Ghana Sports news

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been accused of tax fraud by Spanish prosecutors investigating his time as Real Madrid's head coach.

He is accused of defrauding Spain of €3.3m (£2.9m; $3.6m) in taxes between 2011 and 2012, prosecutors say.

He has yet to comment on the accusation.

Other big names in football have been accused of tax fraud in Spain recently, including Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who was given a 21-month jail term.

Credit:BBC Sports

This year's much anticipated national cycling championship and ordinary congress of the Ghana Cycling Federation(GCF) is scheduled to take place from June 22 to 25 at Sunyani in the Bono Ahafo region.

Following a successful event last year in Accra, the federation in a quest to ensure the sport is promoted across the country decided to host this year's edition in Sunyani.

The national championship and the congress, falls under the umbrella of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and fulfils the obligations of the world body's rules and regulations  governing the sport for every National federation.

In all, over 100 participants are expected to be in Sunyani for the event including over 12 cycling clubs, 72 cyclists, 33 officials and a host of media personnel.

Reigning national champion, Emmanuel Sackey of Velo Stars would be battling it out with other promising cyclists in an attempt to retain his title.

The likes of Frank Akuffo of Velo stars, Isaac Sackey of Team Sky and Anthony Boakye of River Park Brong Ahafo are all poised to strip the reigning national champion of his title.

President of the Ghana Cycling Federation - Mohammed Sahnoon and other executives are also looking forward to an exciting event in Sunyani.

Categories for the championship include, Juniors, Under 23 and Elite who would be battling in Individual time trial, Team time trial and Road race. 

Technical Director of the Ghana Cycling Federation Shaaban Mohammed is optimistic that great talents would be discovered during the event as done every year.

"We hope this is going to be one of the best National championships in Africa as the female division is preparing feverishly for the showdown" he said.

The championship would be held in collaboration with the National Sports Authority, the Ministry of Youth and sports, the Ghana Cycling Federation and IQRA Ltd.

www.primenewsghana.com

Croatian authorities have launched an investigation into the captain of the national football team, Luka Modric.

The midfielder, who also plays for Real Madrid, is suspected of making false statements at the tax fraud trial of Zdravko Mamic, his former manager.

He could not immediately be reached for comment, Reuters news agency reports.

Mr Mamic, a powerful figure in Croatian football, was Mr Modric's boss at leading club Dinamo Zagreb.

Mr Mamic, his brother Zoran Mamic, and two others are accused of corruption that reportedly cost Dinamo Zagreb more than 15m euros (£13.1m; $16.7m), and the state 1.5m euros.

Cash is said to have been embezzled via phoney deals where they took a cut from the sales of players.

If found guilty of perjury, Mr Modric could face between six months and five years in prison.

Mr Modric was asked to testify about his multi-million pound transfer from Dinamo to the English club Tottenham Hotspur in 2008.

The perjury allegation hinges on exactly when he signed an annex to his contract with Dinamo, setting out the terms for future transfer fees.

According to prosecutors, at a tribunal on 13 June, Mr Modric falsely said he had signed it in July 2004.

Prosecutors say the annex - which allowed Mr Modric to receive half the transfer fee - was actually signed in 2008 when he had already left the club.

Prosecutors also say Mr Modric told investigators in 2015 that the annex had been signed when he had already been sold to Tottenham.

The state attorney's office believes the player changed his testimony in his former manager's favour.

The 31-year-old looked visibly uncomfortable while giving evidence to the trial, which has attracted huge media interest in Croatia.

Credit:BBC Sports

Gennady Golovkin has dismissed the idea that Floyd Mayweather's comeback fight against UFC champion Conor McGregor will overshadow his highly anticipated bout with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.

Ghana's world title hopeful, Isaac Dogboe(16-0,10 KO's) has said he would restore Ghana's lost pride in boxing when he faces Argentine, Javier Nicholas Chacon(23-3-1,7 KO's) on July 22 at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Nii Lantey Vandapuye has called on the Ghana Boxing Authority to invest more if they want to churn out world champions.

The former Minister of Youth and Sports under the past NDC government is unhappy with the retrogressing of Ghana Boxing which once produced World Champions like Azumah Nelson and Ike Quartey.

