sportsinfo.

Barca crushes Athletic as Messi edges closer to record

2012-12-03T05:18:00.006-08:00

Lionel Messi moved one goal short of Gerd Mueller’s calendar year record as Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 5-1 at the Camp Nou to stay top of La Liga.
Goals from Gerard Pique, Messi and Adriano Correiaput Barca 3-0 up at the break, with Messi’s second-half strike putting him on 84 goals in all competitions for 2012.
Former Germany star Mueller holds the record for his 85 in 1972, and while Messi is near certain to break it before the Christmas break, his first goal may be given as an own-goal, although it was his at the time of writing.
Fabregas had added a thunderous fourth, his fifth Liga goal of the season, and while Athletic improved in the second half they only had one goal to show for it, Ibai Gomez finishing an Ander Iturraspelong ball that caught the defence ball-watching.
The result ensures Barca stay top of La Liga this weekend, while Bilbao – who now have the worst defensive record in La Liga – stay 14th but could slide as low as 16th by Sunday night.
With Athletic Bilbao missing the fatigued Iker Munian and continuing to leave contract rebel Fernando Llorente on the bench, their game was all about defensive resistance.
Initially they shaped up well, shutting out Messi and defending in numbers as Barca looked a touch frustrated.
But for all the good defensive work the visitors came unstuck at a set piece, leaving Pique unmarked to fire home from close range after Gorka Iraizozsaved Cesc Fabregas’s shot when Los Leones failed to clear a corner.
Messi added a second soon afterwards, although his clipped finish may have been going just wide as Fernando Amorebietaslid in on the line – replays were inconclusive as to whether it was the Argentine’s 83rd goal of the year, or an own-goal for the Venezuela defender.
Chasing the game, the visiting defence opened up as attempts to double-up on Messi saw others find space, Cesc Fabregas forcing a save from Iraizoz, Andres Iniesta putting wide of an empty net from a tight angle, and Messi himself hitting the bar after lovely wingplay from Iniesta and Jordi Alba.
Seconds after that chance Barca did have their third as Adriano fired into the roof of the net after a sweeping move initiated by Messi, Fabregas with a delightful through-ball to the Brazilian full-back.
The Basques at least brought Llorente on for the second half but, while he did give them more cohesion going forward, Barca were still very much in charge as Iraizoz denied Messi, who could have won a penalty after a clumsy challenge from Ander Herrara.
They got their fourth soon afterwards though and it was the best goal of the night – typical of Barca it was initiated by a thunderous tackle by Sergio Busquets, Iniesta then giving the defence the eyes as he fed Fabregas, who smashed a ferocious shot past the helpless keeper.
But Athletic had improved after half-time – Llorente and Ander both going close – and they pulled a deserved goal back when Gomez raced on to Iturraspe’s long pass before sliding it past the onrushing Victor Valdes.
Any faint hopes of a comeback were quickly put to bed though as Messi got his second of the night with a curling finish into the top right after an incessant spell of Barca pressure that saw defenders and keeper alike making desperate blocks.
It was a convincing win and one that ensures Barca stay clear of Atletico Madrid in second and – crucially – well ahead of the defending champions Real.

Brazilian ‘Wonderkid’ Wallace moving to Chelsea

2012-12-03T05:18:00.002-08:00

Brazilian “wonder kid” Wallace has said he is joining Chelsea.
The Fluminense right-back has in the past been linked with the usual suspects, from Manchester City to Juventus, but, notes the Daily Mirror, Chelsea bought a 40 per cent stake in him two years ago.
The 18-year-old said: “Now that I’m moving to London I’ll have to learn some English but they [the Brazilian players already at Chelsea] are used to this and they will surely help me a lot.
“I used to follow the Spanish league and its big clubs like Real Madrid but now as I’m moving to Chelsea I’m following the club more closely, especially after the Champions League title.
“I watch Chelsea games whenever I can, sometimes I can’t watch because I’m playing or concentrated with my team, but I don’t miss a chance to see them playing on TV.”
Wallace is likely to cost in the region of £5 million.
Meanwhile, fresh from another disappointing performance – this time a 1-1 draw against Everton – Arsenal are planning a New Year raid deep into Germany in order to bring back Mario Gotze . According to Talksport, the Gunners will make a renewed bid to get their hands on the 20-year-old after failing to do so last season.
Borussia Dortmund covet their young playmaker after he helped them to back-to-back Bundesliga titles but Talksport says the Gunners haven’t given up hope of signing him, even if it means waiting until the end of this season.
Gotze, who is contracted to Dortmund until 2016, has a £30 million release contract in his contract. But Arsenal announced last week that they’ll have piles of cash to spend soon, following their £150m shirt deal with Emirates.
That must be why the Arsenal manager is also being linked with a possible move for Malaga midfielder Isco.
Like Gotze, Isco is a 20-year-old prodigy regarded as one of Europe’s hottest properties. Both the Manchester clubs are known to be keen, and reports suggest Tottenham and Liverpool have also been sniffing around.
But according to Spanish rag Malaga Hoy, Malaga is working overtime to persuade Isco to sign on for another term in la Liga. “Talks for renewal [of his contract] are still on track,” Malaga sporting director Mario Husillos explained.
Husillos went on to claim that the “boy wants to stay at the club because it is clear that this is best for his development”. The Premier League chasing pack begs to differ and it’s expected Malaga’s resolve will be tested in the New Year with a big money offer from Arsenal.
The Metro says that Scott Sinclair could soon be on his way out of the Etihad just months after the striker signed from Swansea City. The 23-year-old has started just two matches for City since his £6 million summer arrival, with just 15 minutes of league action in the last two months to his name.
Rumours have emerged in recent weeks suggesting Sinclair is unhappy with his lot at the Sky Blues, but the message from the club is he’ll have to be patient. “When a player comes to this club, they are going to have to accept they are not going to play week-in, week-out,” explained City’s assistant manager David Platt. “When we spoke to Scott, he knew what he was coming into.”
Platt then said that if Sinclair wasn’t happy he could “go and play like Adam Johnson did”. Johnson famously left City in the summer for Sunderland after growing fed up with his lack of game time, advising young players as he left that City wasn’t a good club to join if you wanted regular action.
Finally, caughtoffside.com says that Chelsea are preparing to make a £5 million bid for Feyenoord’s Stefan de Vrij. The center-half, described as a “contract rebel” for his refusal to sign a new deal with the Dutch club, is well thought of in European circles and Newcastle, Sunderland and Arsenal have all been mentioned as possible suitors.
But the Blues look to be ready to pounce first as they seek a replacement for the aging John Terry. ·

Ferguson challenges Rooney to deliver

2012-12-03T05:16:00.003-08:00

Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged Striker Wayne Rooney to step up in game in terms goal scoring as he also admitted that time off is not good for him because of his ‘frame’.
According to Ferguson during an interview with Skysports “Wayne is going through a period like all strikers do, he is not scoring,”
“He has missed bits of games and been off with tonsillitis, and Wayne is the type of player who can’t miss games because of the frame he has got.”
Regarding the use of Rooney within the diamond formation, Ferguson added: “I am happy with that part of his game.
Rooney scored 34 goals in the 2009/10 season as a lone striker but has taken a back seat since the arrival of Van Persie from Arsenal in the summer.
Ferguson is impressed with the impact that the former Arsenal striker has made and said: “Without doubt Robin is an up-front player.
“He has experience and now our players are starting to realise how good he is. We are getting more aware of the runs he is making and the movement he has up front. Hopefully that understanding gets better.”
The Premier League leaders head to Reading today and the manager is not concerned that their previous fixtures have not been attacking classics.
“I don’t think the form has been that bad to be honest,” the Scot added. “But when you are manager of this club, you have to go through that analysis about Manchester United not being as good as they used to be.
“We are still top of the league so we must be doing something right.”

Abramovich looking to cut losses on Torres

2012-12-03T05:14:00.001-08:00

Signed from Liverpool to Chelsea for a whopping £50 million, Spaniard Fernando Torres has always been topical since his arrival at Stamford Bridge making as he has proved to be the player the Blues can rely on.
An arrow head in the Blues team,in terms of formation, Chelsea’s Russian owner is considering to cut his losses on the £50 million man, tagging Torres with an ultimatum of one more month to prove pundits wrong and deliver like he used to while he was at Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Abramovich is not sleeping with his two eyes as Chelsea moved on another striker to likely replace Torres and Brazilian striker, Taison was the choice of the Stamford Bridge club, as reports indicate that he will sign a £10 million deal next week ahead of the opening of the January transfer window.
Taison was at Stamford Bridge to witness the 0-0 bore draw with Fulham.
The 24-year-old, a former Internacional team-mate of Chelsea’s big money summer signing Oscar, was tracked in the summer. His name has come to greater attention this season following his spectacular Marco Van Basten-esque volley for his club Metalist Kharkiv in the Europa League three weeks ago.
Benitez, on a short-term deal until the end of the season, still believes he can help Torres recapture the form he showed under him during his spell at Anfield.
When asked about Torres’ contribution in the back-to-back goalless draws over the past week, Benitez said: “We have had, maybe, five training sessions.
“It’s still too early. But for me we are watching things that are positive.”
Torres is currently on a run of 648 minutes without a Premier League goal, and has managed just one shot on target during Rafa’s first two games in charge.

