Sports Updates

[Edoman]

Former Serbian footballer, Miljan Mrdakovic, 38, commits suicide after saying “I can’t take this anymore”







Former Serbian footballer, Miljan Mrdakovic has died at the age of 38 after reportedly shooting himself in the head after struggling with depression and anxiety. 
 
Local media report that the retired Partizan Belgrade, Anderlecht, and Gent striker took his own life in his rented Belgrade apartment over the weekend after saying “I can’t take this anymore”.
 
His heartbroken partner and singer, Ivana Stanic, told the media: 'We had an ideal relationship, everything was great.

'But he had problems, he liked to drink and I think that, in addition to the problems he had with depression, is the main reason why he did it.
 
'After the end of his career, he struggled to cope because football meant everything to him. 
 
'He started working as an agent, but it is a job where sometimes you have work and earnings, sometimes you don't. He was depressed and anxious.
 
'The day before the suicide he drank a little too much and I felt like something bad could happen. I calmed him down, dragged him to bed and we talked all night.
 
'When we woke up, he started drinking. I froze when I saw a gun next to him. I cried and asked him to put it away and I called his mother to talk to him.
 
'I asked him to come with me and went to the bathroom to get dressed. Every now and then I looked at what he was doing and then suddenly I heard a shot. I ran away from the apartment and called the paramedics.'
 
Mrdakovic played for twenty clubs across 10 countries including Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Isreal. He also played nine matches with Serbia U21s and three times for Serbia at the 2008 Olympics.
 
Former club Maccabi Tel Aviv posted a statement, reading: “Maccabi Tel Aviv is saddened to learn of the passing of the club’s former Serbian striker, Miljan Mrdakovic, who died in tragic circumstances on Friday in his native Belgrade, aged 38.
 
“Mrdakovic played for Maccabi in the 2006-07 season under then-coach Eli Cohen, and as a 24-year-old he made an immediate impression when in the opening round of the season he scored a spectacular goal against Beitar Jerusalem as he beat three defenders in a solo run that began in his own half before unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the area.
 
“That season was his only campaign with Maccabi Tel Aviv in which he scored eight goals and set up four others in 29 appearances. After leaving Maccabi he moved to Portugal.”
 

[Edoman]

[b]Drogba Lucky Not To Face Him' - Henderson Defends Van Dijk Over Ballack Claim[/b]


Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has defended Virgil van Dijk after a fake quote from Michael Ballack criticising the defender appeared on social media.

The ex-Chelsea midfielder was claimed to have put van Dijk's meteoric rise in the Premier League down to the lower standard of attackers.

The quote, which has been widely shared on social media, says: "Virgil van Dijk is very lucky to play in an era where there is no [Didier] Drogba, [Frank] Lampard, Alan Shearer, [Thierry] Henry, [Wayne] Rooney, [Robin] Van Persie, [Carlos] Tevez, [Emmanuel] Adebayor and Diego Costa in the Premier League. No wonder they think he is the best defender in the league."

That quotes went viral on social media and, although it now appears to have no credibility, the claims against van Dijk caused controversy on social media.

Henderson responded to an Instagram post by backing up his Liverpool teammate Van Dijk.

Henderson wrote: "They're the lucky ones," accompanied with a winky face, which leaves it unclear if he's aware the quotes are fake or not.

Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jordan-henderson-defends-virgil-van-22084381.amp

[Edoman]

Chelsea goalkeeper, Willy Caballero reveals N’Golo Kante suffered Coronavirus symptoms; says he has the squad's backing over refusing to train






Willy Caballero has revealed that N’Golo Kante has the Chelsea squad’s full support in his continued absence from training after he suffered Coronavirus symptoms.
 
The French midfielder was given permission to miss training last Wednesday due to fears over COVID-19 and has even been allowed to miss the rest of the season by his coach, Frank Lampard.
 
Speaking with TNT Sports in an Instagram Live interview, Kante's teammate and Argentine shot-stopper, Willy Caballero said the French star has the squad’s full support to keep his distance due to fears surrounding the virus. 

