Super Falcons among the world’s most accomplished teams - Pinnick

The President, Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, on Wednesday described the all-conquering Super Falcons’ Africa Women Cup of Nations as one of the most accomplished female team in the world football.
The accolade from the NFF President came as he once again congratulated the Thomas Dennerby-tutored team as they emerged African Champions for the ninth time in Ghana.
The Dennerby-tutored team emerged African Champions on December 1 in Ghana as they defeated Bayana Bayana of South Africa 4-3 on penalties.
Pinnick praised the team’s effort at winning the championships against all odds.

“I want to congratulate and also thank you once again for what you did on Saturday, making us all proud. You see, you displayed the quintessential Nigerian spirit.
“You showed that the Nigerian flag strengthened you and that is why, even during the extra time, you were not tired.
“I visited the team at their Starview Hotel, Abuja, in the company of the NFF General Secretary, Sanusi Mohammed and Head of Women Football, Ruth David,’’ Pinnick said in a statement by the NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire.
Pinnick, on Saturday, minutes after the triumph, dedicated the trophy to President Muhammadu Buhari.
“We can’t thank our father, President Buhari enough for his immense support to Nigerian Football. The President is really happy for what you have done which has never been done by any women national team.
“Germany and America have dominated their respective confederation championships, winning eight titles each but no country has ever won nine times.
“That is why the President wants to meet you as soon as possible,’’ he said.
According to him, the NFF President and First Vice President of the Confederation of African Football, Federation’s partners and sponsors, as well as some state governors also want to host the champions.
Pinnick said: “We are waiting for the President to have the first honour.
“Already our sponsors are lining up to honour you for your achievement as well as some state governors who have indicated their interest in hosting you but all that will be after the President hosts you.
“The Federation will support the programme of Super Falcons’ Coach, Dennerby to ensure that the team is well prepared for the 2019 World Cup in France.

UEFA approves creation of third club competition

UEFA on Sunday confirmed the creation of a third European club competition from the 2021/22 season designed to offer more clubs and associations the chance to play European football.

After approval from UEFA’s Executive Committee in Dublin, the Europa League will be cut from its current 48-team group stage so that all three competitions feature 32 teams in eight groups of four.

The seventh-placed teams in Europe’s top four leagues will qualify for the new competition, and they will be joined by a host of clubs from smaller associations.

While the structure to UEFA’s landmark competition the Champions League remains untouched, Europa League winners will now progress automatically to the last 16 of the competition.

Teams that finish second in their Europa League group and third-placed teams from the eight Champions League groups will playoff to join the eight group winners in the last 16.

That process is repeated in the UEL2 with the eight second-placed teams from the group stage meeting the eight third-placed teams in the Europa League for a place in the last 16.

“There will be more matches for more clubs, with more associations represented in the group stages,” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

“This competition was borne out of ongoing dialogue with clubs through the European Club Association.

“There was a widespread demand by all clubs to increase their chances of participating more regularly in European competition.”

UEFA has been under increasing pressure to reform its club competitions by the threat of a breakaway super league formed by top clubs in England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France.

However, the new competition is designed to appease those further down the food chain unhappy at changes to guarantee English, Spanish, German and Italian clubs 16 of the 32 places available in the Champions League.

Matches in the UEL2 will be played like Europa League games on Thursday nights to ensure the Champions League’s prime Tuesday and Wednesday night TV slots are untouched.

All three European finals will take place in the same week with the new competition played on Wednesday, Europa League final a day later and Champions League final on Saturday.

(AFP)

Buhari congratulates Super Falcons

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Super Falcons on their victory over the Banyana Banyanya of South Africa on Saturday at the just ended AWCON 2018 championship.

The President expressed particular delight at the discipline and commitment exhibited by the country’s senior women football team despite the stiff resistance of their South African counterparts.

Noting that the Super Falcons had earlier qualified to represent Nigeria at yje FIFA Women World Cup tournament in France next year, President Buhari described winning the AWCON for the third consecutive and ninth overall as the icing on the cake.

