LIFE/Fishing:Italian Angler Catches Enormous 2.67m Catfish

Italian catfish fancier Dino Ferrari is no stranger to enormous fish.
Over the years he’s caught some whopper wels catfish, but none as big as the one he caught on Thursday February 19.
He was fishing the Po Delta in Italy when he hooked the lurking leviathan.
When he reeled in his catch, it weighed an incredible 127kg and measured 2.67m.
The catch is documented on his sponsor Sportex Italia’s Facebook page.
While it is possibly a record catfish caught on rod and reel, it is amazingly not the biggest wels catfish recorded. That honour goes to a 144kg 2.78m monster, also from the Po Delta.
Potentially, the species could grow as long as 4m and weigh 400kg, but specimens over two metres in length are extremely rare.
An indiscriminate feeder, wels will basically eat anything they can catch and fit into their mouths.
They have even been captured on film stalking and eating unwary pigeons that get too close to the water’s edge.

SPORTS: Okocha Is New Delta State FA Chairman

Former international and Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha has been elected Delta State FA chairman, it has been reported from asaba. Full facts are still coming in.

NEWS: BA Launches Campaign To Attract Female Pilots

AS PART of a push to attract more female pilots, British Airways has released the results of a survey which explores why so few women pursue careers as professional pilots.
Reported in FlyerTalk, the findings revealed common misconceptions when it came to female roles in the aviation industry including a lack of visible role models and being told it was a man’s job. 2000 women in the UK took part in the survey.
• 63 per cent of women surveyed said they were deterred from the career when they were growing up
• 20 per cent of respondents felt that there was a visible lack of role models for female pilots — both in real life as well as in TV and film.
• 20 per cent of respondents believed that women could only be cabin crew
• 13 per cent of respondent had never been a passenger in a plane flown by a female pilot
• 10 per cent of respondents said they were told that this career path was restricted to men.
While the results of the survey provide insight into how the profession may be perceived, British Airways’ Senior First Officer Helen MacNamara touted her love of the job to BBC. “I absolutely love this job and cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone — male or female,” she said, stressing the importance of raising the profile of the career so that young women will be inspired to become pilots.
While only 200 of British Airways’ nearly 4,000 pilots are female, the carrier recently launched the Future Pilot Programme — a cadet training campaign aimed at bringing more female pilots and experienced employees into its ranks. Captain Stephen Riley, the carrier’s director of flight operations, believes that the program will help promote the career to talented pilots, regardless of their gender.

SPORTS:NUGA Prepares for World University Games in Gwangju

Nigeria University Games Association Nuga has begun preparations for Nigeria’s participation in the 28^th World University Games scheduled to take place in Gwangju, South Korea July 3 to 14.

NUGA  secretary Bola Orodele in an exclusive interview revealed that plans have been concluded for camping and trials athletics, judo and taekwondo, while it had indeed applied to world governing body FISU for a be given spots in two team sports- football and basketball. “Nigeria has been placed standby for those team sports and we intend to attend the Heads of Delegates meeting in April in  the host city where decision would be made on our application,” he stated. Angola and Mozambique are selected from Africa  basketball men with Nigeria on the reserve list while Mozambique and Uganda are selected in the women category. In the football event, South Africa men and women have the spots for Africa in while Namibia and Nigeria are on the reserve list.

Orodele revealed that NUGA had made contacts with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria AFN in respect of getting the athletics team ready. Money, a key issue that had stalled Nigeria’s participation in the past couple of games. The NUGA scribe was asked how much the association needed to prepare and send a team to the games, he said “it’s one key issue being finalized but I can tell you it’s in the region of N200 million. We are also waiting for response from a company we have contacted to sponsor our football championship which would enable us pick a team for the Games."

SPORTS:Beckham Welcomes Figo's FIFA Bid

David Beckham has welcomed former Real Madrid teammate Luis Figo's bid to unseat Sepp Blatter, saying FIFA needs candidates "passionate about the game".
Figo is the only former player standing in May's election, which also features FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin al-Hussein and Dutch football association chairman Michael van Praag.
Ahead of Figo's manifesto launch on Thursday, Beckham said in a statement to The Associated Press: "I welcome the candidacy of my friend Luis for FIFA president."
"Any successful organisation needs to have good people who are passionate about the game and want to do the best for fans," the former England captain added.
While not criticising Blatter, Beckham says "FIFA will only benefit from having a wide range of strong candidates ... it's good to see people volunteer".
AP

SPORTS:Lydia Ko Credits Having Fun For Becoming Youngest Ever Golfer To Reach Top Ranking

LYDIA Ko has revealed the simple secret to her astonishing feat of becoming the youngest golfer, male or female, ever to attain the No 1 ranking.

She just tries to have fun.
Well, that’s probably no great surprise — she is only 17, after all. And while she is perfectly positioned to make herself extremely wealthy as well as world famous, which she already is, she insists: “Money is not the most important thing for me.
“To me the top goal every season is to have fun and enjoy it because I’ve had points where I’ve stressed out and just my self-expectation has got on top.
“So I try to block it all out and when I’m having fun that’s when I play my best.”
Her best, hopefully, will be on display at Royal Melbourne today through to Sunday when she faces off against Australia’s veteran superstar Karrie Webb and a range of other big names in the Australian Open.
The Korean-born New Zealander, who started playing at five, is a sporting phenomenon by any standards, having rocketed to the top of women’s golf just over two weeks ago, getting there four years faster than Tiger Woods, who was 21 when he became the top male player in 1997.
She has broken just about every other age-related record along the way and now, after just two years as a professional, she has already nominated when she intends moving on to something else.
“I always say my plan is to retire when I’m 30 and I’m not going to just go to the beach and hang out for the rest of my life,” she said.
“There’s always a second career comes along and I’m trying to build up to it.”
For that reason, she will begin studying next month for a degree in psychology at the University of Korea in Seoul, a prospect she finds “exciting” — especially the possibility that sports psychology might help her game.
She also admits to a fascination with how the criminal mind works, although she’s probably not referring to the bandits who litter most golf courses.
Juggling intense playing and practice commitments with the demands of university will be tough and perhaps impossible, she says — but she gives no indication she feels daunted by it.
-NEWSLIMITED

SPORTS: Rio2016: Babalola Heads To Dubai For First Paralympics qualifier

Paralympics hence she has concluded arrangements to take part in the 7th Fazaa International Athletics Competition in Dubai, being the first in the series of qualification. Athletes will participate in four days of top class track and field-.events. Babalola said her move is to meet a personal dream. She does not want to wait until it gets late as to when the country decides to get things going. ”Let me start off on my own no there is still time, “ she said 

