Sports

Suspended Fifa president Sepp Blatter has compared the investigation into ethics charges against him to "the Inquisition".

Blatter, 79, made the claim in a letter sent to all 209 national football associations reiterating his innocence.

The Swiss was banned for 90 days in October, along with Uefa president Michel Platini. Both deny wrongdoing.

Blatter and Platini, 60, will have personal hearings with Fifa's ethics committee this week.

World football's governing body is investigating allegations that a £1.35m payment was made in 2011 for work Platini did as Blatter's adviser.

The term Spanish Inquisition is colloquially used to describe being asked questions which those facing them do not feel they need to answer.

In the letter Blatter says:

• He has acted in his role with "complete loyalty and in good faith"
• The payment to Platini was based on a "verbal contract"
• His view is based on his "firm faith in justice"
• He hopes 2016 will be a better year for Fifa

Blatter also criticised the ethics committee's process, accusing them of "seeking the maximum penalty and strengthening the public attitude" which leads to "prejudice".

He added: "This process brings to my mind the practices of the Inquisition."

Blatter and Platini's hearings will take place before the Fifa ethics adjudicator Hans-Joachim Eckert at an undisclosed location.

Both men will have separate hearings which, taken together, could stretch over three days and both are entitled to bring legal teams with them.

A verdict could come as early as 21 December.

Platini's bid to have his 90-day provisional ban from football lifted was denied by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 11 December.

The Frenchman still hopes to be a candidate to replace outgoing president Blatter in the Fifa presidential elected on 26 February but can only stand if he is cleared.

Source: bbc.co.uk

Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has urged his players not to rest on their laurels after their Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations success.

The Nigerians beat Algeria 2-1 on Saturday to win the trophy having already sealed a place at the Olympics.

Despite the success Siasia does not feel his side were at their best.

"We are happy we've won a very difficult tournament but there's a lot of work to be done between now and August," he told BBC Sport.

"I wasn't even sure we could make it to the final but through hard work and intense discussions after every game ensured the boys corrected their mistakes - we came out victorious.

"There can be no substitute for hard work, concentration, serious focus and that's what we're going to do.

"If you don't get it right, you're in trouble at a major tournament like the Olympics. We still have a lot of tidying up to do over all.

"I have to thank the players for what they have done but they should not let it get to their heads because we need to correct our mistakes and improve our game before the Olympics."

Even though Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, after crashing out in the group stages of the maiden African Under-23 Championship in Morocco in 2011, they boast a proud record at The Games.

They made Olympic football history in 1996 by becoming the first African team to win the gold medal and were also runners-up at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when Siasia also coached the side.

Meanwhile, Nigeria and runners-up Algeria alongside South Africa will represent Africa at Rio 2016 Olympics, all of the qualifiers will be allowed to include three players over 23 in their final squad for the Gamesa.

It is the first time that both the South Africa men's and women's football teams have qualified for an Olympics.

Source: bbc.co.uk

Jamie Vardy scored his 15th goal of the season as Leicester beat Chelsea to move back to the Premier League summit.

After Chelsea lost Eden Hazard to injury, former non-league striker Vardy volleyed in Riyad Mahrez's cross before Mahrez found the top corner for his 11th league goal of the season.

With John Terry then withdrawn, Chelsea went on the attack as Loic Remy nodded in from Pedro's cross.

But they slumped to a ninth defeat and remain a point above the bottom three.

'We are not safe yet'

Leicester 2-1 Chelsea

Leicester goalscorer Riyad Mahrez speaking to Sky Sports: "I don't know if no-one can stop me but I need to do my best for the team, but the most important thing is the performance of the team, we did a great game and deserved the win. I have a lot of confidence, when you keep scoring and making assists it's normal to have confidence."

Asked if Leicester were safe, he added: "We are not definitely safe, we need 40 or 42 points for that." Can they keep up the pace?

Source: bbc.co.uk

Arsenal will face holders Barcelona in the Champions League last 16.

Chelsea have been drawn against Paris St-Germain for the third consecutive season, while Manchester City face Dynamo Kiev.

