A recent report claims that former Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Steve Ballmer has met and won the bid to buy the Los Angeles Clippers at $2Billion.
According to USA Today, a source who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly, said Shelly Sterling had a signed contract with Ballmer that was sent to the NBA for approval. At least three-quarters of the league's owners must approve the sale.
Read more on USATODAY
Nigeria and Stoke City forward Osaze Odemwingie as usual took to Twitter to voice out his joy on his comeback to the Super Eagles squad playing in the international friendly against Scotland.
Brazil 2014 is the target, go ahead @OdemwingieP
Netherland's Rafael Van Der Vaart has been ruled out of World Cup after picking up a calf injury in training on Tuesday.
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is one of the key players tipped to lead the 23-man squad to Brazil 2014 in few weeks but with the turn out of events, he will not recover until after the tournament.
Currently with Hamburger SV, Van Der Vaart 31 saw action in the 2006 and the 2010 World Cup.
Scotland's friendly against Nigeria in London on Wednesday night
is being investigated by police after claims that attempts have
been made to fix the match.
National Crime Agency officers, who investigate serious and
organised crime, have tipped off world governing body FIFA over
possible attempts to rig the fixture.
Dailymail.co.uk reports
According to a recent report, five English Premier League teams made the list of most valuables brand in the world.
10) PSG - $324m brand value
PSG won their second consecutive Ligue 1 title last term,and are up a whopping 14 places from last year's brand table. They're also set to make Chelsea's David Luiz the world's most expensive ever defender in the coming weeks.
9) Borussia Dortmund - $327m brand value
Jurgen Klopp's side average more home fans at their stadium every week than any other side in Europe, but are losing the battle for German supremacy at the moment with Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich outfit.
8) Liverpool - $469m brand value
Liverpool have qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2009, but are actually down one place from last year. They have especially large followings in Indonesia and the Far East.
7) Chelsea - $502m brand value
Roman Abramovich has turned Chelsea into a genuine footballing
superpower since buying the club a decade ago, and he's seen the
Blues win three Premier League titles and a maiden Champions League crown in that time.
6) Arsenal - $505m brand value
After winning the much needed silverware FA Cup, Arsene Wenger's side will be looking to build on the success next term following an ambitious summer transfer market.
5) Manchester City - $510m brand value
City won the Premier League for the second time in three years and also collected the League Cup during Manuel Pellegrini's first season in charge. They're up three places from last term in the brand table.
4) FC Barcelona - $622m brand value
Having finished the season without a trophy, but they still have the world's most marketable footballer Lionel Messi on their books, who has won the Ballon D'or a ludicrous four times already, despite being only 26-years-old.
3) Manchester United - $739m brand value
United were at the very top of the brand table last year, but after Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement and the miserable season David Moyes endured, their brand value has dropped by over £60m in one season.
2) Real Madrid - $768m brand value
Real Madrid recently won their tenth European Cup, beating bitter
rivals Atletico 4-1 in the final after Extra-Time. They're up two places from last season's brand table, and have the world's two most expensive footballers, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale on their books.
1) Bayern Munich - $896m brand value
Bayern Munich have won two consecutive Bundesliga titles, and finished last term with a record points tally in the German top flight. In Pep Guardiola, they have by far the world's highest paid manager as well.
#Sources: Fanatic.com and Soccernation.com
Reports have it that three Nigerians met their death while watching the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Athletico Madrid at a viewing on Saturday night in Jos.
According to Vanguard, The blast came just days after a twin car bomb attack ripped through a crowded market in the city, killing 118 and raising fears of a spread of Boko Haram Islamist violence from the restive northeast.
Read more here
Uruguay and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is a doubt for the World cup after picking up a kneel injury in training.
Reports suggest that he suffered meniscus damage and will undergo surgery that normally keeps players out for long.
Source: Supersport
FC Barcelona on Monday confirmed their former player Luis Enrique as new manager.
Enrique takes over from Gerardo Tata Martino and will be in charge for the next two years all things being equal.
