SPORTS UPDATE

[Edoman]

Update: Manchester United hit with £20,000 FA fine over players surrounding referee Craig Pawson during Liverpool clash






Manchester United have been hit with a £20,000 fine due to their players' conduct during their 2 - 0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, January 19. 
 
During the game, about seven United stars including Captain Harry Maguire, David de Gea, and Luke Shaw surrounded referee Craig Pawson to aggressively protest against his original decision after Roberto Firmino's goal was allowed to stand despite Virgil Van Dijk's foul on David de Gea. 
 

 
In a statement released today, the FA said: 'Manchester United FC has been fined £20,000 after admitting a breach of FA Rule E20 and accepting the standard penalty. 
 
'The club failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 26th minute of a Premier League fixture against Liverpool FC on 19 January 2020.'
 

[Edoman]

Serena Williams is knocked out of the Australian Open as her wait for a first Grand Slam since becoming a mother goes on






Tennis legend, Serena William has been knocked out of the Australian Open after she was defeated by Chinese No.1, Qiang Wang in the third round. 
 
The 38-year-old American who was aiming for a 24th Slam was beaten 6-4 6-7 7-5, meaning her wait for a first Grand Slam since becoming a mother goes on.
 

 
Speaking after the game, Williams blamed herself afterward, saying: 'I just made far too many errors to be a professional athlete today.'
 
She insisted that she can still win big again, and added; 'I definitely do believe that or I wouldn't be on tour. I don't play just to have fun. To lose is really not fun, to play to lose, personally. I seem to do well the last two slams of the year.
 

 
'I have won them all several times. Each one is definitely an opportunity for me to go out there and win. It's not even about the slams, it's about just me playing good tennis, and I didn't do that today. That is more disappointing. So it's not even about the win, it's just more about I'm better than that.
 
'She served well. I didn't return like Serena. If we were just honest with ourselves, it's all on my shoulders. I lost that match.'
 













 
Her defeat comes days after her big sister, Venus Willams, 39, was defeated by 15-year-old tennis star Coco Gauff. 
 
 

[Edoman]

SPORT
Transfer: Manchester United set to sign Ighalo

 January 24, 2020


Manchester United are interested in signing Odion Ighalo, according to Sky Sports.



Ighalo, who has previously played for Watford in the Premier League, is currently with Shanghai Shenhua.
The former Super Eagles star scored 33 goals in 82 matches during his spell at Vicarage Road.



United are also looking at Islam Slimani, who is on loan at Monaco from Leicester.

The Red Devils are considering loan offers for the two African strikers, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks for a short-term replacement for the injured Marcus Rashford.

Rashford is set for an extended spell on the sidelines, after suffering a stress fracture in his back.

[Edoman]

SPORT
EPL: Guardiola speaks on Liverpool breaking Man City’s record

 January 24, 2020


Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has admitted that Liverpool could break their 100-point record this season.



The Reds areon course to better City’s point haul from 2017-18.

Guardiola’s team followed up the next season another 98 points last season, as they pipped Liverpool to the title.



Asked if he expects Liverpool to top his City centurions, Guardiola told reporters: “Yeah it can happen. Records are there to be broken.

“We broke it when someone said we couldn’t and sooner or later it will be broken again.

“History speaks clearly about that. It is not easy to beat Liverpool, they have found a way to win games.”

[Edoman]

Manchester United fans 'planning mass walk-out at Old Trafford on February 1' as their anger towards club's owners reaches boiling point







Manchester United fans are planning to stage a mass walk out of Old Trafford stadium on the 1st of February as their dismay and anger towards owners, the Glazer family and club Chief Executive Ed Woodward, has reached a 'point of no return.'
 
                                    

 
A lack of credible investment in players, lack of winning premier league titles and bad finishes since legendary coach Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 plus reports that the club is haggling on fees for signing new players despite the club's lack of quality players over the pitch, has led the fans to decide to take matters in their hands and do a massive walk out.
 

