Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent has insisted Ligue 1 is “nothing” without the Paris Saint-Germain forward among its ranks. The Sweden international has rewritten the record books at the Parisian club since joining from AC Milan in 2012, most recently becoming PSG’s all-time leading scorer in Ligue 1 and also in continental competitions. Following his move to Paris, PSG have won each of the past three Ligue 1 titles and are in strong position to collect a fourth this season, sitting 17 points clear atop the league table. Speaking to France’s RMC on Wednesday, Mino Raiola said his client has been a…
Author: David F.
Barcelona striker Neymar had a run-out on the training pitch for the first time in Japan on Wednesday as the European champions prepared for their Club World Cup semifinal against Guangzhou Evergrande. Neymar, who missed the first two days of practice since arriving in Yokohama, is unlikely to play against the Asian champions on Thursday. The Brazil captain, who has not played since sustaining a groin injury in training last week ahead of Barca’s 1-1 Champions League draw at Bayer Leverkusen, trained with a fitness coach away from the rest of the squad the day before the match against Chinese…
UEFA president Michel Platini will not attend his FIFA Ethics Committee hearing on Friday in protest, because he believes his case has been pre-judged. Platini’s lawyers said in a statement on Wednesday that the verdict “was already announced in the press by a [FIFA Ethics Committee] spokesperson [Andreas Bantel] … without regard for the presumption of innocence.” Though FIFA investigators have asked for a life ban to be imposed, the UEFA chief could reportedly escape with a suspension of several years that would still effectively exile him and end his FIFA presidential ambitions. “Through this decision, Michel Platini intends to…
West Bromwich Albion winger James McClean has said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is “a bit of an idiot” after the sides’ 2-2 draw on Sunday. Klopp did not shake West Brom boss Tony Pulis’ hand after his team had claimed a late point at Anfield thanks to Divock Origi’s deflected shot. In a competitive game, Klopp saw defender Dejan Lovren stretchered off following a strong challenge by Craig Gardner. The German said of Pulis at the weekend: “No. I didn’t see him after the game. I can’t say anything, because I only talk about football. “Maybe I can’t remember –…
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has said the club’s players are “very together” despite their drop in form. United have not won since Nov. 21, with the side failing to reach the knockout phase of the Champions League and on Saturday losing 2-1 at Bournemouth. Sources have told ESPN FC that the club are increasingly concerned about disenchantment with Louis van Gaal’s managerial approach among the players and will discuss the situation just before the January transfer window. But De Gea told Inside United: “There’s a great atmosphere. The dressing room is very together and united, they are a…
Atletico Madrid’s players will not allow praise to go to their heads even though they are level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga, coach Diego Simeone said on Wednesday. “When people talk well of your work it is good to help you keep improving,” Simeone told a news conference. “When you get too much praise then you can start to think that it all happens naturally but it isn’t like that. It is down to work and we realise that. “When you are sure of yourself you are not nervous about a criticism or a comment.…
Manchester United are extremely concerned about disenchantment with Louis van Gaal’s managerial approach among the players and will discuss the situation just before the January transfer window, sources have told Theinfostride. We have been told that some senior members of the squad have even privately complained to club officials about the restrictive style of play and Van Gaal’s strict nature. Recent United briefings to English newspapers had indicated that the club’s support for the Dutchman remained emphatic but Old Trafford sources have repeatedly insisted that was never a unanimous view among club officials, and that some senior figures have doubted…
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the rest of the club’s board were continuing to hold intense discussions about Jose Mourinho’s future on Wednesday with the manager’s future in serious doubt, according to current widespread speculations. Sources say Chelsea’s top officials met for nine hours on Tuesday following the 2-1 defeat to Leicester City on Monday night and that talks were continuing on Wednesday. Theinfostride has been told that a vote will be taken on Mourinho’s future, although that will be used merely to guide the final decision, which will rest with Abramovich. The Chelsea owner has been keen to retain…
A cracking volley from Spain international Xabi Alonso sealed Bayern Munich’s place in the German Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday after a 1-0 win over Darmstadt. The 34-year-old midfielder launched a long-range strike from outside the area with 40 minutes gone at Munich’s Allianz Arena which hit the top left-hand corner and gave Darmstadt goalkeeper Christian Mathenia no chance. “Even I wouldn’t have tried to pull that one off,” said Bayern’s impressed Germany striker Thomas Mueller when asked about Alonso’s strike. Having knocked out holders Wolfsburg in the previous round, Pep Guardiola’s remain the team to beat in the cup. Bayern…
