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Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes no one will ever beat Wayne Rooney&#39;s record of 250 goals for the club.

Ferguson, who signed Rooney as an 18-year-old in 2004, said surpassing Bobby Charlton&#39;s 249-goal mark by scoring against Stoke City last Saturday was &quot;an achievement par excellence&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;In the present-day game, it is difficult to see any club having players who can stay with them for 10 years,&quot; he told the BBC on Tuesday.

&quot;Jose (Mourinho) has mentioned Marcus Rashford and there is an opportunity for that young lad, if he stays at United, and develops his potential the way that Wayne has. But it is a very big target to hit.&quot;

Ferguson also saluted the way Mourinho has turned round the club&#39;s season after an uncertain start.

&quot;I think he has done a great job,&quot; said Ferguson of the third manager to be tried by the club since the Scot&#39;s retirement in 2013.

&quot;The first team weren&#39;t doing great and you have to find solutions to correct that. I think Jose is finding solutions now. There was a period earlier in the season when he wasn&#39;t getting the decisions and his emotions boiled over. You see him now -- he is calm and in control.

&quot;You can see he has got to grips with the club. The team is playing really well and he has been very unlucky. He has had six 1-1 draws and in every game he has battered the opposition.

&quot;If they hadn&#39;t had all these draws, they would be there challenging Chelsea. That is the unfortunate part but he is going to have to live with that.&quot;

United, sixth in the Premier League, have the chance to reach Wembley under Mourinho for the first time on Thursday when they take a 2-0 lead into the League Cup semi-final second leg against Hull City.

(Reuters)

Former Manchester United Alex Ferguson also saluted the way Mourinho has turned round the club's season after an uncertain start

Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes no one will ever beat Wayne Rooney's record of 250 goals for the club. Ferguson, who signed Rooney as an 18-year-old in 2004, said surpassing Bobby Charlton's 249-goal mark by scoring against Stoke City last Saturday was "an achievement par excellence". "In the present-day game, it is difficult to see any club having players who can stay with them for 10 years," he told the BBC on Tuesday. "Jose (Mourinho) has mentioned Marcus Rashford and there is an opportunity for that young lad, if he stays at United, and develops his potential the way that Wayne has. But it is a very big target to hit." Ferguson also saluted the way Mourinho has turned round the club's season after an uncertain start. "I think he has done a great job," said Ferguson of the third manager to be tried by the club since the Scot's retirement in 2013. "The first team weren't doing great and you have to find solutions to correct that. I think Jose is finding solutions now. There was a period earlier in the season when he wasn't getting the decisions and his emotions boiled over. You see him now -- he is calm and in control. "You can see he has got to grips with the club. The team is playing really well and he has been very unlucky. He has had six 1-1 draws and in every game he has battered the opposition. "If they hadn't had all these draws, they would be there challenging Chelsea. That is the unfortunate part but he is going to have to live with that." United, sixth in the Premier League, have the chance to reach Wembley under Mourinho for the first time on Thursday when they take a 2-0 lead into the League Cup semi-final second leg against Hull City. (Reuters)

No one will beat Rooney's United goals record: Ferguson

Hull City player Ryan Mason sustained a skull fracture during Sunday&#39;s Premier League match at Chelsea and underwent surgery at a London hospital, his club said.

Midfielder Mason suffered the head injury in a collision during Hull&#39;s 2-0 defeat and was rushed to hospital after being treated for 10 minutes on the field.

The 25-year-old collided with Chelsea&#39;s Gary Cahill in Hull&#39;s box after 14 minutes with both clubs&#39; medical teams called to the scene after referee Neil Swarbrick stopped play.

&quot;The club can confirm that Ryan Mason sustained a skull fracture in our fixture at Chelsea this afternoon,&quot; Hull City said in a statement.

&quot;He was taken to St Mary&#39;s Hospital where he has undergone surgery.&quot;

&quot;Ryan is in a stable condition and is expected to remain in hospital for the next few days.&quot;

&quot;Everyone at the club would like to express their sincere thanks for the excellent and swift care given to Ryan by both the Accident and Emergency department and Neurosurgery Unit at St Mary&#39;s Hospital.&quot;

The club said they would issue a further update about Mason&#39;s condition on Monday.

(AFP)

He collided with Chelsea's Gary Cahill in Hull's box

Hull City player Ryan Mason sustained a skull fracture during Sunday's Premier League match at Chelsea and underwent surgery at a London hospital, his club said. Midfielder Mason suffered the head injury in a collision during Hull's 2-0 defeat and was rushed to hospital after being treated for 10 minutes on the field. The 25-year-old collided with Chelsea's Gary Cahill in Hull's box after 14 minutes with both clubs' medical teams called to the scene after referee Neil Swarbrick stopped play. "The club can confirm that Ryan Mason sustained a skull fracture in our fixture at Chelsea this afternoon," Hull City said in a statement. "He was taken to St Mary's Hospital where he has undergone surgery." "Ryan is in a stable condition and is expected to remain in hospital for the next few days." "Everyone at the club would like to express their sincere thanks for the excellent and swift care given to Ryan by both the Accident and Emergency department and Neurosurgery Unit at St Mary's Hospital." The club said they would issue a further update about Mason's condition on Monday. (AFP)

Hull's Mason has surgery after fracturing skull

Chapecoense, the up and coming Brazilian football club decimated by a plane crash, proudly strode back on the field Saturday in a new line-up for their first match since the tragedy.

The team took the field amid intense public and media attention focusing on the 20,000-place Arena Conda stadium in Chapeco decked out in the home side&#39;s green color.&nbsp;

Although supporters had wildly snapped up club jerseys online, and 241 journalists from around the world were accredited for the game, the stadium was not full. Tickets priced expensively at $25 each at a time of dire unemployment in Brazil likely kept some away.

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<h5>n the 71st minute of the game, the stadium&#39;s crowd was asked to stand and clap in homage of the victims -- the beginning of a tradition for all home games played by Chapecoense</h5>
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In the end, the game was a draw: 2-2 against Palmeiras.

Before the 4:30 pm (1830 GMT) kickoff, the three survivors of the crash that wiped out their teammates received the Copa Sudamericana trophy -- the honour the team had been vying for when it was wiped out in the crash -- to sustained applause.

Widows of the players killed then filed onto the grass to receive medals on behalf of their husbands in an emotionally powerful ceremony.

&quot;I&#39;m sure that those who have left us, if they are watching, would feel happy,&quot; one of the survivors, left-back Alan Ruschel, told a news conference ahead of the game.

The team&#39;s plane went down on November 28 in mountains near Colombia&#39;s city of Medellin as the team were flying in to play Atletico Nacional in the final of the Copa Sudamericana tournament. Of the 77 people on board, 71 lost their lives, including 19 players and 24 other club members.

In the 71st minute of the game, the stadium&#39;s crowd was asked to stand and clap in homage of the victims -- the beginning of a tradition for all home games played by Chapecoense.

Raphael Veiga opened with a point for Palmeiras, before Douglas Grolli put Chapecoense on the board with a goal that drew emotional cheers from the crowd. The rebuilt team rose to 2-1 when Amaral added a second goal before an equalizer came from Vitinho to make the final score 2-2.

Rebuilt side

The plane accident cut short the fairytale run of the unheralded team who had risen in five years from the fourth division and were playing in their first major final.

To rebuild the side, sporting director Rui Costa has recruited 22 players, most of them on loan.

He told AFP on Friday that the game was &quot;the strongest argument... that this club refused to die.&quot;

The club&#39;s new coach, Vagner Mancini, called the match &quot;a pivotal moment&quot;.

Ruschel and another surviving players, defender Helio Neto, are on the path to recovery and hope to play this season.

Goalkeeper Jackson Follman had his foot amputated, ending his career.

The others who survived the crash were two of the plane&#39;s Bolivian crew and a radio reporter, Rafael Henzel, who said Saturday&#39;s game &quot;is the first match of my new life&quot;.

The new-look Chapecoense has no big names, but include experienced players such as former Lille striker Tulio de Melo and ex-Benfica goalkeeper Artur Moraes.

Half the match proceeds were go to the families of those killed, while the rest will be used to rebuild the club.

&quot;Small community&quot;

The survivors met with management on Friday to discuss compensation from the Bolivian airline, Lamia, which owned the plane that crashed. The airline&#39;s director was arrested in December.

The tragedy was a blow to Chapeco, a town of 200,000 inhabitants where nearly everyone was one or two degrees connected with the team.

&quot;We are a small community. We are not used to such a high profile,&quot; the mayor, Luciano Buligon, told AFP.

&quot;But this global attention has comforted us. This big wave of solidarity is helping us to raise our head and to look ahead.&quot;

The popularity of Chapecoense has gone well beyond Brazil&#39;s borders.

Miguel Alvarez said he and friends had traveled from Argentina &quot;for the inaugural match of this club that had a tragedy that affected everybody.&quot;

He added: &quot;Football matters, yes, but mostly there has to be solidarity with the human side of it all.&quot;&nbsp;

(AFP)

The team took the field amid intense public and media attention focusing on the 20,000-place Arena Conda stadium in Chapeco

Chapecoense, the up and coming Brazilian football club decimated by a plane crash, proudly strode back on the field Saturday in a new line-up for their first match since the tragedy. The team took the field amid intense public and media attention focusing on the 20,000-place Arena Conda stadium in Chapeco decked out in the home side's green color. Although supporters had wildly snapped up club jerseys online, and 241 journalists from around the world were accredited for the game, the stadium was not full. Tickets priced expensively at $25 each at a time of dire unemployment in Brazil likely kept some away. n the 71st minute of the game, the stadium's crowd was asked to stand and clap in homage of the victims -- the beginning of a tradition for all home games played by Chapecoense × In the end, the game was a draw: 2-2 against Palmeiras. Before the 4:30 pm (1830 GMT) kickoff, the three survivors of the crash that wiped out their teammates received the Copa Sudamericana trophy -- the honour the team had been vying for when it was wiped out in the crash -- to sustained applause. Widows of the players killed then filed onto the grass to receive medals on behalf of their husbands in an emotionally powerful ceremony. "I'm sure that those who have left us, if they are watching, would feel happy," one of the survivors, left-back Alan Ruschel, told a news conference ahead of the game. The team's plane went down on November 28 in mountains near Colombia's city of Medellin as the team were flying in to play Atletico Nacional in the final of the Copa Sudamericana tournament. Of the 77 people on board, 71 lost their lives, including 19 players and 24 other club members. In the 71st minute of the game, the stadium's crowd was asked to stand and clap in homage of the victims -- the beginning of a tradition for all home games played by Chapecoense. Raphael Veiga opened with a point for Palmeiras, before Douglas Grolli put Chapecoense on the board with a goal that drew emotional cheers from the crowd. The rebuilt team rose to 2-1 when Amaral added a second goal before an equalizer came from Vitinho to make the final score 2-2. Rebuilt side The plane accident cut short the fairytale run of the unheralded team who had risen in five years from the fourth division and were playing in their first major final. To rebuild the side, sporting director Rui Costa has recruited 22 players, most of them on loan. He told AFP on Friday that the game was "the strongest argument... that this club refused to die." The club's new coach, Vagner Mancini, called the match "a pivotal moment". Ruschel and another surviving players, defender Helio Neto, are on the path to recovery and hope to play this season. Goalkeeper Jackson Follman had his foot amputated, ending his career. The others who survived the crash were two of the plane's Bolivian crew and a radio reporter, Rafael Henzel, who said Saturday's game "is the first match of my new life". The new-look Chapecoense has no big names, but include experienced players such as former Lille striker Tulio de Melo and ex-Benfica goalkeeper Artur Moraes. Half the match proceeds were go to the families of those killed, while the rest will be used to rebuild the club. "Small community" The survivors met with management on Friday to discuss compensation from the Bolivian airline, Lamia, which owned the plane that crashed. The airline's director was arrested in December. The tragedy was a blow to Chapeco, a town of 200,000 inhabitants where nearly everyone was one or two degrees connected with the team. "We are a small community. We are not used to such a high profile," the mayor, Luciano Buligon, told AFP. "But this global attention has comforted us. This big wave of solidarity is helping us to raise our head and to look ahead." The popularity of Chapecoense has gone well beyond Brazil's borders. Miguel Alvarez said he and friends had traveled from Argentina "for the inaugural match of this club that had a tragedy that affected everybody." He added: "Football matters, yes, but mostly there has to be solidarity with the human side of it all." (AFP)

Chapecoense draw in first match after plane crash

Pep Guardiola&#39;s Manchester City were denied a morale-boosting Premier League victory as Tottenham Hotspur came from two goals down to earn a contentious 2-2 draw on Saturday.

