Football Fans Wounded During Superiority Argument Over Ronaldo VS Messi In Abakaliki

Three football fans were wounded in a free-for-all in a bar in Abakaliki on Saturday night over an argument about who is a better player between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. A News Correspondent who witnessed the incident said it occurred at the Kpirikpiri area of the town during the EURO 2016 second round match between Portugal and Croatia. The reporter said Portugal won the match 1-0 courtesy of a Ricardo Quaresma 114th minute-extra time goal that sent them into the competition’s quarter-finals.
Trouble started when a Ronaldo supporter identified as “Marshal’’ celebrated widely as the Real Madrid star’s shot was parried into Quaresma’s path for the goal to the consternation of the Messi’s supporter named Obinna. The duo had argued all night over the better player between both mega stars. The report said that immediately Quaresma scored, Marshal rushed to Obinna and mocked him, chanting “I told you, I told you Ronaldo is the best’’. Obinna who apparently was reeling with anger pushed Marshal and a fight ensued which made others inside the bar to intervene.
Matters, however, went out of hand when Marshal’s friends felt that Obinna’s friends were indirectly aiding him in the fight, thus making the fight instantly a free-for-all. The bar owner, identified simply as Simon, rushed outside to invite people within the compound as those inside couldn’t control the situation.
However, calm was eventually restored but three persons, including Obinna were seriously wounded, while Simon immediately closed before the match could end. On the development, Simon said that both fans always argued on the issue of Real Madrid and Barcelona superiority.
“I banned them from coming to my shop but this is their first visit since the commencement of the competition. “It took the intervention of others inside the shop for me to allow them, as I was sure that their acrimony toward each other goes beyond Ronaldo and Messi supremacy,’’ he said. Dr Obiora Ike, a youth activist, has this to say about the level of fanaticism being displayed by young soccer fans in the state, especially over foreign clubs and players. “This sort of incident occurs regularly and one wonders why people should fight and disturb themselves over clubs and footballers who do not even know that they exist.

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Two footballers: England player and Premier League player 'set to come out as gay

Two Premier League footballers are going to publicly come out before the start of the next football season. England international - has told their family and friends and has received support from their clubs and the Football Association. The stigma has completely gone, and the public are far more accepting. It has always been such a macho game and, unfortunately, perhaps more than in any other sport, there can be an aggressive mob mentality in the stands. But finally the tide is turning and more and more sports people are openly gay.

The players - whose names have not been publicly revealed - would be the first players to publicly announce they are gay while in the top flight of English football. They are thought to come out before the start of the next football season. US footballer Robbie Rogers came out in 2013 shortly after retiring from Leeds United, before signing on to play for LA Galaxy. He spoke about his surprise at the lack of a “chain reaction” following his declaration of his sexuality in an interview last year. “It's been a lot slower. I guess that just reminds me how big a problem it is in sports culture with homophobia. They don't feel comfortable,” he said. Despite the culture of homophobia in sports, they are becoming more and more diverse. Early this year Keegan Hirst became the first rugby league player to come out as gay, followed shortly after by rugby union player Sam Stanley.

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Serena Williams To Start 2016 Season At Hopman Cup

World number 1, Serena Williams, will launch her 2016 season at the Hopman Cup in Australia. Serena reached the final of the mixed team event in 2014 with American compatriot, John Isnerto, kicking off a superb season where she won the Australian, French Open and Wimbledon, to take her Grand Slam singles haul to 21. Williams has not played since her shocking semifinal defeat to Italian Roberto Vinci at the US Open in September which ended her bid for a rare calendar Grand Slam. She pulled out of two events in China earlier in October, as well as the WTA finals in Singapore, citing the need to rest after a year spent carrying injuries. Williams will be joined in the January 3-9 Hopman Cup field by Briton, Andy Murray and controversial Australian, Nick Kyrgios.

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Pistorius Released From Prison, Placed Under House Arrest

South African Olympic and Paralympic athlete, Oscar Pistorius, has been released from prison and put under house arrest nearly one year after he was jailed for killing his girlfriend. He is expected to spend the remainder of a five-year prison sentence at his uncle’s home in Pretoria. Pistorius, 28, shot Reeva Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door but said he thought she was an intruder. Ms Steenkamp’s relatives say they think Pistorius is “getting off lightly”. Oscar Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide, or manslaughter, in October last year. A case lodged by the prosecution appealing that decision is due to be heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal on 3 November. State prosecutors say Pistorius should have instead been convicted of murder. The BBC quoted a spokesman from the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre as saying that the athlete was released on Monday evening, a day earlier than expected.

