery for a pinched nerve in his back. The US Open in North Carolina, which runs from 12-15 June, will be the sixth major the American has missed through injury. After winning the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines while playing with a broken leg, Woods underwent knee surgery and was sidelined for eight months, missing the Open and the PGA Championship. In 2011, he missed the US Open and Open with knee and Achilles injuries.

"I'd like to convey my regrets to the USGA leadership, the volunteers and the fans that I won't be at Pinehurst," added Woods, who also won the US Open in 2000 and 2002. The year's third major, the Open, begins at Royal Liverpool on 17 July. Woods, who lost his world number one ranking to Australian Adam Scott while injured, has not won a major for six years as he chases Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 major titles. Speaking on 19 May, Woods had revealed the extent of his problems, revealing he struggled to get out of bed let alone play golf. But he added that surgery had made a big difference, explaining that he felt "immediate relief" after the operation and was swimming and cycling to aid his rehabilitation. Despite the latest setback, Woods is still being tipped to set a new record for major wins by the man who holds the current mark.
"If he's healthy, I think Tiger's got 10-plus years to play top quality tournament golf," said the 74-year-old Nicklaus.
Speaking to reporters ahead of this week's Memorial Tournament, he added: "I've said many times, he's got a little over 40 tournaments to play the major championships, he's only got to win five to pass my record.
"As good a player as he is, I don't think that should be a big deal. Then again, he's got to do it. Plus he's got to be healthy to be able to do it."

Chelsea make Pogba inquiry

JOSE MOURINHO and Chelsea have made Paul Pogba their top midfield target this summer.

This is coming as the France international has been the subject of serious interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, with the French champions reported to be leading the chase for him.

However, Chelsea are willing to use the €49 million raised by the sale of David Luiz to PSG to part-fund a bid for the former Manchester United man.
Juventus are determined to keep hold of the 21-year-old but could be tempted into a sale were they to receive an offer in the region of €80m.

Jose Mourinho has made it clear to the Chelsea hierarchy that he wants a marquee central midfielder to partner January signing Nemanja Matic next season. Pogba has established himself at Juventus following his free transfer from United two years ago and was a key player in the club's Serie A triumph this season. Mourinho is convinced that the France international, 21, will develop into one of the world's finest midfielders and can be a driving force for Chelsea next season.

The Blues have already made discreet enquiries for Pogba and believe that he could be open to a return to the Premier League. The midfielder has said that he wants to stay in Turin but his agent, Mino Raiola, has spoken of the possibility of him leaving the Italian champions. Chelsea have freed up a place in their squad and on their wage bill after announcing on Friday that they had agreed to sell Luiz to PSG, subject to a medical and personal terms.

The Blues are expected to be active in the transfer market this summer as Mourinho builds a team whom he thinks can make an even stronger challenge next season for Premier League and Champions League glory.

*Paul Pogba

Chelsea now want to bring in a dominant player there, capable of scoring goals, with Frank Lampard, who is in talks over a one-year contract extension, expected to feature even less next season should he agree fresh terms.

Malcolm Glazer, Manchester United owner is dead

 
Manchester United owner Malcolm Glazer has died at the age of 85.

The American businessman and billionaire, who also owns American football franchise Tampa Bay Buccaneers, passed away on Wednesday morning.

A statement on the Buccaneers' website confirmed: "The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are saddened to announce the passing of Owner/President Malcolm Glazer earlier this morning at the age of 85."


Glazer purchased United in 2005, with the Red Devils going on to win five Premier League titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup under his stewardship. Manchester United expressed their condolences to the Glazer family in a short statement on their website, which read: "The thoughts of everyone at Manchester United are with the Glazer family tonight following the news that Malcolm Glazer has passed away.
"Malcolm leaves behind his wife Linda, six children and 14 grandchildren. Staff at Manchester United extend deep and sincere condolences to them all at this difficult time".
May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Serena Williams Cruises to Victory in Rome

 
Champion: Serena Williams

World Number one, Serena Williams has won the Italian Open in Rome in the women Category. The American powered through 6-3 6-0 at Rome's Foro Italico and took her record on clay to 53 wins and two defeats since 2012. She has now won 60 WTA titles, moving her into seventh in the all-time list.

Williams will head to the French Open, which begins next Sunday, as a strong favourite to successfully defend her title and win an 18th Grand Slam.