Blunders by Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris allowed Leroy Sane and Kevin De Bruyne to give City a deserved 2-0 lead, only for Dele Alli and substitute Son Heung-Min to grab a point for the visitors.

The game&#39;s main talking point occurred shortly before Son&#39;s 77th-minute leveller when Kyle Walker got away with a push on City forward Raheem Sterling inside the Spurs box as he took aim at Lloris.

Guardiola reacted furiously and having seen his team humiliated 4-0 at Everton on their previous outing he will know this was a huge missed opportunity for his misfiring team.

City, for whom &pound;27 million ($33 million, 31 million euros) new signing Gabriel Jesus made his debut, remain fifth and will fall 12 points off the pace if leaders Chelsea beat Hull City on Sunday.

While Spurs remain second, the point earned at the Etihad Stadium came at a cost for Mauricio Pochettino&#39;s side, who had been chasing a seventh successive league win.

Toby Alderweireld was forced off by injury in the second half, meaning he will potentially join fellow Belgian centre-back Jan Vertonghen on the sidelines.

City&#39;s defeat at Everton was the heaviest league reverse of Guardiola&#39;s stellar coaching career, but his response was to go on the attack.

Centre-back John Stones was dropped again, while De Bruyne and David Silva joined Yaya Toure in an attacking midfield trio that enabled City to pierce holes in Spurs&#39; rearguard right from kick-off.

After sights of goal for Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero, Lloris turned a low Silva shot behind and then stood motionless as Zabaleta&#39;s drive from De Bruyne&#39;s corner skidded inches wide.

With Spurs incapable of playing through City&#39;s high press, Kevin Wimmer and Eric Dier were both booked inside the first 13 minutes.

Turning point

By the time De Bruyne rolled a cross-shot across goal and wide after Aguero had robbed Dier, Pochettino had seen enough, moving Dier into midfield and swapping his 3-4-2-1 for a more stable 4-3-2-1.

Still City came, with Sane heading wide and Lloris twice thwarting Aguero, springing to his right to catch a header and then getting down at his near post to parry a left-foot drive.

Pochettino made another change at the interval, sending on Son for Wimmer, but within nine minutes of kick-off his side were 2-0 down as Lloris unwittingly took centre stage.

Flying out to meet De Bruyne&#39;s 50-yard pass on the edge of his box, Lloris contrived to head the ball against Sane, who had the simple task of tapping into an empty net.

If fortune deserted Lloris on that occasion, he only had himself to blame five minutes later as his failure to gather Sterling&#39;s cross from the right allowed De Bruyne to bundle in City&#39;s second.

It was no more than the hosts deserved, but just four minutes later Spurs hit back, Alli heading in Walker&#39;s superb right-wing cross for his eighth goal in seven games.

Danny Rose had to produce a brilliant last-gasp tackle to prevent Sterling restoring City&#39;s two-goal cushion before Alderweireld limped off holding the back of his right thigh.

Then came the game&#39;s turning point.

Walker pushed Sterling as he raced through, meaning the England forward could only dink a tame shot straight at Lloris, and moments later Harry Kane&#39;s flicked lay-off was swept home by Son.

Nineteen-year-old Brazil starlet Jesus made his entrance with seven minutes to go, but there would be no late miracle as he headed narrowly over and saw a tap-in ruled out for offside.

(AFP)

Tottenham Hotspur came from two goals down to earn a contentious 2-2 draw on Saturday

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City were denied a morale-boosting Premier League victory as Tottenham Hotspur came from two goals down to earn a contentious 2-2 draw on Saturday. Blunders by Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris allowed Leroy Sane and Kevin De Bruyne to give City a deserved 2-0 lead, only for Dele Alli and substitute Son Heung-Min to grab a point for the visitors. The game's main talking point occurred shortly before Son's 77th-minute leveller when Kyle Walker got away with a push on City forward Raheem Sterling inside the Spurs box as he took aim at Lloris. Guardiola reacted furiously and having seen his team humiliated 4-0 at Everton on their previous outing he will know this was a huge missed opportunity for his misfiring team. City, for whom £27 million ($33 million, 31 million euros) new signing Gabriel Jesus made his debut, remain fifth and will fall 12 points off the pace if leaders Chelsea beat Hull City on Sunday. While Spurs remain second, the point earned at the Etihad Stadium came at a cost for Mauricio Pochettino's side, who had been chasing a seventh successive league win. Toby Alderweireld was forced off by injury in the second half, meaning he will potentially join fellow Belgian centre-back Jan Vertonghen on the sidelines. City's defeat at Everton was the heaviest league reverse of Guardiola's stellar coaching career, but his response was to go on the attack. Centre-back John Stones was dropped again, while De Bruyne and David Silva joined Yaya Toure in an attacking midfield trio that enabled City to pierce holes in Spurs' rearguard right from kick-off. After sights of goal for Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero, Lloris turned a low Silva shot behind and then stood motionless as Zabaleta's drive from De Bruyne's corner skidded inches wide. With Spurs incapable of playing through City's high press, Kevin Wimmer and Eric Dier were both booked inside the first 13 minutes. Turning point By the time De Bruyne rolled a cross-shot across goal and wide after Aguero had robbed Dier, Pochettino had seen enough, moving Dier into midfield and swapping his 3-4-2-1 for a more stable 4-3-2-1. Still City came, with Sane heading wide and Lloris twice thwarting Aguero, springing to his right to catch a header and then getting down at his near post to parry a left-foot drive. Pochettino made another change at the interval, sending on Son for Wimmer, but within nine minutes of kick-off his side were 2-0 down as Lloris unwittingly took centre stage. Flying out to meet De Bruyne's 50-yard pass on the edge of his box, Lloris contrived to head the ball against Sane, who had the simple task of tapping into an empty net. If fortune deserted Lloris on that occasion, he only had himself to blame five minutes later as his failure to gather Sterling's cross from the right allowed De Bruyne to bundle in City's second. It was no more than the hosts deserved, but just four minutes later Spurs hit back, Alli heading in Walker's superb right-wing cross for his eighth goal in seven games. Danny Rose had to produce a brilliant last-gasp tackle to prevent Sterling restoring City's two-goal cushion before Alderweireld limped off holding the back of his right thigh. Then came the game's turning point. Walker pushed Sterling as he raced through, meaning the England forward could only dink a tame shot straight at Lloris, and moments later Harry Kane's flicked lay-off was swept home by Son. Nineteen-year-old Brazil starlet Jesus made his entrance with seven minutes to go, but there would be no late miracle as he headed narrowly over and saw a tap-in ruled out for offside. (AFP)

Tottenham hit back to deny Manchester City 3 points

Liverpool&#39;s title bid suffered a serious after they lost to bottom-placed Swansea City 3-2 at Anfield on Saturday.

But Swansea&#39;s stunning win means they have leapt out of the relegation places, thanks to Spanish international&nbsp;Fernando Llorente two goals and a dramatic winner by&nbsp;Gylfi Sigurdsson in the 74th minute of the match.

The first half was a tepid affair but the match came alive in the second half when Swansea took the lead and soon doubled their advantage.

The double blow woke up Jurgen Klopp&#39;s side as Roberto Firmino scored two delicious goals to drag his team back into the match.

And when Liverpool were the odds-on favourite to cap off a remarkable comeback, Swansea unexpectedly struck a third goal before they saw off a nervy 15 minutes to emerge victors.

(WION)&nbsp;

The victory helps Swansea City move out of the relegation spots

Liverpool's title bid suffered a serious after they lost to bottom-placed Swansea City 3-2 at Anfield on Saturday. But Swansea's stunning win means they have leapt out of the relegation places, thanks to Spanish international Fernando Llorente two goals and a dramatic winner by Gylfi Sigurdsson in the 74th minute of the match. The first half was a tepid affair but the match came alive in the second half when Swansea took the lead and soon doubled their advantage. The double blow woke up Jurgen Klopp's side as Roberto Firmino scored two delicious goals to drag his team back into the match. And when Liverpool were the odds-on favourite to cap off a remarkable comeback, Swansea unexpectedly struck a third goal before they saw off a nervy 15 minutes to emerge victors. (WION)

Liverpool's title bid suffers after Swansea record stunning victory

The 20th edition of the Deloitte Football Money League in which Deloitte profiled the highest revenue generating clubs in world football. Manchester United replaced Real Madrid at Money League summit with the most revenue in 2016

The top 5 richest football clubs in the world

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho played down the touchline confrontation that flared up between him and Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp near the end of Sunday&#39;s Premier League draw. As both teams looked for a late winner in an increasingly tense match at Old Trafford, the rival managers squared up to each other but Mourinho reckoned after shaking Klopp&#39;s hand at the end of the game that there was no problem between them.

The incident occurred when United midfielder Ander Herrera pulled the shirt of Liverpool&#39;s Roberto Firmino, then fell to the floor holding his face after actually being pushed by the Brazilian in the chest. Klopp seemed to feel Mourinho was calling for Firmino to be sent off and the German evidently felt Herrera was feigning injury. The two managers then had a heated argument, Klopp getting particularly animated, as the fourth official separated them.

Asked if there had been a problem with Klopp, Mourinho told reporters: &quot;No. He thought I was asking for his player to be sent off. I wasn&#39;t. No problem at all. I think the game was correct, I think the players gave everything in an emotional way, professional way. I think the referee Michael Oliver managed very well that part of the game,&quot; Mourinho felt. &quot;I think the game was great publicity for the Premier League all around the world,&quot; he gushed.

The game ended in a tense 1-1 draw.

(Reuters)

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho had a heated touchline row with Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp during the premier league clash

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho played down the touchline confrontation that flared up between him and Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp near the end of Sunday's Premier League draw. As both teams looked for a late winner in an increasingly tense match at Old Trafford, the rival managers squared up to each other but Mourinho reckoned after shaking Klopp's hand at the end of the game that there was no problem between them. The incident occurred when United midfielder Ander Herrera pulled the shirt of Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, then fell to the floor holding his face after actually being pushed by the Brazilian in the chest. Klopp seemed to feel Mourinho was calling for Firmino to be sent off and the German evidently felt Herrera was feigning injury. The two managers then had a heated argument, Klopp getting particularly animated, as the fourth official separated them. Asked if there had been a problem with Klopp, Mourinho told reporters: "No. He thought I was asking for his player to be sent off. I wasn't. No problem at all. I think the game was correct, I think the players gave everything in an emotional way, professional way. I think the referee Michael Oliver managed very well that part of the game," Mourinho felt. "I think the game was great publicity for the Premier League all around the world," he gushed. The game ended in a tense 1-1 draw. (Reuters)

Mourinho downplays Klopp confrontation

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu sought to clarify the club&#39;s position on Lionel Messi&#39;s future on Saturday following a week of institutional upheaval by declaring that renewing the Argentine maestro&#39;s contract was &quot;indispensable&quot;.

&quot;We want Leo to stay here, we want him to renew with us and he&#39;s very important for the club and for Barca. We&#39;re working hard on it and when two people want the same thing there&#39;s always a happy ending,&quot; Bartomeu told Catalan network TV3.

