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Spain crush Tahiti 10-0 and ‘it could’ve been worse’

In a one-sided match at the Confederations Cup, World Cup winner Spain crushed the Pacific islanders from Tahiti 10-0 yesterday (this morning, Singapore time) — a result that was not as bad as some had suggested beforehand. Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta said he feared Spain might score 15 or 20. Still, the winning margin was the largest in a Confederations Cup match. The previous record margin was six, when Brazil beat Saudi Arabia 8-2 in 1999 and when Brazil beat Australia 6-0 in 1997. Fernando Torres, who missed a penalty late in the match, scored four goals. David Villa added three goals, David Silva two and Juan Mata one. Tahiti was the crowd favourite at the Maracana stadium, with Brazilians wildly cheering the underdogs and jeering Spain. When Spanish midfielder Mata tried to score with a bicycle kick with the score at 4-0, the effort was met with loud booing. The game had the tone of a practice game — or a friendly. Even before it began, the outcome was never in doubt. The spirit was set by Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta, who put a flower lei, or necklace, around the neck of Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque. “They (Brazilians) are always on the side of the underdog, meaning Tahiti,” Del Bosque said. “I believe the fans respected the show and enjoyed the match.” Etaeta called playing Spain a “Christmas present”. “We lost but we won the hearts of the Brazilian public. So obrigado, obrigados a tudos,” he said after the game, saying “thank you, everyone” in Portuguese. Etaeta said it was frustrating that his team was now better known in Brazil than at home. Del Bosque defended Tahiti’s place in the tournament, despite some criticising the inclusion of the tiny island with only 180,000 residents. “They are the champions of Oceania,” he said. “That’s football. They did what they had to do and they deserved to be here.” Tahitian players also draped trinkets around the neck of the Spanish players just before the start, another gesture of friendship and respect for the Spanish side. Tahiti were 1-0 down after 15 minutes, hardly an illustration of the gulf between the world champions and a team comprising amateurs who hold down day jobs. But Spain led 4-0 by the break. The largest margin of victory in a FIFA match came in 2001, when Australia beat American Samoa 31-0 in Oceania qualifying for the World Cup. In the World Cup, the record is nine, set three times. Hungary beat South Korea 9-0 in 1954, Yugoslavia routed Zaire 9-0 in 1974 and Hungary defeated El Salvador 10-1 in 1982. The biggest rout in football happened in 2002 when Stade Olympique de l’Emyrne scored 149 own-goals in a match against AS Adema in Madagascar in protest of what it claimed was partial refereeing. AS Adema won 149-0. AP

More Tax Trouble For Messi

A Barcelona court has agreed to take up a tax evasion case against Lionel Messi, the world’s best soccer player, and his father, Jorge Horacio, for using shell corporations to hide €4.165 million($5.5 million) from Spanish tax authorities. Messi, who for the first time was said to have “consented,” is expected to testify on September 17, alongside his father. As we had previously reported, FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who netted $41.3 million in the year to June and is the world’s tenth-best-paid-athlete, and his father were accused by prosecutor Raquel Amado of hiding his true earnings from Spain’s tax authorities. On Thursday, a Barcelona judge accepted the case, setting a court date for the famous athlete and his father to testify. While the prosecution’s original statements, picked up by Spanish media, noted Jorge Horacio, the athlete’s father, was the architect of the scheme, Thursday’s charges appear to smear the four-time FIFA World Player directly. According to Spanish daily El Pais, Messi “ratified” and “consented” to his father’s allegedly fraudulent scheme once he turned 18. Messi’s lawyer, Angel Juarez, wasn’t immediately available for comment. In a statement released last week when news of the accusations surfaced, Juarez noted he hadn’t received any notices from the prosecution. Beyond hearing of the accusations in the media, and immediately rejecting them, Juarez noted his team had been personally responsible for the star’s tax filings. In a post on his Facebook FB -1.68% page, Messi himself followed suit, noting he had always respected his tax obligations and that his legal team would take care of the situation. According to El Pais, this type of tax fraud could result in one to six years in prison for the guilty parties, and a penalty of up to six times the amount evaded. As I’ve reported previously, while it appears unlikely Messi will end up serving prison time, the situation becomes all the more troubling given the difficult fiscal situation of Spain’s regional governments, with many of them bankrupt and having been bailed out by the central government. Barcelona, which is expected to qualify to the UEFA Champions League, is expected to play the first round of the premier club competition between September 17 and 18.