When asked by Vanguard if Nigeria has made plans to send athletes to Dubai or indeed any of the other meets slated as Rio 2016 qualification,  President of the Para-Athletics Federation of Nigeria Dr. Oye Thorpe responded that the federation for nowhas no plans to send athletes to the meeting due to funds constraints. Babalola however told Sports Vanguard that she is participating with the assistance of her United States based club and contributions from public spirited Nigerians. “Having followed a planned training regime, I feel like putting it to test by running in  my new track- cycle which was a gift from my club when I was there for a three week training programme. I want to see how far I can go .My intention is to qualify for the Rio Games. So, going out to compete among the best from other parts of the world is one way to prove myself right,” she stated. Unfortunately her favourite 200m event has been omitted from the programme of the Dubai event. Hannah is now focused on running the 100m, 400m and may be 800m as well. “Because the 200m is off the event schedule, I am looking towards adding 400m and 800m. Somehow I feel I should be lucky and make it in one of these events.” An International Paralympic Committee event, The 7th FAZAA International Athletics Competition, Dubai, United Arab Emirates holds from 20-27 February.

Mourinho: 'Half of the Brazilian team are Chelsea boys'

Jose Mourinho praised his Brazilian contingent ahead of Chelsea's massive game against Paris Saint-Germain tonight.
When asked about Thiago Silva and David Luiz in the PSG line up, Mourinho was quick with his reply.
"I have four Brazilians on my team and you ask me about Thiago Silva and David Luiz? Chelsea play Willian, Oscar, Ramires and Filipe Luis, and only these four make up almost 50% of the Brazilian team."
Mourinho also confirmed Diego Costa will start despite not playing for three weeks through suspension.
"He will start, yes, but I do not think that it is good for a player to stand still for three weeks or three games without acting. So I do not think he is at the top of his fitness."

CAF Champions League: Enyimba’s Victory Over Buffles Thrills Sokari

Sokari Kingsley says Enyimba's victory over Buffles de Borgou and his 83rd minute header that doubled the team's lead has made him a happy boy.
The midfielder was easily Sunday's man of the match, providing great defensive cover and launching swift counter-attacking moves. His trademark intensity was evident on the afternoon and by the time he leaped and headed Enyimba's second from a difficult angle, there was no doubt that this was a player in the form of his life.
The club website reports him as saying  "This is exactly the kind of game that I enjoy. In the CAF Champions League, games are harder and more technical, so when you play well and win by three goals, as a player you feel good.
"We didn't know anything about them (Buffles) until today when we played them so I am happy that I did my own part to help our team win. Now we would play the second leg with some confidence, since we have faced them and know their strengths and weaknesses."

Ibrahimovic’s Tattoos Causing A Stir

ZLATAN Ibrahimovic has been told to keep his tattoos to himself.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker peeled off his shirt after scoring against Caen on Saturday in an effort to draw attention to world famine.
Working with the United Nations’ World Food Program, Ibrahimovic had temporary tattoos with the names of 15 people suffering from hunger.
But his exploits, unknown to PSG coach Laurent Blanc at the time, also earned him a yellow card.
“I was aware of his commitment to the foundation, but personally I didn’t know that he’d had several names tattooed on him,” Blanc said overnight.
“If it was to show his tattoos then it worked because it made the front page of every website in the world, so in that sense it was very successful for him and for the foundation. But it cost us a yellow card.”
With the match against Chelsea in the last 16 of the Champions League, Blanc has warned Ibrahimovic not to do it again.

SPORTS/ Football:UEFA Champions League Paris Saint-Germain v Chelsea, Shakhtar Donetsk v Bayern Munich

 *UEFA Champions League
THE UEFA Champions League’s road to Berlin resumes with the knockout phase later today.
Chelsea head to Paris Saint-Germain for the first leg of their tie, while Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk host Bayern Munich, in Lviv.
Jose Mourinho side locks horns with Laurent Blanc team, with fire power coming from the clash featuring the 2013 winners and current Bundesliga heavyweights.

'There Are Too Many Black Players' In Italian Under-20 Soccer Team, Says Arrigo Sacchi

Former AC Milan and Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi has hit out at Italy's youth set-up by claiming it features 'too many blacks' and 'too many foreigners'.
Sacchi, a renowned soccer coach and innovator who notably helped Milan to back-to-back European Cups in 1989 and 1990, was speaking at an awards ceremony in Montecatini Terme on Monday evening.
According to a website report on La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 68-year-old Sacchi used the occasion to hit out at the number of non-native Italians involved in the lower ranks of Italian soccer.
"Italy now has no dignity or pride, because we have too many foreigners playing in the under-20 leagues: in our youth sectors there are too many blacks," said Sacchi, a former director of Italy's national team at under-21 level.
Sacchi claimed he was not racist because he signed a player like Frank Rijkaard, a Dutchman of Surinamese origin.
But he insisted that 'too many coloured players' featured for Italian youth sides at the famous Viareggio tournament, known in soccer circles as the Viareggio Cup World Football Tournament.
"I'm certainly not racist, as my coaching history demonstrates with Rijkaard," added Sacchi.
"But look at the Viareggio tournament. I would say that there are too many coloured players, also in the under-20 teams in Italy."
When asked to clarify his remarks, Sacchi claimed he had been misinterpreted.
"I've been misinterpreted, you think I'm really racist? All I said was I saw a game featuring a team who fielded four coloured players," he added.
"My history speaks for itself, I've always coached teams with great players from every colour and I've brought in a lot, whether to Milan or (Real) Madrid.
"I only wanted to underline that we are losing our national pride and identity."
AFP

NEWS UPDATE:Australian Ebola Nurse Declared Safe

*Australian nurse in London Ebola lockdown declared safe by authorities 

AN Australian nurse airlifted to Britain from Sierra Leone where she was treating Ebola patients has now left hospital after an incubation period cleared her of ever having contracted the deadly disease.