Messi scored for the seventh game in a row as the champions thrashed Las Palmas 5-0 in La Liga on Saturday, barely 24 hours after the club demoted director Pere Gratacos for saying Messi would not be the player he is without his Barcelona teammates.

Earlier in the week, the club&#39;s CEO Oscar Grau had also generated intrigue about Messi&#39;s future by declaring Barca needed to use &quot;common sense&quot; when discussing a new contract for their all-time top scorer, whose current deal runs out in 2018.

&quot;I want to ease everyone&#39;s nerves,&quot; added Bartomeu. &quot;We&#39;ve been having conversations (with Messi) and it&#39;s only a matter of time. When there&#39;s any news we&#39;ll announce it, but we always conduct these matters with discretion.

&quot;I can&#39;t explain the details but we&#39;re speaking with his people. He&#39;s the best player in the world, we want him to stay here and so does he. He&#39;s very happy at Barcelona. It&#39;s an indispensable matter for us.&quot;

Bartomeu also explained that Gratacos had been removed from his role as Director of Institutional Relations but remained at the club, and said Grau&#39;s comments had been misinterpreted.

&quot;His words were taken out of context but we&#39;re used to that. Common sense says we have to renew Messi&#39;s (deal). He is the best player in the history of football, a leader and the best in the world. His importance cannot be questioned,&quot; he added.

Messi&#39;s strike partner and close friend Luis Suarez said there was no problem with the five-time World Player of the Year.

&quot;The media always make things into a soap opera and everything gets misinterpreted,&quot; noted the Uruguayan, who is the joint top scorer in La Liga along with Messi.

&quot;He wants to stay and the club knows what it has to do.&quot;

(Reuters)

'We want Leo to stay here, we want him to renew with us and he's very important for the club and for Barca,' Josep Maria Bartomeu said

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu sought to clarify the club's position on Lionel Messi's future on Saturday following a week of institutional upheaval by declaring that renewing the Argentine maestro's contract was "indispensable". "We want Leo to stay here, we want him to renew with us and he's very important for the club and for Barca. We're working hard on it and when two people want the same thing there's always a happy ending," Bartomeu told Catalan network TV3. Messi scored for the seventh game in a row as the champions thrashed Las Palmas 5-0 in La Liga on Saturday, barely 24 hours after the club demoted director Pere Gratacos for saying Messi would not be the player he is without his Barcelona teammates. Earlier in the week, the club's CEO Oscar Grau had also generated intrigue about Messi's future by declaring Barca needed to use "common sense" when discussing a new contract for their all-time top scorer, whose current deal runs out in 2018. "I want to ease everyone's nerves," added Bartomeu. "We've been having conversations (with Messi) and it's only a matter of time. When there's any news we'll announce it, but we always conduct these matters with discretion. "I can't explain the details but we're speaking with his people. He's the best player in the world, we want him to stay here and so does he. He's very happy at Barcelona. It's an indispensable matter for us." Bartomeu also explained that Gratacos had been removed from his role as Director of Institutional Relations but remained at the club, and said Grau's comments had been misinterpreted. "His words were taken out of context but we're used to that. Common sense says we have to renew Messi's (deal). He is the best player in the history of football, a leader and the best in the world. His importance cannot be questioned," he added. Messi's strike partner and close friend Luis Suarez said there was no problem with the five-time World Player of the Year. "The media always make things into a soap opera and everything gets misinterpreted," noted the Uruguayan, who is the joint top scorer in La Liga along with Messi. "He wants to stay and the club knows what it has to do." (Reuters)

Messi indispensable to Barcelona: Club president

Chelsea made light of Diego Costa&#39;s controversial absence as the Premier League leaders cruised to a 3-0 win at reigning champions Leicester City on Saturday.

Wing-back Marcos Alonso was their unlikely goal hero with a brace -- just his second and third goals for the club -- either side of half-time before fellow Spaniard Pedro Rodriguez completed the scoring.

That gave Antonio Conte&#39;s men a comfortable win despite the absence of leading scorer Costa amid widespread reports of a training-ground row with fitness coach Julio Tous.

The Brazil-born Spain striker is also thought to be the subject of interest from China, although Conte claimed before kick-off that his omission from the squad was down to a back injury.

Victory was Chelsea&#39;s 14th in 15 Premier League games and was the perfect response to their 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, while for Leicester it was the 10th defeat of a sorry title defence.

Chelsea remain strong favourites to replace Claudio Ranieri&#39;s side as champions after extending their lead over second-placed Tottenham to seven points.

In the opening moments Leicester gave the visitors a scare when Ahmed Musa, fresh from two FA Cup goals at Everton last week, got the better of Cesar Azpilicueta in the Chelsea penalty area.

His cross-shot was parried by Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal and Jamie Vardy could not bring the rebound under control.

Chelsea were furious moments later when Robert Huth escaped any punishment beyond a free-kick for grappling with Willian, who appeared to be caught in the face by the German&#39;s hand.

But the visitors were celebrating moments later when Alonso put them ahead.

Azpilicueta&#39;s cross was miscontrolled by a sliding Pedro, but Eden Hazard helped the ricochet on to Alonso, who beat goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with a composed finish.

Despairing Schmeichel

Leicester deployed wing-backs in an effort to counteract Chelsea&#39;s successful 3-4-3 system and they combined in the 18th minute when Marc Albrighton crossed from the right for Ben Chilwell to head over.

Leicester struggled for the cohesion to break down a well-organised Chelsea side and the hosts resorted to a desperate long-range effort from league debutant Wilfred Ndidi, which flew well wide on 29 minutes.

Nine minutes before half-time, a curling cross-shot from Vardy for Leicester forced Courtois into a scrambling save

Chelsea preserved their lead comfortably to half-time and doubled it six minutes into the second half.

Leicester only half-cleared a free-kick from the right and Alonso collected the loose ball, set himself and let fly with a firm shot.

His effort deflected off first Wes Morgan and then Danny Drinkwater to wrong-foot Schmeichel, who got a despairing right hand to the ball but could not keep it out.

Alonso tried for an unlikely hat-trick on 65 minutes when he met a right-wing cross by Victor Moses with a fantastic volley that flew a couple of inches wide of Schmeichel&#39;s goal.

Leicester abandoned their experimental 3-5-2 system and reverted to their more usual back four, but their hopes of a comeback were killed off with 19 minutes remaining when Pedro added their third.

The goal owed much to the Spaniard&#39;s delightful flick to release Willian and a little to good fortune after Schmeichel&#39;s save at Willian&#39;s feet only diverted the ball back onto Pedro&#39;s head.

The winger made no mistake with a simple finish.

(AFP)

Victory was Chelsea's 14th in 15 Premier League games and was the perfect response to their 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea made light of Diego Costa's controversial absence as the Premier League leaders cruised to a 3-0 win at reigning champions Leicester City on Saturday. Wing-back Marcos Alonso was their unlikely goal hero with a brace -- just his second and third goals for the club -- either side of half-time before fellow Spaniard Pedro Rodriguez completed the scoring. That gave Antonio Conte's men a comfortable win despite the absence of leading scorer Costa amid widespread reports of a training-ground row with fitness coach Julio Tous. The Brazil-born Spain striker is also thought to be the subject of interest from China, although Conte claimed before kick-off that his omission from the squad was down to a back injury. Victory was Chelsea's 14th in 15 Premier League games and was the perfect response to their 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, while for Leicester it was the 10th defeat of a sorry title defence. Chelsea remain strong favourites to replace Claudio Ranieri's side as champions after extending their lead over second-placed Tottenham to seven points. In the opening moments Leicester gave the visitors a scare when Ahmed Musa, fresh from two FA Cup goals at Everton last week, got the better of Cesar Azpilicueta in the Chelsea penalty area. His cross-shot was parried by Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal and Jamie Vardy could not bring the rebound under control. Chelsea were furious moments later when Robert Huth escaped any punishment beyond a free-kick for grappling with Willian, who appeared to be caught in the face by the German's hand. But the visitors were celebrating moments later when Alonso put them ahead. Azpilicueta's cross was miscontrolled by a sliding Pedro, but Eden Hazard helped the ricochet on to Alonso, who beat goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with a composed finish. Despairing Schmeichel Leicester deployed wing-backs in an effort to counteract Chelsea's successful 3-4-3 system and they combined in the 18th minute when Marc Albrighton crossed from the right for Ben Chilwell to head over. Leicester struggled for the cohesion to break down a well-organised Chelsea side and the hosts resorted to a desperate long-range effort from league debutant Wilfred Ndidi, which flew well wide on 29 minutes. Nine minutes before half-time, a curling cross-shot from Vardy for Leicester forced Courtois into a scrambling save Chelsea preserved their lead comfortably to half-time and doubled it six minutes into the second half. Leicester only half-cleared a free-kick from the right and Alonso collected the loose ball, set himself and let fly with a firm shot. His effort deflected off first Wes Morgan and then Danny Drinkwater to wrong-foot Schmeichel, who got a despairing right hand to the ball but could not keep it out. Alonso tried for an unlikely hat-trick on 65 minutes when he met a right-wing cross by Victor Moses with a fantastic volley that flew a couple of inches wide of Schmeichel's goal. Leicester abandoned their experimental 3-5-2 system and reverted to their more usual back four, but their hopes of a comeback were killed off with 19 minutes remaining when Pedro added their third. The goal owed much to the Spaniard's delightful flick to release Willian and a little to good fortune after Schmeichel's save at Willian's feet only diverted the ball back onto Pedro's head. The winger made no mistake with a simple finish. (AFP)

Football: Chelsea win 3-0 against reigning Leicester City

If you follow the English Premier League, there comes a time every two years when top&nbsp;African players of every football&nbsp;club go missing for a few weeks in January.

That time has come again with players such as Liverpool&#39;s Sadio Mane and Arsenal&#39;s Mohamed Elneny leaving their clubs to play in Africa&#39;s biggest football tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The 31st edition of the AFCON is being held from January&nbsp;14, 2017 to February&nbsp;5, 2017 in Gabon in equatorial Africa.

The tournament is held every two years and apart from the prize money on offer&mdash;<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37929355">$4 million</a> for the winner&mdash;and bragging rights, the winner also gets to compete in the <a href="http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/">FIFA Confederations Cup</a>.

The FIFA Confederations Cup is a tournament between the winners of&nbsp;continental football tournaments and will be held in Russia this year from June 17 to July 2.

This year&#39;s AFCON will be held across four cities in Gabon with the opening match to be held on January 14, 2017 between the hosts Gabon and Guinea-Bissau in the Stade de l&rsquo;Amiti&eacute; Sino in Libreville, Gabon&#39;s capital. The final will be held in the same stadium on February&nbsp;5, 2017.

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The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in four cities across Gabon. (WION)
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The tournament consists of 16 teams split into groups of four, with each team playing the other&nbsp;once. The top two from each group progress&nbsp;into the quarterfinals after which&nbsp;the AFCON becomes a knock-out tournament.

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Group B is seen as the &#39;Group of Death&#39; at AFCON 2017. (WION)
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Every football tournament usually has a &quot;Group of death&quot; from which teams find it extremely difficult to get out of. In this tournament, Group B gets the dreaded moniker as&nbsp;three of Africa&#39;s top five countries in the <a href="http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/caf.html">FIFA world rankings</a>&mdash;Senegal, Tunisia and Algeria&mdash;have been thrown together.

Group D with <a href="http://rsssf.com/tablesa/afrchamp.html">seven-time</a> AFCON winner Egypt,&nbsp;four-time AFCON winner Ghana and&nbsp;potential spoilsport&nbsp;Mali is likely to be another tough group.

So, who are the favourites? The British bookmakers <a href="http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-gb/betting/e/10431613/Africa%20Cup%20of%20Nations%20-%20Winner.html">William Hill</a> have defending champions Ivory Coast as favourites with&nbsp;decimal odds of 4.5 and&nbsp;Senegal 2nd-favourite at 5.5.