Saluting the country’s football ambassadors for doing their fatherland proud and clear dominance on the Afriican continent, he urged them to approach the France 2019 competition with clear focus and determination to excel on the global stage.

President Buhari also commended the technical crew, the Nigeria Football Federation, supporters club and all football loving citizens for adequately preparing and supporting the players, enjoining all stakeholders not relent in rallying round the country’s football representatives going forward.

“I have never doubted the capacity of Nigerian’s to ecc when given the right support,” he noted.

Leicester City honour late Thai owner Vichai

Leicester City fans fell silent on Saturday in a heartfelt tribute to late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha before the first home match since he was killed in a helicopter crash two weeks ago.
A special “Tribute to Khun Vichai” video was shown on big screens before kick-off against Burnley, two weeks after the tragedy, which took place moments after the helicopter had taken off from the pitch at the King Power Stadium.
A huge banner was unfurled reading: “Khun Vichai, Forever in our Hearts.”
Then the entire stadium fell silent, with fans turning the stands into a sea of white, holding aloft special scarves in memory of their late chairman and to remember servicemen and women killed in wars on the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.


Earlier, supporters braved the pouring rain as they made their way through the streets towards the ground for the first home match since the tragedy holding Leicester flags and wearing club shirts, some with “Vichai” on the back.
There was a subdued atmosphere but pockets of chanting, including “We love you Leicester, we do”, “I’m Leicester till I die” and simply “Vichai”.
Under Vichai’s ownership, Leicester produced one of the biggest upsets in English football history by winning the 2015/16 Premier League, having started the season as 5,000-1 outsiders for the title.
Saturday’s walk was called the 5,000-1 walk in recognition of that astonishing achievement.
The charismatic Thai had become a beloved figure in the club and the city — a feat rarely achieved by Premier League clubs’ often distant billionaire owners.
“No chairman has done what he’s done with Leicester City. I respect all he’s done and not just for the football club, also charity-wise,” said fan Jake Tilson, 35. “He’s a legend.”
“I think football can learn from him and the way he gave to the local community.”
Another supporter, Don Martin, said: “It seems like it’s a celebration but it’s one of the saddest days for the club. It’s recognition for the chairman.


“I’m confident about the future. Top (Vichai’s son) and the rest of the family will carry on his father’s legacy. There is no doubt about that,” added the 57-year-old.
– Statue –On Friday, the club announced plans to erect a statue of Vichai at the stadium.
His son Aiyawatt, the club’s vice-chairman who is known as Top, wrote in Saturday’s match programme: “We will never be able to repay what he did for us — for me as his son, us as his family, everyone connected to Leicester City and beyond — but we are committed to honouring his memory and upholding his legacy.”
Manager Claude Puel wrote: “He (Vichai) may not be here in person today but he will be here in spirit and we will carry his essence in our hearts.”
Vichai was among five people killed when the helicopter plunged to the ground in a car park just outside the stadium following Leicester’s match against West Ham on October 27.
The team, currently 10th in the Premier League, returned to action last weekend, beating Cardiff 1-0 away.
A number of players, including Jamie Vardy and Kasper Schmeichel, and manager Puel travelled to Thailand to attend Vichai’s funeral.
Schmeichel has been especially affected, having watched the helicopter take off from the pitch before it appeared to go into a fateful spin.
“I was on the pitch and I waved him off,” said Schmeichel. “I saw it all happen. It is something that will stay with me, unfortunately.”
Mourners have turned Leicester’s stadium into a shrine to Vichai, carpeting the ground with floral tributes and messages of thanks.
Stories have emerged of his acts of generosity to the club’s supporters and players and sizeable donations he made to local hospitals.
AFPx

