According to reports in Spain,Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has opted to stay at the club, rejecting the chance to join Barcelona this summer.

The French international is currently preparing for the World Cup in Russia where he will be hoping to follow up his Europa League success with a triumph on the international stage.

A superb season for Griezmann has seen him linked with Barcelona, who have been largely keen due to his form and connections with fellow countrymen Ousmane Dembele and Samuel Umtiti.

Whilst a move has been heavily reported in Spanish press, it is now understood that the former Real Sociedad man has turned down an approach and opted to remain with Atleti past the summer.

Griezmann confirmed after Friday night’s friendly against Italy that he will confirm his future decision ahead of this summer’s World Cup and it appears increasingly likely he will remain with Diego Simeone’s side.
http://sportxclusive.com/2018/06/04/griezmann-decides-to-stay-with-atletico/

Joe Hart has been dropped from the England squad and will not be going to the World Cup.

Hart has endured a disappointing season on loan at West Ham having moved to the London Stadium last summer to enhance his chances of going to Russia.

But the England boss Gareth Southgate has told Hart on Monday that he will not be included in the 23 man squad for Russia.

Burnley’s Nick Pope will occupy Hart’s place in the World Cup squad as Southgate commits to taking a young group to Russia.

The decision is a surprise given it had been expected Hart would be selected as one of England’s three goalkeepers along with Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland.

England face Nigeria at Wembley and Costa Rica at Elland Road next month in friendlies before they travel to Russia for their opener against Tunisia.

Hart, who last played for England in last September’s World Cup qualifier against Slovakia at Wembley, will have to make do with watching the tournament from home.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/05/15/joe-hart-ax-as-gareth-southgate-decides-squad-for-russia/

Barcelona have suspended nearly 3000 members for allegedly falsifying tickets for El Classico.

The suspensions, Marca claims, came about following a large operation involving 120 club staff, after which 2,823 fraudulent season tickets were seized, accounting for 3-4 per cent of total ticket sales.

Speaking about the issue in a press conference, the Spokesperson for the club, Josep Vives said:

“It is the largest and most forceful action against fraud and resale that has been carried out,”

“They are counterfeit entries based on a subscription with sophisticated means and methods to do something like that.”

Barcelona have now suspended the culprits involved with their season tickets withdrawn and given to other members in the waiting list.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/05/15/barcelona-suspends-members-over-fraudulent-tickets/

Arsene Wenger says he has had plenty of job offers since announcing his plans to leave Arsenal this summer, but he remains no closer to deciding where he will go after his tenure ends.

The Frenchman has revealed his surprise at the number of offers which have come his way since it was announced he was leaving Arsenal and has warded off questions about who his successor at Arsenal should be, but agreed that the club should try to make an appointment well before the World Cup starts in June.

The 68-year-old has maintained he will take a break from football before deciding on his next move but revealed on Tuesday he has not been short of suitors since last month’s surprise announcement.

Asked if he had received any offers, Wenger replied: “Yes, more than I expected!

“At the moment I focus on doing my job well. I didn’t analyse anything or consider anything. I want to work well until the last day of my contract, and then after, I will rest a little bit and go from there.”

“What is for sure is that I will be active. My brain demands work and is active. I have a huge experience of management and people management. Overall, I will work. What will I do? I don’t know yet.”

Allegri, who is set to deliver a fourth successive Serie A title with Juventus, is reportedly the front-runner but there is also talk that the likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Luis Enrique – both currently out of work – could also be targeted.

“I think the earlier, the better,” Wenger said when asked if an appointment should be made ahead of the World Cup.”

“People want hope and they need as well to prepare for the next season. I must say the squad doesn’t need much, because there’s a huge potential in there.”

“There’s a good spirit, a good basis. It needs two or three additions and this team will compete for the championship next year.”

When pushed on whether he would approve of either Allegri or former Barcelona boss Enrique, Wenger added: “I know these guys are very competent and all good names.”