 
The fans behind the move plan to walk out of the stadium in the 58th minute against Wolves on February 1 according to a new report by The Mirror UK. 
 
The 58th minute symbolises the remembrance of the Munich air disaster of 1958 and the walk out is designed to have maximum effect this time.
 
Fans walked out of the stadium on Wednesday following the miserly 2-0 defeat at home to Burnley and fans could be heard chanting against the club's owners, the Glazers and Ed Woodward with one fan calling for Woodward's head to be hanged.
 
Fans believe that the club has refused to back Solksjaer in the transfer window by signing top notch players despite making profit from shirt and merchandise sales off the pitch.

The Glazers have been despised by United fans ever since their takeover of the club in 2005, with the US owners having taken an estimated £1billion out of the club since then.

[Edoman]

Iheanacho's Lone Goal Sends Leicester Into FA Cup Fourth Round



Leicester held off a spirited second-half effort from Championship promotion chasers Brentford to reach the FA Cup fourth round in the final tie to be held at Griffin Park.

Kelechi Iheanacho scored the only goal of the game after just four minutes when he tapped in a cross from full-back James Justin, who had been found by Dennis Praet's superb raking pass.

Leicester were the better team in the first half and Ayoze Perez should have doubled their lead when he was sent clear by Iheanacho but Bees keeper Luke Daniels made a good save to deny him.

However, the hosts came out for the second half with a renewed vigour to their play, and they were unlucky not to equalise on the hour mark when Emiliano Marcondes' cross beat everyone and hit the post.

Foxes keeper Danny Ward was also forced into a fine save to keep out Luka Racic's volley late on before second-half substitute Bryan Mbeumo saw a goal ruled out for offside.

The youthful Bees pressed for an equaliser right up until the final whistle but the Premier League side held firm to book their place in the next round of the FA Cup.

There were emotional scenes at the full-time whistle for the home fans at the end of Griffin Park's final cup tie, with the Bees set to move to the newly built Brentford Community Stadium before the 2020-21 campaign.

Leicester goalscorer Kelechi Iheanacho, talking to BBC MOTD:
"We are happy to get the win today and go to the next round. There was a lot of pressure from them.

"It is very important as a team and as a group of players. We worked really hard to the end and stood our ground. I was a bit nervous because they kept coming. We defended well and in the end we got the win and are through."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51208458

[Edoman]

SPORT
Messi excludes Cristiano Ronaldo, names five best players in the world

 January 25, 2020


Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi, has excluded, Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo from his list of five best players in the world.

Messi, who also excluded himself from the list, said that it was nice to have Ronaldo in the La Liga because of the prestige the Portugal captain gave him when he was playing for Real Madrid.

According to him, Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard, Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Barcelona’s Luis Suarez and Paris Saint-Germain duo, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar are his top five players in world football.


Asked to name his five top players in the world, Messi told Spanish Newspaper, Marca: “It was nice to have Cristiano Ronaldo in La Liga because of the prestige he gave him, although it was hard to see him raise titles.

“[But] excluding him [Ronaldo] and me, the best players in the world are Mbappe, Neymar, Hazard, Suarez and Kun [Aguero].”

Messi won his sixth Ballon D’ Or last year ahead of Ronaldo and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.

[Edoman]

Transfer: Cavani takes decision on signing for Man Utd

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 January 25, 2020


Paris Saint-Germain striker, Edinson Cavani, has rejected a move to Manchester United, the UK Mirror reports.



United are in the market for strikers after Marcus Rashford suffered a double stress fracture to his back.
Rashford is expected to be out of action for approximately three months, leaving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer desperately upfront.

Cavani is looking to leave PSG, having submitted in a transfer request.

The Ligue 1 side are hoping to get around £20m for the Uruguay striker, with his current contract set to expire this summer.

Cavani is believed to be keen on Atletico Madrid, despite interest from other Premier League clubs like United and Chelsea.



