News sport : Suspended LaRon Landry's latest photo won't help his reputation

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There have been a few LaRon Landry photos through the years in which you stop, stare and also have questions about how he got as big as he did.


Landry, the former Indianapolis Colts safety known for his massive physique, was suspended four games during last season for a performance-enhancing drugs. Then he was suspended 10 games in March, again for a PED violation.


And while he is an NFL free agent, suspended for a couple failed PED tests, Landry retweeted this photo that he was included in:



I can't post the responses to this tweet because they're not all family friendly, but go ahead and read them if you want to take in a few comments on how Landry got that big.


I suppose Landry can't put away the guns to take photos, but this one probably isn't going to dispel the reputation he has.


But if Landry can't find another NFL team, maybe he could get in on this ad campaign:



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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!






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News sport : Is this the strongest Final Four ever? Preview the games right here

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Grandstanding: A Yahoo Sports podcast

Subscribe via iTunes & Leave A Review


At long last, it's here: the Final Four, and oh, what a Final Four it is. Kentucky going for 40-0. Wisconsin hoping to win its first title in three generations. Duke looking to solidify itself as the greatest program of the last quarter-century. Michigan State eager, and able, to spoil everyone's dreams.



Before the games tip off in Indy on Saturday, we've got your thorough preview right here. We welcome Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo Sports' The Dagger blog to give us a run-down of the games, the coaches, and What It All Means to college basketball.



We start by asking if this is the best Final Four since 1991 (2:43 mark). We follow that with a breakdown of Kentucky-Wisconsin. Can anyone beat Kentucky? (5:13 mark) After that, it's over to Duke-Michigan State, the battle of Krzyzewski and Izzo (19:11 mark). We close off with a few big-picture questions, including which coach could mold five random players into a team the fastest (25:14 mark).



Thanks for listening to the Grandstanding podcast. Hit us up on Twitter (@kevinkaduk and @jaybusbee) Facebook (Kaduk here, Busbee here) or via the hashtag #grandstanding. See you next ep!


____

Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter.



And keep up with Jay over on Facebook, too.







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News sport : Nigel Hayes asks Frank Kaminsky a question during press conference

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INDIANAPOLIS — Nigel Hayes has become one of the breakout stars of this NCAA tournament, not only for his play but also for his entertaining press conference hi-jinks.


Now on the big stage of the Final Four, the Wisconsin forward was at it again on Friday morning. He called for the microphone during Frank Kaminsky's presser for winning the USBWA's Oscar Robertson Player of the Year award and identified himself as the "Badger Beats Writer, Intersquad Relations."


Here's the video of his question:



The Badgers, who attended their teammate's press conference en masse, weren't done there. Forward Sam Dekker went next, asking Kaminsky who his favorite teammate was (answer: "everyone").


An actual Wisconsin beat writer then asked a question, drawing boos from the team.


Hayes has made plenty of headlines the past few weeks for testing the knowledge of the NCAA stenographer and for making a funny slipup in front of a live mike. We'll see what else he has in store for the media corps during this weekend in Indy.


- - - - - - -


Kevin Kaduk is a writer for Yahoo Sports . Have a tip? Email him at kevinkaduk@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







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News sport : Archie Bradley gets his shot, following terrific spring

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Had things gone according to plan, Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Archie Bradley would have excelled last spring, flummoxing hitters, earning a spot in his team's early season rotation. He would now be entering his second year in the majors, an obvious breakout candidate.


[Yahoo Sports Fantasy Baseball: Sign up and join a league today!]


But things only rarely go according to plan with young pitchers. Bradley had a shaky spring in 2014 — perfectly allowable, given that he was only 21 — then he struggled at Triple-A Reno to open the year. He landed on the DL in late April, sidelined by a flexor strain in his pitching elbow, and ultimately finished his season with a not-so-appealing stat line: 4.45 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 5.3 BB/9.


