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I’ll never be at peace – Steven Gerrard

Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard has revealed that when he thinks about all the extra medals he could have won in his 17-year career, he will never be at peace.
The former England captain who now plays for MLS side LA Galaxy has won  a Champions League, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, two FA Cups, three League Cups and two Community Shields but he wishes they were more.
He told the Telegraph, ‘You look back at the highs and the lows. 

‘I always recognise that I achieved some incredible things. But I also reflect on some of the lows and wish that they were different, that I had achieved a little more.

‘I don’t think I’ll ever be at peace. When it comes to football, I’m quite hungry, quite selfish.

‘I want more than perhaps I can have. Maybe I’m a bit like a kid, a bit immature, when it comes down to that. I wish I was sitting here with an extra 10 medals.’

Court upholds actress Ibinabo Fiberesima’s 5-year jail term

A Court of Appeal in Lagos has upheld the judgement of a High Court which sentenced actress and AGN President,  Ibinabo Fiberesima to 5 years in prison for killing a certain Dr Giwa Suraj. The former beauty Queen in 2005 drove recklessly and rammed into the physician’s vehicle along the Lekki-Epe expressway, Lagos.
After the incident, Fiberesima was awarded a N100, 000 fine by an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court upon conviction but the then Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner of justice, Supo Sasore (SAN) was dissatisfied with the judgement and then the case was taken to the Lagos High Court.
At the Lagos High Court, Justice Oluwayemi set aside the option of fine imposed by the Magistrate’s Court and sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment for dangerous and reckless driving adding that the option of N100, 000 given to the convict did not serve the purpose of justice in the matter. They also ordered that the N100, 000 should be returned back to Fiberesima.
Fiberesima in her amended appellant brief before the Court of Appeal urged the court to set aside the five-year sentence and restore the decision of the Magistrate Court but the decision was upheld in a ruling yesterday.
The thoroughly distraught thespian burst into tears upon the verdict.
 Reacting to the verdict, her lawyer, Nnaemeka Amaechina, said that the judgment would be challenged at the Supreme Court adding that a Notice of Appeal had already been filed.

Photos: Rafa Benitez arrives at Newcastle

Former Real Madrid coach, Rafa Benítez has arrived at St James’ Park ahead of being announced as the new manager of Newcastle. He takes over from Steve Mc Claren who was fired in the early hours of today. There are reports that the Italian will sign a 3 year deal with an opt-out clause if Newcastle are relegated.

Karim Benzema cleared to play in #EURO2016

French football star, Kareem Benzema who has been embroiled in a legal battle over a sextape scandal has been cleared to play in the forthcoming EURO 2016 tournament.  
The French Football Federation acknowledged the decision in a brief statement. “The French Football Federation takes note of the lifting of restrictions on Karim Benzema. It is a first stage. The FFF has also been recognized as a civil party and can therefore learn of all developments in the case as they happen.”
Lawyers of the 28 year-old also stated that they are working hard to establish his innocence

Chelsea are forcing my son to play through pain – Hazard's father

Eden Hazard’s father, Thierry Hazard has accused Chelsea of forcing him to play through the pain  as he struggles with an on-going hip injury. Hazard, who was named last season’s player of the year has dropped considerably in form and fans have not concealed their displeasure.  The Belgian received backlash from irate fans when he swapped shirts with PSG’s Angel Di Maria during half time on Wednesday’s Champions League clash.
On his son’s form, Hazard Snr in an interview with Belgian newspaper Le Soir, pointed that his son’s injury woes which started when he was kicked by Jamie Vardy at Leicester City last year has been responsible for his slump. 
“Eden’s lack of form is due to an injury, an inflammation in the hip, that he’s been carrying now for three or four months. It’s not a bad injury, but when the pain appears, it feels like a stabbing. It’s feels like a knife is stabbed in it.
“He was feeling the pain early in the game [against Leicester] and that’s why he has asked for a substitution. Instead of giving Eden a time to overcome the injury and have a proper rest, they push him to play because they have some important games… So he has no choice… Which player hasn’t had highs of lows in his career? It’s the first time in his professional career that he’s confronted with a difficult period. He’s not machine, as we know.” Thierry defended. 
He also refuted rumours that his son wants a move to PSG. 
“Eden has never said he wanted to play for PSG. He’s just confirmed that PSG have become a big club and that every player would like to play for clubs of that level. Eden has a contract until 2020. It’s out of question that he’ll leave the club at the moment.”

