SPORTS UPDATE

[Edoman]

EPL: Abramovich takes decision on selling Chelsea

 November 25, 2019





Chelsea chairman, Bruce Buck, has revealed that the club owner, Roman Abramovich, will not entertain “bargain bids”.

Abramovich had issues renewing his British visa last year and has not been seen at home games this season.


The Russian billionaire also cancelled plans to redevelop Stamford Bridge.
It has been speculated that Abramovich is looking to sell the club, after taking Israeli citizenship in May last year.

“I have never heard a word from Abramovich: ‘Let’s get this ready for a sale,’ or something,” Buck told the UK Guardian.


“Because of the political situation, there are people who think they might want to buy Chelsea at a bargain. We do get inquiries and we really have nothing to say to these people.

“In terms of being involved, in looking at new players, talking about whether to extend players’ contracts… [he] was always intimately involved in that from day one and is just as intimately involved now.”

SPORT

[Edoman]

EPL: ‘I don’t want Man City to win league title’ – Pep Guardiola

 November 25, 2019





Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said it is not important whether or not his side wins the Premier League title this season, ESPN reports.

Guardiola insists that he only demands his team push Liverpool as far as they can.


Man City remains nine points behind leaders Liverpool, after a 2-1 win over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

“I think it’s not a good message for society, for our kids, for our teenagers, showing them that just the winner is perfect,” Guardiola said.

“We are creating a depressed people, loser people.


“It is not, what is important is the effort, the commitment, the situation. In football I know we want to win but just win once and the other is a disaster? It’s not, it doesn’t work in that way. 

That’s why I said to the players relax, do your job, we will see in December, January, February, March and we will see what position we are in.

“If the position is far away, OK it’s far away. We are going to try again next season.”


SPORT

[Edoman]

Ronaldo Shares Training Pictures To Announce His Return From Injury 



Cristiano Ronaldo took to his social media page to share training pictures to claim his return from injury.

Recall that the Portuguese missed the weekend win against Atalanta which saw Juventus win 3-2.

Goals from Higuain (brace) and late strike by Paolo Dybala.


Juventus travel during the mid week to face Atletico Madrid.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/11/im-back-ronaldo-shares-training.html?m=1

[Edoman]

See the gym and stadium specially built for Anthony Joshua's rematch with Andy Ruiz in Saudi Arabia (photos)




                     


Former Boxing heavyweight champion of the world, Anthony Joshua on Sunday landed at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ahead of his must win rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr on December 7.
 
            
 
Joshua who shockingly lost to Ruiz in June, decided to land in Riyadh two weeks early with his entourage and was quickly taken on Monday to the stadium and gym specially built for the fight by the Saudi Arabian government.
 
In photos posted by his agent/promoter, Eddie Hearn, a ring could be seen positioned in the centre of the gym space, with a corner filled with punch bags that the former champion was quick to test out.
 

 
               
 
Joshua later went to Diriyah, the nearby heritage site which will actually host the bout, and had a look at the purpose-built arena in construction.
 
Eddie Hearn tweeted: “AJ touches down in Saudi! @diriyahseason @skysportsboxing @dazn_usa”, alongside a video of Joshua overlooking the stadium.
 
See more photos below.
 


 
                

[Edoman]

'He's black' - Brescia FC president Massimo Cellino makes racist remark about Mario Balotelli














Massimo Cellino, the president of Italian football club, Brescia has made a racist remark about his own club's striker, Mario Balotelli.
 
This comes days after the former Manchester City and Liverpool striker was a target of racist chants during a match at Hellas Verona. The incident made the 29-year-old forcefully play the ball into the crowd and even threatened to leave the field.
 

 
On Saturday, Balotelli was dropped from his club's 3-0 defeat by Roma after he reportedly stormed out of training following an argument with his coach Fabio Grosso.
 
When asked about Balotelli on Monday, Massimo Cellino said: 'He's black, what can I say, he's working on clearing himself but he's having a lot of difficulty.'
 
Brescia quickly released a statement insisting that their president was only joking in his comment. 
 
The statement read: 'Concerning the declarations released this afternoon by President Massimo Cellino, referring to our player Mario Balotelli, Brescia Calcio evidently deals with a paradoxical joke, clearly misunderstood, released in an attempt to defuse excessive media exposure and with intent to protect the player himself.'
 
 

[Edoman]

EPL: Pogba accused of faking injury to force Real Madrid move




Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba, has recovered from injury but does not want to play for the club, according to Sport Witness.