Roma versus Real Madrid and Juventus, last year's beaten finalists, against Bayern Munich are two of the standout matches in the draw.

First legs are scheduled to take place on 16-17 and 23-24 February. Return legs are on 8-9 and 15-16 March.

The winners of each group, including Chelsea and Manchester City, are at home in the second legs, while Arsenal will host their first leg.

Barcelona v Arsenal is a repeat of the 2006 final, which the Spanish champions won 2-1 thanks to two late goals in Paris.

PSG, who are 17 points clear at the top of the French league, knocked Chelsea out on away goals at this stage last season, while the Blues beat them on the same rule in the quarter-finals the previous year.

Dynamo Kiev beat Manchester City in the 2010-11 Europa League last 16, with striker Mario Balotelli sent off for the English side.

The first leg in Kiev will be played in a stadium without any supporters present, as Dynamo Kiev were punished following racist attacks on fans during a group game against Chelsea.

The draw for the quarter-finals will be held on 18 March with the semi-final line-up drawn on 15 April.

Draw in full

Gent v Wolfsburg

Roma v Real Madrid

Paris St-Germain v Chelsea

Arsenal v Barcelona

Juventus v Bayern Munich

PSV Eindhoven v Atletico Madrid

Benfica v Zenit St Petersburg

Dynamo Kiev v Manchester City

Source: bbc.co.uk

Wales and England will meet at Euro 2016 after being drawn together in Group B for next summer's finals in France.

Russia and Slovakia are the other teams in their group.

European Championship debutants Northern Ireland are in Group C with world champions Germany, Poland and Ukraine.

The Republic of Ireland are up against the world's top-ranked side Belgium, Italy and Sweden in Group E.

The first game of the tournament will be at the Stade de France between France and Romania on Friday, 10 June at 20:00 BST.

Wales' match against England is the second game for both countries in their group, in Lens on Thursday, 16 June.

Northern Ireland kick off their group against Poland on Sunday, 12 June and end it against Germany nine days later.

The Republic face Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Sweden in their 13 June opener and conclude their group games against Italy on 22 June.

This year's tournament is the largest European Championship ever, with 24 teams.

The top two from each group will go through to the last 16, while the best four third-placed teams also progress - meaning only eight teams are eliminated in the group stages.

This is Wales' first tournament appearance in 58 years, and boss Chris Coleman had said he wanted to avoid England because it would be "viewed as a battle of Britain" and a "distraction".

But his fears were realised early on in the draw, with the top seeds drawn first - followed by the bottom seeds.

And employers may have to brace themselves for a lot of leave requests on Thursday, 16 June because England's meeting with Wales is a 14:00 BST kick-off.

The winners of Group B will face a third-placed team in the last 16, while the runners-up will face the team who finish second in a group comprising Portugal, Iceland, Austria and Hungary.

Managers and pundits react

England manager Roy Hodgson told BBC Sport: "I feel good about it. There was always a very good chance we would meet one of the home nations. Wales are very organised, they have a strong spirit and a good spine."

Wales boss Chris Coleman: "Well, we've got them, it will be a great game. We would have wanted to avoid it, but we look forward to it. We deserve to be here and I think the tournament will be a fantastic one."

Former England striker Alan Shearer: "For the first time in a long time England will go to a tournament without any real stars. It might be early for them but we do have Cahill, Barkley and Stones, and a very good goalkeeper in Hart.

"Overall, England have to be very pleased with the group they have been drawn in. Yes, it will be tough but if we don't get out of that group there will be something very wrong."

Former Wales striker John Hartson: "I wanted that. It's a great game for supporters, for television, and the players will look forward to it. I think players from both countries will be pleased with that."

Ex-Wales captain Kevin Ratcliffe: "I'd rather be playing England than France, Germany or Spain. There are other countries that actually scare me more than they do."

Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35084078

Manchester United lost ground at the top of the table as their former striker Joshua King scored the winner in Bournemouth's 2-1 triumph - the Cherries' second shock win in a week.

