Sport: Atletico report Barca to FIFA over Griezmann

                               Sport

Atletico Madrid reported Barcelona to FIFA over illegal contact made to star forward Antoine Griezmann, Atletico club sources confirmed on Tuesday.

“The complaint has been presented for repeated contact between Barcelona, the player and his team,” an Atletico source told AFP.

Griezmann renewed his contract until 2022 in June and Atletico consider contact made by Barcelona not only breaks FIFA’s rules, but could also affect the integrity of La Liga.

Barcelona lead the league with Atletico their closest challengers six points behind in second.

“He is a player under a long contract and this can’t happen. Moreover, the club considers that it could affect the competition where Barca are currently top and Atletico second,” added the Atletico source.

Barca were slapped with a one-year transfer ban for the illegal recruitment of foreign minors by FIFA that was served in 2015.

Should the Catalan giants be found guilty, they could be handed another ban on registering new players.

“We can confirm that we have received a complaint from Atletico de Madrid concerning the said matter,” a FIFA spokesperson told AFP.

Barcelona-based sports daily Mundo Deportivo reported on Sunday that Barca’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu had recently met with Griezmann’s family.

The Catalan giants are expected to be willing to pay the French international’s €100m   buyout clause at the end of the season to avoid negotiating with Atletico

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Sport: FIFA fines Nigeria for fielding ineligible player in World Cup qualifier, deducts points

                                    Sport
FIFA has fined the Nigeria Football Federation 6,000 Swiss Francs (about N2,177,280) for fielding an ineligible player in a Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying match.

The disciplinary committee of the body in a statement on Tuesday said the three-time African champions fielded Shehu Abdullahi who was ineligible for the qualifier against Algeria on November 10, 2017.

The committee awarded 3-0 in favour of Algeria, with the NFF also receiving a fine of CHF 6,000 (about $6,045.30).

The statement reads, “The sanction relates to the player Abdullahi Shehu failing to serve the automatic one-match suspension imposed on him as a result of receiving a caution in two separate matches of the same competition.

“This sanction bears no impact on the final result of the preliminary competition for the FIFA World Cup since Nigeria had already qualified (and Algeria eliminated) before the match took place.”

Due to the sanction, Nigeria’s points in the group stage dropped from 14 to 11, while Algeria gets five points.

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Italy sack manager Ventura after missing out on World Cup place

Italy have sacked coach Gian Piero Ventura following their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

The Italian Football Federation announced in a statement on Wednesday night that the 69-year-old's 16-month reign was over.

Italy lost their play-off for a place in Russia next summer 1-0 on aggregate to Sweden, the first time since 1958 the Azzurri have failed to qualify for a World Cup.

The Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio said the decision to dismiss Ventura was taken at a meeting called by FIGC president Carlo Tavecchio.

The move was widely expected following Italy's goalless draw with the Sweden in Milan on Monday.

Ventura, who had been under contract until 2020, declined to resign in the immediate aftermath of the match, but the FIGC has now taken the decision out of his hands.

He labelled the outcome of the play-off a "terrible result" and apologised to the Italian supporters.

Ventura, a journeyman coach who had most recently spent five years in charge of Torino, took over from Antonio Conte as national team boss following their penalty shoot-out defeat to Germany in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.

He had to get the better of Spain to secure automatic qualification for the World Cup, though, a task which proved too tough as Italy finished the group five points behind their rivals.

But it is the two games against Sweden, a side ranked 10 places below Italy, which have cost him his job.

The FIGC made no mention of possible successors to Ventura.

Carlo Ancelotti, out of work since being sacked by Bayern Munich earlier this season, is the favourite for the role, although it remains to be seen whether he would be willing to swap club football for an international job.

Chelsea boss Conte, Roberto Mancini, currently in charge of Zenit St Petersburg, and Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri are the other leading names reportedly in the frame.