United’s contract proposal offered was worth around £10m-a-year, plus a huge signing-on bonus, reportedly the same terms offered by Atletico.

[Edoman]

FootballerJordan Sinnott dies after 'being assaulted' hours before match








Former Huddersfield football star, Jordan Sinnott, has died after being assaulted in Nottinghamshire in the early hours of Saturday January 25.
 
The English midfielder suffered a fractured skull in the 2am attack in Retford, Notts.
 
Police said the 25-year-old, who is on loan at Matlock Town from Alfreton Town, was found unconscious at around 2am on Saturday morning in Retford, Nottinghamshire.
 
Sinnott received treatment at the scene and was rushed to a hospital where he was being treated for his life-threatening injuries.
 
Police were called to the Dominie Cross pub in Retford following a report that up to eight people had been involved in a disturbance in the car park just after 11:25pm on Friday.
 
A 27-year-old man has been arrested and remains in police custody. Detectives are continuing their enquiries into both incidents.
 
Matlock and Alfreton called off their matches this weekend, citing "tragic and unforeseen consequences".
 
His club, Alfreton Town FC and his on-loan side, Matlock Town FC, have now released statements saying that he has died at around 7pm.
 
In a statement on their website, Alfreton Town said: "We are saddened and heartbroken to report that Jordan passed away just before 7pm this evening.
 
"His family and friends were with him at his bedside and we send our sincere condolences to them all at this very sad time.
 
"Jordan was a model footballer and an exceptional talent during his time at the Impact Arena and had a close affinity with both the manager, assistant and the players he took the field with.
 
"The club would ask for privacy to be respected to all at the Reds and to Jordan’s family and friends during this delicate time.
 
"Rest easy Sinbad, we will never forget you."
 
Matlock Town FC has also confirmed the death, saying: "We are very sorry to report that Jordan Sinnott has passed away just before 7pm this evening.
 
"His family and friends were with him at his bedside and we send our sincere condolences to them all at this very sad time."

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[Edoman]

SPORT
Lukaku reveals conversation with Solskjaer before leaving Man Utd

 January 26, 2020


Inter Milan striker, Romelu Lukaku, has insisted he made the right decision to leave Manchester United last summer.

Lukaku joined United from Everton for £75million in July 2017 scoring 42 goals in his two seasons at the club, before moving to Inter in August last year.
The Belgian has been in superb form for Antonio Conte’s side, scoring 18 goals to help the club sustain a challenge for the Serie A title.

Lukaku’s current form and United’s interest in signing a striker this month after Marcus Rashford’s back injury, have raised questions as to the wisdom of allowing Lukaku to leave Old Trafford.

But, in an interview with Sky Sports News, the 26-year-old said the decision was his and it had worked out well for United as well.
“I think I had to re-find myself. Last year was difficult for me on the professional side because stuff was not going how I wanted and I was not performing as well… and I just came to the conclusion that it was time for me to change the environment.

“I made my decision around March, and I went to the manager’s office (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer) and I told him it was time for me to find something else.”

“I think I made the right decision and I think Manchester United now has made space for the younger players to come through so I think it was a bit of a win-win situation for both of us,” Lukaku said.

[Edoman]

SPORT
Serie A: Why Inter Milan signed Victor Moses – Antonio Conte

 January 25, 2020


Inter Milan boss, Antonio Conte, has revealed why he signed Victor Moses on loan from Chelsea.

Recall that the Italian also brought in 34-year-old Ashley Young from Manchester United this January.

Conte, who made Moses one of his key players while at Chelsea, said that he brought in the former Nigeria international as a replacement for right wing-back Valentino Lazaro who joined Newcastle United.

According to him, Young was signed to provide cover for the injured Kwadwo Asamoah.
Conte spoke on Saturday during his press conference ahead of the visit of Cagliari.
The former Juventus boss said, “Transfer window?

” We added Young to make up for Asamoah’s serious injury, on the right you talk about Moses, but he arrived because at the same time Lazaro left.

