Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Asamoah Gyan denies involvement in the alleged ritual killing of Ghanaian rapper Castro

Asamoah Gyan has released a statement denying his involvement in the murder of Ghanaian rapper Castro.
Castro, a friend of the former Sunderland striker, went missing along with his girlfriend Janet Bandu in July.
The rapper, whose real name is Theophilus Tagoe, and his partner disappeared while using jet skis on holiday with Gyan's family in Ada.
Asamoah Gyan has released a statement denying his involvement in the murder of the rapper Castro
Asamoah Gyan has released a statement denying his involvement in the murder of the rapper Castro
There had been suggestions that Castro was killed as part of a ritual sacrifice - something that Gyan denies any knowledge of or involvement in.
The 28-year-old and his family released a statement addressing the 'wild allegations and rumours'.
It said: 'What sells in the media, and what indeed sold and is still selling in the media in Ghana are wild allegations and rumours directed especially at Asamoah Gyan – ranging from the absurd – of the imputation of criminality to him in the sense that he either murdered Castro or had him kidnapped – and ending with the ludicrous – that he sacrificed him spiritually to enhance his career.
The 28-year-old and his family released a statement addressing the 'wild allegations and rumours'
The 28-year-old and his family released a statement addressing the 'wild allegations and rumours'
Ghanaian rapper Castro, real name Theophilus Tagoe, and his girlfriend disappeared while on holiday in Ada
Ghanaian rapper Castro, real name Theophilus Tagoe, and his girlfriend disappeared while on holiday in Ada
Gyan has 84 caps and 43 goals for Ghana, and featured for them at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
Gyan has 84 caps and 43 goals for Ghana, and featured for them at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
'We have been silent while these wild allegations and rumours have been peddled in the media. We have been silent not because we are concealing anything or that we do not feel the need to fully state what, from our reckoning, had happened in Ada. We have been silent because we did not want to interfere with police investigations.
'We have been totally dismayed by the fact that the platform was provided for the peddling of these wild and ludicrous allegations and rumours against us. Those to whom the platform was provided offered no evidence whatsoever to back their statements. And indeed, the allegation of spiritual sacrifice can by no stretch of the imagination be propped up.
'Now, we take the opportunity and state without the slightest doubt in our minds that we are not blamable for the disappearance of Castro and Janet Bandu. We had no hand in that occurrence. We have no moral or legal culpability whatsoever.'
The Ghanaian forward played 34 times for Premier League side Sunderland, scoring 10 times
The Ghanaian forward played 34 times for Premier League side Sunderland, scoring 10 times
Gyan left Sunderland on loan in 2011 before making his move to UAE side Al Ain permanent in 2012
Gyan left Sunderland on loan in 2011 before making his move to UAE side Al Ain permanent in 2012

Liverpool set to be investigated for breaching financial fair play regulations

Liverpool will be named as one of several clubs under investigation by UEFA for possible financial fair play (FFP) breaches this week.
Sportsmail understands that an announcement by the European governing body is expected to be made as early as Thursday.
Liverpool, Monaco, Inter Milan and Roma - who were all absent from European competition last season and have recently submitted their accounts to UEFA - are due to be asked to provide further information on their finances to the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB).
UEFA is set to investigate Liverpool for breaching financial fair play regulations
The Reds are hoping to write off proportion of losses as allowable stadium expenditure
The Reds are hoping to write off proportion of losses as allowable stadium expenditure
No financial sanctions will be imposed at this stage however - though a provisional sanction to withhold Champions League money is possible as a next step in the process and the CFCB will hold talks and ask for more information from all the clubs involved before making any such decision.
Liverpool made a loss of £49.8million for the 2012-13 season, and £40.5million for the 10-month period before that.
The Merseyside club will hope to avoid any sanctions by writing off a big chunk of losses as allowable stadium expenditure - the 2011-12 accounts reported that £49.6million was associated with Liverpool's stadium costs, £35million coming from former co-owner Tom Hick's aborted plan to build a new stadium on Stanley Park which new owners Fenway Sports Group had to scrap.
Brendan Rodgers could see his side's Champions League prize money withheld
Brendan Rodgers could see his side's Champions League prize money withheld

Lampard in seventh heaven as veteran midfielder starts and finishes City rout to fire holders through to League Cup last 16

League Cup 
Stand in front of a juggernaut for long enough and eventually you will get knocked over. Sheffield Wednesday headed home having had the heavy tyre treatment.
At half-time, the team from the Championship were all square and comfortable. In their dressing room at the Etihad Stadium Stuart Gray’s team may even have been relaxed. They had, so far at least, seen little to frighten them from the Barclays Premier League champions.
By the time new big screen turned from 59 minutes to 60 here, though, Wednesday were four goals adrift and a man short. From then on it was always going to be a long night.
That they finished the night without suffering further damage will have pleased them. They didn’t deserve to be humiliated, even if James Milner did strike a post.
However, the manner in which City emerged for the second half to score through Frank Lampard, Edin Dzeko, Jesus Navas, captain for the night Yaya Toure and substitute Jose Angel Pozo served as an ominous warning about what Manuel Pellegrini’s team can do when they get their blood up. 