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Barcelona star Messi and Antonella Roccuzzo to have third child

Lionel Messi is on his way to another hat-trick after wife Antonella Roccuzzo revealed she is expecting a third child with the Barcelona and Argentina superstar.

Messi married long-term partner Roccuzzo in a ceremony in the couple's hometown of Rosario, Argentina in July and already have two sons – Thiago, who is five in November, and Mateo, who turned two last month.

Roccuzzo posted a picture to her Instagram account on Sunday showing Messi and her two boys with their hands on her stomach.

The caption read: "Family of five #blessed."

In a footballing sense, Messi scored his third hat-trick of the current season last week, when he stunningly secured Argentina's spot at the 2018 World Cup with a single-handed demolition of Ecuador, while he also left Barcelona's LaLiga thrashings of Espayol and Eibar with the matchball.

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Checkout Cristiano Ronaldo's exclusive collection of boots worn during his career as he explains why he left England

Speaking in a new interview at his Madrid mansion to Rio Ferdinand, his team-mate of six years at Manchester United, four time ballon d'or winner, Ronaldo, showed off his collection of boots that have helped him climb up to the top of the game and also explained his reasons for leaving Manchester United in England and joining La Liga giants, Real Madrid.

Asked about the day he was unveiled at the Bernabeu, Ronaldo said: 'When I land here in Madrid I start to feel the atmosphere. I thought it was a game in that day because (there were so) many people. 

'All these people are coming here just to see me. It was a great surprise for me. It was an unbelievable day. 

'I was so proud and you know I feel inside that the people here in Spain live for football. They love it. It was a great day for me. 

'I just thought in my mind "I want to go there to show my level, to show that I'm a different player" and this is what I did. 

'I arrive, I did a fantastic season. I improve every season. It was a great experience but I never forget the Red Devils.'

Asked where he'd like to be in 10 years, Ronaldo joked: 'In 10 years it will be tough (to win the Ballon d'Or). Maybe to do boxing like you?'

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I don't mind shaking Diego Costa' -Chelsea coach, Antonio Conte claims after striker's move to Atletico Madrid

Chelsea head coach, Antoni Conte, has revealed he won't have any problem shaking the hands of Spanish striker, Diego Costa, when Chelsea and Atletico Madrid clash in the UEFA Champions Legue this season.

Costa, 28, completed his long wanted move to former club, Atletico Madrid on Thursday, bringing an end to his long feud with Conte after the striker revealed that he was informed by the coach that he was surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge via a text message.

Costa's goals helped Chelsea win the English premier league title last season, but following a standoff with Conte, he was informed by the coachh to find another club at the end of last season which led Costa to go on strike in his homeland after he was ordered to train with the  reserve team following his refusal to join Chinese club in the summer.

Costa finally joined Atletico on Thursday but Conte claims he'll have no problems greeting the powerful striker despite the nature of his exit.

"I don't forget that we won together.' Conte told reporters on Friday evening's press conference..

"I repeat - for sure we want to thank him for his effort last season, not only last season but in the period he played for Chelsea."

“Yeah, I would have no problem [shaking Costa’s hand],” Conte added. “I repeat, I think this is a lack of respect for my players [to talk about Costa] because Diego is an Atletico player.

“I think every single player was important last season, we won the title, we won the league, maybe it was a big surprise, and also to reach the final of the FA Cup. For this reason, I think every player performed in a fantastic way last season, I want to thank every single player who played last season for Chelsea and for me.”

Diego Costa's 52 premier league goals over a three year period ensured Chelsea won two premier league titles.

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Conor McGregor suffered mild traumatic brain injury during fight with Floyd Mayweather

Despite a valiant (and somewhat unexpected) performance against Floyd Mayweather Jr. — widely recognized as one of the finest pugilists of all time — Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion Conor McGregor was unable to shock the world in his “Money Fight” last Saturday night (Aug. 26, 2017) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Notorious” was stopped by way of tenth-round technical knockout.

