Man Utd Suffer Major Injury Blow As 2 Key Players Were Ruled Out For Game Against Southampton

Manchester United will be without two key players when they host Southampton in tonight’s Premier League due to injuries.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side made this known in a post via its official website at the weekend.

Man United head to the game after beating Aston Villa 3-0 in their last fixture, while Southampton played a 1-1 draw with Everton.

The Red Devils are currently in the fifth position on the Premier League table with 58 points from 34 matches.

“Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are the only players who are presently unavailable for selection, due to injury, leaving Ole with a large group of sharp and hungry Reds to choose from,”

Man United said.

The match kick-off time is at 8 pm Nigerian time.

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IT IS HAPPENING!!! Barcelona President Gives Latest Update On Inter Milan Striker, Lautaro Martinez

Barcelona’s president, Josep Bartomeu, has disclosed that the club have held discussion with Inter Milan over a transfer move for striker, Lautaro Martinez.

 Martinez is one of Barcelona’s top targets this summer, but the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic means they are unlikely to meet the player’s £97million buy-out clause.

“We held conversations with Inter a few weeks ago [over a transfer for Lautaro Martinez], but the negotiations are not ongoing at the moment. We are evaluating things,”

Bartomeu told TV3.

“The league and the Champions League are not finished, so we have to evaluate our priorities. We have also to make considerations on internal factors to face the crisis that the club is facing.

“Right now, we cannot think about making significant investments. We will have to see when people will be allowed to return to the stadium and to our museum.

“We will have to wait and see how this whole situation evolves. However, our club will be the main player in the transfer window.”

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Manchester City Wins Appeal, To Play In Champions League Next Season

Manchester City have won their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over alleged financial fair play (FFP) violations and are free to play in the Champions League next season, it was announced on Monday.

City were originally banned from European competitions for two seasons but won their appeal to CAS, meaning fifth place in the Premier League will no longer qualify for the Champions League. Manchester United occupy fifth in the table as it stands.

A statement from CAS read:-

“The CAS award emphasized that most of the alleged breaches reported by the Adjudicatory Chamber of the CFCB were either not established or time-barred.

“As the charges with respect to any dishonest concealment of equity funding were clearly more significant violations than obstructing the CFCB’s investigations, it was not appropriate to impose a ban on participating in UEFA’s club competitions for MCFC’s failure to cooperate with the CFCB’s investigations alone.”

City took their case to CAS on June 8 after they were initially handed a two-year ban from UEFA competition and a €30 million ($33m) fine issued to them by the Adjudicatory Chamber of the Independent Club Financial Control Body (CFCB). Following Monday’s verdict, the fine was reduced to €10m.

A Manchester City statement read: “Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the Club welcomes the implications of today’s ruling as a validation of the Club’s position and the body of evidence that it was able to present. The Club wishes to thank the panel members for their diligence and the due process that they administered.”

The CFCB found that City “committed serious breaches” of FFP regulations — which limit the net losses clubs can accrue over a three-year period — between 2012 and 2016 and failed to cooperate with the subsequent investigation.

It was said that the club overstated “its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016.”

In response, City claimed the process was “flawed” and said there was “irrefutable evidence” that would lead to them winning an appeal. FFP was introduced by UEFA at the start of the 2011-12 campaign, as a way of stopping clubs falling into financial difficulties by overspending.

Ahead of Monday’s verdict, manager Pep Guardiola had also voiced his confidence that City would get the ban overturned.

“The intention is every season to play in the Champions League as best as possible, it’s not about Monday,” Guardiola said.

“On Monday, I’m so confident because I know and hear the arguments of the club. Next season we will be there and after I will give my opinion and the club will give a statement.”

City are also still able to compete in this season’s Champions League. They hold a 2-1 first-leg lead over Real Madrid in the round of 16, and will play either Juventus or Lyon in the quarterfinals if they progress.

Manchester City have won their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over alleged financial fair play (FFP) violations and are free to play in the Champions League next season, it was announced on Monday.

City were originally banned from European competitions for two seasons but won their appeal to CAS, meaning fifth place in the Premier League will no longer qualify for the Champions League. Manchester United occupy fifth in the table as it stands.