Bradley had some nice moments in the Arizona Fall League, however, introducing a slider, rediscovering his mid-90s velocity. He entered spring training in 2015 still ranked among (though not atop) the game's best pitching prospects. Bradley has been excellent in six Cactus League appearances this time around, posting a 1.61 ERA and 1.16 WHIP.


On Wednesday, Archie one-hit the Reds over six innings.


On Thursday, Arizona dealt Trevor Cahill to Atlanta, opening a spot in the big league rotation.


Bradley is far from a can't-miss prospect (if such a thing exists), and walks have been an issue at every stop. No one should expect immediate dominance, or instant fantasy relevance. He'll be pitching in a hitter's park, backed by a sketchy lineup.


Still, this is the same guy who delivered a brilliant 2013 season across two levels (14-5, 1.84 ERA, 9.6 K/9), and he's enhanced the pitching arsenal. In fantasy leagues of unusual depth, Bradley is worth a speculative add — particularly if you can afford to take a bench-and-watch approach in April. This is a talented young pitcher coming off a tremendous spring. If you were interested last year, there's no reason you shouldn't invest today.






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Sterling should count himself lucky

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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers found himself again discussing Raheem Sterling’s future.


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As Brendan Rodgers sat down to have his say, it was easy to forget that Liverpool have a critical game against their top-four rivals Arsenal.


Instead, there was only one issue on the agenda, brought about by Raheem Sterling’s television interview 24 hours earlier.The interview in which he suddenly seemed happy to discuss that unsigned £100,000-a-week contract, assert he is a trophy-hunter rather than a money-grabber and, perhaps most alarming of all, admit he is flattered by interest from tomorrow’s opponents from north London.


Instead of talking about the race for a Champions League pot of gold, Rodgers found himself again discussing the subject of Sterling’s silver.The response seemed well prepared, a message of solidarity combined with a show of strength.


Sterling is going nowhere was the emphatic statement. And if there were any suggestion from the 20-year-old that Liverpool need to convince him they can match his ambition, the message from Rodgers was equally clear: count yourself lucky to be here.


‘Arsenal is a fantastic football club, of course, but this is Liverpool, one of the great clubs of the football world,’ said the Anfield boss ‘It’s an honour for Raheem to play here at a club like Liverpool in front of our great supporters and he understands that. He sees that.‘If Raheem has said his ambition is to win trophies and be successful, then it’s perfectly aligned with what we’re trying to do.’


There was a reminder to Sterling and his representatives that his stock has risen on the back of the work Liverpool have done with him and the faith Rodgers has placed in the player.He is, Rodgers remarked, not yet the finished article. Not yet of the same calibre as Luis Suarez who eventually got his move away from Merseyside.


‘Now, as a 20-year-old, no he’s not at that level,’ said Rodgers. ‘Raheem has been involved with the first team for two-and-a-half years and the player he is today — and he still has a lot of improvements to make — is because of the environment and what we’ve created here.


‘He’s still got learning and development to make on and off the pitch. We feel this is a great place for him. We’ll very much focus on trying to make him the best player we can.‘He’s a young player who has developed a lot and that’s because of one reason, which is Liverpool. So we’re quite relaxed on that and we’ll concentrate on his football, hopefully. ‘For us it’s really about continuing to nurture the development of a young player who has made huge strides and someone who we believe we still have a lot of input into his development to come so he can be consistently a player playing at the top of his game.’


There is a growing feeling that Sterling and his representatives are attempting to force Liverpool’s hand and orchestrate a move back to London, where Arsenal and Chelsea would welcome him home with open arms.


Certainly the mixed messages over the contract stalemate in recent months have been confusing. Is it about money? Is it about trophies? Is it about Sterling’s best position?


The latter, according to Rodgers, should not be an issue. Most important of all is that Sterling is a first-team regular getting the kind of opportunities that young players do not elsewhere.