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Fayose Rallies Support For Ekiti Nominee

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has asked the people of Ekiti to support any Ekiti nominee at the federal level, irrespective of political affiliations. The Governor made the statement on Tuesday as the ministerial nominees were screened in Abuja, one of which is the former Governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. Governor Fayose, during his state monthly broadcast, said that support for an Ekiti nominee irrespective of who it might be, was important for the development and unity of the state. Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu were screened alongside a former senator representing Akwa Ibom South Constituency, Udoma Udoh Udoma and former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh at the Senate on Tuesday. The Senate asked the former governors of Ekiti and Abia states to take a bow and go after answering questions in defense of their nomination as ministers.

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Two Nigerians Make CAF Award Nominee List

Two Nigerian internationals have been shortlisted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in a 37-man list for the 2015 African Footballer of the year. Super Eagles striker, Ahmed Musa and goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, who recently announced his retirement from international football made the list released by CAF on Sunday. The current African Player of the year, Yaya Toure is also on the list. England-based players Riyad Mahrez from Algeria, Yannick Bolasie of DR Congo, Ghana’s Andre Ayew, Mame Diouf from Senegal, Kenya’s Victor Wanyama and Gabon skipper, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were also on the list. Meanwhile, no Nigerian player plying their trade in the domestic league made the shortlist of 24 players shortlisted for the African player of the year based in Africa.

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FIFA President Reacts To Suspension By Ethics Committee

FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, has responded to his provisional suspension from the world football’s governing body, claiming that the ethics committee “did not follow the code of ethics and disciplinary code”. Blatter, along with UEFA President, Michel Platini and FIFA General Secretary, Jerome Valcke, was suspended for 90 days in the early hours of Thursday, following approval by FIFA’s Adjudicatory Chamber of a recommendation made by the ethics committee. The sanctions against Blatter can be extended by up to 45 days. The 79-year-old has denied any wrongdoing and a statement released by his lawyers questions the conduct of the ethics committee. FIFA’s disciplinary body – the adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee, which is chaired by Judge Hans-Joachim Eckert, said that the bans come into force immediately and could be extended by another 45 days.

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Afrobasket: D’ Tigress Win Bronze

D’ Tigress of Nigeria on Saturday used a dominant performance in the final quarter to clinch the third-place at Afro Basket Women 2015 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Joyce Ekworomadu paced Nigeria with a team-high 15 points as they kept their Olympic hopes alive with a 65-55 victory. Sonia Guadalupe hit 3-pointers to lead Angola with 13 points but they finished out of the podium for the first time since 2005. With the victory, D’ Tigress clinched the last spot available for the Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament to be played next year.

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Manchester United Fan Killed On His Way To Home Game

A Manchester United fan and war veteran has been killed in a road accident while walking to a home match with his grandson. Arthur Eade, 68, was knocked over on Saturday morning near Wharfside Way, Old Trafford. The driver of the Nissan Qashqai stopped at the scene and is helping police with their enquiries. Mr Eade was taken to hospital for treatment to serious head injuries but died overnight. 

He had travelled from Sunderland to watch his beloved Manchester United play his home town team. In a statement, Mr Eade's family said: "Arthur was born and brought up in Sunderland where he had recently retired from his lifelong career as an HGV driver which took him all over the country. "Arthur had travelled down to Manchester with his son and grandson to watch the Manchester United versus Sunderland match as football was one of his passions and he was eagerly looking forward to the game. "Arthur was very much a family man and was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, father-in-law, son-in-law and brother-in-law. "He met his wife over 45 years ago whilst serving in The Royal Signals in Germany and following his army service they settled back in Sunderland where they have lived happily ever since. "He was enjoying his retirement and had just returned from a holiday in Gran Canaria, and was happiest when he had his family around him. He had a great sense of humor and his huge repertoire of jokes kept everyone amused. "As well as football being a passion, he was also a lifelong Beatles fan and has all their records and loved everything Beatles related. "We can't express how we are feeling knowing he has been taken away from us so suddenly.  There is a huge hole in our lives and he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him." Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call police on 0161 856 4741.