EKO 2012:Lagos will achieve less in track and field events –Analyst

2012-12-03T05:13:00.003-08:00

A sports analyst and former board member of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria has commented on the performance of Lagos state; the host of the 18th Sports Festival in the track and field events that it would not achieve much in terms clinching medals.
Adeyemi Philips who lectures Physical and Health Education at the University of Lagos said Delta, Edo and River states respectively possess more advantage than the host the track and field events of the National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 because they have top quality athletes which the host do not possess.
“Delta, Edo, and Rivers are the top contenders for the athletics medals, they have top quality athletes. Lagos will find it hard during the competition,”
It can be said now that this claim by the Philips has encompassed performances by the host in the festival as Delta and Rivers states drowned Lagos state on the medals table and as of yesterday Delta was leading the table 10 gold medals, while River is following closely with 8 and Lagos coming third on the table.
He said the whole essence of the Sports festival is for the common goal of the country looking at the development of sports in Nigeria which has recently nose-dived judging by the performance of the country’s sportsmen in world stage.
“The overriding joy will be how many fresh talents we can discover and then be groomed to become world stars.
“This thing about athletes moving from one state to the other when it is time for the sports festival should be a thing of the past. What we want to see are States presenting young and enterprising athletes.
This is the only way Nigeria can produce quality athletes at the international level, the sports festival should be a breeding ground.

Seven goal thriller sends Man U three points clear at the top of the table

2012-12-03T05:12:00.001-08:00

Manchester United prepared for next weekend’s derby with Man City by moving three points clear of the champions with a frenzied 4-3 win at Reading in the Premier League on Saturday in which all the goals were scored in the first half.
Hal Robson-Kanu put Reading in front, but Anderson equalized and Wayne Rooney gave United the lead from the penalty spot by the 16th minute.
Adam Le Fondre hit back for Reading and Sean Morrison headed the hosts ahead by the 23rd minute.
Rooney began United’s second comeback and Robin van Persie made it 4-3 by the 34th when the flood of goals ended.
Next Sunday, United hosts second-place City, which was held to a 1-1 draw by Everton on Saturday.
Other Matches
Chelsea are now 10 points off the pace in third place after seeing their run without victory stretch to seven games in a 3-1 defeat at West Ham United, while Arsenal tumbled to 10th after a 2-0 loss at home to Swansea City.
Chelsea’s match at West Ham was another game of two halves.
The visitors led 1-0 at halftime, only for the hosts’ rousing second-half fightback to condemn the European champions to their longest sequence of top-flight games without victory since 1995.
Juan Mata scored the first goal of the Rafael Benitez era to put Chelsea ahead at Upton Park but a revitalised West Ham roared back to prevail through goals from Carlton Cole and substitutes Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga.
“At this level, you have to take your chances, and we had many clear chances to finish the game,” said interim coach Benitez, who has picked up two points from a possible nine since replacing the sacked Roberto Di Matteo.
Michu was Arsenal’s scourge at the Emirates Stadium, the £2 million ($3.2 million, 2.5 million euros) signing from Rayo Vallecano claiming a late brace for Swansea to leave Arsene Wenger’s side five points below the top four.
“We were not good and Swansea deserved to win,” said Wenger, whose side have made their worst start to a league season since he arrived in 1996.
“Our fans cannot be happy when we do not win games and what we produced today is not enough to keep our fans happy.”
Marouane Fellaini put Everton ahead in the 33rd minute at City, following in after Joe Hart parried his header, but the Belgian’s foul on Edin Dzeko allowed Carlos Tevez to bring the champions level from the spot before halftime.
“It was a hard game,” City manager Roberto Mancini told the BBC.
“We tried to break them down but this week we have played three games in six days so we are tired. We also have players injured.”
A 75th-minute goal by Dean Whitehead gave Stoke City a 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion, and Tottenham Hotspur capitalised on the Baggies’ setback to move into fourth place with a 3-0 win at Fulham.
Brazilian holding midfielder Sandro set Spurs on their way with a wickedly swerving 30-yard effort in the 55th minute, before a quick-fire Jermain Defoe brace took the game away from Martin Jol’s side.
Spurs lost both Michael Dawson and the in-form Gareth Bale to injury, but coach Andre Villas-Boas said: “They are not very serious (injuries) and hopefully we will have them both back soon.”
Harry Redknapp’s home debut as Queens Park Rangers manager ended in stalemate after the top flight’s bottom club were held 1-1 by Aston Villa at Loftus Road.
Brett Holman put Villa ahead in the eighth minute but Jamie Mackie’s fine 18th-minute header levelled the scores for QPR, who had Stephane Mbia taken to hospital following a collision with Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Liverpool climbed one place to 11th after Daniel Agger’s 43rd-minute header secured a 1-0 success at home to Southampton that gave Brendan Rodgers’ side only their third home win of the campaign.

Chelsea’s supporters taunt Benitez goalless game against Man Cit

2012-11-26T04:17:00.002-08:00

Rafael Benitez suffered a fiercely hostile reception from Chelsea’s supporters as his managerial reign opened with a goalless draw against Premier League champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich appointed the former Liverpool manager on an interim basis after sacking Roberto Di Matteo only six months after winning the Champions League and FA Cup.
Benitez’s arrival has met with an angry response from Chelsea fans in the wake of his old rivalry with them during his time at Anfield – and they made their strength of feeling abundantly clear.
The Spaniard was met with deafening jeers when he arrived in the technical area before kick-off, with the stadium announcer struggling to make himself heard ahead of a minute’s applause for former Chelsea manager Dave Sexton, who has passed away.
The mediocre affair did little to lift spirits, with City, still unbeaten in the league, marginally the better side but unable to fashion the victory that would have taken them back above Manchester United at the top of the table.
Benitez was left with plenty to ponder after the frosty response from his own fans, who directed abusive chants at him during the game and also delivered a minute’s applause for Di Matteo after 16 minutes, in honour of the Italian who wore the number 16 shirt as a player.
And there was no instant revival for Fernando Torres as he struggled once more – although Benitez will be pleased with a clean sheet.
The antipathy directed towards Benitez continued throughout a subdued first half, with City creating what few opportunities there were.
David Silva headed off target from an inviting cross from Pablo Zabaleta, who saw a shot from the edge of the area blocked by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Sergio Aguero missed City’s best chance four minutes before half-time, heading straight at Cech from eight yards after being set up by strike partner Edin Dzeko.
One of Benitez’s priorities is to rekindle the fire in Torres and it was clear Chelsea’s game had undergone a swift shift in emphasis, with an obvious increase in the number of long balls being hit towards the striker. On this occasion, though, it made life even easier for City captain Vincent Kompany.
Torres came to life on the hour when a loose ball fell in his direction in the area but he could only fire a rising left foot drive narrowly over the bar.
In a torrential downpour, moments of quality were scarce although Chelsea had an anxious moment as the game entered its final 10 minutes as Cech was forced to divert James Milner’s cross with his legs.
Benitez had remained largely impassive but moved to question the fourth official when Ashley Cole’s late shot was clearly turned over by City keeper Joe Hart only for referee Chris Foy to award a goal-kick.
It almost counted as a moment of high drama in a game that was, to put it politely, subdued and low key.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini:
“Games here are always hard but we played well while missing the last pass. We were too soft when we arrived near the box, you can play well, like we did, and not win the game.
“We had the better chances, I think that we lost two points. We dominated the first half, but the second half was not quite like that.
“It was difficult for them [with the atmosphere about Rafael Benitez], but we played well. Last year we lost a good game, this year we took one point. I am not happy but I prefer this.”

Sebastian Vettel wins third F1 world championship for Red Bull

2012-11-26T04:15:00.002-08:00

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel won a third consecutive world drivers’ title by three points in the Brazilian GP.
In an incident-packed, rain-affected race, Vettel fought back to finish sixth after dropping to last on lap one following a collision.
His rival Fernando Alonso of Ferrari finished second, meaning he needed Vettel to be lower than seventh.
McLaren’s Jenson Button won after leading team-mate Lewis Hamilton was hit by Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg.
The German was trying to pass Hamilton for the lead with 27 laps to go but lost control on the slippery track and slid into the side of Hamilton’s car.
Hulkenberg, driving the race of his career up to that point, was given a drive-through penalty and finished fifth, behind Alonso’s team-mate Felipe Massa in third and Red Bull’s Mark Webber in fourth.
Vettel becomes the youngest driver in history to win three world titles – at six years younger than Ayrton Senna. He is only the third driver to win three in succession.
“It is difficult to imagine what goes through my head now even for myself,” Vettel said. “I am full of adrenaline and if you poke me now I wouldn’t feel it.
“It was an incredible race. When you get turned around at Turn Four for no reason and it becomes like heading the wrong way down the M25 it is not the most comfortable feeling.
“I was lucky no-one hit me but the car was damaged and we lost a lot of speed, especially when it dried up. Fortunately it started to rain again and I felt so much happier.
“A lot of people tried to play dirty tricks [during the season], but we did not get distracted by that and kept going, and all the guys gave a big push right to the end.”
A breathless and topsy-turvy race, with intermittent rain, created drama from the first lap.
Vettel made a bad start from fourth on the grid and at the fourth corner was first tagged from behind by Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen and then hit by Williams’s Bruno Senna.
The impact knocked Vettel into a spin, and damaged the rear bodywork of his car, and he was last as he crossed the line at the end of lap one.
Alonso finished the first lap fifth, but seconds later passed Massa and Webber as they went three abreast into Turn One to take third.
In those positions, Alonso would have been champion, but Vettel set about recovering lost ground and by lap eight was remarkably up to sixth place, while Alonso had slipped behind Hulkenberg after running wide at Turn One on lap five.
Through a series of twists and turns at the front, including varying degrees of rain and a safety-car intervention, Vettel was always in control of the championship.
With 20 laps to go, Alonso was fourth behind Hamilton, Hulkenberg and Button, and Vettel seventh.
As rain began to fall harder, Hulkenberg closed on Hamilton and the two collided. So Hamilton’s last race for McLaren ended in a retirement rather than a victory.
More pit stops were needed for the leaders to fit intermediate tyres as the rain intensified, after which Button led from Massa and Alonso, with Vettel seventh.
Massa let Alonso by into second on lap 62, and two laps later Michael Schumacher, driving the last race of his career, moved over for Vettel to rise into sixth place and make his grip on the title more secure.
In the closing laps, Vettel was repeatedly urged by his team to slow down, reminding him that his position was good enough to win the title.
And then in a final dramatic twist, Paul di Resta crashed his Force India coming up the straight on the penultimate lap and the race finished under the safety car, confirming Vettel as champion.
“I’m very proud of the team,” said Alonso. “We lost the championship before today, not in Brazil, this is a sport after all. When you do something with your heart and do it 100% you have to be proud of yourself and your team and we’ll try again next year.”
Race winner Button said: “I want to congratulate the whole team. This is the perfect way to end the season. We have had ups and downs and to end on a high bodes well for 2013.”

