Sports update

[Edoman]

Rumour Has It: Man Utd, City make approach for Bayern star Alaba



22 December 2020,


Manchester City and Manchester United are set to battle it out for the signature of Bayern Munich's star defender David Alaba.


Alaba's Bayern contract expires in June 2021 and both Manchester clubs have made approaches for the 75-cap Austria international.


Pep Guardiola coached the 28-year-old during his time in the Bundesliga, but City may face further competition for the two-time Champions League winner.


TOP STORY – UNITED AND CITY SET FOR TUG-OF-WAR OVER ALABA


Manchester City and Manchester United have each made formal contact with Alaba 's agent Pini Zahavi, reports Spanish media outlet AS.
Bayern's chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has accepted the European champions can do nothing to keep Alaba, despite trying "everything" to convince the nine-time German league champion to stay.

But the Manchester rivals are not the only interested parties, with Real Madrid the favourites to land Alaba, according to the Daily Mail. Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are also in the race.


ROUND-UP

- Everton left-back Lucas Digne is another player on Guardiola's wish list, say the Daily Mail. The Toffees are set to offer the France international a bumper new contract to ward off City 's advances, according to the Times.


- PSG are lining up a bid for Atletico Madrid's wantaway goalkeeper Jan Oblak , say the Daily Mail. The Ligue 1 champions see 27-year-old Oblak, who wants a new challenge, as the successor to 34-year-old gloveman Keylor Navas in the French capital.


- After the addition of United States international midfielder Weston McKinnie this season, Juventus will be turning to MLS for new recruits in January, Tuttosport reports. The Old Lady are tracking New York Red Bulls midfielder Caden Clark , full-back Julian Araujo of LA Galaxy and FC Dallas pair Bryan Reynolds and Ricardo Pepi .


- Manchester United are set to complete a £27million (€29.6m) move for Atalanta's teenage winger Amad Diallo . The 18-year-old from the Ivory Coast has been granted an Italian passport, enabling him to receive a work permit to play in the Premier League. The Guardian reports that Diallo is set to jet into England in early January to finalise the deal.


- Premier League champions Liverpool have no plans to sell star forward Mohamed Salah , according to The Sun. Sources close to Salah suggested the Egyptian, whose contract expires in June 2023, was "upset" and "angry" with the Reds. Salah had been linked to Real Madrid and Barcelona after admitting he would one day like to play in LaLiga.

[Edoman]

From Messi showdowns, Barcelona derbies to life under Pep and Poch – Meet Western United's Sanchez



22 December 2020, 



After eight years and almost 300 appearances for Espanyol, Victor Sanchez is embarking on his first journey outside of Europe.


Sanchez now calls Australia's Western United home following Espanyol's relegation from LaLiga in 2019-20, having spent 14 years in Spain and a brief stint with Neuchatel Xamax.


The versatile 33-year-old had not envisaged packing up and relocating his family 16,816km away to Melbourne, but the coronavirus pandemic changed his plans as Western United came calling.



"It is a league that wasn't in my plans and I hadn't thought about it because it is a very far country as well," Sanchez, who ranks fourth for most Espanyol appearances behind Raul Tamudo, Mauricio Pochettino and Javi Lopez, told Stats Perform News.


"But when I had the chance, looking a little to everything and this league's level, because it is very well organised league, serious league and serious country also regarding coronavirus, I thought it was a great opportunity for me and the family as well."


Sanchez is among the growing number of Spaniards moving to Australia after former Espanyol team-mate Lopez also joined Adelaide United.


Former Athletic Bilbao pair Markel Susaeta and Benat have reunited at Macarthur FC for their inaugural season, while ex-Getafe attacker Diego Castro continues to star with Perth Glory.
"I didn't know much about the A-League," Sanchez said. "When I had the chance to come here I started looking at it and I also spoke with people that had played here: with Juande that was in Perth, with Markel Susaeta that was in Melbourne City last year, [former Western Sydney Wanderers striker] Oriol Riera and [former Melbourne Victory midfielder] Raul Baena.


"Footballers that have played here and everyone was telling me the same thing, that it is a spectacular experience, a great, great experience and life level, family level, and then because it is a league that, even though doesn't have the level of the Spanish league, is still a league physically strong and above all very well organised. Very serious league and I believe that at my age, with my career, I don't want surprises and I wanted to come to a league where things were properly done."


Sanchez brings a wealth of experience to Mark Rudan's Western United, who reached the A-League semi-finals in their first season in the competition.


The Catalonia-born midfielder – also adaptable in all defensive positions – emerged from Barcelona's youth system in 2005 and eventually made his debut for the first team in 2008.
Under the leadership of Pep Guardiola, Sanchez was part of the star-studded Barca squad that won the Champions League, LaLiga and Copa del Rey in 2008-09 – playing alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Yaya Toure, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique and Samuel Eto'o.