Errani, 27, had beaten world number two Li Na and world number eight Jelena Jankovic on her way through the Rome draw, but she was overwhelmed in the final.
Williams had won all six of their previous matches,  including a 46-minute victory the last time they met in the 2013 French Open semi-final, where the Italian won just one game. Errani put up a better fight this time, though she displayed signs of nerves as the first Italian woman to reach the final since 1985. But despite the vociferous home-crowd support she could not consistently test Williams.
The American quickly moved out to a 3-0 lead and Errani's challenge was further hampered when she need a medical timeout at 5-3 down to treat a problem with her left hip or thigh.
With Errani unable to move properly, the second set resembled a gentle practice session more than a tournament final as Williams raced through it without losing a game.
"I really want to compliment Serena on the way she's played during the week and she's certainly one of the best in the world, if not the best in the world," said a tearful Errani.
"It's crazy for me that I got to the final this year. I never expected to manage to play such good tennis."
Williams said: "I'm also sorry for Sara today. She really played great all week."

Arsenal Parades the FA Cup: All the pictures

Thousands of people have lined the streets of north London to celebrate Arsenal's FA Cup win.

An open-top bus parade set off from the club's Emirates Stadium at 12:00 BST.
The victory secured the Gunners' first trophy in nine years and was the 11th time the club had won the competition. Arsenal, who started the final as favourites, came from two goals down against Hull to win 3-2 in Saturday's match.

 

The parade started at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium

 

 

The players were clearly enjoying the moment as the sun shone in north London 

 

Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski took the cup to a group of fans for a photo

The players travelled from the Emirates Stadium to Islington Town Hall, Upper Street and back in two open-top buses, stopping every few minutes to thank their fans.
Broadcaster and Arsenal fan Clive Anderson, who was at the parade, told BBC News: "It's been a long time coming and it's great to be back here celebrating.
"This is a fantastic day."

Manager Arsene Wenger joined the players on the open-top bus

 

Fans of all ages lined the streets to catch a glimpse of their heroes

 

Some made the most of their lofty vantage points to get a good shot

 

Mayor of Islington Barry Edwards who was at the parade, said: "My council career ends on Thursday at the elections, so I am really delighted that today as one of my last acts as mayor I may be able to invite the Arsenal in for a cup of tea.
Adding his family had been fans for three generations, he said: "It's all granddad's fault, if he hadn't gone to watch them in 1913 I might have had a nice quiet Saturday evening."
The two open top-top buses have now returned to the team's stadium after the victory parade, where players greeted more fans.

 

The buses returned to the stadium where they were met by thousands of their supporters

 

Arsene Wenger earlier confirmed he would sign a new contract with the club

 

 

 The team gathered outside Islington Town Hall for a picture with the mayor

Djokovic Too Strong for Nadal

Novak Djokovic has won his third Italian Open title by Defeating  Spanish champion and World Number one, Rafael Nadal. Djokovic, 26, beat the defending champion and world number one 4-6 6-3 6-3 in two hours and 19 minutes. The Serb has now won three matches in a row against Nadal, and has been victorious at five of the last six ATP Masters 1000 events.

This year's French Open, where Nadal is eight-time champion, begins on Sunday.

Despite his daunting record in Paris, and last year's dramatic semi-final win over Djokovic, the Spaniard might not return to Roland Garros as favourite. It is the first time since 2004 that Nadal, who was beaten in the quarter-finals in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, has lost more than two matches on clay in a season. "I was able to find positive things during the tournament but I played three very tough matches this week and it was very hard mentally, as well as physically," said Nadal
"I was a little bit tired." Djokovic said the victory had come at the end of an emotional week following severe flooding in his home country which has left at least 35 dead and forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.
"People are struggling, people are losing homes," he said. "There has been a lot of casualties, but the government is not able to name and to number because they are still discovering new bodies as the flood is backing up.
"So it's been a very emotional week for me. Part of me is very happy to win the tournament here in Rome - it is a big one in our sport. On the other hand, my thoughts and all my love is with my people in Serbia."
Djokovic made an edgy start to the final and slipped two breaks down at 4-1 but, once he found his range, it was the Serb who began to dictate. Nadal, 27, recovered from 0-40 on his way to closing out the first set but the momentum was with Djokovic and, although he dropped serve when distracted by a crying baby in the crowd, he broke twice to level the match.

Djokovic drew a heart on the court moments after converting match point

A scintillating passage of play saw Djokovic reel off five games in a row, his return of serve causing Nadal all sorts of problems as he broke early in the decider.
Nadal battled hard to stay in touch, punching his fist and roaring to the crowd after holding serve at one point, and his fighting spirit paid off when he got back on level terms at 3-3.
It only sparked another barrage of brilliant returning from Djokovic, however, and the six-time Grand Slam champion broke once more in the following game, matching Nadal with a huge fist pump of his own. There was no stopping Djokovic now and he dismantled the Nadal serve for the sixth time to seal victory - only his fourth against Nadal in 17 matches on clay.