The nurse was placed in quarantine for 21 days in London after having had a “low risk” incident while treating Ebola patients in the West African nation.
A condition of Australia setting up a clinic in Sierra Leone was that should there have been a risk of infection for any health care workers, Britain would take that person for observation and or treatment.
The Australian nurse was brought to the UK at the same time as another foreign NGO working in Sierra Leone who also inadvertently came into unguarded contact with a patient.
A spokesman for Public Health England confirmed the Australian had now left hospital after her 21-day assessment and monitoring period where it was found she did not have any symptoms of the disease.
“These two volunteers, who had potential exposure to the Ebola virus while working in Sierra Leone, have now completed the 21 day monitoring period, and are no longer considered at risk of Ebola,” the spokesman said.
The Australian on arrival had been deemed a “Category 3” patient meaning “high risk exposure” having had direct contact as part of clinical care with a symptomatic case with potential exposure.
Yesterday, two British military health care workers also returned to England 21 days ago from Sierra Leone for Ebola monitoring, were also given a clean bill of health. The pair had both suffered a needle-stick injury while treating someone with the virus.
Professor Paul Cosford, Public Health England’s director for health protection and medical director, said all necessary precautionary processes and protocols were followed.
“The individuals will receive ongoing monitoring and support while residing in appropriate private accommodation close to the Royal Free (Hospital),” he said. “The risk to the public from Ebola remains very low.”

 

CAF Champions League:Liberian Barak Young Controllers FC Arrives In Gambia After Ebola Ban Lifted

Barak Young Controllers FC of Liberia has finally arrived in Banjul International Airport on Thursday for their CAF Champions league preliminaries round in Gambia.
They were airlifted by the Royal Air Morocco through Casablanca where they have transited with a night stop before they could proceed to Banjul.
They will play against their Gambian counterparts Real De Banjul, the 2014 league champion of the Gambia on Saturday.
The team should have arrived in Banjul on Wednesday but their trip hit hurdles after Royal Air Morocco declined to fly the team citing restrictions, but once information on the lifting of the restrictions was transmitted to Monrovia, the coast was clear for the team to fly to Banjul, according to the officials.
Barrack Young Controllers planned to play both their CAF Champions league matches against Real de Banjul in Gambia and requested a venue from the Gambia FootBall Federation to play all their matches in Gambia, which drew a huge debate in Gambia.
Gambia closed its borders for people from the Ebola hit countries and have also banned airlines for picking passengers from countries hit by Ebola.

SPORTS/Football:Manaus Joins Race To Host Rio 2016 Olympic Games Football Matches

Brazil 2014 World Cup host city, Manaus joined Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia and Salvador on the list of cities that are qualified to host men' s and women' s Olympic football matches at the Rio 2016 Games.
The Rio 2016 Organising Committee confirmed on Thursday that the five cities meet the technical, logistical, operational and financial requirements established in the tender specifications. The final choice of which cities will be Olympic co-hosts rests with FIFA, world football' s governing body.
"The five cities we have approved were great successes during the World Cup. We will send our proposal to FIFA, who will select the cities, and to the federal government, that will be responsible for some areas, such as security," said Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman.
"The FIFA council will meet in March and we will wait for their response, as we are depending on this decision in order to plan the next steps in various sectors, such as ticket sales."

SPORTS/Football: .Arsenal Ladies Sign Ubogagu

 Nigerian-born Chioma Ubogagu has joined Arsenal ladies from the Stanford University team,United States. Arsenal ladies team manager, Pedro Martinez Losa expresses delight in the new signing. ‘Chioma is a player I have known about from my time coaching in the United States and she is a fantastic talent. She is very creative, and is able to make goals as well as score them. I think that she will fit in very well with us.’ The 2012 FIFA Women U-20 World Cup winner for the USA played 89 times for the US team, scored 27 goals with 37 assists which places her fourth on Stanford’s list of all time assists. Chioma, granddaughter to an ex-international for the Nigerian national team, was born in London but grew up in Texas

LIFE: They Wanted A Baby Girl So They Did This!

Lawrie family welcome first baby girl in 200 years 

HANNAH Lawrie was desperate for a baby girl, but her own husband Mark warned that the chances of the couple seeing pink weren’t very high.

The last time a girl was born into the Lawrie family was in 1809 and Mark, who has one son with Hannah, and two boys from a previous marriage, figured it would just never happen.
But Mrs Lawrie, a midwife, had other ideas and set about to see if there was indeed a way she could get a girl to complete her family.
Speaking on Britain’s ITV This Morning show, the 26-year-old asked doctors if there was a genetic condition which meant the Lawrie family only produced male sperm.
However, the family from Maidestone, Kent, was told by doctors it was always a 50/50 chance.
She then decided to try the Shettles Method where having a sex at a certain time in a woman’s cycle can increase the chances of having either a boy or a girl.
The theory goes that male sperm swim faster while females are slower but live longer, meaning if couples are trying for a girl they would have a greater chance of success if sex took place before ovulation.
The couple aren’t sure whether it is down to this method or not but last year welcomed baby Myla into the family.
The happy mother insists she would still be over the moon if she had given birth to another boy, but husband Mark is still shocked it wasn’t a blue one.
“I was astonished — I’ve got three boys, my brother has got a boy,” he told the show.

 

LIFE:Russian Police Bust Wives Only Brothel

RUSSIAN police have busted a brothel that only employs married women — and it is six more times expensive than a normal brothel.
Authorities in Moscow recently raided the brothel where men are paying to sleep with someone elses wife, Central European News reports.
“A seven-room apartment had been turned into an exclusive brothel where prostitutes were allowed to work only if they brought a marriage certificate,” said police spokesman Margarita Maslova.
“We arrested 11 people. Although the woman that was running the business, who they were instructed to call ‘mamma,’ managed to escape and is being hunted.”
Housewives have been recruited to work at the brothel by word of mouth, and most of the time their husbands had no idea they had been working as prostitutes.
Police said many of the women had chosen to cheat for cash because they wanted extra spending money, but some had been pressured by other wives who worked at the brothel.
But it takes a lot of cash to afford the services of the brothel ladies because their services don’t come cheap.
Clients were charged over $380 an hour to do business at the “wives only” brothel. In comparison, a typical visit in Russia would normally cost around $60 an hour.
This story originally appeared in The New York Post

NEWS UPDATE: President Putin Says All Parties Agree For Ceasefire In Ukraine.

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin says that he and the leaders of France, Germany and Ukraine have agreed on the withdrawal of heavy weapons from Ukraine’s front lines and a ceasefire to begin from February 15.
After 15 hours of talks in the Belarussian capital, Mr Putin said agreements had been signed, one declaring the ceasefire, the other to implement it.
“We have managed to agree on the main things,” a visibly pleased Mr Putin told reporters in Minsk after marathon talks that began Wednesday evening.
“We have agreed on a ceasefire,” he said, but stressed that Kiev was still unwilling to directly negotiate with rebels
Meanwhile, both rebels and government troops reported fighting across eastern Ukraine, and questions remain whether Ukraine and the pro-Russian rebels have agreed on all of its terms.
Mr Putin told reporters that the agreement envisages a ceasefire that will be effective starting from 8am Sunday AEDT as well as a special status for the rebel regions, provisions on border controls and humanitarian issues.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, however, denied that there was any agreement about autonomy in eastern Ukraine.

