Sunday 11 December 2016

El Clasico Assistant Referee Suspended for Being Too Friendly With Barcelona Players


​A Spanish official who was an assistant referee for El Clasico last week has been suspended for supposedly being 'too friendly' with the Barcelona players. 
Pau Norbert Cebrian Devis was not assigned a game in La Liga this week and will also not be officiating again next weekend after the refereeing committee reflected disapprovingly on his performance during the 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou. 

According to Spanish radio station Cadena SER via ​The Mirror, the committee pointed out that the official was acting too friendly towards the Barca players in the tunnel before kick-off. 

Real Madrid were also withering in their assessment of the referee's performance during the draw with Barcelona, particularly a failure to award a penalty after Javier Mascherano took down Lucas Vasquez in the penalty area. 
Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, who scored the late leveller for Zinedine Zidane's men to stretch their unbeaten run, said: "The referee at Camp Nou? I could say a lot of things after watching the game back a couple of times, but it wouldn't change anything. I'm going to keep out of it because I don't want to give headlines.

"I have a lot of respect for the referees, they're people and they can make mistakes. I find it difficult to believe that they make mistakes [on purpose]. Continuing the stirring is not going to lead anywhere now."

Prior to the game, Zidane rejected ideas of the referee - Clos Gomez - favouring Barcelona.

"I do not believe in claims that any referee favours one club or another," the Frenchman said. 

Continue reading

Wednesday 23 November 2016

Kevin Pietersen to play for India in 2017 Champions Trophy


Kevin Pietersen to play for India in 2017 Champions Trophy

In what turned out to be an unprecedented move Board of Control for Cricket in India have eventually flexed their muscle to get Kevin Pietersen to play for India but initially KP will be playing at the domestic level.
It has been really a significant day in the life of Kevin Pietersen. It has been only last week when some board officials persuaded him to play in the upcoming Ranji Trophy for a hefty price. His relation with the Indian cricket took a new step as BCCI has now offered him a contract today to play Ranji Trophy for Delhi. It’s also believed that in a few months he will be given an Indian citizenship as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is quite impressed with the South Africa-born former England cricketer after he met him in Delhi few weeks back.
Inside news also reveals this bizarre step will actually accelerate Pietersen’s eligibility to play for India in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy to be hosted by England. Good news for BCCI is that International Cricket Council has also agreed to BCCI’s proposal of bringing down the eligibility criterion of playing for a country to a staying period of one month.
Indian cricket fans have a fond memory of Kevin Pietersen for his maverick batting and the tremendous heart he had shown while coming back with his side to play the Tests after the 26/11 tragedy in Mumbai. With his outrageous bravado and a wide range of stroke-play Pietersen was an asset for England in the past.
Now that he is out of contention for a place in the England team for good and South Africa cricket also reluctant to bring him back, is the gesture from BCCI a wise one? Isn’t Pietersen almost past his prime?
But in a recent interview to Sportzwiki, Pietersen finally highlighted the real reason: “When BCCI approached me with the proposal I was told specifically that I had been chosen for a reason. As the upcoming Champions Trophy will be played in England, my experience can become a handy one for Indian cricket team and I will also get a golden opportunity to show the English cricket fans, I am still not finished.”
It has also been revealed that before approaching Pietersen, BCCI tried to lure Mitchell Johnson and Brendon McCullum to play for India but that didn’t work well as both of them literally humiliated the BCCI officials when they contacted.
But what actually made BCCI go KP-hunting?
Pietersen looked a bit bored when we were waiting for an answer: “I thought that was obvious. Johnson and McCullum are the most intricately tattooed men in the current world of cricket. Isn’t it obvious that tattoos actually hold the key to success?”
“If you look closely you can realize the immense raw power and impeccable control Mitch’s left arm generates has a lot to do with the tattoos on the right one. You believe the success lies with the powerful left arm, but it’s the tattooed right-hand that does the trick,” Pietersen further said. “Mitch’s tattoo is basically a Japanese koi, a cat, and some cherry blossoms, which is completely voodoo stuff.”
“It’s the same for Baz: he had also got his right hand tattooed, and the tattoo, as evident, says CXXVI XLII CCXXIV.” When our curious correspondent wanted to know what it meant, he claimed that the general misconception is that the numbers stand for 126, 42, and 224 in English, but the meaning goes really deeper. “It’s some occult thing you will not get.”
“Look at the other tattoo stars – Michael Clarke (a lot of tattoos in multiple languages), Lasith Malinga (his wife’s name and a couple of dates), or Dale Steyn (three South Africans) could well have been the special recruitments! For that matter, even you guys have your own Virat Kohli (a samurai warrior and a scorpion)! And just see how well all these men have performed over the past few years!”
Yes, Pietersen has a point, as does BCCI. They have got something right, at last.
Disclaimer: This article is written for only humour and is not meant to offend anybody. Please read this piece with a pinch of salt.
Continue reading