Angelina Jolie Loses Aunt to Breast Cancer

On Sunday, Debbie Martin, Angelina Jolie’s aunt, died at the age of 61 at San Diego. Martin was the younger sister of Jolie’s mother and died due to the same type of breast cancer that killed Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, at the age of 56 in 2007. Both women suffered from the same defective BRCA1 gene that Jolie has been diagnosed with. Jolie had a double mastectomy done in February after it was confirmed that she was carrying the BRCA1 gene and had an 87 percent chance of developing breast cancer. She also has a chance of developing ovarian cancer, but the risk percentage is lesser than that for the cancer affecting the breasts. Ron Martin, the husband of Debbie told E! News, “Angelina has been in touch throughout the week and her brother Jamie has been with us, giving his support day by day.” Referring to the double mastectomy that Jolie underwent, Mr. Martin said, “Had we known, we certainly would have done exactly what Angelina did.” Angelina Jolie, the 37-year-old actress told the New York Times on 14th May that she had undergone removal of her breasts in a complex operation. At the time she explained to the media, “I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could.” According to her doctors, her chances of developing breast cancer have now dropped to 5 percent from 87 percent. While the BRCA1 gene is present in every human being, it mutates into the defective form in about one in a thousand people. Anyone who has a defective BRCA1 gene has a 50-80 percent chance of developing breast cancer. Angelina has also announced that later in her life she is also going to have her ovaries removed to decrease chances of developing ovarian cancer. She said that she started with her breasts because that operation was much more complex.

Samsung to Unveil New Galaxy and ATIV Devices on June 20

Samsung has just announced an event called the "Samsung Premiere 2013," held on June 20, 2013 in London. Absolutely no details were given about the event except three cryptic, black and white images (below) and two words: "Galaxy and ATIV." This suggests that the company plans to launch new Galaxy (meaning: Android) devices, as well as Windows devices which fall under Samsung's ATIV brand. The event will start at 2PM ET on June 20, and will be livestreamed at Samsung's YouTube channel.

Falling tree kills 31, injures 16 in Imo

Thirty-one persons, including two sisters, were killed when a tree at the Ukwu Uko evening market at Umuejinwaoke Umudagu village, Mbieri, Mbaitolu Local Government Area of Imo State, fell on them. 16 other victims sustained varying degrees of injury during the incident, which was caused by a rainstorm on Thursday night. A resident of the community,said that the tree fell on the affected persons about 8:00 pm. He said the tree also destroyed the village hall. “The big tree fell suddenly, killing 31 people on the spot and injuring 16 others. Those injured were taken to the hospital. “The victims include two sisters, who were selling tomatoes. Honestly, this is the saddest event in the history of our community,” he said. The traditional ruler of the community, Eze Godwin Duru, lamented that such a tragic incident had never occurred in the community. “I do not know what to say. God, what can we call this? My people were destroyed within a twinkle of an eye, what a pity,” he said. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state,declined comment on the incident after several efforts to get the command’s reaction to the issue.