HOW do you explain cricket to an American?

Cricket World Cup: US media tries to explain cricket with humorous results 

t’s a question that’s puzzled many an Aussie tourist who has headed Stateside and tried to spread the gospel of the good game.

But the folks at giant US sports network ESPN might just have hit the nail on the head with this sometimes-hilarious but genuinely informative introductory video just in time for the World Cup.
And ESPN is far from the only media outlet to be going out of its way to explain what cricket is all about to the American masses.
The Wall Street Journal has admirably been running an entire series aimed at educating their readers on the finer points of cricket.
Here’s a snippet of one of their stories.
“Those who didn’t grow up with the sport are often confounded by it, with its peculiar terminology – googlies, bouncers, slips, silly mid-ons, pulls, hooks and yorkers – and seemingly endless matches broken up by stoppages for lunch and tea.”
Fair enough, when you lay it out like that cricket can sound a little complicated.
To try demystify the sport, the Journal sent one of its intrepid reporters to the Hong Kong Cricket Club – no, we’re not quite sure why either – to get a quick tutorial.
After briefly explaining the rules, journalist Will Davies eagerly pulled on the pads and had a crack with the bat in the nets.
Check out the results in the video below.

Meanwhile the Washington Post took a slightly less nuanced approach in trying to sell the Cricket World Cup to its readers.
“Cricket is a big honkin’ deal around the world and the pinnacle of this game’s big-honkin’-dealness is set to get started this weekend when the ICC World Cup begins,” Marissa Payne wrote for The Post.
“Rivals India and Pakistan technically meet on Sunday in Adelaide, Australia, but the match will air at 10:30pm. (US) EST on Saturday due to the time difference.
“With viewership expected to approach 1 billion people worldwide, it’s well worth the watch for anyone interested in international affairs.”

 

FIFA considers to set up Women's Club World Cup

FIFA is considering to create a Women's Club World Cup, including an inaugural edition set for 2017, the football's world governing body said on its website.

A task force for women's football convened on Tuesday and its proposal for the new competition will be examined by the FIFA Committee for Women's Football and the FIFA Women's World Cup on Wednesday.

The FIFA Executive Committee will make the final decision during its March 19-20 meeting.

SPORTS: Africa U-17:Battle Ready Nigeria Leaves For Niger Republic

Nigeria’s national U-17 team the Golden Eagles have left the country for Niamey, Niger Republic, ahead of the 11th African U-17 Championship which holds from February15 to March 1. Musa Amadu, the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation, who made the announcement, revealed that adequate security arrangement had been made for the team’s trip from Sokoto to Niamey, capital of Niger Republic.

“Our first game is on Sunday, Feb. 15 against Niger Republic and we are confident that even though Niger is playing at home, we will be able to win this particular game.

“We know that Niger Republic, just few days ago, played a friendly match with South Africa, which they lost 0-1 in Niamey. “We are confident that when we play these three matches in the first round, we should be able to get to the semifinals and that guarantees us a place in the World Cup later this year in Chile.

“Two years ago in Marrakech, Morocco, we lost the final to Cote d’ Ivoire, Nowour plan is for Nigeria to go to Chile as African Champions and that is the target and objective of the team,” he stated. According to the draws, Group-A has host Niger, Nigeria, Guinea, and Zambia while Group-B teams are Mali, Ivory Coast, South Africa and  Cameroun.

SPORTS:Baseball: I stepped down as president To Allow new ideas, by Gen. Williams

Founding president of Nigeria baseball and Softball Association, Major General Ishola Williams (rtd), has said it was imperative that he gave way for another to have a go at running baseball and Softball in the country because the sport needed new ideas and innovations.
Speaking in an interview in Lagos Gen. Williams said he stepped down to allow a new leadership for the association so as to bring in new ideas and direction.
He had no kind words for the National Sports Commission and Sports Ministry. Stake-holders agree he is a man who has made his mark and retired with his head held high.
 “Over the years, sponsors were not forth-coming. We tried as much as we could to manage things with little resources available to us. You very well know that we got no assistance from the Sports Ministry and National Sports Commission because they don’t like my face. I am not the type that agrees to share resources for sports development. I am not the man that agrees to deals. So they frustrated our efforts to make the sport grow,” he said.
Just as he did in Nigeria, Gen. Williams, who had also doubled as president of the African Baseball and Softball Association, said he has equally given up that portfolio “I had to step down to  let others take over and see what could be done to lift baseball. It is my sincere hope that the new executive would tackle the issue of sponsorship with vigor, organize more competitions especially at under 12 and under 14 levels because therein lies a way forward,” he stated Prior to starting baseball, he had started handball in Nigeria, then quit after nurturing it to a credible body. The Nigerian female handball team qualified and participated in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

SPORTS:Brazilian Club Deploys Fans' Mums To Check Violence

A Brazilian football club has recruited mothers of troublesome fans as stewards in a bid to prevent supporters from fighting. 

Sport Club do Recife, based in the north-east of Brazil, has a history of violence. 

Tensions are never higher than when the team faces off against cross-town rival Nautico in their annual derby, the Clássico dos Clássicos.

A group of 30 mothers were assigned to patrol the perimeter fence of the stands wearing vests emblazoned with "Seguranca Mae" - security mums in Portuguese.

"At the end of the day, no one wants to fight in front of a mother, especially his own," said Aricio Fortes from Ogilvy, who came up with the idea.

"The idea was to make the most fanatical supporters aware and help in some way to bring peace to stadiums."

Recife's violent history has been well documented.

According to the US department of state, it has some of the highest levels of assault in the country, and its football games are no exception. 

Gangs from the neighbouring favelas often form groups known as torcidas organizadas, which function in much the same way as England's hooligan 'firms'. 

The bitter rivalries between clubs like Nautico, Sport Club do Recife and Gremio have the propensity not only to inspire riots, but also murder beyond the grounds and back in the favelas.  

Between 1988 and 2013, there were 234 soccer-related deaths in Brazil, including 30 in 2013. 

