The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed Former Fifa president, Sepp Blatter’s appeal against his six-year ban from football.
The 80-year-old Swiss who served as the president of the world football’s governing body from 1998 to 2015 was banned for allegedly making a “disloyal payment” of 2 million Swiss francs ($1.98m) to Michel Platini, then the UEFA president, in 2011; a payment that was described as “an undue gift” with “no contractual basis”.
FIFA is still investigating why Sepp Blatter paid himself bonuses totalling £26 million between 2010 and 2015. Germany got £20 million for winning 2014 World Cup in Brazil and he got £8.5 million bonus for helping to organise it.
After the hearing, Blatter said “no other verdict could be expected. “I have to accept this decision. I have experienced much in my 41 years in Fifa. I mostly learned that you can win in sport, but you can also lose.”
In its verdict, Cas said Blatter “requested the annulment of the ban but did not request a reduced penalty” adding that “In any event, the panel determined that the sanction imposed was not disproportionate.”
Both Blatter and Platini were banned for eight years last December, they however had their bans reduced to six years by its appeals committee.
Chapecoense awarded the Copa Sudamericana 2016
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) have confirmed that Chapecoense are champions of Copa Sudamericana 2016. The honour was posthumously bestowed upon the Brazilian team at the request of opponents Atletico Nacional following the Colombia plane crash that killed 71 people on board a week ago. Atletico Nacional have been given a Fair Play award to acknowledge their “spirit of peace, understanding and fair play. They also received $1m while Chapecoense were given the $2m in prize money.
“CONMEBOL have testified that they will crown Chapecoense as champions of the Copa Sudamericana. We are receiving support from all federations. The CBF, CONMEBOL, FIFA, and especially the people of Chapeco.
“Right now we are beginning to rebuild the team. People want football, people love football in Chapeco.
“Therefore, we must continue this. Let’s talk and do well, let the dust settle and rebuild the team for next year.”
“Atletico Nacional have invited CONMEBOL to deliver the Copa Sudamericana title to the Chapecoense Football Association as an honour for their great loss and in posthumous homage to the victims of the tragic accident that has our sport in mourning.
“For us, and forever, Chapecoense shall be the Copa Sudamericana champions for 2016.” Chapecoense interim president Ivan Tozzo, said in a statement.
Sergio Aguero banned for 4 games
Manchester City striker, Sergio Aguero has been banned for four matches following his tackle on David Luiz during Manchester City’s game against Chelsea.
This is the second time the Argentine will be punished for violent conduct this season. The 28 year-old will miss City’s games against Leicester, Watford, Arsenal and Hull.
Marca explains why Pep Guardiola ignored Cesc Fabregas' handshake
Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola is in the headlines for some petty reasons.
Shortly after his side lost to Chelsea, 3-1 on Saturday, three Chelsea players; Willian, César Azpilicueta and Cesc Fàbregas approcahed the Spaniard for a handshake but he completely ignored them and that elicited strong reactions amongst football fans.
While it might have a lot to do with Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho‘s suspension following their tackles on David Luiz and Cesc Fabregas, Spanish outlet, Marca claims there’s more to the ex Bayern Munich coach’s actions.
Their explanation below:
“Although publicly there has been no real hint of animosity, Fabregas’ Barcelona return when Guardiola was on the bench was not at the request of the tactician, who had no real interest in seeing him return to the Camp Nou. Fabregas’ move back to the Blaugrana largely came about as a result of Tito Vilanova’s insistence and pressure from key dressing room figures such as Gerard Pique and Lionel Messi, who are close friends with the ex-Arsenal man. Their coexistence in the dressing room was far from ideal and they did not part on the best of terms, with Fabregas going on to join Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in 2014 doing little to improve their relationship.”
Weren’t 3 players snubbed?
Ronaldinho, Gudjohnsen offer to play for Chapecoense for free!
Great Gesture!
In the wake of the Colombia plane crash that killed 71 people, including members of Brazilian football team Chapecoense, a week ago, while going for their Copa Sudamericana final first leg against Atletico Nacional, Brazilian football legend, Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, also known as Ronaldinho, has reportedly come out of retirement to sign for Chapecoense and will play for them for free.
Former Iceland international, Eidur Gudjohnsen, has also offered his services to Chapecoense adding that a reunion with his former Barca team-mate would be an added bonus.
Gudjohnsen posted on Twitter: ‘Out of respect I would play for Chapecoense if they have a place for me! ‘If not just to play with Ronaldinho again.’
Chapecoense FC President, Sandro Pallaoro buried.
Thousands gathered to pay tributes to the President of Brazilian football team, Chapecoense FC, Sandro Pallaoro who died with 71 others in a plane crash a week ago.
Sandro Pallaoro was on the plane that crashed almost a week ago as the club was traveling to Colombia to play the first of two games to determine the Copa Sudamericana champion — the No. 2 club tournament in Latin America.
The crash killed 71 of 77 people on board, including 19 players. The dead were honored Saturday at Chapeco’s stadium, with burials taking place across the country. None of the players were from the small southern Brazilian city.
