Opinion: Arsenal Owe Their Fans Something To Celebrate This Season

The Gunners put away Norwich City in their latest victory on Wednesday night but the fans at the Emirates Stadium wouldn’t be smug if they asked for more from the club.

It’s been three years since Arsenal had anything worthwhile to celebrate with their fans in London and across the world. They have been far away from qualifying for the Champions League since the 10-2 demolition by Bayern Munich in the 2016/2017 season and also last lifted a major trophy, the English FA cup in that season.

Gone are the days of exciting Champions League nights are at the Emirates. The days of stunning solo runs from Theo Walcott and clinical finishing from Robin Van Persie is now a distant memory and not many people remember how Arsenal made the Champions League final in 2006.
More recently, the game against Olympiakos was an all time low and it was difficult to watch Arsenal being sent packing from the Europa League even for neutral fans. Such is how Arsenal has degenerated over the years and it remains to be seen how or when they will return to Europe in the near future. Nothing is settled as of yet as it is still possible for them to make the European places mathematically. The win against Norwich takes them up to seventh on the log but a win for either of Sheffield or their arch rivals, Totenham later today would see them return to eight on the table.

Their weak financial muscles only makes things more complicated for them going into the summer and they will struggle to attract any player in the next transfer window without a trophy to show for or at least a place in Europe’s second division tournament.

Keeping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang beyond this season also seems like mission impossible as he continues to be linked with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan. The Gabonese striker may finally make a move if he ends the season without a meaningful achievement to look back on this season despite being the club captain all season. The former Dortmund striker has become the fastest player to hit 50 goals in an Arsenal shirt, in 83 appearances.

For all that it is worth, the club must try hard to keep their starman to get close to winning anything and Arteta should sure know better than let him leave. Arsenal are still in competition for a place for the Europa League and could still win the FA cup if they manage to get the better of Man City who on the strength of their lofty standards will want to forget this season despite most likely finishing second behind Liverpool and have already won the Carabao cup.

There are too many question marks than answers on what the future portends for the Gunners but they can be certain of a bleaker future if they fail to record any serious achievement come the end of July.

Chelsea And Leceister Drop Points As Top Four Race Heats Up

The battle for the champions league places in the English top flight looks very exciting at the moment after Chelsea and Leceister City dropped all three points against West Ham and Everton respectively.

Chelsea had opened the scoring at the London stadium from a penalty well taken by Willian after Christian Pulisic was brought down by Issa Diop in the Hammers penalty area. West Ham got back into the game not too long after and just before half time when Bowen’s cross found Slavia Prague loanee Soucek who powered a towering header into the net.

Bowen also supplied another assist to Michail Antonio who tapped in from close range to give the Hammers the lead six minutes into the second half.

Prior to this game, Willian had not scored against West Ham but he doubled his tally on the night with a sweetly struck free kick from 20 yards out to bring Chelsea back into the game.

Unlike the game at Aston Villa, there was no comeback for Chelsea as Andry Yarmalenko’s finished from a late counter attack condemned Chelsea to their first defeat since the return of football.

The last time Chelsea were defeated by a three goal margin was at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League before the suspension of football and they could not win the much needed points against the Hammers who would be very happy to win all three points in their bid to avoid relegation.

For all that their season is worth, Leicester City will be licking their wounds after they have blown open the race for the top three finish. Jamie Vardy failed to get onto the scores sheet for the fourth match since the Foxes resumed their Premier League campaign.

Once looking destined for the Champions League next season, successive dropping of points have seen their position being open up to a challenge from teams outside the top four at the moment.

Their latest defeat also came on the same night Chelsea lost. Early goals from Richarlisson and Sigurdsson just before the twenty minutes condemned them to defeat despite Kelechi Ihenacho’s 51’st minute strike offered a glimmer of hope for the Foxes.

Manchester United and Wolverhampton will be delighted with the results considering that they picked up all three points against Brighton and Bournemouth while still keeping clean sheets. It all makes for an interesting end to the season with both teams two points away from fourth spot and three from the third spot.

Very few can bet against the Red Devils have they have looked comfortable in victories against Sheffield and Brighton, teams they would struggle to beat some few months ago. Their fixture list does not look bad either and the confidence in the team looks really high at the moment.