Andy Murray cruises into the third round of the Italian Open

  

BRITISH tennis star, Andy Murray has cruised to the third round after beating his Spanish opponent, Marcel Granollers. The Wimbledon champion beat the world number 31 6-2 7-5 and will next face Austria's Jurgen Melzer. Should Murray win that match, he could face world number one Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals. Nadal is in action later on Wednesday, along with Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

Murray, who turns 27 on Thursday, coped well in swirling wind at the Foro Italico to claim a much-needed victory - only his second of the European clay-court season.
"I did a very good job, it was hard conditions," said Murray. "It affects significantly the way you play and the way you would like to play.
"I tried to serve high percentage, but when you throw the ball up from one hand it can blow behind or in front of you, and it depends on what side of the court you are on.
"But you have to play the wind, try to use it to your advantage if you can. I thought I did a good job of that."
The Scot had faced Granollers at the same stage in Rome last year and was forced to retire after the first set with the back injury that would see him miss the French Open and require surgery later in the year. Murray is still looking for his best form and working his way back up the rankings, having slipped to eighth, while the search continues for a new coach following the departure of Ivan Lendl in March.
All those issues - and with the French Open just 11 days away - lent a greater significance to Wednesday's encounter with Granollers, and Murray came through with plenty to spare.
He made 90% of his first serves and only nine unforced errors in the opening set as he managed the conditions better than Granollers.
The gusting wind proved as tricky as his opponent and the groundstaff took to watering the court between games to try and keep the clay top-surface from blowing into the players' eyes.
A loose game saw Murray drop serve at the start of the second set but he won a punishing 36-shot rally at 30-30 in the next game on his way to levelling at 1-1.
Murray maintained the momentum, reeling off 15 points in a row on serve at one stage, and he got the decisive break in game 12 to wrap things up before the need for a tie-break.

Scolari investigated for Criminal tax fraud in Portugal

BRAZIL's National Football team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has a criminal case to answer in Portugal just weeks before Brazil hosts the World Cup. He has been named as a formal suspect in a tax fraud investigation during his time in Portugal as Portuguese National Football team coach between 2003 to 2008.
In a statement, the Brazilian said " I had always declared my earnings in all the countries I worked in".
"I am absolutely convinced of the correctness of my declarations. If there is something wrong, it is not of my doing," Mr Scolari's statement reads.

Portugal's move will be a unwanted distraction for Brazil's football team as they prepare for the World Cup. 

The attorney general's office in Portugal confirmed the investigation, which is being carried out by the Central Department for Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions. Mr Scolari had been named an "arguido" (suspect), a statement said, as part of an investigation into events between 2003 and 2008 that concerned "a possible breach of tax regulations".
Funds According to Dutch and Portuguese media reports, the investigation focuses on payments of 7.4m euros ($10m; £6m) made to Mr Scolari during his time as Portugal coach.
Dutch daily Het Financieele Dagblad published a document which alleges that Mr Scolari did not declare the income, which is said to stem from image rights.
The newspaper said that Mr Scolari transferred money through companies based in the Bahamas and other tax havens to a bank account in Miami.
Portugal has asked US authorities for assistance in the inquiry and has also sent requests to Britain, the Netherlands and Brazil.

Mr Scolari, who is Brazilian, led his country's national team to the World Cup title in 2002

Mr Scolari said he hoped "justice gets to the bottom of the facts".
He led Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup and last week announced his squad for the 2014 World Cup due to start in Brazil on 12 June.
As well as managing Brazil and Portugal, Mr Scolari has also coached in Japan and the Middle East and was boss of Premier League club Chelsea between 2008-09.
Portugal's government has set up special investigative teams and increased penalties in an effort to crack down on tax evasion.
The country needed a bailout of 78bn euros ($107bn/£64bn) in 2011 after high debts pushed it to the brink of bankruptcy

Roger Federer to Continue the wait for First Italian Open title

ROGER Federer's first match after the birth of his twin sons ended in defeat as he lost 1-6 6-3 7-6 (8-6) to Jeremy Chardy at the Italian Open in Rome. The 32-year-old Swiss had been expected to miss the event, but was convinced to take part by his wife and support team. Federer had a match point in the final tie-break of the second-round match, but a superb forehand pass from Frenchman Chardy denied him victory.

"This defeat is totally OK if it doesn't hurt," said Federer.

"I tried everything. I can't do more than that on the court."
World number one Rafael Nadal was taken to three sets by France's Gilles Simon but triumphed 7-6 (1) 6-7 (4) 6-2, while sixth seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic beat Russia's Dmitry Tursunov 6-4 6-3.
Women's top seed Serena Williams beat Andrea Petkovic 6-2 6-2 in the American's first match since suffering a thigh injury in Madrid. Maria Sharapova also progressed with a 6-3 7-5 victory against Monica Puig of Puerto Rico.
Federer will get an unexpectedly quick opportunity to reunite with his family and will not play again before the French Open, which begins on 25 May.

