Pep Guardiola is to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season and will be replaced by Carlo Ancelotti.

Guardiola, 44, has been linked with Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

The former Barcelona coach has won two league titles and the German Cup since joining Bayern in summer 2013.

Former Chelsea manager Ancelotti, 56, has been on a break from the game since being sacked by Real Madrid in May 2015.

"We are thankful to Guardiola for all he gave our club and hope to celebrate more success in the current season," Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told German newspaper Bild.

"With Ancelotti we have another very successful coach coming to Bayern. We are looking forward to working together."

More to follow.

Source: bbc.com

ordan Ayew's superb second-half goal earned Premier League bottom club Aston Villa a point at Newcastle.

Ayew drove into the top corner from inside the area to cancel out Fabricio Coloccini's close-range opener.

Both sides had chances to win in the closing stages, with Newcastle striker Georginio Wijnaldum and Villa's Rudy Gestede having shots saved.

Villa, without a Premier League win since the opening game of the season, remain 10 points from safety.

Relive Newcastle's game with Aston Villa

Results and reaction from Saturday's Premier League football

Newcastle revival?

Until recently, Newcastle boss Steve McCLaren had looked in danger of losing his job after failing oversee a win any of his first eight Premier League games.

However, back-to-back victories against Liverpool and Tottenham lifted Newcastle out of the relegation zone and three points on Saturday would have moved them five points clear of danger.

Key to Newcastle's upturn in form has been a switch to a more counterattacking style of football, but a sodden pitch, coupled with Aston Villa's defensive approach, meant was ineffective against Aston Villa.

They struggled to break Villa down for long periods, with their opener coming from a defensive lapse in concentration from a corner, as Coloccini was left unmarked.

However, when Villa pushed forward after equalising, it played to Newcastle's strengths and they twice went close to snatching victory on the break, with Wijnaldum's and Ayoze Perez's finishing letting them down.

Newcastle remain one place above the relegation zone, but the draw means they are three points clear of Swansea in 18th.

No Premier League team with as few points as Aston Villa at this stage of the season have stayed up, and they would certainly need an impressive upturn in form to rescue their situation.

Villa have kept just two clean sheets in their 17 league games this season and the ease with which Newcastle scored, with Siem De Jong's corner cutting through the defence, will be of concern for manager Remi Garde.

However, their second half performance will give the Frenchman some hope.

In Ayew, they have a striker who is finding his form in the Premier League. He had gone seven games without scoring at the start of the season but, having been employed in a more central role recently, he has scored four goals in his last eight games.

Source: bbc.com

Leicester City ensured they will be top of the Premier League at Christmas by beating Everton at Goodison Park.

Riyad Mahrez scored the first of two penalties after Ramiro Funes Mori held back Shinji Okazaki.

Romelu Lukaku levelled, but Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard tripped Jamie Vardy to allow Mahrez to again convert from the spot.

Okazaki fired in a third for the Foxes, who held on despite Kevin Mirallas' late strike.

Relive Leicester's win over Everton

Listen to Leicester fan sobbing on BBC Radio 5 live

Leicester, predicted to be relegation candidates by many commentators before the start of the season, are now the only team in Premier League history to be bottom on Christmas Day one year and top the following Christmas.

Claudio Ranieri's side will go into their game at Liverpool on 26 December as leaders, regardless of the result of Monday's match between second-placed Arsenal and third-placed Manchester City.

No sign of Foxes bubble bursting

Discussion around Leicester's remarkable season has centred on how long they can continue to upset the odds and remain in the title picture.

Once again they provided an energetic, controlled performance that will leave the doubters waiting at least one more week for any signs of a collapse.

Jamie Vardy's touches in the opposition area were few and far between, but he made the most of his small number of opportunities

There was a worry for Leicester late on as Vardy clutched his hamstring while being replaced, and Ranieri will know that the fitness of his England striker is key to his side's burgeoning title hopes.