According to a statement released by the Spanish club “The FC Barcelona board of directors have this evening confirmed Luis Enrique Martíneza the new first team coach, following a proposal from sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta. Luis Enrique, 44 , will sign a two-
year deal.”
Enrique become the fourth manager the club will be hiring in a space of seven years. Pep Guardiola was in charge from 2008-2012, late Tito Vilanova 012-2013 while Tata Martino handled the team for the 2013 season.
In England, Manchester United also confirmed Luis Van Gaal as their new manager who takes over the helm of affairs from Interim Manager Ryan Giggs who has just been confirmed as assistant to the Dutchman.
He is however expected to return the club to winning ways after an unimpressive 2013/2014 season with David Moyes in charge.
London based Nigerian Olasunkami Olalekan flying his Arsenal flag after the epic English FA CUP final on Saturday
Undefeated American Boxer, Floyd Mayweather recently shared this photo of his Childhood days on Instagram.
He knew he was going to be great. So if you can dream it, you can achieve it.
This is interesting! Football fans across the globe are beginning to have a rethink on the issue of Benfica being under a "curse".
Benfica were clearly the best side on the night against Sevilla in the Europa league final on Wednesday night but lost on penalties to the Spanish side.
According to this report Benfica coach Jorge Jesus and several of the players laughed off talk of the infamous curse in the buildup to the final, but it has now been 52 years since coach Guttman stormed out and the club has failed in every single one of its subsequent European title clashes.
Known as the Jose Mourinho of his era, Guttman had just led Benfica to back-to-back European Cup victories and the Portuguese club looked set to rule the international stage for years to come.
However, shortly after steering his side to victory over Real Madrid in 1962, Guttman quit when his request for a pay rise was turned down.
On leaving he allegedly cursed the club, declaring "not in a hundred years from now will Benfica ever be European champion."
And so far it hasn't.
Read more here on USATODAY
Sevilla have won the Europa League after defeating Benfica 4-2 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes of open play in Turin.
Benfica were beaten 12 months ago in the final by Chelsea but this marks a 3rd Europa trophy for Sevilla in eight years.
Many have been quick to criticize Chelsea forward Fernando Torres and some other strikers across the globe for being less potent during the season.
Do you agree with Samuel Eto’o on his view as seen in this Image? Could that also be the reason why Torres is going to the world cup? Many questions demanding answers.
Samir Nasri has been left out of France's World Cup squad. This was revealed when Didier Deschamps unveiled a 23-man list plus seven standby players on Tuesday.
The Manchester City midfielder has been labelled "troublemaker" in the national team but was part of the team that saw the team through the play off though not impressive in the campaign.
Read more here on SUPERSPORT.COM
Belgian Eden Hazard has been voted as Chelsea player of the season.
The 23 year old scored a total of 14 goals with seven assists which helped the Blues finish third on the English Premier League log (automatic champions league spot).
It could be recalled that the forward was linked to French champions PSG and recently made the headlines for his comments after their Champions league exit.
Tottenham Hotspur announced that the club has parted ways with the manager Tim Sherwood after leading them to a Europa League spot.
Tim took over from Andres Villas Boas and wa handed a contract which has now been cut short by the club management.
According to Daniel Levy's (Chairman) statement on the club's website which reads “We appointed Tim mid-season as someone who knew both the players and the Club.
“We agreed an 18-month contract with a break clause at the end of the season and we have now exercised that option.
“Since appointing Tim as Assistant First Team Coach in 2008 and then as Technical Co-ordinator in 2010 and Head of Football Development in 2012, we have been supportive of him during football management changes throughout that period. On behalf of the Club, I should like to state our thanks for all his efforts during his years with us. We wish him great success in his managerial career.
“Moving forward, now the season is over, we shall embark on the process of finding a new Head Coach. We have a talented squad and exciting young players coming through. We need to build on this season, develop our potential and inspire the kind of performances that we associate with our great Club."
Stoke City and Nigeria international, Osaze Odemwingie took to the social media to thank his fans and comment on his call up yo the Super Eagles for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
the UEFA Referees Committee has announced the referee for the 2014 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid CF and Club Atlético de Madrid, which takes place at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in Lisbon on Saturday 24
May.
