Police arrest 10 as Chelsea, Man U fans clash

No fewer than 10 persons were arrested by the police in connection with the renewed clash between fans of Manchester United and Chelsea Football Club in K Dere and B Dere communities in Gokana Local Government of Rivers State.


Police sources said the 10 suspects were already helping the police in the investigation of the mayhem.
It was gathered than supporters of the Chelsea and the Manchester United Football clubs in the English Premiership on Monday engaged in fresh crisis leading to the destruction of houses and loss of lives in the K Dere and B Dere communities of Gokana Local Council of Rivers State.
Sources said about five persons lost their lives in the fresh hostility.

Reliable sources who spoke to Daily Sun said some youths invaded the K Dere community in the late hours of Monday and unleashed terror on the residents. A source, Mr. Lekia, said some youths suspected to be B Dere natives invaded the K Dere but he could not ascertain the number of casualties.

It was gathered that a similar incident occurred in the two communities early this year during the finals of the European League Championship in which many lives were lost and property destroyed. Checks by Daily Sun reveals that the state and the Gokana Local Government intervened in the matter as the communities became peaceful.

The source said the leaders of the two communities, demarcated by a tarred road, had pronounced a dusk to dawn curfew to maintain peace and order in the area but suspected that the order was being violated. The reason for the fresh attack could not be ascertained as at press time.

When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, Dr. Rita Inoma Abbey (SP) said the crisis came up after dynamite was shot in B Dere axis, leading to the invasion of K Dere by the B Deres. She said detachment of the police in the area quelled the situation.

Dr. Abbey told Daily Sun that no life was lost in the crisis but the area was still under tension as at press time.
Source:http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/dec/23/national-23-12-2010-006.htm
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Michael Essien Profile\ Bioggrahy

 Michael Essien

Name:	Michael Essien
Nationality:	Ghanaian
Date of Birth:	03/12/1982
Height:	5' 10" (177cm)
Weight:	13st 6lbs (85.35kg)
Previous
Clubs:	Lyon, Bastia
Position:	Midfielder