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Bookmakers have Ivory Coast as the odds-on favourite to win AFCON 2017. (WION)
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The tournament won&#39;t be short of superstars either. The host country Gabon has probably the best player&nbsp;at the tournament in 27-year-old Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (top). He is in&nbsp;top form for his club Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga this season with 16 goals already in 16 matches!

Another player to look forward to is Riyad Mahrez from Algeria, who was the star player for Leicester City as it won the 2015-16 English Premier League. In fact, his interplay with fellow club-mate Islam Slimani and Yacine Brahimi of Portugese club Porto should make Algeria the most attractive team to watch at the tournament, and the neutral&#39;s favourite.

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Islam Slimani (left) and Riyad Mahrez (right) could make Algeria one of the most exciting teams to watch at the tournament. (AFP)
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Graphics designed by Sunitha Shekhar.

Africa's biggest football tournament begins this Saturday

If you follow the English Premier League, there comes a time every two years when top African players of every football club go missing for a few weeks in January. That time has come again with players such as Liverpool's Sadio Mane and Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny leaving their clubs to play in Africa's biggest football tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The 31st edition of the AFCON is being held from January 14, 2017 to February 5, 2017 in Gabon in equatorial Africa. The tournament is held every two years and apart from the prize money on offer—$4 million for the winner—and bragging rights, the winner also gets to compete in the FIFA Confederations Cup. The FIFA Confederations Cup is a tournament between the winners of continental football tournaments and will be held in Russia this year from June 17 to July 2. This year's AFCON will be held across four cities in Gabon with the opening match to be held on January 14, 2017 between the hosts Gabon and Guinea-Bissau in the Stade de l’Amitié Sino in Libreville, Gabon's capital. The final will be held in the same stadium on February 5, 2017. The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in four cities across Gabon. (WION) × The tournament consists of 16 teams split into groups of four, with each team playing the other once. The top two from each group progress into the quarterfinals after which the AFCON becomes a knock-out tournament. Group B is seen as the 'Group of Death' at AFCON 2017. (WION) × Every football tournament usually has a "Group of death" from which teams find it extremely difficult to get out of. In this tournament, Group B gets the dreaded moniker as three of Africa's top five countries in the FIFA world rankings—Senegal, Tunisia and Algeria—have been thrown together. Group D with seven-time AFCON winner Egypt, four-time AFCON winner Ghana and potential spoilsport Mali is likely to be another tough group. So, who are the favourites? The British bookmakers William Hill have defending champions Ivory Coast as favourites with decimal odds of 4.5 and Senegal 2nd-favourite at 5.5. Bookmakers have Ivory Coast as the odds-on favourite to win AFCON 2017. (WION) × The tournament won't be short of superstars either. The host country Gabon has probably the best player at the tournament in 27-year-old Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (top). He is in top form for his club Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga this season with 16 goals already in 16 matches! Another player to look forward to is Riyad Mahrez from Algeria, who was the star player for Leicester City as it won the 2015-16 English Premier League. In fact, his interplay with fellow club-mate Islam Slimani and Yacine Brahimi of Portugese club Porto should make Algeria the most attractive team to watch at the tournament, and the neutral's favourite. Islam Slimani (left) and Riyad Mahrez (right) could make Algeria one of the most exciting teams to watch at the tournament. (AFP) × Graphics designed by Sunitha Shekhar.

Africa Cup of Nations set to kick off in Gabon

Argentina finished 2016 out in front of arch rivals Brazil to inherit the &#39;team of the year&#39; title from Belgium, displaced from the FIFA summit by the Edgardo Bauza-coached Albiceleste in April.

Meanwhile, India jumped 42 places in less than two years to record their best ever ranking -- 129 -- in the last decade.

2016 was a productive year for the Indian football team as they won nine of their last 11 international matches.

A win against Peurto Rico, a side ranked 114th, in a friendly international in Mumbai in September was the highlight of the year.

National coach Stephen Constantine said it was a &quot;total team effort&quot; that India achieved their best ever ranking since December 2005, which was 127.

&quot;I think we have had a really good couple of years during my time and while results have been mixed, we have achieved what we said we would. Our ranking is at its highest since 2005 which is obviously great for Indian football. There is, however, a very long way to go where I intend to take Indian football to, but I can say that we have begun our journey,&quot; said Constantine.

India were ranked 171 when Constantine took over as national coach for the second time in February 2015 and slipped further to 173 in March 2015 in the FIFA ladder even before Constantine could have his first game in-charge against Nepal, which India eventually won 2-0 on aggregate.

The year-end of 2016 saw the Indian team jump to 135 in the world making it their six-year highest annual ranking since 2009.

FIFA top 10 rankings on Thursday:

1. Argentina

2. Brazil

3. Germany

4. Chile

5. Belgium

6. Colombia

7. France

8. Portugal

9. Uruguay

10. Spain

Selected:

13. England

16. Italy

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

South America had five representatives in the top 10, while Euro champions Portugal were placed eighth

Argentina finished 2016 out in front of arch rivals Brazil to inherit the 'team of the year' title from Belgium, displaced from the FIFA summit by the Edgardo Bauza-coached Albiceleste in April. Meanwhile, India jumped 42 places in less than two years to record their best ever ranking -- 129 -- in the last decade. 2016 was a productive year for the Indian football team as they won nine of their last 11 international matches. A win against Peurto Rico, a side ranked 114th, in a friendly international in Mumbai in September was the highlight of the year. National coach Stephen Constantine said it was a "total team effort" that India achieved their best ever ranking since December 2005, which was 127. "I think we have had a really good couple of years during my time and while results have been mixed, we have achieved what we said we would. Our ranking is at its highest since 2005 which is obviously great for Indian football. There is, however, a very long way to go where I intend to take Indian football to, but I can say that we have begun our journey," said Constantine. India were ranked 171 when Constantine took over as national coach for the second time in February 2015 and slipped further to 173 in March 2015 in the FIFA ladder even before Constantine could have his first game in-charge against Nepal, which India eventually won 2-0 on aggregate. The year-end of 2016 saw the Indian team jump to 135 in the world making it their six-year highest annual ranking since 2009. FIFA top 10 rankings on Thursday: 1. Argentina 2. Brazil 3. Germany 4. Chile 5. Belgium 6. Colombia 7. France 8. Portugal 9. Uruguay 10. Spain Selected: 13. England 16. Italy (WION with inputs from agencies)

FIFA rankings: Argentina retain top spot, India's rank highest in a decade

Former England captain Sol Campbell, football analyst Novy Kapadia and Indian football skipper Sunil Chhetri join WION to discuss FIFA's move to expand World Cup 2026 to 48 teams

WION Sports: FIFA World Cup expansion divides world football

FIFA&#39;s ruling council on Tuesday unanimously approved an expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026, with a format of 16 groups of three nations.&nbsp;

&quot;The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team #WorldCup as of 2026: 16 groups of 3 teams,&quot; a tweet from FIFA&#39;s official account said.

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The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup?src=hash">#WorldCup</a> as of 2026: 
16 groups of 3 teams. Details to follow after the meeting.
&mdash; FIFA Media (@fifamedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/fifamedia/status/818753191449948160">January 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The decision marks a major coup for the body&#39;s president Gianni Infantino who has made enlarging football&#39;s showcase event the centrepiece of his young administration.&nbsp;

The controversial proposal has faced criticism from some of the sport&#39;s most powerful voices, including warnings that it would dilute the quality of play and overburden already exhausted players. &nbsp;

But Infantino had in recent weeks voiced confidence that his flagship project would be approved.

While noting that a bigger tournament would bring in more money, the FIFA chief has also argued that more World Cup berths would help drive football&#39;s global growth.&nbsp;

Africa and Asia could be the big winners in a larger format with a rise in their number of places, currently at 5 and 4.5 respectively.&nbsp;

But in order to smooth over scepticism about World Cup reform within UEFA, it is likely that Europe will also see its allotments rise above the current 13 places.&nbsp;

(AFP)

The controversial proposal has faced warnings that it would dilute the quality of play and overburn already exhausted players

FIFA's ruling council on Tuesday unanimously approved an expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026, with a format of 16 groups of three nations. "The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team #WorldCup as of 2026: 16 groups of 3 teams," a tweet from FIFA's official account said. The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team #WorldCup as of 2026: 16 groups of 3 teams. Details to follow after the meeting. — FIFA Media (@fifamedia) January 10, 2017 × The decision marks a major coup for the body's president Gianni Infantino who has made enlarging football's showcase event the centrepiece of his young administration. The controversial proposal has faced criticism from some of the sport's most powerful voices, including warnings that it would dilute the quality of play and overburden already exhausted players. But Infantino had in recent weeks voiced confidence that his flagship project would be approved. While noting that a bigger tournament would bring in more money, the FIFA chief has also argued that more World Cup berths would help drive football's global growth. Africa and Asia could be the big winners in a larger format with a rise in their number of places, currently at 5 and 4.5 respectively. But in order to smooth over scepticism about World Cup reform within UEFA, it is likely that Europe will also see its allotments rise above the current 13 places. (AFP)

Football: FIFA approves 48 teams for World Cup 2026

&nbsp;

Portugal&#39;s star player Cristiano Ronaldo won FIFA&#39;s player of the year award for the fourth time, beating his old rival Argentinia&#39;s Lionel Messi. Italian Claudio Ranieri won the coach of the year award for leading rank outsiders Leicester City to the English Premier League title.

Ronaldo was rewarded for his performance in 2016 when he won the Champions League with his club Real Madrid and then Euro 2016 with Portugal. Five-times winner and four-times runner-up Messi was second and Frenchman Antoine Griezmann third.

&quot;I don`t have much more to say, I think the awards speak for themselves,&quot; he added. &quot;I&#39;m very happy and I can say that 2016 was the best year of my career, the trophy shows that people aren&#39;t blind and watch the games.&quot;

FIFA, which organised the award jointly with France Football magazine from 2010 to 2015 when it was named the Ballon d&#39;Or, rebranded it as &quot;The Best&quot; this year after splitting with the French publication. France Football continued with its own award which was also won by Ronaldo last month.

The ceremony, previously held at the Kongresshaus theatre in central Zurich, this year took place in the much more modest setting of a television studio on an industrial estate near the airport. Ronaldo previously won in 2008, 2013, 2014 with Messi second on each occasion. Messi won from 2009-12 and then again in 2015 with Ronaldo second on every occasion except in 2010 when Andres Iniesta was runner-up. Ranieri said he was &quot;crazy&quot; after winning the coach`s award ahead of Fernando Santos, who led Portugal to the Euro 2016 title.

&quot;I am crazy now,&quot; he said. &quot;What happened last season in England was something strange. The football gods said Leicester must win.&quot; Colombian side Atletico Nacional were given the Fair Play Award for conceding to Copa Sudamericana title to Brazilian side Chapecoense, whose team was decimated when a plane taking to the final crashed, killing 71 people.

&quot;We did nothing more than what we had to do....handing them this trophy as a gesture of hope,&quot; said club president Juan Carlos de La Cuesta.

American Carli Lloyd won the women&#39;s player of the year award for the second year in a row.&nbsp; Mohd Faiz Subri, of Malaysian Super League side Penang, won the goal of the year award for a 35-metre free kick in which the ball dipped and swung in a bewildering fashion to leave the goalkeeper stranded.