Vardy, who has 15 league goals this season, has been a sensation, alongside team-mate Marhez, who took his tally to 13 with two well-taken penalties.

The pair were involved in all the Leicester goals, Mahrez releasing Vardy to win the penalty for Leicester's second, and former Fleetwood forward Vardy providing the low cross which Okazaki shot left-footed into the bottom-left corner.

Source: bbc.com

Chelsea may have started the post-Jose Mourinho era with a comfortable victory against Sunderland - but the shadow of the former manager hung heavily over Stamford Bridge.

The Blues' fans delivered almost unanimous backing for Mourinho, with banners all around Stamford Bridge declaring support, while Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas were jeered before and during the game by supporters who clearly believe they have been central to the sacked manager's downfall.

Branislav Ivanovic's towering fifth-minute header put Chelsea on the way and victory was effectively confirmed against the struggling Black Cats when Pedro pounced on a loose ball before half-time.

Guus Hiddink, confirmed as Chelsea boss until the end of the season hours before the game, watched from the stands alongside former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and club owner Roman Abramovich as Oscar added a third from the spot after Costel Pantilimon fouled Willian.

Fabio Borini pulled one back for Sunderland when he bundled in from close range, but this day was so much about Mourinho.

Mourinho wins backing from The Bridge

It was clear before kick-off that Chelsea's fans were pointing the finger of blame firmly in the direction of under-performing players for Mourinho's dismissal on Thursday.

Banners were unfurled emblazoned with the words "You Let Jose Down. You Let Us Down" and "The Three Rats - Hazard, Cesc and Costa".

Chelsea's players were also on the receiving end of x-rated chants collectively when each goal Chelsea scored was instantly greeted with chants for Mourinho.

The Portuguese may have gone - but he has not been forgotten.

Chelsea revived

Chelsea were on the floor before this game as they stood only one point off the relegation places in 16th position. And while a very poor Sunderland helped them to their feet, there certainly seemed to be a great freedom to the champions' play.

Oscar, cheered by Chelsea's fans, was his usual self but there was a zip about their early play that suggested a pressure valve had been released by the managerial change.

Chelsea's fans directed a colourful chant in the players' direction asking where they, and the performance they had produced against Sunderland, had been this season.

Source: bbc.com

Manchester United were booed off the pitch as Norwich earned a shock victory at Old Trafford, increasing the pressure on manager Louis van Gaal.

Despite all of United's possession, it was Norwich who look the lead in the first half through Cameron Jerome.

It got worse for the home side in the second half as Jerome broke clear to feed Alex Tettey, who poked in.

Anthony Martial pulled a goal back, but United's winless run is now six games while Norwich are out of the drop zone.

Juan Mata saw a free-kick from the edge of the area pushed away by Declan Rudd as the hosts went in search of the equaliser in the second half.

Centre-back Chris Smalling could have earned a point late on, but headed narrowly wide as United dropped to fifth in the Premier League table.

Van Gaal out, Mourinho in?

Many fans left the stadium early, but some stayed in their seats at the end of the match with a look of disbelief on their faces. The atmosphere was almost mutinous, with a loud show of resentment at both half-time and at the final whistle.

Manchester United (left graphic) pushed men forward and left only Chris Smalling (12) and Phil Jones (4) in their own half. On the other hand, Norwich sat deep, with centre-backs Sebastien Bassong (6) and Ryan Bennett (24) almost playing from the edge of their own area

On a day when former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said he is looking to get back to management straight away, the weight of expectation was significantly ramped up on Dutchman van Gaal, whose job is now under increased scrutiny.

The manager decided to maintain his passive style for the match - staying in his seat as assistant Ryan Giggs barked out instructions from the touchline - but could not inspire his side to even a point.

This season's theme of a lack of goals but plenty of possession continued in this game for United, despite Frenchman Martial's first goal in nine Premier League games. It was only one of two shots on target they had. The Red Devils ended the game with a landslide 70% possession.