Michael Essien signed a two-year extension to his existing contract in June 2010 that will keep him at the club until 2015.
It was welcome news for a player who has suffered two bad seasons with injury and missed the first African World Cup as a result.
The midfielder, nicknamed 'The Bison' by fans in his home country of Ghana, ruptured a cruciate ligament on international duty in early September 2008, and it wasn't until March that season that Chelsea fans saw him again.
His comeback was a half-hour cameo in the FA Cup quarter-final as Coventry were swept aside, before he landed a starting role in Turin for a crucial Champions League tie against Juventus.
In typical Essien style, he came back with a performance full of running and commitment, weighing in with an equalising goal on the stroke of half-time to dampen home spirits.
Just a few days later he scored on his Premier League comeback too. At first sight it was a stunning half-volley into the top corner, but replays showed a shinned mishit had been enough to earn a 1-0 victory against Manchester City.
Michael's short season continued as he put in a trademark dominating performance against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, before crashing in the Chelsea Goal of the Season at home to Barcelona.
It looked like that left-footed volley had been enough to send us into the Rome Final, only for Michael's tired clearance to fall at the feet of Andres Iniesta, who powered home.
The season would end on a high though as the FA Cup came back to Stamford Bridge, Essien having played the first hour of the 2-1 win over Everton.
Unfortunately in 2009/10 he did not play for Chelsea again after December 8.
He was in the starting 11 for the league opener against Hull and his versatility lent him to either the wide or anchor midfield roles. It was on the right that he started, but at the foot of the diamond that he finished both our first two league games as we came from behind for wins.
With John Mikel Obi and Michael Ballack also fit, manager Carlo Ancelotti was able to rotate his midfield regularly, meaning Essien was in and out a little bit in the opening couple of months. Against Liverpool at home he was excellent in the holding role and was hitting top form.
He fired home from distance against Blackburn in late October as we won 5-0, then dominating Bolton twice in four days and finally providing the effective barrier that prevented Man United from scoring at the Bridge.
Michael hit another two, the first time he had done so for Chelsea, against Wolves in November, his first a header and his second another from outside the area that wriggled under the goalkeeper.
He was imperious alongside Mikel against Arsenal at the Emirates, once more ruling the centre of the field, and attracting the foul that saw Drogba smash our third of the afternoon from a free-kick.
Then, after defeat at Manchester City, came Essien's final input, against APOEL in the Champions League. At 1-0 down, it was he who fired home from 25 yards to level the scores before succumbing to a torn hamstring.
The damage kept him out until January, by which time he had joined up with Ghana at the African Cup of Nations, but after playing 45 minutes against Ivory Coast, he broke down in training with a fresh knee problem.
There were fears over the extent of the injury, and he underwent surgery at the end of January, but complications meant he would not return before the end of the campaign, forced to spend the Double-winning celebrations, and the World Cup, on the sidelines.
In happier times Essien was voted 2007 Player of the Year by supporters, recognising not just steam train performances in midfield but also his ability to provide solutions to a multitude of problems elsewhere on the pitch.
He followed up an outstanding performance in central defence during a clean sheet 2007 FA Cup Final display with his selection at right-back in the Champions League Final a year later, selected ahead of two specialists in the position.
The occasion in Moscow completed a season when Michael was again in the top four appearance makers although with 15 less starts than the season before. Included that season was his 100th Chelsea game.
Memorable goals are part of the Essien repertoire. His equaliser against Arsenal in December 2006 was voted that campaign's Chelsea Goal of the Season and was nearly matched by a charge forward and angled drive in Valencia that sent the Blues into the 2007 Champions League semi-final.
It was in that competition for French club Lyon that Michael had caught the eye of many in England. A protracted transfer, that dragged on almost as long as the 2005 close season, finally came to an end when his former club accepted a then Chelsea record fee for their star midfielder.
José Mourinho used the word 'multifunctional' and the reported £24.4 million price tag reflected this versatility. He is the most expensive African footballer in the world.
Michael grew up Accra, capital of his homeland, and the city that also gave the world Marcel Desailly.
Unlike the former Chelsea captain, Michael remained in Africa into adulthood, playing for his country at junior levels and beginning his club football at Liberty Professionals.
His profile was raised by a third-place finish for Ghana in the Under 17s World Cup which led to a trial at Man United. But it was to Corsica he went, signing to play in the French league with Bastia.
At first he was used to fill a variety of positions across the defence but could not hold down a regular place. Then injury left a vacancy in midfield and Michael never looked back.
Bastia reached the French Cup Final in 2002 and the following summer he made the move to league champions Lyon for 7.8 million euros.
He was voted Player of the Year in France while at the club and shone as Lyon became one the Champions League's most feared teams, but he made no secret of his desire to move to the Premier League.
Michael's Chelsea debut came as a sub against Arsenal in August 2005, the start of an understated first season in London.
Source:.chelseafc.com

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We will not underrate Bukola Babes Enyimba

Enyimba Football Club of Aba will today lock horns with Bukola Babes FC, but the Aba -based side are not taking the encounter lightly. Bukola Babes are new to the Premier League, but Enyimba say there are no minnows in football.
The club’s Media officer, Tonnex Chukwu, said they will respect the Kwara side because there are no small teams in football, stressing that today’s match is crucial to Enyimba.
“We have six points already which is not bad.  It shows that we are doing well. With time Enyimba will occupy its rightful position in the league. Today’s match is going to be tricky. Reason is  Bukola Babes have not been doing well but for the fact that they are going to play  Enyimba, they will come with determination to upset us,” he said.
Source:http://www.vanguardngr.com/category/sports Read more...

