Sports

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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 English Premier League, Sports

N’Golo Kanté is prepared to miss the rest of the season.

Staying alive is more important than football!

Chelsea FC star, N’Golo Kanté is prepared to miss the rest of the season once the Premier League resumes, due to underlying health issues and the coronavirus pandemic. The French footballer was part of the first day of small-group training at Cobham on Tuesday, but was granted indefinite leave starting on Wednesday.

Also Read: Hull City confirm two positive coronavirus tests.

There are reports that the French footballer has a family history of heart problems. His brother died of a heart attack two years ago, just before the 2018 World Cup, and Kanté himself suffered a heart condition scare months ago when he fainted during training.

The midfielder has been given permission to train at home and he has the full support of manager, Frank Lampard and the club’s board.  Chelsea and the league have also reassured the 29 year-old that all possible precautions are being taken. With this development, the Blues may be without Kante for their last nine remaining Premier League games, if the season resumes.

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 English Premier League, Sports

Hull City confirm two positive coronavirus tests.

HULL CITY CAN CONFIRM THAT TWO PEOPLE HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 FOLLOWING THE FIRST ROUND OF TESTING AT THE TRAINING GROUND.
Following the first round of testing at the training ground, Hull City has confirmed that two people have tested positive for Covid-19. The names of these individuals will not be disclosed, as the clubs have asked  for this to be respected.
“The duo, who are both asymptomatic and feeling no ill effects, will now self-isolate for seven days – in line with the protocols set out in EFL guidelines – before being tested again at a later date. The Club will continue to liaise closely with the affected personnel and will make no further comment.” The club said in a statement.
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 La Liga, Sports

La Liga returns on 8th of June.

The Spanish government has given the green light for the return of professional sport – including La Liga Santander and La Liga SmartBank – as of June 8th, following guidelines from the Ministry of Health.

“Spain has done what it should and now new horizons are opening for everyone. The time has come to bring back many day-to-day activities,” said Sanchez.

“From 8 June, La Liga will be back. Spanish football has a huge following but it will not be the only recreational activity that will return.”

“We are very pleased with the decision, It is the result of the great work of clubs, players, coaches, CSD (National Sports Council) and agents.

“But we cannot lower our guard, it is important to follow health regulations and ensure the pandemic doesn’t come back.” The league’s president, Javier Tebas said he had

 

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 English Premier League, Sports

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

Watford FC Defender, Adrian Mariappa has revealed his shock at being told he was the Watford player who had tested positive for coronavirus.  Mariappa’s was one of six positive results to come back from  Premier League testing this week, two other members of Watford staff and Burnley assistant manager, Ian Woan also tested positive.

The 33-year-old, who lives with his partner and three of his four children, was informed of his positive test on Tuesday and now has to isolate for a week. Speaking on his shock about the result, the defender said, “Ever since I got my positive result back on Tuesday, I’ve been scratching my head to try to work out how I might have got coronavirus. It was a big surprise because I haven’t really left the house, apart from some exercise and the odd walk with the kids. I’ve mainly just been homeschooling and keeping fit. My lifestyle is very quiet, certainly no parties or going out or anything, so I really don’t know how I got it. Like most people, we’ve been having more deliveries of food and things, so maybe that’s one way, and my partner has been to the supermarket a few times.

‘The club doctor called to tell me and, to be honest, I did ask whether it could be 100 percent accurate or whether my results could have got muddled up. Maybe if I had been displaying any symptoms then it might have made sense. But I’ve not had any symptoms and I’ve felt as fit as ever, probably fitter because I’ve been working really hard. I’ve been following my training programme and I’ve not felt out of breath or ill, or anything.

Also Read: English Premier League: 6 people test positive to coronavirus.

‘We’ve been fully monitored the whole time and the club have been able to track our distances and things. I’ve been really excelling in all of that and feeling great. It’s quite scary how you can feel absolutely fine and not really have left the house, and yet still get the virus. If it wasn’t for the fact I had gone back to training and had this test, then I’d never have found out that I had the virus and I would just be getting on with things as normal. That’s obviously quite a strange thought.’

 

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 Bundesliga, Sports

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer signs new contract.

Manuel Neuer has signed a new three-year contract with Bayern Munich, keeping him at the club until June 2023.
The 34-year-old Germany international who joined the club  Schalke in 2011 helped them win 18 trophies.

“FC Bayern is very happy and satisfied that Manuel has extended his contract until June 30, 2023. Manuel is the best goalkeeper in the world and our captain.” Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.

The four-time UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year Manuel Neuer gets a pay rise for his contract extension (previous estimated annual salary 15 million euros). However, Neuer’s new salary does not exceed €20m.

Oliver Kahn, a member of the executive board at Bayern said. “Another big decision for a successful future! Manuel Nuer is the captain and one of the most important pillars of our team. He embodies great years of German football and we’re happy to continue the way of FC Bayern together. This extension is a strong signal.” 