"I think the GBA should get new boxing coaches to do more refresher courses, build them up and open them to the new trends of the sports, boxing today is much more pronounced in the cliche of self defence, the best boxer is one who prevents himself from being hit."

The former minister who was at the Bukom boxing arena was very unhappy with the performance of Ghanaian Obodai Sai who was knocked down in the 5th round against Namibian boxer Walter Kautondokwa in the WBO Middle Weight Eliminator last Sunday.

Vandapuye who is also a member of the Odododiodio constituency was been a boxer at the amatuer level before becoming a Sports journalist.

An entirely new Germany team led by Captain Julian Draxler had to go the tough way to beat Australia 3-2 in the second game of group B.

The German were the first to break the deadlock as early as the 5th minute of the game through Borrusia Mochengladbach's Lars Stindl.

That goal was actually seen as the first of many for the Germans but Australia leveled the scores in the 41st minute through Tom Rogic whose initial effort was block before hammering a low short pass Leno in post.

Australia's celebration was cut short after some bad tackle in the box gave Germany a penalty which was calmly slotted home by PSG winger Julian Draxler.

Germany got that all important goal which proved to be the winner from Schalke's Leon Goretzka after connecting to a through pass from Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich.

The Socceroos of Australia made sure it was a nail biting finish for the Germans by scoring their second of the day through Tomi Juric after a blunder by goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Germany are now 2nd in group B behind Chile who beat Cameroon 2-0 Yesterday.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is set to speak about Cristiano Ronaldo's future on Monday evening as speculation continues to mount over a possible Manchester United return.

According to Sky sources, the 32-year-old wants to leave Spain and a source close to the player says former club Manchester United are very close to his heart.

United sold Ronaldo to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 for £80m and they have tried to set up a deal for his return on at least one occasion since his departure.

The 32-year-old is thought to have been "outraged" by what he feels is unfair treatment by Spanish tax authorities, making him determined to quit the club and the country.

According to Sky sources, Ronaldo feels he has been singled out for disproportionate treatment after prosecutors accused him of defrauding the authorities of £12.8m.

Free-spending PSG have also been linked with a move for Madrid's disgruntled star, who only signed a new five-year contract in November, while Bayern Munich have announced they are not interested.

Speculation over Ronaldo's future is set to be broached later on Monday by Real president Perez, who stood unopposed for re-election this month and will now continue at the head of the European and Spanish champions until 2021.

Spanish radio station Onda Cero say Perez will "give his version of the 'Ronaldo case"' in an interview with them late on Monday evening, while an event marking his re-election will be held at 6.30pm UK time at the Bernabeu's presidential box.

The Madrid electoral board met overnight and, with no other candidate putting themselves forward for election ahead of the deadline, it was confirmed that the long-serving Perez would continue in the role, taking his overall stay in the position to 18 years.

The 70-year-old, who was re-elected in 2009 having previously held the post between 2000 and 2006, is the second most successful president in Real's history in terms of football trophies won during his tenure, behind only Santiago Bernabeu who served between 1943 and 1978 and who the club's stadium is named after.

Perez's latest four-year term will begin as many of his previous ones have - with frenzied transfer speculation about which big-name players might arrive at the club and, perhaps more crucially in this instance as Ronaldo's future dominates the headlines, who might end up leaving.

Major Yaw Larson the former Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) and Asante Kotoko football Club Chairman died yesterday, 18th June,2017 at the 37 military hospital, after a short illness.

Wife of Major (RTD) Yaw Larson, Lucy Baaba Larson confirmed his passing in a phone call with ahotoronline.com

Late Major (RTD) Yaw Larson who is also the writer of the book, “Professionalism in Ghana Football: the myth, perception and reality,” impacted the Ghana Football fraternity with his deep knowledge on football administration.

“Football is a business and as such all must observe it when it comes to play and administrative style”,Major (RTD) Lawson constantly stated this in his public discussions.

Major Rtd. Yaw Larson formally held the position as the Chief Executive Officer of Asante Kotoko club, he was also a member of the GFA, GHALCA and many more.

His Body has been deposited at the 37 military Hospital morgue.

Source: ahotoronline.com

The National Armwrestling Team, the Black Arms have received a huge boost ahead of their international competition in Nigeria after T.T Brothers, Ghanaian beverage company presented cash and products to the team in Accra.