It is claimed that sources from inside the Old Trafford dressing room, insist Pogba is fit.
The 26-year-old is now so desperate to leave Old Trafford and join Real Madrid in January, he has effectively gone on strike.

Solskjaer, however, maintains the player is still recovering from an ankle injury.
The Norwegian who refused to sell Pogba in the summer is now willing to allow him leave.

Pogba has not featured since United’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the end of September and Solskjaer was targeting the Manchester Derby on December 7 as a potential comeback date for the World Cup winner.

[Edoman]

SPORT

Real Madrid vs PSG: What Zidane said about Champions League clash

 November 26, 2019



Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane has insisted that the Los Blancos are “not looking to get revenge” when they host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Zidane’s men were beaten 3-0 by PSG in September in their opening Group A fixture.

“We aren’t looking to get revenge after what happened earlier in the group,” Zidane said at his pre-match press conference on Monday.

“But we want to play a good game of course and maintain our form.
“It’s the kind of game where you can confirm you’re on a good run. We want to win because we’re at home and we want to play good football.
“I want to see my side play 90 minutes at their best.”

The kick-off time for the match is 9pm.

[Edoman]

Solksjaer is 'fed up' and ready to sell Paul Pogba for £128million in January




               


Manchester United head coach Ole Gunnaer Solksjaer is reportedly fed up with Paul Pogba's tactics and wants the French star to leave in January.
 

 
According to Spanish media outlet, Cope, Pogba is ready to leave Manchester United and has sworn not to play for Manchester United again as he doesn't want to aggravate the ankle injury which has seen him play only 5 epl matches this season.
 

 
Pogba was a top target for Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane last summer and wants to push for a move to Madrid in January and Solksjaer is reportedly ready to let him leave after trying his best to hold onto him during the summer.

Cope's report states; 'Despite refusing to let the French midfielder leave last summer, Solskjaer is now warming to the idea of allowing Pogba to leave Old Trafford for a fee of around £128million.'
'Pogba, who has not played since September 30, is rehabilitating after an ankle injury and has spent time in Miami this month.'
'He was pictured playing basketball with Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, but is said to be refusing to get back on the pitch for United as he does not want to risk his chances of earning a move away by returning to action too soon'

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[Edoman]

Antoinne Griezmann admits he lacks confidence playing for Barca and finally addresses his poor relationship with Lionel Messi



                   


France star, Antoine Griezmann has finally spoken about his relationship with Lionel Messi after reports emanated that both strikers don't get along with each other.

Griezmann, signed from Atletico Madrid in the summer for €120million, has lacked chemistry with Lionel Messi, even stating in an interview that they hardly talk to each other during training.
 
               
 
Griezmann has scored four LaLiga goals and supplied three assists for Barca, however, his performances have been underwhelming with Spanish press claiming Barca might sell him to resign Neymar next summer.
 
Ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund, Griezmann told UEFA.com: "I'm in the process of learning and understanding how my team-mates play as everything is new to me.
"I'm still trying to read the runs and off the ball movement from the likes of Luis Suarez, Leo Messi and Ousmane Dembele along with the midfielders. It's my intention to get to grips with this as soon as possible so I can offer my all to the team but at times it's tricky'
"At present when I get the ball I have a certain lack of confidence in when to pass or when to shoot on goal, this I'm sure is something that will change with the passing of time."
 
Last month, Griezmann admitted to finding it "difficult" to connect with Messi as neither of them are naturally big talkers.
"I'm pretty shy and sometimes have problems talking to others," Griezmann said.
 "It's rare that I strike up a conversation. Luis [Suarez], Leo and myself have had meals together and the relationship can only improve over time."
"He's (Messi) the type of player that we're not going to see again for at least 40 years and it's a joy to watch him in action. It really is a privilege to play alongside him."

[Edoman]

Update: Ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso acquitted of tax fraud in Spain






Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder, Xabi Alonso has been acquitted of tax fraud in Spain. 

The Spainaird, 38, and current coach of Segunda División B club Real Sociedad B was tried for three counts of tax fraud state prosecutors said he had committed between 2010 and 2012. He was playing for Real Madrid at the time.

According to prosecutors, the case revolved around nearly £2million Alonso evaded in tax from image rights. But the former footballer repeatedly protested his innocence and even decided to go to trial instead of paying the Spanish Treasury the tax it was claiming plus fines. 

His trial ended last month and he was facing two and a half years in prison after state prosecutors lowered their initial demand that he will be jailed for 5- years. 