After David de Gea was beaten direct from a corner by Junior Stanislas, United equalised via Marouane Fellaini.

The visitors faded after the break and could not fight back after King fired in from Matt Richie's set-piece.

United will slip to fifth if Tottenham beat Newcastle on Sunday.

The scoreline and final few minutes could have been more comfortable for the hosts, but substitute Glenn Murray squandered two excellent chances to put Bournemouth further out of reach.

Bournemouth are up to 14th in the Premier League on the back of successive victories, having beaten defending champions Chelsea last weekend.

A striking lack of quality

United boss Louis van Gaal bemoaned his options in attack last week, claiming that Barcelona's Luis Suarez or Manchester City's Sergio Aguero would convert the chances his strikers were missing.

It is difficult to imagine either player squandering the two fine openings that Anthony Martial - now without a goal in nine Premier League games - created for himself.

But United were lacking in plenty of other areas.

Daley Blind, the experienced head in a fresh-faced defence, was caught horribly out of position to allow Murray in on goal, the midfield created little and the team as a whole were out-fought by a spirited Cherries' side.

When Fellaini trudged off to be replaced by Nick Powell in the 74th minute, their best hope of a point went with him.

Junior the senior partner in Bournemouth attack

Bournemouth's victory at Stamford Bridge seven days ago was akin to a smash-and-grab raid based on 37% of possession, a sturdy defence and a well-executed set-piece.

But against United they were a constant danger on the counter with the pacey, intelligent runs of Stanislas off the wing posing a particular threat.

After his swirling delivery had caught out De Gea, Stanislas ran clean through, only for the United goalkeeper to make partial amends as he smothered at his feet.

King, who made two substitute appearances for United during his three and a half years at the club, had looked less assured in the Cherries attack, but guided in an awkward half-volley as a rehearsed corner routine came off for the hosts.

Seven years on

As the home fans constantly reminded their United counterparts, Bournemouth "come from League Two".

They came dangerously close to slipping even further down the divisions in the 2008-09 season as they successfully fought administration and relegation to the Conference.

At the same time United were lifting a third successive Premier League title under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson.

United chief executive Ed Woodward, who watched on stony-faced in the Vitality Stadium stands, will not enjoy the contrast in fortunes now.

Manager reaction

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe: "We try not to focus on the injuries we've had.

"We still believe we're strong enough. Hopefully the last few games is the proof.

"We've looked at the last few games as turning points - we're looking at this run as hopefully something of a start for us."

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "The attitude of the players I liked. But that is not the only important thing - you have to perform in a certain way.

"It is always very disappointing when you are at the top of the table when you lose to a club at the bottom of the table."

Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35014111

Roger Federer will partner former Wimbledon champion Martina Hingis for Switzerland in the mixed doubles at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Federer, 34, and Hingis last played mixed doubles together at the Hopman Cup in Australia in 2001.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion said he is "really excited".

"I looked up to her when I was younger, I thought she was the most unbelievable talent," added Federer, who is a year younger than Hingis.

"She's almost my age and she was winning Grand Slams while I was still at the national tennis centre and I couldn't believe how good she was."

Hingis, 35, has won five Grand Slam singles titles in her career, including Wimbledon in 1997 at the age of 16.

She came out of retirement for a second time in 2013 and has since enjoyed great doubles success, winning five titles in 2015, including the mixed doubles and the women's doubles at the US Open.

Federer won Olympic gold in the men's doubles in Beijing in 2008 and silver in the men's singles in London four years later.

"I`ve always said the Olympics is very important to me," added the world number two.

"Every Olympic Games has been a super-amazing experience, an eye-opener, a great learning curve for me, seeing other athletes, getting inspired and motivated, carrying the flag is such a proud moment in my career and my life as a person, to have done that twice for Switzerland was incredible in Athens and in Beijing."

Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35076623

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho wants to achieve a "dream" by finishing in the top four at the end of the season.

The Premier League champions have struggled so far, lying in 14th place, 14 points off fourth position.