Saturday 19 November 2016

Real Madrid Legend Roberto Carlos Names His Choice for the Best Left Back in the World

FBL-ESP-CHARITY-REALMADRID-JUVENTUS
Real Madrid Legend Roberto Carlos has named Marcelo as his favourite left-back in the world right now, according to ​Marca.


The former Brazil international was once seen as the worlds' best left-back himself whilst plying his trade for Spanish club Real Madrid and his country.

The defender had a glittering career and has a trophy cabinet to prove it. He won La Liga four times
as well as three Champions League trophies and a World cup.
Before he retired he mustered up a pretty impressive amount of individual awards which included being named UEFA Club Defender of the Year twice, in the UEFA Team of the Year twice, and as a Ballon d'Or runner-up.


The Brazilian was known for his blistering pace and powerful left foot when he played at the Bernebau between 1996 and 2007.

And it comes as no surprise that his choice as his heir to the throne is a similar type of player and doesn't come too far from home. 

FBL-EUR-C1-REALMADRID-LEGIA

Speaking in Asia at an event under his new role as Real Madrid Ambassador, he said: "Marcelo is the best in the world, making football more real. Technically he is better (than I was). I was more power and punch." 

Marcelo joined Madrid in 2007 from Brazilian club Fluminense and has since made an impressive 372 appearances across all competitions, scoring 26 goals, whilst also being vice-captain.

The 28-year-old also has an impressive trophy cabinet. He was won La Liga three times as well as two Champions League winners medals, not to mention regularly being named in teams of the season.
Continue reading

Saturday 12 November 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo Names 3 Great Talents Who can Rule Football in Upcoming Years


Ballon d'Or frontrunner Cristiano Ronaldo​ has named three players he feels could take the world  of football by storm in the next few years.

The forward, who came through the ranks at Sporting CP, before joining Manchester United and Real Madrid to cement his position as one of the greatest players ever to take to the field, spoke to ​Marca about the next generation of talents.


When asked if there was anyone in place to become 'the new Cristiano Ronaldo', the Euro 2016 winner was quick to point out that, while there are many good prospects, there can be none like him.

"No one can be the next Cristiano Ronaldo, there are no doubles. The next will be what he has to be, but never the same. That doesn't happen."

However, the 31-year-old, who recently signed bumper deals with both Real Madrid and Nike, did identify three players as top talents who have the potential to succeed.

"I see in Europe many young talents, I can mention several: Renato Sanches, Andre Gomes, or Joao Mario. 

FBL-GER-CUP-BAYERN-MUNICH-AUGSBURG
"There are many to choose from and I've only mentioned the Portuguese, but there are many in Europe who have the capacity to go far. I am very happy because these great talents assure that football will always be strong."

All three of the Portuguese talents named by Ronaldo, secured big-money transfers following Portugal's Euro win in the summer.

19-year-old Renato Sanches joined German champions Bayern Munich for an initial €35m, and the all action midfielder has been likened to former Netherlands stars Edgar Davids and Clarence Seedorf for his physicality and stylish play.

Manchester City FC v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League

Andres Gomes joined Barcelona from fellow La Liga outfit Valencia for a similar fee to that of Sanches and is widely tipped as a natural successor to Andres Iniesta. 

The third man identified, Joao Mario, left Ronaldo's alma mater Sporting CP for Serie A's Internazionale in transfer reported to be around €40m.
Continue reading

Friday 11 November 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo Stars in Hilariously Cringeworthy Home Alone Parody

Cristiano Ronaldo, despite his unmatched drive to succeed, has always had a sense of humour - think back to the time he wrapped Ricardo Quaresma's car in kitchen foil - and has now starred in a parody of iconic Christmas movie 'Home Alone' along with his mother, Dolores.


Part of his latest advertising project, this time for a soundbar, Ronaldo was 'forgotten' by his family as they boarded a plane to far flung destination and proceeded to recreate a handful of the film's most famous scenes, all with a self-deprecating cringey comedy factor.
Unfortunately, the two burglars are left out.
Continue reading