(Reuters)

Cristiano Ronaldo won the award for the fourth time, beating his old rival Lionel Messi

Portugal's star player Cristiano Ronaldo won FIFA's player of the year award for the fourth time, beating his old rival Argentinia's Lionel Messi. Italian Claudio Ranieri won the coach of the year award for leading rank outsiders Leicester City to the English Premier League title. Ronaldo was rewarded for his performance in 2016 when he won the Champions League with his club Real Madrid and then Euro 2016 with Portugal. Five-times winner and four-times runner-up Messi was second and Frenchman Antoine Griezmann third. "I don`t have much more to say, I think the awards speak for themselves," he added. "I'm very happy and I can say that 2016 was the best year of my career, the trophy shows that people aren't blind and watch the games." FIFA, which organised the award jointly with France Football magazine from 2010 to 2015 when it was named the Ballon d'Or, rebranded it as "The Best" this year after splitting with the French publication. France Football continued with its own award which was also won by Ronaldo last month. The ceremony, previously held at the Kongresshaus theatre in central Zurich, this year took place in the much more modest setting of a television studio on an industrial estate near the airport. Ronaldo previously won in 2008, 2013, 2014 with Messi second on each occasion. Messi won from 2009-12 and then again in 2015 with Ronaldo second on every occasion except in 2010 when Andres Iniesta was runner-up. Ranieri said he was "crazy" after winning the coach`s award ahead of Fernando Santos, who led Portugal to the Euro 2016 title. "I am crazy now," he said. "What happened last season in England was something strange. The football gods said Leicester must win." Colombian side Atletico Nacional were given the Fair Play Award for conceding to Copa Sudamericana title to Brazilian side Chapecoense, whose team was decimated when a plane taking to the final crashed, killing 71 people. "We did nothing more than what we had to do....handing them this trophy as a gesture of hope," said club president Juan Carlos de La Cuesta. American Carli Lloyd won the women's player of the year award for the second year in a row. Mohd Faiz Subri, of Malaysian Super League side Penang, won the goal of the year award for a 35-metre free kick in which the ball dipped and swung in a bewildering fashion to leave the goalkeeper stranded. (Reuters)

Ronaldo wins FIFA's player of the year award

FIFA&#39;s ruling council today unanimously approved an expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026, in a major coup for the body&#39;s president Gianni Infantino.

In a bid to widen the game&#39;s global appeal and enrich its coffers, the FIFA panel endorsed a format with 16 groups of three nations, a tweet from FIFA&#39;s official account said.

The move represents the first major change to the World Cup format since the tournament was boosted from 24 to 32 teams for the 1998 tournament in France.

Infantino took charge of scandal-tainted FIFA 11 months ago with a vow to repair the damage done at the end of Sepp Blatter&#39;s tenure by growing football across the globe.

Enlarging the World Cup, the planet&#39;s top sporting competition, was the centrepiece of that plan.

The controversial proposal faced tough criticism in some of football&#39;s key camps, including warnings that it would dilute the quality of play and overburden already exhausted players.

But Infantino had in recent weeks voiced confidence that his flagship project would be approved.

The FIFA chief has noted that a bigger tournament would beef up FIFA&#39;s coffers.

And a confidential FIFA report seen by AFP projects a 48-team tournament would bring a cash boost of $640 million (605 million euros) above projected revenues for next year&#39;s finals in Russia.

But Infantino has also argued that more World Cup berths would help serve football&#39;s interest by boosting &quot;inclusion&quot; in the &quot;biggest social and sporting event&quot;. 
Among those who seemed convinced by that argument was Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, who on Monday said a 48-team format &quot;will give more possibilities to countries that have never reached that level of competition&quot;.

Africa and Asia could be the big winners with a rise in their number of places &mdash; currently at five for Africa and between four and five for Asia. 
 
But in order to smooth over scepticism about World Cup reform within UEFA, it is likely that Europe will also see its allotments rise above the current 13 places. 
A source close to FIFA told AFP that under the new format Europe could get 16 places, with Africa earning nine.

But that information remained unconfirmed and world football&#39;s governing body was not expected to immediately announce its final decision on allotments, which may fuel a tough debate in the months ahead.&nbsp;

(AFP)

The move represents the first major change to the World Cup format since the tournament was boosted from 24 to 32 teams in 1998

FIFA's ruling council today unanimously approved an expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026, in a major coup for the body's president Gianni Infantino. In a bid to widen the game's global appeal and enrich its coffers, the FIFA panel endorsed a format with 16 groups of three nations, a tweet from FIFA's official account said. The move represents the first major change to the World Cup format since the tournament was boosted from 24 to 32 teams for the 1998 tournament in France. Infantino took charge of scandal-tainted FIFA 11 months ago with a vow to repair the damage done at the end of Sepp Blatter's tenure by growing football across the globe. Enlarging the World Cup, the planet's top sporting competition, was the centrepiece of that plan. The controversial proposal faced tough criticism in some of football's key camps, including warnings that it would dilute the quality of play and overburden already exhausted players. But Infantino had in recent weeks voiced confidence that his flagship project would be approved. The FIFA chief has noted that a bigger tournament would beef up FIFA's coffers. And a confidential FIFA report seen by AFP projects a 48-team tournament would bring a cash boost of $640 million (605 million euros) above projected revenues for next year's finals in Russia. But Infantino has also argued that more World Cup berths would help serve football's interest by boosting "inclusion" in the "biggest social and sporting event". Among those who seemed convinced by that argument was Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, who on Monday said a 48-team format "will give more possibilities to countries that have never reached that level of competition". Africa and Asia could be the big winners with a rise in their number of places — currently at five for Africa and between four and five for Asia. But in order to smooth over scepticism about World Cup reform within UEFA, it is likely that Europe will also see its allotments rise above the current 13 places. A source close to FIFA told AFP that under the new format Europe could get 16 places, with Africa earning nine. But that information remained unconfirmed and world football's governing body was not expected to immediately announce its final decision on allotments, which may fuel a tough debate in the months ahead. (AFP)

FIFA approves 48-team World Cup for 2026

&nbsp;

Mesut Ozil is ready to sign a new contract with Arsenal but the attacking midfielder wants to know if manager Arsene Wenger is staying at the club beyond this season.&nbsp;Wenger`s contract expires at the end of the current season, while Ozil and teammate Alexis Sanchez both have 18 months left on their deals.

&quot;I feel very, very happy at Arsenal and have let the club know I would be willing to extend. The fans want me to stay, and now it&#39;s only down to the club,&quot; Ozil told German football magazine Kicker.

&quot;The club knows I am here mainly because of Arsene Wenger, who brought me here and whose trust I have. The club also knows that I want clarity about what the manager is doing.&quot; 
 
Ozil, who joined the North London club in 2013, has been criticised by former Arsenal players including Thierry Henry, who said the German international was &quot;holding the club hostage&quot; with his wage demands.&nbsp;&quot;Everyone has a right to say what they want, but what they have to say doesn&#39;t interest me,&quot; Ozil said.

&quot;Ex-players or other people who have a view don&#39;t know what is actually being said between me and the club,&quot;&nbsp; Ozil pointed.&nbsp;Arsenal are currently fifth in the Premier League with 41 points from 20 games, trailing leaders Chelsea by eight points.

(Reuters)

Mesut Ozil is ready to sign a new contract but he wants to know if Arsene Wenger will stay with Arsenal.

Mesut Ozil is ready to sign a new contract with Arsenal but the attacking midfielder wants to know if manager Arsene Wenger is staying at the club beyond this season. Wenger`s contract expires at the end of the current season, while Ozil and teammate Alexis Sanchez both have 18 months left on their deals. "I feel very, very happy at Arsenal and have let the club know I would be willing to extend. The fans want me to stay, and now it's only down to the club," Ozil told German football magazine Kicker. "The club knows I am here mainly because of Arsene Wenger, who brought me here and whose trust I have. The club also knows that I want clarity about what the manager is doing." Ozil, who joined the North London club in 2013, has been criticised by former Arsenal players including Thierry Henry, who said the German international was "holding the club hostage" with his wage demands. "Everyone has a right to say what they want, but what they have to say doesn't interest me," Ozil said. "Ex-players or other people who have a view don't know what is actually being said between me and the club," Ozil pointed. Arsenal are currently fifth in the Premier League with 41 points from 20 games, trailing leaders Chelsea by eight points. (Reuters)

Want clarity over Wenger staying with Arsenal: Ozil

If you follow the English Premier League, there comes a time every two years when leading African players of every major club go missing for a few weeks in January.

That time has come again with players such as Liverpool&#39;s Sadio Mane and Arsenal&#39;s Mohamed Elneny leaving their clubs to play for their countries in Africa&#39;s biggest football tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The 31st edition of the AFCON is being held from January&nbsp;14, 2017 to February&nbsp;5, 2017 in Gabon in equatorial Africa.

The tournament is held every two years and apart from the prize money on offer&mdash;<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37929355">$4 million</a> for the winner&mdash;and bragging rights, the winner also gets to compete in the <a href="http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/">FIFA Confederations Cup</a>.

The FIFA Confederations Cup is a tournament between the winners of&nbsp;continental football tournaments and will be held in Russia this year from June 17 to July 2.

This year&#39;s AFCON will be held across four cities in Gabon with the opening match to be held on January 14, 2017 between the hosts Gabon and Guinea-Bissau in the Stade de l&rsquo;Amiti&eacute; Sino in Libreville, Gabon&#39;s capital. The final will be held in the same stadium on February&nbsp;5, 2017.

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The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in four cities across Gabon. (WION)
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The tournament consists of 16 teams split into groups of four, with each team playing the other&nbsp;once. The top two from each group progress&nbsp;into the quarterfinals after which&nbsp;the AFCON becomes a knock-out tournament.

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Group D is seen as the &#39;Group of Death&#39; at AFCON 2017. (WION)
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Every football tournament usually has a &quot;Group of death&quot; from which teams find it extremely difficult to get out of. In this tournament, Group D seems like it will be granted the moniker&nbsp;with <a href="http://rsssf.com/tablesa/afrchamp.html">seven-time</a> AFCON winner Egypt and four-time AFCON winner Ghana in the same group along with potential spoilsport Mali.

So, who are the favourites? The British bookmakers <a href="http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-gb/betting/e/10431613/Africa%20Cup%20of%20Nations%20-%20Winner.html">William Hill</a> have defending champions Ivory Coast as favourites with&nbsp;decimal odds of 4.5 and&nbsp;Senegal 2nd-favourite at 5.5.

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Bookmakers have Ivory Coast as the odds-on favourite to win AFCON 2017. (WION)
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The tournament won&#39;t be short of superstars either. The host country Gabon has probably the best player&nbsp;at the tournament in 27-year-old Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (top). He is in&nbsp;top form for his club Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga this season with 16 goals already in 16 matches!

Another player to look forward to is Riyad Mahrez from Algeria, who was the star player for Leicester City as it won the 2015-16 English Premier League. In fact, his interplay with fellow club-mate Islam Slimani and Yacine Brahimi of Portugese club Porto should make Algeria the most attractive team to watch at the tournament, and the neutral&#39;s favourite.

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Islam Slimani (left) and Riyad Mahrez (right) play for Algeria, one of the favourites to win AFCON 2017. (WION)
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Graphics designed by Sunitha Shekhar.

