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Pepe extends contract with Real Madrid

Portuguese defender, Pepe has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Real Madrid until 2017. Pepe, 32, who has been linked over recent seasons with a move to English clubs Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United, has prolonged his stay at the Bernabeu club for another two seasons at least. The news follows his long-term centre-back partner Sergio Ramos also signing a new contract at Madrid, ending what had been a long summer of speculation that he could be moving to England.

“Real Madrid and Pepe have agreed the extension of the player’s contract, to remain at the club until 30 June 2017,” said the short club statement announcing the news. Pepe joined Madrid from Porto for €30 million in 2007, and has been a first choice for subsequent coaches Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.

He is also expected to start Sunday’s La Liga opener at Sporting Gijon under new Blancos coach Rafa Benitez, having returned to full training this week after overcoming the thigh muscle strain which saw him miss Madrid’s last two preseason friendlies.
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Entertainment, Sports

Gerard Pique suspended for four games

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has been handed a four-match suspension following his dismissal in the Spanish Super Cup second leg against Athletic Bilbao. Pique protested angrily in the face of a linesman over an offside call during the course of the game and was red-carded by referee Carlos Velasco.
Velasco Carballo’s official report said that the Spain international used foul and abusive language when shouting at the assistant.

“In minute 55 the player [3] Pique Bernabeu, Gerard, was sent off for the following reason: shouting at an assistant referee, “I s— on your f—ing mother,” the report said.
Gerard Pique has apologised for his behaviour in the 1-1 draw, which meant the match finished 5-1 in Athleti’s favour, but denied personally insulting the assistant referee.

However, the Spanish FA (RFEF) said the “video supports” the referee’s report’s claim that Pique did swear at the official.
The centre-back’s suspension means he is set to miss the Liga matches against Athletic (away), Malaga (home), Atletico Madrid (away) and Levante (home).

Pique, who has also been fined €3,005 and his club €1,400, has 10 business days from Thursday to appeal the sanction.
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Entertainment, Sports

Manchester United secure convincing 3-1 win over Brugge

Goals from Memphis Depay and Marouane fellaini secured a convincing 3-1 over club Brugge in the first leg of champions league play off. An own goal from Micheal Carrick had put Club Brugge ahead in the opening minutes of the game but Manchester United level through a great individual effort from Memphis Depay.
Depay scored another goal to put his team ahead and also provided a cross that was converted by Marouane Fellaini in the dying minutes of the game. The 3-1 win will give Manchester United some cushion ahead of the second leg scheduled for 26th of August, 2015.
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Entertainment, Sports

Benteke's strike ensures Liverpool's triumph over Bournemouth

New signing, Christian Benteke scored a controversial goal to give Liverpool maximum 3points in their second league game against newly-promoted side, Bournemouth. The £32 million summer signing from Aston Villa struck from close range after 26 minutes at Anfield but debate raged over whether Philippe Coutinho was offside.

This came after the Cherries had earlier had a Tommy Elphick goal harshly ruled ruled for a push in the area by referee Craig Pawson. Brendan Rodgers, watched by Liverpool owner John W Henry, fielded a side unchanged from the laboured opening victory at Stoke.
They started in much the same sluggish manner as the visitors made the early running. Max Gradel looked dangerous on the left, Andrew Surman and Eunan O’Kane provided drive and strikers Callum Wilson and Josh King were threatening. It was the 24th minute before Liverpool finally posed a serious threat with Benteke driving narrowly over from distance.
The questionable goal moments later as Jordan Henderson swung in a deep cross from the left.
Coutinho was offside and clearly played at the ball as it bounced past him on the way to Benteke, who turned home at the far post. The goal, Benteke’s 50th in English club football, sparked strong debate over the latest interpretation of the offside rule. Coutinho did not have to make contact to be flagged, as he would have done in previous seasons, but his action had to impact on an opponent. 
There were no Bournemouth players near him as he moved for the ball, but goalkeeper
Artur Boruc may have anticipated a touch.
Liverpool did enough to hold on and Benteke almost snatched a second in the closing moments when a deflected shot struck the bar.
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Entertainment, Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo named the most charitable athlete in the world. See top 20 list

Real Madrid talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged the most charitable professional athlete in the world. The list was published by a site called Look To The Stars which‎ keeps track of celebrity benevolence. There are two footballers in the list, the second is Brazil/Barcelona’s Neymar.
Ronaldo’s charity work has not gone unnoticed. He has a long history with Save The Children charity. He provided aid for Madeira when floods struck the island off Portugal, sponsored children’s surgeries. Others organisations he’s supported include UNICEF, World Vision, to mention a few. His arch rival, Lionel Messi didn’t even make it to the list.
Top 20 Athletes Gone Good list:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
2. John Cena
3. Serena Williams
4. Yuna Kim
5. Neymar Jr.
6. LeBron James
7. Heather O’Reilly
8. Maria Sharapova
9. Mo’ne Davis
10. Richard Sherman
11. Meryl Davis & Charlie White
12. Dan Carter
13. Roman Reigns
14. Ronda Rousey
15. Lindsey Vonn
16. Tom Daley
17. Bethany Hamilton
18. Saina Nehwal
19. Paul Rabil
20. Shahid Afridi
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Entertainment, Sports

Kevin De Bruyne absent from training amid city rumours

Kevin De Bruyne missed club training on Tuesday amid wide reports that Manchester City have made a second bid of £47Million for the Belgium international. Coach Dieter Hecking confirmed De Bruyne’s absence from training but insisted that Manchester City have not made an offer.
Despite Hecking’s claim that there had not been any contact with City, Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws reported on Wednesday that the English club are still waiting for an official response to their €67m bid.
The report added that De Bruyne has been offered a five-year contract, worth €320,000 (£228,000) a week, which would see him become the best-paid Belgian player of all time. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, the current top earning Belgian, is reported to earn €280,000 (£200,000).
In an interview published in Wednesday’s edition of Sport Bild, Hecking was asked whether the DFB Pokal winners had enough quality in the squad to compensate for a potential De Bruyne sale.