Head coach of Nigeria’s Under-23 football team, Samson Siasia insists success at the just-concluded 2015 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is not “an end” as regards his project with the Dream Team VI. Nigeria beat Algeria 2-1 on Saturday in the Under-23 Afcon final to emerge champions in Senegal, booking a ticket to the 2016 Olympics as a result. While admitting that the victory pleased him to no end, Siasia revealed that only success at the 2016 Olympics will represent Utopia. “I was coach of Nigeria during the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, when we reached the final,…
FC Midtjylland striker Paul Ebere Onuachu says he is excited about playing Manchester United in the Europa League as the prospect of playing at Old Trafford looms. The Danish side have been paired with the English giants in the second round of the Europa League after the draws were made last week. Onuachu and his team came second behind Napoli in Group D of the competition ahead of Club Brugge and Polish side Legia Warsaw to qualify for the round of 32. The 21-year-old played six times in the Europa League scoring one goal in the process and says he…
Manchester City could have striker Sergio Aguero available for Monday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal after the Argentine returned to full training following a heel injury. Aguero limped off against Southampton last month and has missed the club’s last four games. City’s website (www.mcfc.com) said Aguero played a full part in Wednesday’s training session and, providing he suffers no reaction, could be ready to play at The Emirates on Monday. Aguero’s season has been a stop-start one so far with a hamstring injury picked up on international duty sidelining him for seven games earlier in the campaign. He has only…
Ghanaian actress and movie producer, Yvonne Nelson, has revealed that the movie, ‘Beast of No Nation‘ does not qualify for a nomination at the Ghana Movie Awards. The actress told Ghana’s KMJ on Hitz FM that the movie does not qualify for a nomination because it is not a Ghanaian production. ‘It’s not fair to all of us if they submit that movie because it is not a Ghanaian production. The fact that it was shot in Ghana doesn’t make it a Ghanaian production. So I won’t agree to that. If we are trying to promote our own, why will…
Top Nigerian music act, Olu Maintain has dropped a new single. The ‘Cinderella’ singer this time around teamed up with five talented females for the remix of his popular single, ‘NAWTI’. Olu Maintain engaged Seyi Shay, Yemi Alade and Cynthia Morgan to feature on ‘NAWTI -Baddest Remix Eva. Choc City first lady, Victoria Kimani and ex triple MG act, Emma Nyra are also on the new song. Olu Maintain had earlier announced he was dropping an album in August this year which didn’t happen. It is however unconfirmed if he will still be releasing it before the end of the…
Nigerian pop star, D’banj has just set a new record by becoming the first ever Nigerian artist to be featured on E! News. D’banj’s exclusive interview with E! News will air on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at 8pm in it’s special E! News ‘African Special’. A few months ago, international magazine, FADER also interviewed Nigerian pop stars Wizkid and Burna Boy.
As Rivers state anticipate its biggest entertainment event of 2015, Timaya’s iConcur concert, the hosts for the event has been unveiled. Top celebrity couple, Gbenro and Osas Ajibade have been announced as the host of the concert which comes up on Saturday, December 19, 2015. Set to join Timaya at the gig are 2face, Tiwa Savage, D’banj, Skales, Mr 2kay, Burna Boy, Orezi and a host of other South South based music acts.
One of daughters of Fuji maestro, K1 the Ultimate, Damilola Marshal was called to bar in Abuja today, December 15, 2015. Damilola, who is 25 years old, graduated from the North America University Houdegbe, Cotonou, Benin Republic. Tall and beautiful, she is described by her friends as a combination of beauty and brain. Damilola will be the second daughter of the music icon to become a barrister. His first daughter, Monsurat was the first to be called to the bar. K1’s daughter.
Nollywood babe, Tonto Dikeh has launched her official website www.tontodikehent.com. The new website was launched a few hours ago with the aim of getting the actress closer to her fans with timely news and information on her activities, tours and events. Tonto Dikeh now joins other actresses like Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Ayo Adesanya and others who all recently launched their personal websites.
The Nigerian Music Video Awards, NMVA earlier scheduled to hold on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Eko Hotels, and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos has just been postponed. In a statement concerning the postponement, the founder of the awards, Mr. Cally Ikpe said the postponement is inevitable. In his words, ‘Due to Circumstances beyond our control, it has become inevitable to postpone by a few weeks the 9th edition of the annual Nigerian Music Video Awards earlier fixed for December 17, 2015. A new date will be communicated shortly. We deeply regret all inconveniences’.
Suspended Fifa president Sepp Blatter has compared the investigation into ethics charges against him to “the Inquisition”. Blatter, 79, made the claim in a letter sent to all 209 national football associations reiterating his innocence. The Swiss was banned for 90 days in October, along with Uefa president Michel Platini. Both deny wrongdoing. Blatter and Platini, 60, will have personal hearings with Fifa’s ethics committee this week. World football’s governing body is investigating allegations that a £1.35m payment was made in 2011 for work Platini did as Blatter’s adviser. The term Spanish Inquisition is colloquially used to describe being asked…