Demba Ba will not retire after injury….

Demba Ba

Former Premier League striker Demba Ba says he will not retire after suffering a career-threatening broken leg. Ba, now playing for Shanghai Shenhua, collapsed during a challenge in a Chinese Super League match, with his left leg giving way beneath the knee. After the match, the Senegal forward’s coach Gregorio Manzano said the injury “could end his professional career”. “This is a really bad injury but I can overcome it. I won’t call time on my career, that’s for sure,” said Ba, 31. The former West Ham, Newcastle and Chelsea forward added: “The season here ends in November and the new one starts in March. I’ll do my best to return in time for the season after that.” Ba, who joined Shenhua from Turkish club Besiktas for about £12m last July, is the top scorer in the Chinese Super League with 14 goals in 18 games.

Wes Morgan signs new Leicester City deal….

Wes Morgan

Leicester City captain Wes Morgan has signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until June 2019. The 32-year-old defender played every minute in the league last season as the Foxes won the Premier League title. Morgan joined Leicester from Nottingham Forest in January 2012 and has made 182 league appearances for the club. “To commit my future to Leicester City is a wonderful feeling. Everyone knows how I feel about playing for this club,” he told the club website. “Lifting that Premier League trophy was a moment I will never forget and it’s still sinking in. Now we’ve got to give it everything to defend it as well as showing what we can do in the Champions League.” Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri described Morgan as a “leader and a warrior”, adding: “It’s a wonderful time to be part of this team. Now we have another huge season ahead of us and we need him.”

Paul Le Guen has no deal with Nigeria Football Federation….

Paul le Guen

Paul Le Guen will not be taking up a role as Nigeria’s new technical adviser, despite an announcement from the country’s football federation. He had been named by the NFF, which said he would work alongside Salisu Yusuf, who was named chief coach. But the two parties could not come to a deal over a contract. The NFF said it had not been able to reach agreement on targets for the job, or over where the coach would be based. The Secretary-General of the NFF said that Le Guen had “rejected our terms”. French football reporter Hervé Penot, a friend of the coach said that Le Guen had had discussions but had never agreed a deal. “He met the president of the federation, his requests were not met so that was it – it was finished,” he said. A later statement from the NFF said it had “no issue with Le Guen saying he is not coming; several highly-qualified persons would be happy to coach Nigeria.” Sunday Oliseh was the Super Eagles’ last permanent coach before he quit in February in a row over his contract. Yusuf was in charge of the Super Eagles for friendly wins against Mali and Luxembourg in May. Nigeria have failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon, but are in the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. They have been drawn in Group B where they will face Algeria, the top-ranked side in Africa, Cameroon, as well as Zambia. The NFF’s technical committee had also recommended that former Super Eagles assistant coach Bitrus Bewarang be given the role of national technical director.

Moses Odubajo out for six months with knee injury….

Moses Odubajo

Hull City full-back Moses Odubajo has been ruled out for up to six months with a knee ligament injury. The 22-year-old made 42 Championship appearances last season as the Tigers won promotion back to the Premier League via the play-offs. The ex-Leyton Orient and Brentford defender suffered the injury in a pre-season friendly against Grimsby Town. Meanwhile, the club have confirmed they have taken former Stoke City forward Peter Odemwingie, 35, on trial. The Nigeria international, who could feature for Steve Bruce’s side in a friendly with Mansfield on Tuesday, is a free agent after being released by the Potters at the end of last season. He ended the campaign on loan at Championship side Bristol City after recovering from a long-term knee injury. Odubajo’s injury has reduced Hull to just 14 fit senior outfield players with less than four weeks until they host Premier League champions Leicester City on the opening day of the season.

Paul le Guen named as Nigeria’s new manager….

Paul le Guen

Paul le Guen has been named as Nigeria’s new technical adviser to work alongside caretaker manager Salisu Yusuf, who will become chief coach. Frenchman Le Guen, 52, has managed Lyon, Paris St-Germain and Rangers and led Cameroon to the 2010 World Cup. The appointments are subject to contract terms being agreed with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Sunday Oliseh was the Super Eagles’ last permanent coach before he quit in February in a row over his contract. Coach Imama Amapakabo and goalkeeping trainer Alloy Agu will also work with Le Guen and Yusuf, who was in charge of the Super Eagles for friendly wins against Mali and Luxembourg in May. Nigeria have failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon, but are in the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. They have been drawn in Group B where they will face Algeria, the top-ranked side in Africa, Cameroon, as well as Zambia. The NFF’s technical committee also recommended that former Super Eagles assistant coach Bitrus Bewarang be given the role of national technical director.

Cuadrado to stay at Chelsea….

