Done deals: – Eintracht Frankfurt have announced the signing of Omar Mascarell from Real Madrid on a three-year contract. – Inter Milan have signed midfielder Ever Banega on a three-year contract. We can confirm #MkhitaryanIsRed! Read the full statement as @HenrikhMkh completes his move: https://t.co/SAdLmSm4ed pic.twitter.com/dwyJQrO1uU — Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 6, 2016 – Manchester […]
via Newfanzone Football Transfer round up for July 6th 2016 — newfanzoneblog
Never one to miss out on any opportunity to etch his personae in your minds and as a quintessential PR conscious man, Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to make a meal of Argentine star Lionel Messi’s hurriedly announced retirement from international football. Speaking with the international media, he described it as the ultimate opportunity to finally […]
via RONALDO PLANS GRANDER RETIREMENT THAN MESSI By Akeem Busari — newfanzoneblog
A man has been charged with murdering his friend after the two had argued over whether Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo was the world’s best footballer, police in India told AFP.
Officers said the men, both Nigerian nationals, had clashed over the Barcelona and Real Madrid stars.
Inspector Kiran Kabadi said that 21-year-old Michael Chukwuma had been charged over the death of Obina Durumchukwu, 34, in the Mumbai suburb of Nallasopara on Sunday.
They had been celebrating Durumchukwu’s birthday on Saturday night, with the fight breaking out the following day.
“The two were discussing football players. One is a fan of Messi and the other was for Ronaldo,” Inspector Kabadi said.
“The deceased threw a glass into the face of the accused person. The glass broke and caused small injuries.
“After that, the accused took the broken glass and assaulted the deceased person, who died due to heavy bleeding.”
In January, Messi won the Ballon d’Or for a record fifth time. Ronaldo has received the accolade on three occasions.
Paul Ayorinde
Top 5 performers in Europe’s top 5 football leagues (2015/2016) the story so far…,
We have put together a list of Europe’s top 5 leagues top 5 performers, our focus is on a few highlights of the game, mainly goals, assist and discipline for individuals and for teams it’s got to do with their positions on the Log, comments are welcome and hope you find this useful.
Please note that this is based on results as at the 4th of March 2016 and the Leagues are arranged in no particular other…,
Done deals:
– Leicester striker Andrej Kramaric has joined Hoffenheim on loan until end of season.
– Werder Bremen have signed Laszlo Kleinheisler from Videoton.
– Besiktas have completed the signing of goalkeeper Denys Boyko from FC Dnipro.
– Jose Angel Crespo has joined Rayo Vallecano on loan from Aston Villa until the end of the 2015/16 season.
– Sassuolo have signed striker Marcello Trotta from Avellino.
– West Ham have signed defender Sam Byram from Leeds United on a four-and-a-half year deal.
Today’s reports and rumours:
– Paris Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi is in London, with Chelsea interested in signing him according to Sky Sports Italia.
– Leicester are in a three way tussle with PSV and Malaga to close a loan deal for Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira, according to reports in Brazil.
– Sunderland are set to offer Swansea £6m plus Fabio Borini for Andre Ayew, according to reports in England.
– “I’d never play for another European club,” Messi told France Football “Barcelona is my home and I want to retire here.”
– West Ham United are lining up a move for Fenerbahce’s striker Emmanuel Emenike, according to ESPN soccernet sources.
– Watford have renewed their interest in Fiorentina midfielder Mario Suarez, according to Sky Sports sources.
– Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign Alexandre Pato from Corinthians, according to reports.
– Swansea have been linked with a move with Southampton’s Uruguayan midfielder Gaston Ramirez, according to reports.
– According to reports in Germany, Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Hatem Ben Arfa and Stephan El Shaarawy.
– AC Milan striker Luiz Adriano has reportedly back out of a €14million move to the Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning FC.
– Yaya Toure’s agent has suggested that the Manchester City midfielder is ready to listen to offers from other clubs when the Premier League season comes to an end.
– Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he rates Christian Benteke and scouted the striker when he was Borussia Dortmund boss.
– AC Milan’s hopes of signing Ajax winger Anwar El Ghazi have taken a blow as the club announce: “He’s not for sale.”
– Reported Real Madrid target Rodrigo Bentancur is happy at Boca Juniors for the moment, according to his father.
– According to reports, Everton want to sign Chelsea midfielder Bertrand Traore on a six-month loan deal until the end of the season.
– Atalanta have reportedly received a €10millon offer from Napoli for Alberto Grassi.
– According to ESPN, Manchester United are seriously considering making an offer for PSG striker Edinson Cavani.
– Adriano Galliani confirms Stephan El Shaarawy “cannot return to Milan. He either stays at Monaco or finds another club.”
– Real Betis are interested in West Ham United striker Mauro Zarate, but his agent confirms “he wants Fiorentina.”
– Inter left-back Dodo is expected to undergo his medical for a loan move to Sampdoria tomorrow.
– Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny could extend his Roma loan by another season, according to reports.
– Giuseppe Rossi’s agent confirms interest from Levante in the Fiorentina striker is “real”.
– Aston Villa are in talks with Nemanja Vidic as Remi Garde looks to bolster his side’s defence, according to reports.
– Torino deny they are interested in PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.
Football tit bits:
– Manchester United could eventually pay £61.5million to Monaco for Anthony Martial if all of the clauses in the deal are met, according to an alleged leaked document.
– FFF President Noël Le Graët has described Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema “as stupid as a donkey” for his role in the alleged blackmail of Mathieu Valbuena
– Patrick Vieira has been presented as the new head coach at New York City FC today, where he will lead the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard and David Villa next season.
– Lionel Messi’s tax fraud trial in Spain has been set for May 31-June 3, conflicting with the start of the centennial Copa America in the United States.
– Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo says the moment he knew he was going to be a star came during his first training session at Sporting Lisbon when he was just 11 years old.
– Daniel Amokachi has signed a one year deal to manage Finish second division side JS Hercules.
Lionel Messi won the FIFA Ballon d’Or for the fifth time, while US midfielder Carli Lloyd claimed her first-ever FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award. FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique and United States national team coach Jill Ellis have also been named for the first time as FIFA World Coaches of the Year for Men’s and Women’s Football respectively. The winners were chosen by the coaches and captains of the national teams as well as by international media representatives invited by FIFA and France Football. The entire electoral procedure was overseen and monitored by PricewaterhouseCoopers Switzerland (PwC).
• 165 national team coaches, 162 national team captains and 171 media representatives submitted their votes for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award. Lionel Messi won the title with 41.33% of all votes ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (27.76%) and Neymar (7.86%).
• 136 national team coaches, 135 national team captains and 106 media representatives voted for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award. Carli Lloyd came out on top with 35.28% of all votes, ahead of German Célia Šašić (12.60%) and Japan’s Aya Miyama (9.88%).
• 167 national team coaches, 161 national team captains and 171 media representatives voted for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football award. Luis Enrique won the award with 31.08% of all votes after leading FC Barcelona to four titles (La Liga, Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup) in 2015. Second and third place were claimed by Pep Guardiola (FC Bayern Munich, 22.97%) and Jorge Sampaoli (Chilean national team, 9.47%) respectively.
• 137 national team coaches, 137 national team captains and 106 media representatives voted for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football award. Jill Ellis won this prize after leading the US women’s national team to glory at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. She secured 42.98% of all votes, ahead of Japan coach Norio Sasaki (17.79%) and England women’s national team coach Mark Sampson (10.68%)
2015 FIFA/FIFPRO WORLD XI
Manuel Neuer; Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves; Andres Iniesta, Luka Modric, Paul Pogba; Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo.