The National Capital Velo Club (NCVC), a US-based cycling club has donated riding kits to the women's national cycling team. 

The Black Stars are expected to start training today ahead of their upcoming friendly matches with Mexico and United States of America.

Coach Coach Kwesi Appiah has called the non-residential training to fully prepare the team. They broke camping shortly after the AFCON qualifier against Ethiopia.

The training is scheduled for 3:30pm at the Accra Sports Stadium and a host of players are expected to be present.

Coach Kwesi Appiah has handed a call-up to Miami City striker Kwadwo Poku to fill the void left by brothers Andre and Jordan Ayew.

West Ham United and Swansea City have asked the Ghana FA to exclude the two players from the squad since they  are taking players outside the FIFA dates for international matches.

The Black Stars will play two international friendlies against Mexico and the United States on 28 June and 1 July respectively.

Mexico are expected to use what will be an entirely new team to face the Black Stars because the first team is currently playing the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia which ends on July 2nd.

 

The round of 16 games for the Sanford Women FA Cup matches were played over the weekend.

Current Champions Police Ladies made light meal of Holy Royals by comfortably beating them 3-0 at home to book a place in the next round.

In form League champions Ampem Darkoa continued their fine form this season as they saw off Lepo Ladies by beating them 2-0 at the Ohene Ameyaw park.

Afia Kobi Ladies are automatically through to the next round after their opponent Sharp Arrows failed to turn up for the game.
Results of round of 16 games.

NORTHERN ZONE

Sunyani Coronation Park(Saturday)
Prisons ladies 3 vs 1 Northern ladies

Kumasi SHS Park
Afia Kobi ladies vs Sharp Arrows (Sharp Arrows failed to show up)

Ohene Ameyaw Park
Real upper ladies vs Ashtown ladies(postponed)

Ohene Ameyaw park(Sunday)
Ampem Darkoah 2 vs 0 Lepo Ladies

 

SOUTHERN ZONE

Carl Reindorf Park
Faith ladies 0 : 1 Army Ladies

Carl Reindorf Park(Sunday)
Immigration ladies 2 vs 0 Samaria

Robert Mensah Stadium(Sunday)
Lady strikers 2 vs 3 Sea Lions ladies

Mats Park Teshie(Sunday)
Police ladies 3 V 0 Holy Royals ladies 

The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) will join other National Olympic Committees (NOC) to observe this year’s edition of the Olympic Day on Saturday, June 24, 2017.

Players unhappy, Coaches complaining and fans left in a state of dilema, yes that is what the new Video Assistant Referee has presented to the beautiful game of football.

The ongoing Confederations Cup in Russia is really having a torrid time dealing with the new technology introduced into the game.

The video assistant referee (VAR) is an association football assistant referee that reviews decisions made by the head referee with the use of video footage and a headset for communication.

There are 4 types of calls that can be reviewed.

Goals and whether there was a violation during the build up
Penalty decisions
Red card decisions (note that second yellow cards are not reviewable)
Mistaken identity in awarding a red or yellow card.

During the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup Final in Japan, the first trial of the VAR in an international club competition, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane called the system a source of confusion, and midfielder Luka Modrić said he disliked the system

The technology is currently under going a pilot test in Russia and has drawn two controversies in the matches played so far.

Portugal today had a goal disallowed in their game against Mexico when Pepe looked to have given them the lead,whiles the Portugal players were jubilating,  it took the centre referee about 20 seconds to consult the VAR before making the final decision on whether the goal should stand or not.

This left the players, the technical team and even the supporters in a state of confusion. Eventually the goal was ruled out for offside as the VAR deemed Nani to be in an offside position.

                                                                                            Pepe's goal for Portugal was disallowed by the VAR

This certainly did not go down with Portugal manager Fernando Santo who showed displeasure at the decision. Portugal went on to draw 2-2 with Mexico.

We thought that was enough until we saw the game between Chile and Cameroon. I am pretty sure Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal would certainly be the first player to vote against this new technology if giving the chance after he was furious with the referee to disallow what seem to be their opener.