Here's a look ahead at football's Africa Cup of Nations beginning in a week's time in Gabon, the hot favourites and potential stars

If you follow the English Premier League, there comes a time every two years when leading African players of every major club go missing for a few weeks in January. That time has come again with players such as Liverpool's Sadio Mane and Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny leaving their clubs to play for their countries in Africa's biggest football tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The 31st edition of the AFCON is being held from January 14, 2017 to February 5, 2017 in Gabon in equatorial Africa. The tournament is held every two years and apart from the prize money on offer—$4 million for the winner—and bragging rights, the winner also gets to compete in the FIFA Confederations Cup. The FIFA Confederations Cup is a tournament between the winners of continental football tournaments and will be held in Russia this year from June 17 to July 2. This year's AFCON will be held across four cities in Gabon with the opening match to be held on January 14, 2017 between the hosts Gabon and Guinea-Bissau in the Stade de l’Amitié Sino in Libreville, Gabon's capital. The final will be held in the same stadium on February 5, 2017. The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in four cities across Gabon. (WION) × The tournament consists of 16 teams split into groups of four, with each team playing the other once. The top two from each group progress into the quarterfinals after which the AFCON becomes a knock-out tournament. Group D is seen as the 'Group of Death' at AFCON 2017. (WION) × Every football tournament usually has a "Group of death" from which teams find it extremely difficult to get out of. In this tournament, Group D seems like it will be granted the moniker with seven-time AFCON winner Egypt and four-time AFCON winner Ghana in the same group along with potential spoilsport Mali. So, who are the favourites? The British bookmakers William Hill have defending champions Ivory Coast as favourites with decimal odds of 4.5 and Senegal 2nd-favourite at 5.5. Bookmakers have Ivory Coast as the odds-on favourite to win AFCON 2017. (WION) × The tournament won't be short of superstars either. The host country Gabon has probably the best player at the tournament in 27-year-old Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (top). He is in top form for his club Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga this season with 16 goals already in 16 matches! Another player to look forward to is Riyad Mahrez from Algeria, who was the star player for Leicester City as it won the 2015-16 English Premier League. In fact, his interplay with fellow club-mate Islam Slimani and Yacine Brahimi of Portugese club Porto should make Algeria the most attractive team to watch at the tournament, and the neutral's favourite. Islam Slimani (left) and Riyad Mahrez (right) play for Algeria, one of the favourites to win AFCON 2017. (WION) × Graphics designed by Sunitha Shekhar.

It's all about to kick off in Gabon!

&nbsp;

Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has become the latest big name player to join the Chinese Super League gold rush after leaving Chelsea for Tianjin Teda.

Mikel, who failed to make a single appearance for Antonio Conte&#39;s side this season, had a medical examination in the port city, 130 kilometres from Beijing as the Asian Football Confederation confirmed the deal.

The 29-year-old, who spent more than a decade at Stamford Bridge, was given a free transfer by the London club and will earn $173,432 a week in China, according to local media reports.

After joining Chelsea in 2006, Mikel was part of a squad that won a Champions League crown, two Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

Chinese clubs have made several high-profile signings over the last month with Argentine striker Carlos Tevez moving to Shanghai Shenhua for a reported $87.65 million. Less than a week later, Brazilian midfielder Oscar joined local rivals Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea. Elsewhere in Europe, Serbia midfielder Nemanja Gudelj, moved to Tianjin from Dutch club Ajax.

At the end of December, Cristiano Ronaldo&#39;s agent had said the World Player of the Year had turned down the chance to leave Real Madrid for an unnamed Chinese club for a transfer fee of $315.24 million.

Amid the spending spree, the country&#39;s General Administration of Sport described the excess of some Chinese clubs as &quot;a grave phenomenon&quot;.

(Reuters)

John Obi Mikel has become the latest big name player to join the Chinese Super League

Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has become the latest big name player to join the Chinese Super League gold rush after leaving Chelsea for Tianjin Teda. Mikel, who failed to make a single appearance for Antonio Conte's side this season, had a medical examination in the port city, 130 kilometres from Beijing as the Asian Football Confederation confirmed the deal. The 29-year-old, who spent more than a decade at Stamford Bridge, was given a free transfer by the London club and will earn $173,432 a week in China, according to local media reports. After joining Chelsea in 2006, Mikel was part of a squad that won a Champions League crown, two Premier League titles and four FA Cups. Chinese clubs have made several high-profile signings over the last month with Argentine striker Carlos Tevez moving to Shanghai Shenhua for a reported $87.65 million. Less than a week later, Brazilian midfielder Oscar joined local rivals Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea. Elsewhere in Europe, Serbia midfielder Nemanja Gudelj, moved to Tianjin from Dutch club Ajax. At the end of December, Cristiano Ronaldo's agent had said the World Player of the Year had turned down the chance to leave Real Madrid for an unnamed Chinese club for a transfer fee of $315.24 million. Amid the spending spree, the country's General Administration of Sport described the excess of some Chinese clubs as "a grave phenomenon". (Reuters)

Chelsea's Mikel joins Chinese Super League

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte shrugged off a record-wrecking 2-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, insisting his players must dust themselves down and restart their Premier League title quest.

Two Dele Alli headers meant Chelsea&#39;s hopes of winning a 14th consecutive Premier League game -- which would have been a record in a single campaign -- foundered at White Hart Lane.

Italian Conte, however, said the defeat was very different to the 3-0 reverse they suffered at Arsenal on Sept. 24, since when they have been unstoppable.

&quot;We are disappointed but also we must be pleased for our run as 13 wins in this league is not easy,&quot; Conte told reporters.

&quot;But this is a different defeat to the one in September because today we lost the game, but showed that we were a team.

&quot;Against Arsenal, we weren&#39;t a team, today we were.&quot;

Chelsea could have gone eight points clear at the top with a first victory at White Hart Lane since 2012 and while five points is still a healthy margin over nearest rivals Liverpool, Conte insists the title race is now wide open.

Tottenham moved up to third, seven points behind, ahead of Manchester City on goal difference while Arsenal are a point further adrift and Manchester United two further back.

&quot;Today we lost against a good team, a really strong team and don&#39;t forget Tottenham fought last season for the title,&quot; Conte said. &quot;They are improving, and they are one of the six teams that can fight to win the title.

&quot;We are top of the table because we are working a lot, but for sure this league is very tough and we must continue to work and improve. A defeat can happen against Tottenham, now it&#39;s important to restart.&quot;

Conte&#39;s side had boasted the meanest defence in the league until Wednesday&#39;s defeat so the nature of both Tottenham&#39;s goals -- carbon-copy crosses and headers -- was a surprise.

Tottenham have now conceded the least goals -- 14 in 20 games.

&quot;It is strange for us to concede these goals because we are defending well, and they are in a crucial moment,&quot; he said.

&quot;At the end of the first half and then in the second half after we miss the chances to score, but this can happen.

&quot;My priority is to win again. The training doesn&#39;t change if you win or you lose. We have to continue to work.&quot;

(Reuters)

Chelsea lost 2-0 to Tottenham, but are still top of the league

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte shrugged off a record-wrecking 2-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, insisting his players must dust themselves down and restart their Premier League title quest. Two Dele Alli headers meant Chelsea's hopes of winning a 14th consecutive Premier League game -- which would have been a record in a single campaign -- foundered at White Hart Lane. Italian Conte, however, said the defeat was very different to the 3-0 reverse they suffered at Arsenal on Sept. 24, since when they have been unstoppable. "We are disappointed but also we must be pleased for our run as 13 wins in this league is not easy," Conte told reporters. "But this is a different defeat to the one in September because today we lost the game, but showed that we were a team. "Against Arsenal, we weren't a team, today we were." Chelsea could have gone eight points clear at the top with a first victory at White Hart Lane since 2012 and while five points is still a healthy margin over nearest rivals Liverpool, Conte insists the title race is now wide open. Tottenham moved up to third, seven points behind, ahead of Manchester City on goal difference while Arsenal are a point further adrift and Manchester United two further back. "Today we lost against a good team, a really strong team and don't forget Tottenham fought last season for the title," Conte said. "They are improving, and they are one of the six teams that can fight to win the title. "We are top of the table because we are working a lot, but for sure this league is very tough and we must continue to work and improve. A defeat can happen against Tottenham, now it's important to restart." Conte's side had boasted the meanest defence in the league until Wednesday's defeat so the nature of both Tottenham's goals -- carbon-copy crosses and headers -- was a surprise. Tottenham have now conceded the least goals -- 14 in 20 games. "It is strange for us to concede these goals because we are defending well, and they are in a crucial moment," he said. "At the end of the first half and then in the second half after we miss the chances to score, but this can happen. "My priority is to win again. The training doesn't change if you win or you lose. We have to continue to work." (Reuters)

Premier League: Restart title quest, Conte tells players after loss

Jurgen Klopp, the manager who has brightened the Premier League with his quick wit and off-beat remarks, displayed his dark side after Liverpool dropped two precious points at Sunderland.&nbsp;

The 2-2 draw against a team struggling in the relegation zone was undoubtedly a setback for Liverpool because teams with title aspirations win at places like the Stadium of Light, as leaders Chelsea did just a fortnight ago.&nbsp;

But goals from Daniel Sturridge and Sadio Mane proved insufficient as Liverpool twice squandered leads by conceding two penalties, converted with his customary coolness by Jermain Defoe.&nbsp;

Klopp did not like what he witnessed and did not hide his emotions.&nbsp;

&quot;Sorry about my mood,&quot; he said at the end of his assessment of Monday&#39;s draw, which left Liverpool second, five points behind leaders Chelsea.&nbsp;

While criticism of referees is normally the first port of call for managers seeking excuses for disappointing results such as this, Klopp has rarely taken that easy route.&nbsp;

This time though he blamed Anthony Taylor for awarding the free-kick that was handled by Mane to give Sunderland their second penalty and he confronted the referee on the pitch afterwards.

&quot;It is hard to accept. If you see it again, there was no contact,&quot; the normally affable German said. &quot;I saw it in the game and the fourth official saw it.&nbsp;

&quot;It&rsquo;s not the worst mistake in the world and I don&#39;t want to say it is, but it&#39;s hard.&quot;&nbsp;

Such comments are unlike Klopp and suggest he may be feeling some of the pressure involved in chasing a team with Chelsea&#39;s recent impeccable record.&nbsp;

A more valid excuse would have been the fixture list that left Liverpool facing three games in seven days while Chelsea&#39;s three come in the space of 10 days.&nbsp;

However, Klopp said: &quot;I am the wrong person to ask. I have absolutely no influence on the fixtures. It is like it is and somebody decided like this, so there is nothing to say about this.&quot;

Point pleases Moyes

Liverpool did not look weary for the opening 25 minutes as they took the lead and could have added further goals before the first equaliser.&nbsp;

But Klopp&#39;s team appeared off the pace after the interval and failed to hang on to the lead given to them by Mane.&nbsp;

The manager said: &quot;I thought we started really well and then we lost concentration, which is not usual for us, but has happened before.&nbsp;

&quot;It could be because of the fixtures, I&rsquo;m not sure. Usually I would say we could have done better, but I am not sure if we could have done better.&nbsp;

&quot;I don&rsquo;t know exactly if we could have done better because I was not in the shooting boots.&quot;

The mood of Sunderland manager David Moyes was very different, although this point did not lift them out of the bottom three. &nbsp;

&quot;I honestly thought the players raised the supporters by the way they got up to Liverpool, how they put them under pressure, how they pressed them,&quot; said Moyes.

&quot;Maybe if I was a German manager, you might praise that. If I&#39;d been German you might praise me for doing something different.&nbsp;

&ldquo;I thought we did well. We stuck at it as much as we could and tried to make it hard for them.&rdquo;

(AFP)

He did not like what he saw on the pitch, and he did not hide his emotions

Jurgen Klopp, the manager who has brightened the Premier League with his quick wit and off-beat remarks, displayed his dark side after Liverpool dropped two precious points at Sunderland. The 2-2 draw against a team struggling in the relegation zone was undoubtedly a setback for Liverpool because teams with title aspirations win at places like the Stadium of Light, as leaders Chelsea did just a fortnight ago. But goals from Daniel Sturridge and Sadio Mane proved insufficient as Liverpool twice squandered leads by conceding two penalties, converted with his customary coolness by Jermain Defoe. Klopp did not like what he witnessed and did not hide his emotions. "Sorry about my mood," he said at the end of his assessment of Monday's draw, which left Liverpool second, five points behind leaders Chelsea. While criticism of referees is normally the first port of call for managers seeking excuses for disappointing results such as this, Klopp has rarely taken that easy route. This time though he blamed Anthony Taylor for awarding the free-kick that was handled by Mane to give Sunderland their second penalty and he confronted the referee on the pitch afterwards. "It is hard to accept. If you see it again, there was no contact," the normally affable German said. "I saw it in the game and the fourth official saw it. "It’s not the worst mistake in the world and I don't want to say it is, but it's hard." Such comments are unlike Klopp and suggest he may be feeling some of the pressure involved in chasing a team with Chelsea's recent impeccable record. A more valid excuse would have been the fixture list that left Liverpool facing three games in seven days while Chelsea's three come in the space of 10 days. However, Klopp said: "I am the wrong person to ask. I have absolutely no influence on the fixtures. It is like it is and somebody decided like this, so there is nothing to say about this." Point pleases Moyes Liverpool did not look weary for the opening 25 minutes as they took the lead and could have added further goals before the first equaliser. But Klopp's team appeared off the pace after the interval and failed to hang on to the lead given to them by Mane. The manager said: "I thought we started really well and then we lost concentration, which is not usual for us, but has happened before. "It could be because of the fixtures, I’m not sure. Usually I would say we could have done better, but I am not sure if we could have done better. "I don’t know exactly if we could have done better because I was not in the shooting boots." The mood of Sunderland manager David Moyes was very different, although this point did not lift them out of the bottom three. "I honestly thought the players raised the supporters by the way they got up to Liverpool, how they put them under pressure, how they pressed them," said Moyes. "Maybe if I was a German manager, you might praise that. If I'd been German you might praise me for doing something different. “I thought we did well. We stuck at it as much as we could and tried to make it hard for them.” (AFP)

Premier League: Klopp displays dark side after Sunderland draw

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City are being harshly treated by officials and admits he has taken time to adapt to the style of football in the Premier League.