He also confirmed that Kante tested negative for Covid-19 but suffered ‘bad symptoms’ over the past weeks.
 
'It's very understandable', the 38-year-old told TNT Sports.

'He tested negative for Covid-19 but he had a bad time of it during quarantine with symptoms of the virus that gave him that fear.

'We respect him and we'll wait until he feels comfortable because the truth is that to do what we're doing you have to feel okay and feel confidence and after we start again, we have to all go forward together.
 
Kante, who has suffered from health problems in the past, fainted in training two years ago.
 
The 29-year-old’s older brother, Niama, died of a heart attack shortly before the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the midfielder lost his father when he was just 11 years old.

 

[Edoman]

[b]Manchester United Are In Dialogue To Extend Ighalo's Loan Deal- Solskjaer [/b]


Manchester United are "in dialogue" with Shanghai Shenhua to extend the loan deal of striker Odion Ighalo, says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Ighalo, 30, joined United in January and will return to China on 31 May unless an agreement can be reached to keep him until the end of the season.

"At the moment nothing's been agreed yet," Solskjaer told MUTV.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba will be available for selection when the Premier League season resumes.

Striker Rashford and midfielder Pogba were both out with long-term injuries when the campaign was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic in March.

Both players returned to small group training with the rest of the United squad last week.

"They're looking good," said Solskjaer.

"They've joined training now and they've done everything the other boys have been doing. No reaction so far, touch wood.

"When we get started, it looks like we can have a full squad to choose from."

England international Rashford had been out with a back injury since January while France's Pogba had missed most of the season with a foot problem.

Former Watford striker Ighalo was brought in as cover for Rashford on transfer deadline day in January and has impressed by scoring four goals in eight appearances.

Solskjaer added: "The loan deal went to the end of May now, so obviously he's supposed to be going back.

"We're in dialogue and hopefully [he can stay]. They've been great towards us, his club, and allow him to play for his dream club.

"It's been been a dream for him and hopefully he can finish off what he started, maybe with a trophy or two.

"Their league is going to start soon so we are just waiting to see."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52806979

[Edoman]

6 players Barcelona plans to sell this summer revealed

 May 27, 2020




Barcelona are reportedly ready to sell six players – Arturo Vidal, Nelson Semedo, Jean-Clair Todibo, Rafinha, Junior Firpo, and Moussa Wague to help fund a summer rebuild amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Barcelona manager, Quique Setien, is keen to add Inter Milan forward, Lautaro Martinez, to his ranks this summer transfer window.


Barcelona are believed to be in talks with Inter Milan over a move for the 22-year-old Argentine international.

DAILY POST had reported that Martinez is one of Barcelona’s top targets this summer, but the financial impact of the COVID-19 means they are unlikely to meet the player’s £97million buy-out clause.
Meanwhile, Setien has since backed Martinez to succeed in his team at Camp Nou if he eventually joins the Blaugrana this summer.


“We are all clear there are four or five footballers who play in Lautaro Martinez’s position who are extraordinary and that any of them have what it takes to play for Barcelona,” Setien told beIN Sports.

“In reference to this player, he [Lautaro] is a player who can be very good in this team, as well as the others who may be at his level.”

[Edoman]

EPL: Mourinho gives injury updates as Tottenham prepare to play Man Utd

 May 27, 2020




Tottenham Hotspur manager, Jose Mourinho, has said all his players have recovered from injury.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Mourinho, however, admitted the players will struggle to play to their maximum due to the lack of match time.


Before the COVID-19 break, Spurs had a number of injury issues, including Harry Kane’s hamstring problem, Heung-Min Son’s arm injury, plus extended absences for Steven Bergwijn and Moussa Sissoko.

During their time out, Mourinho and the team were knocked out of the FA Cup and Champions League.
“I cannot say in this moment they are ready to play because one thing is to recover from an injury, and another is to be ready to play football.