Fashola Advocates Concrete Action Against Electoral Fraud

Governor Fashola, who spoke at the Public Presentation of a book titled “The Enforcement of Electoral Laws and Case Law of 2007 Election Petition Judgments”, written by eminent Law teacher, Professor Itse Sagay, at the Protea Hotel, Ikeja, said unless concrete steps were taken to show that such electoral fraud would no longer be tolerated, what happened in 2007 would repeat itself in 2015. Governor Fashola, who noted with regrets that in cases where people were named as having committed electoral irregularities that amounted to fraud, no sanctions were meted out to them, declared, “We must begin to take those very simple steps to show that we will no longer tolerate this kind of impunity in our society. And it is not about protests; it is about taking those simple and firm actions”. “And many of the people who were found by our courts to have been involved in these irregularities are still holding honorary degrees, are still holding chieftaincy titles. These are the building blocks by which society corrects impunity. We must begin to act to take back those titles because they have desecrated them; they are no longer worthy of them, even if we don’t take them to court”, Governor Fashola said. According to the Governor, “The responsibility for action against electoral fraudsters is not for the attorneys- general alone, it is for all of us, it is everybody’s responsibility; our professors in the Ivory Towers and our spiritual leaders must be more circumspect”. Citing an example with the Head of the Royal Bank of Scotland from whom the Queen of England withdrew a title given to him over an allegation of financial impropriety, Governor Fashola noted, “He had not yet been charged to court; even if he was charged to court, he had not been found guilty. I think we can learn one or two lessons from that kind of society. So for me these are the questions we should ask; what went wrong, what took place? Then we can use very simple blocks of societal norms to begin to right those wrongs”. Commenting on the book, Governor Fashola said it was done to place on record what transpired during the 2007 General Elections as well as the various judgments against those accused of electoral irregularities adding, “That is why we sought Professor Osagie’s assistance to put the materials out there about what went wrong in those cases”. “Right now, it will not be a case of witch hunting if we have a Supreme Court judgment and judgment of our Appellant Court showing that there were irregularities, irregularities that amounted in some cases to fraud, and people were named as having been involved in perpetrating those irregularities. I think we would, in a sense, have served a dish to our attorneys-general in the various states”, the Governor said. Governor Fashola, who described the 2007 General Elections as “an unwelcome barometre of impunity in our society and in our electoral history” declared, “Now, in three years time we are going to approach this same process; is anything going to change? It hasn’t changed since our first elections and I have not heard since the first elections that anybody has been charged to court let alone convicted for any electoral fraud in more than 50 years of our electoral history”. “There is the intellectual side which Professor Sagay has dealt with, he has done his part. But will that culture of impunity change if we do nothing? I fear it will not. That is why I am happy that at least two Attorneys-General are here with us and I know that they meet and in all of the states where these cases took place I hope that something will be done”, the Governor said. Governor Fashola explained that It would not matter whether or not a conviction is secured in any of the cases adding “It might just be sufficient that we put people to inquiry that we will ask questions because those judgments affirmed certain Acts of INEC. It also nullified certain Acts and nullified the elections. But how have we gone on?” “Even in cases and instances where the election of a supposedly victorious elected governor has been nullified, we carry on as if nothing is wrong. We refer to them as former governors”, the Governor said pointing out that if no actions were taken to correct such anomalies, the nation’s democracy would be in danger. Noting that national focus has largely been on economic rather than political issues, Governor Fashola declared, “But you probably will not have one without the other. That is why some people have been sensible enough to discuss the subject of political economy because without appropriate political stability, no economy will thrive. As long as the politics is functioning, the economy will function. “As important as the political system and its optimal process is, we do not pay much attention to it, we don’t ask questions. Elections hold once in four years. After that we carry on as if nothing went wrong but we know inside us that something went wrong. In football fans are as responsible as the umpires for the smooth running of a match. They can be punished if anything goes wrong from their side during a match. If an organization that is responsible for entertainment can take such serious actions, why should we not be serious with our electoral process?”, the Governor asked Describing the eminent Jurists and Academics who attended the occasion as “Giants of the Law”, Governor Fashola declared, “These are the Giants on whose shoulders we stand; Giants of the Law as they are. It is by standing on their shoulders that we attempt to see very far”. In his address at the occasion, Hon. Justice Pius Olayiwola Aderemi (rtd) described the book as “the handiwork of an excellent man” adding, “I have gone through the book which contains well researched judgments of our courts, particularly judgments of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from 2007 on election matters. I am not an academician but I make bold to submit in my humble view that the research into and arrangement of the materials in the book are indeed excellent”. The Author, in his remarks, said the project which resulted in the writing of the book “arose out of the initiative of His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State”, who, according to him, “wanted a detailed review and analysis of election petitions and judgments under the 2006 Electoral Act and the conduct of institutions and officials who played a role in the 2007 elections”. Noting that Lagos has seen tremendous physical and infrastructural transformation since 1999 and particularly in the last six years, Professor Sagay declared, “What is most significant in Governor Fashola’s work is not the physical aspect that we can see and touch. It is the unseen, yet most profound aspect – vision, commitment, focus, sacrifice, service to the people, not self-service, transparency, accountability, humility in governance, integrity, honour, and respect for the governed”.

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Halle Berry, others raise funds in US

POPULAR Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, was among popular international stars that graced this year’s EIF Revlon Walk for women that was held in the United States. The EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women, which was created in 1994, through the committed and collective efforts of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, Lilly Tartikoff and Ronald O. Perelman, is one of America’s largest fundraising events. The event, held in New York on May 4, and in Los Angeles on May 11, was attended by a huge population of celebrities, especially at the Los Angeles event. ‘Omosexy‘, who has been out in Hollywood, was among celebrities like Halle Berry, Andy Garcia, Julie Bowen from ‘Modern Family’, Mario Lopez, Heidi Klum and many more. The fundraising event has touched millions of lives as it has raised a lot of money to increase awareness, education, research, and diagnostic treatment services in the fight against women’s cancers afflictions. To date, the Run/Walk (in Los Angeles and New York) have distributed over $68 million for cancer research, treatment, counseling and outreach programs.

Hollywood to turn Messi’s life into ‘Rocky-style’ biopic

Lionel Messi's life story is to get the Hollywood treatment in the form of a 'Rocky-style' biopic movie. The little Argentine has cemented his reputation as the world's greatest footballer by winning the last four Ballon D'Or awards and has scored 46 goals from 32 appearances in La Liga this season to help Barcelona to the title. Now the Epic Pictures Group are to put his story on the big screen with Luca Caioli's biography: "Messi: The Inside Story of the Boy Who Became a Legend," being used as the source material. The production company are currently meeting with writers and directors with the aim of getting the film completed in time to release it just before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. According to Variety magazine: "Producers aim to focus on the story of a young boy from humble beginnings in Rosario, Argentina, who overcomes his physical shortcomings to become one of the greatest players of all time." Produced Patrick Ewald told the movie trade publication: "The goal is to make a powerful and positive film that will leave audiences feeling inspired to go after their dreams no matter how impossible they may seem." Only question remaining is who should play the 5'7" star? Leave your thoughts below.. For latest gist follow on twitter @callmeshegs.