“I will be like every Arsenal fan, I will wait until they’ve made a decision and then afterwards support the guy in doing well.”
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/05/08/arsene-wenger-urges-arsenal-to-appoint-his-successor-soon/

CEO of Capital oil and owner of Ifeanyi Ubah football club, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah has been appointed into the Organising Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations by CAF.

His appointment follows an impressive number of Nigerians going into important positions in world football since the emergence of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick as CAF Executive Committee member.

“Nigeria is very happy with this appointment. It is a big plus for private football club owners in our country. Chief (Dr) Ifeanyi Ubah has done very well over the years and he very much deserves this appointment.

“I am of the belief that he will justify the confidence reposed in him and bring his wealth of experience to bear in serving the committee,” Pinnick told NFF website yesterday.

Ifeanyi Ubah as a club owner is the first one in Nigeria to build its own football stadium from the scratch. He has established a policy of attracting good hands in technical and playing realms, which has seen Brazilian coaches and players from other African countries serve the top club.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/05/08/caf-appoints-ifeanyi-ubah-into-afcon-organising-committee/

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos claims he was both ‘surprised’ and ‘impressed’ by Champions league final opponent Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp’s side booked a place in may 26 showpiece in Kiev by triumphing over Roma 7-6 on aggregate while Real beat bayern 4-3 over two legs.

“They are not there for nothing,” Kroos said of Liverpool. “This team surprised me against Manchester City, and impressed me very much.

“It’s one match, and we are very much looking forward to it. We will travel to Kiev to win it, and even if that’s a set phrase it worked pretty well in the past two seasons.

“I don’t know if you can achieve that by just playing well.

“You must have that certain something in Champions League games, because many teams have the quality.

“Somehow, we just show up for that stage. It’s hard to explain, and maybe that’s in the club itself and every player gets a bit of that.”

Liverpool’s last appearance in a champions league finals was eleven years ago when they lost out to Italian side AC Milan while Real Madrid are making their third consecutive appearance in a competition they like to call their own.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/05/03/kroos-liverpool-impressed-me/

Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, feels his players failed to play like they usually can as they reached the Champions League final despite a scare from Roma.

Although the Reds progressed to the final, their defence and game management was found wanting as the Giallorossi scored twice late on, as they did in the first leg at Anfield.

“The game was wild. They took all the risks and we punished it with the counter-attack but then we gave away a goal.

“There was lots of space. But then our last line was too deep and you cannot play like this. Each counter-attack was really dangerous for us but we didn’t use this. We were a little too patient. We are usually much better – you know this.

It was the first semi-final for most of the boys so normal to have to keep nerves in. It was a little bit exciting – more exciting than I actually wanted.”

The Champions League final takes place in Kiev on May 26, with Real Madrid standing in Liverpool’s way.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/05/02/the-game-was-wild-klopp/

The Super Eagles of Nigeria sit at 47th position in the latest FIFA ranking released on Tuesday.

This means that the Eagles have move up 5 places from last month’s ranking where the Nigeria national team sat at 52nd.

Nigeria’s friendly matches against Poland and Serbia played a key role in their rise. Gernot Rohr’s men beat Poland in Wraclow, before losing 2-0 to Serbia in London.

In Africa, Tunisia is the highest ranked African team on 14th place with Senegal and DR Congo on 28 and 38 positions respectively. While Nigeria are now in the sixth position in the continent.

Overall, world champions Germany remain number one, with Brazil in second, Belgium are third, Portugal are in fourth and Argentina fifth.

In sixth position are Switzerland, France are in seventh, Spain in eight, Chile in ninth and Poland in 10th.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/05/01/super-eagles-move-five-place-in-latest-fifa-ranking/

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has won the Football Writers’ Player of the Year award after a stunning debut season with Liverpool.

Mohamed Salah was named the FWA Footballer of the Year on Tuesday, giving him another top honour in a debut season at Anfield in which he has continued to set club records.

