Issa Hayatou has been appointed the acting president of FIFA. Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini and Jerome Valcke were suspended for 90 days on Thursday as investigations into football’s governing body continue. Blatter, 79, is suspected of making a “disloyal payment” of two million Swiss francs – around £1.3million – to UEFA president Michel Platini which was “at the expense of FIFA.” All three are banned from all football activity but deny any wrongdoing. Issa Hayatou, who heads Africa’s football confederation (CAF) will act as president during Blatter’s ban.

Hayatou has said he will not be a candidate for the FIFA presidential election come February 2016 but can his interim presidency help usher in an African substantive FIFA president? We’ll see.

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Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has announced his retirement from international football. This is not unconnected with his recent row with Nigeria’s coach, Sunday Oliseh. Sad. We wish you well Enyeama. You had an international career you can look back and be proud of. #Respect!

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao says he is likely to retire from the sport after one more fight next year. Pacquiao, who lost to Floyd Mayweather in his last fight, could face Britain’s Amir Khan or American Terence Crawford. Pacquiao said he “cannot say” whether his last fight would be a rematch against Mayweather, with the American having pledged to retire after his defeat of Andre Berto. The six-weight world champion wants to run for a seat in the Philippines senate in 2016, and told ANC: “I think I’m ready [to retire]. I’ve been in boxing for more than 20 years. If you are a senator, your focus should only be your job and your family.”

FIFA has suspended president Sepp Blatter, UEFA president Michel Platini and FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke. “The adjudicatory chamber of the ethics committee chaired by Hans‑Joachim Eckert has provisionally banned FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, UEFA President and FIFA Vice-President Michel Platini, and FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke (who has already been put on leave by his employer FIFA) for a duration of 90 days,” said a FIFA statement. “The duration of the bans may be extended for an additional period not exceeding 45 days. “The former FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon has been banned for six years and fined 100,000 (Swiss Francs). “During this time, the above individuals are banned from all football activities on a national and international level. The bans come into force immediately.”

The Super Eagles are pictured having breakfast at their Belgium hotel this morning. They will be facing Congo today by 7pm. For those in Naija, I learnt AIT would be showing the match live. Super Sport might also be doing that. Enyeama looks crestfallen sha.

Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Arijan Ademi failed a drug test after their recent Champions League win over Arsenal, the club has announced. Ademi played the full 90 minutes during the Croatian side’s 2-1 victory in Zagreb last month. If the player’s B sample is also positive he could face a ban, but there are no rules to disqualify teams from the competition unless two or more players fail drug tests.

Super Eagles Coach Sunday Oliseh has made a sensational declaration that fleet-footed forward Ahmed Musa is his preferred choice for the national team captain’s armband. Musa played the captain’s role in the Super Eagles last two matches against Tanzania and Niger and while many thought it was only in a stand-in capacity, Oliseh revealed otherwise Tuesday, saying he was already looking into the future. There was a major fall-out between Oliseh and hitherto skipper Vincent Enyeama on Tuesday night in Belgium, a development that may have further contributed to the Eagles coach making a firm declaration on the captaincy of the Eagles.

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Feelers from the Super Eagles camp suggests that Coach Sunday Oliseh clashed with Captain Vincent Enyeama yesterday. Enyeama joined his national teammates in Belgium ahead of the two friendly games against Congo and Cameroon on Thursday and Sunday respectively but Oliseh was angry over the keeper’s late arrival to camp. The Lille keeper arrived camp after Monday’s deadline, having been reportedly permitted to report late following Saturday’s burial of his mother in Akwa Ibom. But an angry Oliseh ordered Enyeama, out despite pleas from the keeper, who rose to apologise for coming late and wanted to give his reasons. Oliseh reportedly told Enyeama to shut up but the Eagles captain didn’t comply, which made the coach call on security operatives to get the keeper out of Hotel Verviers, the camp site of the Eagles. Oliseh then named CSKA Moscow forward, Ahmed Musa, the Eagles captain for the friendly matches. But officials of the NFF waded into the matter and persuaded Enyeama to remain in camp. “It’s true that there was a little misunderstanding in the camp of @NGSuperEagles, but the matter has been resolved. Enyeama remains in camp,” the NFF said on Twitter.

We don’t know who is right or wrong but we do know that Oliseh should control his temperament that once saw him confront a former sports minister when he was Super Eagles captain.

South Sudan will play in their first World Cup qualifier when they face Mauritania on Wednesday, the first leg of their preliminary round tie. Having joined international football only in 2012, a year after the country became independent from Sudan, the team is facing its biggest challenge. They go into the tie boosted by achieving their first competitive win on 5 September – beating Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. “We are ready, totally ready. We know what we have to do and we can spring a surprise,” South Sudan captain Richard Justin Lado told Fifa’s website.  “Our coach Sung-Jea Lee has created a style of play that’s based on defensive discipline and counter-attacking football, and I think we can cause some damage. We need to win, for many reasons, and we will win.” However, Mauritania are ranked 55 places higher than their opponents and will be hoping to stamp their authority on the game and finish the job when they host the return leg on Tuesday 13 October.

Prosecutors in Spain have dropped tax charges against Argentina and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi but will pursue a case against the star’s father. If convicted, Jorge Messi faces 18 months in prison and a £1.6m fine. Both Messi and his father were accused of defrauding Spanish authorities of more than £3.1m. Prosecutors allege that Jorge avoided paying tax on his son’s earnings by using offshore companies in Belize and Uruguay between 2007 and 2009.

