Archive | March 22, 2016

Perpetua Nkwocha set to wed….

https://i0.wp.com/www.allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/85325Nkwocha.jpg

Nigeria women football icon, Perpetua Nkwocha, will walk down the altar on Monday, 28 March 2016, to be joined in holy matrimony with Ernest Ikechukwu Nwufoh. The marriage takes place at Our Lady Carmel Catholic Church, Emekuku, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, by 12noon. Reception follows immediately after service at the bride’s father’s compound in Amankwu Umuhu in Ngor-Okpala Local Government area of Imo State. Nkwocha’s soon-to-be husband hails from the late Nze Dilibe Amachukwu Nwufoh family of Ifite, Nibo in Akwa South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Continue reading

FIFA investigates Beckenbauer….

Franz Beckenbauer was the head of Germany's bid to host the 2006 World Cup

Franz Beckenbauer is one of six men to be investigated by FIFA’s ethics committee over the Germany 2006 World Cup bidding process. The 70-year-old, a World Cup-winning captain and manager with West Germany, led his nation’s campaign to host the tournament and was forced to reject allegations last year that a slush fund was set up to buy the votes. Beckenbauer was also investigated as part of FIFA’s probe into alleged corruption and was sanctioned by FIFA earlier this year for failing to cooperate with their investigation into the Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 World Cup bids. Also under investigation is Wolfgang Niersbach, former president of the German FA, vice-president of the 2006 World Cup organising committee and current FIFA and UEFA executive committee member, and four others:

Continue reading

Suarez back to Uruguay squad after biting ban….

Luis Suarez (right) has served his nine-match international ban

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has returned to training with Uruguay and is available for selection after serving his ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup. Suarez was handed a nine-match international suspension, as well as a four-month ban from football-related activity, for the incident. The 29-year-old has joined his team-mates in Montevideo as Uruguay prepare for World Cup qualifying matches against Brazil and Peru. Suarez admits his error in biting defender Chiellini during Uruguay’s last group match in Brazil in 2014 but still maintains his penalty was too hefty. “I made a mistake,’ Suarez told Mundo Deportivo. “But there was no logic to the punishment. For four months I was not even allowed to train with my club.

Continue reading

Norwich striker Dieumerci Mbokani was at Brussels Airport when the bombs went off….

Norwich striker Dieumerci Mbokani was caught up in the terror attacks in Brussels on Tuesday morning, but is unharmed. Zaventem Airport was the site of two explosions, while there was at least one at a Metro station near the European Parliament building. At least 34 people were killed in the blasts, with around 170 injured. Congo international Mbokani, who is on loan from Dynamo Kiev, was at Zaventem Airport at the time of the attacks. City say the 30-year-old was “unharmed but shaken” by the events, and that he had returned home to be with his family, and the club remain in constant dialogue with him.

Continue reading

Mitrovic apologises to Newcastle doctor for trying to play despite head injury….

Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has apologised to the club’s doctor after having to be restrained as he tried to return to the pitch following a head injury. The 21-year-old Serbia international was knocked unconscious minutes after scoring the Magpies’ equaliser in Sunday’s 1-1 derby draw with Sunderland at St James’ Park. However, having come around and being led to the sidelines, he was desperate to return as his side pressed for a last-gasp winner, and had to be physically restrained by doctor Paul Catterson as he followed Barclays Premier League protocol, as well as manager Rafael Benitez.

Continue reading

Belgian FA cancels training session after Brussels explosions….

The Belgian national team have cancelled Tuesday’s scheduled training session out of respect for the victims of the Brussels attacks. Belgium are set to play Portugal in an international friendly at Brussels’ King Baudouin Stadium on Tuesday, March 29, but the fixture is now in doubt following suspected terrorist bomb attacks in the nation’s capital. Brussels Airport was rocked by a double blast on Tuesday morning while another blast was reported by local media at a Metro station in the city.

Continue reading

West Ham complete signing of Manuel Lanzini….

West Ham have completed the signing of Manuel Lanzini on a four-year contract from Al Jazira. The 23-year-old midfielder had been on loan from UAE club Al Jazira and has now sealed a permanent switch to Upton Park. The deal, which includes an option for a further two years, is understood to be worth around £9m. Jack Sullivan, the son of Hammers joint-chairman David Sullivan, confirmed the news on Twitter. He wrote: “Lanzini is a WHU player for the next 4 seasons, with a further 2 year option.”

Continue reading

Gutierrez sues Newcastle….

Jonas Gutierrez

Argentina international Jonas Gutierrez is suing Newcastle. It’s over the way the 32-year-old says he was treated by the club when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He was released last summer. “The case is due to get under way today at the Employment Tribunal Court in Birmingham.

Arsenal set to reward Iwobi with improved deal….

 

 

Arsenal are set to reward Alex Iwobi with an improved contract after the 19-year-old’s breakthrough spell in the  first team. Iwobi signed a new contract to stay at Emirates Stadium until 2019 — understood to be worth less than £1,000 a week — only last October but has since made his full Champions League and Premier League debuts.  The attacking midfielder scored his first senior goal for the club in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Everton and is expected to continue negotiations over a new deal during the international break. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is keen to ensure Iwobi is financially remunerated after quickly acclimatising to the demands of first-team football in difficult circumstances. Iwobi’s performance was one of the few positives to take from Arsenal’s European exit at Barcelona last week and it is believed he could now take his earnings to more than £10,000  a week. English FA recently tried to convince Iwobi to change his mind and represent England but the move has failed as Iwobi is presently in Nigeria to prepare with the Super Eagles for the upcoming African Nations Cup qualifier games against Egypt.

Two killed as Raja de Casablanca fans fight….

Mohammed V stadium

Two people were killed in fighting among fans of Raja de Casablanca on Saturday, the Moroccan Football Federation (FMRFF) has confirmed. Fans threw flares and ripped up parts of the Mohammed V stadium after Raja’s 2-1 victory over Chabab Rif Al Hoceima. The country’s DGSN security service said in a statement that 31 people were arrested for acts of vandalism. FMRFF has banned fans from the next five Raja home matches and fined the club 100,000 dirhams. Footage on Moroccan media showed the fans, dressed in the club’s green colours, charging at each other. It was unclear how the clashes had erupted. DGSN revealed 10 people had been arrested prior to the game. Prosecutors have opened an inquiry into the fan trouble.

Indian Wells CEO quits after comments….

Indian Wells tournament chief Raymond Moore has quit after his controversial comments about women’s tennis. Moore, 69, said the women’s game “rides on the coat-tails” of the men – a view described as “sexist” by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Women’s world number one Serena Williams said Moore’s statement was “offensive and very inaccurate”. But her male counterpart, Novak Djokovic, claimed his tour should fight for more money. Moore said female players “should get down on their knees” in thanks to male counterparts such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The South African – a former player – later apologised for his “erroneous” remarks.

Continue reading