On Tuesday, November 26,  Alonso was cleared by Madrid's Audiencia Provincial Court in a 30-page ruling.

The judges said in their lengthy ruling they 'did not coincide' with prosecution claims Alonso had ceded his image rights to Madeira-based Kardzali as part of an operation designed simply to avoid paying proper taxes in Spain.

Alonso's tax advisor Ivan Zaldua and Ignasi Maestre who said the retired footballer used to avoid paying taxes on his images rights, were also acquitted of any wrongdoing.

The judges  concluded in their written sentence, saying: 'The facts do not constitute the crimes against the Spanish Treasury which the defendants have been charged with. Therefore we are acquitting all three of the accused of any wrongdoing.'




 

[Edoman]

I'll make history again - Andy Ruiz Jr vows to beat Anthony Joshua for a second time as he arrives in Saudi Arabia ahead of their rematch












Andy Ruiz Jr has sent a strong warning to Anthony Joshua ahead of their highly-anticipated heavyweight rematch next week.
 
The Mexican boxer who first defeated the British-Nigerian boxer in June, arrived at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Tuesday, November 26, for their rematch on December 7.
 

 
When asked how he felt about the fight, Ruiz said: 'It feels good. You know I made history in New York and I'll make history again in Saudi Arabia.' 
 
This comes after Ruiz Jr took a swipe at Joshua, claiming his decision to lose weight ahead of their rematch could be a mistake
 
'I saw videos where he looked slimmer. I don't know if that's an advantage or a disadvantage, ' Ruiz Jr told Sky Sports.
 
'I don't know if he will take the punches as well as he did when he weighed more.'
 
Ruiz Jr who also lost some weight added: 'Me? People are saying I lost too much weight, I won't be strong, he will move me around. I am losing eight pounds from what I weighed on June 1. I'll still be the same, I'll still be strong. 
 

[Edoman]

Rihanna pictured watching Cristiano Ronaldo & teammates in UEFA champions league clash against Atletico Madrid




          


Pop star, Rihanna was spotted tonight at the VIP center of Juventus' Allianz Arena stadium watching the UEFA Champions league between Juventus and Atletico Madrid.
 
Juventus' official twitter account recognized her presence with photos of her during the game and a video of her arrival at the stadium.
 


 
Juventus won the match against Atletico Madrid as a spectacular free-kick from Paulo Dybala guaranteed the Italian side top spot in Group D.

[Edoman]

Nuno Espirito Santo is the leading candidate to be Arsenal's next manager

Unai Emery's future is under scrutiny after a poor start to the season

His position is being considered on a game-by-game basis by the board

Raul Sanllehi has a long-standing relationship with Nuno's agent Jorge Mendes.

The future of Gunners boss Unai Emery is under scrutiny after the club's poor start to the season.

The Spaniard's position is being considered on a game-by-game basis, and head of football Raul Sanllehi has a long-standing relationship with Nuno's agent Jorge Mendes.

Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with a move across north London after leaving Tottenham.

But Nuno has impressed the Arsenal hierarchy with the job he has done at Wolves.

The 45-year-old Portuguese manager led Wolves to the Championship title two years ago and his enterprising side finished seventh in the Premier League last season.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7729043/Arsenal-set-sights-Wolves-boss-Nuno-Espirito-Santo.html

[Edoman]

UEFA Champions League: Keylor Navas the hero as Real Madrid draw 2-2 with PSG despite having over 26 goal attempts



        


Late goals from Sarabia and Kylian Mbappe was all that was needed by PSG to avoid a defeat by Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League heavyweight clash on Tuesday night.
 
Karim Benzema scored an early goal for Madrid in the 17th minute, and for much of the game, Real Madrid dominated the midfield and tested PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas with multiple attempts at goal.
 
              
 
In the second half, VAR had to be put to the test after it seemed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois fouled a PSG player. But after multiple consultations with the Video Assistant Referee, the Referee rescinded the Red card handed to Thibaut Courtois and canceled the 1-1 awarded in favour of PSG.
      
 
Real Madrid scored again through Benzema after multiple saves by Navas in the second half, and it seemed like a confirmed win for Zinedine Zidane's men who had to start the second half against a more determined PSG team with Neymar back in the second half line up.
 
With the scores at 2-0, Kylian Mbappe pulled one back before Pablo Sarabia lashed in a late equaliser.
 