Wolves also have a very easy fixture list and will also be challenging quietly as they have been doing for a couple of matches now. All in all, the top four battle is wide open to all four of the teams but only the best teams will rise in the end.

The Premier League race comes to an end

The race for the English league has come to an end as Man city failed to win at Stamford Bridge tonight.

The reigning champions came into the game with hopes of holding out till Liverpool were announced champions however their hopes were dashed by a dazzling Chelsea team.

Man city played without Sergio Aguero who is out injured and without youngster Phil Foden who has been on hot form since after the break.

Chelsea started the game placing pressure on the City team who also seemed up to the task and kept a tight defensive line.

Chelsea however had a break on a counterattack from a City free kick. Pulisic got the ball from a mistake by Mendy and slotted it past Ederson

Pulisic scoring the fist goal for Chelsea

The City team upped their effort and they were rewarded with a free kick which was placed past the keeper by De Bruyne.

City kept pushing and was nearly rewarded by a Raheem Sterling chance but was denied by the bar.

Tammy Abraham was introduced in the second half replacing Giroud. He got an opportunity which was denied by the keeper.

The opportunity was later reviewed by Var and Fernandinho was found to have used his hand and a Penalty was granted to Chelsea. Willian took the penalty and gave Chelsea the lead.

Pedro has an opportunity to score a third goal for Chelsea but was denied by the keeper.

Tonights defeat mean Liverpool has won their first Premier League title after a 30 year wait.

La Liga Title Race: Five Things We Have Learnt So Far

The title race continues to heat up in Spanish top flight as Barcelona narrowly defeated Athletic Club 1-0 and Real Madrid claiming all three points at home against Mallorca.

1) Barcelona needs to overhaul their midfield and defence ahead of next season
It has been a long time coming but it is more than obvious at the moment that Barcelona are in dire need of a squad overhaul if they are to sustain their domestic dominance, talk more of rising to the pinnacle of football once again.
The midfield which has been the heartbeat of the club in the past cannot even be compared to a shadow of its former self.

Before his injury woes, we have seen enough of De Jong to be convinced that he is not Iniesta and Arthur is no Xavi.

In defence, Gerard Pique is not the same player and Lenglet is not Carles Puyol despite keeping four consecutive clean sheets since the return of the La Liga.

Barcelona need genuine quality again and must spend in the summer to avoid a catastrophe from happening soon.

2) The Barcelona attack is not any better

Barcelona also have a lot to think about in attack. On paper, they have a very solid attack that should dominate the Spanish top flight but football barely thrives on paper these days.
Messi continues to carry the weight of the team on his shoulders and he is showing signs that age is getting the better of him.
Suarez has also been on the wane for a while and Barcelona needs serious competition for places in his position if they are to take the bulk of the goalscoring responsibilities off Messi’s shoulders. The presence of a firing centre foward would have made a profound difference in the fortunes of the Catalans.

The Blaugrana’s reliance on Ansu Fati is also a testament to the the growing need for reinforcements in attack even if the teenager has performed incredibly anytime he has been called upon. Griezmann is not the same player. These days it’s difficult to understand if he fitting into Barcelona is the problem or the inability of the team to conform to his style of player on the pitch. Many would argue that it should ideally be the former but then Barcelona may have to make a decision over his future soon. Dembele has spent more time on the treatment table than he has on the pitch in his Barcelona career and it’s highly unlikely that he will have any impact on the title race.

3) Vinicius is on fire.
When big hitters like Bale and Hazard are expected to lead the title charge for the Los Blancos, it is Vinicius Jr that has been making the headlines for the Capital City side. For the second game in a row, he has got the man of the match award and got on the scorers sheet twice. He probably wouldn’t have picked his form at a better time. Seeing Hazard brought off while he remained on the pitch for 90 minutes was the highlight of it all.

4) Vamos Ramos
Ramos always makes the headlines for the right and wrong reasons and this season has proven to be his most productive career yet. His delightful free kick on the night is evidence that he’s not just a gritty defender but also a fine footballer. He is one of the best defenders in the world if not the best at the moment.