Guardiola was in a tetchy mood despite City&#39;s 2-1 victory over Burnley on Monday as he vented his frustrations over the first half dismissal of Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho.

It was Fernandinho&#39;s third red card in six weeks and City&#39;s seventh in 30 games this season, but Guardiola reacted sarcastically to being questioned over whether his side had a disciplinary problem.

&quot;Yes, from the team with the most ball possession. Yeah, yeah, yeah,&quot; said Guardiola.&nbsp;

&quot;We had a lot of disciplinary problems. Now we expect what the FA decide.

&quot;We try to play football, don&#39;t forget it. My teams always in my career try to play football. I cannot control the other circumstances.&quot;

To compound Guardiola&#39;s bad mood, he felt that Burnley&#39;s goal from Ben Mee should have been disallowed for a foul on City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo as he issued another sarcastic reply to a question about Fernandinho&#39;s red card.

&quot;It is always our fault, it&#39;s always City&#39;s fault,&quot; he snapped. &quot;Yeah, yeah. I saw other games. All around the world, the Burnley goal on Claudio Bravo is a foul.&nbsp;

&quot;Here, and all around the world, the rules say the goalkeeper in the six yard box cannot be touched. He goes here and the striker does this (slaps his arm).&nbsp;

&quot;But I saw (Marteen) Stekelenburg Everton v Middlesbrough at the beginning of the season and it was the same, it was a goal.&nbsp;

&quot;Okay, so I have to adapt and I have to understand there are special rules here in England. Now I learn, so now we&#39;re going to play.

&quot;I saw the foul for Claudio Bravo, that was definite.&quot;

Sarcastic

Burnley manager Sean Dyche, whose side was undone by goals from Gael Clichy and substitute Sergio Aguero, believed that City should have finished the game with nine men after Bacary Sagna was booked for kicking out at George Boyd as the winger tried to retrieve the ball to speed up kick-off following the visitors&rsquo; goal.

&quot;It&#39;s a tough one but it&#39;s a sending off because he swipes out at Boydie,&quot; said Dyche.&nbsp;

&quot;He was trying to get the ball back and go to the centre circle.

&quot;The linesman was a long way from it and the referee was running back towards the centre so maybe the linesman saw enough to give a yellow but not enough to understand it&#39;s a kick out.&quot;

Fernandinho now faces a four-game suspension, starting with Friday&#39;s FA Cup visit to West Ham, and with German international Ilkay Gundogan ruled out by long-term injury, City are short on numbers in midfield.

The City manager also seemed dissatisfied with his own supporters at the start of the second half, gesturing for them to give his team increased support as they sought a badly-needed victory.

&quot;We need their support. These players deserve their support,&quot; said Guardiola.&nbsp;

&quot;We are going to try and play as best as possible but we need their support.&quot;

Earlier, however, the City manager had been even more sarcastic and confrontational in an interview with a BBC reporter when asked whether he thought Fernandinho had deserved his red card.

&quot;You&#39;re the journalist not me. Ask the referee not me,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&quot;We&#39;ll accept. The team with more ball possession, we have always sendings-off.

&quot;I have to understand the rules here in England. I know you are specialist and I have to understand that.&quot;

(AFP)

&nbsp;

He was in a tetchy mood despite City's 2-1 victory over Burnley on Monday

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City are being harshly treated by officials and admits he has taken time to adapt to the style of football in the Premier League. Guardiola was in a tetchy mood despite City's 2-1 victory over Burnley on Monday as he vented his frustrations over the first half dismissal of Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho. It was Fernandinho's third red card in six weeks and City's seventh in 30 games this season, but Guardiola reacted sarcastically to being questioned over whether his side had a disciplinary problem. "Yes, from the team with the most ball possession. Yeah, yeah, yeah," said Guardiola. "We had a lot of disciplinary problems. Now we expect what the FA decide. "We try to play football, don't forget it. My teams always in my career try to play football. I cannot control the other circumstances." To compound Guardiola's bad mood, he felt that Burnley's goal from Ben Mee should have been disallowed for a foul on City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo as he issued another sarcastic reply to a question about Fernandinho's red card. "It is always our fault, it's always City's fault," he snapped. "Yeah, yeah. I saw other games. All around the world, the Burnley goal on Claudio Bravo is a foul. "Here, and all around the world, the rules say the goalkeeper in the six yard box cannot be touched. He goes here and the striker does this (slaps his arm). "But I saw (Marteen) Stekelenburg Everton v Middlesbrough at the beginning of the season and it was the same, it was a goal. "Okay, so I have to adapt and I have to understand there are special rules here in England. Now I learn, so now we're going to play. "I saw the foul for Claudio Bravo, that was definite." Sarcastic Burnley manager Sean Dyche, whose side was undone by goals from Gael Clichy and substitute Sergio Aguero, believed that City should have finished the game with nine men after Bacary Sagna was booked for kicking out at George Boyd as the winger tried to retrieve the ball to speed up kick-off following the visitors’ goal. "It's a tough one but it's a sending off because he swipes out at Boydie," said Dyche. "He was trying to get the ball back and go to the centre circle. "The linesman was a long way from it and the referee was running back towards the centre so maybe the linesman saw enough to give a yellow but not enough to understand it's a kick out." Fernandinho now faces a four-game suspension, starting with Friday's FA Cup visit to West Ham, and with German international Ilkay Gundogan ruled out by long-term injury, City are short on numbers in midfield. The City manager also seemed dissatisfied with his own supporters at the start of the second half, gesturing for them to give his team increased support as they sought a badly-needed victory. "We need their support. These players deserve their support," said Guardiola. "We are going to try and play as best as possible but we need their support." Earlier, however, the City manager had been even more sarcastic and confrontational in an interview with a BBC reporter when asked whether he thought Fernandinho had deserved his red card. "You're the journalist not me. Ask the referee not me," he said. "We'll accept. The team with more ball possession, we have always sendings-off. "I have to understand the rules here in England. I know you are specialist and I have to understand that." (AFP)

Premier League: Guardiola fumes against 'harsh treatment' by officials

Oscar was given a hero's welcome as he touched down in China after completing his ?60million switch from Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG. The former Blues midfielder was greeted by hundreds of fans desperate to catch a glimpse of the Brazilian international

Oscar takes podium as the highest paid player

Arsenal&#39;s Olivier Giroud produced a piece of New Year&#39;s Day magic to keep Arsenal in sight of Premier League leaders Chelsea while Harry Kane&#39;s double bolstered Tottenham Hotspur&#39;s ambitions as London&#39;s triple assault on the title continues.

Frenchman Giroud connected with Alexis Sanchez&#39;s cross with a scorpion-like backheeled volley 17 minutes into his side&#39;s derby against Crystal Palace while Alex Iwobi made it 2-0 with a second-half header.

Arsenal had started the game outside the top four after Tottenham&#39;s 4-1 rout of a feeble Watford briefly lifted Mauricio Pochettino&#39;s side into third place in the table.

Kane scored Tottenham&#39;s first two goals, both from assists by right back Kieran Trippier, while Dele Alli made the points safe after some woeful Watford defending shortly before the break. Alli grabbed his second immediately after the interval.

At the halfway point of the season Chelsea, who on Saturday equalled Arsenal&#39;s 2001-02 record of 13 consecutive wins in the same Premier League campaign, have 49 points from 19 games.

Liverpool have 43 while Arsenal have 40, one more than Tottenham who are above Manchester City on goal difference. Manchester United complete the top six below which there is a yawning nine-point gap to seventh.

The Holiday fixtures continue thick-and-fast over the coming days with Chelsea aiming to set a new record of 14 consecutive wins when they visit in-form Tottenham on Wednesday.

Liverpool are at Sunderland on Monday when Manchester City host Burnley, while Arsenal are at Bournemouth on Tuesday.

Whatever happens in the weeks ahead though, few goals are likely to be replayed as much as Giroud&#39;s stunning opener.

Having played a neat flick early in a liquid Arsenal counter-attack, Giroud rumbled forward into the area. Sanchez&#39;s cross was not the best, falling a little behind the Frenchman, but he jack-knifed his body as he tumbled forward, connecting with his left heel.

The ball soared past diving Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey and bounced down and in off the underside of the crossbar.

&quot;I tried to take it on the back heel from behind me and I had some luck,&quot; said Giroud, who has struggled to earn a starting berth this season.

&quot;It was about luck, I didn&#39;t have good balance but it was a great feeling,&quot; added Giroud whose goal was similar to Henrikh Mkhitaryan&#39;s for Manchester United on Boxing Day but from further out.

&quot;It was nice for the me and the team and was my best one.&quot;

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger added: &quot;I have been a bit spoiled over the year by the exceptional quality of the players I&#39;ve had, but it will be remembered as an exceptional goal.

&quot;Olly is very good in front of goal, but I&#39;ve never seen this kind of goal from him.&quot;

Iwobi&#39;s header provoked a brief but largely ineffectual flurry from Palace and former England manager Sam Allardyce still awaits his first win since replacing Alan Pardew in the hot seat.

Palace remain two points above the bottom three.

Kane marked his 100th Premier League game with two clinical finishes to take his top-flight tally to 59.

He opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a cool finish having been played in by Trippier and then showed his poaching instinct to connect with the fullback&#39;s inviting cross.

Alli punished Younes Kaboul&#39;s weak clearance and made it 4-0 as Tottenham ran riot in the rain.

Kaboul scored injury-hit Watford&#39;s late consolation.

&quot;The first half was one of the best we&#39;ve played this season,&quot; said Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino whose side go into the Chelsea game buoyed by four successive wins.