A statement from CAS read: “The CAS award emphasized that most of the alleged breaches reported by the Adjudicatory Chamber of the CFCB were either not established or time-barred.

“As the charges with respect to any dishonest concealment of equity funding were clearly more significant violations than obstructing the CFCB’s investigations, it was not appropriate to impose a ban on participating in UEFA’s club competitions for MCFC’s failure to cooperate with the CFCB’s investigations alone.”

City took their case to CAS on June 8 after they were initially handed a two-year ban from UEFA competition and a €30 million ($33m) fine issued to them by the Adjudicatory Chamber of the Independent Club Financial Control Body (CFCB). Following Monday’s verdict, the fine was reduced to €10m.

A Manchester City statement read: “Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the Club welcomes the implications of today’s ruling as a validation of the Club’s position and the body of evidence that it was able to present. The Club wishes to thank the panel members for their diligence and the due process that they administered.”

The CFCB found that City “committed serious breaches” of FFP regulations — which limit the net losses clubs can accrue over a three-year period — between 2012 and 2016 and failed to cooperate with the subsequent investigation.

It was said that the club overstated “its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016.”

In response, City claimed the process was “flawed” and said there was “irrefutable evidence” that would lead to them winning an appeal. FFP was introduced by UEFA at the start of the 2011-12 campaign, as a way of stopping clubs falling into financial difficulties by overspending.

Ahead of Monday’s verdict, manager Pep Guardiola had also voiced his confidence that City would get the ban overturned.

 

The intention is every season to play in the Champions League as best as possible, it’s not about Monday,” Guardiola said.

“On Monday, I’m so confident because I know and hear the arguments of the club. Next season we will be there and after I will give my opinion and the club will give a statement.”

City are also still able to compete in this season’s Champions League. They hold a 2-1 first-leg lead over Real Madrid in the round of 16, and will play either Juventus or Lyon in the quarterfinals if they progress.

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Barcelona Lose De Jong To Injury For ‘Several Weeks’

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong has injured a calf muscle and could be out of action for several weeks, according to the club and media reports.

De Jong, 23, sat out Barca’s goalless draw with Sevilla on Friday and the club said in a statement on Sunday that “the clinical follow-up… has uncovered an injury in the soleus of his right leg.”

The club did not say how long De Jong would be out of action but media reports said it could be several weeks.

The Dutch international, who was signed after starring in Ajax’s charge to the Champions League semi-finals last season, has made 27 league appearances in a solid first campaign in Spain’s coronavirus-interrupted season.

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Liverpool’s Title March Delayed By Everton Stalemate, Chelsea Sink Villa

 

Liverpool’s march towards the Premier League title was delayed as the leaders returned to action with a goalless draw against Merseyside rivals Everton, while Chelsea fought back for a 2-1 win at Aston Villa on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp’s side picked up following the top-flight resumption on Wednesday needing two wins to secure their first English title for 30 years.

But Liverpool looked rusty in their first game in 106 days following the coronavirus lockdown.

Despite their underwhelming display behind closed doors at Goodison Park, Liverpool are now 23 points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.

If City drop points at home to Burnley on Monday, then Liverpool can clinch the title against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Wednesday.

A City victory would delay Liverpool’s coronation until at least their clash with Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad Stadium on July 2.

Liverpool have won just two of their last seven games in all competitions.

“It was a real fight. Both teams showed they understood it was a derby,” Klopp said.

“Most of the time we were dominant but they had the biggest chance. We were not smart enough to use the space.

“That is normal when you start to play again. Football looks slightly different (since the coronavirus) but I take that.”

Reds star Mohamed Salah was left on the bench due to fitness concerns, while Andrew Robertson was also sidelined and they were not at their best as a result.

Liverpool improved after the break and Naby Keita fired just wide before Virgil van Dijk’s header was saved by Jordan Pickford.

But it was Everton who came closest to a winner on the break when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s effort was saved by Alisson Becker and Tom Davies fired the rebound against the post.

Frank Lampard believes Christian Pulisic can be Chelsea’s trump card in the race to qualify for the Champions League after his decisive cameo at Villa Park.

Lampard’s side were rocked when Kortney Hause put Villa ahead against the run of play in the first half.

