Lionel Messi Set To Leave Barcelona after he rejects new deal

Manchester City lad bitter rivals Man Utd in the race to sign Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi after the player last week rejected Barcelona's new contract offer.

Messi refused Barcelona's offer after seeing that it's not as good as he wanted it to be, compared to the one recently given to his rival Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.

Man City have now upped their attempts to sign the very talented forward.

According to the Sun UK, Man U were confident of signing Messi, seeing that he is even an Adidas ambassador as Adidas sponsors the club too, but Man City have strengthened talks with Messi's team to try to sign him if he were to ever consider leaving Barcelona.

The report reads: 'Man United have admitted defeat and believe bitter rivals City would be favorites to sign Lionel Messi if he was to leave Barcelona.

An Old Trafford source said: “City would be the favorites if he were to one day leave, but we would obviously love the sign a player of that level. We can certainly compete on the cash front and Messi is an Adidas player like Paul Pogba, so we have our pluses.''

Cristiano Ronaldo pictured with a bevy of bikini-clad babes in Ibiza beach (Photos)

The ladies flocked to Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday as he enjoyed a well-deserved break in sun-soaked Ibiza, ahead of Portugal’s Euro 2016 campaign. The 31-year-old may be relaxing after a gruelling season with Real Madrid but he certainly looked in impressive shape as he took to the water on the Spanish island. The three-time world footballer of the year showed off his muscular frame wearing nothing but a pair of tiny striped swimshorts. He gently held the busty beauty’s hand as he lowered himself into the water, as she gazed fondly up at the footballer’s face. See more photos below…

Man U player Chris Smalling faints, injures his eyes and head after food poisoning (photos)

England and Man U defender Chris Smalling was rushed to hospital on Monday while on holiday in Bali after fainting because of food poisoning. The Manchester United central defender has recovered according to a statement released on Manchester United's official website.

A club statement read: “Manchester United can clarify Chris Smalling has had food poisoning during his holiday, which resulted in him fainting on Sunday. The 26-year-old defender was taken to the hospital and is now feeling fine.

“Smalling is currently on vacation following his time with England at Euro 2016 before reporting back for pre-season training later this month.”

 He was pictured signing a fan's jersey!

Liverpool sign Senegalese forward Saido Mane from Southampton for £34m

Liverpool Football club have officially announced the signing of Senegalese winger Saido Mane for the sum of £34m after raiding Southampton of it's talents once again. The likes of Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana have left Southampton to join Liverpool in recent years and Saido Mane's capture has now been confirmed by the club.

Mane speaking to Liverpoolfc.com said: 

“Today is a big day and I am very happy to sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe. “It’s a club that has won a lot of trophies and has a big history. Now I am looking forward to meeting all the staff and my teammates and starting the season.”

The 24-year-old has put pen to paper on a long-term contract after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms at Melwood. He will officially become registered as a Reds player on July 1.. He has 36 caps for Senegal and has scored 10 goals for his country.

Awww..The many sad faces of Wayne Rooney's son Kai after England lose to Iceland

It was not a good day for soccer loving England fans the world over when England shockingly lost to football minnows Iceland in the last 16 of Euro 2016. Wayne Rooney's son, Kai, who was with his mum, Coleen in the stands couldn't contain his emotions and let it all out. More photos of the cutie after the cut.

Photos: 19 year old US based Nigerian footballer drowns in lake

19 year old US based footballer, Fikayo Idowu, who plays as a defender for the Ohio State football club, drowned in a central Ohio lake on Friday June 24th. Idowu had gone to the Apple Valley lake to swim with his team mates when the sad incident occurred. A dive team searched for him for 45 minutes and eventually recovered his body from the lake. He was rushed to the Columbus hospital where he was certified dead

His coach John Bluem said Idowu was an “unbelievably good human being.”

“He was a very quiet kid, very intelligent, marvelous athlete, really, really hard worker… always a smile and always a pleasant person to be around,” he said.