The Egyptian was named PFA Player of the Year last month and has now scooped another individual prize from the FWA.

The 25-year-old becomes the first African winner of the prestigious FWA accolade, which has been awarded since 1948.

Patrick Barclay, FWA Chairman, said: “It’s been the tightest call since 1968/69, when there was a dead heat between Tony Book of Manchester City and Derby’s Dave Mackay.”

“Right up to the last week or so we thought it might happen again, so strong was the support for Kevin de Bruyne, but Mo Salah’s relentless match-winning form, exemplified by his two great goals against Roma, seems to have swung the vote by a very narrow margin.”

“What a race it has been between two players who, in a relatively short time, have reached genuine world class. But Mo Salah is the worthiest of winners. He is also the first African to receive the award and we congratulate him on a magnificent season.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/05/01/liverpool-star-mohamed-salah-named-2018-fwa-footballer-of-the-year/

Stroke City boss Paul Lambert has claimed that the referee was correct not to award Liverpool a penalty in Saturday’s Premier League stalemate at Anfield.

The Reds were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Anfield where they found the target with just two of their 20 shots, but Henderson chose to criticize the standard of officiating rather than his team-mates’ finishing.

The incident occurred in the 87th minute when Georginio Wijnaldum’s delivery into the box appeared to hit Erik Pieter’s arm with Alberto Moreno lurking.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and captain Jordan Henderson both criticized Andre Marriner’s decision not to award a spot kick, but Lambert is adamant that the official made the right decision.

“Listen… if that is a penalty we may as well all just have left,” Lambert told BBC Sport.

“It is never a penalty. You can understand Jurgen’s frustration about it but it’s no penalty.”

“We deserved [the point]. We came with a good game plan and played a really good game; the commitment, throwing bodies into challenges, and we might have nicked it.”

“All I wanted was a chance to go into the last few games with a chance [of staying up]. Hopefully results will go our way. It’s not for the faint-hearted, that is for sure. I thought Erik Pieters played brilliantly. Mohamed Salah has been on fire but he was outstanding.”

“I could not have asked for any more. If the lads had played like that from the start of the season, I would not be here and they would be cruising in the league. We are in a fight. I will take the fight for anything, and so will the lads.”
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/04/28/paul-lambert-referee-right-not-to-award-liverpool-penalty/

The Real Madrid winger has described playing against Bayern star Frank Ribery as ‘intense’ and claims ‘he plays like a 25-year-old’.

Lucas Vasquez was moved to right back following the injury to Dani Carvajal and had a torrid time keeping the Frenchman at bay in the 2-1 victory at the Allianz Arena.

“I don’t mind where I play and playing in that position is a lot easier with the assistance of my teammates,” Vazquez told reporters, as cited by Marca.

“Ribery is a fantastic player and even though he is 35, he plays like a 25-year-old and it is an intense experience to face that, but my teammates helped.


“It was a complicated game and they made things very difficult for us but we played very well too and it is a positive result.

“The second goal was all about Marco’s (Asensio) finish – he has shown us for a long time what a fantastic talent he is.”

Real’s left back Marcelo, equalized with a spectacular volley just before halftime after Joshua Kimmich had opened the scoring for the home side before substitute Marco Asensio dinked finish claimed a vital away victory.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/04/26/vasquez-ribery-plays-like-a-25-year-old/

CapitanS:
Bayern are out, Madrid will beat them again at the bernabau

definitely, Madrid are champions league lords

he should enjoy his retirement

youngest85:
He deserves world best

Salah has done incredibly well dis season...he really deserve some accolades

Jupp Heynckes rued Bayern Munich for ‘gifting two goals’ to Real Madrid during their 2-1 defeat but was ‘confident’ about a comeback next week.

Heynckes lamented the way Bayern conceded and his side’s inability to make the most of their chances, giving them work to do ahead of next week’s second leg.

