SPORTS UPDATE

[Edoman]

Bordeaux announces Super Eagles striker Josh Maja as winner of Top Scorer Award







Following the conclusion of the French football season due to Coronavirus, French football club, Bordeaux have announced Nigerian striker Josh Maja as it's top scorer for the 2019/2020 season after the English born striker scored 8 goals in 24 appearances for the club.

The French government announced last week that sporting activities and leagues have been canceled for the rest of the season due to Coronavirus pandemic and clubs are now announcing winners of individual gongs and awards.
 
Maja who got his first Super Eagles call up in September 2019 for the friendly against Ukraine, was tied on 8 goals with two other players, but was given the award based on the fact that he had played less minutes than the two other players.


 
Announcing the news on their website, Bordeaux wrote;

''The No. 7 scored seven goals in 26 games (including 20 starts). He beat by a small goal a trio composed of Hwang Ui-Jo, Josh Maja and Nicolas de Préville. The best Bordeaux goalscorer is ranked 22nd nationally . The three previously named Bordeaux residents are 28th, 30th and 33rd.

''Kylian MBappé (Paris SG) is the top scorer in the championship for the second consecutive year (18 goals). Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco) is 2nd with the same number of goals but fewer goals in the game. Moussa Dembélé (Lyon) is 3rd with 16 goals.

''Three Bordeaux players have the same number of goals on the podium. Josh Maja , Jimmy Briand and Nicolas De Préville have all scored eight times this season. First place, however, goes to the English striker , even if the ranking below does not reflect it.''

''Indeed, the former Sunderland player has played less. He has a goal ratio every 113 minutes. A better result than Jimmy Briand (1 goal / 222 minutes) and Nicolas De Préville (1 goal / 281 minutes).''
 



Joshua Erowoli Maja also known as Josh Maja was born in England and began his professional career with Sunderland, making 49 appearances and scoring 17 goals. In January 2019, he joined Bordeaux.

[Edoman]

 Hazard, Ramos,bale, Modric And Others Resume Training For Real Madrid



Real Madrid Stars returned to training early this week.

The Real Madrid players took part in individual training sessions at the club's Valdebebas training complex on Monday

It's been reported that the Players have been allowed back into Real Madrid's Valdebebas training complex to do individual exercises after two months break due to coronavirus outbreak.

The players were divided into two groups on different shifts.

Eden Hazard who was initially ruled out of the season after having an operation on his ankle on March 5 but due to the temporary suspension of football in Europe, the Belgian is back in training.

Hazard is on course to feature for Los Blancos should La Liga return in June 12th just like the president Javier Tebas
Real Madrid fitness coach, Gregory Dupont led the training session with Zinedine Zidane also active throughout the session as he was always on the pitch, but giving instructions to his squad from a safe distance.

https://www.reportminds.com/2020/05/haza-ramosbale-modric-and-others-resume.html

[Edoman]

Juventus midfielder, Adrien Rabiot reportedly goes on strike in protest against his club cutting £7m of his £28m salary amid the COVID-19 crisis







Juventus midfielder, Adrien Rabiot is reportedly on strike in protest against his club for cutting £7m of his £28m salary in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis. 
 
According to La Stampa, the french star has remained in France where he has been isolating after the pandemic halted Italian football on March 9, and is refusing to return to Italy amid the disagreement with the club.
 
The report in the Turin-based newspaper claims Rabiot is staying put in France in a 'personal strike' against his club after they cut £7m off his £28m salary as they look to protect their finances during the crisis. 
 
In March players agreed to defer four months' wages, reportedly worth around £80m to the club.
 
Juventus squad including Cristiano Ronaldo are already back in training at their Continassa complex, but La Stampa claim Rabiot remains unhappy with the agreement struck to lower wages.
 
He is mother Veronique, who acts as his agent allegedly advised him to stay in France, the report adds. 
 

[Edoman]

Footballer Dos Santos posts naked picture of himself in bed with popular Instagram model in the middle of an apparent romp (+18 photo)






Mexican footballer, Jonathan dos Santos who plays as a midfielder for LA Galaxy left many of his fans shocked after he posted a naked selfie of himself in bed with a popular Instagram model during an apparent romp.
 