Juan Cuadrado

New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says Colombia winger Juan Cuadrado is part of his plans at Stamford Bridge. Cuadrado, 28, shone in Serie A and the 2014 World Cup before joining the Blues for £23.3m from Fiorentina in February 2015, but failed to score in 13 games. He was loaned to Juventus last season, scoring four goals in 28 appearances to help them to the league and cup double. “I wanted him when I was Juventus coach. He will come back very soon and train and play with us,” said Conte.

Out cry in Nigeria over federal appointments….

The people of southern Nigeria especially the South East geopolitical zone are crying foul over the lopsided political appointments so far done by the federal government. They say the appointments favor the North and does not reflect the federal character policy as enshrined in the country’s constitution. They accuse the president of bias, tribalism and favoritism. The Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has come out to say that not all appointments made by President Buhari are expected to be subjected to Federal character policy. Have your say here.

Emanuele Giaccherini joins Napoli….

Emanuele Giaccherini

Sunderland and Italy winger Emanuele Giaccherini has joined Napoli on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Giaccherini, 31, joined the Black Cats in 2013 from Juventus for £6.5m but, after an impressive first season, he struggled to make an impact. He played 43 times in total for the club, scoring five goals, but spent last season on loan at Serie A Bologna. The Italian has 29 international caps and scored the Azzurri’s opening goal of Euro 2016 against Belgium.

Football Club director found dead at ground….

Colin Taylor

The managing director of Oxford City Football Club has been found dead at the team’s ground. The body of Colin Taylor was discovered by a member of the public at about 9:20 am at the Marsh Lane site in Marston. Thames Valley Police said his death was not thought to be suspicious and a file was being prepared for the coroner. In a statement the club said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Colin’s family and friends at this time.” It said the directors of the club made the announcement with the “deepest sadness”. Chairman Brian Cox, who had been friends with Mr Taylor for more than 25 years, said he was “shocked” by the news.

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Tomas Berdych pulls out of Olympic Games….

Tomas Berdych

World number eight Tomas Berdych has pulled out of next month’s Olympic Games in Rio because of concerns about the Zika virus. Berdych, 30, lost in the Wimbledon semi-final to eventual winner Andy Murray earlier this month. “It was a hard decision for me to take after a long and painstaking discussion with my dearest,” said Berdych. The Czech is the third tennis player after Simona Halep and Milos Raonic to withdraw from the Olympics. More than 20 male players have withdrawn from the golf competition at Rio 2016, with many concerned about the mosquito-borne virus Zika, which is linked to brain deformities in newborn babies. Berdych said on Twitter: “It is purely my personal decision but I still feel a need to give at least one of the serious reasons leading to this step to my supporters and fans. “It is because of the Zika virus spread in the country of the Olympics. As I have founded a family recently, to limit health risks towards my nearest is the utmost priority. “I apologise to all of you who are disappointed by my decision. I do believe that if you take a deeper account of my reasons you will understand that I have done it out of the responsibility for my family.” The United States’ John Isner has pulled out to focus on his preparations for tour events, while Nick Kyrgios will not be involved because of a dispute with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).

Arjen Robben out for six weeks….

Arjen Robben

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben could miss the start of the season after being ruled out for six weeks with an adductor muscle injury. The 32-year-old Dutchman missed the last two months of 2015-16 with a similar injury and pulled up in their pre-season opener against fifth-tier Lippstadt. He only made 15 Bundesliga appearances last season. Bayern face Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup on 14 August. The German champions’ league opener is against Werder Bremen on 26 August.

Eto’o charity match in Turkey postponed until further notice….

Samuel Eto'o

Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o announced that a charity match on Saturday in the Turkish city of Antalya – aimed at raising money for his foundation – was postponed until further notice following an attempted coup in the country. A number of football stars were already in Antalya to support Eto’o, who currently plays for Turkish side Antalyaspor, including Nigeria’s Kanu Nwankwo and Jay-Jay Okocha, Ghana’s Stephen Appiah and Michael Essien and Ivory Coast’s Kolo Toure. Ghana-born Marcel Desailly, Carles Puyol, Deco and former England manager Fabio Capello were also there for the game between a World Stars side and Turkey Stars team which had been organised to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Fundación Privada Samuel Eto’o in Turkey.

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N’Golo Kante joins Chelsea….

Chelsea have signed Leicester City midfielder N’Golo Kante on a five-year deal for a fee believed to be in the region of £30m. The defensive midfielder joined from Caen last summer for £6m and went on to make 40 appearances in Leicester’s Premier League-winning campaign. Kante, 25, was part of the France squad that reached the final of Euro 2016. “I am so happy to have signed for one of the biggest clubs in Europe. It’s a dream come true for me,” he said. Kante is Chelsea’s second signing of the summer after Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi joined from Marseille. “The opportunity to work with Antonio Conte, a brilliant coach, and some of the best players in the world was simply too good to turn down,” said Kante.