"Maybe we have a chance to dream with a great finish and finish fourth. While it is mathematically possibly, we have to try," said Mourinho.

The Blues travel to face surprise leaders Leicester in the league on Monday (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

'I was convinced of fourth'

In a season full of shock results for Mourinho's men, last weekend's 1-0 defeat by Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge was arguably the most surprising.

The Cherries became the first promoted side to beat Chelsea at home since Charlton in April 2001. It left the London side just two points above the relegation zone.

"Before we lost the last three points against Bournemouth, I was convinced of fourth, of a great December for us," said Mourinho. "I have to be honest and say the last defeat was something that I was far away from believing was possible.

"The reality is that some clubs are doing so well, and some are not capable of doing what people are used to. It is not possible for clubs to win three, four, five, 10 matches in a row now."

'I've started so I'll finish'

Chelsea's poor start to the season has led to questions about Mourinho's future at Stamford Bridge but the Portuguese is adamant he will remain in his job and praised the club's fans.

"I imagine myself finishing my contract with Chelsea," he added. "I have three and half years on my contract.

"After that I imagine myself coaching, not every club, there are some clubs I will never manage.

"I think that the bad results are not normal, but the chance for every manager to do his work and finish what he started is. What is not normal is what is happening now.

"When people are so nice to me and they sing my name and 'Stand up for the Special One', I feel a bit embarrassed, because I don't know how to react."

Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35069029

Yaya Toure has been voted the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2015.

The 32-year-old Ivory Coast midfielder becomes only the third player, after Nigerians Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha, to receive the honour twice.

Football fans voted for Manchester City’s Toure, who first won in 2013, ahead of Yacine Brahimi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Andre Ayew and Sadio Mane.

“I am very proud. To receive this dedication from the fans is unbelievable,” Toure told BBC Sport.

“Also I want to pay tribute to the other nominees. African football is growing up, becoming much better and we have fantastic young players coming through now.

“We are all champions. We all want to win. For me to be the winner I am delighted and very happy. And as an African player, I want to lead all my younger brothers to be successful in the future.

“When I was a kid I was always dreaming of being an important player. I have sacrificed a lot and when I receive trophies like this I am always happy and always delighted.

“I will continue to try to win a trophy every year, I will fight to win a personal trophy.”

Two of the beaten nominees have won the award before, Algeria's Brahimi in 2014 and Ghanaian Ayew in 2011. Gabon's Aubameyang was on the shortlist for the third year running, while Senegalese Mane made it for the first time.

Toure has been nominated for the award seven times and his second win ensures his year ends with a trophy, just as it began when he led Ivory Coast to glory at the Africa Cup of Nations.

He captained the team in Equatorial Guinea and opened the scoring in the semi-final to put his side on course for a 3-1 victory over Democratic Republic of Congo.

Toure was a key influence as his country end a 23-year wait for their second Nations Cup title, overcoming Ghana in a penalty shootout in the final.

It was Toure's first trophy with the national team in his sixth Nations Cup tournament, and having lost in two finals - in 2006 and 2012.

There was less success for Toure with Manchester City, who failed to defend their English Premier League 2014 title and finished second to Chelsea.

But Toure remains a powerful presence in the heart of the midfield and contributed seven goals for City in the calendar year.

Vera Kwakofi, Current Affairs Editor, BBC Africa, said: "Yaya Toure's leadership for country and club offers an example for many young footballers aspiring to emulate his career.

"We are pleased that as the BBC we are here to celebrate and share in this moment with his fans around the world."

The Red Devils made an ideal start when Anthony Martial caressed Juan Mata's pinpoint pass into the bottom corner.

Wolfsburg replied within three minutes through Naldo's sharp volley and led when Vieirinha finished a flowing move.

United thought they were through after Josuha Guilavogui's own goal, only to be condemned to the Europa League by Naldo's late header.

Madchester's night of Euro madness

Louis van Gaal's side knew they would qualify for the last 16 by beating Wolfsburg, or if they matched PSV Eindhoven's result against CSKA Moscow.