Initiatives like that of Sport Club do Recife have however mostly improved the experience of fans over the past decade, coupled with a big push to curb fan violence during the World Cup. 

The security mums seemed to do the trick. Sport Club do Recife defeated Nautico 1-0 and no arrests were made.

Mutant Pig With Strange Features And Appendage On Its Forehead Draws Crowds — And Cash Offers

SNAPS of a Chinese farmer’s newborn pig that he claims had a human face and a penis on its forehead have gone viral.

Friends and neighbours of farmer Tao Lu had rushed to his property in Yanan township in Nanning city in southern China after news spread of the mutant pig.
Local Wu Kung who posted his images said: “I was one of a dozen people went there to see the piglet, and it really did human face and exactly like he said, a willie growing out of its forehead.”
He said it was alive and squealing but didn’t live long after being rejected by the mother and refusing to feed from a bottle.
Farmer Tao said he was amazed because he received phone calls from collectors prepared to pay a large sum of money for the animal.
“It was a large litter, and the mutant was one of the last of 19 piglets to be born.
“All the others were normal, just this one was really bizarre. It is a shame it died, I could have got more money for it them for the rest of the family put together based on what people were offering me on the phone.” He said they had wanted to put the mutant pig on display to attract visitors.

SPORTS:Afcon 2015: Eagles’ absence ‘ll affect growth of Nigerian football – Ukeachu -

on February 08, 2015   /   in Sports 12:22 am   /   Comments

By Eddie Akalonu

Former Iwuanyawu Nationale and Enyimba coach tony Ukeachu has expressed fears that the impact created by young players in the 2015 African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea poses a serious danger to the future of Nigerian football.

“Though, I am happy at the number of youthful players paraded by teams at 2015 Afcon, I fear this could spell doom for Nigerian football.

“The danger this poses to our football is that we would still be far behind when the qualifiers for the next tournament commence.”

He noted that the standard of play have been high, a factor acknowledged by many football fans,   saying Nigeria’s absence was worrisome

“By the next Afcon, these players who are in Equatorial Guinea now would have grown to become better for their national teams. We may find ourselves struggling to qualify for the next edition. So, we must do something now as a way to ensure our campaign for the next edition does not hit the rocks as was the case in 2014.”

Ukeachu, who played for the defunct Spartans of Owerri advised the Nigeria Football Federation to name a substantive coach for the home based Eagles to ensure there is a team on standby.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/afcon-2015-eagles-absence-ll-affect-growth-nigerian-football-ukeachu/#sthash.zZvuQzjA.dpuf

Afcon 2015: Eagles’ absence ‘ll affect growth of Nigerian football – Ukeachu

on February 08, 2015   /   in Sports 12:22 am   /   Comments

By Eddie Akalonu
Former Iwuanyawu Nationale and Enyimba coach tony Ukeachu has expressed fears that the impact created by young players in the 2015 African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea poses a serious danger to the future of Nigerian football.
“Though, I am happy at the number of youthful players paraded by teams at 2015 Afcon, I fear this could spell doom for Nigerian football.
“The danger this poses to our football is that we would still be far behind when the qualifiers for the next tournament commence.”
He noted that the standard of play have been high, a factor acknowledged by many football fans,   saying Nigeria’s absence was worrisome
“By the next Afcon, these players who are in Equatorial Guinea now would have grown to become better for their national teams. We may find ourselves struggling to qualify for the next edition. So, we must do something now as a way to ensure our campaign for the next edition does not hit the rocks as was the case in 2014.”
Ukeachu, who played for the defunct Spartans of Owerri advised the Nigeria Football Federation to name a substantive coach for the home based Eagles to ensure there is a team on standby.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/afcon-2015-eagles-absence-ll-affect-growth-nigerian-football-ukeachu/#sthash.zZvuQzjA.dpuf

AFCON 2015: Semi-final was 'war zone', says Ghana FA

The Africa Cup of Nations semi-final between Ghana and hosts Equatorial Guinea was described as a "war zone" after play was suspended for more than 30 minutes because of crowd trouble.

Players ducked bottles thrown from the stands, Ghana fans sought safety behind a goal, riot police used tear gas and a helicopter hovered over the stadium.

"It's now like a war zone," the Ghana Football Association (GFA) tweeted, claiming "barbaric acts of vandalism" while its president told the BBC it was lucky no-one was killed."We are lucky that we haven't lost any lives, though people have sustained various degrees of injuries arising from objects thrown at them," he told BBC World Service. Trouble flared at half-time between Ghana and Equatorial Guinea.

Ghana players had to be protected by riot police using plastic shields as they left the field, already 2-0 up in the tie.

"This has been a very successful tournament and this isolated incident of violence will leave a slur on the reputation of African football.

2015Afcon: It’s Ghana, Ivory/Coast Final

Ghana and the Ivory Coast will contest for the coveted prize in the final of the African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.. Ghana beat hosts Euatorial Guinea in the secon semi final on  Thursday by 3-0 to advance despite crowdf problems that disrupted the game. The host will meet Congo DR on Saturday for the third place play off.

Stats when they were 23 years old - Neymar clearly beats Cristiano Ronaldo

As today is the birthday of two of the best footballers in the world, we take a look at their stats.
Both Cristiano Ronaldo [30] and Neymar [23] share the same birthday, but the Brazilian has scored more than double the amount of goals in his career than what the Real Madrid had scored when he was 23 years old. So far, Neymar has 219 goals to his name in 359 matches, when compared to Cristiano's 107 goals in 316 games. Neymar goal/game average is 0.61 and that of Cristiano is 0.31. Aged 23, Cristiano [average of 0.37] had just 20 goals in 53 games for Portugal while Neymar [average of 0.70] has scored 42 goals for his country in 60 matches. Cristiano has so far scored 52 goals for Portugal in 118 games but still his average [0.44] doesn't come close to Neymar's.

Sports: Kano Pillars Clash With Black Meteors and Hearts of Oak In Friendlies

In preparation for the 2015 CAF Champions League, Nigeria's champions and representative, Kano Pillars  Champions Leaguehave lined up tough games for warn up. Pillars meet Hearts of Oak on Thursday  and  rounds up the one week tour of Ghana with the test game against Ghana Under-23 side on Sunday.
Pillars will return to Kano on February 9 to prepare for their trip to South Sudan for the Champions League preliminary round clash with Al-Malakia on the weekend of February 13-15 at the Juba Stadium.
Pillars left Accra on Tuesday after participating in a “Super Six ” pre-season tournament in Nigeria involving Nigeria's under-20 side, the under23 side, Enyimba FC, Dolphin FC and Warri Wolves. The national U-20 side won the tourney.