“Given his current form, Kevin would be hard to replace for any club,” he said. “But should he leave us one day, then we have to spread the responsibility onto many other players’ shoulders, because every departure is also a chance for others.

“Our squad is strong enough, even though it hardly needs to be said that a player like Kevin makes the difference.”
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Entertainment, Sports

Coach of Enugu Rangers shot by gunmen

Charles Offodile, the coach of Enugu Rangers was shot by gunmen in Enugu on Monday.
The ugly incident took place in Asata area of Enugu where the team was preparing to travel for its federation cup tie with ElKanemi Warriors. An official of the club has suggested that the gunmen are likely to be cultists who recently unleashed terror in the area.
“From what we have gathered, it is likely that Offordile was shot by cultists in Asata area of Enugu. They have been constituting nuisance to lives and property in the area for some time now”

Rangers’ media officer, Foster Chime, said the coach is in fine condition in an undisclosed hospital in the city.

“We were all preparing to travel to Abuja for our Federation Cup game when we heard he has been shot by gunmen. But we thank God, he is in a stable condition and he will be discharged soon. The management of the club has paid him a visit and he is fine,” Chime said.
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Chelsea close in on John Stones, set to make third offer

Premier League champions, Chelsea Fc are set to table an improved £30 Million bid for Everton defender, John Stones. The Blues have had previous bids of £20m and £26m rejected by Everton but believe their next offer will be enough to land the highly rated centre-back.
Everton are anticipating the offer on Monday and there is now an acceptance that Stones will be sold should Chelsea bid £30m, despite the public stance that the England international will stay at Goodison Park.
Chelsea face rivals Manchester City on Sunday and hope to sign Stones in time for their trip to the Etihad Stadium. Stones, 21, has made it clear to Everton that he would like to move to Stamford Bridge having been chased by the Premier League champions all summer. Chelsea are understood to have prepared a five-year contract offer worth £100,000 a week for Stones, who has been identified by Jose Mourinho as the perfect replacement for 34-year-old captain John Terry.
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Marcelo Bielsa criticised by Marseille after surprise resignation

Marseille have heavily criticised Marcelo Bielsa over his surprise resignation after the club’s Ligue 1 defeat to Caen. The club accused Bielsa of trying to holding them prisoner and putting his own personal interest above those of the institution.
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The club said: “The board of Olympique de Marseille did everything to offer the club a coach who was up to that responsibility. But under no circumstances can OM be held prisoner to the demands of someone who places their personal interests well above those of the institution.

“Marseille is imbued with unique values and possesses a sufficiently rich history to refuse to subject itself to the law of a single man.”

L’Equipe reported on Monday Bielsa had been irritated during a meeting on Wednesday evening by the attempts of CEO Philippe Perez and lawyer Igor Levin, who had been mandated by OM owner Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, to tinker with the deal he had settled upon some weeks earlier.
The agreement, which ran to 2017, would have increased Bielsa’s contract by 25 percent. Bielsa reportedly criticised Perez and Louis-Dreyfus when he explained himself briefly to the Marseille squad early on Sunday morning.
In a letter to club president Vicent Labrune that Bielsa made available to Argentine media, the coach said:
 “After a series of meetings we reached an agreement on terms to extend the contract for 2016-17.

Over these past few months I have been working and thinking that everything was cleared up and all that remained was for it to be stamped.”

Bielsa said he made the letter public “because I feel it is necessary to explain my position in the exact same way I am going to explain it to you. Last Wednesday I was called in to meet with the CEO [Perez] and attorney Igor Levin [Louis-Dreyfus’ legal representative] and they informed me that they would like to adjust some points of the agreement we had previously reached. It was after this meeting that I reached my decision and I am explaining it and it is definite.

“I don’t know if you had approved or ignored it, but I know that I rejected important offers to continue at Marseille because I was very interested in this project. But today I cannot accept this unstable situation brought on by the move to change the terms of the contract.‎

“So my position is that I will no longer continue working with you. Working together demands a little bit of trust and now we do not have that,” Bielsa said.‎

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We don't miss Cech – Jose Mourinho

I’m certain he’s not on the same page with some Chelsea fans. They don’t miss who? Jose Mourinho has said that their ex skipper, Petr Cech isn’t missed in Stamford Bridge because ‎they have equally better goalkeepers.

He was quoted by the British media thus, “We don’t miss Petr. We’ve got a good keeper, the problem with Petr is not that we miss him because we have two excellent keepers. The problem with Petr is that an opponent is better than before. Thibaut and Asmir are two fantastic keepers. My club did very well by getting a keeper on time and not on the August 31,” Mourinho added.

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