Final Brazilian GP top 10

1. Jenson Button – McLaren 1:45:22.656
2. Fernando Alonso – Ferrari +2.754
3. Felipe Massa – Ferrari +3.615
4. Mark Webber – Red Bull +4.936
5. Nico Hulkenberg – Force India +5.708
6. Sebastian Vettel – Red Bull +9.453
7. Michael Schumacher – Mercedes +11.907
8. Jean-Eric Vergne – Toro Rosso +28.653
9. Kamui Kobayashi – Sauber +31.250
10. Kimi Raikkonen – Lotus +1 lap

Final F1 Driver’s Championship standings top 10

1. Sebastian Vettel – Red Bull 281
2. Fernando Alonso – Ferrari 278
3. Kimi Raikkonen – Lotus 207
4. Lewis Hamilton – McLaren 190
5. Jenson Button – McLaren 188
6. Mark Webber – Red Bull 179
7. Felipe Massa – Ferrari 122
8. Romain Grosjean – Lotus 96
9. Nico Rosberg – Mercedes 93
10 Sergio Perez – Sauber 66

West Brom climb to third for the first time in 22 years

2012-11-26T04:13:00.002-08:00

West Brom went third in the Premier League after recording four successive top-flight wins for the first time since 1980 with victory at Sunderland.
The club continued its stunning start to the Premier League season on Saturday by climbing into third with a 4-2 victory at Sunderland.

West Brom’s fourth successive win took them two points ahead of Chelsea, although manager Steve Clarke’s former club can reclaim its spot in the top three by beating Manchester City on Sunday.
Zoltan Gera put West Brom ahead on the half-hour and Shane Long fired into an empty net before half time after goalkeeper Simon Mignolet fumbled Chris Brunt’s pass.
Sunderland launched a fight back when Craig Gardner’s free kick was deflected home in the 73rd minute.
Romelu Lukaku restored West Brom’s two-goal cushion from the penalty spot before Stephane Sessegnon pulled another back for Sunderland. But Marc-Antoine Fortune had the final say, with West Brom’s fourth in injury time.
The Baggies were brimming with confidence from the start and took the lead in spectacular style when Gera turned neatly and blasted a left-foot shot past Mignolet and inside the post.
Sunderland might have been level within two minutes when the ball fell to John O’Shea inside the penalty area but he curled a right-foot effort just high and wide of the top corner.
Martin O’Neill’s side went close again two minutes before halftime when Sessegnon’s enterprising run ended with a deflected shot which West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill stopped with little difficulty.
However, their hopes were dealt a major blow within seconds with Mignolet’s calamity in goal.
The Belgium goalkeeper went down to collect Brunt’s harmless through-ball as Long close him down, but inexplicably fumbled it into the path of the striker, who was left to tap into an empty net.
The game might have been effectively over within four minutes of the restart when Long ran in on goal, only for Mignolet to partially redeem himself with a vital block.
And Sunderland gave itself hope when Gardner’s free kick clipped Fortune in the defensive wall and flew past the helpless Myhill.
But Adam Johnson’s trip on Liam Ridgewell led to the penalty kick which Lukaku converted in the 81st.
Sessegnon pulled a second goal back from close range for Sunderland after Myhill had parried Fletcher’s header in the 87th. But after Lukaku had hit the post, Fortune ended Sunderland’s hopes with a neat finish in the fifth minute of injury time.
In other results, Manchester United came from behind to win 3-1 against Queens park Rangers, who are yet to record a victory this season. Jamie Mackie had put the away fans in a frenxy before goals from Jonny Evans, Darren Fletcher and substitute Javier Hernandez changed the game for the hosts. Everton were held to 1-1 draw by Norwhich while a goal from Charlie Adam ensured Stoke took the three points against Fulham.
Jordi Gomez scored a hattrick including a late winner as Wigan dispatched a resolute Reading side 3-2 at the Madejski.

AVB was terminated, we then won two trophies. I want to hear you congratulate Mr Abramovich for that... We'd have been crucified if we hadn't reported Clattenburg, says Chelsea chief Buck

2012-11-13T05:30:00.002-08:00

Buck: 'We're the club most in the public eye anywhere in the world'
Club stands by claim that Clattenburg used term 'monkey'
'There have been a lot of incidents involving Terry and Chelsea'
Terry does NOT run the club, Abramovich does, claims Buck
Club officials admit Chelsea’s image has been damaged

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has launched an impassioned defence of the club's players in the aftermath of the race-row storm which has engulfed Stamford Bridge following allegations referee Mark Clattenburg racially abused John Obi Mikel.
Buck says Chelsea agonised over the decision but, ultimately, were legally obliged to report Clattenburg in defence of Mikel and fellow midfielder Ramires, who made the initial allegation.
The Blues chief has also backed club owner Roman Abramovich's decision to 'terminate' the tenure of former boss Andre Villas-Boas in a bid to halt the club's side down the Barclays Premier League and save their Champions League aspirations.

Wise move: Chelsea fans should cheer Abramovich for his decision to sack Villas-Boas

Chelsea last week submitted a dossier of evidence to the FA, including signed witness statements from players, alleging Clattenburg used a term understood to have been interpreted as racist during the 3-2 defeat by Manchester United. Clattenburg denies the claims.
Buck, however, cannot understand why Chelsea have come under fire for reporting the Durham official and believes the club have rightly taken the moral high ground.
Buck, in a sensational interview with the Evening Standard said: 'The reaction has been very unfair,' he says. 'We weren't interested in any confrontation with the referee or anybody else, had no thoughts of revenge on the referee. He made two obvious mistakes (sending Fernando Torres off and allowing Javier Hernandez's offside winner) which changed the tide.
'I felt we had the moral high ground, so I didn’t really feel that bad about the defeat or have that feeling in my stomach. I thought we'd be treated very kindly in the newspapers next day.
'It was made after a great deal of anguish and after talking long and hard that evening about what should we do.'
Buck believes the club were forced into a corner and once the two players involved came forward, they had no option but to make the report.
And the American-trained lawyer stands by the claim that Clattenburg used the term 'monkey'.
'We were guided by obligations that are imposed by the Football Association and also as an employer. FA rule E14 basically says a participant shall immediately report to the association any incident or matter which may be considered to be a misconduct.
'Misconduct is a defined term under the FA regulations and includes such racial behaviour. We also had to consider the Equality Act 2010, which imposes an obligation on an employer to take certain actions if an employee is subject to discrimination by third parties.
Suppose we had tried to sweep this under the rug and said to the various players, "Look, it's not a big deal and the press are going to be all over us, maybe you want to reconsider". If that had leaked out, we would've really been crucified.'

Flashpoint: Mikel and Ramires made allegations about referee Clattenburg

GOURLAY: 'RACE ROWS HAVE BEEN BULLET PRINTS IN OUR ARMOUR'

Chelsea’s chief executive Ron Gourlay (right) has described the race rows that have blighted the club over the last 12 months as ‘bullet prints in our armour’ and charged the younger players at Stamford Bridge to repair Chelsea’s damaged image.

The Champions League winners have struggled to win friends during public disputes fueled by racism allegations, while talismanic captain John Terry and big-spending owner Roman Abramovich have long been polarizing personalities in English football.

‘There are things that have happened that damaged the image,’ Gourlay said, acknowledging that Chelsea has been under fire since Terry’s court case and, more recently, reporting referee Mark Clattenburg for alleged racist abuse. ‘There are bullet prints in our armor. We have learned from the mistakes we have made. Hopefully the football club is in a good position to push forward now.’

He believes the widely admired talent of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar is shifting people’s perception.

‘That’s where we want to be,’ Gourlay added. ‘I think people like the way they are seeing Chelsea play football now, and that’s very important because it portrays itself as the image of the club.