 
The 30-year-old brother of former Tottenham star Giovani dos Santos, later took down the photo five minutes after it ended up on his Instagram Live.
 

 
Fans who spotted the saucy photo first, shared it all over the internet within hours, and the naked model was identified as US-based Amanda Trivizas, who has more than 800,000 Instagram followers and her own YouTube channel.
 

[Edoman]

Japanese sumo wrestler, Shobushi dies of Coronavirus at 28






A 28-year-old Japanese sumo wrestler has died at the age of 28 after contracting Coronavirus, the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) has announced.
 
Shobushi, whose real name is Kiyotaka Suetake, died from multiple organ failure caused by the virus. He is the first in the sport to fall victim to Coronavirus
 
He had been the first sumo wrestler to test positive for the virus on 10 April, said Kyodo News.
 

 
His condition quickly worsened and he reportedly entered intensive care nine days later.
 
"I can only imagine how hard it must have been, battling illness for over a month, but like a wrestler he endured it bravely and fought the disease until the end," JSA Chairman Hakkaku told Kyodo News.
 
"I just want him to rest peacefully now."
 
According to a report by Yomiuri News, around 1,000 members of the JSA will have to undergo a virus antibody test, the first large-scale testing event to be held in the Japanese sporting world.

[Edoman]

Turkish footballer, Cevher Toktas arrested after 'confessing' to killing his 5-year-old son because he 'didn't love him'






A Turkish footballer has been arrested after allegedly confessing that he smothered his five-year-old son to death with a pillow because he 'didn't love him and hadn't 'since he was born'.
 
Defender Cevher Toktas, 32, who last played as a centre-back for Bursa Y?ld?r?mspor in the Turkish Regional Amateur League, was arrested earlier this month after his five-year-old son, Kasim, died at Dortcelik Children's Hospital in the city of Bursa.
 
According to Turkish media, Toktas took his son to hospital on April 23 because he was suffering from breathing difficulties and a high fever, two symptoms of Coronavirus.

Toktas and his son were then placed into quarantine together by doctors. Later that day, he reportedly informed staff that Kasim was struggling to breathe, and the boy was taken to intensive care where he died shortly afterwards.
 

 
Doctors ruled the five-year-old's death as natural and recorded Covid-19 as the cause of death. But 11 days after the boy's death, Toktas reportedly travelled to a local police station to hand himself in and admit that he had killed his son.
 
He allegedly told officers that he smothered his son with a pillow after hospital staff left them alone.
 
Turkish media have reported that his statement read: 'I pressed a pillow on my son who was lying on his back. 
'For 15 minutes, I pressed down on the pillow without lifting it up. My son was struggling during that time.
After he stopped moving, I lifted the pillow. Then I yelled for doctors to help to draw any suspicions away from me.'
 
Asked why he killed his son Kasim, he allegedly told cops that the reason he killed Kasim was because he 'didn't love him' and hadn't 'since he was born'. 
 
The defender, who is said to have denied having any 'mental issues', was immediately arrested. He will be tried for 'murdering a close relative' and faces a life sentence if found guilty.
 
Kasim was buried in a makeshift grave after his death but authorities are planning to remove his corpse in order for an autopsy to take place as part of the ongoing investigation.
 

[Edoman]

Tottenham and England star, Dele Alli beaten and robbed by masked knife-wielding thieves at his home in London








Tottenham and England midfielder, Dele Alli was beaten and robbed by masked knife-wielding thieves who broke into his home during the early hours of Wednesday morning.
 
The 24-year-old was in a room with long-time partner Ruby Mae, his adopted brother Harry, Harry’s girlfriend, and another male friend when two men stormed his north London property at 12.30am.
 

 
They reportedly punched the Spurs midfielder in the mouth and assaulted another man before they made away with various items including jewellery and watches.
 
One suspect then ran upstairs and ransacked several of the star’s bedrooms.
 
A source told The Sun: “The group have all been left extremely shaken.Dele was still awake and playing pool with the others when the raiders got into the property.
 