“For us, of course, it is a great feeling, because we finished the period with that defeat at Leipzig, where we were really, really in trouble to have 11 players, including attacking players, and in this moment (Erik) Lamela, Son, Dele (Alli), Harry Kane, Bergwijn, everybody is fit now,” Mourinho said.

Although there is no agreed date for resumption, the Premier League are looking to restart with Tottenham taking on Manchester United at home. 

[Edoman]

BREAKING: EPL resumes June 17
May 28, 2020

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The Premier League season will resume on June 17, it has been confirmed.

Manchester City versus Arsenal will be one of the first matches to be played.

Aston Villa’s home clash with Sheffield United will also be played same day to mark the return of the English top flight.

A full fixture list will then be played on the weekend of June 19 to 21, with the agreement coming after Premier League clubs met on Thursday to continue discussions over ‘Project Restart.

 

Details shortly…

[Edoman]

Austrian Bundesliga leaders, LASK fined €75,000 and docked 12 points for not maintaining social distancing during training






Austrian Bundesliga top club LASK, have been docked 12 points and fined a massive €75,000 for not observing social distancing during training  ahead of the proposed top-flight restart on June 2.
 
According to the Bundesliga, Lask disobeyed coronavirus-related safety rules in practice sessions after the club admitted to staging full contact training sessions even when the Austrian FA told clubs they were only allowed to train in small groups to avoid the spread of Coronavirus.
 
The event which happened early this month, caused uproar among the remaining 11 Bundesliga clubs who said the current league leaders were benefiting from an unfair advantage in terms of match fitness, and now Austrian Football authorities have confirmed that the club have been hit with a points deduction and a fine of €75,000.
 
The club have released an official statement confirming their plans to appeal the decision, which reads: "We received the verdict of the Senate 1 orally this afternoon. After evaluating the present decision, we agreed to call the protest committee of the Bundesliga as a second-instance body.
"Specifically, we consider the sanctions expressed in the judgment to be a deduction of 12 points before the division of points and the € 75,000 penalty payment is disproportionate.
"We have therefore exercised our right and immediately protested the excessive judgment."
 
Following the points deduction, LASK have dropped to second in the Bundesliga standings, three points behind reigning champions and arch-rivals Red Bull Salzburg.
 

[Edoman]

Tyson Fury gives reason he will knock Anthony Joshua out in 3rd round


 May 29, 2020




British boxer, Tyson Fury, has said that he would knock out fellow countryman, Anthony Joshua, in the 3rd round because the 30-year-old has ‘no footwork’.

Fury also claimed that Joshua has been avoiding to fight him for 5 years.


DAILY POST recalls that Fury and Joshua are both on course for a heavyweight unification fight next year.

Fury knocked out American boxer, Deontay Wilder, in his last fight in Las Vegas last February.
Joshua also defeated Mexican-American boxer, Andy Ruiz Jr, in his last fight in Saudi Arabia last December.


“Anthony Joshua’s style is tailor-made for mine,” Fury told Redknapp’s Home Fixture on Sky Sports.

“He is strong and powerful, but he got no footwork.
“I have been offering to fight Anthony Joshua for the last five years, and it has not happened at all.


“I think I would knock him out in two or three rounds.”

[Edoman]

Solskjaer tells Man Utd to sign Mourinho’s transfer target


 May 29, 2020




Manchester United boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has reportedly told the club to sign Monaco striker, Pietro Pellegri, this summer’s transfer window, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

Pellegri was former Red Devils manager, Jose Mourinho’s transfer target during his time at Old Trafford.


However, Solskjaer now wants to bring the 19-year-old striker to Old Trafford this summer in a bid to strengthen his squad ahead of next season.

Pellegri joined Monaco from Italian club, Genoa in January 2018.

The Italian youngster has struggled with several injuries at the French Ligue 1 club in the past two years.


His current contract with Monaco will expire in 2022.

[Edoman]

Neymar rated second-best player globally behind Messi


 May 29, 2020




Former Barcelona president, Sandro Rosell, has rated Neymar as the second best player in the world behind Lionel Messi.