Twice inside the final 15 minutes, United thought they were progressing at the expense of the Dutch side, who needed to better the Red Devils' result.

CSKA led 1-0 in Eindhoven as United trailed, before both PSV and United were briefly level in their respective games.

But late goals for Wolfsburg and PSV, who won 2-1, knocked out Van Gaal's team.
United's late misery was a stark contrast to Manchester City, who saw fortune swing back in their favour as their neighbours unravelled.

Five goals were netted inside six minutes across the two games, with City coming back to win 4-2 against Borussia Monchengladbach and pip Juventus to win Group D.

That means the Blues will avoid the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the last 16, while the Red Devils face the prospect of Europa League football in the New Year.

Excitement, but an exit

Van Gaal has been criticised by some Red Devils supporters for his pragmatic, defence-minded approach - United were booed off after Saturday's 0-0 draw with West Ham at Old Trafford, the fifth time in nine matches they had failed to score.
However, United freed the shackles and produced an entertaining display in Germany, yet it was one that ultimately led to their exit from Europe's premier club competition.

Martial settled any early United nerves by racing on to Mata's perfectly weighted through ball, taking a touch before coolly sliding past Wolfsburg keeper Diego Benaglio.

Van Gaal's side continued to create chances, only to see Benaglio brilliantly stop Marouane Fellaini's first-half header and Memphis Depay's far-post volley after the break.

Fellaini's height caused problems at the corner which led to Wolfsburg midfielder Guilavogui flicking into his own net, but United were undone by their own defensive deficiencies.

Defensive horror show costs United

While United found a solution to their recent goalscoring woes, a suspect defensive display resulted in their downfall.

Wolfsburg threatened United with blistering counter-attacks and slick, one-touch passing around the penalty area.

But, more importantly, the Premier League side twice switched off at Wolfsburg set-pieces shortly after scoring themselves.

Injury-hit United had a makeshift defence, with young Uruguayan right-back Guillermo Varela making his first start for the club, and teenager Cameron Borthwick-Jackson playing for almost 50 minutes after replacing injured left-back Matteo Darmian.

It was a lack of organisation - and possibly experience - that allowed Brazilian defender Naldo to score the late winner.

Was disallowed United goal a turning point?

Van Gaal said afterwards that United were unfairly denied an equaliser shortly before half-time, a decision which he felt could have changed the complexion of the match and their Champions League future.

The visitors thought they had equalised when Jesse Lingard curled a 20-yard shot past Benaglio.

But their celebrations were cut short when the assistant referee raised his flag, after a long delay, for offside against Mata.

However, replays proved the official was correct with his decision. Despite not touching the ball, Mata's movement in front of Benaglio clearly impacted the Wolfsburg keeper.

Security alert holds up spectators

Spectators in the Volkswagen Arena were prevented from leaving the ground after a suspect package was found in a car park outside the stadium.

After approximately 15 minutes, fans were allowed to leave after police were satisfied it was not a bomb.

It did mean United's VIP flight back to Manchester, which included Van Gaal and his players, former boss Sir Alex Ferguson and former chief executive David Gill, was slightly delayed.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34999606

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will be banned for three matches after accepting a Football Association charge of violent conduct.

He was charged after catching West Ham's Winston Reid with his left arm as they waited for a free-kick in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

The incident was not seen by the match officials but was caught on video.

Schweinsteiger, 31, will miss games against Bournemouth, Norwich and Stoke, and return in time to play Chelsea.

Referee Mark Clattenburg spoke to both players after the incident, but did not mention it in his post-match report.

A panel of three former elite referees each reviewed the video footage independently of one another and unanimously decided it was a sending-off offence.

"He knows what he's done - he's elbowed me in the face," Reid said following the match.

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic said it was "a clear red card - a straight red without any doubts".

He added: "It was a moment of madness. He deserved to be sent off, but the referee told me he didn't see it. Fair enough, I believe it. It was an elbow."