Olamide denies D’banj’s DB Records deal

There had been speculation that Olamide,the popular Yoruba lingo rapper had joined D’banj’s DB Records. He has clarified that he has not joined D’banj’s DB Records. The singer took twitter to deny any deal with DB Records. “@olamide_YBNL I own My own record label uon even know it.. I ain’t signed to Db records uon even know it. Lol #KingShit” “@olamide_YBNL Banga lee n Baddo lee spiritually connected uon even know it.. #EndOfStory,”olamide tweeted twice to emphasise that he had not signed onto D’banj’s label. Sources say the Kay Switch’s tweet that convinced people Olamide had joined the Koko master’s label barely meant welcome to the D’banj, Naeto C and Ikechukwu clique. About a week ago, Kay Switch, D’banj’s brother, had tweeted: “Welcome to the family! Baddo”. DB Records have been linked with artistes such as Davido and recently, Orezi and Olamide. But with Olamide’s clarification, he is not signed onto DB Records.

We can still make top four - GYLFI SIGURDSSON

GYLFI SIGURDSSON is convinced Tottenham still have a Champions League place in their sights. Wednesday’s Stamford Bridge stalemate left Spurs relying on Chelsea or Arsenal slipping up to let them sneak into the top four. Spurs are one point behind the Gunners and three behind Chelsea going into the final two games. But midfielder Sigi said: “Arsenal have two tough games. Hopefully we’ll get six points and that will be enough. “We’ve got Stoke on Sunday and then Sunderland in our last game. We have to make sure we’re ready.” The Icelander, 23, said: “We knew we needed three points to keep it in our own hands but it wasn’t to be. “I thought we were going to nick it in the end. It was disappointing to go behind inside 10 minutes but Emmanuel Adebayor scored a great goal for us to get back into it. Hopefully it will be a big point for us come the end of the season. “I thought we started quite slowly. Chelsea were on top but we got back into it and at the end it was very open, we could have nicked it. “We knew how important it could be to get the third goal, so we gave it our all. Chelsea had chances as well, perhaps 2-2 was about fair. “The result shows the character of the team. We never give up.

Keshi not moved by Super Eagles’ rise in Fifa rankings

Nigeria moved up three places in the latest rankings released on Wednesday after climbing up three places. While Keshi admits that it’s good news, he however revealed that a rise in the rankings is not the most important thing in his agenda as he continues his rebuilding process with the national. “If Nigerians are happy with the rise in the rankings, then I am also happy with that too but to be perfectly honest with you, that’s not what I am most concerned about. “I am concerned about providing things that Nigerians will be happy about,” Keshi exclusively told supersport.com on Wednesday. The gaffer revealed that he has trained his sights on getting “decent results” in the upcoming 2014 Fifa world cup qualifiers away to Kenya and Namibia in June as well as the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup in Brazil. “Right now, I am focused on the upcoming friendly against Mexico and more importantly, the games against Namibia and Kenya next month. “Also, the big one in Brazil; (the Fifa Confederations Cup) where we will meet some of the best teams in the world. Victories in the matches we will play in the coming days will make Nigerians happier. “As for the Fifa rankings, I don’t know how Fifa determines the system but like I said, if Nigerians are happy, then I am too,” he stressed. Nigeria’s Super Eagles are now ranked 28th in the world, 4th in Africa after amassing 780 points in the latest rankings.

Former Nigeria Super Falcons coach Joseph Ladipo dies at 72

Coach Joseph Ladipo died on Thursday in southwest city of Ibadan at the age of 72. Ladipo’s son, Tunji, said the coach died at about 10.a.m. at his Ibadan residence after taking his bath. Ladipo was admitted for months at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan due to a protracted ailment. He was said to have been discharged from the hospital some days ago. The coach was in the Shooting Stars squad that won the FA Cup on club basis in 1971. He was also in charge of the Falcons when they first lost the AWC crown in 2008 in the semi finals to hosts and eventual winners, Equatorial Guinea.

Vast of Bracket receiving treatment for blood cancer

Vast from the popular singing group, Bracket, has been diagnosed with Lymphoma, a type of cancer of the blood. The singer was diagnosed in February this year after suffering serious body pains, headaches, non stop coughing, loss of weight and weakness while in Paris for a show. He flew to London where a test conducted determined he had cancer. Vast has been receiving treatment at the Wellington Hospital in the UK since February and I hear he’s responding very well to treatment. He has undergone 4 cycles of chemotherapy with each cycle costing about N1.4million. He will do a few more before returning to Nigeria next month. Sources say that he actually went to a hospital in Nigeria late last year when he started losing weight and feeling weak. They conducted a test on him but it took them forever to come back with the test result. Over three months actually. By then the cancer had spread to his liver. Thankfully he’s getting better and will return home soon.