5) Title Race may drag into the final day.

This season looks like one of those seasons in which the contenders have to wait until the final day to decide who claims the crown. Like Athleti and Barcelona in 2014 and Real Madrid versus Barcelona in 2016, the battle is primed to drag until the last minute of the season. You cannot look away from the possibility of this happening because both teams are level on point with only head to head statistics being the difference between both teams.

The title race is a very interesting one this season and it promises to get better in the coming fixtures. Barcelona have to be on their toes and must win games in their next matches against Celta Vigo, Athletico Madrid, Villarreal and Espanyol. Madrid on the other hand have to ensure they do not slip up against Espanyol, Getafe, Athletic Club and Alaves.

Let us know your thoughts and comments below.

La Liga Title Race Blown Open As Barcelona Play Goalless Draw At Sevilla

It was difficult to watch as both teams could not get a goal to liven things up. The La Liga crown is now Barcelona’s to lose when they could have extended their league at the top by five points.

While Barcelona dominated the opening exchanges, Sevilla struggled to bring the ball out of their half in the first 30 minutes of the game.

The Catalan’s best chances came from Lionel Messi’s freekicks and one of them was diverted over the bar brilliantly by the backtracking Joules Koundes.

Messi later escaped a yellow card for a bookable offence after Sergio Busquests and Fernando were booked for a feisty face-off between the pair just before the end of the first half.

Sevilla stepped up the intensity of their game after the break and Argentine Stalwart, Ever Banega.

A fierce drive in the Barcelona penalty area from Lucas Ocampos forced a great save off Marc Andre Ter Stegen and former Barcelona prospect Munir El-Haddadi also forced another save from the German shot stopper.

Antoine Griezmann failed to make the starting line up as Martin Braithwaite was preferred to the Frenchman. Braithwaite was however replaced for the final 13 minutes as Arturo Vidal was introduced in his place.
Sergio Regullion failed to convert the best chance of the game as the left back mishit a shot from close range with his weaker right foot, allowing Ter Stegen to collect the ball easily.

Luis Suarez played the full 90 minutes despite Quique Setien expressing uncertainty the Uruguayan’s match fitness. He blazed a left footed effort over in the closing stages when a chance was presented before him. Arthur was also introduced in the second half while Ruqui Puig also made a late entry into the game.

Barcelona now have to work hard to retain the title as the Los Blancos will be looking to close the gap against the Blaugrana in their next game against Real Sociedad tomorrow night. Barcelona will lock horns with Athletic Bilbao in their next match on Tuesday while Sevilla will clash with Villarreal on Monday.

Record Breaking Mertens Goal Seals Coppa Italia Final spot

Dries Mertens scored a crucial and historic equalizer against Inter Milan to ensure Napoli made it into the Copa Italia final against Juventus.
Napoli won the first leg away at San Siro and Mertens 122nd goal for Napoli was just enough to ensure they qualified for the final showdown.
The goal also makes Mertens become Napoli’s all time leadin scorer.

Fabian Ruiz’s goal at the San Siro had put Napoli in control from the first leg only for Inter to cancel the lead through Christian Eriksen inside two minutes into the game.

Ospina made a couple of saves to deny Belgian hitman Romelu Lukaku and Andrea Candreva before setting up the equaliser late in the second half.

Christian Eriksen got on the scoresheet inside two minutes with a spectacular effort, scoring directly from a corner kick to bring Inter on level terms with Napoli.

His clearance started a fast counter-attacking move that took Inter off balance. His clearance found Lorenzo Insigne passed the ball across to the on rushing Mertens to enter the Napoli history books four minutes before half time.

Ospina was also instrumental in the second half as he made a string of saves that ensured Napoli qualified for a trip to Rome for the final.

Napoli will face Juventus in Rome and Wednesday. Inter will then resume their Serie A season as they take on Sampdoria on Sunday, June 21. Napoli will lock horns with Hellas Verona two days later

Haaland is The Difference As Dortmund Win Against Dusseldorf

It was a dramatic end at to the contest as Erling Braut Haaland’s late goal was the difference against Fortuna Dussseldorf.

