De Bruyne dismisses injury fears
De Bruyne is a key figure for the Red Devils, who need a point against the second-placed side in Group A to advance to next summer’s finals in Brazil, despite being marginalised at Chelsea this term. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has left De Bruyne out of his squad in recent weeks and is demanding more from the player who impressed on loan at Werder Bremen last season. Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen, meanwhile, has urged Manchester United’s Brussels-born prospect Adnan Januzaj to decide to represent his country of birth, although he concedes the teenager must “follow his heart”. Januzaj’s international future has been the subject of widespread speculation in the wake of his stunning full debut for United at the weekend when his brace helped the Barclays Premier League champions fight back to defeat Sunderland 2-1. England manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed he is keeping an eye on the 18-year-old, who is of Kosovan descent and is eligible to play for several different countries, including Belgium, Albania and Turkey. Januzaj has yet to decide which country he wants to represent, but Vertonghen hopes he chooses Belgium, telling Sky Sports News: “Come and play for Belgium, good things are going to happen here. I hope he’s joining us. “I’ve seen the game (against Sunderland) and he looks a very good player. Of course it’s his choice, he has to follow his heart, but I can advise him that we have a good team here.” Earlier on Tuesday it was suggested the 22-year-old had sustained an ankle injury and was taken to hospital, making him doubtful for the Group A leaders’ match with Croatia on Friday. De Bruyne wrote on Twitter: “Just to say. I’m fully fit for the game against croatie. No injury at all.” Chelsea forward Kevin de Bruyne has dismissed reports of an injury sustained while on international duty with Belgium.
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He said: “This is a more stripped back and modern approach which still celebrates the club’s heritage and history by focusing on our famous and well-established tiger’s head. “We have also introduced ‘1904’ to the crest to document the year our club was formed. “Our first ever step into European competition is a new era for us all and we are all excited about the season ahead.” However, Allam junior’s comments have cut little ice with fans. The CTWD statement continued: “We also take issue with Ehab Allam’s claim that changing the badge ‘celebrates the club’s heritage and history’. “Over the past year, the current owners have demonstrated exactly what they think of Hull City’s heritage by their attempt to change its very name. “Season card holders have already remarked that their renewal forms did not bear the name of the club, nor is Hull City mentioned anywhere in this club statement. “CTWD maintains that the reason the badge is being changed is simply because it contains the words ‘Hull City AFC’. “It now appears, bizarrely, that the owners of Hull City do not want to use the name of the club because the FA refused them leave to change it. This is remarkable. “It also makes commercial nonsense. We fear that many supporters have already been put off renewing their season cards for the coming campaign due to the sudden price hike. “We are now very concerned about a further loss of revenue as people refuse to buy merchandise that does not show the name of the club. “CTWD calls on the Allams to reverse their decision to change the badge for the coming current season and to start treating the club’s supporters – its customers – with respect. “If the club wishes to introduce a new badge, let it do so in conjunction with, and not in spite of, its fans – the lifeblood of Hull City AFC.” The City Till We Die group, whose campaign to prevent owner Assem Allam from changing the club’s name from Hull City to Hull Tigers was vindicated when the Football Association rejected his application two months ago, spoke out after the development on Friday. Hull’s new crest features the traditional tiger’s head and the club’s foundation year of 1904 but does not include the words Hull City AFC or The Tigers. Hull fans have renewed their calls for consultation after the Tigers unveiled a new crest which does not include the club’s name. Now the fans’ group has called for a promise to consult supporters over the proposed rebranding to be honoured. A City Till We Die statement said: “CTWD is hugely disappointed that the club has chosen to introduce a new badge without any consultation with supporters, especially having promised that consultation would take place. “There is no reasonable rationale for changing a badge that has been proudly worn by Hull City players who, in its existence, have achieved four promotions, top-flight football and reached an FA Cup final. “(Vice-chairman) Ehab Allam states that due to time constraints ‘consultation with the fans about the new crest wasn’t possible’. This is, quite simply, untrue. “This redesign has not happened overnight. A supporter consultation could have easily, and quickly, been conducted if the club wanted it. “By not asking its loyal customers the club has reneged on a promise made in a statement on August 9 2013 that a ‘new badge, to be used from the 2014-15 season, will be designed and created in consultation with fans’.” Assem Allam has argued that the club will be more marketable as Hull Tigers, and has threatened to walk away if he does not get his way. He has suggested he will appeal against the FA’s decision. His son Ehab has insisted the new badge celebrates both the Tigers’ history and future as they prepare to head into a first ever European campaign. Press Association