Christmas just got a whole lot tougher

Out of the top-four spots, United suffered their first home defeat of the season and their third defeat in a row. The last time they went six without victory in all competitions was in 1998 - the season they went on to win the treble. That won't happen this time, having been knocked out of the Champions League.

They now face a testing festive period which sees three games in the space of eight days, starting on Boxing Day at Stoke.

Will van Gaal be given the opportunity to turn the club's form around after back-to-back losses to promoted sides?

Source: bbc.com

Tavon Austin scored a pair of touchdowns to lead the St. Louis Rams (6-8) to a 31-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8) on Thursday night. Here's what you need to know:

1. Austin became the first player since Hall of Famer Gale Sayers in 1965 with five receiving touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns and a return touchdown in the same season. This has been a rare case of the offseason hype paying off, as Austin is enjoying a true breakout campaign as a consistent playmaker. He specializes in using his extraordinary speed and quickness to slip through the smallest creases in a defense.

2. The much-hyped Offensive Rookie of the Year battle between Jameis Winston and Todd Gurley was a bit of letdown. Against a penetrating Rams defensive front, Winston was off the mark prior to an impressive four-play, 98-yard touchdown drive early in the fourth quarter. Although he set a rookie franchise record with 363 yards while playing from behind, his interception with five minutes remaining dashed the Bucs' faint comeback hopes.

Gurley powered in for one touchdown, but was stonewalled on three straight goal-line carries after Winston's scoring drive. Unlike like last week's effort, the holes simply weren't there for Gurley to exploit. On a positive note, he joined Hall of Famers Jerome Bettis and Eric Dickerson as the only Rams rookies to reach 1,000 rushing yards.

3. Aaron Donald bolstered his case for Defensive Player of the Year, throwing six-time Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins around and dominating the line of scrimmage. His combination of strength, leverage and off-the-snap explosiveness is unparalleled among defensive tackles.

3. Case Keenum played the best game of any Rams quarterback this season, generating a career-high 158.0 passer rating on 17 efficient attempts against an injury-riddled Bucs defense. He made beautiful throws on a 60-yard touchdown to Kenny Britt and a 25-yard gain to Jared Cook down the sideline. Through two games, Rob Boras appears to be a play-calling and scheming upgrade on recently deposed offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti.

4. No running back has been harder to tackle than the hard-charging Doug Martin, who bypassed Adrian Peterson for the NFL lead with 1,305 rushing yards. He and change-of-pace option Charles Sims have been the league's most effective complementary backfield tandem this season. Martin should be one of the two choices at running back for the All-Pro team.

5. Mike Evans is fighting himself at the catch point when he's wide open. He dropped one pass to tie Amari Cooper for the NFL lead and bobbled another. At this point, it seems to be more of a mental issue than a physical one.

6. At 6-8, the Buccaneers will be eliminated from playoff contention if the Seahawks and Vikings win this weekend. As promising as the future is with Winston and Evans leading the show, Tampa Bay has played just one team with a winning record.

Source: nfl.com

CLEVELAND (AP) — The wife of PGA champion Jason Day is suffering from concussion symptoms after NBA star LeBron James crashed into her during a Cavaliers game.

Day's agent, Bud Martin, issued a statement Friday morning saying Ellie Day "is resting comfortably and appreciates all of those who have reached out and are concerned about her." He added she has "no hard feelings" toward James and quotes her as saying, "He was just doing his job. Go Cavs."

Ellie Day was carried from Quicken Loans Arena on a backboard, placed on a stretcher with her head immobilized and taken to MetroHealth Medical Center on Thursday night. She was released early Friday morning.

James was scrambling for a loose ball in the fourth quarter of a 104-100 win over Oklahoma City when the 6-foot-8, 250-pound All-Star launched himself into the air, plowing into Day as she sat next to her husband.