Wuraola Ojo Tourney: Olaitan reigns as Kuti Is tourney’s MAW

The political situation in Delta state following the removal of the former governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan from office, seems to have taken its toll on the performance of Warri Wolves in the three weeks old Premier League.
Saturday Sports Vanguard sought to know the reason behind the club’s poor result  from Wolves media officer Timi Ebikagboro and he attributed the current state of the club to finance which he however, said will soon normalise.
His comment: “We are on the 8th position in the league, but the league  just started. We have played three matches and of course a lot of things, like the officiating and other things have been more than average. We played a 2-2 at home. And don’t forget that finances have not been pleasant, we are trying to fulfil our financial obligations. It is affecting the players in one way or the other.
“The sports commissioner, Pinnick Amaju is doing everything within his powers to make sure everything normalises especially making sure that the players are okay. The spirit of the boys are high especially after the 2-2 draw against Heartland at home. There intension now is to go all out in Jos to beat Juth.
“On the match against Juth (today), there is no course for alarm; because the commissioner for sports is doing his best to make sure things work out well,” he said
Source:http://www.vanguardngr.com/category/sports Read more...

Oyinlola to spice up MicCom Classic

Oyinlola to spice up MicCom Classic Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola  would be one of the star athlete that this year’s MicCom Classic would be parading at the MicCom Golf Club in Ada that tees off on December 1.
Vice Captain of the host club, Akeem Afolabi said like most events in the annals of the club this year’s event has witnessed massive entry and a couple of very respected players would be converging in the state including the NGF President.
According to him; “We have gotten subscription from key golfing states and a lot of respected players too that we would love to attract have shown interest. The crown of it all is the President of the Nigerian Golf Federation who doubles for us here as the state governor who has confirmed to feature in the event. I think it is a great privileged on its own”
Professional players, this year he added has been selected to be part of the event by invitation swinging over 36 holes, before paving way for top flight amateur players who would have their rounds on Saturday 4th  and Sunday 5th of December at the all green facility.
“The interesting thing  about the course here is” he continued “It is a players haven, where golfers can always want to escape to for the weekend without the distraction of the city life, but again with unbelievably warm ambiance that is hard to replicate”
In all, well over 150 players is being expected to feature at the weeklong event, while the professional players will be honoured appearance fees  and a token in price purse, the amateur players have trophies  and golf memoralbia to vie for in the championship.
Liadi Jaiyeola, the assistant resident professional at the MicCom Golf Club in-charge of technical matters informs that the event would score on nett and the amateur players would have two days to chase the title which is seen as the most coveted in the clubs calendar.
He said; “for us it is beyond who wins the event, it is more about sustaining the tradition of the club and every member of the club know that this is perhaps the biggest turn out of visitors of us at the club and we must be seen to be playing by the highest possible standard that the game requires”
The MicCom Golf Club is Nigeria’s fist privately owned golf facility and is reputed for hosting most ranking events for professional in the south western Nigeria.
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World Golf Congress: We could have done better , NGF

The Nigerian Golf Federation (NGF) say the country’s participation in the World Congress of Golf last October can easily be described as the major highlight of the outgoing year.
In a report prepared by the Technical Director of NGF, Moses Anabui, he pointed that though it was obvious that the long absence at the biennial meet has been a major setback, the worth of the miss may never be realized until we try to re-align.
This year’s congress was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina and featured only the Nigerian male team as the lady’s team had to withdraw due to delayed processing of travelling documents in Nigeria.
“Generally” Anabui said “We must admit that golf is growing at a very fast rate all over the world  and it would only be worthwhile if we can adopt the parameters, recommendations and even borrow knowledge  and skills from those that have gone ahead to leverage our development here”
The Nigerian team comprised of the President of the body, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Rev. Mrs Omatsola Williams who is in- charge of the women and youth golf, the secretary general: Bola Adedeji and the Technical Director of the body Moses Anabui. Three category one players also made the team, Muyideen Olaitan, Uche Ezeh and Sikiru Jimoh all of whom were praised for their level headedness all through the Congress.
Anabui said of the team performance at the championship; “We finished where our experience could carry us in: 64th place and I think for our level in golf hierarchy we honestly should have done extremely better.
“But again, you will have to understand with us because the Nigerian players had two of them featuring on international meet for the first time and the weather conditions went beserk for two of the three days of the championship. We had to commend them, they displayed great attitudes and skills but it all collapsed when weather turned against them.”
Luqman Owolewa said the event was a brilliant avenue to encourage talented players that the NGF is bent on enforcing merit for international representation and again groom talents through exposure.
“We should not be afraid to fail, if we are sure our representatives are the best in terms of skill and character. But again we have come back with notes of learning from the World Congress and I can assure the public that the future bodes well for the game in Nigeria.”
“But I think our greatest assets are our committed members of the committee who left their business and duties to sacrifice for this great country and I must commend the president of NGF Prince Oyinlola a committed leader by example”
The Nigerian Golf Federation has also confirmed the staging of its flagship event, the President Cup for December 13 to 19 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club Abuja.
Source:http://www.vanguardngr.com/category/sports Read more...