“There are additions, but there are also departures and injuries.

“And we aren’t buying half of the starters on Real Madrid, but rather players that arrive on loan and are 34 years old.”

[Edoman]

Fury vs Wilder rematch: Anthony Joshua predicts winner


Anthony Joshua has said he expects British heavyweight rival, Tyson Fury, to beat Deontay Wilder in their much-anticipated rematch in Las Vegas.

Fury and Wilder will step back into the ring on February 22.
Both men will be hoping to clinch victory, following their controversial draw in 2018.

“I just think that the man that came so close the first time won’t let it go the second time.

“People say that Fury won the first fight. Who knows? I hope he’s in better condition this time around.

“Providing he’s been consistent and he’s got rid of the rust and the cobwebs, he should be victorious. He came so close to doing it the first time, he’s a man who can do it again for sure,” Joshua said according to SportingLife.

Joshua has been tipped to take part in a undisputed world title fight against the winner of the Wilder-Fury rematch. And believes a clash against his British rival would be easier to make.

“I hope Tyson wins because I think it will be easier to make that fight,” he added.
“He’s with Frank Warren and I think it will be easier to make a deal with Fury.”

[Edoman]

SPORT
LaLiga: What Setién said about De Jong after Barcelona’s 2-0 defeat to Valencia


 January 26, 2020


Barcelona manager, Quique Setién has singled out midfielder, Frenkie De Jong for criticism following the Holland international’s display in his side’s La Liga 2-0 defeat to Valencia on Saturday.

Setién believes the former Ajax star has been playing in a different way from the past few months.
Maxi Gomez’s strike and a Jordi Alba own goal gave Valencia all three points against Barcelona at Mestalla.

It is Setien’s first defeat as Barcelona manager in just his second La Liga game in charge of the Camp Nou club after replacing Ernesto Valverde some days ago.

“De Jong has not had the best of games,” Setién was quoted by Livesoccertv as saying after the match.

“But it wasn’t just him, it was also the rest of the team. They are not getting what their team-mates are doing, and Frenkie in particular had been playing in a certain way during the past few months, and now we’re asking other things from him.”

Setién added: “We are taking under consideration the position each player had and the understanding they have on our general idea. It’s one thing to see it on the board and a totally different one to do it on the pitch. “

[Edoman]

Serie A: Gattuso angry Ronaldo scored in Napoli’s 2-1 win over Juventus


 January 27, 2020


Napoli manager, Gennaro Gattuso, said he was angry that his players allowed Cristiano Ronaldo fire in a consolation goal during their 2-1 win over Juventus on Sunday.

It was Napoli’s first home league win since October and it followed a midweek Coppa Italia victory over Lazio.
Gattuso said he is not getting carried away with his side’s improvement.

Ronaldo’s 90th minute strike could not stop Juve from being inflicted their second defeat in Serie A this season.

But Gattuso said he was pained by the goal, “I was angry at the Ronaldo goal, because we can’t let anything slip at the moment,” Gattuso told Sky Sport Italia .
“We beat two good teams now, fine, but we are still in trouble, still a long way back and need to keep pushing.

“I go home tonight and will still keep thinking about the [2-0] defeat to Fiorentina, because that was just shocking.

“I congratulate the lads for the work they’ve done over the last seven days, but we have to keep going like this now, do not let up, focus on Napoli 24 hours a day.

“We didn’t do that well in possession today, but did far better when covering, blocking off the passes and the overlapping runs were timed properly.”

[Edoman]

Serie A: I’m happy Napoli defeated Juventus – Sarri


 January 27, 2020


Juventus boss, Maurizio Sarri has said that he was happy for Napoli after they defeated Juventus in their Serie A clash on Sunday.

Juventus were handed their second defeat in the league this season and also missed the chance to move six points clear of Inter Milan.