"First of all, I am OK!!" Ellie Day tweeted Friday. "I am incredibly sore and exhausted. Being tackled by that large man would compare to a minor car accident. My head and neck hit pretty hard so it was really scary. My whole body feels like it was hit by a truck.

"Second, it was so fast. I didn't remember until 2 a.m. seeing the ball come toward me. It was a blur. To the crazies that think Jason should have protected me - if he had had time to react, so would have I. Also, I would not have liked both dudes landing on me. LeBron is huge and had such momentum he could not have stopped!!

In the statement, she thanked her doctors, emergency medical staff and the entire Cleveland Cavaliers organization for their help.

James said he spoke with Ellie Day while she was being helped by medical personnel during a stoppage in play.

"I squeezed her hand and she said she was OK," he said. "She was just a little weary."

Before he was given more information on her, James, who scored 33 points and flirted with a triple-double, was noticeably shaken when he left the floor following the Cavs' win.

"For me, obviously, her health is very important and hopefully she is doing well," James said. "The guys told me she's doing great now. For me, just going for a loose ball, tried to keep the possession going, I just hate that that was the end result."

James said if she had been pregnant, he would have jumped over the first row of seats.

A little while later, James tweeted: "Ellie Day I hope you're doing okay! My apologies! Hope u guys come back to another game soon. Love LJ!"

On Nov. 11, Ellie Day gave birth to the couple's second child, a girl named Lucy.

Jason Day, who lives in a Columbus suburb, accompanied his wife as she was carried from the floor. The couple has attended Cleveland games in the past, and she was pregnant with their second child when they went to an exhibition game earlier this year in Columbus. That night, Cavs guard J.R. Smith bought cotton candy for the Days' son, Dash, while he sat on the bench.

Jason Day is the No. 2-ranked golfer in the world. He won the PGA Championship this year for his first major win on the PGA Tour.

Shortly before his wife was injured, Jason Day took part in a promotion during a timeout. As fans cheered, the Australian chipped foam basketballs into the crowd.

Cavs coach David Blatt said he was unaware of the severity of the collision. He has long been nervous about the safety of fans sitting so close to the action.

"Honestly, the only thing I saw was LeBron diving for the ball to save the ball," Blatt said. "I kind of got blocked and just saw a sea of bodies. We all hope that she's OK. It's always concerned me, the sideline seats. Always concerned me, because things like that, when you're talking about players of this speed and physicality and effort level, it's not a simple thing.

"The powers that be are the ones that really need to decide how to deal with that. He made an honest attempt at the basketball, that's all, obviously. We all hope she's OK."

Watch the video below:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/tnt_overtime/2015/12/18/0021500384-okc-cle-injured-fan.nba

Source: nba.com

NEW YORK — Houston Rockets' guard Ty Lawson has been suspended for two games without pay for driving while ability impaired, in violation of the law of the State of Colorado, the NBA announced today.

Lawson's suspension will begin with tomorrow night's game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Source: nba.com

It is with consternation and great sadness that the Ghana Football Association learnt of the passing of the legendary Ghanaian coach and footballer Nana Charles Kumi Gyamfi.

The loss of Nana is of great sadness for all football fans, considering how his personal and professional career touched the lives of many people not only in Ghana but across the continent and beyond.

C.K. Gyamfi was the first African footballer to play in Germany, when he joined Fortuna Dusseldorf in 1960. He also played for both Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.

As a coach, he successfully coached the Black Stars to three African Cup of Nations titles (1963, 1965 & 1982) which makes him one of the most successful African coaches.

The GFA is immensely hurt by the loss of such a talented footballer, coach and an administrator who shaped the lives and careers of many Ghanaian footballers and coaches.

He was responsible for bringing finesse to Ghana football with his unique coaching methods; one of the most important landmarks in the history of the game in the country. We always held him in great esteem and admired his extraordinary character. 