* Women Coach of the Year– Jill Ellis (United States)
* Men Coach of the Year- Luis Enrique (FC Barcelona)
* FIFA Fair Play award– all the football organisations and clubs supporting refugees worldwide
* FIFA Puskas – Wendell Lira (Goianésia of Brazil)
* Women Player of the Year– Carli Lloyd (United States)
* FIFA Ballon d’Or Player of The Year– Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona)
FIFA Ballon d’Or 2015 top 20 players ranking (% of total votes);
1. Lionel Messi (41.33)
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (27.76)
3. Neymar (7.86)
4. Robert Lewandowski (4.17)
5. Luis Suarez (3.38)
6. Thomas Muller (2.21)
7. Manuel Neuer (1.97)
8. Eden Hazard (1.33)
9. Andres Iniesta (1.24)
10. Alexis Sanchez (1.18)
11. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (1.13)
12. Yaya Toure (0.89)
13. Sergio Aguero (0.86)
14. Javier Mascherano (0.79)
15. Paul Pogba (0.72)
16. Gareth Bale (0.65)
17. Arturo Vidal (0.58)
18. Kevin De Bruyne (0.47)
19. James Rodriguez (0.45)
20. Karim Benzema (0.40)
Done deals:
– Werder Bremen have signed Thanos Petsos from Rapid Vienna.
– Newcastle sign Senegalese midfielder Henry Saivet from Bordeaux on five-and-a-half-year deal.
– Bournemouth re-sign striker Lewis Grabban from Norwich on a three-and-a-half year deal.
– Bologna have confirmed the signing of striker Sergio Floccari from Sassuolo .
Today’s reports and rumours:
– Rio Ferdinard has urged Manchester United to do everything in their power to sign John Stones and Raphael Varane.
– Chelsea are preparing a £30million offer for AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca, according to reports.
– Southampton are interested in Palermo midfielder Oscar Hiljemark, according to reports in Italy.
– Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has ruled out a move for Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato.
– West Brom, Besiktas and AC Milan are all interested in Lyon’s Henri Bedimo, according to L’Equipe.
– Brazilian defender Dante has vowed to stay at Wolfsburg amid MLS links.
– Mauricio Pochetinno says Andros Townsend remains part of the squad and could be involved in the coming games.
– Steven Pienaar might leave Everton for Ajax Amsterdam, according to his business manager Rob Moore.
– Barcelona have opened talks with Ivan Rakitic over a new deal, the midfielder has revealed.
– Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel says he is not planning to sell reported Liverpool target Neven Subotic, calling him “an important part of the group” despite his lack of game time this season.
– According to reports, Federico Fazio is nearing a Tottenham exit having failed to impress at White Hart Lane, with former club Sevilla a likely destination.
– Zenit St Petersburg and Guangzhou Evergrande are preparing offers for Inter midfielder Fredy Guarin, according to reports.
– Barcelona are interested in Manchester City target Leroy Sane, reports German publication Kicker.
– Chelsea defender Baba Rahman will remain at the club until at least the summer, his advisor has confirmed.
– Inter President Erick Thohir says they have ‘an ample squad’ but ‘it’s possible we’ll make some good buys in the market.’
– Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has insisted that he is not feeling any pressure to sign a new deal with the club.
– Tottenham have emerged as the bookmakers’ favourites to sign Fulham forward Moussa Dembele, ahead of Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
– Lyon have rejected a loan offer from Hellas Verona for the services of Lindsay Rose, according to L’Équipe.
– Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s agent assures it’s “too early” for his client to consider leaving Lazio.
– Fiorentina and Spartak Moscow have agreed terms for on-loan Genoa midfielder Tino Costa, according to reports.
– Torino have reportedly submitted a bid for Sevilla’s Ciro Immobile.
– PSG winger Ezequiel Lavezzi’s move to Inter in January ’is possible’ according to his agent’s associate.
– Swansea manager Alan Curtis has said the club are willing to listen to offers for Jonjo Shelvey.
– Acccording to reports, Aston Villa manager Remi Garde hopes to be handed a large transfer fund to turn around the club’s season after talks with the board.