Sevilla FC are Europa League Champions

SEVILLA FC beat Benfica on penalties to win the Europa League final match in Turin, marking their third triumph in the competition in nine seasons. Benfica, losers in their seven previous European finals, were seeking a first continental trophy since 1962 and the Portuguese side might have ended that sequence had Lima's late effort not been hooked off the line.
It fell to Kevin Gameiro to score the winning spot-kick after Sevilla keeper Beto denied Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo. Carlos Bacca, Stephane Mbia, who is on loan from Queens Park Rangers, and Jorge Moreno were also on target for the Spanish club. Brazilian Lima and Luisao did find the net for Benfica but Lisbon-born Beto denied the side from his home city with crucial saves to keep out Cardozo and Rodrigo.

Sevilla also won the competition in 2007, beating Espanyol on a penalty shootout

Sevilla overcame fellow Spanish side Espanyol on penalties to win the 2007 final, 12 months after beating Middlesbrough for their first success in the competition, known then as the Uefa Cup.
But while Los Rojiblancos's 9,000 travelling fans celebrated another triumph in Europe's second-tier club competition, Benfica's long wait for success on the continent continues.
Despite recently sealing a 33rd domestic title, their attempt to rid themselves of the increasingly troublesome "Guttmann curse" goes on.
Benfica's Hungarian coach of the early 1960s Bela Guttmann led the club to back-to-back European Cups but left shortly after the second of those triumphs when he was refused a pay rise.
Before going he declared that Benfica would never win another European competition without him at the helm. Fifty-two years on, they have still to prove him wrong.

Jorge Jesus's side had beaten Tottenham and Juventus on their way to the final, and were chasing a unique domestic and European quadruple.

A largely uneventful opening half came to life shortly before the interval, Beto saving from Benfica's Spanish forward Rodrigo at his near post moments after denying Maxi Pereira.
Then the Lisbon club were denied a stoppage-time penalty, German referee Felix Brych waving away strong Portuguese appeals after a foul on Nicolas Gaitan.
There was more action in the first five minutes of the second half than the previous 45 as Benfica carried on from where they left off.
Nicolas Pareja hooked Lima's shot off the line before Rodrigo's goal-bound attempt was charged down.

Serena Williams undecided about Italian Open Defence

 

WORLD NUMBER ONE Serena Williams is undecided whether she will defend her Italian Open title as she continues to recover from a thigh injury.

The American, 32, withdrew ahead of her quarter-final in Madrid last week but has travelled to Rome, where she is due to begin her campaign on Wednesday.
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will play in Rome after missing Madrid.
"I'm taking it a day at a time, we'll see as the week goes on," said 17-time Grand Slam champion Williams.
"I'll see how I feel [on Tuesday]. I hit some balls today a little bit so I'm going to see later tonight how it feels."
Williams has a bye in the first round and is scheduled to open against Germany's Andrea Petkovic in the second round.
Twelfth seed Grigor Dimitrov was among the first-round winners on Monday, along with 11th seed Ana Ivanovic and Venus Williams.

Vincent Enyeama wins Best African Player in the French Ligue 1

 

FEW DAYS after loosing the best goalkeeper award in Ligue1 to PSG's Salvatore Sirigu, Nigeria's and Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has won the RFI - FRANCE 24 Marc-Vivien Foé Award for the best African player in the French Ligue 1 football championship for the 2013-14 season.

The Lille goalkeeper pipped Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier (Toulouse FC) and Cameroon international player Henri Bedimo (Olympique Lyonnais) to win the award. Vincent Enyeama was picked by a jury composed of French football journalists after each member selected three names from a list of 10 players previously drawn up by the RFI and France 24 sports departments.

After putting in some remarkable performances right throughout the season, Enyeama impressed football enthusiasts by keeping a clean sheet for 11 consecutive matches (1062 minutes).

With 82 caps to his credit in the national team, he helped the Super Eagles  to win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 and will be playing with them in the World Cup in Brazil.

The Trophy for the Best African Ligue 1 player was renamed the Marc-Vivien Foé Award in 2011 in tribute to the Cameroonian player who died unexpectedly during a match in Lyon's Gerland stadium on June 26, 2003.
Previous winners of the RFI-France 24 Marc Vivien Foe trophy are Marouane Chamakh 2009 (Morocco), Gervinho 2010 & 2011 (Ivory Coast), Younès Belhanda 2012 (Morocco) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) in 2013.

Rio Ferdinand to leave Manchester United this summer

 

 MANCHESTER UNITED defender, Rio Ferdinand is to leave Old Trafford in the summer following the refusal of the boardroom to offer him a new contract.

The 35-year-old's departure will bring to an end a 12-year stay at the club, for whom he has made 454 appearances, scoring eight goals. "After 12 fantastic years I have decided the time is right for me to move on," said Ferdinand.