Nigeria’s Super Eagles Gets Punished For Fielding Ineligible Player

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have lost three points in their 2018 World Cup qualifier. The loss came as FIFA gifted Algeria a 3-0 walk-over defeat of the Eagles, because Nigeria fielded an ineligible player in the match.
The fixture on Nov. 10 had ended 1-1, but FIFA on Tuesday added that the decision did not affect the final standings in African Qualifying Competition Group B.
It said the decision also did not affect Nigeria’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup in Russia, as they had finished six points clear of Zambia.
The player involved in the match played in Constantine was Abdullahi Shehu , and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is also receiving a fine of CHF 6,000.
The sanction relates to Abdullahi failing to serve the automatic one-match suspension imposed on him as a result of receiving a caution in two separate matches of the same competition.
FIFA, in a statement, also said East Timor had forfeited seven games in the World Cup qualifiers for fielding a total of nine players who were ineligible because of nationality.
This was based on a decision previously taken by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Nigerian Players Who Have Never Played for the National Team

Nigeria is a blessed country filled with raw talents and prospects especially in football. Many of these talented footballers have played for the Nigerian national team, but there are some that have never had their names scripted in Super Eagles history.
One cannot fathom what inspired the decision of these talented footballers to adorn the colours of other countries instead of the aesthetically arranged, green-white-green. Whether this happens by dual nationalities, lack of opportunities to impress on the home front or outright decision to represent other countries, Nigeria can boast of a wealthy array of football talents in diaspora.
Let’s take a look at the long list of these talented Nigerian footballers who have never played for the Nigerian national team.
Chuba Akpom

Chuba Amechi Akpom, 21, is an English professional footballer of Nigerian descent who plays as a striker and centre forward for Brighton & Hove Albion on loan from Arsenal. He has represented England at youth international levels. There were rumours that several distinguished Nigerian football stakeholders, including ex-Arsenal hero Nwankwo Kanu and Amaju Pinnick,the president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), had attempted to convince the Hale End Academy product to switch allegiance to Nigeria without success.
Sidney Sam

Sidney Sam is a German professional footballer with a Nigerian heritage who plays as a forward or winger for SV Darmstadt 98 on loan from Schalke 04. He is known for his explosive speed and dribbling style. In 2013, the 29-year old player denied Nigeria with his words: “The 2014 World Cup is still far away but for me it is only Germany that counts. We don’t have to speak about Nigeria. I never really thought about Nigeria and I do not know who invented that. I always wanted to play for Germany and I know I was on the coach’s list. It is a pity, I was often injured but now I am here and want to prove my strengths.”
Dele Alli

Nigerian-born English footballer, Dele Alli, is one of the promising young footballers in the English Premier League at the moment. The 20-year old professional footballer plays as a midfielder for the Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the England national team. Just recently his former manager, Redknapp opined that Alli is worth more than Pogba: “I think he’s worth £100m now – if Pogba’s worth £90m, Alli is worth more.”
Ross Barkley
Surprisingly, Ross Barkley is of Nigerian decent. Born on December 5, 1993, Barkley is an English footballer who plays for Everton and English national team as a midfielder. Barkley was born and raised in Liverpool, his paternal grandfather was Nigerian and that makes him eligible to play for both England and Nigeria. He finally opted for England and has represented them at under-16, under-17, under-19, under-20, under-21 and senior level.Angelo Ogbonna
Nigerian-born Angelo Obinze Ogbonna (born May 23, 1988) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for West Ham United and the Italian national team. Angelo joined Juventus in 2015, in an 8.5 million Euros fee. Ogbonna was born to Nigerian parents who emigrated to Italy from Nigeria in 1983. David Alaba
With his name spelt out in clear Yoruba Language as David Olatokunbo Alaba (born June 24, 1992) is an Austrian professional footballer who plays for German club Bayern Munich and the Austria national team. He holds Austria’s record as the youngest player to play for their senior national team, debuting for them in 2009 as a 17-year-old. He has played in a multitude of roles, including central midfield, central defence , right and left wing, but has since blossomed as a left-back.