Rosell, speaking with Radio Marca, also urged Barca to re-sign the Brazilian.


Neymar was sold to Paris Saint Germain in 2017 for a world record €222million fee.

However, he has been linked with a return to Camp Nou and Rosell believes the LaLiga giants should do all they can to bring him back.
“If I were the president of Barca, I would try to sign Neymar.


“He is the second-best player in the world after Messi and fits perfectly into the philosophy of the club,” he said.

[Edoman]

Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea get dates for FA Cup quarter-finals despite coronavirus [Full fixtures]


 May 29, 2020




The FA Cup quarter-finals have been provisionally scheduled for June 27-28, with the final set to be played August 1.

DAILY POST had reported that the Premier League will restart on June 17.


The FA Cup is also set to be completed, with the quarter-finals planned for the final weekend of June.

The semi-final ties will take place across the weekend of July 11-12 and the final on Saturday, August 1.
No venues or kick-off times for the matches have been decided yet.


However, the semi-finals and final are usually played at Wembley Stadium.

“The competition has been an integral part of the English football calendar for nearly 150 years, and we’d like to thank the Premier League Executive and Clubs for their support in scheduling the remaining matches during this unprecedented time,” FA chief executive, Mark Bullingham, said.

FA Cup quarter-finals (venues, KO times TBC)


Leicester City vs Chelsea
Newcastle United vs Manchester City
Sheffield United vs Arsenal
Norwich City vs Manchester United

[Edoman]

Coronavirus: Clubs reach agreement on possible cancellation of Premier League season


 May 29, 2020




The Premier League clubs have agreed on a points-per-game system, if the campaign cannot be finished, the UK Mirror reports.

This follows a meeting on Thursday, during which it was also anounced that the season will resume on June 17.


Matches have been put on hold since March due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Two outstanding fixtures – Manchester City vs Arsenal and Aston Villa vs Sheffield United – will kick off the restart.
The nine remaining rounds of action will then begin from June 20.


There are four different kick-off times for matches on Saturdays and another four on Sundays.

All 92 games will be shown live on TV.

[Edoman]

PSG goalkeeper, Marcin Bulka wrecks £200k rented Lamborghini in horror crash while on lockdown in Poland (Photos)






Marcin Bulka, a Polish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Paris Saint-Germain in France, wrecked a rented £200,000 Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder in a horror crash during the lockdown in Poland.
 
The 20-year-old former Chelsea goalkeeper was driving near his hometown of Wyszogród, at around midnight on Wednesday night when he crashed the Lamborghini. 
 
Pictures shared on social media on Thursday showed the car was badly damaged. 
 

 
According to the Sun, Bulka attempted an overtake, before he crashed into an oncoming car. He escaped unhurt and was released from the hospital along with two others following a check over after the horror crash. 
 
The crash caught the attention of the head of the Polish FA who hit out at the Under-20 international stopper.
 

 
Current head of the Polish Football Association (PZPN), Zbigniew Boniek tweeted pictures from the crash site and wrote: "The question is what will he drive when he starts playing?"
 
Bulka signed for Chelsea from FCB Escola Varsovia in 2016, before sealing another move to join PSG for free on a three-year contract last summer.
 

[Edoman]

[b]Ronaldo Highest-paid Footballer In 2020 Forbes List, Messi Ranks 2nd, Neymar 3rd [/b]


Roger Federer is the world's highest-paid athlete for 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic knocked footballer Lionel Messi off top spot, according to the annual Forbes list released on Friday.

The Swiss tennis great, owner of a men's record 20 Grand Slam singles titles, earned $106.3m (£86.3m) in the last 12 months, including $100m (£81.2m) via endorsements, to move up four places and become the first player from his sport to top the list.

Football players Cristiano Ronaldo (£85.3m), Messi (£84.5m) and Neymar (£77.6m) and American basketball player LeBron James (£71.6m) rounded out the top five.

