UKEMVERANEWS

French youngstar, Ousmane Dembele does not fear fierce competition for places at Barcelona and will stay at the club to prove his ability after a difficult first season, the forward has told Telefoot. A left thigh injury sidelined Dembele for three-and-a-half months in the first half of the campaign, just weeks after moving from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth up to €147 million, and a problem with the same muscle saw him ruled out again after the turn of the year. Since returning to fitness, the France international has struggled to establish himself in Ernesto Valverde’s starting XI. Just seven of his 12 La Liga appearances this season have been starts, while the 20-year-old has started on the bench for three of his team’s last four competitive outings, including both legs of the Champions League quarterfinal exit at the hands of Roma. “I signed a five-year contract at Barcelona. I’m going to be in Barcelona a very long time. I’m not going to leave after a season,” he said, addin...

Victor Oladipo scored a game-high 32 points to power the Indiana Pacers over LeBron James Cleveland  Cavaliers 98-80 on Sunday in the opening game of their first-round NBA playoff series. “Stay calm, stay composed, play the game I have all year long,” Oladipo said of the key to his overwhelming day. “This was a great team win.” James had won 21 first-round playoff games in a row until the rout, having never before lost the opener in a first-round NBA post-season series. James, seeking his ninth career trip to the NBA Finals and fourth league title, had not dropped a first-round playoff game since the New York Knicks beat Miami in the fourth game of the 2012 opening round, a minor setback on the Heat’s title run, a career first for James. James said falling behind in a series just motivates him to step up his game. “I’m down 0-1 in the first found. I was down 3-1 in the finals. So I’m the last guy to ask about what I’m gonna be like the next couple days,” James said. The Pacers ...

PSV Eindhoven stormed to a 24th Eredivisie title after beating Ajax 3-0 on Sunday. PSV came into the game with a seven-point lead over their second-placed visitors but made that 10 with just three games to play after a comfortable win. Goals from Gaston Pereiro, Luuk de Jong and Steven Bergwijn made it a champagne afternoon for Phillip Cocu’s men. To complete a miserable day for Ajax, they finished with nine men after late red cards for Nicolas Tagliafico and Siem de Jong and have now gone four seasons without lifting the title.

Neymar said he is on schedule to return for the World Cup as he continues to recover from a foot injury. The Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil forward had surgery in March on a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot. Neymar appeared on “Altas Horas,” a Globo variety show, and said that he feels no pain, but that he cannot put his injured foot on the ground without an orthopaedic shoe. He arrived on stage with the aid of crutches. “There is still a month left, but I am recovering well,” Neymar said. “It is all according to plan.” Neymar has already started work in the gym to prepare for the World Cup, which begins June 14 in Russia. Brazil’s first game is against Switzerland on June 17.

Former World Wrestling Entertainment champion, John Cena and his partner, Nikki Bella, have announced they are splitting up. “While this decision was a difficult one, we continue to have a great deal of love and respect for one another,” Nikki Bella said in a statement posted on Twitter. “We ask that you respect our privacy during this time in our lives.” The professional wrestlers got engaged in April 2017 and were due to get married on 5 May. John Cena and Nikki Bella are two of WWE’s most celebrated superstars. Both are former champions and have also given fans a glimpse of their lives outside the ring with their own reality TV show, Total Bellas. Cena proposed to Bella at the end of a live ”Couples Match’ at last year’s Wrestlemania 33 in Orlando, Florida. The split has come as a shock to many wrestling fans, especially as the pair had been pictured out together just days ago. John Cena has also carved out a successful career as an actor and stars in Blockers alongside Leslie M...

Gianluigi Buffon’s Champions League career came to a bitter end on a crazy night with the Juventus legend sent off in Madrid and then accusing the referee of having “a rubbish bin instead of a heart”. The veteran goalkeeper’s frustration spilled over at the Santiago Bernabeu after Juventus beat Real Madrid 3-1 on the night, but were eliminated 4-3 on aggregate in the quarter-final after English referee Michael Oliver awarded the Spaniards a contested 97th-minute penalty. “In place of a heart he has a rubbish bin,” raged 40-year-old Buffon after Oliver pointed to the spot for Mehdi Benatia’s challenge on Lucas Vazquez in the dying minutes. Buffon was given his first ever red card in 117 Champions League games and after Wojciech Szczesny had taken his place in the Juventus goal, Cristiano Ronaldo coolly slotted home the spot kick to put defending champions Real Madrid through to the semi-finals. “You have to be a murderer to make the last two decisions the referee made,” Buffon, the Ju...

Dr Ayodeji Olarinoye, former medical doctor in the Nigerian U-17 football team has been appointed Doping Control Officer by the world soccer governing body, FIFA. Olarinoye, who graduated from the University of Ilorin, is now the country’s first FIFA doping control officer, the university’s weekly bulletin said on Tuesday. According to the publication, Olarinoye is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and British Association of Sports and Exercise Medicine. The publication said the medical doctor would join the network of FIFA medical officers, responsible for ensuring safe and healthy participation in football after attending several anti-doping training. The bulletin recalled that Olarinoye was nicknamed NFA (Nigeria Football Association) during his undergraduate years due to his love for football. “The 38-year-old Ayodeji is the son of a retired civil servant and former Head of the International Department of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in the...