Gordon Orlikow from Canada, Linda Hammersley from New Zealand, Brian Roe from Australia, Mirian Cristina Ermacora from Argentina, and Manuel Bravo from Ecuador.Garrigan advised that there will be a day before the congress so that they will be fully aware of their roles and responsibilities during the Congress.Share this:FacebookRedditTwitterPrintPinterestEmailWhatsAppSkypeLinkedInTumblrPocketTelegram The IAAF has appointed Chief Solomon Ogba as Chief Scrutineer for the 51st IAAF Congress holding in London, England, venue of the IAAF World Championships.A letter signed by Manager of Institutional Forums, in the Governance, Member & International Relations Department of the IAAF, Anne-Marie Garrigan, states that “It is a pleasure to inform you that during its meeting on 31st July 2017, the IAAF Council has nominated you as a Scrutineer during the upcoming 51st IAAF Congress on 3rd August 2017.â€While Ogba and Rosamunde Carey are appointed Chief Scrutineers, the others, who are Scrutineers, are Sarifa Fagilde from Mozambique, Kwan Kee from Hong Kong, Yoonis Yaqoob Issa Al Siyabi Timor Leste, Nijole Medvedeva from Lithuania, Jack Cohen from Israel,
JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo)For University of Wisconsin junior guard Michael Flowers, No. 11 Wisconsin’s (8-1, 0-0 Big Ten) game at No. 17 Marquette (9-1, 0-0 Big East) is more than just the annual in-state rivalry.Flowers, a graduate of Madison La Follette, will be going head-to-head against his high school rival in Wesley Matthews, who went to Madison Memorial and is currently a starting guard for the Golden Eagles.”We kind of built that rivalry of Madison Memorial versus La Follette,” Flowers said. “It goes way back, and it’s nothing but respect [between] me and Matthews.”Many thought Matthews spurned UW when he decided to attend Marquette two years ago, not only because he is a Madison native, but also considering his family ties to UW.Matthews’ mother, Pam Moore, competed in both track and basketball at Wisconsin, while his father, Wes Matthews, was a standout guard for the Badgers from 1977 to 1980 and went on to play nine seasons in the NBA.Nevertheless, Matthews is settling in at Marquette during his sophomore campaign this season, averaging 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game through the Golden Eagles’ first 10 games.But it’s Matthews’ backcourt mate, sophomore Dominic James, who the Badgers will have to look out for.James, a preseason All-American candidate and last season’s Big East Rookie of the Year, leads Marquette with 17 points and 4.2 assists per game.And while Flowers may be matched up against Matthews to start the game, his defensive assignment may shift to James depending on how things shape out.”[I’ll be guarding] whoever’s hot,” Flowers said. “So if it’s James, he’s their leader, and if he gets off to a good start, they’ll throw me on him.”Whether Flowers is defending Matthews or James, it will be a test for the Badgers’ starting guards of Flowers and Kammron Taylor, whose goal before this season was to be among the elite backcourts in college basketball.”It’s going to be a good challenge for us, and [we’ll] definitely see where we’re at,” Flowers said. “A lot of people think Marquette has one of the best backcourts in the nation, so if we prove ourselves against them, we have our foot in the door to be one of the best.”Saturday’s rivalry goes much further than just Flowers and Matthews, however. UW sophomore forward Marcus Landry is married to Efueko Osagie, a senior forward on Marquette’s women’s basketball team, Badger junior Tanner Bronson’s mother is the Golden Eagles’ women’s tennis coach and former Wisconsin player Julian Swartz is currently a manager for Marquette.But the bottom line is state bragging rights are up for grabs.”It’s great for the state of Wisconsin,” UW senior forward Alando Tucker said. “Everybody’s looking forward to it, and we have a lot of players from Wisconsin, so whoever wins gets bragging rights.”And Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan has been a longtime advocate of games between state schools. Having previously coached at UW-Platteville and UW-Milwaukee, Ryan knows about the importance of in-state rivalries. In fact, Ryan is well-experienced when it comes to the UW-Madison-Marquette game.In his five years as head coach at Wisconsin, Ryan is 3-2 against Marquette and head coach Tom Crean. But Ryan knew about this rivalry a long time ago as he first came to Wisconsin in 1976 as an assistant coach for the Badgers before accepting the head coaching position at Platteville.”I’ve been about Wisconsin basketball since 1976,” Ryan said. “It’s all about Wisconsin basketball, and the fact that you have two teams that are ranked and everything else that goes into it, that’s pretty good stuff.”This year’s matchup will be Tucker’s fifth, as he played in the game his sophomore year despite later taking a medical redshirt. With this being his last go-around, Tucker is still astounded by just how competitive the rivalry has grown to be.”Being here five years and seeing how highly anticipated it is within the state, I think it makes the players go out there and play even harder,” Tucker said. “Once the game comes, you can tell, you can feel the pressure from everywhere with these in-state rivalries.”