Brazil Legend, Pele to auction off World Cup medals and other memorabilia

Soccer legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly called Pele is to auction off more than 2,000 items of memorabilia  and donate the proceeds to a children hospital in Brazil. The items include his Jules Rimet trophy which commemorated his record third World Cup win and one of his famous No.10 Brazil shirts, which was worn between 1970 and 1971 and the ball used when he scored his 1,000th goal. 
The ball used in the January 28, 1971, Santos FC versus S.V. Transvaal (Sport Vereniging Transvaal) international friendly match
The auction which will be open to  wealthy football bidders will be held at Julien’s Auctions in London, between June 7 and 9.  
Pele to sell off memorabilia
“I’ve decided to allow fans and collectors to own a piece of my history as well. I hope they treasure these artifacts and share my story with their children and generations to come.” The 75 year-old said
A pair of Puma brand football boots game worn by Pele in the 1970s.
Pele to sell off memorabilia
Pele to sell off memorabilia
Pele to sell off memorabilia
Pele to sell off memorabilia

Mauricio Pochettino and Fraser Forster pick monthly Premier League awards


Southampton FC goalkeeper, Fraser Forster has emerged winner of the Premier League Player Of The Month Of February. He is the first keeper since 2013 to win the prize. He conceded only two goals in February. It’s just incentive to keep working hard.” He said after receiving the award. Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino also received the Premier League Coach Of The Month Of February.

Short Story : Pristine | By: Morountodun (Vol 15)


Read Parts 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the Pristine series herehere  Here Here here hereherehere Here  here here  here  here and here
“I hope you found what you were
looking for.”

She turned in the direction of the
voice, but saw David instead in the dimly lit room. He wasn’t wearing the white
shorts and tee or the khaki uniform she was used to seeing him wear. He wore a
black suit and looked even more handsome than she remembered him to be. He was
still holding the orange handband like the first time they’d met, but this time
it was in an open ring box and he was on bended knees.
She looked further to see Chika
beckoning to her with his ever charming smile. She started to run towards him
but Uju beat her to it. Chika looked delighted to see her too and scooped Uju
up in his arms.
Tayo showed up from nowhere and
took her right hand in his left. But Christy’s hands were wrapped around his
waist from behind.

“I hope you found what you were
looking for,” the voice echoed after her as she walked away…
                                                         
*****************************
Dara woke up to realize the car
hadn’t stopped moving. She had lost count of how many times she had dozed off
on the 18-hour trip. Nothing was ever
taking her back to Gombem that she was sure of. Her 1-year madness was over,
she inwardly scolded herself, wincing as she adjusted her behind on the car
seat.
Had she gotten what she had
wanted? Her mother would definitely ask her that when she got home. Every dream
she had had on the trip had been centered on the same question.
Before she left home, she had
wanted the freedom, the exposure—which she wouldn’t still say were bad for a
girl to crave. At least, she had learnt, she had grown, and she hadn’t had
entirely bad experiences. She had done some pretty good stuff, in fact. It
could have been way worse. She would
have wasted a precious part of her and moving on wouldn’t have been as easy!

Green and yellow. Dara’s heart leapt at the sight of the first
Ilorin cab. She was home! No more sharing the toilet and bath with everyone in
the compound, queuing and waiting till she could get in, or having to hurry out
when someone else started banging on the door. She felt stupid to have chosen
to live like that, but she felt blesses at the same time. She would never have
realized how much of a luxury home was if she hadn’t been away.

THE END


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Morountodun is a writer and a microbiology ‎ graduate of University of Ilorin.
Twitter: @Morountosweet




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Are you a writer? Interested in sharing ‎your short stories on this

platform? Be‎ our guest on our Short Story Fridays segment. Email: [email protected] or ololade.olatunji@yahoo/ gmail.com

Giorgio Chiellini speaks on how to mark Ronaldo and Messi

Juventus defender, Giorgio Chiellini  has given an interesting take on how to marrk Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Leo Messi. The Italian centre-back who has played with the two footballing greats  told Eurosport Italia in a recent interview, “Knowing your opponent is fundamental. Because then you can know their characteristics better. With Cristiano Ronaldo, you mark him trying to not let him inside on the right. With Messi… you cross yourself and pray!”

Man finds £28,000 in his new apartment and donates it to charity

In a very rare move, a Norwegian, Vemund Thorkildsen who found £28,000 in his new apartment in Oslo has donated all of it to charity. He saw a fireplace in the flat and was considering moving it to another room when he lifted a stone panel and found an envelope with almost 350,000 kroner (£28,000) in Norwegian bank notes. 
The 27 year-old was with his friend when they saw the money. “At first we started to celebrate like if we had won the lottery. But then I thought this not my money.”  He had bought the apartment from Kreftforeningen, a Norwegian cancer foundation which had received it as part of an estate. So he decided the foundation should have the money. 
“It would have been nice to go on a vacation,” he said, laughing. “But that money wasn’t mine and it felt nice to give it to something good like the cancer foundation. A lot of people say that they would have done the same thing and that’s good to hear. That gives you faith in humanity.”  He said.
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