The manager drew comparisons with Steven Gerrard. ‘Every player will have a position to play,’ he said. ‘I pick the best team and what is key for him — and I’m sure he understands — is that he’s getting the opportunity to play.


‘If you look through this league and in Europe, there aren’t many playing at 17, 18, 19 or 20.‘Every player will want to play but he only needs to look at Steven Gerrard in his time here. He played in a back three, as a wing back, right back, left back, central midfield, as a No 10.


‘It doesn’t bother me. I pick the best team and he will probably sit back, reflect and think he is playing, which not many young kids are.‘He’s a boy who genuinely loves his football. He’s played all over the field for me but he understands and respects the opportunity that he’s had to play all over the field. It’s been great for him and his career.’


There is little doubt that Sterling’s interview has been unhelpful in the extreme, but there remains a determination at Anfield to keep the player onside and head off a contract crisis.


To that end, Rodgers struck a conciliatory tone yesterday.‘We speak regularly with Raheem and I just see him work and work well,’ Rodgers said.‘He’s been injured and there is probably a bit of frustration there because he’s not been totally clear and he’s a boy who just loves to play, train and be on the field.


‘You have seen what can happen with players and representatives, but I can only speak openly and honestly with Raheem. He has made it clear he is happy and hopefully he can do his talking on the field.‘My concentration is on working with the player. He is a young man. He has had trauma in his life and he is a tough boy and you see that in how he plays, but he is still very young. He still needs guidance and help — that is pretty clear.’ – Daily Mail






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News sport : Who's the greatest tournament team in NCAA history?

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If Kentucky manages to win out and go 40-0 on the season, will the 2014-15 Wildcats join the conversation of greatest teams of all time? Maybe so. In the latest episode of our ongoing Grandstanding video series, Yahoo Sports' Jay Busbee and Kevin Kaduk kick around the greatest tournament teams in NCAA history. UCLA? Michigan? Kentucky? Duke? Michigan? We know all of these schools and more have a long legacy of outstanding teams, but which specific ones were the best? We've got our take right here.


Thanks for checking out the video. Let us know what you think! Hit us up on Twitter (@kevinkaduk and @jaybusbee) Facebook (Kaduk here, Busbee here) or via the hashtag #grandstanding. And find our Grandstanding podcast on iTunes right here.


____

Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter.



And keep up with Jay over on Facebook, too.







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News sport : Here's a sneak peek at Coastal Carolina's teal field (Photos)

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Installation of Coastal Carolina's teal field has begun and yes, it's really, really teal.



The school announced plans for the teal field in January and installation is about halfway done.


While the teal is striking, our first impression is that it's not as garish as Boise State's blue turf or Eastern Washington's red turf. Maybe it's because teal is the closest of the three to green? It honestly doesn't look like too much of a departure from the old Astroturf that dominated playing surfaces in the 1980s.


What do you think? We look forward to seeing the completed project.


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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







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News sport : Gronk throws out first pitch at Angels game and ... wow

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It's official, Rob Gronkowski can do it all.


The most dominant tight end ever is doing Gronk things all offseason (still a few months to go, too) after winning a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots. Thursday's stop was a Los Angeles Angels game, as they played an exhibition against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gronkowski was asked to throw out the first pitch.


You never know how these things will go. Gronk is a ridiculous athlete but I don't think anyone knew how well he could throw a baseball. He played football and basketball in high school. I don't think anyone figured he'd pull a 50 Cent or anything, but there was no telling if he could get it anywhere near the plate.



Hey now! Gronkowski threw one of the better first pitches you'll see, which just proves he's not of this Earth. The first pitch was caught by Angels outfielder Mike Trout, and it's rare that Gronk will be in a conversation and not be the best athlete in the group (but if you don't know Trout well, he's Willie Mays 2.0). Trout told Fox Sports West that Gronkowski told him he was going to spike the baseball, mimicking his touchdown celebration, but threw it instead and it "almost hit me in the face." Quite a heater Gronk has. The two sponsor the same sports drink and became fast friends in quite a collection of athletic ability.