AWCON 2016: Super Falcons emerge champions of Africa.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have emerged champions of Africa. They clinched their 10th title, edging hosts Cameroon with a late goal by Oparanozie at the 84th minute of the game. They have won the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations for the eighth time.
Meanwhile Nigeria’s Florence Omagbemi is the first person to win the AWCON (African Women’s Championship) trophy both as a player & Coach.
2016 Ballon d'Or: Messi, Ronaldo, Griezmann are finalists for the Best FIFA Men’s Player award
The final 2016 Ballon d’Or list is out. Messi , Ronaldo and Griezmann have been named on the three- man shortlist for FIFA best Men’s player award. Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney has failed to make the shortlist for the first time while 25-year-old Griezmann is being featured for the first time. The list compiled by the FIFPro players’ union is based upon votes from 25,000 professional footballers. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Zurich on January 9, 2017.
Other names missing from the list include; Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure, Chelsea’s John Terry, Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben, Porto’s Iker Casillas and Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez.
The 55-player short list:
Goalkeepers (5): Claudio Bravo (Chile/Barcelona/Manchester City), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy/Juventus), David de Gea (Spain/Manchester United), Keylor Navas (Costa Rica/Real Madrid) and Manuel Neuer (Germany/Bayern Munich).
Defenders (20): David Alaba (Austria/Bayern Munich), Jordi Alba (Spain/Barcelona), Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast/Paris St Germain), Hector Bellerin (Spain/Arsenal), Jerome Boateng (Germany/Bayern Munich), Leonardo Bonucci (Italy/Juventus), Dani Carvajal (Spain/Real Madrid), Giorgio Chiellini (Italy/Juventus), Dani Alves (Brazil/Barcelona/Juventus), David Luiz (Brazil/Paris St Germain/Chelsea), Diego Godin (Uruguay/Atletico Madrid), Mats Hummels (Germany/Borussia Dortmund/Bayern Munich), Philipp Lahm (Germany/Bayern Munich), Marcelo (Brazil/Real Madrid), Javier Mascherano (Argentina/Barcelona), Pepe (Portugal/Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Spain/Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Spain/Real Madrid), Thiago Silva (Brazil/Paris St Germain) and Raphael Varane (France/Real Madrid).
Midfielders (15): Xabi Alonso (Spain/Bayern Munich), Sergio Busquets (Spain/Barcelona), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City), Eden Hazard (Belgium/Chelsea), Andres Iniesta (Spain/Barcelona), N’Golo Kante (France/Leicester/Chelsea) Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid), Luka Modric (Croatia/Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Germany/Arsenal), Dimitri Payet (France/West Ham), Paul Pogba (France/Juventus/Manchester United), Ivan Rakitic (Croatia/Barcelona), David Silva (Spain/Manchester City), Marco Verratti (Italy/Paris St Germain) and Arturo Vidal (Chile/Bayern Munich).
Strikers (15): Sergio Aguero (Argentina/Manchester City), Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid), Paulo Dybala (Argentina/Juventus), Antoine Griezmann (France/Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina/Napoli/Juventus), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden/Paris St Germain/Manchester United), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich), Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Thomas Muller (Germany/Bayern Munich), Neymar (Brazil/Barcelona), Alexis Sanchez (Chile/Arsenal), Luis Suarez (Uruguay/Barcelona) and Jamie Vardy (England/Leicester).
World Soccer Awards 2016: See who made the cut.
The 2016 World Soccer’s World Player of the year award has been released and topping the list is Real Madrid talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo This is the 4th time the Portuguese will be clinching the prize, he scooped it. Ronaldo has had a remarkable year and his achievements for both club and country in 2016 can never be ignored.
Sitting at the number two spot is Lionel Messi who lost the first position to his fierce rival with 130 votes. Also included in the list is Leicester City who completed one of the most remarkable stories in the history of English football by winning the 2016 Premier League title.
Full list below
| Rank | Name | Votes |
| 1st | Cristiano Ronaldo | 842 |
| 2nd | Lionel Messi | 712 |
| 3rd | Antoine Griezmann | 559 |
| 4th | Luis Suarez | 498 |
| 5th | Gareth Bale | 497 |
| 6th | Neymar | 405 |
| 7th | Riyad Mahrez | 134 |
| 8th | Robert Lewandowski | 117 |
| 9th | N’Golo Kante | 93 |
| 10th | Jamie Vardy | 87 |
Victor Moses is PFA Fans' Premier League Player of the Month
The rejected stone is now the cornerstone. This best describes Victor Moses this season.
The 25 year-old’s scintillating form has seen him win the PFA Fans’ Premier League Player of the Month of November.
The Nigeria International who became a regular starter for Antonio Conte has hit the net three times this season. He scored against Burnley in October, against current Champions, Leicester in October and also netted the winning goal for Chelsea last weekend during their 2-1 clash with Tottenham. He has also created 8 chances for the team this season.
”Delighted to receive the PFA Fans Player of the Month award.It mean a lot&I would like to thank my teammates,fans & everyone at Chelsea FC” He wrote.
Very deserving of the honour