"My relationship with him was very good," Sanchez said as he discussed working with Guardiola at Camp Nou. "I was with him in the second team, Barca B, and were promoted from the third division to the Second B Division, from the fourth league to the third league in Spain and it was truly a beautiful year, the first one of him as a coach.


"He then moved to the first team and he promoted Sergio Busquets and me to the first team as well, even though we still belonged to the youth team, but to be within the first team dynamic. That year was truly incredible, the season 2008-09 when we won Liga, Copa and Champions League, a fantasy year. Afterwards I have kept relation with him when I have played against him and we have talked quite a lot.


"Now I haven't talked to him for a long time, but he is very innovative in everything he does. He is a genius, there isn't many like him. I was lucky enough to share a locker room with Guardiola."
Sanchez made seven LaLiga appearances in 2008-09, and 12 across all competitions, before being loaned out to Xerex and Getafe in 2009-10 and 2010-11. A six-month stint in Switzerland followed, but after 16 games the Barcelona native returned home.


However, this time, Sanchez – among a select few to play for both clubs – crossed the divide to link up with neighbours Espanyol in 2012.
"It's different to play for Barcelona than to play for Espanyol. The rivalry of the derbies. I think it is lived differently from Barcelona than from Espanyol," Sanchez said. "From the Barcelona perspective, rivalry exists, but nothing compares from the Espanyol perspective towards Barca.


"At Espanyol, for you it's like a final or a title to be able to win against Barcelona. Nowadays the economic differences are huge, so it is very difficult to win a match against Barcelona playing for Espanyol. I was there like nine years and was lucky to win one derby, in the Copa del Rey, in the first leg. When that happens it's when you realise how difficult it is. You also notice how they want to win too even though they see the rivalry differently."
Sanchez joined forces with Pochettino as the Argentine coach made a name for himself at Espanyol before moving on to Southampton and Tottenham.


"He is a great coach," Sanchez, who backed the former Spurs boss to make the move to Real Madrid, added. "I was with him a short time. I arrived at Espanyol when he was there and it can be said that he bought me for the club. You could already see that he had what it takes to be a great coach with his ideas, how he worked with the team, he was very demanding.


"I think it was clear he would reach the top. I had a very good relationship with him. I was like six or eight months with him and it was a great coach in my career."


While Pochettino eventually departed for Premier League side Southampton less than a year later, Sanchez continued to help fly the flag for Espanyol.
Sanchez went to battle in the Derbi Barceloni – a derby dominated by Barca – renewing acquaintances with ex-Blaugrana team-mates Messi and Pique in heated showdowns – the rivalry coming to a head in a fiercely contested 1-1 draw at RCDE Stadium in February 2018.


Espanyol's Sanchez went head-to-head with six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi in wet conditions, and he added: "Messi is a very special player, different than the rest. I think he particularly likes to play against Espanyol.


"It is true that we played a very hot derby that ended up in a tie with Pique's goal around minute 80. It was raining, a hard match, beautiful, sentimental. Messi is the best player of the world, above the rest. To win against him, to steal the ball off him or make things difficult for him is a personal triumph. Because as I said, he is very above from the rest."


Fast forward to December 2020 and Sanchez is determined to taste success with Western United after experiencing Espanyol's painful relegation to the second tier of Spanish football for the first time since 1993.


"I want to win, be on the top and make the team to be as high as possible. The A-League is economically very equal between teams, a bit similar to MLS where budget is close," said Sanchez, who had a passing accuracy of 80.5 per cent in 25 LaLiga appearances last season.


"If you make a good team, a good year and if you have confidence, you can fight for anything. Hopefully we will be lucky enough to come back to the play-offs and this time be able to be in semi-finals or the final and can be champions."


Sanchez, who registered 116 recoveries and 27 interceptions, while he won possession on 116 occasions in 2019-20, added: "I have signed for two years but my plan is to stay more and hopefully that will be possible. 

After my experience in Spain having played quite a lot of matches, a long career, I was looking for a change. It will be also positive for us to learn the language. My English is basic at the moment.
"After 13 or 14 years playing in LaLiga it was a bit exhausting."

[Edoman]

[b]Oshoala Scores A Brace As Barca Beat Deportivo 6-1.[/b]

Oshoala Scores A Brace As Barca Beat Deportivo 6-1.

Asisat Oshoala scored two goals this afternoon as Barcelone beat Deportivo Abanca 1-6 in Abegondo.

Jenni Hermoso opened the scoring in the 20th minute and then doubled Barca's lead just 4 minutes later.

Asisat Oshoala headed in Barca's 3rd goal off a cross by Lieke Martens and Aitana made it 0-4 on 34 minutes.

Oshoala scored via a beautiful volley at the beginning of the second half. Depor got one back via Alba Morino, but Marta Torejon made it 1-6 in favour of Barca in the 77th minute.

This was Barca's last match of 2020.

Here's a video of Oshoala's second goal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3NVlcyS5o


Third picture = Asisat Oshoala and Jenni Hermoso earlier today.