Shevchenko appointed Ukraine manager….

Andriy Shevchenko

Ukraine have appointed former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko as their new manager. The 39-year-old, who won 111 caps, replaces Mykhaylo Fomenko, whose four-year spell ended with elimination at the group stage of Euro 2016. Shevchenko was his assistant as Ukraine lost all of their matches, against Germany, Northern Ireland and Poland. The former Dynamo Kyiv player, who retired in 2012, has never before worked as a manager. Ukraine’s record scorer with 48 goals, Shevchenko captained his country to their first World Cup finals in 2006. He has signed a two-year contract with the possibility of another two-year extension. Former Italy defender Mauro Tassotti, who was assistant coach when Shevchenko was at Milan, will join his coaching staff, as will former Dynamo coach Raul Riancho. Ukraine’s World Cup 2018 qualification campaign begins with a home match against Iceland in September. They are both in Group I along with Croatia, Turkey, Finland and Kosovo.

Kluivert appointed PSG director of football….

Patrick Kluivert

Paris St-Germain have appointed former Netherlands striker Patrick Kluivert as their director of football. The 40-year-old leaves the Ajax under-19 job he had just taken this summer to work with new head coach Unai Emery at the French champions. Kluivert had spells with Ajax, Barcelona and Newcastle as a player and has been Netherlands assistant manager and managed Curacao’s national side. “I am extremely honoured to join such a great club,” he said. “I will conduct my mission with great ambition and rigour. We are all in Paris to reach the very high objectives set by the club and meet the expectations of the players and supporters alike. “As I am moving to Paris, I would also like to express my gratitude to Ajax Amsterdam, the club thanks to which I discovered top-level football and which has always given me their trust.”

Martin Skrtel joins Fenerbahce….

The 31-year-old  was pictured with a Fenerbahce scarf on Tuesday after landing in Turkey

Martin Skrtel has signed for Fenerbahce from Liverpool. The Turkish Super Lig side announced the deal with a tweet welcoming the Slovakian defender. Fenerbahce said the player would be presented to the media at 12pm on Friday. No details over the length of contract were immediately announced, and it has been reported that the Istanbul club paid Liverpool £5million for the 31-year-old. Skrtel joined the Reds from Russian club Zenit St Petersburg in January 2008 and was voted the club’s player of the season in 2011-12, when he scored in the League Cup final victory over Cardiff. He started 21 of Liverpool’s 38 Premier League matches in the 2015-16 season, suffering an injury against Watford in December which led to Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho forming a solid central defensive partnership in his absence. Skrtel played every minute of Slovakia’s Euro 2016 campaign, where the team reached the last 16 before being eliminated by Germany.

Coach Hossam Hassan spared jail with Facebook message….

Al Masry coach Hossam Hassan

Egypt’s all-time leading scorer Hossam Hassan has been spared a possible prison sentence – thanks to his daughter’s emotional Facebook message. Hassan was due to appear in court charged with assaulting a police photographer after a match. The photographer read the social media post and dropped his case against the former striker, who is now coach of Egyptian side Al-Masry. “Her words made me sad,” Reda Abdelmaged told reporters. “I saw what Hossam’s kid wrote on her Facebook when she said she was sad because she might see her dad in prison,” he added. “I decided to end the case as I love the city of Port Said [where Al Masry is based] and let me tell you that I love Hossam Hassan and his twin Ibrahim as they made the Egyptians happy.” The alleged incident happened as players and officials from Al Masry and Ghazl Al Mahalla clashed after the sides drew 2-2 in a league match on Friday.

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Yuliya Kalina told to return Olympic bronze medal for doping….

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Weightlifter Yuliya Kalina has been ordered to return her 2012 Olympic bronze medal over a doping offence. A blood sample taken during the London Games tested positive for banned substance Turinabol. The International Olympic Committee has ordered the Ukrainian to return the bronze medal “immediately”. The 27-year-old was one of 10 weightlifters who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs after competing at the London Olympics.

Samuel Umtiti joins Barcelona….

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Spanish champions Barcelona have completed the signing of France centre-back Samuel Umtiti from Lyon for 25m euros. The 22-year-old made his international debut in the Euro 2016 quarter-finals and appeared in the host nation’s 1-0 defeat by Portugal in the final. The five-year contract contains a buy-out clause of 60m euros. Umtiti made over 150 appearances for Ligue 1 side Lyon and won the Coupe de France in 2012. Barcelona confirmed Umtiti had completed his move on Tuesday after announcing in June they had agreed to sign the player.