The UN World Tourism Organisation has appointed FC Barcelona’s Argentine star Lionel Messi as an ambassador to promote responsible tourism. “During my travels I have had the opportunity to know other cultures and societies as well as other ways to see the world and this is very enriching,” Messi said in a statement released by the Madrid-based United Nations body announcing his nomination. “I am happy I can join this mission of promoting responsible tourism,” the five-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award added as the body steps up its campaign to minimise harm tourism can cause to the environment and historical sites. The UN body defines “responsible tourism” as tourism that “helps maximise the sector’s benefits while minimising its potentially negative impact on the environment, cultural heritage and societies across the globe”. World Tourism Organisation chief Zurab Pololikashvili said it was a “great honour” to have Messi promote “the positive values an...

Manchester City will have to play the “perfect game” on Tuesday to overturn a 3-0 deficit in their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool, says manager Pep Guardiola. City go into the second leg after back-to-back defeats by the Reds and derby rivals Manchester United in what Guardiola described as a “tough” week. The Spaniard said he still had belief in his “extraordinary” side. “The only way to play good football is to be positive,” he added. “To go through you have to make the perfect game, create chances and concede few chances. The chances we receive, we have to defend well. “We have 90 minutes and anything can happen. All we are going to do is try. “We have 90 minutes plus extra time and what we have shown this year – even in the last game – is we can create a lot of chances in the last few minutes.” Asked whether his side’s mental state had been impacted by two defeats in the past week, Guardiola said: “I don’t know. Read Also:  EPL: Liverpool's...

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been named as the PFA player of the month for March. The Egypt international scored six times in four matches against Newcastle, Manchester United, Watford and Crystal Palace over the month, while also adding an assist.

Japan on Monday named respected veteran Akira Nishino as its new national football manager, taking an “emergency measure” after sensationally dumping Vahid Halilhodzic only two months before the World Cup. The 63-year-old Nishino boasts an impressive array of domestic silverware and masterminded one of Japanese football’s proudest moments: beating a Brazil side containing Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos 1-0 at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Nishino will have only 70 days with the Blue Samurai before they play their first match against Colombia in a tough World Cup pool that also includes Poland and Senegal. “We thought the new director should be appointed from inside, given we have just two months left before the World Cup,” Japan Football Association President Kozo Tashima told reporters. “We have asked Nishino to take this position as an emergency measure.” A former international midfielder who won 12 caps for his country, Nishino is best known for his stint at the helm of Gamb...

Transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard withdrew midway through the Commonwealth Games tournament on Monday despite leading the standings after the snatch in the 90+kg division. The New Zealander, whose participation was criticised as “unfair” by the Samoan team, lifted 120kg but appeared to injure her arm after attempting 132kg with her third effort. Shortly into the clean and jerk component, it was announced that Hubbard had declined her lifts. The New Zealander, who lived as Gavin Hubbard until four years ago and competed at national level as a man, finished second in the women’s super-heavyweights behind American Sarah Robles at the world championships in December. Earlier on Monday, Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive David Grevemberg called on her nation to support the lifter. “I hope all New Zealanders would get behind one of their athletes that has gone through the pathway to achieve greatness, and within the rules of the sport,” Grevemberg told reporter...

Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger fears Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be out for a number of weeks with a medial knee ligament injury. Mkhitaryan was forced off in the 4-1 win over CKSA Moscow in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday. *770# Mobile The midfielder will have a scan on Friday to assess the extent of the damage, but Wenger confirmed he will miss Arsenal’s game against Southampton on Sunday. Asked if Mkhitaryan could be out for a number of weeks, Wenger told Sky Sports News: “I fear yes, I hope I’m wrong.” Goalkeeper David Ospina will be out for up to three weeks, Wenger confirmed, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles is also unavailable for Sunday’s game. Alexandre Lacazette has not started a Premier League game in over two months, but played in place of cup-tied January signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in Arsenal’s Europa League game this week. Lacazette, 26, scored a brace in the victory, taking his tally to three in five days since his comeback fr...

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.”  With black and white fans joined in their support of the Springboks at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, Nelson Mandela saw first-hand how sport can heal divides and bring people together. This was a team who had historically been a symbol of white dominance in the Apartheid era and now here they were uniting people who had been so utterly polarized. From the Espérance community sports club in Kigali, set up to foster healing and reconstruction following the 1994 Rwandan genocide, to the Cambodian National Disabled Volleyball League using integrated teams of ex-Khmer Rouge soldiers and civilians, sport has a track record of forging new bonds. Just recently we saw the Southern and Northern Koreans coming together at the winter Olympics, ...