 

Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Colombia book slots in FIFA U-20 WC New Zealand

Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Colombia locked their berths at this year's New Zealand U-20 World Cup after the penultimate round of the South American U-20 Championship on Wednesday.
Top scorer Giovanni Simeone from Argentina, the son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, scored twice in La Albiceleste's 3-0 thrash of Paraguay, adding his goal tally to nine at the championship.
Brazil substitute Thalles inspired his team to a 5-0 victory over Peru, while host team Uruguay tied with Colombia after a goalless match.
Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Colombia ranked 1st to 4th on the standings and Colombia has a five points lead over fifth placed Paraguay with one round left.
The standings ensured the top four teams the continent's four tickets to the New Zealand U-20 World Cup, which will kick off on May 30.

2015 Full Results/Schedule:

Group A

Saturday January 17: Equatorial Guinea 1 Congo 1
Saturday January 17: Burkina Faso 0 Gabon 2
Wednesday January 21: Equatorial Guinea 0 Burkina Faso 0
Wednesday January 21: Gabon 0 Congo 1
Sunday January 25: Gabon 0 Equatorial Guinea 2
Sunday January 25: Congo 2 Burkina Faso 1
Table
1. Congo P 3 W 2 D 1 L 0 GF 4 GA 2 Pts 7
2. Equatorial Guinea P 3 W 1 D 2 L 0 GF 3 GA 1 Pts 5
3. Gabon P 3 W 1 D 0 L 2 GF 2 GA 3 Pts 3
4. Burkina Faso P 3 W 0 D 1 L 1 GF 1 GA 4 Pts 1

Group B

Sunday January 18: Zambia 1 DR Congo 1
Sunday January 18: Tunisia 1 Cape Verde 1
Thursday January 22: Zambia 1 Tunisia 2
Thursday January 22: Cape Verde 0 DR Congo 0
Monday January 26: DR Congo 1 Tunisia 1
Monday January 26: Cape Verde 0 Zambia 0
Table
1. Tunisia P 3 W 1 D 2 L 0 GF 4 GA 3 Pts 5
2. DR Congo P 3 W 0 D 3 L 0 GF 2 GA 2 Pts 3
3. Cape Verde P 3 W 0 D 3 L 0 GF 1 GA 1 Pts 3
4. Zambia P 3 W 0 D 2 L 1 GF 2 GA 3 Pts 2

Group C

Monday January 19: Ghana 1 Senegal 2
Monday January 19: Algeria 3 South Africa 1
Friday January 23: Ghana 1 Algeria 0
Friday January 23: South Africa 1 Senegal 1
Tuesday January 27: South Africa 1 Ghana 2
Tuesday January 27:  Senegal 0 Algeria 2
Table
1. Ghana P 3 W 2 D 0 L 1 GF 4 GA 3 Pts 6
2. Algeria P 3 W 2 D 0 L 1 GF 5 GA 2 Pts 6
3. Senegal P 3 W 1 D 1 L 1 GF 1 GA 4 Pts 4
4. South Africa P 3 W 0 D 1 L 2 GF 3 GA 6 Pts 1

Group D

Tuesday January 20: Ivory Coast 1 Guinea 1
Tuesday January 20: Mali 1 Cameroon 1
Saturday January 24: Ivory Coast 1 Mali 1
Saturday January 24: Cameroon 1 Guinea 1
Wednesday January 28: Cameroon 0 Ivory Coast 1
Wednesday January 28: Guinea 1 Mali 1
Table
1. Ivory Coast P 3 W 1 D 2 L 0 GF 3 GA 2 Pts 5
2. Guinea P 3 W 0 D 3 L 0 GF 3 GA 3 Pts 3 (through after drawing of lots)
3. Mali P 3 W 0 D 3 L 0 GF 3 GA 3 Pts 3
4. Cameroon P 3 W 0 D 2 L 1 GF 2 GA 3 Pts 2

Quarter-finals

Saturday January 31: Congo 2 DR Congo 4
Saturday January 31: Tunisia 1 Equatorial Guinea 2 (AET)
Sunday February 1: Ghana 3 Guinea 0
Sunday February 1: Ivory Coast 3 Algeria 1

Semi-finals

Wednesday February 4: DR Congo 1 Ivory Coast 3
Thursday February 5: Equatorial Guinea v Ghana, Malabo, 1900 GMT - SF2

Third/fourth place play-off

Saturday February 7: DR Congo v Loser SF2, Malabo, 1600 GMT

Final

Sunday February 8: Ivory Coast v Winner Semi Final-2, Bata, 1900 GMT

2015Afcon: Ivory Coast Enter Final

*Await Ghanaor Equatorial Guinea
Ivory Coast reached their second Africa Cup of Nations final in three years after claiming a comfortable 3-1 victory over DR Congo in Bata. Beaten finalists in 2012, the Elephants will have the chance to go one better against either Ghana or hosts Equatorial Guinea this weekend after goals from Yaya Toure, Gervinho and Wilfried Kanon helped the 1992 winners to victory in their last-four clash on Wednesday.
Dieumerci Mbokani's penalty cancelled out Toure's opener and although DR Congo had several chances after falling 2-1 behind, their hopes receded late on.
The Leopards, two-time winners of the competition, could equal their best finish since last lifting the trophy in 1974 if they win the third place play-off.

How Chelsea could line up with Cuadrado

The Fiorentina man's imminent arrival at Stamford Bridge will add another attacking weapon to Jose
Mourinho's side. So, how will the Colombian fit in?
For a few years now, Juan Cuadrado has been one of Europe's most eye-catching players. His dynamic displays for Fiorentina, and Colombia at the 2014 World Cup, meant that it was only a matter of time until he joined one of the continent's biggest clubs.

Barcelona attempted to buy the 26-year-old last summer, but were unable to close the deal due to Financial Fair Play restrictions - and so it is Chelsea who now appear to have won the race for the winger's signature.

So where would Cuadrado fit in at Stamford Bridge?

His favoured position would be on the right wing of Jose Mourinho's 4-2-3-1 formation, where he would battle with Willian for a first-team spot. This is Cuadrado's strongest position and the role in which he excelled at the World Cup. His electric pace and ability to beat a man are matched by few right-wingers in the game.
Cuadrado is flexible enough, though, to play in any of the three attacking midfield positions. He occupied all of these roles at Fiorentina, and he regularly switches wings during matches. This will give Mourinho the option of playing Cuadrado and Willian in the same starting XI.