Sigurdsson strike enough to keep Spurs in touch

It was a high-quality match played at a breathless pace but a 2-2 draw did not really suit either club.

After the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger was given another reason to smile yesterday. With his greatest adversary finally departing, Arsenal were the main beneficiaries as Chelsea and Tottenham punched each other into submission last night at the end of a thrilling derby.

It was a high-quality match played at a breathless pace but a 2-2 draw did not really suit either club. Chelsea still need another win to be sure of finishing in the top four and so cannot completely switch their focus to next Wednesday's Europa League final against Benfica while the Champions League fate of Tottenham, who twice fought back from losing positions last night, is now out of their hands. Should Arsenal win against Wigan and Newcastle, they will again finish above their north London rivals and would even have Chelsea in sight.

Rafael Benitez has admitted to concern that his players look at his team selections and draw their own conclusions about their place within his rotation system. If so, there was little encouragement last night for both John Terry and Frank Lampard ahead of next week's Europa League final.

Having been named among the substitutes, logic dictates that they will play against Aston Villa on Sunday and may well miss out next week.

That old guard, and particularly Lampard, have been perceived as the main instigators of the dressing-room resistance that undermined Andre Villas-Boas during his eight months at Stamford Bridge. Although he received what was little more than pantomime booing on being publicly welcomed back to Chelsea, he made a point of shaking hands with as many people as possible before the match, including Lampard and Terry.

Villas-Boas had caused a surprise of his own with his team selection, starting Emmanuel Adebayor and relegating Jermain Defoe to the bench. Scott Parker returned and Lewis Holtby rather than Gareth Bale started behind Adebayor. It meant pushing Bale out to the left and it was Chelsea who established control of the midfield.

Juan Mata, inevitably, was the catalyst behind most of their best play and went close with a volley after being released by Fernando Torres. Chelsea then forced a corner after Eden Hazard had been cynically tripped by Tom Huddlestone. Mata's cross was headed towards the goal by Gary Cahill, with Oscar evading Parker and timing his run perfectly to put Chelsea into the lead. Remarkably, this was Oscar's 77th game since the end of last season.

Chelsea's advantage might have been doubled moments later, when Mata found space but shot wastefully over from Cesar Azpilicueta's cross.

With David Luiz again sweeping up to great effect in his new holding midfield position, Chelsea's fans became sufficiently confident to start taunting Tottenham that 'you've only got one player'. They spoke too soon. Holtby dispossessed Hazard and Ramires before feeding the ball to Adebayor just inside Chelsea's half. Inexplicably, Azpilicueta and Cahill back-pedalled, inviting Adebayor into a shooting position. Petr Cech had also wandered off his line and, sensing his opportunity, Adebayor brilliantly lifted the ball over the Chelsea goalkeeper and into the top corner.

Tottenham might have been level but the momentum still remained with Chelsea. Torres, who was without his mask for the first time in several months, responded with a moment of individual skill and passed for Ramires to finish clinically past Lloris. With Adebayor producing a rare performance of real influence, Tottenham pushed hard for another equaliser but were almost punished on the stroke of half-time after another slick sequence that ended with Oscar shooting into the arms of Lloris.

Chelsea continued to dominate after the interval, with Mata giving a further demonstration of his vision to create a chance for Torres that was bundled wide by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

A great chance went begging after Mata galloped clear following a wonderful touch from Hazard only for Ramires to lose his footing. There was then another moment of comedy when Luiz crept to the touchline and listened in to Villas-Boas's instructions to Holtby while nodding in mock agreement. The scoreline, however, was still not nearly as comfortable as it should have been for Chelsea, and Bale had a penalty appeal turned down after a tangle with Ashley Cole.

Luiz and Villas-Boas then found themselves embroiled in a heated exchange as the manager complained about the Brazilian's use of an elbow on Gylfi Sigurdsson. Clint Dempsey and Tom Carroll were also introduced as Villas-Boas sought to get something out of the game, although it was puzzling he should not opt for Defoe. Villas-Boas, though, was vindicated on 80 minutes when Luiz failed to track Sigurdsson's run and he ghosted into the penalty area unmarked to finish Adebayor's clever pass.

