What’s an el-clasico without drama?
Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a five-match ban for taking his shirt off and diving and pushing the referee following his dismissal in the Supercopa de Espana played against Barcelona last night. The Madrid forward who scored one of the three goals of the night was furious after he was shown a second yellow card for slipping easily into the Barcelona box.
Neymar's PSG debut could be on hold again
Paris Saint-Germain’s new player won’t make his debut with the French league side again as Barcelona are yet to submit a transfer clearance to French football authorities.
French football governing body, LFP, said in a statement that they are yet to receive the International Transfer Certificate (CIT) from the Spanish football federation and will launch an official procedure with FIFA. “The Spanish federation of football has until Thursday night to send the CIT to the French Federation of football, who send it back to the French professional football league, and then Neymar can play with PSG this weekend.”
The £515,000-a-week Brazilian who missed Saturday’s Ligue 1 win over Amiens could also miss their clash with Guingamp on Sunday if the deadline is missed.
Madrid beat Man United to win UEFA Super Cup
Nigerian Professional Football League Launches Lottery with Highest Jackpot in Africa
AfroMillionsLotto; a brand new lotto with a minimum jackpot close to a billion naira is to be launched in support of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs by the League Management Company (LMC) in partnership with British-based Ofertas365.
The lotto, due to be live later this month, has jackpots larger than every lottery in Nigeria combined, and the biggest available anywhere in Africa!
All 20 NPFL clubs are to be branded with their own page on the lottos website where people can buy tickets online for the twice-weekly draws, as well as enjoy a range of Instant Win games offering big-money prizes.
The benefit for the clubs is that each will receive a percentage of the revenue raised from their lottery site to increase income to fund player development, supporting stadium and pitch improvements as well as community-based projects.
LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko described AfroMillionsLotto as one of the most exciting commercial developments in club football in Nigeria in recent times and suggested that it would positively impact football financing extensively.
Dikko said, “The LMC bought into this partnership because of its realistic potential to revolutionize our clubs’ commercial operations, thanks to the money lotto will bring in. Lotto has proven to be extremely successful with English Premier League clubs and we hope to replicate its success here in Nigeria.”
In his own comments, James Leppard, CEO of Ofertas365, said “We are delighted to work with Africa’s largest and most prestigious football league in launching AfroMillionsLotto, which will offer players, whether they are football fans or not, the ability to win truly life-changing jackpots.”
"I've conquered everything but i need challenges" Read Neymar's farewell message to Barcelona.
Neymar’s move to French side, Paris Saint Germain is done and dusted and the world has moved on.
The 25 year-old Brazilian forward who has now become the world’s most expensive player after completing a 222 million euro move to Paris Saint-Germain has posted a farewell video message to Barcelona on his social media pages. His message below:
“A Sportsman’s life is moving for challenges. Some are taxes, others are the fruit of our decisions to maintain the light that illuminates our career, which is intense but short.
“Barcelona has been more than a challenge, it has been my dream as a child. He played with those cracks in the video game. I arrived at catalunya at age 21, full of challenges. I remember my first days at the club, sharing the costumes with idols like Messi, valdés, Xavi, Iniesta, puyol, and others with the expectation of playing in a club that is “more than a club”. the FC Barcelona It’s a nation representing Catalonia!
“I had the honor to act with the greatest athlete I’ve ever seen in my life and I’m sure I won’t see another better, Leo Messi became my partner, friend inside and out of play. Proud to play with you. I love you!
“I formed an attack with Messi and Luis Suarez that has been left for the story. I’ve conquered everything a sportsman can conquer. I’ve lived unforgettable moments! I live in a city that’s more than a city, it’s a country. I love Barcelona and catalonia.
“But a sportsman (me) needs challenges.
“And for the second time in my life, I’m going to be opposing my dad.
Dad, I understand and respect your opinion, but my decision is made, I ask you to support me as you always have.
“Barcelona and catalonia will always be in my heart but I need new challenges.
“I have accepted the PSG-Paris Saint-Germain proposal to search for new conquests and help the club achieve the titles that the hobby awaits. I have been presented with a bold career plan and I look ready for this challenge.
“I appreciate the love of the wonderful hobby blaugrana and everything I’ve learned with the athletes I’ve shared costumes with.