Following their boxing match, Hall-of-Fame referee Robert Byrd came under fire for what appeared to be a premature stoppage, likely because a wobbly McGregor, despite taking heavy damage, was still on his feet when the bout was called.

However, according to former ringside physician Darragh O’Carroll he praised the referee for putting the brain before the brawn,

“Byrd’s calculation to call a stoppage was likely not based on signs of fatigue, but rather signs of traumatic brain injury. Ataxia, or dizziness and loss of balance, is one of the hallmarks of concussion, a type of mild traumatic brain injury. Fatigue may cause sluggish and slow movements, but does not cause the imbalance and poor coordination exhibited by McGregor in the 10th round. Being wobbly, in the setting of pugilistic trauma, will always be treated as the result of head trauma and not as fatigue. To let a fighter continue on would be grossly negligent”.

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Conor McGregor Hails Floyd Mayweather Following Defeat _ Says “I don’t know if I will box again”

Conor McGregor praises reigning champion Floyd Mayweather after the end of the much hyped boxing match which ended in a 10th round TKO.

The Irishman, in the after-game, talked about his opponent and how he fared in the ring.

On Floyd Mayweather’s win, Conor McGregor said the 40-year old is a composed fighter, passing that he may never fight again after losing out at Las Vegas.

Conor said,

“I thought it was close … I get a little floppy when I get tired … [Floyd] was a lot more composed. You’ve got to give it to him … I don’t know if I will box again”

“I turned him into a Mexican. I took the early rounds pretty handily.
He’s composed. He’s not that fast or powerful, but he’s composed. I got to give him respect.
I thought it was a little early the stoppage. There’s a lot on the line, they should have kept it going.
I was fatigued. Early on, I felt it was handy enough. That’s what 50 pro fights will give to you.
I don’t know if I’m pleased. I would have liked him to let it go.”

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Floyd Mayweather Beats Conor McGregor in 10th round TKO

Undefeated champion, Floyd Mayweather has extended his unbeaten run to 50-0 as he trounced his opponent Conor McGregor in the 10th round.

Floyd Mayweather showed that he is the real champion as he emerged winner in the 10th round of one of the richest fights in boxing history.

The Tmobile arena in Las Vegas was the most watched spot as it saw the former five-weight world champion face flurries of early punches from UFC’s most iconic figure.

McGregor, who was making a professional boxing debut, delivered a crisp uppercut in round one and seemed to consciously exaggerate his movement at times.

The American, who came out of retirement for a potential $300m (£230m) pay day, executed a gameplan which pounced on McGregor’s lack of conditioning for the late rounds which prove so key on big fight nights.

Mc Gregor angered Mayweather with persistent punching to the back of his head and the champion’s response was to become notably more spiteful with his loaded punches.

The underdog’s early punch volume won rounds but Mayweather’s progress through the gears, albeit slow, closed the deficit by the seventh, when he jolted his foe with a counter right.

The ninth round would take the boxing novice past the 25 minutes he faces in a UFC bout, and fatigue became undeniable. With his opponent’s weakening legs, Mayweather upped his punching ferocity.

And in the 10th, the tired McGregor showed that he was near the ropes, offered little counter-attacked, bringing an end to one of the most talked about fights.

At the end of the 10th round, a screaming McGregor seemed to announce he has more left.

Referee Robert Byrd’s stoppage may have arrived too early for some, as McGregor’s early effort meant he was in the contest on the scorecards.

But the 29-year-old’s effort and display should be commended and Mayweather’s poise and invincibility remains constant into retirement.

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Cristiano Ronaldo gets a 5-match ban for pushing referee during Sunday’s El-clasico

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for five matches after pushing the referee following his red card in Sunday’s Clasico.

The Portuguese forward reacted angrily to being dismissed during the second half of a 3-1 victory for Zinedine Zidane’s side over Barcelona in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup.