Football tit bits:
– Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United supporters should be happy their team are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup and suggested that traffic around Old Trafford, rather than apathy, was one of the reasons why many supporters left before the end of the 1-0 win over Sheffield United.
– Paris Saint-Germain have become embroiled in a row with the London-born rapper M.I.A after she wore a modified version of the club’s shirt in one of her music videos. Via Twitter, the 40-year-old has revealed a letter sent to her
record company, Universal Music, by Jean Claude Blanc, PSG’s deputy CEO, last month complaining about the fact she
can be seen in the video for Borders, a song about the global migrants crisis, wearing a white PSG shirt with the words ‘Fly Pirates’ across the middle, as opposed to ‘Fly Emirates’, the French club’s sponsor.
– Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or award for an unprecedented fifth time. The 28-year-old Argentine had 41.33% of the vote, with Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo (27.76%)second and Barca’s Neymar (7.86%) third. “It’s a very special moment for me to be back here on this stage winning again, after being there in the audience watching as Cristiano won for two years “, Messi said after picking up the award.
– FA CUP FOURTH ROUND DRAW
Wycombe or Aston Villa v Man City
Northampton or MK Dons v Chelsea
Bury or Bradford v Hull City
Colchester v Tottenham or Leicester
Ipswich or Portsmouth v Bournemouth
Oxford v Newport or Blackburn
Crystal Palace v Stoke
Carlisle or Yeovil v Everton
Nottingham Forest v Watford
Shrewsbury v Sheffield Wednesday
Exeter or Liverpool v West Ham
Huddersfield or Reading v Walsall
Derby County v Man Utd
Arsenal v Burnley
Eastleigh or Bolton v Leeds
West Brom or Bristol City v Peterborough
It was an interesting 2015 in the world of football and for us at the Newfanzone we’ve come up with a review of some of the events that shaped our year, You can also send in your reviews, comments and sports stories to fanzone.fans@gmail.com or tweet at us @newfanzone or @El_pauleta on twitter.
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Nigeria:
The year 2015 was bitter sweet for Nigerian football. Here are the major high and low points in the Nigerian football scene in 2015;
* In January 2015, Super Falcons and Liverpool striker Asisat Oshoala won the Women’s player of the year and Youth player of the year award at the GLO CAF Awards hosted in Lagos. The Super Falcons of Nigeria were named the Women’s National team of the year at the award.
* In May 2015, Super Falcons of Nigeria striker Asisat Oshoala won the inaugural BBC Women’s footballer of the year award.
* In June 2015, The Flying Eagles of Nigeria where knocked out of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand losing 1-0 to Germany in the round of 16. While the Super Falcons crashed out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada in the group stage.
* In July 2015, Stephen Keshi was sacked, spending less than 3 months in his return as the head coach of the Super Eagles.
* The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) unveiled Sunday Oliseh as the new coach of the Super Eagles in Abuja.
*In August 2015, The Super Falcons of Nigeria crashed out of the Rio 2016 Olympics qualifiers after suffering a 3-2 aggregate loss against Equatorial Guinea
* Kano Pillars suffered their first home defeat in 12 years when they lost 2-1 to Nasarawa United at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
* In September 2015, The Nigerian U-23 team won bronze at the football event of the All African Games while the Super Falcons lost to Cote d’Ivoire in the bronze medal match.
* In November 2015, The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile for a record fifth time. They join Brazil as the second team to win the competition back to back.
* Enyimba of Aba made history winning the GLO Premier League a record seventh time.
* Akwa United defeated Lobi Stars 2-1 to win this year’s Federation Cup at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
*In December 2015, The Nigeria U-23 team defeated Algeria 2-1 to win the CAF U-23 Championship in Senegal. The Samson Siasia lead side qualified for the football event of the Rio 2016 Olympics.
* In what summarizes the Super Eagles performance in the FIFA Ranking, Sunday Oliseh’s team ends 2015 as 66th in the world and 12th in Africa.
World Football Scene:
* In January 2015, Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA Ballon d’Or award for the third time.