Rio Ferdinand's medal haul

6 Premier League titles: 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13
2 League Cups: 2005-06, 2008-09
1 Champions League: 2007-08
1 Fifa Club World Cup: 2008

United are believed to have told Ferdinand they want him to come back and be a 'Club Legend' going forward, in recognition of what he achieved during his time with the club.
The position is an ambassadorial role that several other significant players from the club's past have accepted. Ferdinand helped United win six league titles, two League Cups, one Champions League and a Club World Cup.
He made his final appearance for the Old Trafford club in the 1-1 draw at Southampton in the final game of the season on Sunday. In an open letter on his website, Ferdinand added:  "I have thought long and hard over the last few months about my future.
"Circumstances didn't allow for me to say goodbye the way I would have liked but I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my team-mates, staff, the club and the fans for an unbelievable 12 years that I'll never forget. Winning trophies I dreamed about as a kid came true at this great club.
"I am feeling fit and healthy, ready for a new challenge and looking forward to whatever the future holds for me."

Rio Ferdinand captained Manchester United to the 2008 Champions League title, when they beat Chelsea in Moscow.

The club tweeted:  "#mufc would like to thank Rio Ferdinand for his long and distinguished service, and wish him well for the future."
Ferdinand made his United debut against Hungarian side Zalaegerszeg in a Champions League tie in August 2002 after joining from Leeds for a then British record £30m.
Although he initially struggled with injury, he eventually became a key part of the side that won the 2002-03 Premier League title. However, he was banned for eight months after being found guilty of missing a drugs test in September 2003. Ferdinand did not return until the following year but soon established himself again as an important player for the club as he helped them to the 2006-07 league title. United successfully defended the trophy in a season they also won the Champions League, with Ferdinand captaining the side to a dramatic win over Chelsea on penalties in Moscow.
A third successive Premier League title followed, with Ferdinand once again crucial to the club's success, but he struggled with injuries over the next two seasons. However, he was a virtual ever present in 2011-12 as United just missed out on league success to rivals Manchester City. He then earned a place in the PFA Team of the Year as United won the Premier League in 2012-13.
He was rewarded for his performances with a new one-year extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until this July, but struggled to hold down a regular place in the side under David Moyes as he finished the season with just 14 appearances.

Blake's doping ban cut on appeal

JAMAICAN 400-metre runner Dominique Blake's six-year ban for a second doping offence has been cut to four-and-a-half years on appeal. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said it had reached its decision "in view of some mitigating factors". However, it added that "the athlete has failed to establish that she bears no significant fault or negligence."
Blake, 26, tested positive for methylhexanamine at the 2012 Olympic trials.
She had served a nine-month ban after testing positive for ephedrine in 2006.
Having finished sixth at the 2012 trials, Blake was picked as a relay runner for the London Olympics but did not compete.
Lord Coe, chair of the British Olympic Association, said last year the World Anti-Doping Agency was risking the reputation of some of the world's best athletes by not enforcing rigorous anti-doping regimes in Kenya and Jamaica.

Serena Williams pulls out of Madrid Open

 

WORLD No. 1, Serena Williams have pulled out of the Madrid Open with a thigh injury. Serena, 32, had played with heavy strapping on her left thigh throughout the week in Madrid, but aims to return at next week's Italian Open. The American will then defend her title at the French Open, which gets under way in Paris on 25 May.
"I suffered [the injury] during my first-round match," said Williams.
"I started to feel better but it is important that I have enough time to rest and recover. It's very frustrating. This isn't the way I wanted to end the week."
Williams had won the title in Madrid for the last two years, and in 2013 she went on be crowned champion in Rome and then claimed her second title at Roland Garros.
"I am planning to play in Rome," she added. "Fortunately, I have a [first-round] bye next week so will have an extra day of rest."
Maria Sharapova, seeded eighth, made it through to the semi-finals in Madrid with a fine 2-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 win over second seed Li Na.
The Russian will play Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska on Saturday after the third seed battled past France's Caroline Garcia 6-4 4-6 6-4.
Kvitova will next face fourth seed Simona Halep of Romania, who saw off Serbia's 11th seed Ana Ivanovic 6-2 6-2.

Luis Enrique not thinking of Barcelona for now

 
 

HEAD COACH of Celta Vigo, Luis Enrique has dismissed as speculations reports suggesting he could replace Gerardo Martino at Barcelona. The former Barca midfielder and coach of the club's B side has been touted as a potential candidate to succeed the Argentine at Camp Nou if he leaves at the end of the season.
The 43-year-old signed a two-year contract upon his arrival at Celta last summer and has impressed by leading the club to the security of mid-table. But he says he is keen to see out the remainder of his contract at the Galician club.
"It seems amazing that talk about my future, but I live in the present and all these (reports) are speculation," he told a press conference on Friday. "I always want to fulfil (his) contract. I'm focused on the last three games.
"I do not know why now everyone interested with my contract.
"It is the same as at the start of the season, nothing has changed. I will not get into this game.
"The only thing that interests me is the game with Osasuna (on Saturday)."