[Edoman]

Valladolid vs Barcelona: Messi breaks Pele’s scoring record


 
on
 December 23, 2020



Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi, has overtaken Brazil legend Pele, to become the player to score the most goals for a single club.


The record-breaking 644th goal came in the second half of Barca’s 3-0 win at Valladolid.


Messi took the ball in stride off Pedri’s flick and finished into the corner of the net.


Pele scored 643 competitive goals for Santos during his 18 years with the Brazilian club. He moved to the New York Cosmos in 1975.

His one-club goal record was almost broken by Gerd Muller. The former Germany international netted 565 times for Bayern Munich between 1964 and 1979.


The top five is completed by Fernando Peyroteo (Sporting CP 1937-49, 544 goals) and Josef Bican (Slavia Prague 1950s, 534 goals).

[Edoman]

Arsenal vs Chelsea: Arteta admits Gunners could be in big trouble


 
on
 December 23, 2020


Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has admitted his side will be in “big trouble” if they don’t turn things around quickly.


Arteta was speaking to the media after their dismal run continued with a 4-1 loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Tuesday night.


Alexandre Lacazette cancelled out Gabriel Jesus’ opener, but City netted three times in the second half to cruise to victory.


It continues a miserable run for the Gunners, who sit in 15th place in the Premier League.


With 14 points from 14 games this season, Arsenal have their worst record at this stage of a league season since the 1974/1975 campaign.

Arteta’s men play Chelsea in a London Derby this weekend and the Spaniard knows they have to start getting results.


“We have to turn it around – there is no question. If we don’t we’re in big trouble. This is the moment that’s going to decide our season.


“On the basis of what we have shown tonight against difficult opponents, I have fighters in my team. Yes, I have fighters,” he said.

[Edoman]

Five players and two management staff at Ipswich Town football club test positive for new coronavirus strain 









League one club, Ipswich Town have confirmed the new strain of Covid-19 has driven an outbreak within the squad after five players and two manager staff including coach Paul Lambert tested positive. 
 
Paul Lambert and five other members of the playing staff tested positive for the virus over the weekend, which has led to the postponement of Town’s next two games, while general manager Lee O’Neill has now also returned a positive test. 
 
The British club say the new strain of the virus, which is thought to spread more quickly, is the reason for the outbreak and believe their last game, against Burton on December 15, could be the source.
 
The club’s lead physio, Matt Byard, is expecting further positives when the remaining members of the squad are tested again on Wednesday. 
 
“In previous cases at clubs, the confirmatory source can normally be isolated down to a coach journey or a lengthy meeting indoors. We however, have had the same protocols in place since we started pre-season training,” Byard said. 
 
“The players are still arriving to training in kit, training and then going straight home. No showers are in use, no canteen where they eat communally. If you consider a staged return to normal behaviour at the training ground in five phases, then we are at the beginning of phase two.
 
“We have only had two cases here in nine months [Kayden Jackson and Matt Gill] so to get seven in one week is alarming. 
 
“I have looked at every avenue and the only scenario for transmission has to be our match against Burton last week and because it seems to have been passed on in a matchday environment, it is confirmation of a new development. We still have stringent protocols in place in terms of use of the dressing-rooms, I might add. 
 
“We are doing things the right way. We always have done. Players and staff deserve a great deal of credit as they adhere routinely to the guidelines and the new way of operating. This has been thoroughly supported by senior staff and executives.
 
"It would have been very easy to allow players and staff to change in the building and have showers, especially given the change in weather. Our adherence to guidelines is still likely to have reduced potential transmission risk, even under these circumstances. 
 
“This new strain of the virus clearly transmits far quicker than the original Covid strain and we have the data and symptom profile that confirms that is what we are dealing with here.
 
“We have tested all the playing and coaching staff and from the results, we can detect the level of infection and see the patterns emerging, however it’s the speed of the transmission that tells us it’s the new strain.
 
“We will be re-testing all the staff on Wednesday who have previously tested negative and I do have concerns that there will be more positive cases. It’s important to recognise the timing of testing is absolutely crucial in determining the diagnosis. A wrongly timed test can very likely produce a false result. We have to very closely determine potential transmission risks and consider the period of incubation before becoming infectious. 
 
“We have been complimented by the EFL for the procedures we have had in place at the training ground and on matchday - and that is one of the reasons they have become very concerned over the latest developments. 
 
“I know the EFL are looking at bringing in extra measures, with maybe more testing for example. I have always supported routine testing to secure a return to playing programme. Personally, with so many clubs affected by this presently and this new strain development, football may benefit from a ‘circuit breaker’ before a return to playing securely.” 
 
Town have now closed their training ground and told players and staff to stay away following the positive tests at the club.

[Edoman]

Football legend, Ronaldinho’s mum, 71, fighting for life in intensive care after contracting coronavirus







Ronaldinho has revealed his mother is fighting for her life after falling ill with coronavirus.

