Photos: Frank Lampard weds in London

Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley exchanged vows
today after a four-year engagement. The ceremony took place at the St Paul’s Church in KnightsBridge, London. Their reception took place 
celebrate their wedding with a reception at The Arts Club, Mayfair. 
Lampard who plays football for New York City FC has two daughters from a previous relationship.  

Obafemi Martins now an American citizen.

Seattle Sounders forward,  Obafemi Martins has joined the growing list of Nigerian footballers with dual citizenship. 
The Nigeria international Obafemi has been issued a Green Card. 
This was confirmed by the Major League Soccer (MLS) who listed the ex Inter Milan player as a home player during the roster update for all the 20 MLS teams. 

Jose Mourinho is taking a break from football. Read his first statement since sacking.

Ex Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho has been trending on social media for the past few days for a not-so-pleasant reason. It is no longer news that he was dismissed by his club on Thursday after a disastrous run to start the season that saw the Blues drop to the 16th on the Premier League table
The Portuguese has released an official statement via his co-representatives at CAA Sports and Polaris Sports, 
Statement in full:
“José Mourinho is pleased that he returned to Chelsea Football Club because he was able to give the fans another Premier League title, which they had not won for many years. He is immensely proud of his eight trophies at Chelsea, and thanks the fans for all their support throughout his two spells at the club.

“During his career, José has sometimes chosen to leave a club, but only at Chelsea has the club decided that he should leave.

“Each time represents for him the end of a cycle, and the opportunity to start a new one. José hopes that his future after Chelsea this time will be as successful as when he left the club in 2007.

“He will not be taking a sabbatical, he isn’t tired, he doesn’t need it, he is very positive, and is already looking forward.

“Because of his love of football, you will see José at football grounds working and supporting friends. He will not be attending any high-profile games because he wants to discourage any speculation about his future.

“José will remain living in London and hopes he and his family will be given the opportunity to do this privately.”

“José will not speak about his current situation for the foreseeable future. He asks the media to respect this decision.”

Luis Suarez makes history in the Club World Cup

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Luis Suarez is balling! 

The Barcelona player’s hat-trick in Barcelona’s 3-0 semifinal win over Guangzhou at the Club World Cup today did not only ensure that Catalans are in the Club World Cup final (against Argentine giant River Plate) the Uruguayan also went down into the annals of history as the first player to score a hat-trick in the history of the FIFA World Club. He was awarded Man Of The Match.

He has now scored 19 goals in his last 17 games for Barcelona.

Real reason Mourinho accused his players of betrayal

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Honestly, I knew there was more to the ‘betrayal’ statement. I knew he just couldn’t spill it to the media at that moment cos (probably) that would look like another big excuse/reason for his failure  the club’s recent woes.
 The Times have claimed that Mourinho’s anger /verbal attack on his players wasn’t triggered by the club’s 2-1 loss to Leicester on Monday, it actually sprang from the blues’s champions league clash with Porto last weekend. He was said to have been shocked beyond wits to find out from a contact at his former club that  his starting line-up for the Champions League game had been leaked. 
Hence the statement “One of my best qualities is to read the game for my players and I feel like my work was betrayed.” Simply put, the ex Real Madrid coach is convinced there is a mole within the squad. Recall that he said that during his spell at Madrid.
To be honest, any manager will blow his top after such revelation.  And Mourinho who is usually not generous with kind words kept that part from the media, like i mentioned earlier, that wouldn’t shoot their rank on the standings up.
Chelsea’s game against Sunderland this season might determine the Portuguese’s fate at the club. 