Koscielny signs new long-term contract

ARSENAL defender Laurent Koscielny has signed a new long-term contract.

Koscielny, signed in 2010, who has formed a formidable defence line with Per Mertesacker, has been a key component of a defence that helped secure fourth spot in the Premier League and reach the FA Cup final.
"I am very proud to have reached agreement with the club on a new contract," said the 28-year-old.
"I have enjoyed four great years at Arsenal already, and I look forward to continuing to help the team in the years to come."
Arsenal have kept 15 clean sheets in Koscielny's 31 league games this term, which has helped ensure the Gunners have qualified for the Champions League for a 17th consecutive season.
"Laurent has proven himself to be an outstanding player since joining us in 2010 and has showed his quality once again this season," said Wenger.
"I am delighted he has decided to commit his future to the club."

"I saw Oscar kneeling next to the lady and crying": Oscar Pistorius neighbour

OSCAR PISTORIUS'  nearest neighbours said they heard a man crying loudly on the night the athlete shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The three neighbours also said they did not hear a woman screaming, contradicting earlier testimonies from other neighbours. The witnesses were called by Mr Pistorius' defence team to testify at his murder trial, as it seeks to prove he shot his girlfriend by mistake. He denies intentionally killing Ms Steenkamp on 14 February last year.

The athlete's next-door neighbour, Michael Nhlengethwa, told the court on Tuesday that on the night of the shooting he went to the house after hearing a man "crying very loudly".

"I saw Oscar kneeling next to the lady, he was just crying," the witness said.
His wife, Eontle, also testifying, said she heard the loud sound of a "male person's voice" crying "help, help, help" Another neighbour, Rika Motshuane, insisted that she heard a man crying, describing it as a "cry of pain". The three witnesses said they did not hear a female screaming, contradicting prosecution witnesses who had testified to hearing a woman scream.
The defence's case is that Ms Steenkamp never screamed, but that it was Mr Pistorius who screamed "like a woman". Ms Eontle also revealed, under cross-examination from state prosecutor Gerrie Nel, that she heard the sound of one bang, compared with the two or three bangs heard by other neighbours who had testified. Mr Nel suggested that the noise she had heard came from the second set of bangs, after Ms Steenkamp had already been shot. Mr Pistorius kept his head in his hands as he listened to his neighbours' testimonies. Mr Roux said on Tuesday that he expected to wrap up his defence case in a week, to which the judge responded "I hope so".
The court has now adjourned until Thursday - the day after South Africa's elections.

Oscar Pistorius' defence lawyer Barry Roux (r) suggested he could wrap up the defence case within a week

Oscar Pistorius broke down several times when he took the stand before Easter

On Monday two other neighbours - who were first at the scene - described Mr Pistorius' frantic efforts to revive Ms Steenkamp.
Johan Stander, the first person Mr Pistorius called after the shooting, said the athlete "was broken", sobbing and praying for her life.
In an emotional testimony, his daughter, Carice Viljoen, told the court she feared the athlete would shoot himself with the gun used to kill Ms Steenkamp.
Before the Easter break, the athlete faced several days of cross-examination from Mr Nel, who accused him of using emotional outbursts "as an escape".

The couple had been dating for just a few months when she was shot dead in 2013

As well as a ballistics expert, the defence is expected to call a psychologist to speak about Mr Pistorius' disability and his acute sense of vulnerability.
The prosecution has sought to show a pattern of reckless behaviour by the athlete and has argued that a reasonable man would have checked before firing four bullets through a locked door.
If found guilty, the 27-year-old - a national sporting hero and double amputee dubbed the "blade runner" because of the prosthetic limbs he wears to race - could face life imprisonment.
Ms Steenkamp, 29, was a model, celebrity TV star and law graduate.
If Mr Pistorius is acquitted of murder, the court must consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could receive about 15 years in prison.
He also faces charges of illegally firing a gun in public and of illegally possessing ammunition, both of which he denies.
There are no juries at trials in South Africa, and his fate will ultimately be decided by the judge, assisted by two assessors.

Stephen Keshi submits 30-man provisional list to NFF

 
Super Eagles

NIGERIA GAFFER Stephen Keshi has invited 30 players in his provisional squad for the 2014 World Cup. The reigning African champions will be making their fifth appearance at football's showpiece and have been drawn in the same group with Argentina, Iran and Bosnia.
Usual faces Vincent Enyeama, Mikel Obi, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses are called, as well as dark horses Ramon Azeez, Michael Babatunde and Azubuike Egwuekwe while midfield ace Joel Obi and Peter Odemwingie return after several months of absence. Africa Cup of Nations top scorer, Emmanuel Emenike returns to the fold.
However, injured Nosa Igiebor and Reuben Gabriel are the surprise inclusion in the squad while Keshi snubbed Ikechukwu Uche, Dynamo Kiev's Brown Ideye, Hull City’s Sone Aluko and Fegor Ogude.
There are four goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and ten strikers.

Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim, Daniel Akpeyi.
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kenneth Omeruo, Joseph Yobo, Kunle Odunlami.
Midfielders: Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Ejike Uzoenyi, Sunday Mba, Reuben Gabriel, Nosa Igiebor, Joel Obi.
Strikers: Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Obinna Nsofor, Osaze Odemwingie, Babatunde Michael, Michael Uchebo, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Nwofor Uche

Debutant Wilson grabs a brace for United

DEBUTANT Manchester United Teenager James Wilson scored twice on his debut to end the hosts' miserable Old Trafford campaign in winning style against Hull in the Premier League. It was an emotional night at Old Trafford as departing captain Nemanja Vidic made his farewell appearance as a first-half substitute. Matty Fryatt pulled one back for the visitors, by which time United centre-back Phil Jones was already having X-rays on a shoulder injury suffered in a first-half collision with Maynor Figueroa, only for Robin van Persie to have the final word. Ryan Giggs showed his knowledge of United's history by giving two untested youngsters a taste of first-team action as it is with Sir Alex Ferguson.
It was a tradition under Sir Alex Ferguson that if there was little to play for in the final home game of the season he would blood some kids. Giggs followed the example, handing 20-year-old Welshman Tom Lawrence a chance in addition to Wilson, the Biddulph-born forward who has earned rave reviews for the reserve team this season.
And it was the teenager who provided the clear highlight of the opening period.
Finding space inside the box as Adnan Januzaj sent over a free-kick from the left, Wilson swivelled neatly before sending the ball past Eldin Jakupovic with an excellent first-time finish.

Giggs all smiles as United Cruised to Victory

It was a rare bright spot in what has been a largely gloomy campaign for the hosts, who suffered their seventh home defeat against Sunderland at the weekend, a reverse which almost certainly cost them their chance of qualifying for next season's Europa League. But even that happy event was preceded by an unfortunate one as Jones collided in mid-air with Figueroa as the pair challenged to meet a corner. As soon as United's medical staff arrived on the scene to treat Jones they signalled the defender's evening was over. The former Blackburn man made his way straight down the tunnel and then to hospital for a precautionary X-ray on a shoulder injury that will cause England boss Roy Hodgson to shuffle uncomfortably as he prepares to name his World Cup squad next Monday.
Jones' exit heralded the introduction of Vidic for the final time as a United player at Old Trafford before he joins Inter Milan in the summer. The Serb's contribution to United's recent past was witnessed by the series of standing ovations he received. The first came when a presentation was made to him before the game by Sir Bobby Charlton, the second marked his arrival onto the pitch and there was a third to salute his first touch. Vidic's introduction took one third of the slots available for Giggs to make what could turn out to be his farewell appearance, and Robin Van Persie took another as Wilson made way shortly after his second goal. In tapping home the rebound after Marouane Fellaini's initial shot had been saved, Wilson had put himself in line to become only the third player in United history to score a hat-trick on his debut. James Wilson is the fourth youngest player to score a Premier League goal for Manchester United at 18 years five months and five days.

Giggs opted to deny him the chance, although by the time the replacement was made, Fryatt had thundered home an excellent goal for Hull to halve the deficit.

Wilson's clinical finishing merely highlighted Fellaini's on-going woes in front of goal

The Belgian's penalty-box threat was supposed to be one of the major selling points in a £27.5m move from Everton last summer, but Fellaini is still to score and his presence is used as evidence of all that was wrong with the short-lived David Moyes era. Netherlands striker Van Persie has never had any problem finding the net of course. And the two-time Golden Boot winner - a countryman of Louis van Gaal, the man expected to be put in charge of United in the near future - drove home his 18th of the season near the end. There was still time for David Meyler to stand on Januzaj, which might catch the attention of Football Association officials less than a fortnight before the FA Cup final.

And in injury time Jakupovic tipped a free-kick from Giggs, who was making his 963rd United appearance, over the bar. The save may well have ended the Welshman's remarkable record of scoring in every Premier League season.

'Atletico Madrid are Title Favourites': David Villa

ATLETICO Madrid striker, David Villa says Los Rojiblancos are in a better to win the league title this season than their rivals Real and Barcelona despite their loss on Sunday to Levante.
Los Rojiblancos fell to a 2-0 defeat in Valencia on Sunday but Diego Simeone's men were let off the hook as both Barcelona and Real were held to draws. They remain in the driving seat, leading the league by three points with just two matches to play, and Villa is confident his side can end their campaign, which they end with games against Malaga and Barca, with the league trophy.
"For us there are no surprises," Villa said.