He worked tenaciously for Ghana football and even in his old age, he did not shy away from offering his wisdom for the development of the game in the country. 

What we will remember most of all, will be his great sense of commitment, his courage and his desire to safeguard Ghana football and its values for future generations as well as his golden words of wisdom.

The GFA wishes to extend its deepest sympathy to the family of Nana Gyamfi and most importantly to his wife, children and friends. Our thoughts will always be with you.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Black Stars coach Avram Grant is the third highest paid coach in Africa according to a research revealed by Gazzettaghana.
 
The Israeli trainer who earns a staggering $50, 000 a month comes behind Algeria coach Christian Gourcuff and Ivorian trainer Michel Dussuyer who earns $70,000 and $58,000 respectively.

Moroccan National team coach Ezzaki Badou and South Africa’s Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba also with a net salary of $40,000 and $36,650 respectively completes the top five earning coaches in Africa.

The list also had the likes of Egypt National Team Coach Hector Cuper ($30,000), Alain Giresse of Mali ($27, 863), Nigeria’s Sunday Oliseh ($26,500), Jorge Costa of Gabon ($25,000) and Tunisian National team coach Henry Kasperczak ($24,000).

Grant who was appointed as Black Stars coach in November 2014 has been tasked by the Ghana Football Association to win the 2017 Cup of Nations and qualify the team to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The former Chelsea boss led the Black Stars to win silver at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea after losing on penalties to Cote d’ Ivoire in the finals.

The former West Ham manager who was recently linked with a move to Swansea City guided the Black Stars to progress to the Group stages of the World Cup qualifiers after eliminating Comoros 2-0 on aggregate.

Source: ghanasportsonline.com

The bankroller of King Faisal Alhaji Karim Grusah has threatened to sue the Ghana FA over what he termed the “premature termination” of the sponsorship deal with Globacom.

The Nigerian-owned telecommunication network had its sponsorship contract terminated as the headline sponsors of the Ghana Premier League over its inability to fulfil the financial obligations.

“I use the Globacom money as a collateral in bank in running King Faisal and till now the money has not been paid, how do you expect me to get money to pay back to the bank,” Grusah told Kumasi-based Nhyira FM.

“It’s the responsibility of the GFA to retrieve the unpaid monies to the Premier League clubs, I’m planning to take a legal action in the coming days against the football Association to retrieve our monies.”

Glo owes the GFA in excess of $6.5 million in a five-year deal signed in 2008.

He further stressed the FA should be very truthful and transparent in their financial and legal dealings.

Source: starrfmonline.com

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola says he has made a decision over his future, while Thomas Muller is one of four players to sign new deals.

Guardiola's contract expires in June and he has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester City.

The Spaniard has told Bayern what he will do and is set to make it public following Saturday's game at Hannover.

Meanwhile, Muller, Jerome Boateng, Javi Martinez and Xabi Alonso have all extended their Bayern deals.

Forward Muller, 26, defender Boateng, 27, and midfielder Martinez, 27, have committed to the Bundesliga champions until 2021, with 34-year-old midfielder Alonso's deal taking him to 2017.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the club had received offers for 26-year-old Muller, who was reportedly a target for Manchester United in the summer.

"I come from the area, I've been here 15 years and of course I'm delighted," Muller told Bayern's television channel.

"I am proud and happy that I have extended my contract."

Guarded Guardiola

Guardiola has led Bayern to two titles since taking over in 2013 and Spanish newspaper Marca reported on Wednesday that he has already told Bayern he will leave the club.

He could be a target for Chelsea, who sacked Jose Mourinho on Thursday and are set to appoint Guus Hiddink as interim manager until the end of the season.

"Kalle (Rummenigge) knows absolutely everything," said Guardiola.

"The club, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and I have said time and time again that we will say something after our final game in Hannover, and that's how things are going to stay.

"I'm just focusing on Hannover. I've been watching their games."

