Incumbent Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has announced the club will hold an election at the end of the current season. An election was due to be held in 2016 but Bartomeu has decided to bring it forward to due to pressure on the club, as issues on and off the pitch have mounted this season. The elections have been brought forward to ease the crisis at the Catalan club, with sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta sacked this week and assistant Carles Puyol departing. After turning up an hour late for Wednesday’s press conference, Bartomeu said: “Sorry for the delay. I have called this press conference to communicate we have decided to call elections at the end of the season. “The elections have been called to ease the pressure around the club. Its undue pressure as this club works well socially and economically.” Bartomeu, who confirmed he would stand, added: “I ask all candidates to use fair play during the campaign as they talk to socios who will vote.
The Lille and Super Eagles goalkeeper led the field that included illustrious compatriots Ahmed Musa, Obafemi Martins, Mfon Udoh and Ikechukwu Uche with an overwhelming 55 percent of votes cast between December 1-5, 2014. Vincent Enyeama has been voted as the Goal Nigeria Player of the Year 2014, winning the award courtesy of overwhelming votes from readers of the website. A joyful Enyeama, 32, accepted the award at his club in France on Monday morning. “I’m happy, really happy,” he enthused. “I want to thank my teammates at Lille, the Nigeria national team, my coaches, my wife, my fans, everybody who voted for me, who scream for me during matches to encourage me. And the journalists, without which nothing will be possible.” Enyeama is only the second player to win the Goal Nigeria Player of the Year award following John Obi Mikel’s dominance in the past two years.
Xavi has questioned Cristiano Ronaldo's status as the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or, pointing out the Portugal star "did not do much at the World Cup" and revealing he would not even have the Real Madrid ace in his top three. "He didn't do much in the World Cup, and in a World Cup year, the season is defined by that," the former Spain international said of Ronaldo in an interview with Sport. However, Barcelona icon Xavi does not believe the 29-year-old would be worthy winner after a Ronaldo-led Portugal suffered dismal first-round elimination in Brazil, while Ballon d'Or rivals Manuel Neuer and Lionel Messi both featured in the final, for Germany and Argentina, respectively. The attacker won the award for 2013 and is widely expected to retain his title after a year in which he fired Los Blancos to Champions League glory and played a key role in the Spanish side's remarkable run of 23 straight victories in all competitions.
According to the Express, the Argentinian forward has already had a dispute with the Catalan side over his wages. Lionel Messi is allegedly open to a transfer to Chelsea. He is even prepared to get into a dispute with Barcelona over his current income that will then pave the way for him to transfer to Stamford Bridge. Lionel Messi currently earns around $25 million a year playing for Barcelona. However Cristiano Ronaldo, who is thought of as Lionel Messi’s greatest rival for the crown of best soccer player in the world, earns $29 million. Messi apparently wants to earn this sum too.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claims rumours linking Barcelona's Lionel Messi with a move to Stamford Bridge are "obviously" false. The Portuguese insists that the Blues will not be signing the Barcelona superstar, despite his recent revelation that he may not finish his career at the Camp Nou. Messi sparked the rumour mill into overdrive recently when he appeared to suggest that he might not finish his career at Camp Nou. But Mourinho, who went up against Messi several times during his time as Real Madrid coach, is adamant that such stories are falsified. Mourinho told reporters on Friday: "My reaction is that the media world changed so much that the football world also changed so much. Premier League leaders Chelsea were subsequently identified as a possible destination for the Argentine superstar, while Manchester City is also monitoring his situation.
Ancelotti is not concerned that last season's Premier League top goalscorer will disrupt his own plans unduly at Santiago Bernabeu. Carlo Ancelotti does not believe Barcelona's wild card option Luis Suarez will ruin Real Madrid's chances of winning El Clasico on Saturday. Ancelotti, who is in his second year as Real Madrid boss, thinks the Catalunya club have been boosted by Luis Enrique's appointment this summer and highlighted Lionel Messi and Neymar as dangermen. "Barca seems to me to be a more motivated side - they have a new coach and new players," he continued. "Defensively, they're very solid. "If Luis Suarez plays tomorrow or not, it won't change our plans," the Italian coach told reporters on Friday. "If he does play, it's not a problem for us.
The Amaju Pinnick-led executive board has filed a Stay of Execution at the Federal High Court, Jos Judicial Division over the court’s ruling of Thursday, 23rd October setting aside the elections of 30th September, 2014, which brought the body to office. The case will be heard by the court on Wednesday as Nigeria tries to avoid another FIFA ban which could mean failure to defend the African title next year. In a statement by NFF media officer Ademola Olajire, the court has set Wednesday, 29th October for hearing of the Stay of Execution. Meanwhile, the faction led by Chris Giwa resumed at the Glass House on Friday after Thursday's verdict by the Jos court which ruled to annul the election of Amaju Pinnick.
The Super Eagles, reigning African champions, could miss out on defending their title in Morocco if they fail to win both matches after starting on a wrong footing last month. The former African player of the year has criticized the Big Boss for his selection ahead of the crunch qualifiers against Sudan this month. Former Nigeria forward Victor Ikpeba has lashed out at coach Stephen Keshi over his decision to call up ‘rookies’ for the must-win pair of 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan this month. Nigeria lost 3-2 to Congo in Calabar before pulling a listless goalless draw in Cape Town against South Africa and sit third on the table with a single point out of a possible six.
The Barcelona superstar had claimed he was not aware of the financial dealings of his father and agent Jorge, with the pair accused of defrauding the tax authorities of €4.1 million between 2006 and 2009. Lionel Messi is to go on trial on a charge of tax evasion after a magistrate on Friday dismissed his appeal against being named in the case. It is alleged that Messi's image rights were sold by Jorge - who assumed full responsibility when the case began - using companies in countries like Belize and Uruguay to avoid Spanish tax obligations.The player and his father paid just over €5m - the alleged unpaid tax plus interest - to authorities last year as a corrective payment and it had looked as if the case would be closed but the state has opted to pursue the pair. Messi has protested his innocence throughout and insisted he is not guilty of any wrongdoing.