According to the Ohio State athletics website, Idowu was from Madison, Miss. and attend St. Andrew’s Episcopal School for high school. He was a junior majoring in health and rehabilitation sciences at OSU and planned to attend Medical School after graduating. He was an Ohio State Prominence Scholar and a two-time OSU Scholar-Athlete.

Tiger Woods' Son Charlie Finishes T2 at Junior Tournament

Tiger Woods' adorable 7-year-old son Charlie Woods is a golfer like his dad. He finished T2 at his junior golf tournament in West Palm Beach, Fla., Friday, with a finishing score of 19 over par. The last time his father,  Tiger Woods finished T2 was at the 2013 Barclays.
Charlie Woods played nine holes at Mayacoo Lakes Country Club, not far from the Woods' Jupiter Island residence. Charlie, who started on the 10th hole, had a tournament highlight of par on the 150-yard par-2. He's doing very well like his dad used to.
The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.



Source: Golf.com

C.O.D United & English Premier League team, AFC Bournemouth Present Summer Camp Lagos

C.O.D United & English Premier League team, AFC Bournemouth  Present Summer Camp Lagos
C.O.D United is excited announce our Summer Soccer Camp holding in Lagos  on July 3rd -9th.




As with all our previous camps, the Camp this year will be of great benefit  to young boys and girls as specialist youth team coaches from our partner club in England, Bournemouth will join theirs counterpart from C.O.D United to run young and emerging football talents through the latest training rills in football aimed at accelerating their progress in the game of football. It promises to be exciting and hugely beneficial for all youngsters who love and play the game and might want to consider playing professionally in the future.

Benefits:
*        Acquiring great football skills from coaches from English Premier League AFC
Bournemouth and C.O.D United academy coaches
*        Personal profile of each participant written by the assigned coach and a
certificate of attendance
*        Awards of excellence given to outstanding footballers in the camp
*        Participation in other sports activities such as swimming, etc
*        And many more, like network opportunities with kids in schools in Nigeria and
outside the country

What participants get:
1. 2 sets of kits (jerseys, shorts, socks)
2. 1 sports bag
3. Writing materials
4. Daily snacks served as lunch
5. A pair of shin-guards
6. Water bottle
7. Certificates of attendance.

Ages: boys and girls 5 – 17 
English ability: all English language levels
Football ability: all football levels
Duration:  7 days
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Dates: 3 – 9 July
Price ₦68,500
For More Enquiries: call/sms 08034775667

Mikel Obi, Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi all in the 35-man preliminary Rio Olympic squad

The Nigerian Football Federation has unveiled the preliminary 35-man football squad prepared by coach Samson Siasia, to represent Nigeria in the Summer Olympic games set for August in Rio de Janeiro.

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, Watford striker Odion Ighalo and Arsenal young revelation Alex Iwobi have all been included in the list. Seventeen of the 35 players included in the team have already had full international experience with the Super Eagles as Siasia hopes to put up a good challenge to win gold this year after falling just short in his 2008 spell in charge


A final list of 18 will be released before the team leaves for Brazil where they have been drawn to face Sweden, Colombia and Japan in the preliminary. Coach Siasia has requested for a final training camp in Atlanta, the venue of the country’s historic Olympic triumph 20 years ago, in order to prepare the boys for “victory in Brazil.”

Below is the full list of players that have been called up:

Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa FC, South Africa), Yusuf Bala (Kano Pillars), Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers), Taiwo Abdulrahman (Kwara United), Ndubuisi Agu (FC Porto, Portugal), Junior Ajayi (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Stanley Amuzie (Olhanense FC, Portugal), Taiwo Awoniyi (Frankfurt FC, Germany), Okechukwu Azubuike (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey), Etor Daniel (Enyimba FC), Augustine Dimgba (Sunshine Stars), William Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway), Saturday Erimuya (Kayseri Erciyespor, Turkey), Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense FC, Portugal), Imoh Ezekiel (Anderlecht, Belgium), Saviour Godwin (Ostende, Belgium), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England), Emiloju Julius (MFM FC), Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England), Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey), Usman Muhammed (CF Uniao, Portugal), Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium), Erhun Obanor (MFM FC), Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea FC, England), Sodiq Saliu (Seraing FC, Belgium), Abdullahi Shehu (CF Uniao, Portugal), Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium), Seth Sincere (Rhapsody FC), Ndifreke Udo (Abia Warriors), Aminu Umar (Osmalispor, Turkey), Sadiq Umar (AS Roma, Italy)