*In February 2015, The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire were crowned 2015 Africa Cup of Nations champions after defeating Ghana 9-8 0n penalties in Equatorial Guinea.
* In May 2015, Jose Mourinho led Chelsea to their fifth English League title.
* Barcelona won the Spanish La Liga title for the 23rd time.
* Sevilla made European football history by becoming the first club to win the UEFA Europa League four times.
*Arsenal won the FA Cup for a record 12th time after defeating Aston Villa 4-0 at Wembley.
* Carlo Ancelotti was sacked as Real Madrid manager.
*In June 2015, Barcelona completes a historic second treble by winning the UEFA Champions League against Juventus in Berlin. It was Barcelona fourth Champions League title in the last ten years and their fifth in team history.
* Real Madrid appointed former Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez as manager on a three-year contract.
* Serbia was crowned FIFA U-20 World Cup champions after beating Brazil in final.
* Arsenal announced the signing of Petr Cech from Chelsea on a long-term contract.
* In July 2015, The United States won their third FIFA Women’s World Cup defeating Japan 5-2 in Canada.
* Chile won the Copa America for the first time in its history after a dramatic penalty shootout against Argentina in the final in Santiago.
* Fiji broke the record for the biggest win in international football with a 38-0 victory over the Federated States of Micronesia.
* Bayern Munich completed the signing of Douglas Costa from Shakhtar Donetsk on a five-year contract for €30 million.
* Chelsea announced the signing of Radamel Falcao from Monaco on a season-long loan deal.
* Manchester United completed the signing of Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich.
* Mexico won the CONCACAF Gold Cup for a record seventh time after defeating Jamaica 3-1 in Philadelphia.
* In August 2015, after a season at Manchester United, Angel Di Maria completed his move to Paris Saint-Germain on a four-year contract.
* Arsenal defeated Chelsea 1-0 to lift the Community Shield at Wembley.
* Barcelona won the UEFA Super Cup by defeating Europa League Champions Sevilla 5-4 in extra time in Tbilisi,Georgia.
* In September 2015, Manchester United completed the signing of French forward Anthony Martial from AS Monaco on a four-year contract with the option of another year.
* Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney became England’s all-time goal scorer.
* In October 2015, Wales qualified for their first major tournament since 1958.
* Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his 109th and 110th goal for PSG against Marseille to become Paris Saint-Germain all-time goal scorer.
* Brendan Rogders was sacked as Liverpool manager
* Liverpool appointed former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp as new manager.
* Cristiano Ronaldo became Real Madrid’s all-time goal scorer.
* In November 2015, Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema was charged with conspiracy to blackmail in Mathieu Valbuena sex-tape case.
* Claude Le Roy resigned as the head coach of Republic of Congo
* In December 2015, Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville was appointed as head coach of Valencia until the end of the season
* A first place finish on the last FIFA ranking of the year saw Belgium claim the Team of the year award for 2015.
* France Football Federation suspended Karim Benzema from international duty amid ongoing Blackmail case.
* Chelsea terminated the contract of the “Special one” Jose Mourinho seven months after winning them the Premier League title.
* Manchester United forward Anthony Martial won the Golden Boy award.
* FIFA ethics committee bans Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini for 8 years.
* Barcelona won their fifth trophy of 2015 by winning the FIFA Club World Cup for the third time with a victory over South American champions River Plate in Japan.
* Pep Guardiola announced he will be leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season and he will be replaced by Carlo Ancelotti.
Paul Ayorinde
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has given under-pressure Manager Rafa Benitez a vote of confidence after the 1-4 humiliation at the Santiago Bernabéu by bitter rivals Barcelona.
Real Madrid Fans protested the loss with some fans calling on Pérez to resign, some critics have called for early elections but the Real Madrid president as rejected such calls claiming that the protest was spearheaded by the Club’s Ultras whom he believes should be kept out of the stadium due to their “violent nature”.