The match was primed to end as a stalemate after Raphael Gurreiro’s second half strike was ruled out for handball but Haaland reverted to super sub mode to ensure Bayern cannot establish a nine point lead at the top on Saturday.

Despite several chances created by Jadon Sancho in the first half, Dortmund could not put the ball at the back of the net as they lacked a clinical edge until Haaland made a cameo return from a knee injury. Archaf Hakimi should have taken the lead Dortmund when he had only the keeper to beat in the 17th minute after a rapid break following a Dusseldorf corner.

Sancho and Julian Brandt also combined twice but Brandt was denied by a last ditch tackle from Andre Hoffman and the goal keeper Florian Kastenmeier on another occasion.

Haaland’s introduction soon after the restart almost paid dividends as his shot took a deflection and dropped nicely to Raphael Gurreiro whose drilled attempt was ruled out after a VAR check.

Dusseldorf also had two opportunities to take the lead as Steven Skrzybski’s effort from distance hit the left hand post in the 82nd minute before being denied by the other upright in stoppage time.

Dortmund then took the lead immediately after as Haaland guided a header past Kastenmeier from a cross provided by Manuel Akanji.

This ensures that the title race is still open, at least for now.

Dortmund host Mainz at the Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday while Dusseldorf will face RB Leipzig on the same day.

Messi Leads Barcelona To Winning Return Against Marlloca

Lionel Messi scored one and assisted two as Barcelona made a winning return to the La Liga campaign.

Arturo Vidal, Martin Braithwaite and Jordi Alba were also on target as Barcelona ran out 4-0 against Real Mallorca.

Having not played football for three months due to the forced coronavirus break, Barcelona needed a little less than two minutes to take the lead through Vidal’s header.

Lionel Messi then assisted Braithwaite as he scored his first goal for the club just eight minutes to the end of the first half.

Luis Suarez also featured in the game as Barcelona looked sharp all through the game.

Real Madrid loanee Takefusa Kubo was cleverly dispossessed by Frenkie de Jong in midfied who lay the ball of off to Alba to create Vidal’s header.

Kubo looked like he would atone for his mistakes as he forced a save off Marc-Andre Ter Stegen from the edge of the box before being denied again from behind a dead ball.

Prior to this, Messi and Braithwaite had combined to put pressure on the Marlloca defence and their efforts finally yielded results just before the interval in a combative build-up which involved flick ons from De Jong and Messi.

Suarez was brought on in the second half after being out since January due to a knee injury. He proved to be a menace to the Marlloca defence as he created chances that were begging to be converted for Braithwaite and Ronald Araujo.

Messi then set up Jordi Alba with an ingenious flick that ended with an emphatic finish at the near post.

There was enough time for Messi to join the scoring spree for the seventh straight game against Marlloca. He kept his balance and composure to put a right-footed finish at the back of the net.

Antoine Griezmann was almost anonymous all through the game but Barcelona will be happy to stay top of the log.

Barcelona host Leganes at the Camp Nou on Tuesday before travelling to the Ramon Sanchez Pijuan to face Sevilla three days later. Mallorca will clash with Leganes next Friday and face Villarreal next.

Dortmund willing to spend $44 million on Fernan Torres

Several European clubs have placed Ferran Torres on their radar and Borussia Dortmund are willing to spend 40 million euros to acquire his services in the next transfer window

His release clause at Valencia is set at 100m euros, yet his contract ends in 2021 and the talented winger has turned down their latest renewal offer.

According to Bild, Dortmund are the first team to have made their interest known to the LaLiga Santander side.

Meanwhile, Manchester United, Liverpool, Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all keeping a keen eye on the 20-year-old as well.

If Valencia want to make profit from Torres‘ move, they may need to let him depart in summer to avoid losing him on a free transfer next year.

Tottenham willing to sell Kane to avoid financial crisis

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will sanction the departure of Harry Kane to Manchester United for a world-record fee of £200million because of financial worries and exasperation with England’s captain for going off-message during the coronavirus crisis.

Levy has made it clear that Spurs would agree to let Kane leave this summer.

Tottenham fear the financial repercussions of the current lockdown more than any other Premier league club because they are still paying for their new £1billion stadium.