Germany captain Schweinsteiger, who was part of their 2014 World Cup-winning side, joined United from Bayern Munich during the summer and has made 24 appearances for the club, scoring one goal.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35064336

Ghana are on the verge of losing Avram Grant as coach of the Black Stars as he is the favourite to take over as the manager of struggling English Premier League side Swansea City, Ghana's leading football news outfit GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.

The board of the Swans are plotting to bring the Israeli coach back to the English Premier League just ten months after leading Ghana to the final of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

Sources close to the Welsh club have revealed that the Swans are seriously considering the former Chelsea coach for the vacant post.

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins is stepping up the recruitment process after firing the entire backroom staff of the Swans this afternoon following yesterday's dismissal of head coach Garry Monk.

Swans have confirmed that assistant manager Pep Clotet and coaches James Beattie and Kristian O’Leary have left the club following the departure of manager Garry Monk.

A club statement confirmed the expected exits, adding: “The club would like to thank Pep, James and Kristian for their service … A statement regarding the management structure for Saturday’s fixture at Manchester City will be confirmed in due course.”

Jenkins is understood to have a preferred target in mind, who could be another manager to be recruited from overseas and Ghana's coach is understood to be the right man for the club.

If he signs the deal with the Welsh club he will reunite with Swansea City's Andre Ayew who is the deputy captain of the Ghana national team.

Grant has one year left on his contract with the Ghana Football Association as the coach of the Black Stars.

Monk had only signed a three-year contract in July, after leading Swansea to a club-record eighth-place finish in the Premier League the previous season.

Source: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Avram-Grant-wants-Swansea-City-job-399940

Former world number one Tiger Woods says he has "nothing to look forward to" in his recovery from back surgery.

The 39-year-old 14-time major winner has not swung a golf club since operations in September and October.

Asked about his return, he said: "I've no answer. Neither does my surgeon or physio. There's no timetable.

"There's nothing I can look forward to, nothing I can build towards. Where's the light at the end of the tunnel? I don't know."

Woods had two operations to alleviate pain from a pinched nerve.

Revealing that he has spent most of his time playing video games, the American said he had not done any rehabilitation work on his back and that physical activities were limited.

"I walk and I walk. I'm just walking, and that's it," said Woods, whose last major victory was at the US Open in 2008.

"It's different from the other surgeries I've had in the past. For nerves there are really no timetables."

Woods, who turns 40 on 30 December, missed the cut at three of the four majors this year and played in only 11 events. He remains on 79 PGA Tour victories.

He played only seven tournaments in 2014, having missed three months of the season after surgery on a pinched nerve in his back in March 2014.

"For my 20 years out here I achieved a lot," he said. "I think pretty much everything beyond this will be gravy. If that's all it entails then I've had a pretty good run. But I'm hoping that's not it.

"I'm hoping I can get out here and compete against these guys. I really do miss it."

He has been named as one of United States captain Davis Love III's assistants for the 2016 Ryder Cup, but said he still hopes to make the team.

Woods has played in seven Ryder Cups, the most recent in 2012 under Love's captaincy.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/34980250

Ghana coach Avram Grant claims Aston Villa's poor form in the English Premier League will affect the psyche of Ghana international Jordan Ayew.

The 24-year-old, who joined the Villas from Lorient in August, suffered a poor start but seems to have found his rhythm in Remi Garde's side, who are struggling to survive relegation.

“It’s not good for Ayew,” Grant said on Sky Sports. “When you’re playing in a team that’s struggling, it’s not easy to perform, especially as a striker when the midfield doesn’t have a lot of confidence.

“I’m sure if the team was better, he would be better. It shows a lot about his character,” he added.

However, Grant lauded the former Marseille striker's talent, noting that he is a big potential who is progressing rapidly.

“He has big potential,” Grant added. “He’s a guy who controls the ball very well. He’s strong, has a lot of qualities and is doing very well.

“It’s not easy to perform well in a team that’s struggling, so the thing which is most important is all his progress – he keeps getting better and better. He’s a good striker.”

Ayew has scored three goals in 10 games and he is the joint top scorer of the club alongside Rudy Gestede.