The Bayern Munich man played an inch perfect pass to striker Eduado Vargas who lifted it over the on rushing Cameroon goalkeeper Ondoa, Vargas was already celebrating, only to be deemed in an offside position after VAR referral.

                                                                                       Chile had a goal disallowed in the first half

The decision infuriated Vidal who was seen angrily approaching the referee only to be stopped by a team mate.

Chile did go ahead in the 81st minute but another controversy arose when Vargas slotted home Chile's second on the night and it took almost two minutes before the goal was allowed after the centre referee consulted the Assistant Video referee.

The bitter truth is Video Assistant Referee seem to be engulfed with lots of controversy, confusion, Chaos and also take a bit of heat from the beautiful game of football.

Small stoppages after every goal scored leaves players in limbo in an attempt to celebrate and also slows the tempo of the game.

Will it last or will it just be another unsuccessful attempt to improve fairness in the game.

Eduardo Vargas was denied twice by the referee after finding the back of the net, but Arturo Vidal ensured a 1-0 for Chile in their first Group B game against Cameroon in the Confederations Cup.

A proposal to scrap 45-minute halves is to be looked at by football's lawmakers to deter time-wasting.

Instead, there could be two periods of 30 minutes with the clock stopped whenever the ball goes out of play.

Lawmaking body the International Football Association Board (Ifab) says matches only see about 60 minutes of "effective playing time" out of 90.

The idea is one of several put forward in a new strategy document designed to address football's "negativities".

Another proposal would see players not being allowed to follow up and score if a penalty is saved - if the spot-kick "is not successful", play would stop and a goal-kick awarded.

Other ideas include a stadium clock linked to a referee's watch and a new rule allowing players to effectively pass to themselves or dribble the ball when taking a free-kick.

Former Chelsea striker Gianfranco Zola is in favour of the proposal to cut matches to 60 minutes.

"I personally like this rule because there are so many teams who try to take advantage of it because they are winning and wasting time - so I think it is not a bad rule," he told the BBC.

"Football is fast enough. Some of the changes I don't like very much, but this is a good one."

Arsenal keeper Petr Cech echoed Zola's sentiments as he discussed the proposal on social media and wrote that at present there are "25 minutes of effective playing time per half so you would actually see more football".
Where have these proposals come from?

The ideas have been put forward to Ifab by stakeholders in the game to tackle "on-field issues" and form part of what it calls its "Play Fair strategy", which has three aims of:

improving player behaviour and increasing respect
increasing playing time
increasing fairness and attractiveness
Part of the problem the new document highlights is that a 90-minute match has fewer than 60 minutes of playing time because of stoppages and time-wasting.

Which plans need no law changes?

The document has put forward a number of radical ideas for discussion, but suggests some proposals can be implemented immediately without the need for law changes.

Most of these apply to trying to combat time-wasting. The document says match officials should be stricter on the rule which allows keepers to hold the ball for six seconds and be more stringent when calculating additional time.

Additionally, it suggests match officials stop their watch:

from a penalty being awarded to the spot-kick being taken
from a goal being scored until the match resumes from the kick-off
from asking an injured player if he requires treatment to play restarting
from the referee showing a yellow or red card to play resuming
from the signal of a substitution to play restarting
from a referee starting to pace a free-kick to when it is taken
Which plans are ready for testing?

Some of the proposals are already being tested. The idea of only allowing captains to speak to referees - to prevent match officials being mobbed - will be trialled at this summer's Confederations Cup, which starts on Saturday.

Another proposal involves changing the order of kick-taking in penalty shoot-outs, known as 'ABBA'. It is similar to a tie-break in tennis, with team A taking the first kick, then team B taking two, then team A taking two. That is a change from the traditional 'team A, team B, team A, team B' pattern.

New suggestions also include players who are being substituted leaving at the closest part of the touchline to them instead of at the halfway line.

Which ideas are up for discussion?