Then, of course, Gronk just hung out with the Angels in the dugout during the game because who doesn't want to hang out with Gronk these days?



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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!






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Top four fight still a rat race - LVG

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The battle for Champions League places is still a "rat race", Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said.


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London - The battle for Champions League places is still a “rat race” with eight games of the Premier League season left, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said.


United have beaten Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in their last two games, producing their best form of the season to consolidate fourth place in the table, five points ahead of the chasing pack.


They host Aston Villa on Saturday and, with matches against the top three sides to come before the end of the season, United cannot afford to drop points against a side who are 16th in the table, three points clear of the relegation zone.


“The top four is still a rat race,” Van Gaal told a news conference.


“I said when we had 13 points from 11 games and we were getting a lot of criticism that we would see at the end of the season. We will still see at the end of the season. We still have the top three to play.”


Marouane Fellaini scored the winner for Belgium against Israel on Tuesday and has been an important player in United's recent resurgence following a difficult first season at Old Trafford.


“I didn't meet him until after we came back from pre-season in the United States,” Van Gaal said.


“From the first training session he has done everything I have asked. He has been very open to what I have said and he wants to perform. We can change the system but the way he is playing, I cannot change him,” Van Gaal added.


“He can give a lot of balance to the team.”


Defender Chris Smalling is doubtful after being substituted during England's friendly against Italy on Tuesday due to illness.


Dutch striker Robin van Persie is still injured but England full back Luke Shaw is back in the squad. – Reuters






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Neymar to testify in Barca fraud case

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Neymar is set to be called as a witness along with seven other people in the investigation into possible tax fraud by Barcelona.


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Brazilian star Neymar is set to be called as a witness along with seven other people in the investigation into possible tax fraud by Barcelona in relation to his transfer to the Camp Nou.


Radio station Cadena Ser announced on Friday that “according to legal sources, prosecutors will ask him to appear as a witness in the tax fraud case against Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the club and former president (Sandro) Rosell”.


According to the same sources, the Madrid court that deals with complex financial cases will accept the request.


Cadena Ser added that the request that Neymar appears in person before the court is justified by the fact that he personally signed nine of the 13 contracts being investigated.


The Catalan club and their former and current presidents are accused of hiding the real cost of the transfer that brought the Brazilian star, now 23, to Barcelona from Santos in 2013.


Prosecutors say Neymar cost “at least 83,371,000 euros” (£61.19m, $90.7m) and not the 57 million initially reported by Barcelona.


A trial could take place in the autumn and might only last a week, Cadena Ser added.


Prosecutors last month requested a prison sentence of two years and three months for Bartomeu and seven and a half years for his predecessor Rosell.


The Madrid court is also calling for a fine of 22.2 million euros ($24.1 million) against the club over the transfer deal.


Judge Pablo Ruz said various contracts produced “were designed to cover or hide the fact that in reality they represented a higher cost for Barcelona” in order to “avoid or significantly reduce the money paid to the tax authorities”.


The cost of the transfer rose steeply when Barca decided to bring forward an initial agreement signed in 2011 for the player to move in 2014 by a year as other clubs, including rivals Real Madrid, attempted to hijack the deal.


Rosell resigned over the scandal in January 2014 with his then vice-president Bartomeu taking charge.– AFP






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Chiefs are well prepared - Baxter

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Facing the daunting challenge of playing Raja Casablanca in Morocco, Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter is confident his side can do the business.


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Johannesburg – Facing the daunting challenge of playing their second leg CAF Champions league match against Raja Casablanca in Morocco on Sunday, Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter is confident his side can do the business.


The AmaKhosi went down 1-0 in the first leg at Moses Mabhida Stadium three weeks ago and were working hard to overturn their disadvantage.