Chelsea fans were unimpressed when Benitez replaced Oscar with Yossi Benayoun, accusing their interim manager of not knowing what he is doing as a vital win went begging

Benfica Displays Confidence Ahead Of Chelsea Europa League Clash

One of the interviews was with Coach Jorge Jesus who says his main concern is the weekend’s decisive championship clash against fierce rivals Porto and not the Europa League final which will take place in Amsterdam next Wednesday. “Our priority in terms of objectives is the championship,” he said. “We have been saying this since the first day we started this journey.” It will be the first European final in 23 years for the Lisbon club, who lost to AC Milan in the European Cup showpiece in 1990, and they have not won a European trophy since the second of their successive European Cups in 1962. “We are very confident,” said Jesus. “It’s a step for Benfica to reach their first European final for 23 years. The results we have got so far have taken us to this final. As always we have a lot of respect for Chelsea, but we very confident that we can win it.” Influential Serbian international Nemanja Matic is ready to show Chelsea what they lost in next week’s Europa League final after he failed to impress in London and was shuttled to Benfica as part of David Luiz’s big-money signing for Chelsea in 2011. “To tell the truth I don’t have any special feeling because for me that game is like every game in the Portuguese league or in the cup,” said Matic, who played two matches in two years at Stamford Bridge. “Of course, it’s a final, we play against a good team and me and all the team will be at our best to win.” This season Matic has earned the nickname “Spider”, because of his long and thin legs, coupled with his agility across the pitch. He seemed pleased when asked what he thought about the moniker. “I didn’t know that. Spider!? It is funny,” said the usually serious Serb said with a grin.

David Moyes given Manchester United job on Sir Alex Ferguson's approval

David Moyes will become the Manchester United manager today following Sir Alex Ferguson's recommendation to the club's hierarchy that his fellow Scot succeed him at Old Trafford.Moyes, whose 4 million pounds-a-year contract at Goodison Park expires at the end of the season, was in London on Wednesday evening to discuss his departure from Everton with the club chairman Bill Kenwright. But with United confirming yesterday morning that Ferguson will end his 27-year reign as manager following the Premier League fixture against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on May 19, Moyes' arrival at Old Trafford is understood to be a formality, with the champions hoping to conclude negotiations today. Despite long-term speculation linking Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho with the United job, the Portuguese was not considered by the club's American owners, the Glazer family. Ferguson informed them in late February that this season would be his last. Neither United chief -executive David Gill nor the Glazers tried to change his mind. The Glazers and Gill sought Ferguson's advice on the man best suited to succeed him and he nominated Moyes. Senior figures at the club confirmed that the 71-year-old's -contribution was fundamental to the decision to pursue Moyes. Although Moyes's lack of Champions League experience has been raised as a potential handicap to his ability to build on Ferguson's legacy of two European Cups, United are confident that the 50-year-old will thrive among Europe's elite.Leading figures in the game, including Ferguson, have made it clear to Gill and the Glazers that Moyes' tactical acumen is the equal of Europe's leading coaches. His commitment to building teams and his longevity at Everton have also been cited as crucial factors in -United's decision to recruit him. Ferguson and Moyes have formed a strong relationship since the then-Preston North End manager rejected the opportunity to become Ferguson's assistant in 1999. Their shared principles have created a sense within United that they have hired a man who bears a close resemblance to the 44-year-old enticed from Aberdeen as Ron Atkinson's successor in November 1986. Ferguson is understood to believe that the time is right to leave the club because United have reasserted their dominance both locally and nationally. United sources denied that the hip surgery later he has planned for the summer influenced the retirement decision. "The decision is one that I have thought a great deal about and that I have not taken lightly," Ferguson said. "It is the right time. It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so. "The quality of this league-winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one. "I am delighted to take on the roles of both director and ambassador for the club. With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to the future. "In my early years, the backing of the board, and Sir Bobby Charlton in particular, gave me the confidence and time to build a football club, rather than just a football team." Although Ferguson has accepted the role of non-executive director, he will not have an office at Old Trafford or Carrington, with his retirement described by sources as a "clean break". That will spare Moyes the prospect of his predecessor retaining a presence similar to Sir Matt Busby's following his retirement in 1969.Martin Edwards, the chairman who appointed Ferguson as manager in 1986, insists he will not present a distraction for Moyes. "Alex is aware of what happened when Sir Matt stepped down," Edwards said. "Any new manager would be happy to have him in the background and imparting his knowledge to them. I don't see the problem arising again." Charlton, who has worked closely with Ferguson, echoed those comments. "Alex Ferguson doesn't work like that," Charlton said. "He won't interfere. It would be to the detriment of the club. He's famed for his -decision-making and this will just be another decision." Former United captain Gary Neville, whose brother Phil has spent eight years working under Moyes at Everton, believes he will be an ideal successor to Ferguson. "I would welcome it and it makes sense in some ways," Neville said. "They [United] want someone to respect the tradition and history of the club and somebody who is there for the long-term. This is not a club that will go for quick fixes. I see the appointment as a result for sanity in football."