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Neymar and Philippe Coutinho look in buoyant mood ahead of Ecuador friendly

A new era for Brazilian football is starting and could these two be the players to restore Brazil to their former glory?
Neymar is well established as the golden boy of Brazilian football, but Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho – recalled to the squad after missing out on the World Cup – will be hoping to be his heir apparent.
The midfielder came on for the last 20 minutes of Brazil’s 1-0 friendly win over Colombia during the early hours of Saturday morning and will be hoping to start against Ecuador on Wednesday.
VIDEO Scroll down to watch Neymar shows true class by embracing Zuniga
Golden boys: Brazil captain Neymar and Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho can restore Brazil to their former glory
Golden boys: Brazil captain Neymar and Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho can restore Brazil to their former glory
Goalscorer: Neymar (right) celebrates after scoring Brazil's winning goal against Colombia in Friday's 1-0 win
Goalscorer: Neymar (right) celebrates after scoring Brazil's winning goal against Colombia in Friday's 1-0 win.

Ronaldinho signs two-year deal with Mexican side Queretaro... in blow to Basingstoke Town

Former Brazil and Barcelona midfielder Ronaldinho, twice the World Player of the Year, has signed a two year deal with Queretaro, the Mexican first division club said on Friday.
The 34-year-old, who has also played for Paris St Germain and AC Milan, became a free agent in July after cancelling his contract with Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro.
‘We are very pleased to add to our ranks as of today, a player who has excelled in international football. A world champion in 2002, World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005,’ the club, nicknamed ‘Gallos’ (roosters) said in the statement.

Gallos: Ronaldinho has agreed a two-year contract with Mexican side Queretaro
Gallos: Ronaldinho has agreed a two-year contract with Mexican side Queretaro
Bargain: The Brazil legend left Atletico Mineiro as a free agent after cancelling his contract
Bargain: The Brazil legend left Atletico Mineiro as a free agent after cancelling his contract
Fding force: Ronaldinho was not selected for the World Cup and was offered a deal by lowly Basingstoke 
Fding force: Ronaldinho was not selected for the World Cup and was offered a deal by lowly Basingstoke 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2745969/Ronaldinho-signs-two-year-deal-Mexican-Queretaro.html#ixzz3Cqaj3QW9

Danny Welbeck's move to Arsenal could be the making of him... he needs to demonstrate a selfish streak to make himself a certain starter for club and country








Daniel Sturridge was 23 years old when the proverbial penny dropped and, in turn, balls started landing in the back of the net.
It took a big-money transfer to new surroundings to trigger his devastating improvement.
Similarly, Danny Welbeck is 23 years old and has just completed a £16million move from Manchester United to Arsenal.
On Monday night he scored both goals for England in a 2-0 victory in Switzerland.

Sergio Aguero returns to Manchester City training ahead of Arsenal showdown

Sergio Aguero returned from international duty with Argentina to training with Manchester City ahead of the Premier League champion's showdown with Arsenal on Saturday.
The prolific striker was hampered by injury last season but still managed to score 26 goals in all competitions for the Blues - while he has managed two goals in three appearances (two as a substitute) this season.
Aguero was on the scoresheet as Argentina gained revenge for their World Cup final defeat to Germany with a 4-2 friendly win in Dusseldorf - where his new Manchester rival Angel di Maria played a starring role.

Guess who's back: Sergio Aguero returns to training after the international break with Argentina
Guess who's back: Sergio Aguero returns to training after the international break with Argentina
Twinkle toes: Aguero teases former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard with his dribbling skills
Twinkle toes: Aguero teases former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard with his dribbling skills
After burners: The Argentina international races past City defender Dedryck Boyata (L)
After burners: The Argentina international races past City defender Dedryck Boyata (L)
Hold up play: Aguero fends off Fofana Seko and Samir Nasri during training
Hold up play: Aguero fends off Fofana Seko and Samir Nasri during training
Showdown: Aguero, Lampard and Nasri hone their skills ahead of Saturday's league clash with Arsenal
Showdown: Aguero, Lampard and Nasri hone their skills ahead of Saturday's league clash with Arsenal
Running man: Aguero looked back to full fitness after a season plagued by injury last term
Running man: Aguero looked back to full fitness after a season plagued by injury last term