Ronaldo had joined the action as a substitute, helping to put Real 2-1 in front with a typically stunning strike at Camp Nou.
He was booked after removing his shirt in celebration, with the 32-year-old going on to mimic Lionel Messi’s iconic jersey-holding celebration at the Santiago Bernabeu from April.

A second booking followed for diving, under pressure from Samuel Umtiti, and Ronaldo did not take too kindly to the decision of match official Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea.

The Spanish Football Federation have now delivered their verdict on the incident, with a five-game ban and fine handed out.

A statement released by the RFEF read:

On the first account, Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo will be suspended for one game after receiving two yellow cards, the first for taking off his jersey while celebrating his goal and the second for simulation. The club have also been fined €350 and the player €800.

“On the second account, Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for another four games for infraction of article 96 of the disciplinary code, with a €1400 fine for the club and a €3005 fine for the player.

As things stand, Ronaldo will now be forced to sit out the return date of the Super Cup clash with Barca in Madrid on Wednesday.

He will also miss La Liga fixtures against Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia, Levante and Real Sociedad.

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Coutinho wants Barca move

Philippe Coutinho would like to move to Barcelona if a deal can be done amicably with Liverpool, according to Sky sources.

Sky Sports News has been told Coutinho will not rock the boat at Anfield and he would only leave Liverpool for Barcelona.

Coutinho signed a new five-year contract at Liverpool in January and the club remain adamant he is not for sale.

Sky Sports News understands Barcelona have not contacted Liverpool since their initial £72m offer was firmly and immediately rejected 18 days ago.

Barcelona are "looking for alternatives" after Neymar's world-record departure to Paris Saint-Germain, according to president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who revealed plans for the Brazilian forward's £200m transfer fee.

"We thought there was a chance that Neymar could go and for that reason we raised his buy-out clause," he said at a Barcelona fan group meeting on Monday, according to Marca.

"Now we are looking for alternatives and whatever happened here it is in the end good for Barca because if he stayed then we have a great player and if he goes then we bring in a lot of money.

"The 222 million euros we will spend sensibly, strictly and wisely. It will be used to improve the club and with this it means that we are in a great position to sign players.

"This year there will not be a trident but we can now talk about a team. We will bring in players, the first has been Semedo, but there will be more."

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Why I Hated John Terry- Cesc Fabregas Reveals

Chelsea Midfielder, Cesc Fabregas has revealed the reason why he hated former blues captain,John Terry when he was an Arsenal player.

The Spain international engaged in several intense battles with Terry’s Chelsea after establishing himself at Arsenal.

It was after he signed for Chelsea, that was when he became good pals with the John Terry.

Fabregas speaking with Sky Sports, said;

“He is the type of player that I had many battles with.

“I disliked him very much at some point playing for Arsenal, we had a lot of confrontations, but one thing I always had for him was respect.”

The Chelsea midfielder added;

“I think it was maybe the most difficult season for him [last season], for a lot of reasons.

“He showed to be before a great man and then a great player. He showed he will always be a great captain for this team and I have to tell him a big, big, big thanks.”

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Chelsea Finally Agrees To Sign Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata

Premier league champions, Chelsea have finally agreed to sign Real madrid’s striker, Alvaro morata for 80million euros.

Spanish radio, Cadena Ser said on Wednesday,

“He has reached an agreement with Chelsea and is right now looking for a flight to London.”

The radio station added the striker will be leaving Real Madrid’s camp in United states as soon as he can.

The Blues had tabled a £ 62 million (70m euros, $ 80 m) bid for the 24 – year- old last week but Madrid, have agreed the sale for 80 million euros.

Morata would replace Diego Costa, whom Chelsea coach, Antonio conte told at the end of last season he was no longer needed at the club. 

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Funke Akindele Epic Reply to Twitter User Who Thinks Jenifa Should Start Speaking Good English

If you are one of the devout followers of Jenifa’s diary, you should know that Jenifa’s english is not getting any better .

