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Former Barcelona and Brazil defender, Dani Alves has reportedly been signing autographs for fellow inmates in prison.    Alves, 39, is in prison in Spain after being detained by local police and jailed without bail pending trial over an alleged sexual assault of a woman in a Barcelona nightclub.    The alleged victim filed a complaint earlier this month and the case remains open, Catalonia's court system said in a statement last week.     Spanish outlet Telecinco reported that Alves - who was denied bail by a Barcelona judge due to the perceived high risk of him leaving the country, has been signing autographs in prison.   The report said how one former inmate showed a shirt signed by the 126-time Brazil international upon leaving jail.   The unnamed inmate didn't share a cell with Alves but got his shirt signed through another prisoner.   He also revealed how the right-back was accepted in priso...

Manchester city manager, Pep Guardiola has come out to defend his friend and protege, Mikel Arteta claiming people who criticize Mikel Arteta's touchline manner derives from jealousy.   Arteta spent time learning management under Guardiola at Manchester City before he went to take over Arsenal.. The pair meet for the first time this season when Arsenal go to the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night, January 27. Arteta has been condemned by several pundits in recent weeks for his behaviour, noticeably picking up a yellow card during Sunday's last-gasp victory over Manchester United.   But Guardiola also known for being emotional on the touchline has backed the Arsenal boss.   'Absolutely,' Guardiola said when asked if jealousy was a factor in criticism.  'When you are top of the league they have to undermine you for another reason. And they are doing that right now. I know this situation quite well. 'He wants to beat me and I want...

UFC President Dana White has announced that Leon Edwards will defend his welterweight title against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 in the O2 Arena in London on March 18. Edwards defeated Usman for the belt at UFC 278 last August after delivering a fifth-round head kick for a knockout, setting up their upcoming trilogy fight. The two first faced off at UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2 in Dec. 2015. Usman won via unanimous decision. The UFC 286 co-main event will feature Justin Gaethje fighting Rafael Fiziev in a lightweight fight. This fight will be a homecoming for the 31-year-old Edwards, who moved to England at the age of nine and fights out of Birmingham. For his professional career, he sports a 20-3 record with one no-contest. He has seven knockouts and three submission victories. Usman had won 19 straight fights before falling to Edwards. For his career, he is 20-2 with nine knockouts and one submission.

Wales legend, Gareth Bale has confirmed his retirement from football at the age of 33.  The former Real Madrid and Tottenham winger called to an end to his illustrious career which saw him win five Champions Leagues, three LaLigas, and three Club World Cups. Bale penned an emotional message on social media to bid farewell to the fans on Monday afternoon, January 9.  The former Tottenham Hotspur winger shared a message, where he refused to rule out working with the Wales national team in the future, which read: 'After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football.' 'I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love. It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life. The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me.   'From my very first touch at Southampton to my last...

Portugal have announced the appointment of former Belgium boss, Roberto Martinez, as national team coach following the sacking of Fernando Santos. Santos was sacked after Portugal's disappointing World Cup campaign that saw them exit the tournament with a 1-0 defeat by Morocco in the quarter-finals.  Martinez himself had a World Cup to forget with Belgium, which failed to even make it out of the group stage.  The former Everton boss will now be hoping for a fresh start with Portugal.  I am delighted to be able to represent one of the most talented teams in the world,” Martínez said. “I understand there are great expectations … but I also understand there is a very large team [at the federation] … and together we will achieve our goals.”   Questioned about the future of Ronaldo in the national team, Martínez said that he would contact the 37-year-old, who last month joined the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. “I want to contact all 26 players who were at ...

Cameroon Football has uncovered another age fraud as 11 further Under-17 players have failed age tests, bringing the total number up to 32.   The African nation's Under-17 team are preparing for the UNIFACC tournament - contested by the Under-17 sides of Central African Football Federations' Union countries.   Samuel Eto'o - who is president of the country's governing body, Fecafoot called for all players selected for their youth side to undergo MRI tests to determine players' age in an attempt to deal with the rising problem of age fraud in the country.   21 members of their Under-17 squad were disqualified earlier this week after failing the tests in a setback to Eto'o's attempts to eradicate the problem in the Central African country.   After the original 21 members of the squad were removed, 11 new players that were called up as replacements have also failed tests, according to BBC Sport Africa.   The tests are used to determi...