Nigerian-born winger Bobby Adekanye allegedly suffered racist abuse from Spartak Moscow fans while he was playing for Liverpool during their UEFA Youth League clash on Tuesday.This has prompted the Merseyside club to report the alleged abuse, which took place when the 18-year old came on as a 58th minute substitute at the Spartak Academy.UEFA have swiftly responded by stating that additional reports from the match venue are being expected.Things could go from bad to worse for Spartak Moscow, who have also being charged on three counts for incidents involving their fans during the 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) on Wednesday night.The three charges include illicit banners and chants, blocking stairways and setting off fireworks and a decision is expected to be reached by Uefa’s control, ethics and disciplinary body on the aforementioned charges on October 19.The Russian club had earlier been fined 60,000 euros (£52,664) this month for a firework incident during their first group stage match in the UCL this season. They were also banned from selling tickets to their fans for their UCL clash in Seville against Sevilla on November 1 as part of the punishment for the previously mentioned fan trouble on Matchday 1 at Maribor.RelatedUEFA Open Disciplinary Proceedings Against Spartak After Nigerian-Born Player Suffered Racist AbuseOctober 4, 2017In “England”UEFA Sanction Everton And Hadjuk Split Over Crowd TroubleSeptember 22, 2017In “Europe”UCL Wrap: Madrid, Tottenham Clash Ends In Draw; City And Liverpool Secure Important WinsOctober 17, 2017In “Europe”
Denmark coach Morten Olsen has advised Nicklas Bendtner to leave Arsenal in January.Arsenal are already looking for a striker with Karim Benzema and Edin Dzeko among their targets, with the Dane having started only two games this season, both in the Capital One Cup.’Bendtner scored two great goals for us in the game against Italy, but there were also things he lacked in the match and this only comes through playing games,’ Olsen told reporters.’It is for this reason that he should find something new this winter. I think he will make the recommendation to himself and that is the main thing. Footballers want to play football.Olsen added: ‘He needs to play. He has maybe 10 years left to go; he must use them well.’
Everton have completed the signing of winger Christian Atsu on a season-long loan from Chelsea. The Ghana international, 22, passed a medical on Wednesday and, having secured a work permit, will now be available for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League opener at Leicester City. Atsu becomes the fourth summer addition at Goodison Park following the arrivals of Gareth Barry,Muhamed Besic and Romelu Lukaku. “I’m very happy to be joining Everton because it’s a great club, which likes to play football, and it’s a great pleasure to be here,” Atsu told evertontv. “Playing in the Premier League has always been a dream for me and I have achieved that dream.”This is the biggest level for me to play at. I know that it’s a very competitive league and I believe with hard work we’re going to be successful this season.”Roberto Martinez had previously expressed his desire to add a wide man to his squad and the Toffees chief said: “He’s a player who fits in with the culture and the way we want to play. He’s a very gifted, technical footballer and he’s got the right personality and character to fit in with the group, which is vital. “He will excite fans because he brings something completely different and a different way of playing to what we’ve got in the squad. “He’s a left-footed player who loves taking people on and he’s got a really good understanding of the game for such a young man.”He also brings extra competition in a position in which we felt we needed a player full of desire and hunger, who really wants to make things happen in the final third of the pitch.”Signed by Chelsea from FC Porto last September, Atsu spent the 2013/14 season on loan in Holland with Vitesse Arnhem, scoring five goals in 28 league appearances, before starting all three of Ghana’s games at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil. Martinez added: “For Christian, at 22, to already have played in a World Cup, to have been able to adapt into Portuguese football and into the league in Holland is a really good accumulation of experiences that will be very beneficial, especially with us playing in the Europa League this season.”