 

"The only reality is that if we win the last two matches we are champions.
"I imagine that the thinking of Barcelona will be the same. Out of the three teams, we are the best placed because our destiny is in our own hands.
"We know it is very difficult to win a league championship. We knew it would be difficult right until the last minute, so our idea of working and just winning the next match has not changed. Nothing else matters.
"We need to win on Sunday and, depending on other results, set out to win at Camp Nou. That's the only thought we have on our minds.
Atletico Madrid will host Malaga on sunday at the Vicente Calderon.

Chelsea Need a 'Killer' Striker, Says Mourinho

CHELSEA's Premier League title hope was ended officially by a 0-0 draw with relegation-threatened Norwich. Recently, they have also lost against Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Sunderland.
"We don't have the kind of striker able to, in a short space, to make an action, to score a goal, to open the gate," Mourinho said.

Mourinho rues Chelsea's trophyless season

"Against teams that are more defensive, more aggressive, more worried about trying to keep a clean sheet than really to play, we keep saying the same.
"In these kind of matches, you just need to open the gate. When you open the gate, the gate is open and you win much more. We weren't able to do that.
"We have to try to win as a team, to improve as a team, but also add the attacking player with that killer instinct and the number of goals that push teams to different levels.
"It's something our club is going to try to do, respecting obviously that we have good strikers."
Meanwhile, there are doubts over the futures of captain John Terry, England left-back Ashley Cole and record goalscorer Frank Lampard.
All are out of contract this summer and their positions have not been clarified ahead of the final match of the campaign, away to relegated Cardiff City on Sunday.

Liverpool Premier League Title Hope officially Over

LIVERPOOL looked to be pushing up the pressure on title favourites Manchester City, and reducing a gap in goal difference which stood at nine. Joe Allen's first goal for the Reds and strikes from Daniel Sturridge and Suarez put the Reds in complete command as the visiting fans urged their side forward in search of more goals.

Suarez in tears at full time

Instead, their fragile defence collapsed completely at the first sign of serious pressure as Palace sent Selhurst Park wild with goals from Damien Delaney and a double from substitute Dwight Gayle.
Liverpool's point put them back on top of the table, but the sight of players on their haunches and an emotional Suarez told the whole story and showed the atmosphere at Anfield  as he buried his face in his shirt as he was consoled and led towards the tunnel by captain Steven Gerrard and substitute Kolo Toure.
Manchester City are now in the driving seat to win the title, with home games against Aston Villa and West Ham United which they are expected to dispatch coolly.
Rodgers will be at a loss to explain how his team crumbled so badly to squander the chance to move closer to their first title in 24 years.
Palace have proved their quality against illustrious opposition before this season, but here they made a tame start and allowed the visitors to take the early initiative.
Liverpool had a clear penalty appeal rejected early on when Yannick Bolasie missed his kick completely in the area and only connected with Glen Johnson.

Dwight Gayle scores the second of his two goals to deal a serious blow to Liverpool's title hopes

Amiesiamaka: Nigeria not ready for the World Cup

 

FORMER Nigeria international Adokiye Amiesimaka has affirmed that the Super Eagles are not ready for the World Cup. The 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner who is now a lawyer, said the Nigeria Football Federation's eggheads are abandoning pressing issues for irrelevant ones which is a pointer that the country will only be going to make up the numbers in South America.
 “I have said it over and over again that we are not ready for the 2014 World Cup. Everyone is talking about the provisional list, no one seems to be asking, 'what of the technical crew?',” Amiesimaka asked annoyingly. “It is like wanting to buy the best car but no one to drive the car, then of what use is it? Keshi said he needs an assistant which the NFF has refused. Why are Nigerians not talking about that? As far as I am concerned our technical crew is not complete,” he added.
“That is the area we should focus on and not just debating on players that should make the World Cup list which the coach does not want. This shows we are going to Brazil for another jamboree. It means we are not firing on all cylinders because how do we explain not going to World Cup without our full technical capability. The chief coach is good enough which he has proved but the NFF are not ready to give him the assistant he wants.
About the chances of the Super Eagles to do well in the competition where they will face Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Amiesimaka candidly stated that it would be a wild goose chase to expect Keshi’s men to get past the preliminary round
“This is a country where everyone expects a miracle and not working towards achieving results. We sit back and say God is on our side – it is absolute nonsense. If not, why do we keep talking about second round and quarter finals?
“We have won the age grade competitions so many times yet we find it very hard to get to the semi final of the Fifa World Cup or is there any country that has won any age grade competition without winning the World Cup or at least getting to the last four?
“I am saying if we are serious about winning the U17 World Cup, then we should be talking about winning the senior World Cup, if we can’t then we are fooling ourselves.
“With the present crop of Super Eagles we have now, we are going to be lucky to beat Bosnia and Iran not to talk about qualifying for the next round,” he concluded.