According to a statement on the European Football body's website which reads "The match will be refereed by 41-year-old Dutchman Björn Kuipers, who has been an international referee since 2006.
"In total, Kuipers has officiated at 68 UEFA matches in his refereeing career. This season, he has taken charge of four UEFA Champions League and three UEFA Europa League matches. Kuipers also refereed last season’s UEFA Europa League final between SL Benfica and
Chelsea FC (1-2) in Amsterdam.
"At the final in Lisbon, Björn Kuipers will be assisted by his fellow
countrymen Sander van Roekel and Erwin Zeinstra. The fourth official will be Cüneyt Çakır from Turkey, and the two additional assistant referees, Pol van Boekel and Richard Liesveld, are also from the Netherlands. A Dutch reserve assistant referee – Angelo Boonman – completes the line-up of the refereeing team.
Also mentioned in the release are referees for the Europa league and women's Champions League final.
Read more here on UEFA.COM
Manchester City defeated Aston Villa 4-0 at the Etihad stadium to go atop the Barclays Premier League with two points off Liverpool.
After a goalless first half, Edin Dzeko grabbed a brace, substitute Jovetic and Yaya Toure finished off Villa.
City will host West Ham on Sunday in the last match of the season and a win or draw would suffice at the Etihad for City to be crowned champions.
Manager of Arsenal FC Arsene Wenger has revealed how he would have landed Chelsea's Eden Hazard.
The young Belgian was then being chased by Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur but it was the blues that finally got hold of the 23-year old for €40m.
According to Wenger “Yes, I wanted to take him,”.
Wenger told BeIN Sports. “I had his agent at my home but again the barrier was financial and Chelsea made an effort that I couldn’t
make.
“He can be one of the players who grows into the [Lionel] Messi, [Cristiano] Ronaldo stature if he continues to develop well.”
Wenger, who has not yet signed a contract extension to stay at the Emirates, also admitted that he would consider coaching in Germany, if he left the Gunners.
“If I were to go somewhere then I think it would be in a different country because I am so much Arsenal that I would not like to coach anywhere else in England,” he remarked.
“Germany [is an option] because I am of German culture a little bit and it’s a country where I have never worked and I am very close to it.”
Interim manager of Manchester United saw and participated in the 3-1 defeat of Hull City at the Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
The victory was inspired by 18-year old debutant for United, James Wilson who grabbed a brace along side Robin Van Persie's lone goal.
Giggs also came on later in the match and made a statement there after saying good times will return after a disastrous season. He said “A special thanks also to Nemanja to who is leaving us this year. He goes with our best wishes for success in the coming years.
"We know it has been tough this season and over the years we have been spoilt by the success we have had.
Liverpool lost played a 3-3 draw against Crystal Place in London on Monday night in their penultimate end of season game.
Liverpool went ahead early enough to score thrice through Joe Allen, Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez but the table turned around when Damien Delaney struck and two other goals from Dwight Gayle stunned the Reds as they settle for stalemate.
Manager of the side lamented his disapprove stating that the chance for his to claim the title is over.
"There is no doubt Manchester City will go on and win it," said Rodgers.
"We needed to win to keep the pressure on going into the last game and we did not do that."
"It was hugely disappointing," Rodgers told reporters after the game. "For 78 minutes, we were outstanding and did everything that we would want to do."
"It doesn't take away the pain now, because we've drawn a game we should have won. But that will be an area we look to improve on again next year, and if we do that then we'll continue to get better."
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez couldn't hide his emotions as he bowed his head and cried.
Manchester City Midfielder Samir Nasri had hailed the impressive performance exhibited by Crystal Palace in the 3-3 draw against Liverpool on Monday night.
Obviously pleased with the result, he took to Twitter to express his satisfaction at the outcome which leaves his side needing just 4point in the remaining two games to be crowned champions.