But Pulisic came off the bench to equalise after the break before Olivier Giroud bagged his fourth club goal of the season two minutes later.

Chelsea’s quick-fire blitz moved the fourth-placed west Londoners five points clear of Manchester United in fifth as they fight to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Welcome boost

A first away league win of 2020 was the ideal way for Chelsea to return to action in their first match since the Premier League was suspended in March due to the coronavirus.

It was Pulisic’s first appearance since January after an abductor muscle injury and Lampard feels the United States winger is ready to make an impact again.

“He will start games for us, of course, and I think he’s going to be a big player for us, not just in this run-in but going forward,” Lampard said.

“The ability he’s got to arrive in the box, it’s a big thing, I’ve spoken about it with him all season.”

Steve Bruce hopes Joelinton is finally ready to deliver after the Brazilian ended a Premier League goal drought stretching back to August in Newcastle’s 3-0 win over 10-man Sheffield United.

Joelinton’s close-range finish in the 78th minute completed the scoring after goals from Allan Saint-Maximin and Matt Ritchie.

It was a welcome boost for Joelinton, who has struggled since his move from Hoffenheim last year and missed a glorious opportunity in the first half at St James’ Park.

Joelinton was also at the centre of the game’s significant moment when he raced away from John Egan in the second half and was hauled back, triggering a red card for the Blades defender that sparked the visitors’ collapse.

“He personally has suffered in the lockdown more than anybody. He’s had no family here, no friends, holed up in an apartment somewhere,” Bruce said.

“He’s a really genuinely good lad and he gives his all for the team. We’re just delighted that he’s managed to score a goal. He can only get better.”

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Ramos Injured But Madrid Go Top After Edging Out Real Sociedad

Real Madrid knocked Barcelona off the top of La Liga by beating Real Sociedad 2-1 on Sunday as Sergio Ramos rolled in another penalty before being forced off due to injury.

Karim Benzema continued his excellent form by adding a second at Anoeta and while Mikel Merino gave Real Sociedad hope with seven minutes left, Madrid held on to go above Barca on head-to-head.

Ramos scored his 20th consecutive spot-kick to become La Liga’s highest-ever scoring defender on 68 goals, overtaking Ronald Koeman on the all-time list.

But Ramos limped off 10 minutes later with what looked like a knee injury, which will be a huge concern for Madrid if the problem proves serious. He was seen sitting with an ice-pack on his left knee in the stands.

Madrid also benefitted from two tight decisions after Adnan Januzaj drove in an equaliser for Real Sociedad, only to have it ruled out before Benzema doubled the lead and was ajudged not to have controlled with his arm.

Both calls were close and the fact they fell for Madrid will not have gone unnoticed in Barcelona. “From what we’ve seen it will be very difficult for Real Madrid to drop points,” said Barca defender Gerard Pique on Friday.

Yet it was Barca’s failure to score away at Sevilla that presented the opportunity to Madrid, whose victory in one of their toughest fixtures left has shifted the title race back in their favour.

Their defence, which boasts the club’s best record at this stage in 32 years, has been key, which means Ramos’ swift return will be crucial if his team want to hold on to first place.

Casemiro is already suspended after picking up a yellow card although Real Mallorca at home on Wednesday is the kind of fixture Madrid should be able to survive, even without Ramos and their only defensive midfielder.

Ramos’ 68 goals include 66 for Madrid and two for Sevilla while Sunday’s penalty was his seventh of this season, equalling his best haul for a single league campaign in his career.

If Ramos has to sit out, Zinedine Zidane will at least hope to have Eden Hazard fresh for Mallorca after the Belgian was named on the bench, perhaps rested or given extra time to recover from a kick to his ankle against Valencia last week.

Gareth Bale was also among the substitutes not to be brought on, this Bale’s sixth consecutive game out of the starting line-up.

Even James Rodriguez was handed a rare outing, suggesting Bale has fallen even further down Zidane’s pecking order.

The first half was open but without many clear-cut chances. The lively Vinicius Junior had the best opening early on after a pull-back from Fede Valverde but prodded wide.

Yet Vinicius was causing Andoni Gorosabel problems with his pace and it was the Brazilian who won the penalty, after nipping inside a defender before his right foot was caught by Diego Llorente.