The ex-Udinese man also featured as a striker for Fiorentina on occasion, although usually in a 4-3-3 system where he had closer lateral support. Lining up as a lone frontman in a 4-2-3-1 will not suit the Colombian as he boasts neither the natural finishing nor the physical characteristics to play with his back to goal.

Cuadrado began his career in Europe as a wing-back and will offer Mourinho the further option of deploying him in defence. This perhaps would not be advisable at Chelsea, though, as Cuadrado lacks the defensive positioning and discipline that his new coach demands - with his intention always to push forward. He also is only comfortable playing as a wing-back in a 3-5-2 system, rather than a four-man defence.

EPL: Redknapp resigns as QPR manager, set for knee surgery

The creaking sound heard by Harry Redknapp this week was not his rickety knees but the closing of a rusty, underwhelming transfer window. Redknapp's struggling Queens Park Rangers failed to strengthen, the owner Tony Fernandes signalled no more cheque-book panacea and six hours later Redknapp was on the phone to resign, citing the need for surgery. Nurse, the smoke-screens.
Redknapp has suffered this knee complaint for some time, and it is undoubtedly a significant concern because he has been unable to walk his beloved bulldogs on Studland beach, Poole. Yet anyone with even the slightest acquaintance with the engaging 67-year-old will know that he is of the old school, of the type who shrug off pain. Redknapp has endured far more life-threatening trauma and battled on. The knee excuse does not ring true.
It is strange to depict Redknapp as surrendering so suddenly the fight against relegation. Maybe he was simply frustrated that the failure to recruit a striker meant QPR's hopes of survival looked even bleaker.
Maybe he was particularly hurt by Fernandes' pointed deadline-day tweet of "no more cheque book. We have good players. Bought all the players manager asked for in summer". That hinted at a lack of faith from his main employer.
Redknapp always appreciated the scale of the task in hand. "We knew when we came up we were going to be in a scrap," he said when recently discussing his employment prospects. This looks the end to a managerial career that began in 1983 at Bournemouth. Redknapp is an experienced, popular manager rightly respected for producing attractive teams down the years but there has been a sense of drift at Loftus Road this season. He has always talked enthusiastically about the job but in his words could also be detected a feeling of weariness, of a season too far.
"It could be any time," Redknapp said a fortnight ago of whether he must just walk away one day. He believed there was a mole inside Loftus Road, spreading damaging words about his capabilities. The retirement of his friend, Sir Alex Ferguson, made him even more aware of time's passing. His knees hurt. Players like Shaun Wright-Phillips grumbled.

NEWSUPDATE:Passenger plane crashes into river in Taiwan

At least 19 people are feared dead and 24 still unaccounted for after a TransAsia Airways plane clipped a bridge and crashed into a river in Taiwan's capital on Wednesday.
The twin-engine propeller plane carrying 58 people crashed shortly after takeoff from Taipei Airport, en route to Kinmen Island, with 53 passengers and five crew, the state-run Central News Agency reported.
Footage taken by a motorist appears to show the wing of the stricken plane clipping a taxi and slamming through the wall of a motorway before crashing into the Keelung River in Taipei.
"I've never seen anything like this," a volunteer rescuer surnamed Chen said of the most recent in a series of disasters to hit Asian carriers in the past 12 months.
Television footage showed survivors wearing life jackets wading and swimming clear of wreckage. Others, including a young child, were taken to shore in inflatable boats.
Emergency rescue officials crowded around the partially submerged fuselage of flight GE235, lying on its side in the river, trying to help those on board.
Taiwan's civil aviation regulator raised the death toll to 19, with 15 injured and 24 missing.
The plane lost radio contact shortly after it took off at 10.52am, according to the Civil Aeronautics Administration.
Aviation authority director Lin Chih-ming said the 53 passengers included 31 Chinese tourists.
Twenty-eight of the 58 people aboard have reportedly been rescued from wreckage.
-SMH.COM With Reuters and Bloomberg

Algeria were Afcon 2015 best team - Herve Renard

After bundling Algeria from the 2015 AFCON with a 3-1 victory to book a place in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, Cote d’ Ivoire’s coach, Herve Renard has said the tournament's best team are out.
New Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony scored twice as the Elephants won 3-1 to earn a tie against DR Congo.
"I think we have beaten the best team in the tournament," said Renard.
"We needed to be very well-organised and try to counter a team who are very strong individually."
Renard, who led Zambia to the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2012 added, "When I was with Zambia, the Cote d’ Ivoire were better than us, but we won on penalties in the 2012 final.
"You need to be realistic in football and put in place the tactics to win a game," he said.
Speaking about the win over Algeria, he added "In terms of football and ball control, they were better, but we countered with players such as Max Gradel, Gervinho and Wilfried Bony.
"In football you can't afford to think you're better than you are. You need to choose tactics to fit the players you have."

Mauritian referee Seechurn sent home for poor officiating

Disgraced Mauritian referee Rajindraparsad Seechurn has been sent home by CAF for his poor officiating in the quarter final game between hosts Equatorial Guinea and Tunisia.

The match official awarded a penalty to the hosts deep into injury time after he ruled that Ivan Bolado had been unfairly brought down in the box by a Tunisia defender, a decision that has been widely criticised.

The hosts would go on to win the game in extra time, a result which would see them play four-time champions Ghana.

In an interview with JOYSports, CAF executive member Kwesi Nyantekyi revealed that the match official had been sent home after a review of his performance.

“The referee’s performance has been reviewed by the referees committee. I have seen the report and the marks awarded to him is not good enough which also shows that CAF is not happy with his performance and there would be constant review of officiating at the tournament.

The referee has been sent home. Thus in my view CAF has acted swiftly and that is commendable. It is also factually inaccurate that CAF had played a part in this unfortunate act.”

He also added that Ghanaians should be assured of fair officiating ahead of the game.

“I can assure you that there would be fairness. CAF as an institution is committed to fairness because that is one of the basic principles of football to ensure that the scales of justice are held evenly between the competing teams.”

SPORTS/AFCON:Gabonese referee for Ghana-Equatorial Guinea clash

CAF has appointed Gabonese referee Eric Arnaud Otogo-Castane to handle Ghana’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match against Equatorial Guinea, DailySoccerGhana.com can confirm.
The FIFA referee will be assisted on the lines by Algerian match official Abdelhak Etchiali and Angolan Jerson Emiliano dos Santos.
The fourth official will be Mehdi Abid Charef.
The 39-year-old match official handled Ghana’s third place play-off against Mali at the AFCON 2013.

