Here’s Vinicius, the mascot of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, atop a Sugar Loaf mountain cable train car in Rio de Janeiro. Today marked the start of the 500-day countdown to next year’s Games.

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel denies a charge of violent conduct over an alleged stamp on Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea. The incident happened in injury-time during the Reds’ 2-1 Premier League defeat at Anfield on Sunday. The Slovakian, 30, was charged on Monday and faces a three-match suspension. But he claims the incident was accidental and not intentional.

Diego Simeone extends his deal as manager of reigning Spanish champions Atletico Madrid until 2020. The ex-Argentina midfielder guided Los Rojiblancos to their first Liga since 1996, as well as last season’s Champons League final where they were beaten by neighbours Real Madrid. Simeone once played for Atletico Madrid when Fernando Torres was captain. Today they are coach and player respectively for the club and they are good friends.

Radamel Falcao wants to leave Manchester United in the summer even if he is offered a permanent deal, reports the Manchester Evening News. According to the newspaper, the Colombian striker is understood to have indicated his intention to leave Old Trafford – after being largely being frozen out this season. Liverpool and Chelsea are rumored to be interested in Falcao.

Michel Platini was re-elected by acclamation as UEFA president for a third term at the European confederation’s 39th Congress on Tuesday (today). The 59-year-old former France international, who has been president since 2007, was handed another four-year term by delegates of UEFA’s 54-member nations after standing unopposed.

Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli had to be restrained by the Liverpool fans from clashing with Chris Smalling after taking offence to a tackle. The fiery Italian reacted to being forced into the advertising boards and was quick in his attempts to grab the Manchester United defender before being held back by proactive fans. This was after Steven Gerrard had been sent off for stamping Hererra. Why always Mario?

Ugochukwu “Ugo” Chiedozie Monye has announced his retirement from the game at the end of the season. The 31-year-old won 14 caps for England and played two Tests for the Lions in 2009, scoring a crucial try in the third Test victory against South Africa at Ellis Park. Monye has played over 200 times for his club Harlequins, winning the Premiership title in 2012. The 31-year-old, who was born in Islington, London to Nigerian parents.

Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike asked to be substituted in the 1-0 victory over Besiktas after he received abuse from his own fans. The Nigeria international reacted angrily to jeers after losing the ball and took his shirt off, storming off the pitch, only be to be talked back on by his coaching staff. He was replaced at half-time.

English FA chairman Greg Dyke has warned Premier League football is in danger of “having nothing to do with English people” as new proposals to limit the number of non-EU players are outlined by English football’s governing body, BBC reports.

Continue reading →

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is charged by the Football Association with violent conduct. Skrtel appeared to stand on De Gea’s leg in the final seconds of Sunday’s game with Manchester United, which the Red Devils won 2-1. In explaining Martin Skrtel’s charge, the FA said in a statement: “In Premier League matches, if an incident has not been seen by the match officials, a three-man panel of former elite officials will be asked by The FA to review the footage independently of each other.”They will then advise what, if any action, they believe the match referee should have taken had it been witnessed at the time.”For an FA charge to follow, all three panel members must agree it is a sending-off offence. In this instance, the decision by the panel was unanimous.”

Former Arsenal midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been confirmed as Feyenoord’s new manager, starting in the summer. The 40-year-old is currently assistant to Fred Rutten, who will leave the Dutch club at the end of the season. He will sign a two-year contract as Feyenoord manager.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa will undergo tests in London today to assess whether he can remain in the Spain squad for their upcoming internationals against Ukraine and Holland. Costa limped off with a hamstring injury in the second half of Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Hull on Sunday. The Spanish federation (RFEF) said in a statement: “Costa will undergo tests on Monday in London and the results will be available to Spain’s medical staff for their evaluation.”

World number one Novak Djokovic recovered from a second-set battle to beat Roger Federer 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 in the BNP Paribas Open final. The Serb had dominated the opening set at Indian Wells but the Swiss rallied in the second set, coming from a break down to win the tie-break. Djokovic, 27, seemed rattled both by Federer and the crowd in the decider. But he regained his composure to win his 50th career title and his fourth Indian Wells crown. “All the hard work I have done in the off-season has paid off,” eight-time grand slam title-winner Djokovic told BBC Sport. “Nothing has been handed to me. I had to earn this, to fight for it with all the commitment to my everyday routine with my team. Hopefully I can use this confidence for the rest of the season. It’s a great start.”

Sunday 22 March 2015:

Barcelona 2 – 1 Real Madrid

Continue reading →

Saturday 21 March 2015:

Man City 3 – 0 West Brom

Aston Villa 0 – 1 Swansea

Newcastle 1 – 2 Arsenal

Southampton 2 – 0 Burnley

Stoke 1 – 2 Crystal Palace

Tottenham 4 – 3 Leicester

West Ham 1 – 0 Sunderland

Sunday 22 March 2015:

Liverpool 1 – 2 Man Utd

Hull 2 – 3 Chelsea

QPR 1 – 2 Everton

Sunday 22 March 2015:

Enyimba 1 – 0 Bayeslsa United

Taraba 0 – 0 Lobi Stars

Sharks 1 – 0 Akwa United

Ifeanyi Uba FC 1 – 0 Enugu Rangers

Giwa 1 – 0 Sunshine Stars

El-Kanemi Warriors 3 – 1 Abia Warriors

Wikki Tourist 1 – 1 Kwara United

Heartland 5 – 2 Nasarawa United

Flying Eagles of Nigeria defeated Senegal 1-0 to win the 20th edition of the African U20 Championship played on Sunday night at the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor in Dakar. This is Nigeria’s seventh title in this continental category and it is a record extending feat. It took a first half wonder strike from Bernard Bulbwa for Nigeria to win this year’s title.

In an earlier match, Ghana defeated Mali 3 – 1 to win the third place match. Ghana’s Yaw Yeboah was named player of the tournament as Bulbwa (Nigeria) got the man of the match for the final, while Musa Muhammed (Nigeria) won the tournament’s top scorer award with four goals all gotten from the penalty spot.