Revealed: The bombshell 'texts' which allegedly show David De Gea trying to arrange prostitute for 5 Man U teammates

One of the world's best goalkeepers David De Gea was yesterday linked to a sexual assault scandal. De Gea denied the reports calling them 'lies'. If you missed the story. Read more

Top Spanish paper El Confidencial has published the Whatsapp conversations between the protected witness (prostitute girl alleging De Gea forced her to have sex with teammates) and David de Gea, Manchester United and Spain keeper. Read the full English translation of the whatsapp chats between De Gea and the prostitute after the cut.


Witness: Holaa. Darling, How’s it going?

De Gea: Hello. Really well and you??

Witness: Great :)

De Gea: I’m delighted

Witness: I wanted to ask you something :)

De Gea: What

Witness: Do you remember when we went to the hotel when you were there with Muñiain and we went with torbe to the room?

Well it turns out I’ve got a date with a really nice guy and I’d like to know the name of the hotel.
Do you remember

De Gea: I wasn’t at that hotel. You’re confused, Muniain was with another guy, it wasn’t me

Witness: Ah no?

De Gea: Noo

Witness: Torbe told me That it was you

De Gea: As if!!!!!!

Witness: The guy was injured

De Gea: It was someone from Muniain’s team Not me. Haha

Witness: And who was the guy then?

De Gea: I don’t know

Witness: …

De Gea: But it wasn’t me hahahaha. I wasn’t there

Witness: Haha

He told me it was [you] Ha

De Gea: As if

Witness: I’ll ask Iker. Let’s see

De Gea: Yeah, no doubt he’ll know

Witness: I’ll ask him. He said it was you. Haha

De Gea: It wasn’t, it wasn’t mee. Absolutely certain

Witness: Ok ok

De Gea: :)

Witness: And the thing in Manchester. He mentioned it. Is it true

De Gea: Yes, it’s true

Witness: ^_^ You’re a naughty boy

De Gea: No I’m doing it for my team mates hahaha

Witness: What's your team?

Atleti

De Gea: Manchester... Noo

Witness: Ah, I’m lost In these things

De Gea: I see that

Witness: haha. And do any of your teammates fancy me? Apart from you obviously. Hahaha

De Gea: Yessss. But can you cope with them all??

Witness: How many are there?

De Gea: 5 with me

Witness: Of course ^_^

De Gea: I’m not sure eh!! Haha

Witness: Why

De Gea: I’m not sure… hahaha

De Gea is set to start in goal for Spain's Euro clash against Czech Republic on Monday.

France opens Euro 2016 on shaky ground despite win

Host nation and tournament favorites France needed a late stunner from Dmitri Payet to see off Romania in a tightly contested opening game as EURO 2016 got underway.

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud gave France the lead just before the hour mark but Bogdan Stancu kept his cool to slot home a penalty seven minutes later. Payet saved Les Bleus' when he sent a stunning strike into the top corner from the edge of the box, securing all three points.

Spanish players David De Gea, Munian and Isco involved in sexual assault scandal

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea alongside Athletic Bilbao player, Iker Muniain and Real Madrid midfielder Isco have all been exposed by a girl claiming she was forced to have sex with Muniain and Isco in 2012 after being physically threatened by David De Gea.

According to the girl, who is in protective custody, David De Gea allegedly arranged for her to have sex with his Spanish Under 21 teammates back in 2012, and claims that while the goalkeeper didn't have sex with her, he physically threatened and cajoled her to have sex with Muniain and Isco.