“We gave Real Madrid two goals with clear mistakes,” he told post match conference.

“We had a series of chances that we did not take advantage of, so it is not surprising that we lost.”

Heynckes believes the opportunities his side created gives them hope of reaching the final.

“The team have created so many chances against Madrid,” he said.

“We have nothing to lose in Madrid and we can surprise them.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/04/25/we-gifted-them-two-goals-heynckes/

Dejan Lovren has claimed Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah should be considered in the same league as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo this season.

The Egypt international took his tally in an incredible debut season for Jurgen Klopp’s side to 43 with two goals – as well as two assists – in the 5-2 Champions League semi-final first-leg win over Roma at Anfield on Tuesday night.

“He is the one. He is becoming the superstar. It looks easy what he does but it is very difficult,” said the Croatia international.

“If he continues like that – I don’t know if this is the right time to put pressure on him – but I believe he should be regarded as one of the best three in the world at the end of the year.

“He deserves to be mentioned for the Ballon d’Or – when people talk about Messi and Ronaldo they should also talk about Salah.

“He deserves the credit but I think he deserves even more to be honest. Forty-three goals guys, f*****g hell.”
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/04/25/salah-deserves-some-accolade-lovren/

World Cup

q

q

wetting concern me self

Gareth Bale has refused to cool of talks linking him to German Champions Bayern Munich insisting ‘it is an honor’ to be linked with them.

The Wales international who has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season,has found himself at the centre of some intense criticism has been linked with a move to Germany in the past, as his career in Spain continues to take a downward turn.

Bale told SportBild in an interview arranged to mark the opening of an office by Stellar, the agency which represents him, in Munich:

“In football, you can never say never,”

“At the moment, I play football for Madrid and I enjoy it. Bayern have a fantastic team and have always been one of the most successful clubs in Europe in the past.

“Being linked with this club is an honour for everyone. But, now, I am a Real Madrid player.”

Gareth Bale was briefly the world’s most expensive player when he left Tottenham to join Real in the summer of 2013 and has made 183 appearances for Los Blancos scoring 81 goals.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/04/25/you-can-never-say-never-in-football-bale-admits-possibility-of-joining-bayern/

EbukaHades10:
Exactly what I tell LFC haters. They just want mi boys to fail. We deserve some accolades

Liverpool is going to qualify, you can count on that. Barca made a big mistake by not even scoring against Roma

The Reds boss insists his team are not like Barcelona and will learn a lesson from the Blaugrana after their 5-2 victory in the Champions on Tuesday night.

Liverpool were 5-0 up after 68 minutes but two late goals from Diego Perotti and Edin Dzeko prompted fear of a possible comeback ahead of next week return.

“I learned tonight we can still win in Rome, they need to score against us,” Klopp told a post-match news conference.

“We are not Barcelona, they are one of the best two or three teams in the world and won so many things – we didn’t. We will fight with all we have.

“It’s much better than I expected before the game but already I’m more interested in the Stoke game than the second leg against Roma.

“The atmosphere tonight was absolutely outstanding and everyone who has a ticket I expect the same on Saturday [at home against Stoke City], because we need it.

“It’s a massive game, we need to be ready, we will try everything we can to be ready for that.”

Roma overturned a three goal deficit to knock out Barcelona in the previous round.After losing the first leg 4-1 in Spain,the Giallarossi put up a spirited showing by winning 3-0 at home to send Barcelona packing on away goals.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/04/25/klopp-we-are-not-barcelona/

Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp is fearful that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered “a really bad injury” during Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg with Roma at Anfield.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was involved in a challenge with Roma’s Aleksandar Kolarov and underwent lengthy treatment on the pitch before being carried back to the dressing room on a stretcher, and Georginio Wijnaldum came on in his place.