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been recognized once again but this time, it's the Football Writers Player of the year award collecting 52 per cent of the votes, while his Reds teammate and skipper, Steven Gerrard, came second ahead of Yaya Toure in third.
Suarsez clinched the PFA Player of the Year honour at a special ceremony in London last week.
The Uruguay striker has scored 30 goals so far this 2013-14 season which has helped his side to second place in the Barclays Premier League table.
Someone is speaking tough and some people have to listen. Yes! You cannot but be attracted to players when their clubs are doing well and get less attracted when the club's aren't up on their performance.
Manager of the Three Lions Roy Hodgson has made it clear that the English national team is not God-given to United players.
Players like Michael Carrick, Danny Welbeck et al who were important to the squad during the qualifiers have to watch it now.
"Manchester United are one of the few teams that have had a lot of English players," he told The Independent. "But football players have to accept unfortunately their England careers are tied up with their club careers.
"If it’s not going well in their clubs, and it’s not going well for them in their clubs, and other players are doing extremely well in their clubs, it does put your position as a national team player under some sort of threat.
Read more on Dailymail.co.uk
Liverpool Manager Brendan Rogers has made it clear that their chase for the title is not over yet despite the stern challenge from Manchester City.
They go to Crystal Palace on Monday night but the Manager is upbeat that his side will do whatever it takes to outshine City who are nine goals better on goal differences.
Rogers told reporters that "It is a tough task for City.
"No matter how it works, at this stage of the season to play three games that really, really matter is a real, real tough ask at this stage of the season.
"Manchester City need to win all their games which means they
will have won five games in a row and they have only done that
once this season in the league.
"It will be a wee bit new for them as well. It is certainly not over by
a long way."
Source: Tribalfootball.com
Reports have it that Arsenal FC may cough out £31m for in-form Athletico Madrid striker Diego Costa who is also being chased by fellow Chelsea.
It could be recalled that Arsenal missed out on Liverpool Striker Luis Suarez earlier in the season but could make up for that with the signature of the Spaniard Costa.
There are also speculations that Chelsea are willing to pay £32m for the Athletico Madrid forward.
Cardiff City and Fulham have been confirmed relegated to the Championship after they lost their week 37 matches against Newcastle United and Stoke City respectively.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men are rocking the bottom with 30 points while Fulham occupy 19th position with 31 Points. The third is yet to be confirmed as Sunderland upset Manchester United 1-0 at the Old Trafford on Saturday to move up from the relegation zone.
Norwich must however beat Chelsea on Sunday to have a gasp of hope in the relegation battle.
At the top of the Log, Everton lost to Manchester City 2-3 at the Gudison Park. For city, it's a glimpse of hope as all they need do is to win the remaining two matches to be crowned champions.
Tottenham on the other hand lost 0-2 to West Ham United. A couple of other results:
Aston Villa 3-1 Hull City
Swansea 0-1 Southampton
"Ten Reasons why I like Jose Mourinho" - By Godwin Enakhena
1) He is a success story wherever he goes
2) A very hard worker who detests failure
3) A man who makes players under him work for his money
4) A coach who is a journalist's delight
5) A man who believes in superstars but insists they can not be bigger that the coach
6) A talkative, a 'gift' millions who criticize him are guilty of in many aspects.
7) Dubbed arrogant because he treads where small minds won't dare.
8) He fails sometimes because he's human
9) Learnt the biz under some of the best managers in the game. He's educated. Paid his dues.
10) He Stimulates discuss wherever he goes and also gets his greatest enemies to talk about him unconsciously.
Remember you don't have to agree with me but state your reasons for or against the self styled special one.
Godwin Enakhena
Managing Director & CEO Global Media
Sports Broadcaster
Twitter: @genakhena
Reports have it that Edin Hazard has reportedly questioned Jose Mourinho's tactics. He's quoted telling French media that 'Chelsea aren't set up to play football.'
Mourinho's been criticised for his defensive tactics against Atletico Madird and Liverpool.
Source: Skysports
Fans on social media make mockery of Chelsea after losing 1-3 to Athletico Madrid in the Semi Final of the UCL.