On Benitez Pérez said: “Rafa Benítez is the solution, the manager has my full support”
The Real Madrid president accompanied by the members of the club’s board of directors said: “Rafa has just started his job here, let him keep working, and he will achieve his objectives.”
Football pundits and analyst were expecting Benitez to get the sack after a recent slump in form which as seen the Madrid team loose two games on the bounce to Sevilla and Barcelona.
Pérez also denied plans to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to PSG stating that he had no such plans as Ronaldo is an integral part of the Los Blancos.
Benitez took over from Carlo Ancelloti who was fired in the off season and he definitely got his job cut out for him with Barcelona Currently on top of the Liga with 30 points from 12 games while Real Madrid are currently 3rd with 24 points the same number of games Rafa Benitez Might get the same treatment as Ancelloti.
Real Madrid will next play Eibar away on Sunday, Nov 29 2015.
Old Trafford will play host to a testimonial match in honour of Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney next August with all profits raised from the game going to charity.
The match will mark Rooney’s 12 years at the club and is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 3rd of August 2016.
Wayne Rooney have requested that all monies generated from the game after expenses will be distributed to his chosen charities through the newly-created Wayne Rooney Foundation, itself a registered charity. The organisations to which the testimonial proceeds will be distributed by the Foundation include the NSPCC, Alder Hey Childrens’ Hospital, Claire House Hospice and the Manchester United Foundation.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in making this testimonial become a reality, most of all I want to thank the fans for all their incredible support for me and the team since I joined the club. The match night will obviously be special for me and my family but I hope it will be a night of celebration for all involved and that we can also deliver one or two surprises.” Rooney said.
“Most of all I hope the fans will come out in force and help raise as much money as possible for these amazing charities, all of which are very close to my heart for different reasons.”
According to reports in England, Wayne Rooney wants to play his boyhood club Everton and also plans to invite former Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo to return to Old Trafford for the game.
Ed Woodward, Manchester United’s executive vice chairman,said: “I am delighted that United fans will be able to celebrate Wayne’s amazing years at the club in this way. From his sensational debut hat-trick to the latest of his 236 goals, he has been a central figure in what has been one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, winning everything from the Club World Cup, the Champions League and League Cup, to his five Premier League titles.
“Wayne has selected good causes very close to his heart and the club is delighted to play its part, in providing Old Trafford as a fitting stage for such a game.”
A Liga BBVA assistant referee has told anti-corruption officials he was pressured by the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) to support Real Madrid in the upcoming Clasico against Barcelona in November.
Jacinto Vicente, the lawyer of the unnamed official, told Barcelona based newspaper Sport that a formal complaint has been made to the public prosecutor’s office in Barcelona, with the assistant referee told to “prejudice the interests of one of the clubs, Barcelona.”
According to Spanish radio network COPE,the copy of the document presented by Vicente, reads: “In this context, in the middle of September, with two months still to go [before the Clasico], a referee said to my client he had received, and I quote, ‘an instruction directly from someone inside.’
“The guidelines said that they could be the refereeing team for the Clasico even though it has still not been named, nor will it be until closer to the date between Madrid and Barcelona on Nov. 21. In the case that they were designated the game, it was indicated that they must try to referee the game in a certain manner, in more certain terms, to prejudice the interests of one of the clubs, Barcelona.”
The case began with the assistant referee allegedly receiving a phone call in mid-September from the match official he usually works with.
Vicente’s document reads that the match official was told “it would be more convenient if the most difficult decisions in this game are not taken by the main referee, as it generates more controversy in the media but by [my client] the assistant. If the decisions are made by the assistant, it was considered, less controversy would be generated and it would also dilute more quickly. In addition, it was also stated that this practice has already been tested in 2014-15 and that, precisely, on that occasion the main referee was exposed and criticised by the media. For that reason, it was convenient to be more subtle.”
The assistant referee alleges that CTA spokesman Jose Angel Jimenez Munoz de Morales phoned him a few days after the first call in September, told him the CTA knew of his refusal to follow instructions, and advised him to do as told or else face the end of his refereeing career.