 

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 English Premier League, Sports

English Premier League: 6 people test positive to coronavirus.

The Premier League has confirmed that six people tested positive for coronavirus from three clubs after 748 tests. The affected individuals will now self-isolate for seven days. Clubs and individuals have not been disclosed for data protection reasons.

This news is coming a day after Premier League Shareholders voted unanimously to return to small group training from Tuesday afternoon. The decision was made after an emergency conference call with all 20 clubs on Monday.

With the new development,  the chances of starting matches again on 12th June are slim.

“The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency. No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the league and results will be made public in this way after each round of testing.” The Premier League said in a statement.

Some of the precautionary measures undertaken include bi-weekly testing and daily pre-training questionnaire and temperature check.

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 La Liga, Sports

LaLiga clubs to start training in groups of up to ten players.

La Liga has confirmed that clubs in the top two divisions of Spanish football are back training in groups of up to 10 people. La Liga also maintained that it is a significant step forward on the road towards restarting professional football in Spain, which has been on hold since March 12th due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The start of the next phase in LaLiga’s Return to Training protocol is another step towards the restarting of the competition. It will be good to be able to set all training routines on an equal footing. It’s very important that every club have the same chance to be in good shape. It’s not essential, but it’s very important and we’re grateful that it will be like that,” La Liga president Javier Tebas said.

The president of LaLiga was positive about the possibility of football being played every day. “That’s what I hope. We shouldn’t have any problems playing on Mondays across the eleven rounds of matches we have left to play. I hope for some sense from the Spanish Football Federation on this, because it’s very important for us to be able to give both our national and international broadcasters, and fans across the world, football on as many days as possible to ensure as little disruption as possible,” he said.

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

Speeaking on the return of the Bundesliga in Germany this weekend, Tebas added: “I’m very happy, and I’ve congratulated them because they’ve taken a very important step. We’ve worked hard on this together over the past months, we’ve exchanged protocols, ideas… we spoke once or twice every week. I’m very proud of the Bundesliga. It wasn’t easy; they were the first to get up and running and they’re an example to follow.”

All training will adopt the preventive measures laid out by the LaLiga Return to Training Protocol to guarantee the highest levels of safety for everyone involved at all times. Meanwhile, some players in Spain returned for individual training earlier this month and the league hopes to resume full training and matches soon and possibly when dates for fixtures are confirmed.

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 Sports

Premier League clubs agree to resume training this week.

Premier League Shareholders today voted unanimously to return to small group training from Tuesday afternoon – the first step towards restarting the Premier League, when safe to do so. This decision was made after an emergency conference call with all 20 clubs on Monday.

Also Read: 5 substitutions, games behind closed doors and other temporary changes to expect when football resumes.

Recall that  football was suspended indefinitely on April 3 and the last EPL fixture was played on March 9.

“Step One of the Return to Training Protocol enables squads to train while maintaining social distancing. Contact training is not yet permitted. This first stage has been agreed in consultation with players, managers, Premier League club doctors, independent experts and the Government. Strict medical protocols of the highest standard will ensure everyone returns to training in the safest environment possible. The health and wellbeing of all participants is the Premier League’s priority, and the safe return to training is a step-by-step process. Full consultation will now continue with players, managers, clubs, the PFA and LMA as protocols for full-contact training are developed.” A statement from Premier League read.

Meanwhile, Premier League clubs have been told they could face heavy sanctions for serious breaches of new COVID-19 rules amid concerns that the system for testing players could be manipulated.

 

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 Africa, Sports

Samuel Eto’o labels himself the greatest African player.

Senegalese legend, Samuel Eto’o has crowned himself  the greatest player in the African continent. This remark was made in response to his fellow African footballe, El Hadji Diouf’s claims that he was the best Cameroonian legend .

Not only has the former Barcelona player boasted to be the best forward to come out of Africa, he has also said neither Diouf nor Ivory Coast’s Drogba are at his level.

Also Read: Why Emmanuel Adebayor won’t donate to Togo’s coronavirus fight.

He was quoted on GOAL thus, “Even if my brother Diouf the last time, with an extra glass, got a little lost, there is no debate, None of them (Diouf and Drogba) can come and say that they were at my level or better. And it’s not the fact that I say it, it’s a fact, it’s something that is there. I wanted to be number one and I have been throughout my career.” The 4-time African footballer of the year award recipient maintained.

Eto’o netted 56 goals for the Cameroonian national football team in 118 appearances, won two African nations cup titles, the 2000 Olympic gold medal,  three Spanish La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League titles, one Coppa Italia, two Copa del Rey titles, one Fifa Club World Cup during his spells at Chelsea, Everton, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Mallorca.

Do you agree with Eto’o?

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