Cristiano Ronaldo netted his eighth goal in eight games in a row, but it was not enough to help Juve after Piotr Zielinski and Lorenzo Insigne put Napoli 2-0 ahead.

Sarri told Sky Sports Italia that he was glad to see his former club, Napoli arrest their slump, even against his current club.
“I am happy for the lads, as I will always be fond of them.

“If you have to lose, I guess I’d rather it be here to help Napoli get out of their current problems. I’d rather they started winning next week, of course.

“Clearly, the game takes over and you have to detach yourself from everything around that. Napoli represented a special moment in my life and it’s always pleasing and emotional to be back here.

“We should have felt more motivated to break away [from Inter] rather than less, otherwise this will mean we are weak. I would hope not.

“If that situation weighed on us, even unconsciously, it means we are not ready yet.”

[Edoman]

FA Cup: Klopp reveals players responsible for shock 2-2 draw with Shrewsbury

 January 27, 2020


Jurgen Klopp has blamed his Liverpool defenders after their shocking 2-2 draw at Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup on Sunday.

He said the players have only themselves to blame for allowing the League One team to earn the draw and force a replay.

A Curtis Jones strike and an own goal from Donald Love had put Liverpool in a comfortable lead until Jason Cummings came on from the substitute bench to score twice for the hosts inside 15 minutes.

Klopp pointed to a succession of poor passes from his side, particularly out of defence, as giving Shrewsbury the momentum to embark on a famous comeback.

“First and foremost I have to say congratulations to Shrewsbury, it was well deserved,” he said. “It was the minimum they deserved with the chances they had.

“Why they had the chances? Because we lost the ball in the wrong moment, we played a few really difficult passes which were difficult to control.

“We never got used to the pitch 100% today and that kept them in the game.

“We scored a wonderful goal to make it 1-0, really good football and a really nice goal.

“Then we got the gift, the present immediately after half-time of them scoring our second goal themselves.

“But it didn’t give us a chance to calm the game down or whatever.

“We conceded the penalty after losing the ball and they had a counter-attack. The second goal we lost two challenges in a row and they finished the situation off really brilliantly. That’s it.”

[Edoman]

SPORT
Transfer: Christian Eriksen to undergo medical on Monday at new club

 January 27, 2020


Tottenham Hotspur playmaker, Christian Eriksen is set to undergo medical at Inter Milan on Monday, according to Sky Sport.

The Denmark international is close to sealing a £16.8m move to the Serie A giants, which could see him earn up to £320,000 per week.
Eriksen, who was left out of Tottenham’s FA Cup fourth round 1-1 draw against Southampton on Saturday, has agreed on a personal term with Inter Milan to join Antonio Conte’s men in this January’s transfer window.

Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta has expressed confidence that a deal for Eriksen will be concluded in the next few days.

Marotta said: “You all know that we are negotiating with Tottenham. I am optimistic and I hope everything can be concluded quickly because the market closes on Friday and we hope to conclude the negotiations in the next few days.”
Eriksen has made 305 appearances during his six-and-a-half-year spell with Spurs.

The 27-year-old has scored 69 goals and registered 89 assists for Tottenham.
Meanwhile Tottenham manager, Jose Mourinho has refused to blame the club for Eriksen’s delay transfer move to Inter Milan.
“You can read what you want to read. I don’t want to say anything,” Mourinho said.

“I just want to say that this situation shouldn’t happen on the 25th of January, and that it is not Tottenham’s fault that on the 25th of January, we are in this situation.

“The only thing I can say is, Eriksen, since I arrived, has behaved in a very, very professional way with me and with the team.

“Tottenham is the last one to blame in this situation but to be on the 25th of January in a situation like this is not nice.”

[Edoman]

Ex-NBA superstar, Kobe Bryant, dies in helicopter crash

 January 26, 2020


Kobe Bryant, a basketball legend, has died in a helicopter crash.

The accident occurred in Calabasas on Sunday, TMZ Sports has confirmed.
Kobe was traveling with at least 3 other people in his private helicopter when it went down and fire broke out.