“The team has worked hard in training and we are going to Morocco without any fear,” said Baxter.


“We are well prepared for the challenge and shall give everything to give our supporters the result they crave.”


The Premiership log leaders and favourites to win the league title, come off a shock Nedbank Cup exit at the hands of Black Leopards two weeks ago and would hope to put in a strong performance in the top-tier African competition.


Baxter, however, believed his side would be able to change their fortunes.


One concern for Soweto Giants would be the fitness of midfield playmaker Siphiwe Tshabalala. According to the Chiefs medical team the player would have to go through a late fitness test to prove his eligibility for the clash.


Fellow midfielder Ovidy Karuru did not make the trip with the team to Morocco as he was suffering with a hamstring problem.


Kaizer Chiefs marketing director Jessica Motaung was optimistic her players would make the entire nation proud.


“The players go with the hopes and wishes of everyone associated with the mighty Amakhosi. South Africa is right behind them in their quest to do us all proud,” said Motaung.


Raja, meanwhile, would have a number of players returning for the fixture in a bid to strengthen their side.


“All injured players from main squad of Raja Club were back to training on April 1st,” the club said on its website.


“(Abdelilah) Hafidi, (Zakaria) Al Hachimi, (Ahmed) Chagou, (Salaheddine) Aqqal and (Rachid) Slimani take their positions back in the Green team after having received the necessary treatments and the right time to be ready to play.”


The match kicks off at 8pm South African time at the Stade Mohammed V. – ANA






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Wenger fears for Walcott

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Arsene Wenger admits he is concerned Theo Walcott’s confidence is plummeting after his struggles with England.


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Arsene Wenger admits he is concerned Theo Walcott’s confidence is plummeting after his struggles with England.


The Arsenal manager will have a heart-to-heart chat with the forward ahead of tomorrow’s crunch top-four clash against Liverpool.


Walcott was hauled off after 55 minutes of England’s 1-1 draw in Italy on Tuesday night.


It was the latest disappointment in a difficult season for the 26-year-old, who has struggled for game time since returning from a long-term lay-off due to a serious knee injury.


With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out of the Liverpool game with a hamstring strain, and Danny Welbeck a major doubt after sustaining a knee injury on international duty, Walcott could well start tomorrow.


But Wenger said: ‘Yes, I’m worried about Theo’s confidence. He’s sensitive and I’m a bit concerned about the damage that game can have on his mind.


‘He’s not completely there yet (after the injury). But being exposed like that, people have a harsh judgment on him that is not deserved because he does well.


‘At the moment he is frustrated, but that is normal. I will speak with him, but I think he is strong enough.


‘I will see what state of mind he is in. We always have a word, if it is a positive experience or a negative experience, you ask, “How did it go?”. We always speak about the last game.


‘He is not fragile mentally, he is strong mentally but he is disappointed because when you come back from an injury you always think you are ready.


‘He needs patience. He is at the moment not in his best mood.


‘He has big confidence in himself and he has gone through some difficult periods in his life and he has always come out with strength.’


Walcott found himself playing in the No 10 role for England in Turin — a role he is not accustomed to.


And Wenger admitted he was surprised to see the pacy forward in such an unfamiliar position.


‘Have I ever seen him play No 10 in training or anything? No,’ said Wenger.


‘Theo’s strength is the quality of his movements, he wants to go to get on the end of things. He’s not a guy who provides.


‘I don’t think it was the intention of Roy Hodgson to play him there. It’s maybe because Wayne Rooney took the initiative during the game to play higher up and tell Theo to drop back.


‘I didn’t see Roy Hodgson in the game stand up to say, “Walcott, you come and play in midfield and Rooney you go up front”. That’s an initiative they took on the pitch.’


Meanwhile, Wenger insists there are fundamental flaws in FA chairman Greg Dyke’s proposal to increase the number of required homegrown players in Premier League squads to 12.