A Gareth Bale last minute free-kick hit the back of the net in Real Madrid vs PSG extraordinary 2-2 draw and Real Madrid with up to 30 attempts at goal, will feel like the result didn't reflect the true state of the match.
     

[Edoman]

UEFA Champions League : Jose Mourinho thanks ball boy after he helped Tottenham come from behind to beat Olympiacos 4-2



         


New Tottenham coach, Jose Mourinho has thanked the club's ball-boy for helping to set up Harry Kane's equaliser against Olympiacos after Tottenham dramatically came from a 2-0 result, in the first 30 minutes to end the match 4-2 in Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League clash.
 
       
 
Mourinho starting his first champions league game as manager of Tottenham, must have believed the match will be an easy win for his side, but was left stunned after his side ended the first half with a 2-1 loss 

With Tottenham trailing 2-1, the ball went out for a throw-in to Tottenham and the young ball boy raced to throw the ball to Serge Aurier.
Aurier then found Lucas Moura with his throw and the Brazilian crossed for Harry Kane, who slotted home the equaliser.
 
Tottenham later scored two more goals to end the match 4-2, but Mourinho went to thank the ball boy involved, saying his efforts made them win the match.
 
   
 
Mourinho, who high-fived and hugged him,  praised the ballboy after the game. 
 
Speaking to BT Sport, Mourinho said: 'I love intelligent ballboys. I was a brilliant ball boy as a kid and this kid was brilliant. He understands the game and he got an assist.'
 'To do that, you have to be a very good ballboy. I was, between 10-16 years old. The kid is a very good ballboy.
"He reads the game. he's not there just to look at the stands. I tried to invite him to the dressing-room, but he disappeared.' 
 
BT Sport pundit Glenn Hoddle added: 'That was brilliant from the ball boy because he's got another ball in his hand. It's obviously multiball.'
 
Gary Lineker said: 'Does he get an assist in fantasy football or something?'. 

[Edoman]

Chukwueze relishes strike against Celta Vigo
November 27, 2019
 
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SUPER Eagles mesmerizing winger, Samuel Chukwueze is delighted about his scoring form after netting in back-to-back matches for the first time  in the on-going  La Liga  campaign.

The 20-year-old continued his fine form from the international break by scoring his side’s equalizer in Sunday’s 3-1 loss at home to Celta Vigo and now wants to get into more scoring positions to help better his team’s chances in future games.

“Obviously, it always a pleasure to get on the score sheet. After a good international break, I came back feeling refreshed and was happy to have scored against Celta Vigo but unfortunately, we were not lucky to get the desired points.

“The results in the last few weeks have not been favourable and we are very much determined to turn things around. The whole squad is working hard and I believe we will start getting the desired result and push back to the top half of the table,” Chukwueze  told AOIFootball.com.

Having now scored three league goals already this term, Chukwueze further revealed that he hopes to beat his last season’s tally in terms of goals and assists.

The Yellow Submarines currently sit 12th on the league table with 18 points and will need to do more to overturn their recent poor form of results after failing to win any of their last four league outings.

[Edoman]

UEFA Champions League: Osimhen’s scoring form to trouble Ajax
November 27, 2019
 

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TROUBLED French side Lille OSC will hope Victor Osimhen will continue his terrific home scoring form against visiting Ajax at the Stade Pierre Mauroy tonight.

LOSC are out of contention in Group H now with just one point from four games but they will want to get a result in their last home game against leaders Ajax.

Christophe Galtier’s side currently in crisis with no win in their last four games and just one win in the last ten matches in all competitions and Les Dogues’ 2-0 loss at Paris Saint-Germain last  Friday extended their run without an away victory to 13 matches in all competitions (five  draws and eight losses) and has picked up only two points from their six Ligue 1 away fixtures this season.

Osimhen, summer signing from Charleroi, scored in LOSC’s first six home games of the season in all competitions and eight goals in all competitions. His goal at Valencia on Matchday 4 of the Champions League is his only one in his last six LOSC appearances, home and away.

He missed Friday’s encounter with Paris through suspension after a brilliant run with the Super Eagles last week in CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.

The 20-year-old was on target as Nigeria beat Benin (2-1) and Lesotho (4-2), scoring one goal in the first game and two in the second, in which he also provided two assists.

Meanwhile, a victory for either Chelsea or Valencia at the Estadio de Mestalla will seal qualification to the knockout stages in Group H’s other deciding match.

Group F leaders, Barcelona will book their place in the last 16 if they beat Borussia Dortmund at the Camp Nou and Inter Milan fails to beat Peter Olayinka’s Slavia Prague in the Czech Rupublic.