It’s significant that Spurs were among the first top-flight clubs to furlough non-playing staff despite the negative publicity it attracted.

They reportedly owe £637m on the stadium loan and £83m on transfer fees. And Levy is understood to have been furious at Kane’s recent comments that the Premier League season should be voided if it wasn’t completed by the end of June.

That would have huge repercussions should television broadcast rights holders demand a refund from the Premier League although It is understood that Sky will not demand that the League repay the £371m they are owed.

Kane, who has been out since January with a hamstring injury, also suggested that it might be time to leave Spurs if they aren’t going to be winning trophies.

Former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov, who made the move to Old Trafford in 2008, said: ‘I see a lot of similarities in the situation I went through and what is happening with Kane at the minute.’

Though Levy has been criticised in the past for not spending transfer money, Tottenham have splashed out more than £100m in the past 12 months on Tanguy Ndombele, Steven Bergwijn and Ryan Sessegnon.

It has left manager Joe Mourinho with a bloated squad and selling Kane is now gaining favour with the Spurs chairman as he plots the club’s post-coronavirus future.

The £200m asking price would beat the world record £198m that PSG paid Barcelona for Neymar in 2017.

The mooted amount would be optimistic in the current climate, though. But even if Spurs do not fetch their full asking price, Kane is sure to smash the British transfer record of £89m paid by United for Paul Pogba.

Liverpool give up on Sancho

Liverpool have no intention of getting involved in a bidding war with Man United for Jadon Sancho this summer.

The Borussia Dortmund attacking sensation is set to leave the club in the upcoming transfer window if his £100million-plus asking price is met.

A Liverpool source has revealed that Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of Sancho, 20, and would be interested in adding him to his team’s star-studded forward ranks

But Sancho is being priced out of the reach of the Merseysiders and it is not currently considered viable for him to move to Anfield this year.

Man United are in pole position to sign him this summer and have the funds to meet a valuation that is likely to defy football’s changed economics as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Dortmund have let it be known via intermediaries they want an initial £88m for Sancho rising to more than £100m including various performance-related add-ons.

That would secure an astronomical profit for a player the German giants signed from Man City for just £8m three years ago

During that time Sancho has developed into one of the most exciting and feared young forwards in world football.

He is a mainstay of a thrilling Dortmund front line and his 90 matches for the club have already yielded 31 goals and a remarkable 42 assists.

In this season alone, Sancho has scored 17 times from 35 matches and also supplied 19 assists.

PSG in ongoing discussions to sign Mauro Icardi permanently.

 

RMC report that Ligue 1 leaders PSG are in ongoing discussions with Argentinian striker Mauro Icardi and his agent Wanda Nara about moving to the French capital club permanently, with Les Parisiens having a €65m option to buy the player at the end of his season-long loan spell.
Sporting Director Leonardo remains aware that Icardi is seen as one of the best goal-scorers on the European scene and has in recent days been exchanging with Wanda Nara. Icardi’s agent wants clarification on what role her client would have were he to commit to a permanent future with PSG. In recent weeks, Icardi’s relationship with Thomas Tuchel has utterly disintegrated, with the pair having a heated discussion ahead of the Dortmund clash a notable example of this.

The outlet adds that Juventus continue to monitor this situation, but that PSG have first right to acquire Icardi, should they be able to convince him to stay.
Icardi and his camp have not made a definitive decision on his future yet, contrary to a host of Italian reports jumping the gun.

Kobe Bryant inducted into the hall of fame

Kobe Bryant will be posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The five-time NBA champion died, aged 41, in a helicopter crash in January alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.

Los Angeles Lakers great Bryant retired in 2016; he was the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2008, was Finals MVP twice and earned 18 All-Star selections.

He was in the United States team that won Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Bryant’s death was “unspeakable” and the league was keen to “honour” him.

“Kobe Bryant is synonymous with NBA All-Star and embodies the spirit of this global celebration of our game,” Silver said.

“He always relished the opportunity to compete with the best of the best and perform at the highest level for millions of fans around the world.”

