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English Premier League, Sports

Liverpool pay tribute to Steven Gerrard on training ground.

Liverpool players, led by manager, Jurgen Klopp led a sing-a-long on Saturday morning as their club legend Steven Gerrard turned 40th. They team gathered at their Melwood training ground this morning singing ‘Happy Birthday’ in a number of different languages, paying tribute to the Premier League great before their training session.

The Liverpool squad gathered at Melwood on Saturday to wish the club legend happy birthday

The sing-a-long to wish Steven Gerrard a Happy Birthday was led by manager Jurgen Klopp

Takumi Minamino (L), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (C), Divock Origi (R) also joined in

Dubbed as one of the most-complete footballers in the world in the early 2000s, he played for Liverpool’s youth squad and signed a professional contract with them at age 17. He left Anflield following the 2014–15 season having scored 186 career goals for the club, fifth most in Liverpool history. He then joined the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer (MLS). Gerrard played with the Galaxy for two seasons before retiring from club football in 2016.

After retiring from playing football, Gerrard became a coach in the Liverpool youth academy and managed their under-18 team during the 2017–18 season, before becoming manager of Scottish Premiership club Rangers ahead of the 2018–19 season.

Top scorer Mohammed Salah (R) and Adrian (L) were part of the tribute to the icon on Saturday

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 Sports

Roger Federer tops Forbes’ Highest Paid Athletes list. (See top 50 list)

Tennis heavyweight, Roger Federer has emerged the highest paid athlete in the world, dethroning Cristiano Ronaldo from the No. 1 spot. The Swiss tennis icon is topping the Forbes’ Highest Paid Athletes list for the first time in his career. His pre-tax earnings in 2020 of $106.3million (£85.9m), $100m (£80.7m) was generated from endorsements alone.

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22-year-old Japanese tennis player, Naomi Osaka was crowned the highest-earning female athlete in the world. having racked up $37 million in earnings in the past year—more than any other female athlete in history. She earned $1.4m (£1.1m) more than American tennis legend, Serena  Williams who had topped the list for the last four years.

World best footballers, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi came second and third respectively. Their combined total pre-tax earnings  in the last 12 months was put at $209m (£169m).

Source: Daily Mail

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 Seria A, Sports

Serie A to resume on June 20.

Italian Minister for Sport, Vincenzo Spadafora has given the all-clear for Serie A fixtures to resume, with matchday 27 set to take place on June 20. The decision was reached in a video conference meeting on Thursday, involving Spadafora, the Lega Serie A, Players’ Association, FIGC, and Association of Italian Sports Medics.

Serie A games were put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the last game played on March 9. They are set to play 127 games over the span of 50 days. Four outstanding matches from Week 25 that were postponed include Atalanta-Sassuolo, Inter-Sampdoria, Torino-Parma, and Verona-Cagliari.

Also Read: The English Premier League set to resume on June 17.

The CTS (technical-scientific committee) approved the medical protocol for matches and one of them states that if one member of the squad or staff tests positive for COVID-19, then the entire Team Group must remain isolated for 14 days in their training ground. The individual who tests positive will be quarantined.

 

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 English Premier League, Sports

The English Premier League set to resume on June 17.

The Premier League Shareholders today agreed to a new provisional restart date for the 2019/20 season of Wednesday 17 June, provided that all safety requirements are in place. All games will take place behind closed doors. The games that’d be played that day will be  between Aston Villa and Sheffield United,  Manchester City v Arsenal.

The EPL has been on suspension since 13th March due to the coronavirus pandemic, 12 people have tested positive to Covid-19 after 2,752 tests across the league. Recall that on Wednesday, clubs unanimously voted to resume full contact training.

A full fixture list would then be played on the weekend of 19-21 June.

Meanwhile, the Premier League reiterates that it’s ”priority is the health and wellbeing of all participants. Strict medical protocols are in place to ensure the training ground is the safest environment possible and players and staff will continue to be tested for COVID-19 twice a week.”

 

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 Africa, Sports

Ex Super Eagles player, John Utaka named Montpellier U-19 coach.

Former Super Eagles of Nigeria winger, John Utaka has been named new coach of French side, Montpellier. The 38 year-old who played for the former French Champions between 2011 and 2013, making a total of 68 appearances and scored 12 goals will manage the club’s U19 team. He was part of the team that won the Ligue 1 Title in the 2011/12 season, the first in their history.

“Less than a month ago, several changes were made to the organizational structure of Montpellier Hérault, including the retirement of Robert Nouzaret, and the non-renewal of Laurent Robert’s contract. Today there are significant arrivals, which will be recorded.  Star striker of the club between 2011 and 2013, John Utaka (38) will join the training center in the coming weeks. The former Nigerian international will begin to pass his diplomas as an educator/coach.” a source was quoted.

Montpellier confirms Utaka’s return

Utaka played for Nigeria until 2014 and was a participant at the 2002 World Cup. He started four of Nigeria’s six games in the 2006 African Cup of Nations, in which Nigeria finished in third place. He was also part of the Nigeria squad that participated in the 2010 World Cup.

 

Additional source: Wikipedia

 

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 Entertainment

Cobhams Asuquo appointed UNICEF ambassador

Award-winning Nigerian musician, producer and songwriter, Cobhams Asuquo has been appointed the national ambassador of The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Peter Hawkins, said  the appointment is UNICEF Nigeria’s first National Ambassador in the last 15 years.