Ramos made no mistake but seemed to take a bang on his left knee shortly after and despite limping on for several minutes, was eventually replaced by Eder Militao.

His removal coincided with a surge from Real Sociedad, who equalised when Januzaj drove into the corner only for Merino to be ruled offside, seen to be close enough to Courtois to be interfering with the goalkeeper’s line of sight.

Real Sociedad’s sense of frustration was compounded when Benzema made it two.

Referee Javier Estrada again consulted VAR but this time allowed the goal to stand, believing Benzema to have controlled with his shoulder before firing in.

Merino set up a nervy finish with a thundering shot in off the crossbar but Madrid held on for an important win.

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Osimhen is Nigeria’s most expensive player valued 64m Euros

Lille’s forward, Victor Osimhen, 21, has been rated as the costliest Nigerian player at the moment.

In the biannual list from the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) Football Observatory featuring footballers from top five European Leagues: the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1, Osimhen was valued at 64 million Euros and in the 66th spot.

The only other Nigerian player in the Top 100 is Leicester City enforcer, Wilfred Ndidi who is valued 49.5 million Euros and in the 94th place.

Osimhen is currently on the shopping list of at least five top European teams with his Ligue 1 club looking forward to making a kill with a price tag of 75 million Euros.

France’s 2018 World Cup Star, Kylian Mbappe is the world’s most expensive player in the list released on Monday.

The PSG forward is valued €259.2 million ($292 million) to occupy the number one spot in the valuation of top players from the five prestigious leagues in Europe.

Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling is the number two behind Mbappe with €194.7 million ($219 million) with Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho third with €179.1 million ($202 million) valuation.

Interestingly, the world’s two supposed best players, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus were not valued in the Top 20.

Messi at 33 has a year left in his contract while Ronaldo at 35 is the oldest on the list of 100 players valued.

Messi was valued at 100.1 € million ($113 million) and is occupying the 21st place, while Ronaldo estimated at €62.8 million ($70 million) is 70th on the list.

Below is CIES Football Observatory’s Top 10

1. Kylian Mbappe (PSG): €259.2 million

2. Raheem Sterling (Man City): €194.7 million

3. Jadon Sancho (Dortmund): €179.1 million

4. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool): €171.1 million

5. Marcus Rashford (Man Utd): €152.3 million

6. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): €144.9 million

7. Sadio Mane (Liverpool): €139.2 million

8. Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona): €136.4 million

9. Alphonse Davies (Bayern Munich): €133.5 million

10. Harry Kane (Tottenham): €118.7 million  (ThisDay)

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Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury agree to two fights

•Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury

Anthony Joshua has reached an agreement with Tyson Fury on a two-fight deal, says promoter Eddie Hearn.

Britain's rival champions have been holding talks over an undisputed world heavyweight title fight and have thrashed out initial terms for two blockbuster battles.

“We’re making great progress,” Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn exclusively told Sky Sports News. “There is still a lot to overcome. We are looking at venues and dates.

“We have the Dillian Whyte mandatory which is due before this fight.

“It’s fair to say [Joshua and Fury] are in agreement regarding the financial terms of the fight.

“We’ve been talking to [Fury’s management team] MTK, giving them the assurances from Joshua’s side that all the details on the structure of the deal is approved from our side. And it is from Fury’s side, as well.

“We’re in a good place. It’s fair to say that, in principle, both guys have agreed to that fight. “[There’s] a lot to overcome in the meantime. We’re moving in the right direction. I'm confident that both guys have given their blessing for the fight to go ahead.

“The point of Fury, Joshua and the teams agreeing to the structure of the deal? The first fight could happen next summer. It will be 2021.

“There is a big period of time where Whyte should get his shot at the title. That's important to us.

“The main positive news is that Joshua and Fury have agreed to a two-fight deal, in essence.

“The most difficult part of any deal is the financial element. I believe we're in a great place where both guys have agreed to what that should be.

“We have not signed contracts because there are still things to be worked out.

“We’re pushing towards a place where they can be drafted, for 2021.

“Both guys are in agreement. The structure of the deal has been put forward, and agreed to by both parties.

“There is a model in place that both parties are happy with.