Dan Ngerem Sports Foundation donates to Lagos schools

Three Junior Secondary Schools in Eti Osa and Lakowe areas of Lagos State were beneficiaries of desks and benches, writing materials, sports wears and ten footballs each as a widows mite from the Dan Ngerem Sports Foundation, a non governmental organization recently.
The President of the Foundation, Dan Ngerem  during the presentation said that this was part of the contribution of the Dan Ngerem Sports Foundation to the  development of sports and education in Lagos State.
He said he was partnering with Lagos state as the government cannot  do it alone, disclosing that he has been in Lagos for the past 30 years and he became what he is today through the State and as a result must give back to it in one way or other.
Ngerem told Saturday Vanguard sports that doing this was to encourage the students and their teachers because nobody knows as the next Wole Soyinka, Babatunde Fashola, president of the country, Usain  Bolt, Segun Odegbami, doctors, engineers and lawyers could come from among them.
He  therefore promised to be visiting the schools from time to time to know how the school is doing as he also urged others who are well to do in the society to emulate the Dan Ngerem Sports Foundation’s gesture, adding that there are some people who have these money but do not know where to invest it.
“We never know, the next Wole Soyinkas, Babatunde Fasholas, Segun Odegbamis of this world, the president of this great nation can be among these children. We have doctors, lawyers, engineers among these children that is why our foundation is donating to assist the school in education and sports.
“I have spent most of my life in Lagos. I have gained a lot in this state and I have to give back one way or other. Our hope and prayer is that our token and our gesture to your school would be emulated  by  others.
“I for one will not leave you alone, I will continue to ask questions to know how you are doing. I will continue to preach to my friends who have been blessed by God to continue to remember schools like yours  and chip in where they have might to help,” he promised.
Meanwhile the Baale of Lakowe  land, Alhaji Sidiku Ishola, described Dan Ngerem  Sports Foundation as a good organisation which others that God has equally blessed should emulate.
The Baale said that sports and education work toget her, adding that aside the writing materials, desks and benches, the sports wear and footballs donated by the foundation was equal with the number the national team trains with which will help the school’s sports.
“This is another way to contribute to the society. Dan Ngerem Sports Foundation has brought joy to our community which is the best a human being can do. He (Ngerem) has shown that he is a detribalised Nigerian.
“Sports is very significant, it goes hand in hand with education and keeps the children away from social vices. The donation of sports wears and footballs will revive schools sports activities and I pray that God in his mercy will continue to bless the president of the Foundation, Mr Dan Ngerem because there are lots of people who are well to do in this country but never thought of donating to the needy,” the Baale stressed.
Source:http://www.vanguardngr.com/category/sports Read more...