Source: bbc.com

Former Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink is set to become Chelsea's interim manager following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.

The 69-year-old Dutchman was at a London hotel on Friday, holding discussions with Blues officials.

But he is not expected to be in charge for Saturday's visit of Sunderland, with Eddie Newton and Steve Holland overseeing the side.

Hiddink, who has already had one spell as Chelsea boss, winning the FA Cup in 2009, is yet to sign a contract.

The Blues are currently 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone after losing nine of their first 16 games.

Mourinho was sacked as manager on Thursday, just seven months after guiding Chelsea to the Premier League title.

Hiddink won six Dutch league titles and the European Cup across two spells as PSV Eindhoven manager.

He has also coached South Korea, Australia and Russia before leading Chelsea to FA Cup success in 2009.

He took over at Stamford Bridge in February 2009, replacing Luiz Felipe Scolari, and shared the role with his job as Russia manager.

Since then, he has endured unsuccessful spells as manager of Turkey, Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala and the Netherlands.

He stood down as Netherlands boss in June, with their Euro 2016 qualifying hopes already in disarray.

The Dutch eventually failed to reach the finals, finishing fourth in their group, behind Czech Republic, Iceland and Turkey.

Meanwhile, Chelsea captain John Terry has described Mourinho's exit after 30 months in charge as a "sad, sad day".

Terry led Chelsea to all three Premier League titles under Mourinho, in addition to an FA Cup and three League Cups.

"Going to miss you boss," Terry wrote on Instagram.

"The very best I have ever worked with, unbelievable memories together. Thank you doesn't seem enough."

Terry's comments contrast sharply with those of Blues technical director Michael Emenalo,

In the wake of Mourinho's sacking, Emenalo talked about a "palpable discord between manager and players".

Cesar Azpilicueta also called Mourinho's departure a "sad" day.

The 26-year-old defender added: "I would publicly like to thank Jose Mourinho for his contribution to this club and for everything he has taught me over the years.

"He will always be remembered. Thank you mister."

Source: bbc.com

  Chelsea have sacked manager Jose Mourinho seven months after he led them to the Premier League title.

The 52-year-old Portuguese had been in his second spell at the club, taking charge in June 2013.

Chelsea finished eight points clear last season and won the League Cup, but have lost nine of their 16 league games so far and are 16th in the table, one point above the relegation places.

Mourinho's final match was Monday's 2-1 defeat at leaders Leicester City.

Pep Guardiola, Guus Hiddink, Brendan Rodgers and Juande Ramos have all been touted as possible successors.

He leaves with Chelsea just a point off the relegation zone and 20 points behind Leicester.

Champions League qualification via one of the top four spots in the Premier League looks highly unlikely.

However, the Blues are through to the last 16 of European football's biggest club competition, where they will face French champions Paris St-Germain in February and March.

Mourinho only signed a new four-year contract on 7 August and is Chelsea's most successful manager.

He won three Premier League titles, two of those in his first spell between 2004 and 2007.

The Portuguese has also won the FA Cup, in 2007, and the League Cup three times - in 2005, 2007 and 2015.

Troubles on and off the pitch

Jose Mourinho watches on as doctor Eva Carneiro runs onto the pitch at the Swansea game in August

It has not only gone wrong in the Premier League for Mourinho, he has also had his issues off the pitch.

A 2-2 draw with Swansea on 8 August was overshadowed by a fallout with his medical team, in particular club doctor Eva Carneiro.

Carneiro had her role downgraded after Mourinho said his medical staff were "naive" for running onto the pitch to treat attacking midfielder Eden Hazard.

She eventually left on 22 September and is now taking legal action against Mourinho and the Blues.

Mourinho also received a suspended stadium ban and £50,000 fine for claiming referees were "afraid" to award his team penalties in a 3-1 home loss to Southampton in October.