"The coronavirus pandemic triggered salary cuts for football stars Messi and Ronaldo, clearing the way for a tennis player to rank as the world's highest-paid athlete for the first time," said Kurt Badenhausen, senior editor at Forbes.
"Roger Federer is the perfect pitchman for companies, resulting in an unparalleled endorsement portfolio of blue-chip brands worth $100m a year for the tennis great."

Japan's Naomi Osaka (£30.7m), who was ranked 29th on the list, surpassed fellow tennis player Serena Williams (£29.5m) as the world's highest-earning female athlete.

Osaka and Williams were the only women on the list.

Basketball players led all sports with 35 players among the top 100. American football occupied 31 spots, none higher than six-times Super Bowl champion Tom Brady (£36.5m) who was ranked 25th.

Football was the next most represented sport with 14 players, followed by tennis (six), boxing and mixed martial arts (five), golf (four), motor racing (three), and baseball and cricket with one each.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/athletes/

[Edoman]

EPL: Dimitar Berbatov gives reason Man Utd should not sign Coutinho


 May 30, 2020




Former Manchester United striker, Dimitar Berbatov, has given reasons the Red Devils should not sign midfielder, Philippe Coutinho, from Barcelona this summer’s transfer window.

DAILY POST recalls that Coutinho has been linked with a move to Man United in the past few days.


Coutinho is presently on loan at German Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich, from Barcelona until the end of the season.

Bayern Munich has already made it clear that they would not sign the 27-year-old Brazilian on a permanent deal once his loan expires at the end of the season.

Coutinho joined Barca for £142million from Liverpool in 2018.


But Berbatov believes it would be pointless for Man United to sign Coutinho, adding that they already have the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, and Scott McTominay.

“Other people will see Coutinho linked with a move to Man United, but honestly, the Red Devils do not need him right now,” Berbatov told Betfair.

“Man United got Bruno Fernandes, who is a very similar player. He has hit the ground running and looks to be a very promising signing so I do not think there would be any point for Man United to sign him.


“Also, Pogba is coming back, Fernandes is there, McTominay is producing great football as well, and they have enough quality there so signing Coutinho would be pointless.”

[Edoman]

EPL: Chelsea to sign Chukwueze with Sancho likely to join Man Utd


 May 30, 2020




Chelsea are looking at signing Villarreal’s winger, Samuel Chukwueze, Goal reports.

Although Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho is Frank Lampard’s first choice, the Blues will move for Chukwueze if they fail to land the English attacker.


Manchester United are believed to be in prime position to sign Sancho, which might leave their Premier League rivals looking around for alternatives.

Sancho, 20, has two years left on his current deal with Dortmund and is valued at more than 110 million euros by the Bundesliga outfit.

Chukwueze in previous interviews, admitted he grew up supporting Chelsea, because of the presence of former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi at the club.


The Nigerian is also on the radar of Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as clubs in Spain

[Edoman]

[b]I Don’t Have A Girlfriend" - Anthony Joshua Opens Up


LOOKING FOR LOVE Anthony Joshua opens up on his struggles with dating, life as a dad during lockdown and fighting Tyson Fury[/b]

In a world exclusive interview, the 30-year-old fighter also discusses his determination to knock out boxing rival Tyson Fury, his flirtatious quip to The Queen and how sport can help reunite Britain after the Covid-19 crisis.

However, despite all of his accolades, Anthony admits there is one prize which remains as elusive as ever – finding love.

AJ says: “I think you can date and still be a successful sportsman but it’s hard to find a balance and I would have to compromise — which I’ve not felt able to do.

“My dad never gave me advice about much. But in terms of relationships what I have learnt and what I tell my son is, it would be nice to find a high school sweetheart and to grow together because as you get older you get set in your ways.

“For me to have a relationship now means I would have to compromise and change my ways and I don’t know how easy that would be for me to do.

“So I do date but I don’t get to the stage where I actually put anyone into that position.

“I don’t have a girlfriend and I haven’t had one for a while. But as I get older I do think it would be nice to have someone, someone to grow with as well — but I honestly haven’t found anyone.”