Why there is no Boko Haram in Zamfara says Yari

The Zamfara state governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari has attributed the absence of activities of the Boko Haram sect in the state to the combined efforts of traditional rulers and good governance. Speaking with state House correspondents after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, governor Yari said Zamfara has always distinguished itself as a peaceful state because even when there were riots in parts of the north when Sharia law was introduced, there was no riot in the whole of Zamfara state. The governor led a delegation of traditional rulers, former governors, members of the National Assembly and others prominent indigenes of the state to visit president Jonathan in his office Thursday. Speaking on the absence of activities of Boko Haram, the governor said “The president also appreciated the way and manner that Zamfara state has peace. He clearly mentioned that if there is any place in the country that would have the kind of Boko Haram activities if truly it has to do with Islam, then it should be Zamfara state. He appreciate the fact that there is no incidence like that in Zamfara state. “I think that has to do with the collective effort both from the traditional rulers and I can clearly mention the issue of good governance right from 1999 till date. When the sharia was established, all the crises that happened in other states never happened in Zamfara state. This is part of good governance” he said. On the visit of the delegation to he president, the governor said the delegation was in Aso Rock to express appreciation to the president for some of he things he has done for Zamfara state recently. “Recently, the federal Executive Council approved the establishment of a Federal university in Zamfara state. Since the establishment of the state, Zamfara has been struggling to get a university in place but as God will have it it did not happen until now. We came to express our appreciation to the president for this gesture. “You are also aware of our struggle with lead poisoning. Recently, the president approved about N900million for the remediation of some villages that were affected by poisoning. As I am talking to you, work is on and myself and the Honouable minister of state for works and the Minister of Information will be at the site to see how the work is going. It is important for us as a community to come and appreciate these gestures by the president. “Mr president appreciates the way we came as a united team for progress in Zamfara state and he clearly said that he has not received this kind of team from any other state. It is good for people to appreciate when somebody does any good Thing for you as prescribed in our religion Islam” he said.

RUMOUR

Unconfirmed, I must stress, UNCONFIRMED! Rumours are circulating that Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney both miss today's game.

Bayern to wrap up early title

Should Dortmund drop points against Stuttgart on Saturday, the Bavarians could become the first team to seal the Bundesliga in March. With the prospect of wrapping up the Bundesliga, Bayern are unlikely to rest any players ahead of the Champions League tie with Juventus in midweek. Indeed, the only projected absence is long-term injury victim Holger Badstuber. Mario Gomez should be fit to feature despite missing both of Germany's recent games with Kazakhstan. On the other hand, Hamburg will be without a host of players for the trip to Bavaria, with Marcell Jansen and Maxi Beister are both suspended for the match. Michael Mancienne is back in light training following a lengthy injury, Ivo Ilicevic and Lam Zhi Gin are both out with abdominal and knee injuries respectively. DID YOU KNOW? Bayern Munich sealed their 2000-01 Bundesliga title with a victory over Hamburg on the last day of the season, pipping Schalke by one point. Should the Bavarians clinch the league crown on Saturday, it would be the first time a team has done so after just 27 matches. Only Gerd Muller has a better minutes-per-goal ratio than Mario Gomez (114) in the Bundesliga. The last time Hamburg finished ahead of Bayern in the Bundesliga was in the 1983-84 season. Goalkeeper Rene Adler (pictured, right) has never kept a clean sheet against Bayern and never ended up on the winning side. HSV have won just seven points, scoring only six goals in the seven matches that Rafael van der Vaart has missed this season.

Mancini accepts Manchester United league victory

Roberto Mancini is hoping that his Manchester City side continue to pick up the points as they look to finish their Premier League campaign in second place, having accepted that Manchester United are too far ahead to be caught up. Last year's champions are 15 points behind their city rivals with only nine games remaining, with are only four and five points, respectively, separating them from of Chelsea and Tottenham. Mancini's side are still yet to face United and Spurs, both away from the Etihad Stadium, which could cause a late twist in the race for the top four. The Italian told reporters of the potential threat: "I'm sure Chelsea and Tottenham want to take the second position and we must do our best for this reason. "We want to stay there, we want to finish in second position. "When you are in football anything can happen if you don't play well and if you don't work hard. Now, I don't think this can happen but we should pay attention. "It is also important for them to get second position because if we finish runners-up and win the FA Cup it would still have been a good season when you consider all the problems we have had."

EMENIKE TO LEAD EAGLES ATTACK

In an effort to ensure that the Super Eagles improve before the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in June, coach Stephen Keshi has hinted that Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike could make his return against Mexico. The Super Eagles are billed to play Mexico in a friendly on May 31 in Houston, United States of America and the former Togo coach is looking forward to inviting the AFCON highest goal scorer for the encounter. Emenike who was not considered for last Saturday’s encounter at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar due to injury was greatly missed in the game that ended in a 1-1 draw. “We definitely have to improve before the return leg match in Nairobi and the best of our players will be called for the game,” Keshi said during an exclusive chat. Speaking on Emenike’s return to the team after his injury layoff and following the striker's widely reported criticism of his national coach's insensitivity to his injury situation, Keshi states: “If Emenike is fit, why not? We will call him for the next match with Mexico. He is a Nigerian and we need all the players that can do the job for the country." “We have a friendly game against Mexico and that will help us to bring all the players together and use it to prepare for the next competitive match as well." Emenike is presently down due to injury but the striker is expected to be back to full fitness before May 31 when Nigeria will confront Mexico. Keshi however assured that he would make a statement on the player’s return to the team next week.