Source: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Grant-Villa-struggles-will-affect-Jordan-397787

Ghana left-back player, Baba Rahman, has revealed his first attempt at playing football was on the streets with 30 to 40 people at a time, without boots.

He said although it was tough it was fun.

“My mum told me that when I first set eyes on a football, and started kicking one, was when I started walking, so maybe one-and-a-half or two-years-old,” he told ChelseaFC.com.

The former Asante Kotoko defender said he loves Brazilian football, and, as a child, committed himself to learning the skills of Brazilians players.

In his view, it is awesome when a player makes a perfect long pass from one end of the pitch to the other, but bemoaned that people do not praise players that do so.

In response to a question about who his toughest opponents have been, outside Chelsea, Rahman said it was hard playing against Bayern Munich’s duo Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben.

The 21-year-old began his career at Dreams FC in the Ghana Division Two league. After impressive performances, he was transferred on loan to Asante Kotoko and subsequently moved to Greuther Furth in Germany in 2011.

He has played seven games in all competitions for Chelsea since his £21million transfer from German side FC Augsburg in August.

source:http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/I-started-playing-ball-bootless-396967

The High Commissioner, Jon Benjamin in an interview on Joy Fm's Super Morning Show on Friday accused members of the GFA including Mr. Afriyie and Communications Director, Sanni Daara of personal attacks after his comments regarding the lack of development in football citing the use of words such as "stupendous" and "extortionist".

"They said I was sacked from my last job which is untrue.I was promoted to Ghana from Chile. This has gone on for weeks.I don't want to continue.I got hundreds of messages from Ghanaians in support" High Commissioner Benjamin said.

In an interview with Pulse Sports, however, Mr.Afriyie has denied ever calling the High Commissioner an extortionist.

" I was interviewed on Citi Fm, and there was no point in that conversation where I called Mr.Benjamin an extortionist. I don't think Mr.Benjamin heard the interview, and somebody might have misinformed him about what transpired that day" he said.

"It is disappointing when some of these things happen and lead to further complications, but we at the GFA are focused on our task of developing our game.

Today, for instance, we organized a seminar for local coaches that was led by Black Stars coach Avram Grant to share ideas, and we hope to have more of such activities."

source:http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/I-never-called-Jon-Benjamin-an-extortionist-Afriyie-396989

The Division One League Board (DOLB) has announced nominees for the first ever Awards ceremony which will be held on Saturday, 12th December,2015 at Coconut Groove Hotel in Accra.

The Awards ceremony is to reward and recognize Players, Officials and Clubs who excelled in the 2014/15 edition of the GN Bank Division One League.

Below are the nominees for the 2014/15 GN Bank Division One League ceremony:

A. PLAYER OF SEASON

Mohammed Yakubu- Esperance FC

Enoch Atta Agyei- Windy Profs

Samudeen Ibrahim- King Solomon FC

B.​MOST PROMISING PLAYER OF THE SEASON

Saliu Babawo - Hotsteel FC

Enoch Atta Agyei - Windy Profs

Joel Fameyeh - Asokwa Deportivo

C.​GOALKEEPER OF THE SEASON​

Razak Iddrisu - Techiman City FC

Joseph Essam - Elmina Sharks FC

Ishmael Yahaya - Dreams FC

D.​TOP GOAL SCORER OF THE SEASON​

Ebenezer Agyapong - Techiman CityFC

Bright Lukman - Ebusua Dwarfs SC

Isaac Amoah - Amidaus Profs

E.​BEST DEFENDER OF THE SEASON​​

Smith Abedu - Guan United FC

Ebenezer Coleman - Elmina Sharks FC

Jacob Laweh - Tema Youth FC

F.​FAIR PLAY CLUB OF THE SEASON

Arsenals -​Berekum (Zone 1)

Gold Stars FC - Bibiani (Zone 2)

Tema Youth FC - Tema (Zone 3)