This is where it gets interesting. One of the proposals would allow being able to dribble straight from a free-kick to "encourage attacking play as the player who is fouled can stop the ball and then immediately continue their dribble/attacking move". Other measures include:

passing to yourself at a free-kick, corner and goal-kick
a stadium clock which stops and starts along with the referee's watch
allowing the goal-kick to be taken even if the ball is moving
a goal-kick being taken on the same side that the ball went out on
a "clearer and more consistent definition" of handball
a player who scores a goal or stops a goal with his hands gets a red card
a keeper who handles a backpass or throw-in from a team-mate concedes a penalty
the referee can award a goal if a player stops a goal being scored by handling on or close to the goal-line
referees can only blow for half-time or full-time when the ball goes out of play
a penalty kick is either scored or missed/saved and players cannot follow up to score to stop encroachment into the penalty area
Who has come up with these proposals?

Ifab is made up of Fifa and the four British home football associations - of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - and is responsible for making the final decision on law changes.

Former English referee David Elleray is Ifab's technical director and has overseen the document.

"Referees, players, coaches and fans all agree that improving player behaviour and respect for all participants and especially match officials, increasing playing time and the game's fairness and attractiveness must be football's main priority," he said.

The next stage would involve the ideas being discussed at various meetings before decisions are taken on whether to develop them further or discard them.

Credit:BBC Sports

Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak have both progressed to the next stage of the MTN FA Cup after wins in their respective games.

Hearts won by a goal to nil against second tier side Young Wise curtesy an own goal from Abdul Rahman Abdullah.

Kotoko also won by the same score line at the Baba Yara stadium against Wassaman after captain Amos Frimpong converted from a spot kick to hand the porcupines a 1-0 win.

Results

Asante Kotoko SC 1-0 Wassaman United

Young Wise FC 0-1 Hearts of Oak

Amidaus Professionals 1-0 WAFA SC

Danbort FC 1-1 Liberty Professionals(Danbort progress 9-8 on penalties)

Medeama SC 1-0 Elmina Sharks FC

Berekum Chelsea 4-0 Bechem United

Nea Salamina FC 2-0 Steadfast FC

 FC Samartex 1996 1-2 Wa All Stars

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2016 European Champions Portugal drew their opening game with Mexico by  2-2 in the second game of group A.

The game which was lively from the begining saw Portugal take the lead only for the goal to be diasallowed by the help of the new Video assistant referee.

Portugal found the lead in the 34th minute through Ricardo Quaresma after some fine work by Cristiano Roanaldo to set him up. That lead was short lived, Mexico striker Javier Hernandez restored parity with a beautiful header right on the stroke of half time.

The 2nd half was almost a carbon copy of the 1st with chances for both sides. Portugal right back Alves Cedric look to have won the game for his team in the 86th minute with a shot that deflected of a Mexican defender before entering the net only for Hector Moreno to head in a corner in added time to tie the m,atch at 2-2.

Portugal will take on host Russia who are now on top of group A with 3 points on Tuesday with Mexico also playing New Zealand in the other group A match.

Member of the National Weightlifting Team, Richmond Osarfo is Ghana’s sole representative at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Junior World Championship in Tokyo, Japan.

Deputy Captain of the senior national team, the Black Stars, Andre Dede Ayew has asked children who wish to take up a career in football to be disciplined at all times.

Juventus right-back Dani Alves is keen on a move to Manchester City  for a reunion with his former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

Though he has one year left on his contract, Alves has not enjoyed his time in Turin, with fans turning on him after he suggested starting striker Paulo Dybala needed to leave the club to improve.

Sportsmail reported City's interest and that of Chelsea in the Brazilian earlier this year, and now the 34-year-old is ready to leave.

Speculation that Alves is due to leave heightened on Saturday when teammate Gonzalo Higuain took to social media to bid Alves farewell.

Higuain said: 'It was a pleasure playing with you. I wish you the best and hope to spend time together again soon. Bye genius.' The message was swiftly taken down.

City have been exploring full-back options with talks ongoing over Benjamin Mendy at Monaco while Southampton's Ryan Bertrand is also on their list. Tottenham Hotspur meanwhile want more than £40m for Kyle Walker.

 

The round of 16 matches for the MTN FA Cup kicks of at 3pm Sunday at the various match centres.

At the Baba Yara Stadium Kotoko will face first division side Wassaman United .

The Porcupines are without new Striker Saddick Adams but are confident of a victory after picking up a point against Aduana in Dormaa last monday in the Ghana Premier League.

Accra Hearts of oak will make a short trip to the central region to play second tier side Young Wise at Kasoa.