The Brazilian football legend, 40, took to Twitter to ask fans to pray for his beloved mom Miguelina Eloi Assis dos Santos, 71,   after she was admitted to intensive care at Mae de Deus Hospital in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre.

Writing on his page, Ronaldinho - who tested positive for Covid-19 at the end of October, said: “Dear friends. My mum has Covid and we’re fighting for her to recover.
 
“She is in intensive care and is receiving all the care she needs.

“I’m thankful for your prayers, your positive energy and the affection you’ve always shown. Stay strong, mum.”
 

[Edoman]

"I want to take Tyson Fury's head off his shoulders'' - Anthony Joshua







World Heavyweight Boxing champion, Anthony Joshua has stoked fires of rivalry with Tyson Fury, for the first time after beating Kubrat Pulev early December.

 According to Joshua, he wants to 'take Fury's head off his shoulders' and settle a score over an old Rolex promised to him by Fury after their famous 2010 spar .

Joshua also revealed he's targeting seven more years at the top and he also confirmed there's been progress in the past week over the proposed £200m showdown in May 2021 between him and Fury which would be one of the biggest events in British sporting history.

Joshua's comments come after an audio leaked this weak in which Fury, now the WBC champion admitted AJ gave him 'a killing' in sparring in 2010.

That sparring session came with the promise that if Joshua or any other heavyweight could beat Fury, they could take his Rolex, although the watch was never given to Joshua, who was 20 years old then.
 

 
With a super-fight between the Brits now closer than ever to materialising, Joshua, 31, said: 'All I wanted was his Rolex watch. He said before that spar (to Boxing News), "If you can beat me up or knock me out, you can have my Rolex watch".
 
'I was hungry then and I am even hungrier now. It was a good spar. I didn't really know too much, it was just passion. Now I have some boxing IQ and passion, I know it will be a great fight.

'There was a Rolex but now there is an even bigger pot of gold at the end of this rainbow and I want to take his head off his shoulders when that fight happens.'
 
Joshua, the IBF, WBA and WBO champion, added: 'After the Pulev fight I didn't want to do any interviews - less talk and more action. I stood by that. But now that we're talking about it, a week or so after, and I'm ready, I'm keen. If that fight happens I'm sure that I'll win. How close are we? I promise you conversations are happening. We're definitely looking at the landscape. But until you hear it from me, don't buy into anything.
 
'I'm taking my time – because there has been a lot of back-and-forth for years. I've been chasing this road to undisputed and when the time is right I'll announce it and I'll have my mind fully focused on the job at hand.

'The offers will be made, substantial offers. I'm looking more optimistically as if it will happen to be honest with you. He should take this fight with both hands.
 
'I promise you this: I will put in a serious offer to fight Tyson Fury and if he's serious himself, he will take it. If he's not I will fight (Oleksandr) Usyk and leave it there.'
 
Heavyweight boxer, Usyk is among the problems around the fight for the undisputed title, given the Ukrainian is the mandatory challenger for Joshua's WBO belt.
 
With the WBO currently holding Joshua to his obligation to fight Usyk next, Joshua could have to vacate the belt in order to complete negotiations with Fury. 
 
Asked about giving up one of his titles, Joshua said: 'The belts do make it special but I feel like the cries from the public are just for me to fight Tyson Fury.

'I am the sort of guy who will let my team just put a social media poll and whatever the fans vote, I will do. If they want to see me fight Fury, and I have to relinquish… There is nothing more in it than me wanting to compete against the best.

'If that is Tyson Fury, then fine. If they want me to fight Usyk, and get him out of the way, then fine. I believe I will beat Usyk and then Tyson Fury can happen at the end of the year. Either way, I am just doing my next couple of fights next year on what the public wants me to do.'
 
In terms of his future, Joshua indicated he has a point in mind for when he will retire.
He said: 'I have a time frame, I want to go to around 38.
 
'I am not just looking at Tyson Fury, but how long I can give to the sport. What more do I have to give? I am young and fit, I don't do anything else so boxing is fun for me and keeps me busy.
 
'Tyson Fury is a good challenger, someone to help me progress, he will be a great learning fight. And, once that is done, I will go on competing with the best, challenging myself and making history.'
 

by 

[Edoman]

Suspected impersonator of Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa arrested by the police







A  30-year-old man identified as Gambo Yakubu has been arrested for allegedly impersonating the captain of the Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa.
 
Kano police spokesperson, DSP Haruna Abdullahi said the suspect forged a document bearing the name of Ahmed Musa which he used in defrauding innocent members of the public.
 
Yakubu who admitted committing the said offence, said he spent the Seven Hundred Thousand Naira he got from the fraudulent act on hotels and his girlfriends in Sabon Gari area of Kano.
 
Abdullahi said; 
 

“On March, 25th 2020 around 11.30 pm, a complaint was received from one Musa Muhammad of Hotoro Quarters Kano, Manager of Ahmed Musa Sports Centre Kano, that one Gambo Yakubu of Brigade Quarters Kano, a former worker at the said Sports Centre, was presenting himself as Ahmed Musa and duping people under the guise.