Emergency personnel responded, but nobody on board survived. 5 people are confirmed dead.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Kobe, who used a helicopter to travel for years, was known for commuting from Newport Beach, CA to the STAPLES Center in DTLA in his Sikorsky S-76 chopper.

KB is survived by his wife Vanessa, and their four daughters — Gianna, Natalia and Bianca and their newborn Capri.
Kobe won five NBA championships and the 2008 MVP Award with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He retired in 2016 after scoring 60 points in his final game

The Lakers retired both of Kobe’s jerseys, number 8 and 24, the only player in team history to receive that honor.
Kobe won an Oscar for his short film, “Dear Basketball,” in 2018.

[Edoman]

SPORT
FA Cup: What Solskjaer said after Man Utd’s 6-0 win over Tranmere

 January 26, 2020


Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has slammed his critics following their 6-0 win over Tranmere in the FA Cup fourth round.

Speaking to the media after the game, Solskjaer claimed that “it wasn’t just the Tranmere people” who wanted an upset on Sunday.
First-half goals from Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot, Jesse Lingard, Phil Jones and Anthony Martial ended the game as a contest.

Mason Greenwood added another from the penalty spot in the second half, to seal an emphatic victory.
Solskjaer was under pressure ahead of the Tranmere game, after consecutive defeats to Liverpool and Burnley in the Premier League.
“It wasn’t just the Tranmere people who wanted an upset, there were a lot of others,” Solskjaer said.

“You can see everyone wanted us to fail but it doesn’t bother me. I can’t be up and down [emotionally]. I’m happy but won’t relax.”
When asked about what he was most proud of following the win, Solskjaer said: “I think the players, the way they went about the game on that pitch. We played football the way it should be played and it was an exceptional performance at times because that pitch was very, very difficult to play on.”

[Edoman]

Gernot Rohr praises Super Eagles players, Samuel Kalu and Josh Maja after visiting them at his former club Bordeaux









Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has praised new Super Eagles players Samuel Kalu and Josh Maja, who both play for French Ligue one club, Bordeaux.

 

The Franco-German tactician paid a surprise visit to Maja as well as Samuel Kalu in France ahead of March’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.

                                     

 

Maja has scored seven times and has provided three assists for Paulo Sousa’s Bordeaux side this campaign while Kalu has only played 36 minutes this season for the club but Rohr, who also played for Bordeaux from the late 70s to the late 80s and equally managed the side in the 90s,  believes the two Super Eagles stars can shine in the French league and ultimately the Super Eagles.

                      
In an interview with RIG, 90.7 FM, Bordeaux , Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr said; "Samuel Kalu is a fast winger, dribbler who can easily eliminate any opponent. He can play on the right, he can play on the left, he is a real winger who can help a little behind obviously like any winger should do in the defensive phase,'' 

 

Talking about Kalu's strength, Rohr said:  "His strengths are dribbling, speed, shots on goal . He can score nice goals as he has done with us, especially against Benin .

"He gave us the victory from the left , by shooting a magnificent ball. He has a very pleasant character in a group."

 



 

Rohr went on to praise the attacking qualities of Maja, labeling him a ' real goalscorer' and said he will invite him to the Super Eagles of he maintains his form.

"It's the same for Josh Maja , a very young player, who comes from England and who we already had in our scouting list, when he signed for Girondins.

"He hinted at his talent several times, he joined us for the match in Ukraine. Everything obviously depends on the playing time he can have, he is a real goalscorer.

"He is a scorer who is also technical, who certainly has a great future too, in a style of speed, of movement. Very good mentality too .

"I saw them both at the Haillan training center, and it's very nice to have good players like that at the Girondins,'' added Rohr.

“Confidence in themselves is important, but also the confidence of the staff.'

'When a player feels that a coach appreciates him, that he wants to help him, that he counts on him, etc, it gives him a boost.”