“It all kicked off downstairs and Dele was punched in the mouth by one of the two masked robbers.
 
Another source close to Dele said: “It was a terrifying ordeal to go through. The two men who broke in had knives.
 
“They grabbed items and they demanded that Dele handed stuff over. Dele was there with his girlfriend, Harry and his girlfriend, and another man who all live there together so there were a few of them there at the time.
 
“The police were called and spent several hours there collecting statements and CCTV from the property.”
 
Confirming the raid, a police spokesman said: 'Police were called at approximately 00:35hrs on Wednesday, 13 May to reports of a robbery at a residential address Barnet.
 
'Two males gained entry to the property and stole items of jewellery, including watches, before fleeing.
 
'One male occupant of the property, aged in his 20s, suffered a minor facial injury after being assaulted. He did not require hospital treatment.
 
'No arrests; enquiries into the circumstances continue.'
 
The raid comes just two months after four masked robbers armed with knives and machetes broke into the home of Dele’s Spurs teammate Jan Vertonghen in Hampstead, North London.
 

[Edoman]

Former Real Madrid striker, Edwin Congo arrested and questioned over cocaine trafficking ring in Spain (photos)







Former Real Madrid striker, Edwin Congo was arrested and questioned by police conducting a cocaine-trafficking operation in Spain.
 
According to Mail Online Sport, the Colombian was taken in by officers in Madrid on Tuesday night before he was allowed to go home after questioning. He has since pleaded his innocence.  
 
The 43-year-old confirmed his arrest to 'El Chiringuito' television show and disclosed that he was later allowed to return home after he was questioned. 
 
'I'm very calm,' Congo told sports show El Chiringuito. 'It's not a comfortable situation, but I'm at home… relaxed. They asked me a series of questions and, at the end, I returned home.
 

 
'They told me to be ready for another call,' he said. 'I'm free and I'm relaxed because I don't traffic cocaine, I don't have cocaine at home.
'The police said to me that I have to stay away from certain people who are no good for me. That I have to be aware of things and do them in a different way.'
 
He denied any wrongdoing and said he entered the police station with his hands restrained as a 'protocol.'
 
Congo was one of 10 individuals detained by Spain's Central Narcotics Brigade as part of their operation, according to Marca. 
 
The publication said he was questioned about his relationships with some of the people being investigated by police for their alleged involvement in cocaine-trafficking operation in Spain.
 
He reportedly admitted he knew some of the people arrested but said he was not involved in anything potentially illegal. Congo said he got to know them after getting involved in the business of buying and selling emerald.  
 
The former Colombian international was signed by Real Madrid in 1999 also played on loan with Valladolid in Spain, Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal, and Toulouse in France. 
 
He also played for Spanish clubs, Levante, Sporting Gijon and Recreativo Huelva.

[Edoman]

[b]Italy's Serie A Plans To Restart On June 13


Serie A plans to resume its season on 13 June if Italy's government approves.[/b]

The league's general assembly met on Wednesday via videoconference and approved the date for resumption "in accordance with government decisions and medical protocols".

Clubs in the Italian top flight returned to training earlier in May but players can only train individually.

Serie A was suspended on 9 March with 12 full rounds and four outstanding fixtures still to play.

Juventus, chasing their ninth consecutive Serie A title, are top of the league, a point ahead of Lazio.

Teams will be able to train collectively from Monday.

Italy has been one of the countries worst affected by coronavirus, with a number of players having become infected.

Last week, three Fiorentina players and three members of the club's support staff tested positive for coronavirus, while a Torino player also tested positive.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52654016

[Edoman]

Messi vs Ronaldo: Klopp chooses his preferred player

 May 13, 2020




Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed his preferred football star between Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Juventus Cristiano Ronaldo.

Klopp said he has slight preference for Messi over Ronaldo.


Messi and Ronaldo have shared eleven out of the last 12 Ballon D’or awards.

According to Klopp, although he admires Ronaldo a great deal, he will pick Messi over him.
“For me Messi, but I couldn’t admire Ronaldo more than I do already,” Klopp was quoted as saying on YouTube channel freekickerz.