Messi comments on Abidal

The prolific attacker has hailed the Frenchman's hard work as he continues his recovery from a liver transplant. Lionel Messi has voiced his admiration for Barcelona team-mate Eric Abidal following the latter's ongoing fight against health problems. The Frenchman was diagnosed with a tumour in his liver in March 2011, yet featured for the full 90 minutes in Barca's 3-1 Champions League final win over Manchester United hardly two months later. Abidal was dealt another blow in March 2012, though, when it was announced that he needed to undergo a liver transplant, and the defender has since been working on his recovery. "Everything Eric has done and everything he has fought for is admirable. No-one truly knows how hard he has worked to be able to train with the team again," Messi told reporters. "It was very difficult when we found out [he had cancer] but his strength has united the whole team. How much he can contribute to the team is irrelevant, the important thing is that he is here with us.

Abida To face Celta

The 33-year-old has been included in the Blaugrana party to travel to Vigo on Saturday. The 33-year-old, who has not played a competitive game for the side since February 2012, could be in line to feature for the Blaugrana on Saturday following a busy international break for the majority of his team-mates. Abidal, who underwent a liver transplant in April of last year, recently returned to action with the reserve side in a friendly match against Ligue 2 side Istres.

Coach Tired Of Osaze

West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke has hit out at the behaviour of want-away Nigerian striker Osaze Odemwingie. Odemwingie used Twitter during the international break to again criticise the club. The Nigerian forward vented his anger at a lack of recent playing time, and threatened to buy himself out of the last year of his contract to leave the Hawthorns. An angry Clarke responded by telling reporters: "I haven't got anything to say to him. If he's got something to say to me he should come and say it to my face. "He has to come to me. He's the one that has the grievance, not me. I am absolutely bored with the whole episode. "I'm not interested in what he said. The club will deal with it. "I don't read Twitter. I understand there were some more comments and I told (technical director) Richard (Garlick) and the club to deal with it in the way they see fit. Richard has been off ill. He hasn't been in. "I'm just disappointed that I have to spend so much time talking about one player when I have such a fantastic squad of players who have made such a fantastic contribution this season. "I am fed up of talking about one player." Clarke confirmed Odemwingie will be in the squad for Saturday's trip to West Ham and has very few fitness concerns for the Upton Park clash. "We've been lucky," he said. "By and large everybody is back from the international break is in good shape. "The only one who will struggle at the weekend is James Morrison. He didn't go away on international duty and is very, very doubtful for the game."

Ferdinand won't be bothered by criticism says Ferguson

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is confident that Rio Ferdinand will not be affected by verbal abuse from fans. The defender was the subject of derogatory chants from England fans during the international break for turning down a call-up to face San Marino and Montenegro, which allegedly took on a racist undertone. Ferdinand cited an inability to deviate from a pre-planned fitness regime but, despite outlining his intention to represent his country again in the future, was targeted by unimpressed supporters along with his brother, Anton. "I don't think it will bother him," Sir Alex told reporters. "If there is criticism out there for him, then it shouldn't bother him. "To be honest with you, I think it will blow over quite quickly. "That's modern society, I'm afraid. We see a lot of that, supporters' reaction to many things, and I don't think we can change that. It's modern society. "People are always ready to vent their spleen against whoever displeases them at any particular moment."

Balotelli is shutting Up His Critics

The in-form AC Milan striker slotted home a penalty before notching again just before the break.Mario Balotelli scored both goals as Italy moved three points clear at the top of World Cup qualifying Group B with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Malta.The forward opened the scoring from the spot just seven minutes in after AC Milan team-mate Stephan El Shaarawy had been sent tumbling in the area. Balotelli slotting home from the spot in characteristically cool fashion, after Luke Dimech had clumsily upended El Shaarawy just inside the area. Italy’s Milanese front line very nearly combined for a second goal just moments later, El Shaarawy whipping a shot just wide after being put into space by the most sumptuous back-heeled lay-off from Balotelli. However, the hosts were rocked by the concession of a second goal right on the stroke of half-time that underlined the clear gulf in class in terms of finishing. Leonardo Bonucci played a sublime ball over the top that Mattia De Sciglio killed wonderfully well before laying the ball off for the supporting Balotelli, who calmly placed the ball past Justin Haber and into the far right corner.

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I am olusegun Ade-Oginni a.k.a Blackman.For latest gist and news follow me on twitter @callmeshegs. kindly check my newly opened blog. shegsblackie.blogspot.com.