“I also feel in my heart that the time has come to leave. The PSG will be my new home for the next few years and I will work to honor the trust they deposit in my football. I count a lot with everyone’s support. Amateurs who have been with me since 2009, of my friends, of the professionals who accompany me and my family, who have suffered a lot from problems that have occurred in this period of my career and which today deserve peace.
“It’s a difficult decision, but taken with the maturity of my 25 years.
FC Barcelona, thanks for everything!
PSG, I’m coming!
May God bless us and protect us!”
https://twitter.com/INFOSMESSl/status/893209368816168961
Check Out Spanish La Liga 2017/2018 Schedule
Spanish La Liga’s 2017/2018 fixtures have been released. The season will kick off on Sunday 20th August.
Credit: http://sportsmaza.com
La Liga refuse to accept payment of Neymar's £222m release clause.
Neymar’s world-record deal will not be completed anytime soon as La Liga have refused to accept payment of the Brazilian’s £222m release clause ahead of his move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar’s representatives, Juan de Dios Crespo and Marcos Motta were at the league’s headquarters in Madrid to make the deposit but La Liga president, Javier Tebas, reportedly threatened and declined to accept the payment.
“We can confirm that the player’s lawyers came to the La Liga offices this morning to deposit the clause and that it has been rejected,” “That’s all the information we are giving out at this moment.” A statement read.
“The LFP is surprised and does not understand the refusal of La Liga to simply accept the payment of the release clause for the player Neymar. The LFP asks La Liga to abide by the Fifa rules and its responsibilities. The LFP supports Paris Saint-Germain and wishes Neymar to join Ligue 1. The legal services of the LFP are in support and at the disposal of Paris Saint-Germain so that the Neymar contract is approved as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, PSG have paid Neymar’s €222 million release cause in full to Barcelona. This development was revealed by the club in a statement on their website on Thursday afternoon.
‘On Thursday afternoon Neymar Jr’s legal representatives visited in person the Club’s offices and made the payment of 222 million euros in the player’s name with regards to the unilateral termination of the contract that united both parties. As such, the Club will pass on to UEFA the details of the above operation so that they can determine the disciplinary responsibilities that may arise from this case.’
Neymar agrees £450m transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain
Neymar is leaving Barcelona next season and the MSN era has ended.
Barca fans are still grappling with this shocking news.
The Brazilian footballer has reportedly put pen to paper a five-year £450m deal with french outfit, Paris Saint Germaine (PSG) which would see him net £515,000 a week after tax. The striker has gone into the world record books and history as the highest transfer paid for a footballer. He is expected to arrive Paris by Friday to complete his move.
While many believe the move was right as he will step out of Lionel Messi’s shadow, others opined that it was unwise of him to have chosen money over Barcelona.
Messi paid a video tribute on his instagram page today.
He will reunite with his former colleague, Dani Alves at the French club.
Neymar‘s contract at PSG to be:
Per year: £30,992,000
Per month: £2,384,000
Per week: £596,000
Per day: £85,142
Per hour: £3,547
Messi paid a video tribute on his instagram page today.
He will reunite with his former colleague, Dani Alves at the French club.
Neymar‘s contract at PSG to be:
Per year: £30,992,000
Per month: £2,384,000
Per week: £596,000
Per day: £85,142
Per hour: £3,547
Messi, Suárez & Neymar are the only trio ever to score 100+ goals in a season.
2014/15: 122
2015/16: 131
2016/17: 111
Kelechi Iheanacho moves to Leicester City in £25m deal
Nigerian footballer, Iheanacho Kelechi has sealed a move to Leicester City from Manchester City in a deal valued at £25m.
The club has also insisted on a £50 million buy-back option for the striker
Iheanacho, who had a medical at Leicester’s training ground on Tuesday is expected to be officially unveiled in the next 24 hours. The 20 year-old could make his Leicester debut in Friday’s friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach at the King Power Stadium.
As revealed by Telegraph Sport last month, Leicester agreed a fee and terms nearly four weeks ago for the Nigeria international and have had to be patient while the impasse with his agents was resolved.
Super Eagles' Onazi and wife welcome first child
Say hello to the latest parents in the world!
One year after Super Eagles player, Eddy Ogenyi Onazi and Sandra Ogunsuyi exchanged marital vows, the couple have welcomed their first child; a baby girl in the United States.
The excited father shared the news on his official instagram page. “Only God knows how I feel right now. God you are faithful this is the best gift you can get on a new month. ”