‘We are in a very, very strong place,’ the chief executive said on the sidelines of the Chelsea-backed International Football Arena conference in Zurich.

Buck spoke with Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay and headed into the team's dressing room after the match with united at 6.15pm.
And he says he was careful to rule out any misunderstanding from the players involved - as neither uses English as their first language. Buck was reassured both players spoke good English.
He said: 'I spoke to the players involved, either because they were allegedly the recipient of that abuse or had heard it, three separate times.
'I asked them if they could be mistaken. I asked them, if they might have heard Mikel instead of monkey. I thought I had covered that base.'
The revolving-door policy operated by Blues' owner Roman Abramovich saw Andre Villas-Boas ditched two-thirds of the way through last season.
The decision came just nine months after they had paid Porto £13million for his services.
AVB failed to convince senior members of the squad, like John Terry and Frank Lampard that he was the man to lead the club forward.
But Buck denies that Terry runs the club, or that player power is too strong at Stamford Bridge.
In fact it was Abramovich's 'termination' of the Portuguese which led Chelsea directly to their ultimate goal; Champions League glory.
'It didn’t take the players to tell us we were not going in the right direction. I knew that, Mr Abramovich knew that.
'When Andre left, we were in a very difficult situation about to be bounced out of the Champions League, doing very poorly in the Premier League.
'The proof is in the pudding: Andre was terminated and we wound up winning two trophies. I want to hear you congratulate Mr Abramovich and Chelsea for making that change.'

Dogged by controversy: Terry race row with Ferdinand came nine years after he was cleared he was cleared of attacking a nightclub doorman (below)

One thing Buck didn't deny was the negative impact of the Terry race-row which has dogged the club over the last 12 months - just the latest in the line of discretions from the club's captain down the years.
'I can't argue with the fact that, over the last 10 years, there have been a lot of public incidents in which Terry and Chelsea were involved. But I don’t accept that we have something in our hearts that says we’re going to chase the referees.
'It’s just not like that at all, honest. Chelsea are not run by John Terry. I don’t know how I can prove it to you but it’s not true. My club are run by Roman Abramovich.'Life in west london changed dramatically the moment the Russian billionaire arrived.

In stark contrast to ken Bates' loud and brash style, Abramovih remains in the margins, allowing his staff to speak on behalf of the club.

Bright future: Chelsea's young players can help repair the club's damaged image

But Buck denies the claim this proves Abramovich is aloof and hopes the club are moving down the right track to preserve their position in Europe's elite.

He said: 'It's not true that Mr Abramovich does not care what people think about Chelsea. Rightly or wrongly, Mr Abramovich changed English football forever. I feel very strongly that he hasn't had enough credit for what he's done. Chelsea's heart is definitely not black.
'We have to continue to try to be a good citizen and to do things for our community, country and players and play good football.'

In the line of fire: Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay (left) and chairman Bruce Buck at a Chelsea game

UNILAG tops Lagos Inter-tertiary games medal table

2012-11-13T02:14:00.003-08:00

The University of Lagos UNILAG have emerged winners of the 4th edition of Lagos Inter-tertiary Games.
Team UNILAG was adjudged the overall best team of the championship with 9 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze medals.
They dethroned last edition’s winners; Team Lagos State Polytechnic, LASPOTECH to the third position.
Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH came second with 6 gold, 7 silver and 4 bronze medals, while LASPOTECH won 1 gold, 7 silver and 5 bronze medals.
Lagos state Sports Commissioner, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, who was the chief host of the event, commended the students for their spirit of sportsmanship, adding that the state government is looking at ways to increase the number of sports which the students are competing for in the future editions.

Messi surpasses Pele’s mark for goals scored in a year

2012-11-13T02:11:00.000-08:00

Brazil football Legend Pele’s milestones for goals scored in one calendar year was beaten yeaterday Argentine forward and Barcelona player; Lionel Messi after scoring his 75th and 76th time in 2012 to move within nine of Gerd Mueller’s all-time record as Barcelona won 4-2 at Mallorca in a la liga clash.
Xavi Hernandez was the key to Barcelona’s victory as he unlocked Mallorca’s defence with a free kick in the 28th minute before Messi struck in the 44th. Cristian Tello added a third goal a minute later at Iberostar stadium.
Their opponent were bent on not giving up the game like that as Mallorca came back to level early in the second half but Messi stepped up to score again the 70th to ensure victory.
It would be recalled that the Spanish giants lost surprisingly to Celtic in the Champions League clash during the week and the Mallorca game can be tagged to be a comeback of the sleeping giant.
This is the latest scoring feat for the Argentina forward, one of the leading candidates for the Ballon D’Or.
Messi scored 73 goals in the 2011-12 season for Barcelona, breaking the previous European club record of 67 goals set by Mueller in 1972-73. He also set a Spanish league record of 50 goals last season and broke Cesar Rodriguez’s 57-year milestone of 232 goals to become Barcelona all-time leading scorer.
Joaquin Caparros’ Mallorca tried to follow Celtic’s defensive blueprint from Wednesday’s upset in Glasgow, but the strategy didn’t last even half an hour.
Xavi Hernandez took full advantage of a foul earned by Cesc Fabregas on the edge of the area. The Spain midfielder bent a beautiful free kick over the defensive barrier that turned goalkeeper Dudu Aouate into yet another spectator as it fell into his net.
Also, second-place Atletico Madrid stayed three points behind the pacesetters by easing past visiting Getafe 2-0 thanks to goals by Adrian Lopez and Arda Turan.
Messi converted Barcelona’s 75 per cent of possession into a deserved second goal when the Argentina forward dribbled by several defenders and unleashed a left footed-shot that Aouate let slip through his hands.
Tello then quickly made it 3-0 by curving a strike from outside the area into the far side of the goal.
When it appeared Barcelona would cruise to the comfortable victory, two errors allowed Mallorca to get back into the game.
Mallorca’s Michael Pereira pulled one back in the 55th after Javier Mascherano lost the ball. Two minutes later, Victor Casadesus made it 3-2 from the penalty spot following Sergio Busquets’ handball in the box.

But Messi received a chested pass from Alexis Sanchez and smashed the ball into the top corner to restore Barcelona’s two-goal advantage and crush Mallorca’s hopes.
Messi’s seventh double of the season increased his league-leading tally to 15 goals. He has 20 in all competitions this season.
Pele scored 75 goals for Brazil and Santos in 1958. Mueller had 85 in 1972 for West Germany and Bayern Munich.
With strikers Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema injured, Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Madrid in the 21st after receiving a gash above his left eye in a collision with an opposing player.
Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said that Ronaldo was having trouble with his vision by halftime and had to be substituted. Mourinho sent on an extra defender looking to protect his slim lead with the water-logged pitch encumbering almost every attack.
Madrid, even without its three top scorers, almost scored twice more as Pepe and Sergio Ramos both hit the crossbar.
But Mourinho’s tactic backfired when Levante substitute Angel Rodriguez held off Pepe to control Obafemi Martins’ pass and slot the ball beyond goalkeeper Iker Casillas in the 62nd.
Madrid had another golden opportunity when Jose Callejon was fouled by David Navarro on the edge of the area, only for goalkeeper Gustavo Munua to block Xabi Alonso’s resulting spot kick in the 73rd.
As time ticked down, Mourinho sent on Morata in the 83rd and one minute later the forward met Alonso’s free kick to head it by Munua.
“I was very happy to help the team,” said the 20-year-old Morata. “Two years ago Munua saved a clear goal for me. I have had more chances and I knew that one day the goal would arrive and today was the day.”

Chelsea on the verge of losing Neymar to Barca

2012-11-13T02:08:00.003-08:00

London club Chelsea may have to do without Brazilian playmaker; Neymar (possibly to replace Ivorien Didier Drogba) if nothing extra is done to lure the player to England, as his Brazilian team-mate Dani Alves urged him to join Barcelona.
Neymar a long-term target of Chelsea may move to Spain instead of the Premier League after Barcelona right back Alves said he would be a success at the Nou Camp.
Chelsea also has Brazilian stars such as Oscar who could sway Neymar to join Stamford Bridge, if the need arises.
Alves said “Obviously anybody would want to play for Barcelona,” Alves said.
“If Barcelona is interested in Neymar and if next month, next year or in two years he comes, I don’t know.
“I hope he does come here because, as I’ve already said, he would get better as a player and he would also improve the team.”
20-year-old Brazil striker would have been signed by the Blues last summer but according to report, the deal didn’t go well.

If I could bring one player back to Anfield it would be Xabi, Gerrard tells fans on Twitter

2012-11-06T10:21:00.001-08:00

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard revealed the one former team-mate he would bring back to the club, given the chance, would be Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso.
The England skipper also believes Luis Suarez is the best striker he has played alongside.

Gerrard, in a Twitter question and answer session for sponsors adidas, picked Suarez ahead of the likes of Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Fernando Torres - all great goalscorers at Anfield - and England team-mate Wayne Rooney.

Tweet success: Gerrard thanks supporters after answering their questions on social networking site Twitter

Asked who is the greatest striker he had played with Gerrard opted for Suarez, who has scored seven of Liverpool's 13 Barclays Premier League goals this season and produced a wonder strike against Newcastle on Sunday.