Philippine boxing hero Manny Pacquiao said Monday he plans to run for a post in the influential Philippine Senate despite a lacklustre stint as a congressman. The star announced he will run as a candidate for the 24-seat upper chamber in May 2016, to mixed reactions from fans. “Yes, I’m going to run for (a) Senate post this coming 2016 election. But as to which party, that’s still to be determined,” said the fighter. The boxer popularly known as “Pac-Man”, said President Benigno Aquino’s ruling Liberal Party had been courting him but added that he is also close to the leaders of rival parties. Pacquiao, 36, used his athletic renown to be elected as congressman of an impoverished district in the southern Philippines in 2010, despite his punishing training schedule and a foray as playing coach in the country’s competitive basketball league. He has won eight world championships in different weight divisions but lost the richest fight in boxing history in a unanimous decision to his American rival Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas in May. While still retaining his popularity among sports fans, Pacquiao has been harshly criticised for his performance in the House of Representatives where he has been listed among the legislators with the most absences. As a congressman, Pacquiao was elected by the voters of his district but in the Philippines, senators are elected nationally, posing a larger challenge.

Fifteen Super Eagles stars on Monday commenced training for two friendlies in Belgium at the R. Battice FC training ground on Monday evening. Nigeria face DR Congo on Thursday, before they tackle Cameroon three days later as part of preparation for next month’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against either Swaziland or Djibouti. The players who are in camp and trained today are: Ahmed Musa, Ogenyi Onazi, John Mikel Obi, Carl Ikeme,  Elderson Echiejile, Efe Ambrose, William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Sylvester Igbonu, Rabiu Ibrahim, Obiora Nwankwo, Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Emmanuel Emenike and Alex Iwobi. Eagles top official Enebi Achor disclosed the team will train twice on Tuesday (10am and 4pm) at the same venue. Victor Moses and Kenneth Omeruo pulled out of the friendlies due to injury.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has been charged with misconduct by the FA for comments made after the Southampton match. A statement reads: “It is alleged his remarks constitute improper conduct in that they allege and/or imply bias on the part of a match official or match officials and/or bring the game into disrepute.” Mourinho has until 6pm on Thursday to respond.

Colorado Rockies baseball player Brendan Rodgers had to post a message on Twitter on Sunday and tell everyone he is not the former Liverpool manager. The 19-year-old was bombarded with messages following the departure of his namesake from Anfield.

Chelsea have released a statement giving their backing to manager Jose Mourinho. “The club wants to make it clear that Jose continues to have our full support,” it says. “As Jose has said himself, results have not been good enough and the team’s performances must improve. However, we believe that we have the right manager to turn this season around and that he has the squad with which to do it.”

Serena Williams the world’s top female tennis player, who will not play for the rest of this year, posted a picture on her Instagram account relaxing with friends in Texas.  She’s was pictured with model and television star Colton Haynes, known for his roles in drama series Teen Wolf and supernatural hero series Arrow.

Serena baby la hot… lol

Liverpool have sacked manager Brendan Rodgers with immediate effect. The Reds drew with Everton on Sunday to leave them 10th in the Premier League and six points off the top spot. “Although this has been a difficult decision, we believe it provides us with the best opportunity for success on the pitch,” said a club statement. “The search for a new manager is underway and we hope to make an appointment in a decisive and timely manner.” Carlo Ancelotti, Frank de Boer and Jurgen Klopp have each been linked with the Liverpool job in recent weeks as the club have made an inconsistent start to the season.

Dick Advocaat has resigned as Sunderland boss, with the team yet to win in the Premier League this season. The 68-year-old Dutchman was appointed in March, when the Black Cats were one point above the relegation zone. He guided them to safety and was due to leave the club in the summer, only to sign a new one-year contract. Advocaat said: “I have made the decision to go after only eight games as I felt it was important to give everyone time to turn things around.” Sunderland chairman Ellis Short said: “I am truly saddened by Dick’s decision, but I respect him for his honesty. “It is also testament to his character that he has foregone any kind of a financial settlement, something which is very unusual in football.” Assistant head coach Zeljko Petrovic has also left the club. Saturday’s draw with West Ham left Sunderland without a win in their first eight league matches and looking for a sixth manager in four years. Since Steve Bruce was sacked in November 2011, Martin O’Neill, Paolo di Canio, Gus Poyet and Advocaat have managed the club. Advocaat’s departure also follows a trend set by Di Canio and Poyet of managers arriving to save the Black Cats from the drop, only to depart in the next season. He initially agreed to lead Sunderland only until the end of last season, shedding tears as their survival was secured with a 0-0 draw at Arsenal. Advocaat said he would leave the club to fulfil a promise to his wife, but changed his mind and returned in June. The former Netherlands, Russia and South Korea boss has seen his side win just once this season – against League Two Exeter in the League Cup.

Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has invited 19 home-based players for next month African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying fixture against Burkina Faso. All the invited players are expected to report in Port Harcourt on Monday ahead of the first leg clash against the Etalons at the Adokiye Amiesieamaka Stadium on October 18. The return leg fixture comes up in Ouagadougou on October 25. All six home-based professionals who will be in Belgium with the mainstream squad for the two international friendlies against DR Congo and Cameroon, on October 8 and 11 respectively will join the 19 players on their return to the country on October 12. These are goalkeepers Femi Thomas (Enyimba FC) and Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars), defenders Chima Akas (Sharks FC) and Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors), midfielder Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars) and forward Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars).

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The Swiss Federal Office of Justice has approved the extradition of Eduardo Li, the former president of the Costa Rican Football Federation, to the United States. Li, a Costa Rican citizen, was arrested in Zurich along with six other FIFA officials in a dawn raid on a Zurich hotel on May 27. The U.S. Department of Justice issued an arrest warrant in May against Li, accusing him of taking bribes in connection with the sale of marketing rights for World Cup 2018 qualifying games. He has been in custody pending extradition and now has 30 days to appeal the Swiss decision.