Roma was able to cut Liverpool’s 5-0 lead to a three-goal deficit late on, but Klopp said after the game that Oxlade-Chamberlain’s injury was the biggest “blow for the mood in the dressing room.”

“Oxlade-Chamberlain is probably a really bad injury,” Klopp said. “That is bad news for us. The squad doesn’t get bigger at the moment so we need to be creative in the next few games.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s involvement for England at the 2018 World Cup could also now be in doubt.


The 24-year-old has been in impressive form for Liverpool in recent weeks, and has managed two goals in his seven Champions League appearances for the Reds this term.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/04/24/its-a-serious-leg-injury-klopp/

Augsburg and Iceland striker Alfred Finnbogason has backed his team to win, saying that the world cup newbie will not be a pushover come Russia 2018.


Iceland surprised the world at EURO 2016, holding Portugal to a 1-1 draw and beating England en route to the last eight, while their World Cup qualifying campaign saw them end top of their group ahead of Croatia, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland and Kosovo.

“It’s great because I have six or seven of my best friends in the squad. We’re like a big family, you can see that because we fight for each other,” Finnbogason, who plays for Augsburg, told the Bundesliga’s official website.


“If we’re playing England, Brazil or Croatia, we’re going out to win. Some people think we might be mad to think like that, but it’s in our DNA.”

The Super eagles of Nigeria will face the Nordic team on the 22nd of June at the Volgograd Arena.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/04/24/winning-is-in-our-dna-icelands-alfred-finnbogason-warns-nigeria/

Nate187:
abeg forget that,my brother is not half as rich as mikel and he is not in the country either but he helps the family in very big ways,and he just got my brother a car ,and got me and my elder brother a Mercedes E350

everyone has dea own problem and aspiration. everyone is not your problem. going out is a choice and never forced on anyone, funny enof no one knows if Mikel has his own problem

I don't no y pple feel dey are entitle to other poles struggle and hustle.....dea are other ways of asking for help instead of sounding as if he holds you anytin. Mikel Obi still has his personal problem. make una no kill am wit una own problem

Former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich Coach Carlo Ancelotti has been offered to lead the Azzurris back to glory according to reports that emerged on Tuesday.

Corriere dello Sport reported that the 58-year-old manager met with Italian Football Federation (FIGC) commissioner Roberto Fabbricini and sub-commissioner Alessandro Costacurta in a Rome hotel on Monday.


According to Sky Sport Italia, Ancelotti who has been without a job since being fired my the German champions is set to be offered a two years contract.

Italy failed to qualify for Russia 2018 after they lost to Sweden in a two-legged play-off has been without a permanent coach since sacking Gian Piero Ventura in November.

Ancelotti, who has also managed Chelsea, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus, Roma and Paris Saint-Germain, has won the Uefa Champions League three times as a manager. He has also won the league in Italy, France, Germany and England.


Among the other names touted were Zenit St Petersburg manager Roberto Mancini, Chelsea’s Antonio Conte and former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri, now in charge of French club Nantes.

Italy’s Under 21 coach Luigi Di Biagio has been filling the position with the four-time world champions on an interim basis.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/04/24/carlo-ancelotti-offered-italy-job-reports/

Bayern Munich striker has labeled Madrid as ‘favourites’ ahead of their champions league match on Wednesday.


The Bavarians hosts holders Madrid at the Allianz arena on Wednesday in the first leg of the Champions league semi-finals and the Polish international believes that the German champions are capable of progressing through to the final.

“Real Madrid are favourites, but that does not mean they are going to beat us,” Lewandowski is cited as saying by Marca.

“When you are a team who have won the Champions League two seasons in a row then you must go into these games as the favourites but we will not focus on that.


“We are in good shape and our most recent results have been positive and now we can think about our game with Madrid.

“We have to be fully concentrated, totally focused, not make mistakes and make the most of their errors and take advantage of situations.

“Ronaldo is phenomenal, but Madrid are not just one player.”