Dyke believes increasing the number of British players in squads will help contribute to a more successful England team.


But Wenger said: ‘I believe we are in a top-level competition and you earn your right through the quality of your performance rather than your place of birth.


‘Secondly, I’m happy to, and would like to contribute to the quality of the English national team, but you have two questions you can raise before that.


‘First of all between 1966 and 1996 there were no foreign players in England and it didn’t improve too much the performances of the national team.


‘Secondly, if between the ages of 16 and 21 the England youth teams win every single competition in Europe then there is something we have to do because they are not getting their chance at the top level.


‘That is not the case, on the contrary. I think between 16 and 21 the English youth teams, until now, have not performed. So that’s the heart of the problem.


‘Let’s get better at that level, then if there is a problem integrating these players in the top teams, we have to do something about it.


‘I think today you have to be very brave to integrate young players in the top teams because the pressure is very high. I still believe when they are good enough, they play.


‘You speak about Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane. Nobody stops the quality, no matter where they are from. So let’s focus on that first.’ – Daily Mail






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Wits can close gap on top three

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While the top three teams in the Premiership title race will not be in action this weekend, it presents the fourth-placed Wits a chance to keep the pressure on the contenders.


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Johannesburg – While the top three teams in the Premiership title race will not be in action this weekend, it presents the fourth-placed Wits a chance to keep the pressure on the contenders.


The mid-table clash between Wits and the seventh-placed Polokwane City at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday should provide ample insight as to how the two-and-a-half week break affected the teams. With a win, Wits could draw level on 43 points with Pirates in third place, but still behind on goal difference.


Mathematically, The Clever Boys still have a chance of winning the league. If they win their remaining matches, Wits can reach 61 points. One of those contests include welcoming Orlando Pirates to Bidvest Stadium, and a victory over the much-fancied Sea-Robbers could well determine which team finishes the season in third.


Realistically, Wits cannot entertain thoughts of winning the league as it would require an abysmal run of form from the table-topping Kaizer Chiefs and the second placed Mamelodi Sundowns.


For Roger de Sa’s Ajax Cape Town, a trip to Royal Bafokeng Stadium to take on Platiunum Stars could prove a difficult task on Saturday evening. Ajax were fifth on the table with 34 points, but trailed Wits by six points with just seven games remaining in the season.


Stars, meanwhile, were dangerously close to the relegation zone with 24 points from their 22 matches this season. The Rustenburg side were lying in 13th spot, just two points ahead of Free State Stars and Moroka Swallows. Stars famously finished second in the league in the 2012/2013 season under coach Cavin Johnson.


The mentor only just rejoined the side on Tuesday, after the club parted ways with Allan Freese. The return of Johnson could spark a change in fortune for the relegation-threatened outfit, but with little time to turn things around a positive result could prove tricky in his first fixture back in charge.


Johnson was not the only change in management for a Premiership club during the week, with both Moroka Swallows and Chippa United also making alterations to top management.


On Monday, news filtered in that Chippa United had suspended coach Ernst Middendorp pending an investigation, to leave the 12th-placed team on the Premiership log precariously poised with six games remaining in their season.


Mich D’Avray, Chippa’s technical director will take charge until the club finds a permanent replacement as coach.


Lastly, the Birds’ appointed Craig Rosslee at the helm, replacing Fani Madida who quit earlier in the season while Goodman Mazibuko took charge for one match in the interim.


In the early games on Saturday, AmaZulu host Free State Stars at Moses Mabhida Stadium and Maritzburg United welcome SuperSport United to Harry Gwala stadium.


On Sunday, Bloemfontein Celtic entertain University of Pretoria.


Fixtures


Saturday: AmaZulu v Free State Stars (Moses Mabhida Stadium), Maritzburg United v SuperSport United (Harry Gwala Stadium), Platinum Stars v Ajax Cape Town (Royal Bafokeng Stadium), Polokwane City v Bidvest Wits (Old Peter Mokaba Stadium).