Dominic Iorfa Jnr
Dominic Iorfa Jnr is the son of former Nigerian international Dominic Iorfa. Younger Iorfa (born June 24, 1995) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Jordon Ibe

He is an English professional footballer who plays for Premier League club AFC Bournemouth as an attacking midfielder or winger. Born Jordon Ashley Femi Ibe to Nigerian parents, the forward grew up in London and has already represented England at Under-18, U19
and U20s level.
Dennis Aogo
Born to a German mother and a Nigerian father, Dennis Aogo is a German professional footballer who plays as a left back and left wing-back or midfielder for Schalke 04. The 30-year old footballer once revealed in an interview that Nigeria once invited him to play for the national team which he turned down.
”When I heard Nigeria wanted me for the World Cup, I had to really think about it.But I hesitated because Nigerians won’t
recognise me as a true African, it’s a totally different culture from what I am used to in Germany.I know many Africans who were born in Europe are now playing for African teams but they are not regarded as locals.Nigeria is not well organised like what I am used to in Germany.I have been to Nigeria once for 14 days and so I knew what I wanted.”
Gabriel Agbonlahor

Gabriel Imuetinyan Agbonlahor (born October 13, 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Championship club Aston Villa. Gabriel is another player of Nigerian descent who opted to the English side.
Ikechi Anya

Ikechi Anya is another player of Nigeria descent who plays for Scotland. The 29-year old footballer who also plays as a right-winger for the championship side, Derby County, is a versatile player. His father is a Nigerian research scientist of the Igbo ethnic group and his mother, a Romanian economist. Eligible to represent Romania or Nigeria Anya decided to play for his country of birth, Scotland.(fcnaija)

Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens & Madison Keys – These 3 Black Tennis Stars Are slaying at the US Open.

When #BlackGirlMagic takes over the US Open! Catch up on how Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens, and Madison Keys are at peak slayage on the court inside…

If you haven't been watching the 2017 US Open, now's the time to get your life together and tune in to super sport.

Serena Williams just welcomed a baby girl, but her big sister Venus Williams is holding it down on the tennis court.

The 37-year-old pro is making history with two other black female American players, Sloane Stephens (24) and Madison Keys (22). All three advanced to the quarterfinal round of the US Open. And that’s the first time it's ever happened.

YAS!

Venus earned her quarterfinals spot after defeating Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain.

She'll return to the court this evening to go head-to-head against Petra Kvitová of Czech Republic. 

Sloane Stephens sprinkled her magic and defeated Elina Svitolina from the Ukraine.

She's making her amazing comeback after last year's major foot injury at the Olympics.

“It’s just really exciting. I’m really happy that none of us are playing each other in the quarterfinals,” Keys told the Los Angeles Times. “If there’s some all-American matchups in the rest of the tournament, I think that says really good things about women’s tennis.”

That #blackgirljoy tho....

She's currently battling Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia today on the courts.

Madison made her way to the quarterfinals after taking out Elina Mykhaylivna Svitolina of the Ukraine.

We can't wait to see her kill everything in sight.

Congrats ladies!

19-year-old Haitian-Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka upset the US Open when she beat the defending champ Angelique Kerber in round one. She did her thing up until she was eliminated by E. Svitolina yesterday. By the way, we'd like to note Maria Sharapova was also eliminated on Sunday.

Photos: Getty

“I’ll Fire Wenger If I Buy Arsenal” – Nigerian Billionaire Aliko Dangote

Aliko Dangote, Nigerian businessman, says the first thing he will do if he acquires Arsenal football club is to fire Arsene Wenger, the coach.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Dangote said his desire to own the club dates back to the mid-1980s.

Dangote said he’d consider making an offer once the construction of his $11 billion oil refinery in Lagos is completed.

“The first thing I would change is the coach. He has done a good job, but someone else should also try his luck,” he said.

Stan Kroenke, American billionaire, is Arsenal’s biggest shareholder, controlling 67 percent of the company.

Earlier in the year, Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, who holds a 30 percent stake, sought to buy out Kroenke in an offer that valued Arsenal at an estimated $2.6 billion.

Dangote says he’s optimistic that the right offer will persuade Kroenke and Usmanov to sell their shares to him.

“If they get the right offer, I’m sure they would walk away. Someone will give them an offer that will make them seriously consider walking away. And when we finish the refinery, I think we will be in a position to do that,” said Dangote.