NFL star and Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin has made “substantial improvement” in the hospital following his mid-game cardiac arrest and is now communicating with doctors in writing.    Hamlin is able to communicate by shaking his head, nodding or writing brief notes, said Dr. Timothy Pritts, part of the player’s medical team. Upon awakening, Pritts said, Hamlin’s mind was still on the game as he scribbled his first question on a clipboard: “Did we win?”   “So, we know that it’s not only that the lights are on, we know that he’s home. And that it appears all cylinders are firing within his brain,” said Pritts, who is vice chair for clinical operations at University of Cincinnati Health where Hamlin is being treated.    Hamlin,  who had to be sedated and intubated following his collapse is still critically ill and remains on a ventilator, Pritts said. Physicians did not say precisely when he started waking up.   ...

Manchester United football club of England have completed the loan signing of goalkeeper, Jack Butland from Crystal Palace. The England stopper, 29, arrives at Old Trafford for the remainder of the season to provide cover for David de Gea along with Tom Heaton. His loan comes after Newcastle recalled Martin Dubravka from his loan at Man United on January 1. Butland speaking on Friday, January 6  said;  'This is an amazing club and one that I am now proud to represent. I'm really looking forward to working with an unbelievable goalkeeping group, supporting each other every day to create the best training and playing environment for the team.  'I've played against David de Gea and represented England alongside Tom Heaton; they are top-class 'keepers, and I am relishing the opportunity to compete alongside and support them as team-mates. 'There is a lot that this group can achieve this season and I'm excited to play my part in helping everyone to re...

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry wants to become the next Belgium manager after serving as an assistant to Roberto Martinez.   The Belgian national team is looking for its next manager after Roberto Martinez's resignation following a disastrous 2022 World Cup campaign.   The Red Devils' dwindling golden generation was knocked out of the group stages following some poor results.   According to HLN, assistant manager Henry wants to succeed Martinez and carry the national team out of its current slump.   The legendary Arsenal striker initially joined the team's coaching staff in 2016 and helped then finish third in the 2018 World Cup. But the 45-year-old then pursued a management career of his own as he took over at Monaco but only lasted for three months.   The Frenchman then tried his luck in the MLS at Montreal Impact but left two years later as he wanted to be closer to his family in London.   Despite his limited experience, Hen...

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry wants to become the next Belgium manager after serving as an assistant to Roberto Martinez.   The Belgian national team is looking for its next manager after Roberto Martinez's resignation following a disastrous 2022 World Cup campaign.   The Red Devils' dwindling golden generation was knocked out of the group stages following some poor results.   According to HLN, assistant manager Henry wants to succeed Martinez and carry the national team out of its current slump.   The legendary Arsenal striker initially joined the team's coaching staff in 2016 and helped then finish third in the 2018 World Cup. But the 45-year-old then pursued a management career of his own as he took over at Monaco but only lasted for three months.   The Frenchman then tried his luck in the MLS at Montreal Impact but left two years later as he wanted to be closer to his family in London.   Despite his limited experience, Hen...

A Premier League player who was arrested on suspicion of rape has had one of three allegations against him dropped as his bail was extended until early October.     The footballer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested in what was reportedly a dramatic 3am swoop by police in Barnet, north London, on July 4 over rape allegations against a woman in her 20s in June.     He was further arrested while in custody over allegations of raping a different woman in April and June 2021. The 29-year-old denies the allegations.      In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said 'no further action' would be taken in relation to the June 2021 offence.      'On 4 July, an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s was reported to police,' the statement said.     'It was reported the alleged rape happened in June 2022. On 4 July, a 29-year-old man was arrested at an address in Barnet on suspicion of rape and taken into cus...