The German said hat having faced both kings of football, Messi makes playing football “so simple.”

He, however noted Ronaldo’s physical abilities cannot be downplayed.
The Reds boss said he likes the Argentina international a “little bit more as a player on the pitch,” while not ruling out that the Portuguese is “an absolutely incredible player.”


Both Messi and the Euro 2016 winner have had a long-lasting career, leaving their footprints, the Liverpool boss explained.

[Edoman]

LaLiga warns Barcelona, Real Madrid, others over big deals this summer

 May 14, 2020




LaLiga president, Javier Tebas, has warned clubs that financial regulations will be enforced strictly next season.

Tebas had told clubs they cannot spend beyond their means this summer and will have to cut salaries to cope with the financial implications of COVID-19.


“We have seen the cash flows for each club and right now they have squads which exceed the [financial] limits we will establish for next season,” Tebas told the Instituto Iberoamericano de Derecho Deportivo.

“That brings consequences. Clubs are going to have to look at their academies and come up with a strategy to reduce salaries. There’s no other solution. Transfers that exceed financial limits will not be allowed – impossible.”
LaLiga has had a cap in place since 2013, which stipulates that clubs manage their finances appropriately.


Each team’s limit is decided bases on expected income and the average amount of transfer income over the previous three years.

This development may have an effect on Barcelona’s drive to bring back Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain and a possible move for Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.

[Edoman]

Mourinho set to bring Victor Osimhen to Tottenham

 May 13, 2020




Lille striker, Victor Osimhen, is being linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur in this summer transfer window.

French newspaper, Le10Sport, reports that the Premier League giant has tabled a bid to Lille for the 21-year-old attacker.


Osimhen is believed to be on the list of strikers being targeted by Tottenham manager, Jose Mourinho since Spurs top striker, Harry Kane’s future at the club is still uncertain.

His current contract with Lille will expire at the end of the 2023/24 season.

The Nigerian international is expected to cost around £70 million.


Tottenham will have to battle Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United for Osimhen’s signature.

[Edoman]

Coronavirus: Raheem Sterling reveals he lost family members to pandemic

 May 13, 2020




Manchester City forward, Raheem Sterling, has revealed that some of his family members have died from COVID-19.

According to him, that is why he has reservations about plans to restart the Premier League.


The UK government has already said elite sport could return from June 1.

Some players do not want to play football during the Coronavirus crisis and Sterling said he is also concerned about returning to action.


“I knew it was serious when football got cancelled,” Sterling said on his YouTube channel.


“From the moment we got told we were off I knew this was very serious. I’ve had friends whose grandma’s passed away, I’ve had family members as well that have passed away. 

You’ve got to be wise and take care of yourself and those around you.”

[Edoman]

Coronavirus: UK govt releases new guidelines for Premier League resumption

 May 13, 2020




The UK government on Wednesday released new guidelines that sports clubs and athletes will follow ahead of the English Premier League (EPL) resumption date.

DAILY POST recalls that the UK government had a few days ago given EPL and all other top-level sports in England the green light to restart the season next month but behind closed doors and without spectators until a coronavirus vaccine is found.


EPL is currently suspended indefinitely, with nine matches remaining due to the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe.

However, Sky Sport reports that the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) issued a document on Wednesday featuring guidelines designed to allow each sport to make a risk assessment on when it’s safe for training to resume amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“I know our sports stars are keen to get back to training, and this guide will enable them to do so in a safe way,” said Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for DCMS.


“Our top priority is protecting the health of athletes, coaches, and support staff.

“Enabling athletes to get match-fit is an important milestone towards restarting competitive sport behind closed doors – but we have not given the green light yet.

“We are clear that this can only happen on the advice of medical experts and when it is safe to do so.”

[Edoman]

 Holyfield Announces Intention To Fight Mike Tyson Again 


Holyfield Announces Intention To Fight Old Foe Tyson Again


Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield has confirmed his desire for a third fight with fellow American boxing legend Mike Tyson as both fighters plot comebacks for charity.

The duo who are in their fifties, could meet again 23 years after their dramatic fight in 1997 after simultaneously announcing they will return to the ring for exhibitions.