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Japan’s Oldest Athlete, Hidekichi Miyazaki Has Sets New Record

Japan’s Hidekichi Miyazaki has broken his own record as the oldest competitive sprinter at the Kyoto Masters Athletics Autumn competition, just a day after turning 105. Miyazaki reset his own record as the oldest man to sprint competitively with a time of 42.22 seconds for 100 meters, though fell short of his personal best. Miyazaki’s own personal record of 34.10 seconds, was achieved when he was 103 and remained unbeaten. Miyazaki, who is also known as “Golden Bolt” for his poses imitating the Jamaican Olympian, Usain Bolt, also said he longs for the opportunity to challenge the fastest man in the world .

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Capital One Cup: Man Utd, Man City Get Home Draws In Round 4

Manchester United and Manchester City have been rewarded with home draws in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup. Louis Van Gaal’s side will host Championship side, Middlesbrough, having eased past Ipswich 3-nil at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. Manchester City will welcome Crystal Palace to the Etihad Stadium, while Sheffield Wednesday’s reward for beating Newcastle United is a home game against Arsenal. There are four other all Premier League ties with Everton playing Norwich, Southampton paired with Aston Villa and Stoke hosting the holders, Chelsea. Liverpool survived a scare against League Two side, Carlisle, squeezing through 3-2 on penalties at Anfield. Liverpool will host Bournemouth in the next round.

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Iheanacho Scores The Winning Goal As Manchester City Beat Palace

Nigerian youth international, Kelechi Iheanacho, scored a last-gasp winner as Manchester City edged Crystal Palace on Saturday to maintain their 100 per cent start to the 2015/2016 premier league season.

Iheanacho’s late goal helped Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in their English Premier League match at Selhurst Park.

Super Eagles forward, Odion Ighalo also scored the winner for Watford in their 1-nil win over Swansea City.

Premier League Champions, Chelsea lost for the 3rd time this season with Stephen Naismith inspiring Everton to a 3-1 win at Goodison Park.

In other results, Arsenal beat Stoke City 2-0, Norwich City beat Bournemouth 3-1, West Brom and Southampton battled to a goalless draw, while Manchester United beat Liverpool 3-1 in the day’s last game.

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Real Madrid CR7 Launched his Fragrance A Scent Entitled 'Cristiano Ronaldo Legacy'.

The Real Madrid forward has launched his first foray into the world of fragrance a scent entitled 'Cristiano Ronaldo Legacy'. Though the Portugal captain did not specify whether the name means that you ought to be smelled long after you've left the room or that he expects people to have forgotten all of his goals when he eventually retires, leaving this bottle as the only trace of his existence, he did share his enthusiasm at fulfilling a lifelong dream.

"It's a fragrance that leaves a mark, which is why it bears my name, because I'm a person who has left a mark and wants to leave more," Ronaldo declared. "It's something I've wanted to do ever since I was a kid. Having a fragrance with my name is something unique and, when they spoke to me about it, it made me very happy. "It's for everyone who likes Cristiano so that they can have something that's closer to me."

As is obligatory for fragrances, Ronaldo has filmed a short advertisement which can give no clues towards what the perfume actually smells like so settles instead for asking questions like 'why not get yourself one or two different jackets, Cristiano?'. Presumably you'd have to buy his Legacy to find out.

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Champions of Europe in 2008 and 2012 Spain moved a step closer to qualification for Euro 2016

Spain moved a step closer to qualification for Euro 2016 and the chance to win a third successive continental competition by beating Slovakia 2-0 on Saturday night. Jordi Alba and Andres Iniesta scored the goals as Vicente del Bosque's side leapfrogged their opponents at the top of Group C, with La Roja leading the pool with 18 points, Slovakia behind on goal difference and Ukraine three adrift with three games remaining. Champions of Europe in 2008 and 2012, Spain remain on course to defend their title in France next summer after an impressive victory in Oviedo and here, Goal looks at five talking points from their win at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere...

Iker Casillas won his 163rd cap for Spain and it was his 100th match as captain, but his first appearance for the national side since leaving Real Madrid earlier this summer. Now a Porto player, question marks had been raised over whether Casillas was finished as a top-level goalkeeper but Del Bosque has kept the faith. With David de Gea yet to make a club appearance at the start of the 2015-16 seasons, the former Madrid goalkeeper is the logical choice to start for Spain and he didn't let La Roja down on Saturday. Casillas will be given tougher tests than this, but the 34-year-old looked relaxed and made one good save from Marek Hamsik which was rewarded with chants of "Iker, Iker" from the crowd in Asturias. It may not be the most popular choice, but he is still going strong and, for now, Casillas remains Spain's No.1 goalkeeper. De Gea will have to wait.