Fidel Castro appears in first photographs since August

Havana: Photographs of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, 88, appeared in official media on Monday for the first time since August, showing him slightly hunched over while seated, but appearing animated as he spoke with a student leader.
Speculation over Castro's health has intensified since the historic December 17 announcement by his younger brother, and current president, Raul Castro, and US President Barack Obama, that the two longtime adversaries would restore diplomatic ties.
Castro, who periodically writes a column, went silent after the announcement until finally commenting a week ago, when he offered lukewarm support for the pact his brother reached with Obama.
The pictures of Castro with student leader Randy Perdomo were taken on January 23, according to Perdomo's account, which appeared with the photos on the website of the Communist Party newspaper Granma on Monday night.
Granma published 21 pictures of the two men talking, with Castro in various poses of engaged conversation, viewing a video and flipping through a newspaper.
A Brazilian theologian who met Castro last week said the former leader was in good health, appearing skinny but lucid.
Castro stepped down from power due to poor health, handing over to his brother provisionally in 2006 and definitively in 2008. Though he receives visitors, he has not appeared in public for more than a year.
Reuters

Happy Birthday!!

*Today is Kogi Confluence Queens Fc's birthday‏ One of the female football Cl;ubs in Nigeria

*Wish Kogi Confluence Queens Fc a happy birthday

NEWS UPDATE:Ebola fighters donate $45,000 to Liberals

A COMPANY awarded a $20 million federal government contract to fight Ebola in Africa donated $45,000 to the Liberal Party.
AUSTRALIAN Electoral Commission party financial disclosures for 2013/14 show Aspen Medical gave $30,000 to the federal Liberals.
There is no date for the individual payment, but the party financial return is dated October 20, 2014. Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced on November 5 that Aspen Medical would be paid $20 million to operate a UK-built Ebola treatment centre in Sierra Leone. A spokesman for the prime minister told AAP that contract was decided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in accordance with usual procurement procedures. "Aspen - an Australian company - had a well-established track record of delivery, including in West Africa, and was able to deliver a timely response which is saving lives," the spokesman said. The AEC noted that a further $15,000 was provided to the Liberals' ACT division. But an amendment to the ACT return included the note: "Funds incorrectly paid into account. Funds returned to Aspen Medical." Labor received a $1500 donation from Aspen during the 2013/14 financial year. Australian Greens senator Lee Rhiannon says the Liberals should pay all of the money back to Aspen to avoid perceptions of a conflict of interest. "Mr Abbott as prime minister, who is clearly in an increasingly difficult situation, would be wise to show some leadership on this," she told AAP on Tuesday. Senator Rhiannon said electoral laws should be changed to ensure the government must declare whether companies receiving public funds are party donors. "It puts a spotlight onto why we need to clean up electoral funding." The Greens plan to introduce a bill to ban donations from certain industries such as mining, alcohol, gambling and tobacco, but support the idea of a wider ban on corporate donations. Comment is being sought from the Liberal Party.

Isco Is UnStoppable

*Ancelotti optimistic over Isco

Real Madrid sorely missed Isco in Córdoba. Carlo Ancelotti knows that the midfielder is perhaps the most in-form member of his squad and so the 22-year-old is one of the first names on the team sheet right now, but he was unable to make the trip to Andalusia at the weekend having struggled with a thigh strain last week.
'Los Blancos' now have another week to prepare for their next game, which sees them entertain Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu. Isco is expected to be able to take part in full training throughout the next few days and Ancelotti is optimistic that the former Málaga man - who has been one of Real Madrid's most influential players this season, despite not being first choice at the start of the campaign - can help breathe new life into his team.
James Rodríguez is another player who is looking to get back to full fitness. The Colombian was also on the fringes last week and, though he was deemed fit enough to play on Saturday, he looked jaded and some way off his best.
 

Muscle Mass: The Secret To Neymar's Success

One of the keys to Barcelona's run of eight straight wins lies in Neymar's outstanding run of form.

One of the reasons for the Brazilian's improved performances is how well he has settled after a year gaining experience, getting to grips with European football and, above all else, changing his physique. He weighed just 64.5kg when he joined the Catalan giants, which left him at a significant disadvantage in Europe's more physical game. Barça's aim was for him to bulk up.

Barça's medical team got straight to work on helping him to pack on some muscle, without losing that yard of pace that makes his playing style so unique. They put together a long-term training plan which had to be put on hold following complications when he had his tonsils removed. As soon as he recovered, Barça put that personalised plan into action, a specific diet high in carbohydrates and protein, with additional vitamin supplements and a hefty dose of gym work.

Neymar did plenty of weight training and dumbbell exercises after first-team training. His aim was to add some muscle mass to his legs and chest. In doing so, he is now stronger in one-on-ones with opposition players and no longer bounces off them following minimal contact. He also strengthened his core, which is vital to maintaining good balance. Neymar has packed on between four and five kilos and the change is
- MARCA.com

Real Set Their Sights On Lee

Seung Woo Lee. That is the name of the player who could soon become embroiled in the latest episode of Real Madrid's ongoing dispute with Barcelona, a dispute which has taken a new twist over the past few days thanks to the Catalans' transfer ban, and its knock-on effect in the shape of investigations into other clubs, in this case, Real Madrid.

The Korean, who joined Barcelona in 2011 as the next Leo Messi, is currently a transfer target for Real Madrid as part of their new transfer policy. This involves the big-money signing of young talent, whilst at the same time, striking a blow to Barça's infrastructure.

Lee has not played in a competitive game in over a year and he will not be able to until next January when he celebrates his 18th birthday and is legally allowed to do so. For now, he features in friendlies and international games with South Korea, nowhere near enough for a player in his formative years.

Real Madrid recently received an offer to pull off a signing that several months ago seemed nigh on impossible. The relationship between the two clubs continues to deteriorate, and looks set to further worsen should one of La Masia's home-grown players take a one-way trip to Valdebebas.

Neymar's Real Transfer Sum Revealed

The investigation into the transfer of Neymar has finally made sense of how much the Brazilian really cost FC Barcelona. A whopping 95 million euros!
In total, Barcelona spent nearly 95 million euros for the player.
The investigation is progressing well and the Spanish tax authorities have delivered their verdict: the Catalan club owes more than 12 million euros in unpaid taxes as part of the transfer of the Brazilian prodigy from Santos.