‘’On receipt of this complaint, the Commissioner of Police Kano State Command CP Habu A. Sani, psc raised and directed a team of detectives led by CSP Abdulkarim Abdullahi to arrest the culprit.


‘’On the 20/12/2020, the suspect was arrested and freely confessed to having defrauded more than fifteen innocent citizens by collecting money from them pretending to be Ahmed Musa, selling forms at Five Thousand Naira each to youths who want to play football abroad.


“He collected over Seven Hundred Thousand Naira and spent the money in Hotels and on his girlfriends in the Sabon Gari area of Kano."

by

[Edoman]

Carlo Ancelotti reveals why he rejected Manchester United after he was approached by Sir Alex Ferguson







Everton boss, Carlo Ancelotti, has revealed why he rejected the chance to manage Manchester United when Sir Alex Ferguson called him in 2013 to tell him he was retiring and wanted him to take over the job.

Ahead of the Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final against the Red Devils at Goodison Park, Ancelotti revealed he was offered the job at Old Trafford by Sir Alex Ferguson prior to Ferguson's retirement.
 

 
 Ancelotti says but he was about to be signed by Real Madrid, an offer he couldn't reject.
 
“You want to know from me [about coaching at Man Utd]?!“ Ancelotti said.

"I can say that I still keep a fantastic relationship with Sir Alex, and we met when he decided to stop (retire).

"But I was close to Real Madrid, and so I appreciate the fact that at that time he talked to me. And that’s it, no other opportunity [to manage United]."
 
Everton sit in fourth position after 14 matches played.
 
Everton have met Man Utd once this season - in the league in November - with Ancelott's team going 1-0 ahead in the opening stages before the Red Devils struck back twice through Bruno Fernandes to eventually win 3-1.
 
Ancelotti said he respects Manchester United, saying the club is legendary like Real Madrid, Milan, Barcelona. 

"Yes of course Manchester United is a fantastic club, a fantastic team I battled against them a lot of times when Sir Alex was there, when I was at Chelsea," he said.

"I have a lot of respect for this team, for this club, it is a historical club in the world of football like Milan, like Real Madrid, a lot of respect."

b

[Edoman]

[b]Barca: Jordi Farre Promises Free Tattoos, Pizzas, Neymar, Rashford

Barcelona are currently preparing for presidential elections, which will take place in January, following Josep Maria Bartomeu's resignation back in October.[/b]

Among the most high profile candidates is 45-year-old Jordi Farre, who is running under the slogan 'La Gran Remuntada' (the Great Comeback) and has hit the headlines for his promises which include free pizzas and tattoos for club members, plus the return of Neymar.

It's been a tricky year for Barcelona, who amid the off-field turmoil of a financial crisis and Lionel Messi's transfer request, have struggled in La Liga - currently sitting fifth in the table eight points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

Managing squad renovation in the time of the pandemic and its economic implications has been a regular talking point for would-be Barcelona presidents.

Speaking to 90min.es, Farre outlined the areas of the team he thinks need strengthening.

"I thought that Barça needed a centre back but if we look at how [Ronald] Araujo and [Oscar] Mingueza are playing, they have even displaced [Clement] Lenglet," Farre said.

Farre then went on to list three forwards he likes and would presumably like to see targeted in addition to Neymar.

He continued: "Look, there is one that I’ve liked for a long time and yesterday he scored a great goal. I have not seen it but they have told me that it is spectacular that it is Raul de Tomas [of Espanyol].

"I think he is a player who has many things to succeed - he has some injury problems and that - but I also like [Erling] Haaland, Raul de Tomas, Rashford - I also like him. I think they are very interesting players."

He added: "Rashford is one of the footballers I like most in the world."

23-year-old Rashford is currently under contract until 2023 at Old Trafford, while United maintain an option to extend his deal a further year.

The England international, who was honoured with a special award at Sports Personality of the Year for his campaign against child poverty in the UK, has scored 12 times in 21 games this season so far.

Reports earlier this year claimed that Rashford actually provisionally agreed to move to Barcelona back in 2018 but ultimately backed out of the deal in order to remain at United.

https://www.90min.com/posts/barcelona-presidential-candidate-sign-manchester-united-marcus-rashford

[Edoman]

England defender, Kieran Trippier is handed a worldwide 10-week ban and fined £70,000 for breaking FA betting rules










England and Atletico Madrid defender, Kieran Trippier has been handed 10 weeks ban and fined £70,000 by the FA following misconduct in relation to breaches of betting regulations. 
 
The right-back, 30, was charged by the FA in May and had to withdraw from the England squad in October for the Nations League fixture against Denmark to attend a personal hearing over the allegations. 
 
These relate to bets placed in July 2019, when Trippier joined Atletico from Tottenham Hotspur. 
 
An independent commission was appointed to hear the case, with four of the alleged breaches found proven and three dismissed. 
 