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Iheanacho Dropped From Manchester City Champions League Squad

Nigeria youth sensation Kelechi Iheanacho will not feature in this season’s Uefa Champions League as he failed to make Manchester City’s 21-man squad published by the European football governing body. The 18-year-old who made his English Premier League debut against Watford failed to make Manuel Pellegrini’s team because the team already includes the maximum 17 foreign players. The Citizens can supplement their squad from a ‘B’ list of Under 21 players but Iheanacho, who joined the club last year, does not qualify for that category until he has been at the club two years. Chelsea’s Mikel despite having his playing time reduced at the Stamford Bridge, he has been listed in Jose Mourinho’s squad who will be hoping to lifted the trophy for the second time. Also, Ahmed Musa and Moses Simon will feature for CSKA Moscow and Gent respectively as Nosa Igiebor will be gunning for glory with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Brown Ideye who moved to Olympiakos from West Bromwich Albion has been registered by the Greek champions that will face Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Dinamo Zagreb in Group F.

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BREAKING NEWS ON OLYMPIC BIDS IN USA

BREAKING: United States Olympic Committee chooses to move forward with Los Angeles for 2024 Olympics, eliminating San Francisco and D.C.

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Nigeria football officials appeal to Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe to switch international allegiance to the Super Eagles

Nigeria football officials have made an appeal to Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe to switch international allegiance to the Super Eagles with new coach Sunday Oliseh travelling to Melwood to meet the player. The Guardian of London and the Liverpool ECHO published reports of the meeting. Ibe joined Liverpool after making his debut for Wycombe Wanderers at the age of 15 and last season he broke into Brendan Rodgers’ senior side after impressing on loan at Derby County. Bermondsey-born Ibe has represented England at under-18, 19 and 20 levels but is eligible to play for Nigeria as his dad David is from Nigeria. Oliseh has also met separately with Victor Moses and other Nigerians in England. However, the British media suggest that while being flattered by the meeting with Oliseh and Nigeria’s desire to get him on board, Ibe is still hoping to launch an international career with England. Oliseh, on his part, has made it clear that he wants Ibe to switch. He spoke to Ibe personally at Melwood to outline his ideas for the national team and it will be interesting to see whether or not he is successful. The Guardian’s report does add that the FA are now considering bringing Ibe’s England debut forward in order to ensure he doesn’t switch to Nigeria. The Liverpool striker is expected to be named in Gareth Southgate’s England U-21 squad for next month’s matches against USA and Norway. He could still change his mind until he has played a competitive fixture for the senior side but considering his progress with Liverpool it’s unlikely to be long before Roy Hodgson calls upon him. Ibe has been Liverpool’s standout performer in pre-season and is expected to start in Sunday’s Premier League opener at Stoke City.

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Massimiliano Allegri wants Pogba prove himself worthy of Juventus No.10

The Bianconeri have ceded to the midfielder's request to wear the prestigious shirt this season and his boss is now challenging him to become a club icon. Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri says that the pressure is on Paul pogba to prove himself worthy of the club's No.10 jersey. The France international has been a revelation since joining the Bianconeri from Manchester United in 2012, playing an integral role in three successive Serie A title triumphs, as well as last season's run to the final of the Champions League. 

However, Pogba has now taken on Juve's No.10 shirt, following Carlos Tevez's return to Boca Juniors, and Allegri says that the 22-year-old must do justice to a jersey previously worn by club legends such as Omar Sivori, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero. "Paul asked to wear No.10," the Bianconeri boss told reporters on Thursday. "In this sense, he will have the greatest responsibility [of all of Juve's players]. "Wearing this number will not be an easy thing because this jersey has been worn by the great players of Juventus." Meanwhile, Allegri defended himself against allegations that Juve have mismanaged their players during the summer, given Alvaro Morata, Sami Khedira, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli have all suffered muscular injures during pre-season. "I'm sorry about the injuries to but we are calm about the situation and we hope to have them available again soon," the former AC Milan boss added. "It was necessary to start work on July 20. We had guys that had only stopped playing in June.
"We're talking about footballers, not machines. I understand your alarm, but I'm the coach and the important thing is to be calm." Given Khedira, recently arrived from Real Madrid, has been ruled out of action, it has been reported that Juve could look to strengthen in midfield before the close of the summer transfer window, while the Italian champions have not given up hope on signing Schalke attacker Julian Draxler.
However, Allegri says that he is solely interested in Saturday's Supercoppa Italiana showdown with Lazio in Beijing. "There's no sense in speaking about the market at this time because we're only a few days away from our first appointment of the season," he stated. "It's a delicate moment for us. Our preparations only started 20 days ago. "We have prepared well in order to reach and obtain this first objective of the season.
"The important thing is to play a good game, which could last 120 minutes. We're in good physical condition, though."