Since his appointment to the north London club in 1996, Wenger has won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup trophies.

In May, he agreed to a new two-year deal despite calls by fans for him to step down.

‘Fight For Every Penny:’ Serena Williams Demands Better Pay For Black Women

Tennis Champion  Serena Williams knows too well the systemic racism Black women face in their professional lives. In a recent piece for Fortune Magazine, Williams advocated for equal salaries and brought Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, which was Monday, July 31st.

“I’d like to acknowledge the many realities Black women face every day,” she writes. “To recognize that women of color have to work—on average—eight months longer to earn the same as their male counterparts do in one year. To bring attention to the fact that Black women earn 17 percent less than their white female counterparts and that black women are paid 63 percent of the dollar men are paid. Even Black women who have earned graduate degrees get paid less at every level. This is as true in inner cities as it is in Silicon Valley.”

Williams is no stranger to the pay gap. As reported by the Huffington Post, she has at various times been paid less than her White male counterparts. She also briefly mentioned other ways she’d been discriminated against throughout her career. Her comments come on the heels of racist comments about her pregnancy, as well as gross underestimation of her talents. Williams wrote that if she’d never played tennis, she would be one of the “other 24 million black women in America” who are underpaid for their labor.

While Williams urged women to “change the story” and “fight for every penny,” the pathway to those goals still remains elusive. Williams didn’t suggest specific steps to organizing for better pay, and she admitted that she was still trying to figure out how she could “move the needle.” While her op-ed seemed to address Black women, Fortune’s primary audience is White, wealthy men. Ultimately, Williams used her platform to raise White awareness about an issue Black men and women have encountered since Plymoth Rock landed on them.


SOURCE: Huffington Post, Fortune Magazine

FG goes tough; to mandate Nigerian brands sponsoring EPL clubs to sponsor NPFL.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed [Photo: Daily Trust]

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says the Federal Government will amend the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Code to compel brands to sponsor Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.

The minister made the assertion at the close of the “Two-Day Creative Industry Financing Conference,” sponsored by the ministry in conjunction with “Think Tank Media and Advertising” which closed on Tuesday in Lagos.

“We will amend the NBC code to ensure that our Premier League improves.

“We will make sure that in the Code, if you spend one million dollars to support a foreign football club like Manchester United in Nigeria, you will not be allowed to air that programme unless you spend 30 per cent of that money to promote Nigeria’s league.

“Some beverage companies in Nigeria support Manchester United (Man U), Arsenal and others and spend about $6 million a year,’’ he said.

“I then asked the question, how much of their products are being consumed over there?

“I was also told that a particular brand of Nigeria Beer is supporting several premier league teams to the tune of $7 million a year.

“We can imagine if they give us just 30 per cent of that, we will fix our stadia.

“I know they are going to attack me on this but I am not made a minister to sustain the economy of other countries.’’

He said the government could no longer tolerate the situation where people continue to develop the economy of other parts of the world from the sweat of Nigerians and at the expense of Nigerian economy.

The minister also clarified an earlier statement credited to him on the amendment to NBC Code to discourage production of Nigerian movies and music abroad.

“At that meeting, I said that I will work to amend the NBC code to ensure that if a product is designated a Nigerian product; it must be produced in Nigeria.

“I didn’t say that henceforth, all music and films will be produced in Nigeria.

“All I said was that if a programme is designated as a Nigerian content programme, we will amend the code to ensure that it is produced in Nigeria,” he said.

He added that if the law says that a programme shall have 60 per cent Nigerian content, the producer could not go ahead to shoot such outside the country for Nigerian viewers.

“Of course, they will come and say that you do not have infrastructure and that is why they went outside to shoot.

“I asked if it is not the same programme you went to shoot outside Nigeria because we have epileptic power that you will bring back to show to us in Nigeria.

“Then, with which power are you showing the programme?