Newsroom GuidelinesNews TipsContact UsReport an Error Lakers, Clippers schedules set for first round of NBA playoffs AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREUCLA alum Kenny Clark signs four-year contract extension with PackersIt’s not only a crushing blow to the Lakers’ ambitions of creating an unrivaled superteam: The Clippers’ simultaneous trade for Paul George from Oklahoma City also creates yet another Western Conference title threat in their own building, loaded with Leonard, who was the Finals MVP last month, and George, who finished third in MVP voting. Adding insult to injury, both are Southern California natives who will now compete for the team long considered the inferior sibling to the tradition-rich Lakers.While the Lakers are far from out of contention with James, Davis and Kyle Kuzma as foundational pieces, they also have the most roster building to do.With valuable time elapsed and many of the best fallback options off the market already, the Lakers now have to gulp down splitting up their estimated $32 million budget piecemeal among role players, likely including a host of minimum contracts.That process started not long after news of Leonard’s decision broke: Danny Green, Leonard’s 32-year-old backcourt mate during Toronto’s title run, announced he had agreed to a two-year deal with the Lakers (valued at $30 million according to a report from The Athletic). Green, who shot 45 percent from 3-point range last season, is expected to help the Lakers in their biggest area of weakness last season.The Lakers also quickly scooped up veterans from last year’s underwhelming roster who had been notably quiet during free agency: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract, according to an ESPN report, while JaVale McGee also agreed to terms on a reported $8.2 million two-year deal (also according to ESPN). Trail Blazers, Grizzlies advance to NBA play-in game; Suns, Spurs see playoff dreams dashed Lakers practice early hoping to answer all questions The Lakers have long been out of the hunt for the best free agents available after a brisk opening to the market at the beginning of the week. They reportedly went into free agency with interest in All-Stars Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler and D’Angelo Russell among others, should their attempt to add Leonard come up short. By the end of the first day of free agency, all three had committed to other teams. Other potential role players the Lakers showed interest in, including Terrence Ross and Seth Curry, had agreed to deals elsewhere by Monday morning.When the Davis trade goes through on Saturday, the Lakers will have just six players with NBA experience: James, Davis, Kuzma, Green and minimum contract acquisitions Jared Dudley and Troy Daniels, likely bench players. They’ll also have their second-round pick, Talen Horton-Tucker, who is just 18 years old and has yet to play in Summer League due to a stress fracture in his foot.If the Lakers felt a foul breeze coming, they showed little sign of it on Friday night at Thomas and Mack Center, where Las Vegas Summer League kicked off. James and Davis sat courtside during the late game between New Orleans and New York, flanked by most of the Lakers’ ranking front office staff, assistant coach Lionel Hollins, and agent Rich Paul.
Trail Blazers beat Grizzlies in play-in, earn first-round series with the Lakers How athletes protesting the national anthem has evolved over 17 years Related Articles It was always a gamble.The payoff would have been adding arguably the best two-way player to an already vaunted starting lineup.The risk? The Lakers will now begin taking stock of what that gamble cost them after being spurned by another star in free agency.As other teams around them loaded up, the Lakers waited, patiently hopeful that Kawhi Leonard, the crown jewel of available players, would opt for a return to his native Southern California and a partnership with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The 28-year-old star forward is still headed to Staples Center, but as a member of the Clippers in news that broke late Friday night, dramatically leveling the NBA landscape.
The Lakers veteran was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected in the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The NBA fined Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo $35,000 one day after he was ejected from a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.Rondo paid the price for “unsportsmanlike physical contact” on Thunder guard Dennis Schroder in LA’s 130-127 win Friday in Oklahoma City. MORE: Westbrook, Beverley continue to talk trash in Rockets-ClippersRondo appeared to kick Schroder, with the NBA also penalizing the former on Saturday for “verbal abuse of a game official and failing to leave the court in a timely manner upon his ejection.”Rondo is averaging 7.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists this season.
FRISCO, Texas – The Southland-ESPN3 Game of the Week package features a pair of games Saturday night. McNeese visits Central Arkansas in the Red Beans & Rice Bowl, while Southeastern Louisiana hosts Sam Houston State. Both match-ups will be available on WatchESPN.com, plus the WatchESPN and ESPN apps. McNeese at Central Arkansas, Saturday, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN3 Northwestern State at Houston Baptist, Saturday, 6 p.m. CT, Southland Digital Network Stephen F. Austin at Lamar, Saturday, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN3 Nicholls at UIW, Saturday, 2 p.m., CT, UIW-TVOnline:https://portal.stretchinternet.com/uiw/Talent:Chris Reyes, play-by-playJamie Valdez, analyst Online:http://WatchESPN.comWatchESPN and ESPN appsTalent:Dan Greshman, play-by-playLemont Williams, analyst
Sam Houston State at Southeastern Louisiana, Saturday, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN3 Online:http://WatchESPN.comWatchESPN and ESPN appsTalent:Jeff Brightwell, play-by-playStan Humphries, analystTatum Everett, reporter Online:http://Southland.org/liveSouthland Conference apps for iPhone, Android, Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TVTalent:Lonnie King, play-by-playTyler Boyd, analyst- Online:http://WatchESPN.comWatchESPN and ESPN appsTalent:Lyn Rollins, play-by-playRene Nadeau, analystAbby Morris, reporter