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Holyfield, 57, was victorious both times they met in the nineties and Tyson, 53, produced one of sport’s most shocking moments in the second bout when he bit off a chunk of his opponent’s ear.

Also Read: Ex-Super Eagles Striker Makes Leicester City’s Worst Eleven Of Premier League Era

Both men have recently released impressive training videos upon their return to the gym.

And Holyfield has now welcomed the idea
of taking on Tyson for a third time.

“I would do that! Yes, I want to fight Mike Tyson,” Holyfield told The Sun.

“My whole thing is I’m open, and I know that I want to do well for myself at age 57. I can definitely handle him.

“But Mike would have to want to do it as well.

“We have to come up with something that is not a knockout grudge match.

“It’s not about who can beat who, but to show people we were some of the greatest fighters in our era and we’ve come together as men to do something for others.

“I don’t have anything against Mike personally, the thing is I think it would be good for the sport and even though boxing is a rough sport, we can show people we can come together.

“If we do this fight it would be great. I can still shoot the jab, I can still shoot the shots, but not like a killing thing, ‘I’m going to hurt you, I’m going to show you that I can knock him out’.

“Mike is looking sharp, but I’m in very good condition and shape physically and mentally.

“And if the money is right, too, then let’s get it on.

“I know he’s getting offers from all types of people. Since we have both announced a comeback, a fight between me and Mike would definitely be the fight people want to see.”

https://www.completesports.com/holyfield-announces-intention-to-fight-old-foe-tyson-again/

[Edoman]

[b]Clattenburg: Mikel Obi, Bellamy, Roy Keane Are Among My 5 Most Annoying Players

Craig Bellamy squeezed my balls in the tunnel, Roy Keane tried to bully referees and John Obi Mikel still hasn't apologised to me... Sportsmail's MARK CLATTENBURG reveals the five most annoying players he's officiated[/b]

*Mark Clattenburg has revealed the five most annoying players that he refereed
*Craig Bellamy was always a nuisance and was livid after a sending off v Bolton
*Roy Keane tried to bully referees - he got that from his boss Sir Alex Ferguson
*Jens Lehmann would always complain and other teams would wind him up

Mark Clattenburg has refereed the world's greatest players and taken charge of the biggest matches, including finals of the European Championship, Champions League and FA Cup.

But while there have been plenty of successes, there have also been challenges and a number of players proved tough for Clattenburg - and his peers - to handle on the pitch

Here, Sportsmail's columnist tells Craig Hope the five most irritating players he has presided over.

John Obi Mikel

I have picked Mikel because of the incident during a Chelsea v Manchester United match in 2012 when he accused me of making a racist comment, which was not right and I was later cleared by the FA.

He has never apologised and that is disappointing because it could have ruined my life. I fell out of love with refereeing for a while after that but couldn't quit because I had a family to support and no other career to pursue.

It all left a bad feeling that still lingers today.

Mikel only heard the allegation from his team-mate Ramires, who did not speak English. Other Chelsea players have since apologised but nothing from Mikel.

He had the chance to say sorry and speak to me about it during a Nigeria friendly in the United States before the World Cup in 2014, and I would have welcomed that, but nothing, sadly.

Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8317003/amp/Craig-Bellamy-squeezed-balls-Mark-Clattenburg-annoying-players-hes-refereed.html

[Edoman]

Fiorentina sporting director, Daniele Prade reveals he infected nine members of his family including his wife and daughter with COVID-19






Daniele Prade, the sporting director of Serie A club Fiorentina has revealed that he infected nine members of his family including his wife and daughter with the deadly Coronavirus.
 
Describing his harrowing experience with the virus and his fears when his family members were hospitalised, the 53-year-old told Sky Sports Italia :'I experienced Covid-19 first-hand. In fact, nine members of my family got ill and I brought the virus into my home. It hit my wife, my daughter, my in-laws, and nephews.
 
'The worst of it was for my in-laws, who I was genuinely frightened for. They were in hospital for 30 days, fortunately, they were at the Spallanzani, one of the best clinics in the world for this virus.
 
