Tyson Fury has started attending sessions with a psychologist after delaying his rematch with Wladimir Klitschko for a second time. The heavyweight’s career has been disrupted by allegations surrounding his reported use of both recreational and performance-enhancing drugs, while those close to the world champion have said he has been suffering with depression. Press Association Sport understands Fury began seeing a psychologist soon after the announcement that he was “medically unfit” to take on Klitschko in the slated October 29 fight. “Medical specialists have advised that the condition is too severe to allow him to participate in the rematch and that he will require treatment before going back into the ring,” a statement from his management Hennessy Sports at the time read. “Tyson will now immediately undergo the treatment he needs to make a full recovery.”

Continue reading →

Brazil coach Tite says Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho is in front of Chelsea’s Willian for the national side because he is a “magician”. Chelsea midfielder Willian was selected for Tite’s first two games in charge of Brazil, a 3-0 win over Ecuador and a 2-1 win over Colombia, but Coutinho produced impressive performances off the bench. The Liverpool 24-year-old has also started the new season strongly, scoring four goals in eight appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side, and Tite admitted he is in agreement with the Anfield supporters’ nickname for Coutinho.

Continue reading →

Anderson Esiti’s first half goal and an Alex Iwobi brace in the second half gave the Super Eagles a morale boosting 3-0 win over Nigeria Professional Football League side Plateau United in a warm up game on Wednesday inside the National Stadium, Abuja. Coach Gernot Rohr lined up his wards for the practice game as he intensifies Nigeria’s preparations for Sunday’s all important Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Zambia in Ndola. After struggling to click into gear in the early parts of the game, Belgium based Esiti slotted home from close range after some neat build up play from the midfield exposed Plateau United’s defense.

Continue reading →

One of Russia’s largest sports clubs is awarding medals to fans who travelled to Berlin to watch its basketball team win a major tournament, but it’s caused anger among people who say it’s an insult to the country’s war veterans. CSKA Moscow beat Turkey’s Fenerbahce at Berlin’s Mercedes-Benz Arena in mid-May to win basketball’s Euroleague final, and the club has now said that anyone who can prove they were there is eligible for a medal “For the Capture of Berlin”, Dozhd TV reports. This follows last year’s trip to the finals in Spain, where fans were given medals “For the Capture of Madrid”, despite CSKA only finishing third. Supporters who bought tickets through the club will automatically be sent a medal, while those who got to the arena by other means need to show ticket stubs or social media photos, “and then we are happy to reward the heroes,” the club says.

Continue reading →

Russian high jumper Anna Chicherova has been stripped of her Beijing 2008 bronze medal for doping, but keeps her London 2012 gold. The 34-year-old is one of 98 athletes caught by the International Olympic Committee’s recent re-analysis of doping samples from the Beijing and London Games. Russia’s 2004 Olympic champion Yelena Slesarenko could be handed the bronze, although she would also need her samples re-analyzed.

Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian could leave the club in January, says one of his advisers. According to ESPN, Darmian could leave having played just once under Jose Mourinho so far this season. Adviser Fausto Pari told Radio CRC: “We’ve got to see what United want to do. Italian clubs have tried [to sign him], but United closed the door immediately. “He’s playing little or nothing and it’s a shame because he’s an Italy international. If the situation doesn’t change by January, we’ll have to think of something. He risks also losing his place in the national team.”

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan could win his first Germany cap in almost a year this weekend. The 25-year-old, who missed Euro 2016 with injury, may face the Czech Republic on Saturday and Northern Ireland three days later. “It is great to be here again. I did not realise it was actually such a long time since my last game. But I know the feeling of a comeback well from the past few years. “I have not been successful with tournaments. This is not on purpose that I get injured shortly before. “It was extremely bitter to miss the past two major tournaments. Maybe that is why I want to be healthier and I am not thinking about Russia. I am just happy to be fit again and reach 100%, to stay healthy and enjoy the moment.”

Real Madrid forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale have ‘agreed new contracts’ at the Spanish club. According to reports, Wales international Bale has been offered a £91m deal as an incentive to reject a move to Manchester United next summer.  Ronaldo’s deal would keep him at the Bernabeu until 2021 and end interest from China or MLS.

UFC middleweight Josh Samman has died at the age of 28 following a probable drug overdose. The fighter spent five days in a Florida hospital and for two of those he was brain dead, says Dr Craig Mallak, chief medical examiner for Broward Country. He was moved to a hospice where he was declared dead on Wednesday morning. Dr Mallak said toxicology tests had been done and the cause of death would be listed as a probable drug overdose.

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has been called up to the Spain squad for the first time for their match against Italy tonight, but the 27-year-old said he thought the call-up was a hoax. According to Goal.com, Herrera was first told about the selection by club team-mate David de Gea and was not convinced by his initial phone call. Herrera said: “He said, ‘Come over here.’ ‘Here? But where’s here?’ I replied. “I didn’t realise at that moment. “[Spain manager Julen] Lopetegui told me that you will come with us,’ he said. I thought it was a joke, and even asked him if it was.”

Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentiis says agents are a “cancer” on the game and insists players do not need them. “In Hollywood, the actor pays [the agent] himself. I don’t pay the agent. In soccer, why must I pay?” the Italian movie producer said. De Laurentiis said some transfer deals had fallen through due to disagreements with agents over players’ image rights. “You know, that’s a cancer of our domain,” he added. “Not every agent. But I don’t understand why you need an agent.”