Top track: Gerrard revealed his favourite pre-match anthem is Dakota, by the Stereophonics

Gerrard also singled out the Uruguay international as the player who messes about most in training - 'He's a nuisance!' wrote the 32-year-old.
The Reds captain also revealed, given the opportunity, he would jump at the chance to bring Alonso back to the club.
'Xabi Alonso - best midfielder I've played with, I miss playing with him,' he wrote.
The feeling appears to be mutual with the Madrid midfielder confident Gerrard, who marked his 600th match for Liverpool at the weekend, would slot seamlessly into Spain's World Cup and European Championship-winning side.
'Absolutely, there's no doubt,' said Alonso.
'He could play in any national team in the world because he has so many great qualities.
'He is flexible. He can play at the English pace or he can associate with the ball very well.
'He is a very intelligent player, so he could play anywhere - not just any national team but any club in the world.
'But he has been a one-club man and that's something I really admire.'
Alonso believe Gerrard had a significant impact on his career, having moved to Merseyside from Real Sociedad in 2004.

Get him back: Gerrard revealed he would love Liverpool to re-sign Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso

'He was a great influence to me,' he told Real Madrid TV in an interview on behalf of Liverpool's official website.
'When I arrived at Liverpool I was 22 and he was the captain, he was the main man at the club.

'For me he was a reference, the way he behaved with his team-mates and with the supporters as well.
'I learned a lot from him. We are great friends and we still keep in touch.
'He is so inspirational. In the key moments he has that different thing, that spark that is difficult to define.

Simply the best: Gerrard rates Luis Suarez as the finest striker he has played alongside

'He'll absolutely be remembered as one of the greats. For me he is already one of the greats.'
Gerrard and Suarez seem unlikely to make this week's Europa League trip to face big-spending Anzi Makhachkala in Moscow.
Although victory in the Russian capital would strengthen the Reds' position at the top of Group A manager Brendan Rodgers has one eye on Sunday's trip to Chelsea and with Suarez as his only fit senior striker he does not want to risk him.
It means he is likely to field a much-changed side from the one which drew with Newcastle.

Chelsea jitters! Players fearing a ref backlash over Mikel race case as Clattenburg stood down

2012-11-06T06:20:00.003-08:00

Chelsea stars fear a backlash from referees over their race abuse claims against Mark Clattenburg, who was on Monday removed from the match list for a second week.
Players fear the case could result in unwelcome tension between themselves and officials as they battle for the Barclays Premier League title.
John Mikel Obi’s agent John Shittu flew into London on Monday as the FA’s governance team began taking recorded statements from players.

Out of action: Mark Clattenburg has been stood down from duty again

Chelsea’s external legal team were also present after Mikel was asked whether he wanted them to pursue a case against Clattenburg with the FA, as the club prepare for another lengthy spell in the spotlight.

The European champions face Shakhtar Donetsk at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night and have picked up only one point from their last two Premier League matches.

Shittu confirmed he was at Stamford Bridge for the specially-arranged meeting with the FA and Chelsea over the allegations against Clattenburg.

The FA’s head of compliance Jenni Kennedy took statements, but Chelsea are taking no chances after her role in the John Terry affair.

She recorded Terry’s statement in October 2011, but bizarrely only took handwritten notes of Ashley Cole’s evidence, a fact that was criticised by the FA’s independent regulatory commission.

Mikel, who was on Monday nominated for the 2012 African Footballer of the Year award, appears determined to press ahead with the case.

Some Chelsea players fear another year-long investigation into an allegation of racist abuse just weeks after the conclusion of the case involving Terry.

The Chelsea skipper was found not guilty by magistrates in July, but last month he was fined £220,000 by the FA and banned for four games. He returns against Liverpool on Sunday.

Claims: An investigation continues into Clattenburg's dealings with John Mikel Obi

Referees’ chief Mike Riley revealed on Monday that Clattenburg - accused by Chelsea of calling Mikel a ‘monkey’, which the official strenuously denies - is to be interviewed by police investigating the incident at Stamford Bridge.

Riley, who appoints match officials in his role as general manager of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, said: ‘PGMOL was fully prepared to appoint Mark to matches this weekend.

‘However, having discussed this with him, we both consider it is in Mark’s best interests that he has this week away from officiating duties while he prepares to help the FA and the police with their enquiries.’

There is unease in the game that the FIFA official is being judged before all the evidence has been gathered.

Linger: Chelsea want to avoid another long saga, like the John Terry row

Terry continued to play for Chelsea after he was charged by police and the FA with racially insulting Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road on October 23 last year.

Clattenburg’s future in the game is more uncertain and he will be interviewed, under caution, by police.

Chelsea midfielder Ramires claims he heard the alleged ‘monkey’ abuse, which led to the club’s claims two hours after their defeat by Manchester United nine days ago.

The club say they have provided the FA with an ‘information pack’ about the alleged incident, but the game’s governing body are refusing to confirm receipt.

Meanwhile, police have arrested Gavin Kirkham, 28, over racist taunts directed at Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday.

West Brom 2 Southampton 0: Odemwingie double piles pressure on Saints boss Adkins

2012-11-06T06:15:00.002-08:00

Peter Odemwingie increased the pressure on Southampton boss Nigel Adkins as his two goals propelled West Brom into fifth spot in the Barclays Premier League.
Adkins' side remain rooted to the foot of the table after a fifth successive away defeat and they have now conceded 28 goals in 10 league matches.
But these are halcyon days for the Baggies and they bounced back from heartbreaking injury time defeats against Manchester City and Newcastle thanks to a goal in each half from Odemwingie.

Peter the Great: Odemwingie was the man of the hour for West Brom

MATCH FACTS

West Brom: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Mulumbu, Yacob, Odemwingie (Fortune 83), Gera, Dorrans (Brunt 65), Long (Lukaku 71).
Subs not used: Myhill, Popov, Rosenberg, Tamas.
Booked: Jones.
Goals: Odemwingie 36, 60.
Southampton: Gazzaniga, Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Fox (Shaw 82), Schneiderlin, Steven Davis, Ramirez (Mayuka 76), Lallana, Rodriguez (Do Prado 76), Lambert.
Subs not used: Kelvin Davis, Hooiveld, Ward-Prowse, Puncheon.
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)

It was their fifth victory in six home matches and, although not at their best, they still contained too much firepower for the Saints.

Odemwingie and the tireless Shane Long posed plenty of problems up front while Youssouf Mulumbu bossed the midfield department.

Albion fans taunted Adkins, who has led Southampton to successive promotions, with chants of 'you're getting sacked in the morning'.

And, although the visitors showed plenty of promise in spells, their leaky defence is undermining their attacking threat.

Southampton axed keeper Artur Boruc who has been the subject of a club investigation after allegedly throwing a water bottle into the crowd during the home league game with Tottenham.

Albion began positively and a fine pass from Odemwingie picked out the run of Long into the Saints box.

But the Baggies leading scorer opted to cut the ball back across the danger area rather than shoot.

Billy Jones became the first player to be yellow carded after 10 minutes for a high challenge which caught the back of Southampton skipper Adam Lallana.

High hopes: Southampton keeper Gazzaniga rises to clear a cross

Rickie Lambert had the first attempt on goal and his low drive from a narrow angle contained plenty of power but was held onto by West Brom keeper Ben Foster.
Albion retaliated and a low shot from Odemwingie took a deflection off Zoltan Gera and flew over the Saints crossbar.
The home side started to look more threatening and it needed a last ditch tackle from Morgan Schneiderlin to deny Long after Jonas Olsson had headed a Graham Dorrans free-kick back across goal.

Eyes on the ball: Jay Rodriguez (left) competes with Youssuf Mulumbu

Odemwingie flashed a low 25 yard shot inches wide in a swift Albion counter-attack after Foster had gathered Lambert's header from a Gaston Ramirez centre.
But the Nigeria international broke the deadlock in controversial fashion in the 36th minute.
The impressive Mulumbu released Odemwingie whose left-footed shot contained plenty of power but took a deflection off Maya Yoshida as it flew past Saints keeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

Swooping to pounce: Odemwingie heads home the second

But TV replays also showed that Odemwingie had appeared to handle the ball in the build-up.
Gazzaniga did well to block a close range effort from Long and Albion appealed in vain for a penalty for handball when Schneiderlin blocked the follow-up attempt from Odemwingie.
Southampton started the second half on the offensive and a shot on the turn from Lambert struck the bar with Foster well beaten.

Under pressure: Adkins could be heading for the exit door at St Mary's

Foster cut out a dangerous cross from Daniel Fox as the visitors pressed for an equaliser.
But after 60 minutes Odemwingie doubled Albion's lead with a clinical finish.
Left-back Liam Ridgewell's long pass found Long who held the ball up, cut inside and floated over an inviting centre which Odemwingie headed home from close range.

Midfield tussle: Morgan Schneiderlin (left) is closed down by West Brom's Argentine midfielder Claudio Yacob

The Baggies could have increased their lead with skipper Chris Brunt volleying just wide at close range from a cross by fellow substitute Romelu Lukaku.
Yoshida headed just wide in a late Southampton rally but Albion held on for a comfortable win.

Boing, boing: The Baggies are up to fifth

Di Matteo hits back at Ferguson and Wenger for commenting on Clattenburg race case

2012-11-03T02:50:00.000-07:00

Named and shamed: Chelsea yob who allegedly made 'monkey' gesture at United ace Welbeck

The racist yob who abused Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck with a monkey gesture has been named as Gavin Kirkham.