Coach of the Phobians Frank Nuttal says his charges will not underestimate their opponent and will give their best performance to enable them carry the day.

Fixtures for today

NUNGUA: Danbort vs Liberty Professionals

DORMAA: Nea Salamina vs Steadfast

KUMASI: Asante Kotoko vs Wassaman United

TARKWA: Medeama vs Elmina Sharks

KASOA: Accra Young Wise vs Hearts of Oak

TEMA: Amidaus Professionals vs WAFA

BEREKUM: Berekum Chelsea vs Bechem United

SAMREBOI: Sarmatex vs Wa All Stars

Black Stars midfielder Mubarak Wakaso has disclosed that several clubs in the English Premier League are interested in his services.

The box-to-box midfielder signed for Greece side Panathinaikos in 2016 from Russian side Rubin Kazan but was loaned in February this year to Spanish side Granada.

” I don’t have much to say about this, but is true I have been linked with some clubs in the EPL but am waiting for the deal to be finalised, so am expecting a move to the EPL very soon,” Wakaso told reporters at the uniBank Football Clinic.

Wakaso made his debut in 2012 for the Black Stars of Ghana and has 12 goals in 49 appearances so far.

He was not called into the team for the recent AFCON qualifier against Ethiopia.

Even though Granada has been relegated to the Spanish division one,Wakaso had a fantastic individual season by showing glimpses of his talent in the middle of the pitch.

Real Madrid say it would take a £350million deal to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to leave the club, which they expect to deter Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.

The 32-year-old, unhappy at the Bernabeu because of a perceived lack of support over his battle with Spanish tax authorities, what he considers to be unfair press and the jeering he has received from some Real Madrid fans, signed a new five-year deal with the Champions League winners in November on £350,000 a week net.

His buy-out clause is set at £870m and though clearly no club — not even in China — could countenance meeting that, the Spanish newspaper with the closest links to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, Marca, is reporting that it would take a £350m deal for them even to consider selling Ronaldo.

That breaks down to £175m in transfer fees and £175m in wages over the four remaining years of his deal, for which Real Madrid would expect to be compensated given that the player would have breached his contract.

Real Madrid have reacted calmly to the briefing from his advisors that their star player wants to leave and that his decision is ‘irreversible’.

They will not attempt to soothe him by phone over the next two weeks when he is playing for Portugal at the Confederations Cup in Russia. Instead, Marca have reported that the club plan a meeting in person between Perez, managing director Jose Angel Sanchez and Ronaldo after the tournament.

If the player persists with his demand of leaving, after he was accused by Spanish prosecutors of owing £12.9m in tax on image rights which were housed offshore in the British Virgin Islands and the Republic of Ireland, it is clear that Perez has a strong hand to play in negotiations.

Given that Ronaldo’s advisors have made it clear he does not wish to go to China, Real Madrid have surmised that only PSG, who have a long-standing hope of buying him, and United, who have also been desperate to bring him back to Old Trafford, appear the only realistic suitors.

However, although Ronaldo has proved his worth this season and is likely to win the FIFA world player of the year for a fifth time, he can no longer play with the intensity of his youth. That said, his marketability grows with age and United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been desperate to sign players with the image to drive United’s brand.

United would have to weigh that against the physical potency of Ronaldo in the latter years of his career. If they choose to make a move, they will be encouraged by the turbulent relationship that Perez and Ronaldo have.

Previous managers at Real Madrid have been told that Perez’s plan was to sell Ronaldo — only for Perez to eventually agree new contracts with him, such is his importance in terms of marketability.

The original deal to sign Ronaldo from United for £80m in 2009 was negotiated by Perez’s successor, Ramon Calderon, and there has long been a view that, though the deal was announced shortly after Perez had returned to the club as president, Ronaldo was never regarded as his signing.

And Ronaldo’s advisors are also well aware that moves by Real Madrid in recent months to encourage Eden Hazard and Kylian Mbappe to join the club are intended to pave the way for a successor.

Portugal, meanwhile, are not worried about Ronaldo being distracted by all of this at the Confederations Cup.
‘Nothing is going to change,’ said Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio ahead of Portugal’s Confederations Cup debut against Mexico in Kazan today. ‘Cristiano is totally focused on helping our team. He is focused on what needs to be done here and without a doubt he will have a great tournament.’