Everton have sacked manager Rafael Benitez after just six-and-a-half months in charge following Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Norwich.  The Toffees have won just once in the Premier League since September and are 15th in the table, six points above the relegation zone and on January 15 lost to lowly ranked Norwich.  Benitez, a former manager of Liverpool (Everton's city rivals) was appointed Everton boss last summer but the Spaniard has failed to win over the Goodison Park faithful with his style of football or results. Everton fans displayed a banner calling for his exit during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Norwich. The same banner was also unfurled at their 3-2 FA Cup third-round win at Hull. Everton have lost nine of their past 13 league games, including a 4-1 home defeat by Merseyside rivals Liverpool and a 5-2 home defeat against relegation strugglers Watford. "An update on a permanent replacement will be made in due course," Everton said This was the club...

It was another convincing win for the Super Eagles of Nigeria after they recorded a 3-1 win over the Falcons of Sudan on Saturday, January 15, 2022. Two first-half goals from Samuel Chukwueze and Taiwo Awoniyi plus a Moses Simon strike in the second ensured the Eagles maintained a strong grasp of Group D leadership with six points from their first two matches while also confirming their place in the second round of the ongoing African Cup of Nations. In the second half, the Sudanese rallied and pulled back a goal from the penalty spot after an error from Ola Aina but it wasn't enough.. The Eagles started with the same starting 11 that won against the Pharaohs last Tuesday.  Samuel Chukwueze scored the opening goal after just three minutes of intense pressure from the Super Eagles as he coolly slotted past the Sudanese goalkeeper after a precise pass from Moses Simon. Mohamed Al Rashed tried his luck from 25 yards but Maduka Okoye made a comfortable save. At the 36th min...

Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel cut a frustrated and angry figure as he watched his side fall 13 points behind Manchester City in the English premier league titles race after losing 1-0 at the Etihad on Saturday, January 15. It was Man city talisman, Kevin De Bruyne who made the difference with a beautifully crafted shot from the outside of the box after 70 minutes. City has now won 12 league games in a row and looks strong to defend its Premier League title. Tuchel has now laid into Chelsea's record signing Romelu Lukaku and the German did not mince his words after Lukaku missed Chelsea's big chance at the start of the second half with their only shot on target. The £98million striker was dropped by Tuchel against Liverpool earlier this month in the aftermath of an interview in which Lukaku claimed he was 'not happy' at the manager's tactics and he wanted to rejoin Inter Milan. In the match Chelsea defended well even though they were only beaten by Kevin...

Tunisia have made an appeal to CAF to replay their Africa Cup of Nations Group F match against Mali after the ended in a controversial 1-0 defeat.  Mali were 1-0 up after Ibrahima Kone scored a spot-kick when referee Janny Sikazwe blew the final whistle early. The Zambian official first blew the final whistle after just 85 minutes before restarting play for four minutes, but blew again with just 89 minutes and 43 seconds of the clash gone before 90 minutes.  According to DailyMail, Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba's post-match press conference was later interrupted as it was announced the final three minutes of the game would be played. About 40 minutes later the Mali players and officials returned to the pitch but the Tunisian players refused as they had reportedly already had their ice baths. Tunisia's refusal to return to play the remainder of the game led to Sikazwe blowing his whistle once again to call off the match, meaning the 1-0 victory for Mali will...

 Superstar footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo has stated his belief that Ralf Rangnick can do a good job at Old Trafford but insisted that the Manchester United interim boss needs more time. The German tactician was employed by the Red Devils until the end of the season after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked following a run of humiliating losses in November. But Ragnick, 63, admitted he fears he does not have the time or influence to solve the club’s troubles before his job as interim manager ends in May.  Rangnick faces a toxic atmosphere at Old the club with morale low as up to half the squad want to leave the club with some on expiring contracts and the dressing room divided into cliques,  leaving United seventh in the Premier League. But Ronaldo who joined the club in the summer, believes the interim boss can turn the situation around but he needs more time to get his ideas across to the players.  'Since he arrived five weeks ago he changed many things,' Ronaldo told S...