Roberto Di Matteo has said criticism from Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger over the Mark Clattenburg case will be taken on board to by his Chelsea players but only used as a 'motivational tool'.
The Blues boss refused to be drawn on the issue in any depth, citing the matter was in the hands of the police and FA.
But responding to the Manchester United manager's comments questioning the credibility of the claims he said: 'He likes to talk about other clubs. We tend not to. I'll leave it up to him.
'It's a free country where everybody has the freedom of speech. We'll take into consideration what other people say and use it as a motivational tool for ourselves.'

Scroll down for video

Not impressed: Roberto Di Matteo plans to use comments as a motivational tool

Di Matteo added of Ferguson's scepticism: 'The investigation will qualify this. We don't want to prejudice any trial.'
Asked if he feared referees might treat the club differently after making the accusations against Clattenburg, the Italian said: 'I really hope not. I believe that they won't. We have faith in the referees. They are people that are under a lot of pressure.

Centre of the storm: John Obi Mikel (right) training, with Fernando Torres (left)

'They are human beings like everyone else. You have to try your best and sometimes mistakes can happen.'
Di Matteo maintained his stance of silence when asked about the Chelsea fan caught making a 'monkey' gesture during Wednesday's Capital One Cup tie but did suggest the manner in which racist incidents have been highlighted proved there was still work to be done.

Mikel in the middle: Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill either side of the Nigerian anchor man

'I always said that we are against any form of discrimination,' he said. 'We will support anyone who is fighting that. That's our position and my personal belief as well.
'The fact that these incidents are happening give a lot of media exposure and makes people aware that we have to fight maybe a little more strongly than perhaps we thought. Everyone has to be involved in this process to eradicate it from the sport and life in general.'

Larking around: Darren Fletcher (left) and Robin van Persie appear in relaxed mood ahead of tomorrow's cruch clash at Old Trafford

Best bib and tucker: Rio Ferdinand chucks a training vest away (left) as some United prankster throws a bit of turf and left-back Patrice Evra (right) ahead of tomorrow's match against Arsenal

Earlier on Friday, Ferguson hit out at Chelsea for accusing Clattenburg of allegedly abusing Mikel.
The Metropolitan Police and the FA are investigating an allegation that Clattenburg used 'inappropriate language' towards Mikel during the game in which he sent off two Blues players as they went down 3-2 to Ferguson's side.

Support: United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, taking training at Carrington, has pledged his support to referee Mark Clattenburg

'I don’t believe Mark Clattenburg would make any comment like that,' said Ferguson.
'I think it’s unthinkable. It’s unthinkable in the modern climate. I just don’t believe it.
'There’s no way a referee would stoop that low. I’m convinced of that.
'If you look at the modern game compared to 25 years ago it’s completely changed. I know the banter between players and referees 25 years ago is completely different.
'I have never heard a player come to me in the last 15 years and say a referee has sworn at them during a game, ever.
'This is where I stand on this issue with Mark Clattenburg. I just don’t believe it.'
Ferguson joins Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in standing by Clattenburg.
On Thursday, Wenger said: 'I didn’t follow the whole (Chelsea) story completely (but) my opinion is just when I didn’t behave well I have an explanation with the referee at the end of the game or another day, rather than going public with little proof. I’m not in favour of making these things public.'

VIDEO: Di Matteo says we all need to fight racism

EXCLUSIVE: Nani set for Old Trafford exit after Fergie blasts 'amateurish' winger

2012-11-03T02:46:00.003-07:00

Manchester United winger Nani looks set to leave Old Trafford next summer after manager Sir Alex Ferguson took him to task for throwing away his team's Carling Cup tie at Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Nani's future at United has been in some doubt since talks over a new contract collapsed during the summer.
And now the Portuguese winger has told friends that he feels there is little chance of a reconciliation after Ferguson blamed him for conceding possession in the run up to Chelsea’s equaliser in the last minute of normal time on Wednesday.

On the way out: Nani in training at Carrington on Friday morning with the Manchester United squad

Ferguson was publicly critical of Nani for his error after the game, saying he should have run the ball to the corner flag. United – 3-2 up at the time – went on to lose 5-4 in extra-time.
Now a source close to Nani revealed: 'There was an argument between Ferguson and Nani after the game.
'Ferguson told him that losing the ball like that was an amateurish thing to do and that a really great player would never have done that.

Final warning: United manager Sir Alex Ferguson takes training on Friday morning

'Nani was already told that if he ever did it again then he would be on his way.'
It is understood that Nani has felt for some time that his place in Ferguson’s plans is under threat and has told friends that he expects to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.
The official line from United is that the door is still open for the 25-year-old in terms of a new contract but not at the £130,000-a-week level he has been hoping for.

Bust-up at the Bridge: Fergie blamed Nani for the defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday night

Zimbabwe sacks national football team

2012-11-03T01:03:00.001-07:00

Zimbabwe has dissolved the national football team for failing to qualify for the 2013 Afica Cup of Nations as a major match fixing scandal still overshadows their performance, an official said Friday.
“The team has been discarded in its entirety,” Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) president Cuthbert Dube told a news conference in the capital Harare.
Zimbabwe lost 0-2 to Angola in the last qualifying game for the continental tournament after it had carried a 3-1 lead in the first leg, and failed to qualify on away goals.
Shocked fans point to a 2009 match-fixing scandal involving the national team that resulted in a lifelong ban for 15 players and officials, which ZIFA announced in October.
The scandal might have contributed to the team’s poor performance in Angola, Dube added, without elaborating.
“We will rebuild from the under-20 and under- 23s. These are young people who are clean,” he said.
None of the players in Angola played in the “Asiagate” games.
The banned officials include former national team coach Sunday Chidzambwa and former ZIFA chief executive officer Henrietta Rushwaya.
Rushwaya sent the national team to play unsanctioned friendlies in Thailand and Malaysia, and a Singapore-based betting syndicate allegedly fixed the results.
Zimbabwe has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations twice but has never qualified for the World Cup.
South Africa will host the January 19-February 10 Nations Cup.

Messi welcomes baby Thiago ahead of home clash with Celta de Vigo

2012-11-03T00:56:00.002-07:00

Lionel Messi’s girlfriend gave birth to a baby boy, the Barcelona star’s first child, on Friday.
Messi and his girlfriend Antonella Rocuzzo named the boy Thiago.
Barcelona excused the 25-year-old Argentina forward from training on Friday morning to attend his son’s birth at a hospital in Barcelona.
On his Twitter feed, Messi said: “Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift! Thanks to my family for the support! A hug to everyone.”
In a recent interview with Spanish newspaper El Pais, Messi said he was looking forward to becoming a father.
“I’m prepared for Thiago’s arrival, it is very exciting,” he said. “It makes you think of things in a different way. You can no longer just think about yourself, you think about him, and how you hope he doesn’t have any problems.”
Earlier Friday, Barcelona coach Tito Villanova said he still expected Messi to play in Saturday’s Spanish league match against Celta Vigo at Camp Nou stadium.
“Leo didn’t attend training, but tomorrow he will play in the match,” said Vilanova. “If everything goes well, he will come to play. It doesn’t change our plans at all that he didn’t train today.”

Chelsea’s bid for Paulinho rejected

2012-11-03T00:52:00.000-07:00

European champions; Chelsea got a disappointing news on what would have been another move to fortify their 2012 squad after it was announced by Brazilian club Corinthians that Brazilian midfielder Paulinho whom Chelsea has been after for a while now has signed a new contract with the club.
Although, speculations are that the move is to find ways to increase the stakes on the 24-year-old, that is larger fee for his services in the future.
Corinthians dismissed the thought of selling their star to the Premier League club, as Corinthians’ President Mario Gobbi Filho insisted that no bid will be consider for the midfielder as they want to hold on to their man.
“We have renewed his contract and we have adjusted it, now it is at a level appropriate for Paulinho and the market’.
We have no intention to sell him; it is out of the question.
“We have a cycle that lasts until July and we renewed his contract to keep him, not to sell him”
“We do not want to transfer any player in January.”
The midfield anchor man has been in impressive form of late attracting the interest of many European clubs.
Alongside the Blues, Inter Milan are rumoured to be monitoring the situation closely with the club’s bosses keen to add depth to their squad.
Paulinho, who won his first international cap last year, has made six outings for Brazil notching two goals.

Venus beats Serena 6-4 7-5 to win exhibition match in Lagos

2012-11-03T00:50:00.002-07:00

Olympic champion and the elder of the Williams sisters, Venus Williams, on Friday defeated her younger sister and world number two, Serena Williams, 6-4, 7-5 in their latest exhibition game in Nigeria.
The exhibition match was witnessed by loads of fans at the main bowl of the Lagos Tennis Club.
Tennis loving fans across the state gathered in the tennis club to watch the female tennis icons, thrill them with breath-taking skills as they squared off in an exhibition match which was part of activities lined up by the organisers of ‘Break the Mould’ initiative.
The crowd, made of fans from all over the world, gave the sisters a thrilling Mexican wave reception before the beginning of the exhibition match.
The match had no dull moment as the sisters were full of joy and dances during the break sessions of the match.
One of such high points was the thrilling dance steps produced by Venus as she danced to D’banj’s Oliver Twist track.
Venus defeated her sister to win the thrilling encounter much to the delight of spectators in court side.
Reacting to her victory, Venus noted that with her victory in Lagos, 2013 will be a great year for her.
The game was the 24th meeting between the sisters was seen by the fans who saw them live and it sure meant more than just an exhibition match.