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(Reuters)

Kane marked his 100th Premier League game with two clinical finishes to take his top-flight tally to 59

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud produced a piece of New Year's Day magic to keep Arsenal in sight of Premier League leaders Chelsea while Harry Kane's double bolstered Tottenham Hotspur's ambitions as London's triple assault on the title continues. Frenchman Giroud connected with Alexis Sanchez's cross with a scorpion-like backheeled volley 17 minutes into his side's derby against Crystal Palace while Alex Iwobi made it 2-0 with a second-half header. Arsenal had started the game outside the top four after Tottenham's 4-1 rout of a feeble Watford briefly lifted Mauricio Pochettino's side into third place in the table. Kane scored Tottenham's first two goals, both from assists by right back Kieran Trippier, while Dele Alli made the points safe after some woeful Watford defending shortly before the break. Alli grabbed his second immediately after the interval. At the halfway point of the season Chelsea, who on Saturday equalled Arsenal's 2001-02 record of 13 consecutive wins in the same Premier League campaign, have 49 points from 19 games. Liverpool have 43 while Arsenal have 40, one more than Tottenham who are above Manchester City on goal difference. Manchester United complete the top six below which there is a yawning nine-point gap to seventh. The Holiday fixtures continue thick-and-fast over the coming days with Chelsea aiming to set a new record of 14 consecutive wins when they visit in-form Tottenham on Wednesday. Liverpool are at Sunderland on Monday when Manchester City host Burnley, while Arsenal are at Bournemouth on Tuesday. Whatever happens in the weeks ahead though, few goals are likely to be replayed as much as Giroud's stunning opener. Having played a neat flick early in a liquid Arsenal counter-attack, Giroud rumbled forward into the area. Sanchez's cross was not the best, falling a little behind the Frenchman, but he jack-knifed his body as he tumbled forward, connecting with his left heel. The ball soared past diving Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey and bounced down and in off the underside of the crossbar. "I tried to take it on the back heel from behind me and I had some luck," said Giroud, who has struggled to earn a starting berth this season. "It was about luck, I didn't have good balance but it was a great feeling," added Giroud whose goal was similar to Henrikh Mkhitaryan's for Manchester United on Boxing Day but from further out. "It was nice for the me and the team and was my best one." Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger added: "I have been a bit spoiled over the year by the exceptional quality of the players I've had, but it will be remembered as an exceptional goal. "Olly is very good in front of goal, but I've never seen this kind of goal from him." Iwobi's header provoked a brief but largely ineffectual flurry from Palace and former England manager Sam Allardyce still awaits his first win since replacing Alan Pardew in the hot seat. Palace remain two points above the bottom three. Kane marked his 100th Premier League game with two clinical finishes to take his top-flight tally to 59. He opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a cool finish having been played in by Trippier and then showed his poaching instinct to connect with the fullback's inviting cross. Alli punished Younes Kaboul's weak clearance and made it 4-0 as Tottenham ran riot in the rain. Kaboul scored injury-hit Watford's late consolation. "The first half was one of the best we've played this season," said Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino whose side go into the Chelsea game buoyed by four successive wins. (Reuters)

Giroud gem inspires Arsenal, Kane hits double for Spurs

Pep Guardiola does not believe his first season as Manchester City manager should be classed as a failure if he cannot guide the team to Premier League glory.

Guardiola won the league in his first seasons at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but his City side lies 10 points below leaders Chelsea and in fifth place after Saturday&#39;s 1-0 loss at Liverpool.

He does not see winning the league as the be-all and end-all of City&#39;s season, however, and says he is relishing the new challenge of being the hunter rather than the hunted.

&quot;We have put a lot of stress about, &#39;Oh, if you don&#39;t win the Premier League, that is going to be not a good season&#39;,&quot; he told reporters after the New Year&#39;s Eve defeat at Anfield.

&quot;No, in that situation we&#39;re going to analyse what happened at the end of the season, what was good, what was bad. Now it&#39;s just focus on the next game against Burnley.

&quot;I was always on top, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. But OK, this is a new chapter in my career as a manager to handle that and I am willing to try it with these guys.&quot;

Chelsea has surged clear at the summit on the back of a 13-game winning streak, but Guardiola does not believe their points advantage is insurmountable.

&quot;I was one time nine points (behind) with Barcelona, against Real Madrid I think,&quot; said the Catalan, whose side host Burnley on Monday.

&quot;It was in February or in March and after we recover until (the gap was only) four (when Madrid won the league in 2012).

&quot;But the question is, are we able to take the gap to Chelsea? Now what we have to do is believe in the next game.&quot;

Jesus jets in

In contrast to his early experiences with Barcelona and Bayern, Guardiola is yet to have a transformative effect on City&#39;s fortunes.

City&#39;s style of play has evolved, reflecting the importance Guardiola places on dominating possession, but they have lost four times already in the league and have struggled defensively.

Jurgen Klopp, Guardiola&#39;s former Borussia Dortmund adversary, has had over a year to remould Liverpool and the City manager said it would take him time to achieve similar results.

&quot;I don&#39;t know, I&#39;m not able to say that,&quot; Guardiola replied when asked how long it will take for City to become his team.

&quot;Jurgen is here more than one season, one year. It&#39;s just five months for me. The way we want to play in this league is not that simple.

&quot;We need a little bit more time. But I&#39;m a guy who&#39;s so optimistic and we are going to try.&quot;

City&#39;s attempt to chase down Chelsea will be bolstered by the arrival of Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus following his &pound;27 million ($33 million, 32 million euros) transfer from Palmeiras.

The 19-year-old was due to arrive in Manchester this weekend and Guardiola expects him to make a swift impact.

&quot;He was three years without holidays, he&#39;s fit, he&#39;s young,&quot; said Guardiola.

&quot;It was just two or three weeks not training so I don&#39;t think we&#39;ll be (waiting) too much time (for him) to be fit.&quot;

(AFP)

He says he does not see winning the league as the be-all and end-all of City's season

Pep Guardiola does not believe his first season as Manchester City manager should be classed as a failure if he cannot guide the team to Premier League glory. Guardiola won the league in his first seasons at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but his City side lies 10 points below leaders Chelsea and in fifth place after Saturday's 1-0 loss at Liverpool. He does not see winning the league as the be-all and end-all of City's season, however, and says he is relishing the new challenge of being the hunter rather than the hunted. "We have put a lot of stress about, 'Oh, if you don't win the Premier League, that is going to be not a good season'," he told reporters after the New Year's Eve defeat at Anfield. "No, in that situation we're going to analyse what happened at the end of the season, what was good, what was bad. Now it's just focus on the next game against Burnley. "I was always on top, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. But OK, this is a new chapter in my career as a manager to handle that and I am willing to try it with these guys." Chelsea has surged clear at the summit on the back of a 13-game winning streak, but Guardiola does not believe their points advantage is insurmountable. "I was one time nine points (behind) with Barcelona, against Real Madrid I think," said the Catalan, whose side host Burnley on Monday. "It was in February or in March and after we recover until (the gap was only) four (when Madrid won the league in 2012). "But the question is, are we able to take the gap to Chelsea? Now what we have to do is believe in the next game." Jesus jets in In contrast to his early experiences with Barcelona and Bayern, Guardiola is yet to have a transformative effect on City's fortunes. City's style of play has evolved, reflecting the importance Guardiola places on dominating possession, but they have lost four times already in the league and have struggled defensively. Jurgen Klopp, Guardiola's former Borussia Dortmund adversary, has had over a year to remould Liverpool and the City manager said it would take him time to achieve similar results. "I don't know, I'm not able to say that," Guardiola replied when asked how long it will take for City to become his team. "Jurgen is here more than one season, one year. It's just five months for me. The way we want to play in this league is not that simple. "We need a little bit more time. But I'm a guy who's so optimistic and we are going to try." City's attempt to chase down Chelsea will be bolstered by the arrival of Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus following his £27 million ($33 million, 32 million euros) transfer from Palmeiras. The 19-year-old was due to arrive in Manchester this weekend and Guardiola expects him to make a swift impact. "He was three years without holidays, he's fit, he's young," said Guardiola. "It was just two or three weeks not training so I don't think we'll be (waiting) too much time (for him) to be fit." (AFP)

Pep: Not a failure if we don't win the league

England midfielder Ross Barkley headed a late leveller to salvage a 2-2 draw for Everton at Hull City in the Premier League on Friday.

Barkley headed the ball home in the 84th minute from left back Leighton Baines&#39; cross after Robert Snodgrass had put Hull ahead with a superb free kick into the top corner 19 minutes earlier.

Defender Michael Dawson had given Hull an early lead when he scored from Curtis Davies&#39; flicked pass in the sixth minute but an own goal by home keeper David Marshall at a corner gifted Everton an equaliser on the stroke of halftime.

Hull, who had lost five of their previous seven matches, climbed to second from bottom in the table with 13 points from 19 matches. Everton are seventh with 27 points, 19 shy of leaders Chelsea.

City manager Mike Phelan refused to criticise Marshall for his own goal.

&quot;Mistakes happen,&quot; said Phelan. &quot;In the second half he pulled off a couple of important saves.

&quot;I think it&#39;s a terrific point. We produced a battling performance and I&#39;m pleased with the players. We are in a battle for the rest of the season but we&#39;re up for it.&quot;

Everton manager Ronald Koeman praised his team&#39;s battling qualities.

&quot;I&#39;m really pleased with our performance,&quot; said the Dutchman. &quot;I wasn&#39;t happy with our slow start but we showed a really good attitude and reaction twice.

&quot;We played good football and created a lot of opportunities. We keep the momentum after the win against Leicester -- two away games and four points is good.&quot;

(Reuters)

Hull, who had lost five of their previous seven matches, climbed to second from bottom

England midfielder Ross Barkley headed a late leveller to salvage a 2-2 draw for Everton at Hull City in the Premier League on Friday. Barkley headed the ball home in the 84th minute from left back Leighton Baines' cross after Robert Snodgrass had put Hull ahead with a superb free kick into the top corner 19 minutes earlier. Defender Michael Dawson had given Hull an early lead when he scored from Curtis Davies' flicked pass in the sixth minute but an own goal by home keeper David Marshall at a corner gifted Everton an equaliser on the stroke of halftime. Hull, who had lost five of their previous seven matches, climbed to second from bottom in the table with 13 points from 19 matches. Everton are seventh with 27 points, 19 shy of leaders Chelsea. City manager Mike Phelan refused to criticise Marshall for his own goal. "Mistakes happen," said Phelan. "In the second half he pulled off a couple of important saves. "I think it's a terrific point. We produced a battling performance and I'm pleased with the players. We are in a battle for the rest of the season but we're up for it." Everton manager Ronald Koeman praised his team's battling qualities. "I'm really pleased with our performance," said the Dutchman. "I wasn't happy with our slow start but we showed a really good attitude and reaction twice. "We played good football and created a lot of opportunities. We keep the momentum after the win against Leicester -- two away games and four points is good." (Reuters)

Football: Everton's Barkley scores equaliser at Hull City

Jonathan Kodija converted a late penalty to earn Aston Villa a 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Thursday, maintaining his team&#39;s unbeaten home record in the Championship this season.

The Ivorian striker scored four minutes from time, after Leeds defender Liam Cooper handled, to cancel out the opening goal of the night by Pontus Jansson.

Fourth-placed Leeds climbed above Huddersfield Town on goal difference with 42 points from 24 matches while Villa rose one spot to ninth on 35. Brighton and Hove Albion lead the way on 51 ahead of Newcastle United on 49.

Swede Jansson broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when he slipped his marker at a corner and rose to head powerfully into the net.

The defender, on loan from Torino, almost struck again a minute later when he hit the bar with a half volley.

The draw ended a run of three straight wins for Garry Monk&#39;s Leeds and a sequence of five successive home victories for Steve Bruce&#39;s Villa.

(Reuters)

Fourth-placed Leeds climbed above Huddersfield Town on goal difference with 42 points from 24 matches

Jonathan Kodija converted a late penalty to earn Aston Villa a 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Thursday, maintaining his team's unbeaten home record in the Championship this season. The Ivorian striker scored four minutes from time, after Leeds defender Liam Cooper handled, to cancel out the opening goal of the night by Pontus Jansson. Fourth-placed Leeds climbed above Huddersfield Town on goal difference with 42 points from 24 matches while Villa rose one spot to ninth on 35. Brighton and Hove Albion lead the way on 51 ahead of Newcastle United on 49. Swede Jansson broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when he slipped his marker at a corner and rose to head powerfully into the net. The defender, on loan from Torino, almost struck again a minute later when he hit the bar with a half volley. The draw ended a run of three straight wins for Garry Monk's Leeds and a sequence of five successive home victories for Steve Bruce's Villa. (Reuters)

Football: Late Kodija penalty earns Aston Villa 1-1 draw against Leeds

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