The assistant referee says that he did not record the phone conversation because he didn’t expect it, but that the number of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) switchboard had shown up.
Jacinto Vicente told Barcelona based newspaper Sport: “One person let me know about a referee that had a problem and wanted to talk with me. It’s deducible that he is not from Barcelona (because if he was he would not have been chosen for the game). For a professional reason I had to go to Barcelona, where I met with him. He explained everything that had occurred and wanted to go public with the pressure being put on him because it’s the only way to clean up Spanish football and the only way to change a closed system. I advised him that it was not the best solution to publish the claims, but that the normal thing to do would be to report it to the police. It scared him because he didn’t want his name to come out. If it does, he could have a serious professional problem. I told him that he should speak with the police first and the prosecution. On October 19 I got in contact with the police and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor began investigating the case.”
FIFA and France Football have today announced the names of the nominees for the FIFA Ballon d’Or and for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football awards.
The awards recognise the best in each category, without distinction of championship or nationality, for their respective achievements between 22 November 2014 and 20 November 2015 inclusive.
The final decisions will be made by the captains and head coaches of the men’s national teams as well as by international media representatives selected by France Football. The winners of all of the awards will be announced at the FIFA Ballon d’Or as part of a televised show at the Zurich Kongresshaus on 11 January 2016.
The list of 23 male candidates has been drawn up by football experts from the FIFA Football Committee and a group of experts from France Football. The list of ten coaches has been drawn up by the Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and by the FIFA Football Committee, as well as by a group of experts from France Football.
The voting period for the awards commences on 26 October 2015 and closes on 20 November 2015 (midnight CET). In the event that insufficient votes (less than two-thirds of all potential jury members) are cast during the voting period, FIFA and France Football may, at their discretion, extend the voting period by one week to allow only those participating jury members who have not yet cast their vote by 20 November 2015 (midnight CET) to do so.
On 30 November, FIFA and France Football will announce in a web show the names of the three women and three men, as well as the three coaches for women’s football and three coaches for men’s football, who have received the most votes (without announcing the winners). The three nominees for the FIFA Puskás Award (honouring the most beautiful goal of the year) will be also unveiled.
Men’s Football shortlists for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2015
The following 23 players (in alphabetical order) are in contention for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2015:
Sergio Agüero (Argentina/Manchester City),
Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid),
Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid),
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid),
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/VfL Wolfsburg/Manchester City),
Eden Hazard (Belgium/Chelsea), Zlatan Ibrahimović
(Sweden/Paris Saint-Germain), Andrés Iniesta (Spain/FC Barcelona),
Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid),
Robert Lewandowski (Poland/FC Bayern Munich),
Javier Mascherano (Argentina/FC Barcelona),
Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona),
Thomas Müller (Germany/FC Bayern Munich),
Manuel Neuer (Germany/FC Bayern Munich),
Neymar (Brazil/FC Barcelona), Paul Pogba (France/Juventus),
Ivan Rakitić (Croatia/FC Barcelona),
Arjen Robben (Netherlands/FC Bayern Munich),
James Rodríguez (Colombia/Real Madrid),
Alexis Sánchez (Chile/Arsenal),
Luis Suárez (Uruguay/FC Barcelona),
Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire/Manchester City),
Arturo Vidal (Chile/Juventus/FC Bayern Munich).
The following ten coaches (in alphabetical order) are in contention for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football 2015:
Massimiliano Allegri (Italy/Juventus),
Carlo Ancelotti (Italy/Real Madrid),
Laurent Blanc (France/Paris Saint-Germain),
Unai Emery (Spain/Sevilla FC),
Pep Guardiola (Spain/FC Bayern Munich),
Luis Enrique Martínez (Spain/FC Barcelona),
José Mourinho (Portugal/Chelsea),
Jorge Sampaoli (Argentina/Chilean national team),
Diego Simeone (Argentina/Atlético Madrid),
Arsène Wenger (France/Arsenal).
Source: FIFA.com
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