Galadima will be an asset ti Nigeria, CAF and FIFA

 FIFA
The news of the nomination of Kano-born sports administrator, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima for the CAF Executive Committee election scheduled for February 2011 did not come as a surprise to me but definitely to those who know very little about him.
If Alhaji Galadima succeeds at the polls, he will be filling the position vacated by his disgraced countryman, Dr. Amos Adamu who has been slammed with a three-year ban by FIFA for the now famous cash-for-vote scandal. 
Some have criticised Galadima’s nomination by the Nigeria Football Association, NFA claiming he does not have what it takes to play CAF politics like Adamu. And what most of them hold against him is the non qualification of the Super Eagles for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
If the way Dr. Adamu played his own politics either in CAF or FIFA is the yardstick for any  prospective occupant of the vacant seat Adamu has left, then Galadima will definitely be found wanting.
Alhaji Galadima is too clean a man to manipulate the system for his own selfish ends. Galadima will not impose mediocres on the NFA because he wants to have a solid base of officials who will always do his biddings.
Galadima will not use his position in either CAF or FIFA to threaten the country anytime things don’t go his way. Galadima is one man whose interest, first and foremost, will be the country and not self.
How do I know? Not many know that the non qualification of the Super Eagles had everything to do with the non support of the sports ministry where Adamu held sway as the Director of sports development then.
Funds were not released on time for events and one of that was the World Cup qualifier against Angola in Abuja. When fund was not forthcoming from the ministry, Galadima had to approach his state government which obliged to host the match in Kano.
The Eagles drew the match, not necessarily because of the Kano heat, as some people claim, but the lackadaisical approach of some of the so-called big players who either strolled into camp at will or failed to show up.
It was like the Adamu-led sports ministry wanted Galadima to fail so that they would have an alibi to remove him from office because immediately Angola took the World Cup ticket, a so-called Stakeholders Forum formed at the behest of greedy people went to work and started plotting Galadima’s fall.
Even after Galadima won the re-election in Kano, which FIFA upheld, a dummy was sold to President Olusegun Obasanjo that Galadima was an ANPP man and decided to take the World Cup match to Kano, an ANPP state to spite the PDP.
It was a surprise that after upholding the Kano election, FIFA again called for another election where the Stakeholders ganged up to plant Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi and shared the rest positions to its foot soldiers. Some of them who lost out later confessed and apologised to Alhaji Galadima.
However the major reason Galadima was booted out was his alleged ‘stinginess’ with the NFA funds. He would not allow frivolity nor misuse or misapplication of the scarce money meant for football activities. He also ensured that the number of NFA members who travelled for events was drastically cut to save money for the association. But some estacode loving officials could not stomach that.
Galadima was not new to frugality. He did as sports commissioner in Kano state as well as the head of the Kano sub-seat during the FIFA U-20 World Championship which Nigeria hosted in 1999 where he returned millions of naira left after hosting the event.
As a journalist who covered the Kano zone of that competition for the defunct Concord Press, I was privy to complains by some officials and journalists who felt Galadima should have shared the money to them instead of returning it.
Former NFA chairman, Col. Abdulmumini Aminu who was chairman of the LOC for that competition is alive and will corroborate this story that Galadima actually returned money to him which he handed over to the supervising ministry then. Till date no one knows what happened to the money.
So for credibility, Galadima has it in abundance and Nigerians will not be afraid that their name will be soiled again out there. For administrative suavity, Galadima has also shown it as sports commissioner in Kano state, as vice president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee as well as a member of various committees set up by the Federal Government to redirect sports in the country.
That the ideas espoused by these committees were not allowed to see the light of day is not Galadima’s fault but mostly Adamu’s, who failed to implement them mainly because it will whittle his powers as the czar of sports in Nigeria.
Galadima’s most recent achievement was the exploits of Kano Pillars in the 2008/2009 CAF Champions League where they lost in the semi final to compatriots, Heartland FC of Owerri. As head of the management committee for the continental campaign, Galadima ran an open administration and ensured the players got all they needed which fired their spirit for the campaign.
His experience will help CAF and eventually FIFA if he gets to become a member of the Executive Committee in years to come. When Patrick Okpomo was not recommended for the CAF position, the NFA shot it self in the foot as the fall of Adamu has now shown. With the nomination of Galadima, this current NFA doesn’t want the mistake of the past to repeat itself and Galadima, I am very sure, will not disappoint Nigeria.
Source:http://www.vanguardngr.com/category/sports
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CAF: Adamugate may derail Galadima’s election , Disu

Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima
Ahead of  next year’s Confederation of African Football (CAF) election slated for Khartoum, Sudan, The Nigeria Football Association, NFA, Monday nominated former NFA chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima as a replacement for Dr Amos Adamu who was suspended by the world Football governing body, FIFA.
Former Nigerian international, Tajudeen Disu has described his nomination as a right thing but coming at the wrong time, saying Galadima, a man of integrity was the right man but getting to the position will be difficult.
 
In an interview with Saturday Vanguard sports, Disu said that at the forthcoming CAF elections, Nigeria will find it difficult to retain the seat because of the calibre of contestants.
“Galadima  is a seasoned  sports administrator, he has proven his worth as NFA chairman. The man is a man of integrity and  honour, he deserves the nomination. But to be honest with you, this is my candid opinion,  I don’t think that it will be easy.
“What is happening to Amos Adamu, I believe, might be a stumbling block for Galadima. FIFA would not want any Nigerian in as an Executive Committee member in CAF or FIFA now. They would want to look elsewhere and the world knows that South Africa’s Danny Jordan is the man. Even though FIFA has a bad reputation now, they know that the money-for- vote scandal has dented their image and that is why they will always want to salvage their name”.
Concerning Adamu’s appeal, the former player of the defunct Abiola Babes Football Club of Abeokuta hinted  that the appeal  will hold no water and it will not bring any credibility back to the country soon.
Disu said that the country should exercise patience and put its house in order before thinking of nominating any body to represent the country at that level.
“Adamu has the right to appeal but his appeal will hold no water and it will not bring credibility back to our country so soon. That is why I’m saying that it will be difficult for Galadima to get that position because the scandal against Adamu will affect any Nigerian candidate vying for a post in CAF and FIFA.
“What we should do now is to come together and rebuild our house. God really wants us to come together, rebuild our football and go forward from there. It has happened to Ghana and a lot of countries in the past. People really want sanity to come to our football and sports in general. Let’s forget about sending any body to CAF and FIFA, let us just come back and reorganize ourselves from the grassroots,”Disu advised.
Source:http://www.vanguardngr.com
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China China wins men's basketball gold at Asiad

 China's Wang Zhizhi (L2) and Zhu Fangyu hug following their victory over South Korea in the men's gold medal basketball game at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, November 26, 2010.

GUANGZHOU - Defending champions China beat South Korea 77-71 to defend their men's basketball title at the Asian Games here on Friday.

The two sides played a close game from the very beginning which marked several lead changes before China, who defeated South Korea 76-66 in the preliminary round, finished the first quarter 27-21.

South Korea opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run and took the lead 37-31 with 5:10 minutes left in the quarter. Wang Shipeng's consecutive three jumpers and Sun Yue's one three point play and one 3-pointers put China 43-37 ahead at the end of the first half.

Teams shot a high percent with South Korea 67 (13-for-19) and China 59 (17-for-29), but China outscored the Korean in 3-pointer shooting 5-4.

South Korean twice trimmed the deficit to five in the third quarter before entering the fourth 56-64.

The hosts used an 8-2 spurt to expand the lead to 72-58 capped by Sun Yue's jumper. But the Korean fought back with a 13-2 charge, which included two 3-pointers, with 2:15 minutes remaining.

Trading back to back no baskets for both sides, Wang Zhizhi, who scored 20 points for China, tipped in a second chance with 50 seconds left for a 76-71 edge before Ding Jinhui hit one of two free throws to seal the victory.