Tim Duncan, a five-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, and Kevin Garnett, who helped the Boston Celtics win the championship in 2008, were also inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Muller renews Contract

Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller has signed a two-year contract extension to stay at the club until 2023.

The 30-year-old Germany international has made more than 500 appearances and won 16 major honours with Bayern since his debut in 2009.

“This club is not just any old employer for me. It’s my passion,” said Muller, who has scored 116 Bundesliga goals.

“I’m happy that I’ll be here for two extra years, and I’ll give everything on and off the pitch.”

Bayern are four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, which has been suspended until at least 30 April because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’m sure that once we’re playing again, we’ll continue to be very successful. That spurs me on,” Muller said.

Bayern’s players resumed training this week in groups of five.

Wayne Rooney believes Liverpool should win the title

Wayne Rooney believes Liverpool should be given the chance to finish the Premier League season and lift the trophy as champions.

The former Manchester United striker, who supports Everton, says not finishing the 2019-20 campaign after the coronavirus pandemic subsides would create too many problems, including “legal fights”.

Writing in the Sunday Times, the player-coach at Derby County also indicated it may take until the end of this year to do so, but that football must follow the governments advice on how to deal with the health crisis.

“Liverpool will win the Premier League,” he said. “Now, as you can imagine, I have Everton fans phoning me up saying: ‘The season has to be cancelled!’ And, of course, as an Evertonian and someone who played for Manchester United for 13 years, there’s a bit in me that thinks that would be good .

“But no. Liverpool have been fantastic. They have put so much work in. They deserve this title. Can you imagine waiting 30 years and then having it taken away like this? The right decision has been made.

“It’s also right in terms of promotion and relegation and Champions League places. These issues are so big for the clubs involved that I imagine there would be a lot of legal fights if the season was just abandoned.

“The fair thing is to finish 2019-20 – even if we have to lose next season in the process.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if finishing the season takes until the end of 2020. Football, like every other industry, is in unknown territory and, just like every other industry, has to listen to the advice and take all necessary precautions.

“For me, that rules out finishing the season behind closed doors.”

Ex Madrid president dies after contracting Coronavirus

Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz died on Saturday after being taken to hospital with coronavirus.

Sanz, 76, was president at the Bernabeu from 1995-2000, a period in which Real won the Champions League twice.

“My father has just died,” wrote Sanz’s son Lorenzo Sanz Duran on Twitter.

“He did not deserve this end in this manner. One of the best, most courageous and hard working people I have seen in my life. His family and Real Madrid were his passion.”

Sanz signed players such as Roberto Carlos, Clarence Seedorf and Davor Suker during his time in charge of the 33-time Spanish champions, 

He lost the 2000 presidential election to Florentino Perez, which sparked Real’s big-spending ‘Galatico’ era.

Sanz’s son Fernando, 46, played for Real Madrid from 1996-1999 before spending the final seven years of his career at Malaga.

Tom Brady signs for Buccaneers

Six-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady has signed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after leaving the New England Patriots.

The quarterback said on Tuesday that he is ending an unexpected 20 years of success with the Patriots.

The 42-year-old then announced on Friday that he is joining Tampa Bay.

“Excited, humble and hungry,” he said. “I’m starting a new football journey and thankful for the Buccaneers for giving me an opportunity to do what I love to do.”

Brady became a free agent for the first time this off-season allowing him to speak to rival teams from Monday before the free agency signing period opened on Wednesday.

He is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time having won the Super Bowl more times than any other player – in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Brady has made a total of nine Super Bowl appearances and been named the championship game’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) four times – both NFL records.

He was named as the league’s MVP in 2007, 2010 and 2017, and is second on the all-time list for touchdown passes and passing yards behind New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

The Patriots had not won the Super Bowl before choosing Brady with the 199th pick in the 2000 draft but they now have a joint-record six Super Bowl victories – level with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Bucs have only won the Super Bowl once in their 45 years in the NFL and are owned by the Glazer family, who also control Manchester United.

Their general manager Jason Licht was a member of the Patriots’ scouting staff when Brady was drafted.

“Through this process it became very clear that his desire to be a champion burns as strong today as it ever has,” he said. “He possesses the type of rare natural leadership qualities that will immediately impact our entire organisation.”