Ronaldo practised normally with the rest of the team in the final training session yesterday, smiling and joking with his team-mates.

‘He is an example for us, the way he works, the way he plays,’ said Patricio. ‘He is 100 per cent focused on this competition and he will be helping us.’

Portugal manager Fernando Santos also defended his player, saying: ‘I stand by Ronaldo’s character and integrity, both as a man and as an athlete.’

Credit:Daily mail

 

Host of the 2017 Confederations Cup Russia have begun their adventure with a 2-0 win over New Zealand.

The host started the brighter of the two sides with a commanding display and were rewarded for their efforts in the 31st minute when New Zealand defender Micheal Boxall's attempted clearance found the back of his own net.

Russia went into the break leading by a goal and started the 2nd half on an intense note and scored their second on the 69th minute through Krasnodar striker Fedor Smolov.

Russia are now top of group A and will play Portugal next who themselves will face Mexico tomorrow in the 2nd match of group A.

Report emanating from Turkey suggest that Ghana skipper Asamoah Gyan has reportedly agreed to join Turkish side Bursaspor on a 200,000 euro monthly salary subject to a medical.

Asamaoh Gyan is at the end of his loan spell with UAE side Al Ahli but reports indicate he has agreed to join Bursaspor from his parent club Shanghai SIPG.

According to a report by footballmadeinGhana the club sources have confirmed Gyan will be joining the crocodiles.

“I can confirm that Bursaspor have reached an agreement with Shanghai SIPG and Asamoah and the Ghanaian will sign a two-year deal after his holidays in Ghana,” Nihat Katoglu a close source to the club told footballmadeinghana.com

Bursaspor will hope the prolific striker will solve lift them next season after the club finished 14th in the Turkish top flight league last season.

Gyan who is 31-years of age reached a milestone for the Black Stars when he scored his 50th National team goal against Ethiopia in an AFCON qualifier.

He has had stints with Udinese, Rennes,Sunderland and currently with Shanghai SIPG after his loan with Al Ahli Dubai came to an end.

                                      An Official statement from Bursaspor

Managing Director of Data Bank Group, Kojo Addae Mensah, has defended the performance in office of the Youth and Sports minister.

This follows accusing by a section of sports loving fans that, Isaac Asiamah, has reneged on a promise to increase support to some lesser known sports in the county.

They cite the failure of Ghana's national boxing team "The Black Bombers" to represent the country at the All Africa games next year due to government's inability to provide financial support.

Speaking on Happy FM, Mr Addae, a sports enthusiast made the observation that the Youth and Sports ministry is a very delicate sector, the minister is therefore compelled at some point to take some tough unpopular decisions in the interest of the country.

“It’s the only ministry that is discussed on radio every day because at every other hour, there’s a sports programme on air so that the ministry very slippery.”

He called on the media and the general public to throw their weight behind Isaac Asiamah and give him adequate time to work effectively for the Country 

Juventus have rejected a bid from Chelsea for left-back Alex Sandro, according to the Serie A club's general director Giuseppe Marotta.

Antonio Conte guided Chelsea to the Premier League title in his first season in England, but is yet to strengthen his squad ahead of the next campaign.

Sandro, capped seven times by Brazil, joined Juventus from Porto in August 2015 and has since won successive Serie A and Coppa Italia titles.

"Our desire is to not sell any of our most important players," Marotta told Corriere dello Sport.

"We said no to a very good offer from Chelsea for Alex Sandro.

"But we know that we are competing with clubs that are in a position to offer wages that are not rational for us. And players are always their own boss.

"I do not know how Alex Sandro reacted."

Reports in the national press had suggested Conte had become frustrated with the Chelsea hierarchy over a lack of investment in the transfer market, but Sky Sports News HQ understands technical director Michael Emenalo and director Marina Granovskaia are aware of the Italian's targets and are continuing with their recruitment efforts.

Sky Sports News HQ also understands Conte is happy at Chelsea and will return to the club for the start of pre-season in the first week of July.

Ghanaians last night left the Bukom Boxing Arena disappointed as Obodai Sai was handed a shocking fifth round knockout by Namibian Walter Kautondokwa in the WBO Middle Weight Eliminator.