He subsequently had to serve a one-match stadium ban and pay a £40,000 fine for his behaviour during a 2-1 defeat by West Ham, when he spoke to referee Jon Moss at half-time.

 What now for Mourinho?

It is unlikely he will be out of management for long, given his record of success at Chelsea and other top European clubs.

He guided Porto and Inter Milan to Champions League glory in 2004 and 2010 respectively, then led Real Madrid to the Spanish La Liga title in 2012.

At 52, he is still some way from retirement age, but he has expressed a wish to coach the English and Portuguese national sides at some stage in his career.

In fact, he claimed he turned down the chance to become England boss when Steve McClaren was sacked in 2007.

Mourinho has a proven track record of bringing success over the short-term but doubts will remain over his ability to build a dynasty.

Will that make his candidature less appealing to the kind of club he is used to managing, such as German giants Bayern Munich, rising French stars Paris St-Germain or Premier League duo Manchester United or Manchester City?

What now for Chelsea?

 The Blues may be struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League table, but they are still in the Champions League and both domestic cups, while achieving European qualification is not impossible.

The key for any new manager is improving the morale of a talented squad that has underachieved this season.

Players such as Hazard, Diego Costa, Willian, and Oscar were key to Chelsea winning the league title but performances have fallen well below the heights they reached last year.

After the 2-1 defeat by Leicester Mourinho said he felt his "work was betrayed" by his players, and midfielder Cesc Fabregas has said it is time for everyone to step up.

"If you are a big player and paid like a big player, you must play like a big player and behave like a big player," said the Spain international.

source: bbc.com

Former Cameroon captain Samuel Eto'o has been appointed interim player-manager at Turkish side Antalyaspor.

The 34-year-old striker, who joined the club on a three-year contract in June, has been given three matches to impress at the helm.

He takes over from Yusuf Simsek, whose contract was terminated by mutual consent on 7 December.

Antalyaspor will make a decision about whether to give Eto'o the role permanently after the winter break.

Eto'o will be guided and assisted by Mehmet Ugurlu, who is the club's technical director, as the Cameroonian takes his first steps into management.

The move is an unexpected one the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea player, who has been involved in a number of controversial and damaging disputes with his country's football federation as well as with team-mates.

One of his former international team-mates, Patrick M'boma, admitted he was "surprised Eto'o has gone into management so soon".

But he revealed Eto'o, who he played alongside in two Africa Cup of Nations-winning sides, has long-held ambitions in that area.

"I know it was in his plans to be a manager - he told me many years ago," M'boma told BBC Sport.

"But from what I know he has no experience. I hope he will be a good manager but I do not know.

"He has the personality and the knowledge, but I am not sure he will have the patience. If he can improve on the areas where he is weak he could be a success."

Source: bbc.co.uk

Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Neymar have been left out of Uefa's Champions League group stage XI,  despite the pair contending for the Ballon d'Or award.

Luis Suarez, Barca's top scorer with five goals in Group E, also missed out.

The forward trio scored 10 goals between them as Barcelona became the first to qualify with 14 points.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, Zenit St Petersburg's Hulk and Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller make up Uefa's attacking unit in the 4-3-3 formation.

Ronaldo, last year's Ballon d'Or winner, scored 11 goals during Madrid's group campaign.

Messi only played three matches in the opening stage, scoring three goals, after missing seven weeks of the season with a knee injury.

There is Premier League representation in the XI, with Chelsea's Willian and Manchester City's Raheem Sterling in midfield.

Brazilian Willian scored five goals, while England international Sterling grabbed three, with two coming in the final group game against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Suspended Fifa vice-president Michel Platini will boycott an ethics committee hearing into allegations of corruption on Friday.

Lawyers for the Frenchman, who is also president of Uefa, believe the "verdict is already announced".

He is accused of receiving a £1.35m "disloyal payment" from Fifa president Sepp Blatter - who is also banned and facing ethics charges over the claim.

Both deny wrongdoing and were due to have personal hearings on Friday.