The woman is a protected witness for the Torbe case, a police investigation to find out whether the famous Spanish porn director Torbe recorded some of his videos with minors. She was not a minor back in 2012, Spanish top papers El Dario and El Confidencial report.

There will be more news and information regarding this scandal in the coming days but De Gea, Isco and Muniain are definitely in trouble as the news comes just days before their EURO 2016 opener against Czech Republic on Monday.

NFF bans Chris Giwa and 4 others for 5 years, orders his club Giwa FC to pay N3.9m fine

The Disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, today held an extra-ordinary congress in Abuja and made some interesting decisions.

Chris Giwa, the factional self-imposed leader of the NFF, was banned alongside four others by the football body while his football club Giwa FC has been ordered to pay N3.9m in total for offences committed against the League management company and breach of NFF rules. Read the press statement released by the NFF via it's official website after the cut....

In the matter between LMC Vs. Giwa FC on Match Day 12; Match No: 115, the Committee Rules as Follows:

 

That the decision of the LMC as contained in the Summary Jurisdiction Notice dated Thursday 28th April, 2016 is hereby upheld by the Nigeria Football Federation Disciplinary Committee.

That Giwa FC shall pay a fine of N2,000,000 (Two Million Naira Only) to the LMC

III. That Giwa FC shall pay  the Sum of N650,000 to offset the expenses of the match officials to the LMC

That Giwa FC shall pay the Sum of N1, 000,000 (One Million Naira) Only to offset the expenses incurred by Rangers International FC

That an order that the match, which lasted for 74 minutes, shall count as a completed fixture i.e the goals so far recorded (0-1) shall be the final score for the match. This is pursuant to Rule B13.55 which states that  ‘ the LMC may order a league match which for whatever reason lasts for less than 90 minutes to count  as a completed fixture or to be replayed’

In the matter between LMC Vs. Giwa FC on Match Day 14; Match No: 136, the Committee Rules as Follows:

That the decision of the LMC as contained in the Summary Jurisdiction Notice dated Tuesday 3rd May, 2016 is hereby upheld by the Nigeria Football Federation Disciplinary Committee.

That in line with Rule B 13:25 of the Frame Work and Rules of the NPFL the Committee Rules that Giwa FC shall forfeit to Wikki Tourists FC the three points as well as three goals arising from the match

III. Giwa FC shall pay a fine of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) being the sum of expenses including stadium hire, security and logistics incurred in respect of the match to the LMC.

In the matter between: Nigeria Football Federation and CHRISTOPHER GIWA and MUAZU SULEYMAN, YAHAYA ADAMA, SANI FEMA, JOHNSON EFFIONG

After reviewing the charges, available facts and evidence, the NFF Disciplinary Committee hereby finds as follows:

That Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong are found guilty of Illegally representing the NFF in breach of Art. 40 of the NFF Statutes, when they without due authorization and mandate purported to contract a Law Firm, Messrs Leslie Cohen & Associates of Illovo Law Chambers, 4 Fricker Road, Ground Floor, South Africa in the name of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and refused to pay for services whereby the said Messrs Leslie Cohen & Associates commenced proceedings against the NFF for the sum of $100000 being legal fees for professional services rendered in the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg.

 

That Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong are found guilty of breaching Art. 69(1) of the NFF Statutes by taking football matters to the ordinary court and failing to submit to the jurisdiction of FIFA and the NFF.

III.  That there is insufficient particulars and evidence submitted to establish the charge of threats, unguarded, uncouth and uncivilized statements in the media against the NFF, brought against Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong

That Christopher Giwa is guilty of breach of the general rules of conduct as contained in Art. 13 of the FIFA Code of Ethics when he invaded the premises of the Nigeria Football Federation and falsely presented himself as President of the NFF on 6th May, 2016.

 

That Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong are found guilty of failing to comply fully with the Statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA and NFF in contravention of Art. 13 1(a) of NFF Statutes 2010 in relation to the NFF Election held in Warri Delta State on 30thSeptember, 2014.