Wang Zhizhi, who led all Chinese starters to score double-digit, nailed in six of his 11 in the second half. Ding Jinhui and Sun Yue each added 14 while Wang Shipeng, who hit a key 3-pointer in the last seconds to help China beat Iran 68-65 in semifinal Thursday night, and Liu Wei got 10 apiece.

South Korea had three players scoring double-figure with Kim Joo Sung and Cho Sungmin each 15 points, and guard Yang Donggeun 17.

Source:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn

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DROGBA CONTRACTS MALARIA

DROGBA
Carlo Ancelotti has revealed Didier Drogba has been suffering from malaria but will play in tomorrow's clash with Fulham.

The Ivorian has been treated for the illness, which has prevented him being 100 per cent fit for the last two games.

'A test showed malaria,' reported Ancelotti.

'He lost his condition, he lost power, he missed training. Didier had a difficulty to train because he didn't feel good, he didn't have power to train, he didn't have ability to train, he lost some condition. He was unselfish to play also when he was not 100 per cent

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Ashley Cole Profile, Biography

Ashley Cole

Name:	Ashley Cole
Nationality:	English
Date of Birth:	20/12/1980
Height:	5' 9" (176cm)
Weight:	10st 6lbs (66.0kg)
Previous
Clubs:	Crystal Palace (loan), Arsenal
Position:	Defender

Last season was another of unfaltering consistency for arguably the best left-back in the world, the only negative being the two months he spent sidelined with a broken ankle between February and April. It was a season of records as he earned a sixth FA Cup winners' medal, no man has as many, and won his second Double, along with Nicolas Anelka the first man to do so with two different clubs
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Manuel Almunia profile, biograhy

Manuel Almunia

• Name
  Manuel Almunia
• Born
  May 19, 1977
• Pamplona, Spain
• Position
  Goalkeeper
• Squad Number
  1
• Previous Club(s)
  Osasuna B
• Cartagonova
• Sabadell
• Celta Vigo
• Eibar (loan)
• Recreativo Huelva (loan)
• Albacete (loan)
• Joined Arsenal
  July 18, 2004
  Manuel was plucked from the football backwaters of Spain to join Arsenal in 2005 and eventually overtook Jens Lehmann as No 1 two years later.
  Renowned for his reflexes, the Spaniard is something of a specialist from spot-kicks.
  His long list of vital penalty saves include one from Tottenham’s Robbie Keane in his first full season as first-choice, a stop which really endeared him to the fans. Manuel performed similar heroics in a Champions League tie at Roma in 2009 and against West Ham in the Premier League last season.
  Read More:http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players/manuel-almunia

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Branislav Ivanovic, Profile, Biography

Branislav Ivanovic

Name:	Branislav Ivanovic
Nationality:	Serbian
Date of Birth:	22/02/1984
Height:	6' 2" (188cm)
Weight:	13st 8lbs (86.0kg)
Previous
Clubs:	OFK Belgrade, Lokomotiv Mosc
Position:	Defender

Steady progress was the theme of Branislav Ivanovic's first full season as a Chelsea player, while in his second he made himself almost indispensable.
Beginning the 2009/10 campaign as understudy to Jose Bosingwa at right-back, the Serb capitalised when the Portuguese suffered a season-ending knee injury in October, and has never looked back, contributing a series of assured displays with his strong defensive work and powerful attacking play.
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Cesc Fabregas Profile\Biography

Cesc Fabregas

• Name
  Cesc Fabregas
• Born
  May 04, 1987
• Vilassar de Mar, Casal de Curacion, Spain
• Position
  Midfielder
• Squad Number
  4
• Previous Club(s)
  Barcelona
• Joined Arsenal
  September 11, 2003
  Cesc has come a long way since joining the Club as a 16-year-old in September 2003.
  