Any future girlfriend would have to understand what it’s like to be famous, he believes.

‘I NEED TO GO TO CELEBRITY PARTIES’

He explains: “Maybe I need to get off the estate and start going to celebrity parties — maybe do something different.

“I hope I will — and probably meeting someone else who understands fame would make sense. I would hope so. But it needs to be someone down to earth, family-orientated - someone who can call my mum their second mum.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thesun.co.uk/sport/11741378/anthony-joshua-next-fight-date-house-son-girlfriend/amp/

[Edoman]

Champions League referee, Slavko Vincic reacts after he was arrested during prostitution and drug raid






Slovenian referee, Slavko Vincic has reacted after he was recently arrested at a party as part of a probe into a prostitution and drugs ring.

The 40-year-old, who has officiated Champions League game between Genk and Liverpool  this season was detained in a cabin in Bijeljina where the authorities also discovered nine women, 26 men and a cache of weapons and seized cocaine, weapons, and cash.
 
Croatian daily 24Sata reported that Vincic was arrested alongside with Tijana Maksimovic, who police believe was the ringleader of the prostitution ring.  

Bijeljina police said: "During the search of the house and vehicles used by the suspects, 14 packages of cocaine, ten pistols, three suits of body armour, over 10,000 euros (£8,996) in various currencies, phones and laptops were found and seized."

Vincic, who has now been released said he was invited to a business meeting in the Bosnian city of Bijeljina and just happened to be at the party by chance.

He confirmed he was allowed to return home on Friday after he was questioned by officers as a witness. 

Speaking to Slovenian news outlet Vecer, Vincic said: "I found myself on this ranch by chance. I have my own company, I was in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a business meeting.
 

 
"I accepted an invitation to lunch, which turned out to be my biggest mistake. I regret it.
 
"I was sitting at a table with my company, all of a sudden the police came and what happened, happened.
 
"I have nothing to do with the group that was arrested and detained, nor do my business partners.
 
"Yes, they really took us to the police, asked as witnesses, when it turned out that we didn't even know them, we were able to go."

Vlado Sajn, the president of the Association of Football Referees of Slovenia has come to the defence of Vincic, who he said was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

He said: "According to the information we gathered from official and unofficial sources, and last but not least from Slavko himself, he is not suspected of anything, no proceedings have been instituted against him.
 
"He found himself in this place at the wrong time. He was invited to a party where there was a large group of people - he did not know the vast majority.
 
"There was a raid, 15 people were arrested, and all the others were allegedly brought to the police station to testify as witnesses.
 
"Slavko is already in Slovenia. I consider this story to be a web of unfortunate circumstances."
 

[Edoman]

Gernot Rohr: It Is Very Difficult For Nigeria To Win 2021 AFCON

Nigeria can’t win 2021 AFCON – Gernot Rohr

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr said it is hard for his team to win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations because they are not the best team on the continent.

The German tactician recently agreed to a two-and-a-half-year deal to continue his work as the handler of the three-time African champions, putting to bed speculation around his future.

On Wednesday, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick revealed the conditions in the new contract which include a mandate to qualify the country for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and also win the next Afcon in Cameroon.

The 66-year-old guided the Super Eagles to a third-place finish in Egypt last year, however, he disclosed that the new target might be difficult to achieve.

“When you go to a tournament it is to win it,” Rohr told BBC Sport. “We finished third in the last one, and everybody wants to progress. But we know also that it is very difficult to win this tournament because we are not number one in Africa.

“But it is good to have these milestones and ambition.” Aside from the competition targets, he is also expected to reside in Nigeria and receive his salary in local currency (naira).

Rohr, who previously coached Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso before joining the Super Eagles, said he understands the risks that come with the new contract.

He is also confident the squad he’s raised is capable of helping him to get the job done.

“My contract all the time is a risk because it is finished when we are eliminated from a competition – whether the Afcon or World Cup,” he added.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/05/nigeria-cant-win-2021-afcon-gernot-rohr/amp/