Blatter, 79, has compared the investigation against him to "the Inquisition", while 60-year-old Platini's attempt to lift his 90-day provisional ban from football denied by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 11 December.

A verdict could come as early as 21 December, although both men could then submit further appeals.

Platini still hopes to be a candidate to replace the outgoing Blatter in the world football governing body's presidential election on 26 February - but can only stand if he is cleared.

However, he has expressed his "deepest outrage" at what he considers an attempt to prevent his candidacy.

In a statement issued on behalf of Fifa's ethics judges on Wednesday, Platini was told his case will be dealt with "independently and in an unbiased manner".

Platini's lawyer, Thibaud d'Ales, has previously said he believes Fifa's ethics investigators have recommended an "excessive" lifetime ban.

The Football Association said it would find it "difficult" to support Platini's bid to become Fifa president, even if he is cleared by the ethics committee.

Source: bbc.co.uk

Chelsea's players need to justify their "big wages" and start playing like "big players", says Blues' Cesc Fabregas.

The floundering Premier League champions are only one point above the relegation zone after Monday's ninth defeat of the season, at Leicester.

After the game boss Jose Mourinho said his "work was betrayed" by his players.

"If you are a big player, and paid like a big player, you must play like a big player and behave like a big player," said Spain midfielder Fabregas.

"I am not saying you can't have a bad season and bad games but the attitude must be spot on.

"We must always be at the top of our games, and the behaviour has to be better than what we are seeing right now from every single Chelsea player."
Chelsea are 16th with only 15 points following the defeat by table-topping Leicester.

Relegation is a possibility - Nevin

In Premier League history, when teams have had 15 points from 16 games, they have finished, on average, in 17th position - one place above the drop zone.

Mourinho says he does not believe the Stamford Bridge club are in a relegation battle.

"You have to be realistic about relegation," said Nevin. "Absolutely do not ignore it. When you lack confidence, that can spread through the team and it all can go against you.However, former Blues winger Pat Nevin told BBC Radio 5 live that the Portuguese should not "ignore the concept" of going down and that injuries could make it "even more difficult" to avoid being dragged into a "battle" to avoid the drop.

"I don't think they'll go down, but don't bury your head in the sand. It's a possibility so don't ignore it.

"I didn't think they'd be down there after 16 games. What about 20 games? What about 23 or 24? Then you start thinking about it."

Fabregas, speaking at a Facebook question and answer session, added: "Right now is not the time to think of where we might finish, we've been saying it almost all season."

source: bbc.co.uk

Veteran NBA referee Bill Kennedy has revealed he is gay after being the subject of homophobic insults from Sacramento guard Rajon Rondo.

Kennedy was confronted by Rondo after ejecting him on two technical fouls during the game between the Kings and Boston Celtcs in Mexico on 3 December.

"I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man," said Kennedy, an official for 18 seasons.

"My actions were out of frustration and emotion, period," tweeted Rondo.

"They absolutely do not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community. I did not mean to offend or disrespect anyone."

The Sacramento player was banned for one game for his actions.

Rajon Rondo responded on Monday to the reports of his confrontation with Kennedy

NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated: "I wholeheartedly support Bill's decision to live his life proudly and openly.

"Throughout his 18-year career with the league, Bill has excelled as a referee because of his passion, dedication and courage. Those qualities will continue to serve him well both as a game official and as a positive influence for others."

Kennedy, 49, has officiated 1,056 NBA games and 68 play-off contests, including five NBA Finals matches. He also worked at the 2010 World Championships and 2012 London Olympics.

He added: "I am following in the footsteps of others who have self-identified in the hopes that will send a message to young men and women in sports that you must allow no-one to make you feel ashamed of who you are."

Kennedy is the second NBA referee to announce being gay after Violet Palmer made the same declaration in 2014 upon marrying her long-time partner.

Source: bbc.co.uk