Bayern have already won the Bundesliga with three games to spare and are in the final of the DFB Pokal where they will play Eintracht Frankfurt and will be hoping to enact revenge on Zinedine Zidane’s side who knocked them out at the quarter-finals stage last season.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/04/24/madrid-are-favorites-lewandowski/

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp looks forward to seeing newly crowned Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year Mohamed Salah get a rough ride from his former Roma team-mates.

Mohamed Salah returned to Liverpool on Monday for final preparations ahead of Tuesday’s first leg with Roma – the club he left in the summer to join Liverpool.

Salah’s record-breaking Liverpool debut season, which has seen him score 41 goals in 46 appearances so far in all competitions, was recognized by his peers at an awards ceremony in London on Sunday as he beat Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane to the prize.

Italian defenders have a reputation for their uncompromising approach and Klopp alluded to that when discussing Salah’s situation.


“Players change clubs, managers change clubs – I had it with Dortmund two years ago already,” Klopp said.

“It is a normal game but it feels quite special because you know much more about the team than you usually know, and you are more interested in the other team than you usually are.”

“I am pretty sure Mo follows the whole season of Roma as he had a fantastic time there and he became the player there which we have now here, so big credit to all the staff and the players at Roma because they are all part of his development.”

“Italian defenders are famous for not having friendly games so I think Mo will feel pretty early in the game they are not his team-mates anymore and then he can strike back in a football way.”


Klopp said it was already a special campaign for record-breaking Salah after his individual award but wanted him to achieve something with the team.

“It’s great but the season is not finished and there are a lot of things to come but I am sure it is a nice boost for him,” the German added.

“In this season when Kevin De Bruyne played the season he played it makes it even more special.”

“The players know how difficult it is to score that many goals and be involved in that many goals so I think it is well deserved.”
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/04/23/salah-wont-have-it-easy-against-former-club-roma-says-liverpool-boss-klopp/

Mohamed Salah have the quality to play alongside Ronaldo and should accept any offer from Real madrid according to country man Mido.

The former Roma forward was awarded the PFA player of the year award on Sunday following his record breaking season in Liverpool in which he has scored 41 goals across all competition with 31 of those coming in the premier league.

Mido feels his fellow Egyptian should take advantage of such a standing and snap up any opportunity offered to him to head for Spain and take his game to even greater heights alongside iconic figures such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking to ON Sport, the former Tottenham Striker said:

“With all due respect to Liverpool and his fans, Salah should immediately accept any offer from Real Madrid or Barcelona.

“He has been amazing with Liverpool the entire season, and could be very useful in La Liga especially with Real Madrid who are suffering from Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema’s horrible form this season.

“With his quality and pace, it should be easy for him to make it in La Liga.

“I’ve been there for a while, and I can say that the likes of Salah have a huge chance to succeed alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and the stars of Real Madrid.”

Liverpool though will be reluctant to sanction a sale for the 25-year-old who is one goal away from becoming the first player to score more than 31 goals in the premier league in a single season.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/04/23/mido-urges-salah-to-accept-real-madrid-offer/

Tottenham Hotspur striker Fernando Llorente claims his former club Athletico Bilbao ‘hold a special place’ in his heart and could return if an offer is made.

The 33-year-old left San Mames in 2013 having scored 118 goals in his eight years at the club.

Speaking as reported by Marca ,Llorente said:“Athletic Club are my home and if they make an offer, a return could happen,”

“I enjoyed many wonderful moments at the club that I will never forget and Athletic will always hold a special place in my heart.

Related image

“If they do make me a proposal to come back, then I would have to think about it and yes, maybe it could happen.”

Since leaving Athletic ,Llorente has gone on to play two seasons at Juventus, one each at Sevilla and Swansea city and now Spurs where he has scored just five goals in 28 appearances so far this season.
READ MORE:http://sportxclusive.com/2018/04/23/llorente-refuses-to-rule-out-bilbao-return/