Former PSG and Super Eagles midfield maestro, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has warned Nigerian Football officials and fans against setting unrealistic target for the team ahead of the World Cup. Nigeria will play Croatia, Iceland, and Argentina in Group D of the tournament in Russia. The former Bolton Wanderers playmaker warned that such target will put the team under pressure. Okocha spoke with SuperSport, saying, “It will be a huge achievement if you could get out of the group stage and after which anything can happen. “We should be careful not to set unrealistic targets for the team.” Okocha added that playing for Nigeria was the pinnacle of his career. “It doesn’t get any better to play for Nigeria. It was not for the money, but the pride to represent 160 million people is priceless. It was the pinnacle of my career. “Football is not just a sport in Nigeria, it’s not just part of the religion or the culture, it is life. “It is a great opportunity to eradicate poverty...

Arsenal took a giant step towards reaching the Europa League semi-finals after a 4-1 rout of CSKA Moscow and Atletico Madrid did the same with a 2-0 home win over Sporting Lisbon on Thursday. Lazio also stayed on course to progress after an action-packed 4-2 home win over Salzburg in their quarter-final first leg and upstarts RB Leipzig will head to Olympique de Marseille with a 1-0 advantage. Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey and France striker Alexandre Lacazette scored two goals each in a blistering first half for Arsenal, cancelling out a superb free kick by CSKA’s Aleksandr Golovin at the Emirates stadium. Germany forward Mesut Ozil also shone as he dished out assists effortlessly, with Arsenal’s crisp one-touch passing repeatedly carving open a cumbersome Russian defence. Ramsey, who had a goal  disallowed early on, hit the woodwork in the second half and CSKA keeper Igor Akinfeev made several  saves to spare the visitors from a heavier defeat. ...

Manchester City coach Manel Estiarte has posted footage of the attack on the team bus on its way to Anfield on Wednesday night. The sound of objects striking the vehicle can be heard in the video posted on Instagram by Estiarte, filmed from inside the bus as it drives slowly towards the stadium for the Champions League quarterfinal match. He responded to his own video, writing: “No words. Unacceptable.” Merseyside Police are conducting inquiries to identify those responsible for throwing objects at the bus, while Liverpool has condemned the attack and vowed to support City in establishing the facts of what occurred. The City bus was deemed unusable for the return journey because of the damage caused to it, and the club had to supply a replacement. Press Association Sport reports that UEFA’s disciplinary body is awaiting reports before deciding whether to open a case. Despite the attack on the bus taking place in the streets surrounding Anfield, there is scope for Europe...

Former England and Chelsea midfielder, Ray Wilkins died on Wednesday at the age of 61, one week on from a heart attack. Wilkins, who also played for Manchester United, AC Milan, Rangers and QPR, was being treated at St George’s Hospital in London before his death. His family thanked “Ray’s friends, colleagues and members of the public” for the many messages of goodwill. Chelsea said they were “devastated to learn of the passing of our former player, captain and assistant coach”. The club added: “Rest in peace, Ray, you will be dreadfully missed.” Wilkins’ family said: “It is with great sadness we announce that Raymond Colin Wilkins passed away this morning. “Ray leaves behind his loving wife, Jackie, daughter Jade, son Ross, and his beautiful grandchildren, Oliver, Frankie, Ava, Freddie, Jake and Archie. “We are asking for privacy at this very difficult time.” Wilkins had been working as a TV and radio pundit. As a player, he won the FA Cup with Manchester United i...

Cameroon international defender Joel Matip is out for the rest of the season, dealing a blow to Liverpool on the eve of their Champions League quarter-final first leg clash with Manchester City. The 26-year-old Germany-born star requires surgery on a thigh he injured during his side’s 2-1 victory over Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace on Saturday, the club said. “Matip was able to complete the full 90 minutes of the fixture, but the afterward medical assessment on the thigh revealed surgery is expected to be required to correct the problem,” said a statement on liverpoolfc.com.  “The operation is likely to end the 26-year-old’s involvement in the remainder of the 2017-18 season.” Matip’s injury adds to manager Jurgen Klopp’s defensive woes as England full-back Joe Gomez is on the sidelines with an ankle injury whilst fellow England international Nathaniel Clyne has not played this season due to a back injury.  Klopp is hoping Emre Can have recovered from a bac...

Former Chelsea manager and a friend to the current head coach, Gianluca Villa, has claimed that Antonio Conte “can’t wait to leave” the club. According to Vialli, his compatriot had become disillusioned with a lack of influence over the club’s transfer policy. Chelsea and Conte are widely expected to part ways at the end of this season, amid escalating public tensions with the club hierarchy that dates back to last summer’s troubled transfer window. Vialli is confident that Conte will be hot in demand when he leaves Stamford Bridge, claiming his exit was certain after Sunday’s 3-1 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. “Conte can’t wait to leave Chelsea. “He can’t stand that they sell or buy players without consulting him. The truth is, Chelsea would like a manager who is more of a club man,” Vialli told Sky Sports Italia in his role as a pundit on the match