 

That Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong are in breach of fiduciary and loyalty as contained in Art. 15 of FIFA Code of Ethics 2012 by carrying out various deliberate acts and conducts capable of attracting a ban from FIFA on the NFF capable of putting the administration and development of football in Nigeria into jeopardy.

 

Based on the findings above and in Line with the provision of Art. 65 (3) of the NFF Statutes 2010, the NFF Disciplinary Committee hereby pronounces the following sanctions on the following persons:

Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong are hereby banned from taking part in any football related activity for a period of Five (5) years each.

Source: theNFF.com

Sunderland sack Emmanuel Eboue 3weeks after signing him after he's banned by FIFA

Sunderland football club in it's bid to stay away from another controversy after the Adam Johnson saga, has moved swiftly to sack Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboue after the Ivorien was this morning slapped with a one year football ban by FIFA for refusing to pay his agent.

The former Arsenal defender, aged 32, signed for the Black Cats earlier this month on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

But that contract has now been torn up after it emerged that the former Ivory Coast international will not be available to feature. Eboue has been banned by FIFA for 12 months for failing to pay his former agent.

He can return to action sooner than that if he pays an amount owed to his former agent Sébastien Boisseau. Eboue was initially ordered to pay the money in July 2013 and fined for failing to comply with the judgement in September 2014.

He subsequently appealed against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but his appeal was dismissed. A statement released by Sunderland confirmed the players had two weeks in which to appeal against their decision to sack him.

Photos: Why didn't the referee stop the fight? Boxer in coma after suffering brain injuries during boxing match

British boxer Nick Blackwell (right) is in an induced coma after suffering a bleed on the brain following a domestic title fight defeat to Chris Eubank Jr on Saturday night. The referee didn't stop the match and allowed it to go on until the tenth round, when a doctor indicated Nick Blackwell couldn't continue the fight due to severe brain injuries from punches by Chris Eubank Jr.

For the referee to allow this fight to go on until the tenth round despite seeing the severe injuries inflicted on Blackwell from the first round up till the tenth round is so inhumane. Blackwell is now in a state of coma.

More photos

 

 

 

See throwback pics of Emmanuel Adebayor and Asamoah Gyan

These throwback photos of popular footballers Emmannuel Adebayor (left) and Asamoah Gyan (right) while they still played in local leagues in Africa were shared recently on social media.

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas reportedly marries sports reporter Sara Carbonero in secret wedding

Real Madrid legend and Spain goalkeeper has secretly married his girlfriend and mother of his child Sara Carbonero, according to reports from Hola! magazine. Sara, who is currently expecting her second child for the FC Porto goalkeeper made marital vows in a secret wedding on March 20th which didn't have any invited guests or friends. The ceremony which was a simple civil affair using a notary took place in the Madrid suburban town of Boadilla del Monte. More photos of the pair after the cut...

Footballer Kaka and his mini me cute in new pic

He's cute!

Super Eagles player Alex Iwobi takes selfie with Kelechi Iheanacho and Abdullahi Shehu in Egypt

Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi shared a photo of himself, Kelechi Iheanacho and Abdullahi Shehu on his instagram page just hours before the clash with Egypt. Goodluck tonight guys!

My son should be a footballer, just like his dad - Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has said that he wishes his son becomes a professional top footballer just like himself, but said he wouldn't force his son to take up football as a career.


Ronaldo frequently uploads pictures of himself and his son in the gym or playing football and says his son's athletic characteristics and love for football at 5 years of age is a sign his son might go into the football world.

"I want my son to be a player. I am a footballer and I want him to be one too," the Real Madrid star told the Chinese channel Zhejiang Satellite TV, which has been filming Ronaldo as part of a reality show based around the player.

I think he has something of an athlete about him, he has athletic characteristics. Obviously he is very young, a baby, he's only five but he loves football, that is a big plus.

I have 30 balls at home, he is always with the ball and he loves it. But I will not force him to be a player because it comes naturally, it has to be his choice,

He will be whatever he wants to be, I am not going to push him at all. But obviously I want Cristiano to be a player. A top one, like his dad." He said