Now name him: Chelsea ask supporters to shop this fan for his 'monkey' taunt towards Welbeck as club AND police launch probe

2012-11-01T08:39:00.001-07:00

Club and Police both launch probes into fan's behaviour
Chelsea appeal for anyone who can identify the individual to contact the club
Comes after referee Mark Clattenburg stands accused by Chelsea of telling John Mikel Obi to 'shut it, monkey' during Sunday's match against United
Show Racism The Red Card campaign 'incensed' by this fan's actions

Chelsea and the Metropolitan Police have both launched investigations after one of their fans was pictured apparently directing a 'monkey' gesture at Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck last night.
It is an image which will re-ignite the toxic issue of racism as Chelsea pressed ahead with a formal complaint to the FA of inappropriate language used by race-row referee Mark Clattenburg.
The Metropolitan Police have also confirmed they have opened an investigation into alleged racist behaviour by a Chelsea supporter.

Taunt: A Chelsea fan appears to make a monkey gesture (above) at Stamford Bridge last night. Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck was pictured in the same frame (below). Chelsea beat United 5-4 after extra-time

Unacceptable: The Chelsea fan (circled) appears to to make a monkey gesture towards Welbeck after the striker mis-controls the ball

MIKE DICKSON COMMENT

My love for football dies a little bit more... this Chelsea fan will have thrilled to Drogba and Mikel, so what would they think of his monkey gesture?

A statement from police read: 'Today, Thursday, November 1, police have received a complaint regarding alleged racist behaviour at Stamford Bridge last night, Wednesday, October 31.
'An investigation has been launched. There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.'
A Chelsea spokesman said: 'Chelsea Football Club can confirm we are investigating an incident involving a member of the crowd at last night’s game against Manchester United.
'The club will be examining all available footage and asks anyone who can identify the individual to contact the club.
'Chelsea FC is committed to removing all forms of discrimination and if we have sufficient evidence we will take the strongest possible action, including supporting criminal prosecution.
John Mikel Obi has consistently told Chelsea officials that he wanted to pursue the case against Clattenburg after the official allegedly told him to ‘shut it, monkey’ during Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat against Manchester United on Sunday.
But, before Chelsea exacted revenge for Sunday's defeat with a 5-4 extra-time triumph in the Capital One Cup last night, the second element of the London club’s initial complaint alleging the referee called Juan Mata ‘a Spanish t***’ was dropped on the advice of the club’s external legal team.
Chelsea believe they have enough evidence to convince an FA independent regulatory commission that they can meet the civil standard of proof, which is the balance of probabilities.

Clattenburg has denied using racist or inappropriate language in a submission to the FA and is backed by his two assistants and the fourth official.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman has confirmed the authority was aware of the photograph, but said no formal complaint had yet been made.
The police require someone to formally report the incident to begin evaluating whether an investigation will take place.
This is what prompted the Society of Black Lawyers to report Mark Clattenburg's alleged comments towards John Obi Mikel to police after Sunday's Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge.
The picture of the Chelsea supporter will come as a fresh blow to a club which has been dogged by the spectre of racism since captain John Terry was accused of using racist language towards QPR's Anton Ferdinand last year.

Stirring the pot: Manchester United fans display a banner about Clattenburg, mocking the well-known slogan Chelsea fans attach to captain John Terry, who allegedly racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand

The chief executive of Show Racism the Rec Card, Paul Kearns, condemned the actions of the football fan and welcomed Chelsea's investigation into to the matter.
He said: 'We are incensed by this fan's actions as much of the football community appear to be. Twitter is alive with football fans condemning the actions of this football fan last night.
'We welcome the investigation launched by Chelsea and hope this matter will be dealt with in a timely manner.
'The club has issued a very strong statement that the strongest possible action will be taken. They have taken a zero tolerance policy to racism and we hope to see this policy continue.
'We continue to push for education to help eradicate this sort of behaviour by teaching what is and what is not acceptable.

Message: Manchester United fans take aim at Chelsea over the race rows that have engulfed the club

THE LIVERPOOL FAN WHO WAS BANNED FOR MONKEY GESTURE

A Liverpool fan was given a four-year football banning order after he was found guilty in June of racially abusing rival Manchester United supporters and their club captain Patrice Evra.
Phillip Gannon, 58 (right), was seen on live television doing a racially offensive monkey impression, Liverpool Magistrates' Court was told.
The incident happened amid a volatile atmosphere at Anfield on January 28 this year when the two sides met in an FA Cup fourth round clash, Rob Girvan, prosecuting, told the court.
It was the first game between the Premier League rivals since an eight-match ban was imposed on Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after the FA found him guilty of racially abusing Evra.
In the 23rd minute of the game, the TV camera panned over fans in the lower Centenary Stand, where Gannon was sitting with two friends, and he was seen to position his hands under his armpits.
The coverage, broadcast worldwide by ITV, quickly spread across social networking site Twitter and complaints were made to police, the court heard.

'Fortunately these sort of incidents are now fairly isolated and it is only a very small minority who think it is still acceptable to act in this way.'
Founder of Football Unites, Racism Divides, Howard Holmes, added that he felt the club should be able to track down the fan.
He said: 'I would have thought it wouldn't be too difficult to identify the man.
'You can see exactly where he is sitting in the photo so Chelsea should be able to correlate the seat number with a name.
'So the club should be able to track him down and there are several forms of action they can take.
'The one consolation is that you can see 100 people in the shot and this man is the only one doing it.'
Ex-England captain Terry was cleared John Terry has been cleared by Westminster Magistrates' Court in July, but was banned for four matches and fined £220,000 after being found guilty of racially abusing Ferdinand by a Football Association independent regulatory commission.
The repercussions of United’s 3-2 win at the weekend were impossible to ignore. United fans unfurled a banner saying ‘Clattenburg. Referee, Leader, Legend’ and there were more pointed chants referring to the absence of Terry, who was serving the third game of his four-match ban.
On the pitch, goals from Ryan Giggs, Javier Hernandez and Nani seemed to have booked United a place in the quarter-finals, only for Chelsea to conjure up three equalisers from David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Eden Hazard to force extra time.
Daniel Sturridge, who had endured a largely dismal evening, put his side ahead in the 97th minute before Ramires sealed victory with the cutest of finishes after 116 minutes of pulsating football.

And yet there was still time for Giggs to score his second of the evening with a penalty in the final minute of the match.

Vitriol: Leeds manager Neil Warnock boots the ball back into play during his side's win over Southampton on Tuesday

There were only five survivors from Chelsea’s starting XI on Sunday, with John Mikel Obi and Juan Mata, the players at the centre of the initial allegations against referee Mark Clattenburg, both included. Sir Alex Ferguson made 10 changes.
Leeds chairman Ken Bates, whose side have drawn Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup, has saluted the strides made towards multi-cultural harmony in football and described how Stamford Bridge was once a 'hotbed of racism'.
Writing in Leeds United’s match programme, ahead of their 3-0 win over Southampton, the former Chelsea chairman welcomed the way racism has come under the spotlight and insisted the problem bears no relation to 30 years ago, when it was the scourge of football.
Revealing how the National Front used to set up camp at Stamford Bridge on matchdays, the Leeds chairman wrote: ‘The ongoing debate about racism is good, because the issue is being raised and discussed, but I think it is fair to look back and see how much progress has been made during, in historical terms, a relatively short time.
‘In the 1980s, Stamford Bridge was a hotbed of racism. The National Front sold their magazines in the Fulham Road and used to wait in the pub opposite to learn the team selection. If they (the Chelsea players) were all-white, the National Fronters used to walk across and buy their tickets.
‘Our technical director Gwyn Williams introduced the first black kid, one Paul Canoville, a pacey young winger. His first experience was when Chelsea played at Selhurst Park. As a sub, he was warming up and had bananas thrown at him.
‘The following week, he made his debut at Stamford Bridge and got a lot of abuse. At the end of the game, I went on the pitch and walked off with my arm round his shoulder.
‘It is a lot different today, though it has been a long tortuous journey. Slowly, things started to change. Thirty years on, it is a different world. Today the furore is of a black verbal abuse – not to be condoned or tolerated in the least – but meanwhile let us appreciate the progress that has been made.’
Chelsea will travel to Leeds on December 19 for their quarter-final clash in a match that will be especially firery given Neil Warnock's comments this week.
The Championship club's outspoken manager said he is 'disgusted' with the conduct of Chelsea's players and has backed referee Mark Clattenburg as the Stamford Bridge race row intensified.
Warnock has accused Chelsea of 'trying to kill' the referee and urged the FA to throw the book at players including John Obi Mikel, if their racism claims prove to be false.
The Leeds manager is no stranger to controversy - and you might think he would need to focus on his own club after a fan attacked Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.
But the Warnock turned his attention to Chelsea's players.
'You know my relationship with referees but I have got to say I am disgusted with what’s gone on,' said Warnock. 'I’m on Mark Clattenburg’s side.'
The veteran boss, whose side have knocked two Premier League sides - Everton and Southampton - out of the Capital One Cup this season, continued: 'We ask referees to man-manage and that’s what he (Clattenburg) does. I’m sure he might have said a few things but are you telling me if Chelsea had won that game that there would have been one iota of a complaint?
'He’s not had the best of games but the Torres one was the one decision he got slightly wrong.