The worldwide suspension means he will miss 12 games for La Liga leaders Atletico, including their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at home to Chelsea on 23 February.
 
However, he will be available for the Madrid derby on 7 March.
 
An FA statement read: 'The Atletico Madrid defender denied seven alleged breaches of FA Rule E8(1)(b), which were said to occur during July 2019, and requested a personal hearing.
 
'An independent regulatory commission was appointed to hear the case, with four of the alleged breaches found proven and three dismissed during a subsequent personal hearing.
 
'The independent regulatory commission’s written reasons for its decisions and the associated sanction will be published in due course. 
 
'The suspension, which includes all football and football-related activity, is effective worldwide from today (Wednesday 23 December 2020) following an application to FIFA.'
 
Trippier was accused of breaking Rule E8(1)(a)(ii) and Rule E8(1)(b) of the FA's Betting Rules which state players cannot place a bet relating to football or provide relevant confidential information to anyone who could bet on a scenario. 
 
FA Rule E8(1)(b) states: 'Where a participant provides to any other person any information relating to football which the participant has obtained by virtue of his or her position within the game and which is not publicly available at that time, the participant shall be in breach of this Rule where any of that information is used by that other person for, or in relation to, betting.'
 
 

[Edoman]

SPORT

Transfer: Mustafi’s agent confirms talks with Barcelona


on
 December 23, 2020



Shkodran Mustafi’s agent, Emre Ozturk, seems to have confirmed that talks have taken place with Barcelona over a possible move for the player in the January transfer window.


The 28-year-old defender is yet to start a Premier League fixture under Mikel Arteta and looks set for the exit door, with his contract due to expire at the end of the campaign.


It is understood Mustafi turned down the Gunners’ offer of a new deal in the summer and there has been mounting speculation that the German could be set for a switch to the Camp Nou.

Barca manager, Ronald Koeman, is seeking defensive reinforcements.


Rapid Vienna’s Yusuf Demir, 17, has also been heavily linked with Barca and Ozturk fuelled rumours of a move by uploading a picture from Barcelona with the caption ‘ready for meeting’.


While it was widely assumed Ozturk had travelled to Catalonia to discuss Demir’s future, he has since revealed the real reason for his visit.


“I’m not in Barcelona because of Yusuf Demir, but because of Shkodran Mustafi from Arsenal, who we also represent,” he told SPOX.

[Edoman]

Everton vs Man Utd: Solskjaer set to complete £4.5m for new midfielder
 
on
 December 23, 2020



Manchester is set to complete its first January signing after agreeing on a deal for Moises Caicedo, according to Diario Extra.


Caicedo, 19, has attracted interest from RB Leipzig and AC Milan, but United seem to have won the race for his signature.


The Red Devils have negotiated a fee of around £4.5million plus add-ons.


Caicedo impressed during his four appearances in World Cup qualifiers for Ecuador and scored his first goal in a 4-2 victory over Uruguay in October.

The midfielder currently plays his football with Independiente del Valle, but the club became resigned to losing him earlier this month.


“We have received an offer from a European club for Moises Caicedo, we are negotiating the proposal,” said the club’s manager Santiago Morales.


“It is most likely that he will not be in our team in 2021 due to the proposal we’ve received, it is very difficult to keep him.”

[Edoman]

England defender, Kieran Trippier is handed a worldwide 10-week ban and fined £70,000 for breaking FA betting rules










England and Atletico Madrid defender, Kieran Trippier has been handed 10 weeks ban and fined £70,000 by the FA following misconduct in relation to breaches of betting regulations. 
 
The right-back, 30, was charged by the FA in May and had to withdraw from the England squad in October for the Nations League fixture against Denmark to attend a personal hearing over the allegations. 
 
These relate to bets placed in July 2019, when Trippier joined Atletico from Tottenham Hotspur. 
 
An independent commission was appointed to hear the case, with four of the alleged breaches found proven and three dismissed. 
 
The worldwide suspension means he will miss 12 games for La Liga leaders Atletico, including their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at home to Chelsea on 23 February.
 
However, he will be available for the Madrid derby on 7 March.
 
An FA statement read: 'The Atletico Madrid defender denied seven alleged breaches of FA Rule E8(1)(b), which were said to occur during July 2019, and requested a personal hearing.
 
'An independent regulatory commission was appointed to hear the case, with four of the alleged breaches found proven and three dismissed during a subsequent personal hearing.
 
'The independent regulatory commission’s written reasons for its decisions and the associated sanction will be published in due course. 
 
'The suspension, which includes all football and football-related activity, is effective worldwide from today (Wednesday 23 December 2020) following an application to FIFA.'
 
Trippier was accused of breaking Rule E8(1)(a)(ii) and Rule E8(1)(b) of the FA's Betting Rules which state players cannot place a bet relating to football or provide relevant confidential information to anyone who could bet on a scenario. 
 
FA Rule E8(1)(b) states: 'Where a participant provides to any other person any information relating to football which the participant has obtained by virtue of his or her position within the game and which is not publicly available at that time, the participant shall be in breach of this Rule where any of that information is used by that other person for, or in relation to, betting.'
 