Sad! Ex Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi loses wife

Keshi and wife during their daughter’s wedding in March 2015
Former Super Eagles manager, Stephen keshi has lost his wife, Katherine to the cold hands of death.  He died of cancer, her family has confirmed.
Below is a statement from Emmanuel Ado, on behalf of the Keshi family, confirmed that the 54-year-old lost her three-year-long fight against the sickness on Wednesday night in the United States.
“With gratitude to God the Family of Mr. Stephen Okechukwu Keshi CON announces the death of our dear wife, mother, daughter, sister Mrs. Kate Keshi née Abureme 
“She died in the United States of America. She has in the last three years battled with cancer. She gave a good fight, until she finally succumbed yesterday.
“She is survived by her husband of 33 years, 4 children, her mother, brother, sisters and numerous relatives. We ask for prayers for her. ”
Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinning also condoled with the ex Nigerian footballer. 
“Keshi is a Nigerian hero and we mourn deeply with him at this time. This has come like a big blow, but we pray that he receives divine strength to cope with the situation, and we also pray that the Almighty God will grant the departed eternal rest,” Mr. Pinnick added. 
May God give the family the fortitude to bear this loss. Amen

Goalkeeper fined for damaging penalty spot

German football club FC Augsburg’s goalkeeper, Marwin Hitz has been fined €122.92 for damaging the penalty spot during a Bundesliga match against FC Koln few days back. The 28-year-old used his studs to dig up the penalty spot causing the player who took the shot, Anthony Modeste to slip and miss his penalty. He was sent a bill which covers the cost of a piece of turf and two hours’ work of repair. 

He apologised for his action and then announced on Twitter that will also make a donation to a children’s hospital in Cologne.
“With a wink, I like to pay my debts. In addition, I will make a donation to the children’s hospital,” The Swiss footballer tweeted.

Neymar becomes the first Barcelona player to win La Liga Player of the Month award.

Neymar wins historic award for FC Barcelona

Barcelona star, Neymar
Jnr has become the first Barcelona player to win the La Liga Player of the
Month of November award. It is hard to believe that the phenomenal Messi has
never clinched the prize. The Brazilian who has been producing magnificent
displays for the Catalans this season has netted 14 goals in 13 appearances. 
Founded
in 2013, the award has been won by players from Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid,
Celta Vigo, Real Sociedad and Sevilla.

Lionel Messi produced the most tweeted about sporting moment of 2015. See Top 10 list

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Barcelona star, Lionel Messi’s mind-blowing goal in
the Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich in May has
emerged the most tweeted about sporting moment of 2015. The Argentine nutmegged
defender Jerome Boateng embarrassingly that the
Bayern Munich player fell over backwards. He chipped a ball over goalkeeper
Manuel Neuer and straight into the net.
Daily Mail reports that, the goal generated a record
25,300 tweets-per-minute – 7,700 more than the number of tweets-per-minute garnered
at the end of Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final victory over Manchester United at
Old Trafford.
 Top 10 moments sporting moments of 2015.
1.      Lionel Messi
goal v Bayern Munich | May 2015
2.      Arsenal beat
Man Utd at Old Trafford | March 2015
3.      Steven Gerrard
sent off v Man Utd | March 2015
4.      Tyson Fury
beats Wladimir Klitschko | November 2015
5.      Wayne Rooney’s
equaliser v Arsenal | March 2015
6.      Jamie Vardy
breaks record v Man Utd | November 2015
7.      Alexis
Sanchez’s goal in the FA Cup final | May 2015
8.      Danny Welbeck
scores v Man Utd | March 2015
9.      Luis Suarez’s
second goal against Man City | February 2015
10.  PSG knock
Chelsea out the Champions League | March 2015

Blatter and Platini to appear before FIFA ethics committee on December 16-18

Blatter, Platini to face FIFA ethics committee December 16-18
Suspended FIFA President, Sepp
Blatter and his UEFA President, Michel Platini who were provisionally suspended
by the FIFA ethichs in October for 90 days on allegations of corruption will
appear before the committee on December 16-18.
“Mr Platini and Mr Blatter will
have the chance to present their positions during hearings scheduled between
December 16-18,”
A spokesman told AFP.
Asides the duo, has charged 14 ex-FIFA officials and
sports marketing executives have also been charged by the United States justice
department with more than $150 million of bribery and corruption for several
years.
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