'Let’s wait and see when it all comes out. Hopefully, everything has been caught. I hope if it is proved wrong, that the players, whatever they alleged Mark to have said, get done as well.'
'I think he has made a mistake but they are trying to kill him and I don’t agree with that at all.'

Chelsea 5 Manchester United 4: Capital punishment for Reds reserves as Blues fight back three times for sweet revenge

2012-11-01T08:26:00.001-07:00

After all the controversy of Sunday, Chelsea and Manchester United reconvened at Stamford Bridge and produced a humdinger of a Capital One Cup tie: a treat to savour rather than a trick on a rainy Hallowe'en night.
It had its moments of controversy, of course; plenty of them. We even had some of the terrace banter that is so often missing from clashes between the top clubs. But more than anything it was an enjoyable, exciting cup tie.

There's no beating the Blues: Ramires (left) and Chelsea team-mates react after his extra-time goal

Match facts

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Luiz, Bertrand, Romeu (Oscar 71), Mikel (Ramires 46), Moses, Mata, Piazon (Hazard 55), Sturridge.

Subs not used: Hilario, Ferreira, Marin, Saville.
Goals: Luiz (pen) 31, Cahill 52, Hazard 90(+4), Sturridge 97, Ramires 116
Booked: Romeu, Mikel, Luiz, Oscar, Ramires
Man Utd: Lindegaard, Da Silva, Wootton, Keane, Buttner (Powell 46), Anderson (Tunnicliffe 81), Giggs, Fletcher, Nani, Hernandez, Welbeck (Macheda 99).
Goals: Giggs 22, 120 (pen), Hernandez 43, Nani 59
Booked: Wooton, M Keane

Subs not used: Johnstone, Lingard, Vermijl, Brady.
Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 41,126

Goals from Ryan Giggs, Javier Hernandez and Nani seemed to have booked United a place in the quarter-finals, only for Chelsea to conjure up three equalisers from David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Eden Hazard to force extra time.
Daniel Sturridge, who had endured a largely dismal evening, put his side ahead in the 97th minute before Ramires sealed victory with the cutest of finishes after 116 minutes of pulsating football.

And yet there was still time for Giggs to score his second of the evening with a penalty in the final minute of the match.

There were only five survivors from Chelsea’s starting XI on Sunday, with John Mikel Obi and Juan Mata, the players at the centre of the initial allegations against referee Mark Clattenburg, both included. Sir Alex Ferguson made 10 changes.

But the repercussions of United’s 3-2 win at the weekend were impossible to ignore. United fans unfurled a banner saying ‘Clattenburg. Referee, Leader, Legend’ and there were more pointed chants referring to the absence of John Terry, who was serving the third game of his four-match ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.

Was there an element of revenge in Chelsea’s win? Perhaps. But the real bonus for the champions of Europe was the manner in which they came back three times and then went on to win. That can only breed confidence after a difficult few days.

Stirring the pot: Manchester United fans display a banner about Clattenburg, mocking the well-known slogan Chelsea fans attach to captain John Terry, who racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand

Message: Manchester United fans take aim at Chelsea over the race rows that have engulfed the club

No hiding: John Obi Mikel (centre) started for Chelsea amid the race row involving referee Mark Clattenburg

IT'S A GHOUL-FEST!

There were 37 goals scored in the fourth round of this year - only the 1964-65 season had more goals at this stage (41).
Manchester United conceded five goals in a League Cup game for only the second time in their history. The last time it happened was in a 5-1 home defeat by Blackpool in 1967.
Javier Hernandez has scored in five of his last six appearances against Chelsea.
Luis Suarez has now scored four goals and made four assists in five League Cup appearances

Anderson and substitute Nick Powell were plusses for United, who also saw 38-year-old Giggs play the full 120 minutes, while Victor Moses was influential for Chelsea before Ramires and Oscar began to run the show when they were introduced in the second half.
That it was Sturridge who gave Chelsea the lead for the first time in this match, however, was something of a surprise given his overall performance.

With Fernando Torres suspended following his red card on Sunday, this was Sturridge’s first start for Chelsea this season — and the perfect opportunity to show his ability in the central striking role he craves.

Here's how it all started: Oriel Romeu (centre) is dispossessed by Anderson, leading to the opening goal

Easy as that: Romeu (second right) can't get back as Ryan Giggs is left free to score past a defenceless Petr Cech

Noses in front: United celebrate after Giggs (centre, partly obscured) gave them the lead at Stamford Bridge

Going down: United left-back Alexander Buttner fouls Victor Moses to concede a penalty

No mistake: David Luiz stepped up to haul Chelsea level from the penalty spot with a low, powerful shot

On target: Blues defender Luiz celebrates after equalising from the penalty spot

Yet the 23-year-old was initially comfortably marshalled by United’s young central defensive pairing of Scott Wootton and Michael Keane. It was Moses who looked far more accomplished, outmuscling Alexander Buttner after half an hour to win his side a penalty, which David Luiz converted.

Chelsea had gone behind in bizarre circumstances in the 22nd minute. After a free-kick from Buttner went wide, Petr Cech played a short pass to Oriol Romeu, who was dispossessed by Anderson.

Giggs was the lucky recipient and the Welshman scored by the time Luiz had ambled back on to the pitch.

Chelsea's nemesis: Javier Hernandez celebrates scoring at Stamford Bridge for the second time in four days

Deadly: The Mexican striker showed his predatory instincts with a fine finish late in the first half

Rising high: Gary Cahill (third left) leaps unmarked to head in Chelsea's second goal of the night

Eye for goal: Chelsea centre-back Cahill celebrates his goal in the second half at the Bridge

The Brazil defender played more of a role in United’s second goal, taking the ball up field before watching it cannon back into Chelsea’s half. With the centre half stranded, Hernandez exploited the huge gap to score his fourth goal in three games in the 43rd minute. This one, however, was definitely not offside.

United’s young defence seemed to be in control, but Chelsea were level seven minutes after the restart as Gary Cahill powered home a header from a Mata corner.

After looking as if he would rather be anywhere but Stamford Bridge, Nani suddenly burst into life to score United’s third. A smart one-two with Anderson saw the winger burst into space and finish with his right foot. Cech was left to collect the bottle that was hurled on to the pitch.

Making his point: Nani (right) celebrates with Anderson after scoring Manchester United's third goal

Top class: Nani chips the ball into the net over Petr Cech's despairing dive to put United 3-2 in front

Back from the dead: Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard celebrates scoring in the dying seconds of normal time

Held his nerve: Hazard (17) scores from the penalty spot deep into injury time to force another 30 minutes

Di Matteo pushed for an equaliser. Cesar Azpilicueta was closed down in a promising position at the far post and then Chelsea appealed for a penalty when Mata’s shot hit Keane’s hand. Fourth official Mike Dean got a mouthful from Di Matteo but Lee Mason was unmoved.

The referee, however, was apparently only prolonging the drama. In the fourth minute of stoppage time he pointed to the spot after Wootton bundled over Ramires. Hazard converted with the coolest of right-foot strikes down the middle and, finally, Chelsea were in the ascendency.
Sturridge wasted another glorious chance but, eventually, he converted an opportunity, taking the ball round Anders Lindegaard in the 97th minute after a misjudged header back from Wootton.

Dan's the man: Daniel Sturridge (right) celebrates after handing Chelsea the lead in extra-time

Can't miss: Sturridge scores after going round Manchester United keeper Anders Lindegaard

Keane was then perhaps fortunate to receive only a yellow card for pulling back the Chelsea striker before Ramires danced through United’s defence to put the match beyond doubt. Even then, Giggs converted a penalty after Azpilicueta was judged to have fouled Hernandez.

Chelsea’s prize is a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds, and former owner Ken Bates, in the quarter-finals. Leeds manager Neil Warnock said he was ‘disgusted’ by Chelsea accusing Clattenburg of making ‘inappropriate comments’ this week. You get the impression that might be an exciting Cup tie, too.

Nail in the coffin: Ramires (centre right) rounds off a superb move to seal the deal for Chelsea

And that's the end of that: Giggs slots home from the penalty spot in the final seconds of extra time

Williams sisters to seek fourth doubles gold medal in Rio

2012-11-01T07:45:00.001-07:00

Talking of preparations meeting determination, Williams sisters; Serena and Venus served that fact when they confidently said during a press conference in Lagos that they are ready to play the tennis doubles at the 2016 Rio Games for a chance to win their fourth gold medal.
The sisters will be playing an exhibition match with each other on Friday at the Ikoyi Club in Lagos; Nigeria while they are on a two-nation tour, the second country being South Africa as they were accompanied by their mum Oracene Price.
Though, Rio 2016 is still four years away from now, but the tennis iconic stars revealed that their preparation is in top gear as the sisters could not hide their excitement on the thought of their doubles defence come 2016 in Brazil.
“It’s our main goal,” Serena Williams said. “We were talking … about how we can’t wait to get to Rio. And obviously, bearing that we’re both healthy, that’s our goal to be there.”
And talking of fitness, on Sunday, little sister Serena beat top-ranked Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 6-4 to win the WTA Championships final in Istanbul.
Venus and Serena teamed to win 13 Grand Slam doubles titles and won Olympic gold in doubles in 2000, 2008 and 2012.
This year, the sisters beat Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-4 at the London Games.