“I promised Nigerians that I am going to create one million jobs in three years and I can’t do that if they start exporting jobs to other countries,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that participants at the forum, mainly stakeholders in the creative industry, welcomed the clarification by the minister and the position of government.
(NAN)

Ronaldo’s Girlfriend Pregnant With Baby No 4

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez is pregnant with his fourth child. The footballer, 32, confirmed the pregnancy after he was asked by Spanish news outlet El Mundo whether he was “happy” to have another child on the way, to which he replied, “Yes, very much.” This child will be the first baby he shares with his 22-year-old model girlfriend. News of the pregnancy comes weeks after Cristiano revealed he had welcomed twins via a surrogate.

Earlier this month, the sporting ace posted a cute snap posing with his two new children, each peacefully sleeping in his arms whilst he proudly looked on with a smile on his face. “So happy to be able to hold the two new loves of my life,” he wrote. While no names have been revealed, it has been rumoured that the father-of-three has chosen to name his twins Mateo and Eva.”

Cristiano and his girlfriend appear to be more loved-up than ever, having been inseparable over the past few weeks. Last week, the father-of-three shared a lovely picture of one of his newborn babies and his girlfriend. He simply captioned the snap: “Lovely moments.”

The footballer met Georgina almost a year ago at a Dolce & Gabbana party in Madrid. They went public with their relationship in November when they were spotted together at Disneyland Paris. Georgina then supported Cristiano at the FIFA Football Awards in January, posing for photos with the sportsman and his eldest son Cristiano Jr.

Ian Wright urges Arsenal to accept Everton’s £30m bid for Walcott

Arsenal legend, Ian Wright has said the club should accept a £30m offer for Theo Walcott, amid reports Everton is chasing the England international.

And while Wright insists he will “always love” Walcott, he accepts that the time could be right to move on.

“Sad to see the amount of disrespect that Theo gets from the fans. I’ll always love him, but if it is a 30 million bid, got to take it,” Wright tweeted.

Walcott scored 14 goals for the Gunners by January last season, but quickly faded off, only adding five more as Arsene Wenger’s men failed to qualify for the Champions League.

The arrival of Alexandre Lacazette this summer and the club’s pursuit of Monaco’s Thomas Lemar, may see Walcott spend more time out of the team.

PHOTO: NFF President Pinnick And Gernot Rohr Visit Ikeme In London

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick alongside Coach Gernot Rohr visited Wolves and Super Eagles goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, today in London.

Ikeme was diagnosed with acute leukaemia after returning for pre-season with his Championship club, Wolves.

The goalkeeper is currently undergoing a course of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with acute leukaemia.

Meanwhile, Coach Rohr also visited Chelsea winger, Victor Moses. See photos below

Manchester City's Joe Hart visits Carl Ikeme in hospital

England and Manchester City shot stopper, Joe Hart has shown support for the Nigeria Super Eagles and Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme when he paid him a visit at the hospital where he is being treated for acute leukaemia.

According to expressandstar, Hart who could leave City in the current transfer window and could not hide his feelings concerning the sad news was the latest football star to show his support by visiting the Nigeria international.

The gloves man was seen in a picture alongside Ikeme when he tweeted:
“The big man @Carl_Ikeme had another member of the keepers union too pop by!”

Wolve announced on their official website last week Thursday that Ikeme returned “abnormal blood tests” during pre-season testing and further checks confirmed the diagnosis.

Former Bulgaria and Aston Villa star, Stiliyan Petrov who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2012 but successfully battled the disease, also made a trip to see the Super Eagles goalkeeper over the weekend.

On Tuesday, Wolves confirmed that Ikeme will retain his No.1 jersey for next season despite battling with leukaemia.

PHOTOS: Arsene Wenger daughter graduate from Cambridge University.

Yesterday, Arsene Wenger was spotted at the Senate House of Cambridge University where he attended the graduation ceremony of his daughter, Lea Wenger. Another photo after the cut.

 

PHOTOS: Ghana church holds Chelsea thanksgiving service

A church in Ghana's capital, Accra, has held a thanksgiving service for Chelsea following its recent success in the Premier League. See photos below

David Moyes resigns after Sunderland relegation

David Moyes has resigned as Sunderland manager following their relegation from the Premier League, the club announced on Monday.