Brady will replace Jameis Winston as the Bucs’ starting quarterback, with Winston also becoming an unrestricted free agent. The 26-year-old led the league last season with 5,109 passing yards and threw 33 touchdown passes but also 30 interceptions – becoming the first man to go 30 for 30 in the same season.

Brady’s switch to Florida is the biggest move at the start of free agency, although Todd Gurley, the NFL’s rushing touchdown leader in two of the past three seasons, has agreed terms with the Atlanta Falcons after being released by the Los Angeles Rams.

Premier League suspended

English football will be suspended until at least 30 April because of the continued spread of coronavirus.

All games in England’s Premier League, EFL, Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship, and all fixtures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, are currently postponed.

The Football Association has also agreed that the current season can be “extended indefinitely”. 

Under current rules the season had been scheduled to end on 1 June.

A joint statement issued by the FA, Premier League and EFL expressed “a commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019-20 season” and completing

all domestic and European matches “as soon as it is safe and possible to do so”.

Last week, West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady said the current season should be declared null and void

FA chairman Greg Clarke also expressed his concern that it might prove impossible for the season to be concluded.

However Brighton chief executive Paul Barber told the BBC that it would be ‘unjust’if runaway leaders Liverpool were denied the title, and suggested increasing the league to 22 teams for 2020-21.

Fifa has also established a working group to tackle the issues facing football as a result of the pandemic. The group will look at the international fixture calendar, and issues around player contracts.

Player contracts typically expire on 30 June but many leagues, if resumed, look likely to continue beyond that date.

World boxing champion and trainer, Roger Mayweather dies at 58

Roger Mayweather, a two-time world champion turned trainer and uncle of undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather, has died at the age of 58.

 

The former American boxer, who had struggled with diabetes, was a two-weight world champion in stellar 72-fight career that spanned 17 years.

 

He trained his nephew Floyd when he turned professional in 1996 for two years until Floyd Sr was released from prison. Roger returned to his corner in 2000 and was his trainer until 2012 as he became the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

 

 

Confirming his death, Mayweather said: “My uncle was one of the most important people in my life inside and outside of the ring.”

“Roger was a great champion and one of the best trainers in boxing. Unfortunately, his health was failing him for several years and now he can finally rest in peace.

“Roger meant the world to me, my father Floyd Sr., my uncle Jeff, our whole family, everyone in and around the Mayweather Boxing Gym and the entire boxing world. It is a terrible loss for all of us.”

 

 

Mayweather Sr, who was nicknamed the Black Mamba won 59 of his 72 professional fights that included major fights against Julio Cesar Chavez and Pernell Whitaker and held the WBA and lineal super-featherweight titles from 1983 to 1984, and the WBC light welterweight title from 1987 to 1989.

 

Floyd Mayweather is also mourning the death of his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his three children, Josie Harris, who was found dead outside her Los Angeles home last week.

Lebron James and his Los Angeles Lakers’ teammates to undergo coronavirus testing today

NBA star, LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers’ teammates will undergo testing for the coronavirus today, March 18.

 

Sources at the basketball club confirmed to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, following the Brooklyn Nets’ announcement that four players including Kevin Durant have tested positive for the virus.

 

The Lakers played the Brooklyn Nets’ in their last game before the NBA suspended play last Wednesday following a positive test by Rudy Gobert of Utah Jazz.

 

The Lakers will self-quarantine for 14 days. Most of the Lakers are still in town, so testing should not be a logistical issue, sources told ESPN.

 

“Given the exposure risks from our game against the Nets on March 10th, we are following the next steps of our COVID-19 procedures and protocol that are established in consultation with various health officials, the NBA and our UCLA Health doctors,” the Lakers said. “The health and well-being of our players, staff, fans, and society in general, is of paramount importance to us, and will continue to be our focus.“

 

This comes a day after the Nets announced that four players including Kevin Durant have tested positive for the coronavirus. The Nets said they had reached out to anyone known to have had contact with the players.

 

In addition, Utah’s Donovan Mitchell and the Detroit Pistons’ Christian Wood are the other two basketballers that have tested positive for the virus.