 

[Edoman]

Lampard dismisses Gunners relegation talk: We have to expect the best Arsenal



23 December 2020, 


Frank Lampard would not be drawn into discussing a potential Arsenal relegation battle, describing Chelsea's next opponents simply as "a high-quality team".


Arsenal, 13-time English champions, are winless in seven in the Premier League - one shy of their longest run without victory in the competition - and just four points clear of the bottom three in 15th place.


Mikel Arteta's problems are continuing to pile up, with the Gunners exiting the EFL Cup following a 4-1 home loss to Manchester City and former mentor Pep Guardiola on Tuesday.


The fixtures are not getting any kinder for Arsenal, whose 12-match unbeaten Boxing Day stretch will be tested by Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.


They then visit Brighton and Hove Albion and West Brom, where further defeats to two sides below them in the table could make a battle against the drop a serious prospect.


"I don't want to talk about what their battle is," Lampard told a news conference before this weekend's match against the side that beat Chelsea in this year's FA Cup final. "They're just a good team with a good manager.


"They've had some tough results recently, but the general wave of the Premier League this season for every team has been a bit more inconsistent than it has probably been in previous seasons.


"My concern isn't where they're at. My concern is at face value, their quality; they're a high-quality team."


Relegated teams like West Ham and Newcastle United have previously been considered 'too good to go down', but Lampard was not interesting in assessing Arsenal's chances.


"I don't want to talk about that conversation," he fired back. "I don't get what the point is. We're playing Arsenal on Boxing Day, I don't want to talk about teams and relegation battles."


Lampard expects the prize of a derby win over Chelsea could motivate Arsenal, meanwhile. Two of the Gunners' four wins this term have come against London rivals in Fulham and West Ham.


"When you play a derby, form does go out the window," the Blues coach said. "Sometimes the idea of playing a derby is the spur that the team needs to try to get a result.


"We have to expect the best Arsenal, which is a really good footballing team with really good players, well coached, rotations in their team, lots of threats in attacking areas.


"That's what I expect, so we have to prepare for that."


Reece James and Ben Chilwell are both doubt and Hakim Ziyech will not be fit to return, although Lampard is not concerned by the ex-Ajax man's injuries.


"He had an injury in his knee at the start of the season and then he's just had another muscle injury," he added. "You have to wait for it to recover.
"I wouldn't say it's a long-term concern. We hope to have him back in the next week or so and have him offer what he was offering before."


Ziyech has played just 390 minutes across seven games so far in his Premier League career, but he has already scored once and created 12 chances, leading to a trio of assists.

[Edoman]

Stoke City 1-3 Tottenham: Kane on target as Spurs reach last four


23 December 2020, 




A thunderous strike from Ben Davies and Harry Kane's 16th goal of the season sealed Tottenham's place in the EFL Cup semi-final as Stoke City were consigned to a 3-1 home defeat.


Spurs dominated the first half and Gareth Bale put them ahead with a glancing header on a miserable Wednesday evening.


Bale was withdrawn at the break, leading to concerns he may have sustained another injury, and Jordan Thompson equalised with Stoke's first shot of the tie eight minutes into the second half.


Spurs were not to be denied a place in the last four, though, as Davies thumped in from distance before Kane sealed a first win in four games as Tottenham moved to within two victories of lifting their first trophy since 2008.


Tottenham were well on top from the start and Andy Lonergan beat away Kane's venomous strike from a tight angle, though the visitors had their lead when Bale cleverly nodded in an inviting Harry Winks cross in the 22nd minute.


Lonergan spread himself well to deny Dele Alli, who was thwarted again by a fingertip save from the Stoke goalkeeper when his measured shot was heading for the bottom corner.


Son Heung-min replaced Bale at the break and Stoke were level from out of the blue after 53 minutes, Thompson tucking Jacob Brown's cross home with his left foot.


Fit-again Erik Lamela came on alongside Moussa Sissoko, replacing Alli and Lucas Moura, as Jose Mourinho tried to inject some impetus, though it was Davies who provided the quality Spurs had been lacking in the second half, collecting a loose ball and driving in off the post from long range.



Son should have had Spurs' third but the flag was incorrectly raised, with no VAR in this competition, but Kane rifled home clinically to give Tottenham breathing space, with Steven Fletcher missing the chance to set up a tense final when he headed wide.

[Edoman]

Hellas Verona 1-2 Inter: Skriniar secures seventh straight success



23 December 2020, 





Milan Skriniar bailed out goalkeeper Samir Handanovic and maintained Inter's winning run in a 2-1 victory at Hellas Verona to keep the pressure on title rivals Milan.


The Nerazzurri were made to work for their seventh straight Serie A success - a result that took them two points above their city neighbours, at least until the Rossoneri hosted Lazio later on Wednesday.