As UNICEF National Ambassador, Asuquo would help raise awareness on concerns around children’s rights and solutions, including issues around birth registration, immunisation, education and protection from violence.

Also Read: Stephanie Linus Launches “Hygiene First” campaign.

“I am delighted to welcome Asuquo to the UNICEF family, particularly on Nigerian Children’s Day, dedicated to every Nigerian child, to give them a better place to survive, thrive and develop. May 27 was set aside to celebrate the importance of children in Nigeria, providing the opportunity to policymakers and families to focus on the holistic development of young Nigerians,” Hawkins explained.

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The statement continued, “He had supported UNICEF Nigeria’s work since 2019, including producing the hits ‘I am a Nigeria Child (For Every Child)’, calling for every Nigerian child’s rights to be respected and protected. He also produced the song ‘We go Win (Corona)’, to raise awareness on how Nigerians can protect themselves from COVID-19. Asuquo had also produced the song ‘Tell Everybody’ back in 2015 to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals, as part of the UN Global Goals campaign.”

The UNICEF representative expressed optimism that the national ambassador would continue to use his singing, passion and dedication to defend the rights of vulnerable children and young people in Nigeria.

The celebrated artist was enthused about the appointment.  “Family, I’ve just been named the National Ambassador for UNICEF NIGERIA; the first in fifteen years. I am humbled and honored at the opportunity to serve in this capacity. Children’s rights and protection mean a lot to me and my music to me has always been a vehicle for positive social impact. I can’t think of a better way to start today. Welcome to a new era. Happy Children’s Day!” He wrote on Twitter.

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 English Premier League, Sports

“Hopefully he can finish off what he started” Ole Solskjaer provides update on Ighalo’s future at the club.

Manchester United coach, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given an update on Odion Ighalo loan deal. Albeit, the Red Devils are yet to make an offer to Shanghai Shenhua for the Nigerian footballer, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful the club can extend his loan spell so he can “finish off what he started”.

Ighalo, 30, who joined United in January, scored 4 goals, gave 1 assist in 8 games will return to China on 31 May unless an agreement can be reached to keep him until the end of the season. His current loan spell is due to expire on Sunday, and United remain in talks to extend his stay at Old Trafford.Image

He has been offered a £400,000 per week contract extension until 2024 by the Chinese club and has reportedly made a personal plea to the Chinese side to extend his loan as he is desperate to finish the season with Manchester United.

Also Read: Odion Ighalo desires to finish the season with Manchester United.

Solskjaer told MUTV, “The loan deal went until the end of May now, so obviously he’s supposed to be going back,” We’re in dialogue. They’ve been great towards us, his club, and allowed him to play for his dream club. It’s been a dream for him and hopefully, he can finish off what he started, hopefully with a trophy for us. At the moment, nothing has been agreed. Their league is going to get started soon so we’re just waiting to see.”

 

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 English Premier League, Sports

Premier League clubs vote to resume full-squad contact training.

Premier League Shareholders today voted unanimously to resume full-squad contact training, marking another step towards restarting the Premier League season when safe to do so. Matches have been put on hold since April 3 due to the coronavirus pandemic. This development is coming a week after they voted unanimously to return to small group training.

A statement from Premier League read thus, “Squads are now able to train as a group and engage in tackling while minimizing any unnecessary close contact. The Premier League’s priority is the health and wellbeing of all participants. Strict medical protocols are in place to ensure the training ground is the safest environment possible and players and staff will continue to be tested for COVID-19 twice a week. 

Also Read: Premier League clubs agree to resume training this week.

The statement continued, “Stage Two of the Return to Training protocol has been agreed following consultation with clubs, players, managers, the PFA, LMA and the Government. Discussions are ongoing as work continues towards resuming the season, when conditions allow.”

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 Sports

Marcus Rashford gets special recognition award.

Manchester United striker, Marcus Rashford has received a special recognition award in honour of the charity work he did amid the coronavirus pandemic.  He received the award from the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester for outstanding activity and contribution to the community. He is helping to feed 2.8 million children a week who would be struggling to eat during the pandemic.

The English footballer took to his Twitter account to react to the honour.

‘‘Wouldn’t normally share these types of things but this certificate is not just for me, it belongs to you all. Each and every one of you that has contributed the few £s you can, you’ve all made a huge difference 2.8million children a week are receiving meals they otherwise wouldn’t have during this lockdown because of YOUR help. I couldn’t have done any of this without the help of you all and Fareshare.”

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He continued, “To be recognized by my city is a great feeling. From being young I knew that if I ever got in a position that I could help I would and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved so far. Thank you all, you’re all superstars And we won’t stop until children and their parents no longer have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. I appreciate you all, thank you to the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester.”

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 Seria A, Sports

Sad! Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffers potential career-ending injury.

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The Swedish football legend, reportedly sustained a calf injury during training this morning and this may put an end to his football career. The 38-year-old who signed a short-term deal with AC Milan on a free transfer midway through the season has netted four goals and one assist in 10 games in all competitions for the Seria A side this term.

Also Read: “Been scratching my head to work out how I got it.” Adrian Mariappa on positive coronavirus test.

AC Milan fears his 2019/2020 season could be over and he is out of contract in June 2020. SportMediaset journalist Pietro Balzano Prota wrote on Twitter: “Bad injury for Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Medical tests are expected but it could be a long stop.”  Tests will take place tomorrow to understand the extent of his injury.

Get well soon Ibra.

 

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