“It’s the biggest fight ever in British boxing. It doesn’t get bigger, and there will never be a bigger fight in our generation.

“Two guys, very different, who fight differently, have experienced different things and have come back from adversity.”

Fury is the unbeaten WBC heavyweight champion and Joshua holds the IBF, WBA and WBO titles. Whyte is due a mandatory shot at Fury’s belt by February 2021.

Before the undisputed title fight can take place, Fury is contracted to face Deontay Wilder for a third time and Joshua will meet mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.

Asked about a possible location for the Joshua vs Fury fight, Hearn added: “There are discussions with various sites.

“From a common-sense point of view and without knowing how a deal works, everyone will say Britain is the place to hold the fight. But it is the world heavyweight championship – there will be all sorts of offers from across the world, and there have been already.

“The venue is another obstacle to overcome.”

Fury’s UK-based promoter Frank Warren had previously told Sky Sports: “This is not a difficult fight to make.

“It’s not about me or [Hearn’s company] Matchroom. It’s about getting this fight made.”

Top Rank's Bob Arum, who promotes Fury in the US, previously told Sky Sports: “I don’t think the negotiations would be fraught with difficulty. We could negotiate the deal, if we met in person, over the course of one day.

“We are not known for playing games. We understand Eddie. I worked for many years with his father Barry.

“My prediction would be: we get a deal done over the course of one day.”

Joshua exclusively told Sky Sports: “Logically to prove yourself as No 1, I have to fight Tyson Fury. He has to fight Anthony Joshua.

“What it will prove, me and him fighting? There will be one dominant figure in the heavyweight division that will have all of the belts and become undisputed.”

Fury exclusively told Sky Sports: “In heavyweight boxing, you can never count your chickens before they hatch, so one fight at a time. One victory at a time.

“All going well, god willing, we get on the big fight with me and Joshua, the all-British showdown and I can give the fans what they want to see, especially the British fans.”

Fury confirmed the agreement with Joshua via social media: “Two-fight deal, Fury vs Joshua next year. One problem? I've got to smash Wilder. Then we go into the Joshua fight. It's on, next year, but there is a hurdle in the road called Wilder.” (Sky Sports)

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Manchester United Extend Ighalo’s Loan Deal

Manchester United have confirmed the extension of Odion Ighalo’s stay at the club, according to a statement the team released on Monday morning.

Ighalo’s initial six months deal with United ended on Sunday after he joined the Red Devils from the Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua in January.

The Chinese Super League side wanted the player back as the football season is set to return this month or the next in the Asian nation.

They had given United an option to sign the Nigerian striker on a permanent basis – a deal that the Red Devils were not okay with.

But in a statement, the Premier League giants noted that they will be keeping the former Watford forward until January 2021 after reaching an agreement with Ighalo’s parent team in China.

“Manchester United have reached [an] agreement with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua to extend the loan deal for Odion Ighalo,” the club posted on its website.

“The Nigerian striker’s stay was initially due to end on 31 May but he will now remain with the Reds until 31 January 2021, enabling him to build on an impressive start to life with the club he supported as a boy.”

Since joining United, Ighalo has bagged four goals in eight matches in all competitions for the team.

With the Premier League set to restart on June 17 after being forced to take a break due to the coronavirus pandemic, Ighalo’s extended stay will come as good news to Red Devils gaffer, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

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The Return Of La Liga: What’s At Stake?

La Liga resumes on June 11 after a three-month absence due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have been unable to pull away from each other at the top of the table while Atletico Madrid are involved in what looks like a four-way fight for Champions League qualification.

AFP Sport takes a look at some key issues ahead of the run-in.
Turbulent title race

When Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 1, it seemed they had halted a dip in form and seized control of the title race.

But a week later, they handed the initiative back as Barca regained first place by beating Real Sociedad and Madrid lost away at Real Betis.

A three-month break means a fresh start but Barcelona’s two-point lead reflects badly on their challengers, given Barca’s own problems off the pitch, including the switch to Quique Setien as coach in January.

Both sides’ imperfections mean there will be more slip-ups to come but if this Barca make it five league titles in six years, Madrid will only have themselves to blame.