A victory for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool against Napoli at Anfield will guarantee them top spot as well as qualification to the knockouts in Group E.

[Edoman]

Manchester City owner, Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan sells 10% of his shares in the club for $500 million






Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, owner of English Premier League champions, Manchester City and City Football Group, has sold about 10 per cent of the shares to Silver Lake, a private equity investor for about $500 million.  
 
The deal values City Football Group at US$4.8B post-investment. Apart from its ownership of Manchester City, CFG is the owner of football clubs and related businesses, including New York City FC, Melbourne City FC, Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, Club Atletico Torque in Uruguay, Girona FC in Spain and Sichuan Jiuniu FC in China.  
 
The company has more than 2,000 employees in 12 locations globally, overseeing more than 1,500 players and 2,500 games annually, and delivering a unique global platform to its commercial partners.  T
 
he proceeds from the investment will be used by City Football Group to fund international business growth opportunities and develop further CFG technology and infrastructure assets. No existing CFG shareholders are selling equity as a result of this primary capital investment. Abu Dhabi United Group, the investment vehicle owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, remains the majority CFG shareholder ( about 77%).  
 
In addition, about 12% of CFG equity remains held by a consortium of Chinese institutional investors led by China’s leading media and entertainment conglomerate CMC Inc. Pursuant to the agreement, the Board of the City Football Group Holding Company will increase from eight to nine members.  
 
Egon Durban, a Managing Partner and Managing Director of Silver Lake, will represent Silver Lake as the ninth CFG board member.

“Silver Lake is a global leader in technology investing, and we are delighted by both the validation that their investment in CFG represents, and the opportunities for further growth that their partnership brings.
We and Silver Lake share the strong belief in the opportunities being presented by the convergence of entertainment, sports and technology and the resulting ability for CFG to generate long-term growth and new revenue streams globally,” said Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of City Football Group.

[Edoman]

Zlatan Ibrahimovic becomes a co-owner of football club Hammarby








Former Manchester United and AC Milan striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been announced a co-owner of Swedish football club, Hammarby.
 
The Swedish legend first posted a picture of a Hammarby shirt to his Instagram account on Tuesday, prompting speculation that he may seal a move to the club as a free agent after leaving LA Galaxy recently. But it was later revealed by Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) that half of their stake in Hammarby have been sold to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 
 
"Hammarby is a fantastic club with passionate supporters and has great respect in both Stockholm and Sweden," Ibrahimovic told the club's website. 
 
"I have always liked the club and the fans, since then I am impressed with what the club has done in recent years, both on and off the pitch.
 
"Being able to join and develop Hammarby forward feels both fun and exciting."
 
Hammarby chairman Richard von Yxkull added: "This is still new to us, but of course very exciting.
 
"Spontaneously the timing feels good, we have had a strong development in recent years and next year we play in Europe.
 
"To then get a person like Zlatan Ibrahimovi? into the club, with the passion and winning mentality he stands for feels right.
 
"It is too early to say anything in detail about how Zlatan can contribute to Hammarby Football, but there is clearly very great potential in the collaboration."
 
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward who is currently a free agent following his departure from LA Galaxy at the end of the MLS season has been linked with a number of European clubs, including Italian sides Tottenham, Napoli, AC Milan, and Bologna.





 

[Edoman]

 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer: Brazil Defeats Nigeria 12 - 2 In Paraguay








Brazil finish top of Group D after lopsided win

Rain wasn't the only thing in the air during the final group stage match of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019, as the goals also poured in as Brazil finished at the top of Group D with ease.

Mauricinho and Lucao put Brazil ahead before Egan-Osi Ekujumi gave the Super Sand Eagles a glimmer of hope with his tidy finish.

Rodrigo added a third with a driven left-footed finish into the far corner, but Nigeria were back to within one again when captain Azeez Abu carved out a one-on-one chance and finished confidently past Mao. However, Lucao got his second on the night with a precise volley.

Brazil pulled away completely in the third period as Rodrigo completed a hat-trick, highlighted by an impressively-high bicycle kick, while Bokinha scored a brace and Rafinha, Bruno Xavier, Catarino and Filipe all got on the scoresheet.

Brazil will face Russia in the quarter-finals after the Russians finished in second place in Group C.

Source: https://ngg.ng/2019/11/27/2019-fifa-beach-soccer-brazil-defeat-nigeria-12-2-in-paraguay/