The 54-year-old Scot succeeded Sam Allardyce last July and oversaw a desperate season that saw Sunderland finish 16 points adrift of safety at the foot of the table.

“I would like to thank (chairman) Ellis Short and the board for giving me the opportunity to manage Sunderland and the fans for always being so passionately supportive of their club,” Moyes said in a statement.

“I wish the players and my successor well in their efforts towards promotion back to the Premier League.”
Sunderland’s relegation to the Championship after 10 years in the top flight was confirmed following a 1-0 home defeat by Bournemouth last month.

Moyes informed Sunderland officials of his decision to leave at a meeting in London on Monday.

His departure completes a sorry few weeks for the former Everton manager, who has been charged by the Football Association after jokily threatening to “slap” a female reporter.

It is his third successive short-lived stint at a club, following previous disappointments at Manchester United, where he lasted just 10 months, and Real Sociedad.

“I pursued the services of David Moyes for a considerable period prior to his appointment last summer, which makes the announcement of his departure difficult for everyone concerned,” said Sunderland chairman Ellis Short.

“Having worked tirelessly throughout the campaign to avoid relegation from the Premier League, David has chosen to leave the club without compensation, which is testament to his character.

“In the days ahead we will take some time for reflection and then focus on recruitment and pre-season as we prepare for our Championship campaign. We wish David well in the future.”

Moyes was dissatisfied with Sunderland’s close-season transfer dealings and set the tone for their campaign early in the season when he said he was preparing for a relegation battle.

Sunderland sank into the bottom three in September and did not move off the foot of the table from January onwards, finishing the campaign with only six wins to their name.

An incident involving Moyes and BBC radio reporter Vicki Sparks occurred after a 0-0 draw against Burnley on March 18, but only came to light last month.

After taking exception to a question, Moyes waited until the interview had ended before telling Sparks: “It was getting a wee bit naughty at the end there, so just watch yourself.

“You still might get a slap even though you’re a woman. Careful the next time you come in.”

He subsequently apologised, but was charged by the FA on April 26.

Nigeria League: Violence at Akure Stadium as Lobi beat Sunshine

The Match Day 20 between Sunshine Stars FC of Akure and Lobi Stars was marred with violence as the home team fans attacked match officials for disallowing their side’s goal.

The match, a Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, second stanza opener, played at the Ondo State Sports Complex on Sunday ended 0-1 in favour of the visitors.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the Kingsley Eduwo had given the visitors the lead in the 15th minute of the first half after the hosts fluffed many scoring chances.

But trouble started when the referee disallowed the goal by the home team which he and other officials adjudged to be offside.

The first Assistant Referee raised his flag to indicate that the goal was scored from an offside position and the referee agreed with him.

Immediately, the fans descended on them by throwing objects from the popular side of the stadium.

With the development, the match had to be stopped for a few minutes.

However, after the match, the angry fans thronged the pitch and attacked the match officials.

It took the intervention of men of the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Army before the match officials could be rescued.

NAN also reports that the normal post-match news conference could not hold as tear gas were fired to disperse the angry fans.

The number of persons injured in the fracas could not be ascertained as everyone scampered to safety to avoid inhaling much of the choking tear gas.

(NAN)

Anthony Joshua Trains With Manchester United Players, Pictured With Jose Mourinho

Anthony Joshua Trains With Manchester United Players, Pictured With Jose Mourinho

Solomon Dalung,Adams Oshiomhole, Obaseki, Ayiri Emami others show off their running skills at Okpekpe road race In Edo State (Pics)

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state, former governor of Edo state; Adams Oshiomhole, Minister of Youth and Sports; Solomon Dalung, Chief Ayrir Emami and a host of others were pictured at the Okpekpe 10km road race for orphanage in Edo state.

Over three thousand athletes were said to have participated in the fifth Okpekpe International 10km road race which held this morning at Okpekpe near Auchi in Edo State.

The duo of Kenyan’s Simon Cheprot and Polline Wanjiku Njeru are the defending champions of the bronze labelled race.

Source National Helm