Skriniar's 69th-minute header proved decisive after Handanovic had gifted an equaliser to Ivan Ilic, cancelling out Lautaro Martinez's second-half opener.


The defender's first Serie A goal since February 2018 brought to a close a promising first section of the season for Antonio Conte's side, able to take in the Milan match and enjoy Christmas regardless, firmly back in the Scudetto hunt.


A stale first half did not produce a chance of note until the 26th minute when Federico Dimarco got in on the left but found Handanovic to be his equal from a tight angle.


Giangiacomo Magnani enjoyed his physical battle with Romelu Lukaku, but a slack pass set Inter away and the striker squared for Martinez to stab goalwards and draw a sharp save from Marco Silvestri.


Verona could not keep the Argentina international at bay again six minutes after half-time as he ran across Matteo Lovato to meet Achraf Hakimi's cross and aim a volley beyond the goalkeeper and in off the post.


An inexplicable error let the home side back into the match, however, as Handanovic dropped a simple Marco Faraoni centre and Ilic was alert enough to beat Skriniar to the loose ball inside the six-yard box.


If Handanovic looked to his centre-back to share the blame, Skriniar responded in impressive fashion with a towering header that left Silvestri rooted and restored an Inter lead they this time would not relinquish.

[Edoman]

Real Madrid 2-0 Granada: Casemiro and Benzema lift Los Blancos



23 December 2020, 


Casemiro and Karim Benzema struck as Real Madrid beat Granada 2-0 to claim their sixth consecutive victory in all competitions and keep pace with LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid.


Zinedine Zidane's men have lifted the gloom that hung over the club during a torrid run of results in November and they ensured their fans a merry Christmas with a hard-fought win over a dangerous Granada side.


Madrid survived a number of early scares as Granada attempted to extend their three-game unbeaten LaLiga streak but improved dramatically after half-time, when Casemiro broke the deadlock with a fine header.


Karim Benzema added further gloss in stoppage time, ensuring Madrid moved level on points with rivals Atleti, but Diego Simeone's men have two games in hand.


Antonio Puertas squandered a chance to give Granada the lead in the opening minute, firing high and wide following Raphael Varane's error
Karim Benzema hit the side netting at the other end, but Thibaut Courtois' fumble almost gifted Kennedy an easy finish, only for the winger to hesitate and hit tamely into the goalkeeper's arms.



A difficult first half for the champions was capped off in the 35th minute – Rodrygo Goes having to be taken off on a stretcher after pulling up through injury.


Madrid laid siege to the Granada goal early in the second half, Marco Asensio hitting the post before Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde drew good saves from Rui Silva.


Yet the breakthrough came 12 minutes into the half when Asensio delivered a floated cross which Casemiro powered into the bottom corner of Rui Silva's net.


Lucas Vasquez curled a 25-yard shot narrowly over the crossbar before Madrid endured some late Granada pressure, but Benzema capped off the result in the last minute when he broke down the right, cut onto his left foot, and dragged a 20-yard shot into the far corner.

[Edoman]

Mourinho takes aim at disgruntled Alli and confirms Bale injury after Spurs beat Stoke



23 December 2020, 







Jose Mourinho was again critical of Dele Alli and confirmed Gareth Bale suffered another injury setback in Tottenham's 3-1 EFL Cup quarter-final win at Stoke City.


Bale cleverly headed home a third goal of his second spell with Spurs to put them in front in a one-sided first half at the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday.


The Wales captain was then replaced by Son Heung-min at half-time, with Mourinho revealing he had asked to be withdrawn due to a calf problem.
Jordan Thompson equalised with the Championship side's first shot eight minutes into the second half, but a rasping long-range drive from Ben Davies and Harry Kane's 16th goal of the season put Spurs into the last four.


Alli, who has fallen out of favour under Mourinho, twice went close to scoring in the first half and was not impressed when Mourinho took him off after 66 minutes.


Two of Alli's three shots were well saved by a busy Andy Lonergan and he also contested a game-high 19 duels, as well as drawing more fouls (five) than any other player.


Yet Mourinho made it clear he was not happy with a flick from the attacking midfielder that did not come off before Thompson levelled from out of the blue.


"Yes, for me a player that plays in that position is a player that has to link and create and not to create problems for his own team," Mourinho said of Alli, who started in an advanced role behind Kane.


"In that situation, an objective counter-attack would probably end with a goal, and it ended with a counter-attack behind our defenders.


"We were unbalanced because when you are in possession you have full-backs out wide and another midfielder in a different line and they caught us in a counter-attack and they transformed the result of the game that was totally in our hands, so yes I am upset."


Eyebrows were raised when Bale did not return for the second half, but Mourinho said he made the change at the request of the on-loan forward.


"Yeah, it was his decision," said the Tottenham boss. "Something he felt in the last part of the first half and he didn't want to come out for the second half.


"While he was walking to the dressing room he told me immediately that he couldn't come out for the second half.


"Something I think with his calf. I'm not sure as at that time I just want to reorganise the team and make the change."