Unfamiliar homes

Real Madrid have been given permission by La Liga to play their remaining home games at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium at their training ground to allow planned construction work to go ahead at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

With games being held behind closed doors there would have been little advantage to playing at their usual home and the players might even be better off avoiding an empty 81,000-seater stadium that they are used to being almost full.
Unexpected returns

Neither Eden Hazard nor Luis Suarez expected to play much, or perhaps any, part in the run-in after Hazard underwent surgery on a broken foot in March and Suarez had an operation on his right knee in January.

The break has allowed both players to recover and the question now is whether either can find peak form and fitness in time to make an impact in the remaining 11 games.

Suarez’s return could be particularly helpful for Barcelona but Setien has said the Uruguayan, who has often taken time to regain sharpness, is not yet ready.

Real Madrid’s Hazard, plagued by injuries in recent months, has had a nightmare first year in Spain but has an unexpected chance to turn things around.
Fight for Atletico

Atletico Madrid’s momentous win over Liverpool in the Champions League offered Diego Simeone some relief after what has been a disappointing season in La Liga.

His team sit sixth in the table, having long fallen out of the reckoning for the title and facing a fight even to make the top four.

Ahead of them between fifth and third are Getafe, Real Sociedad and Sevilla, and with only two points between the four, Atletico could still scrape in.

But the resilient Getafe and free-flowing Real will both be eager to finish off brilliant campaigns while Sevilla appeared to be hitting their stride before games were suspended.

Atletico cannot afford to be complacent.

Pressure at the bottom

At the other end of the table, Espanyol look doomed, sitting in last place, six points adrift of safety. Leganes, who still have to play away at Barcelona before hosting Real Madrid on the final day, are only three points better off.

One point then separates Mallorca, Celta Vigo and Eibar, whose players have expressed concerns about the safety of football returning too quickly. Real Valladolid in 15th have a four-point cushion over the bottom three but two wins in their last 10 games suggests they could easily be pulled in too.

The economic hit from the coronavirus pandemic means the stakes are even higher for these clubs, as they battle to avoid the considerable financial blow of relegation. For all of them, the pressure is on.

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He Scored The ‘Most Spectacular Goal In German Football,’ Klopp Hails Okocha

Liverpool’s coach Jurgen Klopp has hailed Nigerian legend, Austin Okocha for his impact in football, crediting him to have scored the “most spectacular goal in the history of German football.”

Klopp picked Okocha’s dazzling strike against Oliver Kahn –when he featured for Eintracht Frankfurt against Karlsruher in the 1992-93 Bundesliga campaign –as the most spectacular goal he has seen in German football.

The 46-year-old Nigerian legend danced through many of his markers, left them crawling on the floor before hitting the ball past Khan.

It was to be later voted as the Goal of the Season by several football publications as well as German TV sports show, Sportschau.

And according to Klopp, the goal was historic, adding that Okocha left the German goalkeeper and his defenders diving on the floor for about five minutes before he finally scored the goal.

“Okocha scored the most spectacular goal in the history of German football,” Klopp told the Guardian UK. “It took like five minutes of Kahn and his defenders diving on the floor before he put the ball in the net.”

The former Borussia Dortmund gaffer also hailed African players for their impact in European football, wondering why any team would not sign the likes of George Weah, Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure.

Liverpool have three African players in their fold at the moment –Egypt forward, Mohamed Salah; Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Naby Keita of Guinea.

The trio has been instrumental in Liverpool’s exploits in the past couple of years which saw them reaching the final of the Champions League in back-to-back seasons and winning it once.

Klopp’s men – with the help of Salah and Mane –are on the verge on lifting the Premier League crown; their first since 1990 and the German has admitted that the mentality of African players pushes them to do more.

He narrated how Salah drives over four hours to training daily and how Mane rushes to do the same every day.

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See The 6-Year-Old Boy With Six-Pack Now Has 4 Million IG Followers (Photos)

A six-year-old Iranian boy who first stunned the world with his incredible football and gymnastics skills has now amazed followers with his surprisingly chiseled physique.

Arat Hosseini has been trained from a young age by his father who posts images of his son on his Instagram page.

In them, the six-year-old is pictured showing off his toned six pack and biceps, which are unusually pronounced for someone of his age.