G.​REFEREE OF THE SEASON​

Eric Owusu Prempeh - Kumasi

Charles Buluu - Tema

Selorm Yaw Bless - ​Peki

H.​MATCH COMMISSIONER OF THE SEASON​

Samuel Asa Aboagye​-Suhum

Frank Agyei -Kumasi

Seth A. Quaye​Accra

I.​ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE SEASON​​

Gordon Cudjoe- ​Berekum

Sumani Abdul Kadri​- Buipe

Emmanuel Awotey - Ho

J.​HONORARY AWARDS​​

Douglas Djarbeng​

Ntow Fianko

Nana Ntiri Denkyi (Posthumous)

Prof. Mawusi Dake (Posthumous)

 
 
Source: http://ghanafa.org/pages/divisiononeleague/201511/11140.php

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says there is a chance captain John Terry will be fit to face Tottenham on Sunday.

The 34-year-old defender injured an ankle during Tuesday's 4-0 Champions League win at Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Mourinho had initially ruled him out of the game at White Hart lane but said on Friday: "Today he didn't train, but we have a little hope that it's possible.
"I don't want to say that it's impossible that he plays, because maybe he plays and you'll say I was hiding."
The Blues go into Sunday's game 10 points and 10 places behind their London rivals in the Premier League.
Spurs have a quick turn around for the 12:00 GMT kick-off, having endured a 2,500-mile return from Thursday night's 1-0 Europa League away win over Qarabag in Azerbaijan.
But Mourinho has shown little sympathy for Tottenham and recalled a hectic spell in April 2014, when his side played three key fixtures in nine days: facing Atletico Madrid in a two-legged Champions League semi-final either side of a league game against Liverpool.
"Our country decided that it was not a problem for us to play Saturday or Sunday, so we played Sunday, before the second leg of the Champions League, which is the biggest competition in the world," said Mourinho.
"If this country in that moment decided it was not a problem for Chelsea, why is it a problem now for Tottenham?
"It was not a problem for us. It's not a problem for Tottenham."

source:http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34943664

Ukraine will play their next home game in Uefa competition in an empty stadium as punishment for their fans' racist behaviour in a Euro 2016 qualifier.
The Ukraine Football Federation was also fined 97,000 euros (£68,000) following crowd disturbances in a 1-0 defeat by Spain in Kiev in October.
Uefa's charge also related to the use of laser pointers and illicit banners.
Ukraine went on to reach next summer's tournament in France by beating Slovenia in a two-legged play-off.
They have already been ordered to play their next game in Fifa competition behind closed doors, and were last year forced to partially close their home stadium by Uefa for one match after similar disturbances.
On Wednesday, European football's governing body ordered Dynamo Kiev to play their next two European home games in an empty stadium after racist attacks on fans during a Champions League game against Chelsea.

source:http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34949905

Davis Cup final: Belgium v Great Britain
Venue: Flanders Expo, Ghent Dates: 27-29 November
BBC coverage: Watch on BBC television, BBC Sport website, Connected TVs, tablets, mobiles and app and listen on Radio 5 live and 5 live sports extra. Full details.
Andy Murray brought Great Britain level at 1-1 against Belgium in the Davis Cup final with victory over Ruben Bemelmans in Ghent.

The world number two won a feisty encounter 6-3 6-2 7-5, after David Goffin had earlier beaten debutant Kyle Edmund 3-6 1-6 6-2 6-1 6-0.

Andy and Jamie Murray are set to team up in the doubles on Saturday, before the reverse singles on Sunday.

Britain are trying to win the team title for the first time since 1936.

"Obviously on paper it's what people would have expected," GB captain Leon Smith said of the day one score.

He will now hope that a combination of the Murray brothers in doubles, and Andy Murray in the reverse singles, will secure Britain's first Davis Cup victory for 79 years.

Smith retains the option of bringing in James Ward for Edmund, should the contest come down to a decisive fifth rubber on Sunday.

The best-of-five tie takes place over three days at the Flanders Expo, with around 1,300 travelling fans among 13,000 in the arena, and security tight following the recent high state of alert in Belgian capital Brussels.