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Barcelona star Javier Mascherano named among the club's captains for the new season

The midfielder was one of three men elected to lead the side should first choice skipper Andres Iniesta be absent at any point this season

Barcelona star Javier Mascherano has spoken of his "great joy" at being named among the club's captains for the new season. The Argentine has been linked with a move away from Camp Nou this summer, with his agent claiming that he was keen on a move to Serie A this week. However, Mascherano has now revealed his delight at taking on a more senior role as one of Andres Iniesta's deputies. "It's a great joy," he is quoted as saying by Marca. "It's not easy to reach this at a club like Barcelona, with many players who are identified with the club and the history of the club. ”I appreciate the confidence but it's not up to the captain to give opinions." Barca cruised to a 3-0 win over Roma on Wednesday and Mascherano, fresh from Argentina's Copa America campaign, was delighted with his side's performance."There was a good level even though there were players who had come from holidays and hadn’t played yet."

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Jose Mourinho does not know if Diego Costa will be fit for Swansea

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says he is still unsure whether Diego Costa will be fit for the start of the Premier League season. The Spain international did not feature at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening as the Blues were beaten 1-0 by Fiorentina in the International Champions Cup. Costa has been battling a hamstring problem that also kept him out of the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal last weekend.

Asked whether he expects the striker to be fit to face Swansea on Saturday, Mourinho said: "I have no idea. I don't risk saying yes, but I also don't risk saying no. "On Friday at the next press conference I think I will tell you again that I don’t know. But we have two other strikers, one to play and one to come off the bench."Radamel Falcao started against Fiorentina while Loic Remy came on later in the game and missed an excellent chance to equalize late on.

"It was a good training session," said Mourinho. "It was good experience for the young boys to have a better feeling of first-team football."For the others, it was minutes. We need minutes and they got minutes. The ones that didn’t play on Sunday had 55 or so, the ones that did have 35, which was nice."It was competitive minutes against a good team, who played for a result and gave us a very good training session."

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says he is still unsure whether Diego Costa will be fit for the start of the Premier League season. The Spain international did not feature at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening as the Blues were beaten 1-0 by Fiorentina in the International Champions Cup. Costa has been battling a hamstring problem that also kept him out of the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal last weekend.

Asked whether he expects the striker to be fit to face Swansea on Saturday, Mourinho said: "I have no idea. I don't risk saying yes, but I also don't risk saying no. "On Friday at the next press conference I think I will tell you again that I don’t know. But we have two other strikers, one to play and one to come off the bench."Radamel Falcao started against Fiorentina while Loic Remy came on later in the game and missed an excellent chance to equalize late on.

"It was a good training session," said Mourinho. "It was good experience for the young boys to have a better feeling of first-team football."For the others, it was minutes. We need minutes and they got minutes. The ones that didn’t play on Sunday had 55 or so, the ones that did have 35, which was nice."It was competitive minutes against a good team, who played for a result and gave us a very good training session."

Chelsea made 10 changes to the side that started in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, with only John Terry retaining his place. And even though the Blues failed to score for the second match in succession, Mourinho was satisfied with the workout."I prefer to win 5-0 than lose 1-0, or score 10 goals instead of none, that’s obvious, but the real one starts on Saturday," he said."We have the real football on Saturday and today we couldn't face this game in another way."

Chelsea made 10 changes to the side that started in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, with only John Terry retaining his place. And even though the Blues failed to score for the second match in succession, Mourinho was satisfied with the workout."I prefer to win 5-0 than lose 1-0, or score 10 goals instead of none, that’s obvious, but the real one starts on Saturday," he said."We have the real football on Saturday and today we couldn't face this game in another way.

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