Born in Iran, Arat now lives in Liverpool so he can train with Liverpool FC’s academy.

The pictures have lead to many of his four million Instagram followers to say he could be the strongest six-year-old in the world.

Arat gained international attention when videos emerged of him scaling walls in his parents’ house when he was just three, and when he was four, a video of him playing football also went viral.

 

The video, in which many viewers mistook Arat for a girl with his long hair, showed him in a Real Madrid shirt while dribbling a football with an incredible amount of control for someone of his age.

He reportedly trains hard because he wants to look like his idol, global football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for Juventus in Italy.

Arat’s father, Mohammad, has reportedly been training him since he was a toddler. He has said that his son first started doing gymnastics when he was nine-months-old.

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Rohr To Continue As Super Eagles Coach, Reaches Agreement With NFF

Gernot Rohr will continue as the Super Eagles coach after he reached a new contract agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The President of the NFF, Amaju Pinnick revealed this on Wednesday in a series of tweets on his official handle.

Rohr’s contract was supposed to expire in June 2020 with talks about a new deal which was handed to him in April, having to stall due to the inclusion of fresh terms.

Pinnick, has, however, said the football body has reached a contractual agreement with the former Niger coach.

While admitting that the contract talks may have been a distraction, the NFF boss said the body has never doubted the ability of the coach to deliver for the three-time African champions.

“I’m happy to announce that the NFF and Coach Gernot Rohr have concluded all contractual discussions and he will stay on as Coach of the Super Eagles,” Pinnick tweeted. “We have always had confidence in his abilities and we are confident that the national team can only go higher from here.”

He added that “We can now focus on qualifying for the World Cup and winning the Nations Cup,” stressing that “These are sacrosanct and Coach Rohr is aware of these conditions.”

Rohr was named as the coach of the West African side in August 2016 after the departure of Sunday Oliseh.

He was handed a three-year contract upon resumption and was to later qualify Nigeria for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with a game to spare.

Also, the coach led the Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after missing out on last two editions.

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English Premier League To Return On June 17

The Premier League season is set to restart on June 17, three months after it was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was widely reported on Thursday.

No matches have been played in the English top-flight since Leicester’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa on March 9, with Liverpool just two wins away from securing the title.

The BBC reported that the first two matches would be Aston Villa v Sheffield United and Manchester City v Arsenal. Those matches are the two games in hand.

A full fixture list would then be played on the weekend of June 19-21, the reports said, with matches to be played behind closed doors.

The Premier League suspended all fixtures in March after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for COVID-19.

There are still 92 matches to play and although Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool appear certain to be crowned champions, the relegation and European qualification still need to be resolved.

– Training return –

Top-flight clubs voted unanimously on Wednesday to return to contact training and were meeting again on Thursday to discuss issues including the restart date and the rebate to broadcasters.

It is predicted that clubs face repaying up to £340 million ($419 million) to broadcasters.

So far, just 12 people have tested positive for coronavirus after 2,752 tests across the Premier League.

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Germany’s Bundesliga resumed earlier this month and La Liga in Spain hopes to return from June 11, while a crucial summit between Italian football officials and the country’s sports minister will be held later on Thursday.

Liverpool are 25 points clear at the top of the table while Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Norwich City are in the relegation places.

The leaders could clinch the title with victory in their first game back should second-placed Manchester City lose to Arsenal.

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho spoke this week of his desperation to get playing again after seeing football resume elsewhere.

“Honestly, since the moment the Bundesliga started, the Portuguese league and Spanish league announced a date to start, I think it is the most difficult moment for us, because we want to play,” he told Sky Sports.

Some players have voiced fears over their safety and that of their families due to the virus.

Watford captain Troy Deeney has revealed that people have told him they want his baby son to contract coronavirus after he chose not to return to training.

Deeney has been absent from training since Watford and other Premier League clubs returned to non-contact sessions last week.

“I saw some comments in regards to my son, people saying: ‘I hope your son gets corona’,” Deeney told CNN Sport.

“That’s the hard part for me. If you respond to that, people then go: ‘Ah, we’ve got him’ and they keep doing it.”

Deeney is understood to be due to resume training next week.

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