This caused a subtle drama between Funke Akindele, the producer of Jenifa’s diary and a Twitter user.

The Twitter user, Bola Adesope believes Jenifa should now be able to speak good english since it is already in the season 9.

He said

By now jenifa in Jenifa’s diary should be able to speak fairly correct english @funkeakindele @TrafficChiefNg

Funke Akindele replied Mr Adesope saying

“Nope that is her Trademark…By now Mr Bean suppose dey talk”

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Portugal Finish 3rd Place As They Defeat Mexico 2-1

Portugal has defeated Mexico to be in the 3rd place in the ongoing FIFA Confederations Cup today.

The portugese team played wonderful football today despite not having cristiano ronaldo, the mexico team scored first in the 54th-minute by Luis Neto but the former equalised in the final minutes of the game by Pepe.

During the extra time, Andrien Silva scored a penalty after a handball in the mexican box.

The Final match between Germany and Chile will occur later in the evening.

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Germany Beat Chile To Win The 2017 FiFA Confederations Cup

Germany beat Chile in the 2017 FIFA Confederations cup final by 1-0 which was hosted by Russia making them the winner of the cup.

The lone and winning goal was scored by Lars Stindl, a German forward, in the 20th minute of the game.

This will be the first time the Germans will win the Cconfederations cup.

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Artist turns Nigerian celebs to women in traditional attires (photos)

Who is the finest? I'll go with Falz..

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Ghanaian Footballer Jailed For Raping His Wife In Sweden.

A Swedish court on Friday sentenced a Ghanaian football player in Sweden’s second division to two years in prison for raping and beating his wife.

After serving his sentence, 22-year-old Kwame Bonsu, who played for the Gefle IF club, will be expelled from the Scandinavian country where he has lived in since 2013, the Gavle District Court said.

Gefle on Friday said Bonsu was dismissed from the team with immediate effect. he will also have to pay 245,000 kronor (at least 25,000 euros, $28,000) in compensation to his wife, who is a Swedish national.

He first met her in 2014 when he was playing in the southern Swedish city of Mjolby. They married the following year. A few months after the wedding he signed a transfer to the town of Gavle, located about 300 kilometres (190 miles) away from Mjolby.

Bonsu’s wife had wanted him to stay to continue his studies. The victim said the rape and beatings took place in the couple’s apartment during an evening in November 2015 when he had refused to let her out.

Bonsu repeatedly denied the charges, but testimony from his wife’s relatives led the court to believe the victim’s version of events.

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Here are the 5 records Cristiano Ronaldo broke during last night's Champions League final victory against Juventus

5 Records Cristiano Ronaldo Broke During Last Night  Champions League With Juventus
 Already, Cristiano Ronaldo's name is written into just about every football record book there is but last night he added more to the growing list with Real Madrid's victory against Juventus.

1. He became the first player to score in three Champions League finals

2. He beat Lionel Messi to finish as the top scorer in this season's Champions League. He has now been top scorer in more Champions League campaigns than anyone else

3. He scored the 600th goal of his career (for club and country combined). He also scored Real Madrid's 500th Champions league goal.

4. He became the 20th player in history to win four or more European Cups

5. Ronaldo drew level with Raul on 144 Champions League appearances, putting him joint fourth on the all-time list

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Real Madrid wins the UEFA Champions League 2017

Real Madrid football club of Spain on Saturday night June 3rd beat Juventus of Italy 4-1 in Cardiff, Wales to win the UEFA Champions League trophy - making history as the first side to win the competition back to back.

Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, with one from Casemiro, one from Asensio and a Juventus goal from Mario Mandzukic ensured Real Madrid affirmed their position as the best football team in Europe.

Ronaldo with this win, is now 99.9% certain to win the 2017 Ballon D'or, cementing his immortality in the history of the football game .

Congrats to Real Madrid.

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