'This virus is sneaky, it's a b*****d. You can't even get out of bed, you have a high fever, sweat, cough, diarrhoea. And it becomes genuinely scary when you see those around you getting ill too and even an ambulance coming to take away your in-laws
 
Prade also disclosed that he and his family members who all got infected have fully recovered.
 
'Fortunately, we all recovered and I will always be a spokesman for the measures we must take to prevent the spread of coronavirus.'
 
In Italy, 222,104 cases of Coronavirus have been recorded with 31,106 deaths and 112,541 recoveries.
 
 
 
 
 

[Edoman]

Ex-PSG star, Ezequiel Lavezzi and his model girlfriend Natalia Borges caught up in sex tape blackmail plot as hackers ‘threaten to post their intimate videos'







Former Paris Saint-Germain striker, Ezequiel Lavezzi and his model girlfriend Natalia Borges have been caught up in a sex tape blackmail plot as hackers are threatening to post their intimate videos and photos online.
 
Buenos Aires daily La Nacion said the alleged blackmailer demanded £4,000 per video or image not to publish.
 
A source close to Lavezzi and Natalia told the paper: "They began writing to the couple via two Instagram accounts.
 
"Not just to him, but also his girlfriend, the Brazilian model Natalia Borges, who lives with him.
 

 
"To be specific, these people told the couple that they had their videos and recorded conversations in their possession.
 
"They described details of the contents - which gave credibility to their claims.
 
"But even if they were false, this would still be extortion in any case."
 
The ex-Argentine footballer, 35, has now instructed his lawyers to act on their behalf after the couple were reportedly threatened with having their intimate videos and pictures posted online.
 
According to the Sun, Lavezzi's lawyers have contacted the Argentine police division dealing with cybercrime.
 
Lavezzi , who also played for Napoli, retired last December following a spell with Chinese club, Hebei China Fortune.
 
He won four Ligue 1 titles with PSG and helped Napoli lift the Coppa Italia in 2012. He also won 51 caps for Argentina.
 

[Edoman]

[b] Coach Heiko Herrlich To Miss Match After Breaking Quarantine To Buy Toothpaste[/b]


Augsburg head coach Heiko Herrlich will miss the Bundesliga restart after breaching quarantine rules by leaving the team hotel to buy toothpaste.

Herrlich, whose side face Wolfsburg on Saturday, told a news conference on Thursday that he had visited a shop, breaking league rules.

Teams preparing for the German league to restart this weekend have been staying in quarantine.

"I made a mistake by leaving the hotel," he said in a statement later.

Herrlich, 48, was appointed on 10 March and the home match with Wolfsburg was set to be his first in charge.

"Even though I have followed all hygiene measures both when leaving the hotel and otherwise, I cannot undo this," he said. "In this situation, I was not able to act as a role model for my team and the public.

"I will therefore be consistent and stand by my mistake. Because of this misconduct, I will not be leading the training [on Friday] and will not be in charge of the team against Wolfsburg on Saturday."

Speaking at a video news conference earlier, he had said: "I have no toothpaste and then I went to a supermarket."

The club said players and staff are being regularly tested for coronavirus and Herrlich will be able to resume training after two negative test results.

Augsburg are 14th in the Bundesliga, five points above the relegation zone.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52670775

[Edoman]

Chelsea: Lampard takes decision on Pjani, Jorginho swap deal

 May 15, 2020


Chelsea coach, Frank Lampard, has ruled out the possibility of a swap deal between Juventus star, Miralem Pjanic, and Blues midfielder, Jorginho.



DAILY POST had reported that Juventus is planning to sign Jorginho in a swap deal for Pjanic.

Juventus manager, Maurizio Sarri, has indicated an interest in working with Jorginho again.



Sarri and Jorginho both moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2018 from Serie A club, Napoli.

According to ESPN, Lampard wants Jorginho to stay at Stamford Bridge beyond this summer and to continue to work alongside France World Cup winner, N’Golo Kante in Chelsea’s midfield.

Jorginho has three years left on his current contract with Chelsea.



Pjanic has one year left on his current deal with Juventus.