Sunday fixture: Bloemfontein Celtic v University of Pretoria (Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium). – ANA






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Liverpool won’t sell Sterling

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Brendan Rodgers says Raheem Sterling is not for sale and will not be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.


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London - England forward Raheem Sterling is not for sale and will not be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season despite media speculation over his future, manager Brendan Rodgers said.


“I'm quite relaxed about it. It's part of the modern game. He has got two and a half years left on his contract and is going nowhere this summer,” Rodgers told reporters ahead of Saturday's Premier League match with Arsenal.


Sterling, in a non-permissioned interview with the BBC, denied on Wednesday he was a “money-grabbing 20-year-old” but said he was in no rush to sign a new contract.


The forward has been offered an eye-watering 100,000 pounds ($148,300) a week to sign a fresh deal, according to media reports.


Rodgers, who has had to deal with rumours about Sterling for most of the season, said Liverpool did not need to let the player go.


“If the club isn't going to sell, it won't sell - it's as simple as that,” he added.


“For us it's about continuing the nurturing and developing of a young player who has made huge strides in the last couple of years and for me that is the only thing to concentrate on over the remaining games until the end of the season.”


Rodgers confirmed a point made by Sterling in the BBC interview that a new contract would not be discussed until the end of the season at the earliest.


The manager also said the reported interest shown in the player by Arsenal did not detract from Liverpool's aspirations.


“His ambition is to win trophies and be successful and that's perfectly aligned with what we are trying to do,” explained Rodgers.


“Arsenal are a fantastic football club but this is Liverpool, one of the great clubs of the footballing world and it is an honour for Raheem to be playing here in front of our great supporters.


“But he understands that. He has developments to make on and off the field and this is a great place for him to be.”


It will be interesting to see what kind of reception he gets from Liverpool and Arsenal fans on Saturday. – Reuters






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Morocco’s Afcon ban overturned

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Morocco can play in 2017 and 2019 African Nations Cup qualifying after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld “in large part” an appeal against Confederation of African Football (CAF) sanctions.


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Berne, Switzerland - Morocco can play in 2017 and 2019 African Nations Cup qualifying after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld “in large part” an appeal against Confederation of African Football (CAF) sanctions.


“The suspension ... of the next two editions of the African Nations Cup ... is annulled and the fine imposed to the Royal Federation of Moroccan Football is reduced to $50,000,” CAS said in a statement on Thursday.


CAF had barred Morocco from the 2015 edition, after the country refused to host the competition citing Ebola virus fears, and suspended them from the 2017 and 2019 editions while also imposing a fine of $1 million.


CAS has not ruled on CAF's claim for eight million euros ($9.1 million) in damages to itself and television and marketing partners for having to move this year's finals to Equatorial Guinea at late notice.


“The question related to the compensation of the possible damage caused by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to the CAF may still be examined by another jurisdiction,” said the Swiss-based organisation based in Lausanne.


In January, CAF's executive committee found the federation financially liable for costs after Morocco had been officially stripped of hosting rights two months earlier.


Morocco appealed to CAS, sport's highest tribunal, and accused CAF of being against the development of the game in Africa by refusing them permission to participate in the 2017 and 2019 editions.


Thursday's announcement will be a blow to CAF president Issa Hayatou who took a hardline stance against the country's initial request to postpone this year's finals for several months because of the fight against Ebola in west Africa.


Last week Tunisia withdrew a CAS appeal against a similar sanction after CAF had threatened to ban the country from 2017 qualifying unless they apologised for accusing African football's governing body of bias.


As part of a compromise, Tunisia will be allowed to play in qualifying that starts in June.


Tunisia made the allegations after a controversial defeat to Equatorial Guinea in the Nations Cup quarter-finals in January.


The draw for 2017 qualifying will be made in Cairo next week. – Reuters






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