  He was tipped for greatness back then and has lived up to expectations: Cesc is now the captain and talisman of this Arsenal side and a World Cup winner with Spain.
• Read More:http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players/cesc-fabregas
  

 

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Football: Ronaldo double rescues Real

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 10 times in his last four La Liga outings for Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi continued their hot goalscoring runs as Real Madrid and Barcelona moved ominously clear of their La Liga rivals in Spain on Saturday night. Ronaldo followed up his four strikes from last weekend with another two as Real came from behind to beat Hercules 3-1 and stay a point clear of second-placed champions Barcelona.
Third-placed Villarreal trail Real by four points ahead of Sunday's trip to Sporting Gijon.
Real, held 0-0 by third-division Murcia in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday, looked like suffering another humiliation after going behind only three minutes into the game in Alicante -- the first time the Galacticos have trailed in Jose Mourinho's first season as coach.
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Clijsters in final after car-crash scare

Three-time U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters won the season-ending WTA Championships in 2002 and 2003

Kim Clijsters survived a car crash to book her place in the final of the WTA Championships in Doha, where she will face world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki on Sunday.
The Belgian, seeking to win the $4.55 million season-ending tournament for the third time, revealed that she had escaped unharmed after being involved in an accident ahead of her semifinal victory over Samantha Stosur on Saturday.
"We just had a car accident on our way to the courts! So scary... Bob, my manager took the hit," the Belgian wrote on social networking site Twitter, attaching an image of the damaged vehicle.
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Controversy as Manchester United keep pressure on leaders Chelsea

Angry Tottenham players surround referee Mark Clattenburg after Manchester United's second goal is awarded

Manchester United claimed a controversial 2-0 victory at home to Tottenham on Saturday night to keep up the pressure on English Premier League leaders Chelsea. United stayed within five points of the defending champions, who came from behind to beat Blackburn 2-1 earlier in the day, following a bizarre incident late in the match at Old Trafford.
Nani was allowed to put the ball into the Tottenham net while goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was trying to take a free-kick, after the Portugal midfielder handled when he went down having vainly claimed a penalty.
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Sneijder tipped to claim FIFA Ballon d‘Or

Despite the heartbreak of losing the World Cup final with the Netherlands, Wesley Sneijder is the bookmakers‘ favourite to walk away with the inaugural FIFA Ballon d‘Or award.

The attacking midfielder was on the losing side in Johannesburg on July 11, when Spain defeated Holland 1-0 to claim their first ever World Cup title.

Spanish midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta are also strong contenders for the prestigious prize, but the presence of the Barcelona pair on the shortlist could split the pro-Spanish votes to Sneijder‘s advantage.

More significantly, the 26-year-old Dutchman enjoyed a glittering debut season at Inter Milan that culminated in an unprecedented treble of the Italian league title, the Coppa Italia (Italian Cup) and the European Champions League.

Sneijder leads the running for the award at 6-4 with British bookmakers William Hill, while Xavi is at 7/2 and Iniesta, who scored the extra-time winner in the World Cup final, is at 11/2.

The FIFA Ballon d‘Or gala takes place in Zurich on January 10 and the ceremony will mark the marriage of FIFA‘s World Player of the Year prize and the Ballon d‘Or, which has been awarded by France Football magazine since 1956.

In recent years the two awards have often gone to the same player and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is the current holder of both trophies.

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IOC urges FIFA to act over vote-selling allegations

The International Olympic Committee has urged FIFA to introduce reforms that could rid the organisation of corruption in the wake of the vote-selling allegations that have rocked soccer.

More than a decade after the IOC was plunged into crisis following revelations about the awarding of the 2002 Winter Games to Salt Lake City, FIFA is facing similar allegations of vote-selling and unethical behaviour in the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Two FIFA executive committee members have already been suspended and two of the bid candidates are being investigated over allegations of collusion, prompting cries of foul and calls for an independent investigation.

IOC President Jacques Rogge said on Sunday he had been in contact with FIFA President Sepp Blatter since the revelations were made public and supported his decision to launch a probe.

”I had a discussion with Mr Blatter,” Rogge told reporters on Tuesday at the end of an IOC executive board meeting in Acapulco.

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