Relegation drama continues

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The musical chairs at the bottom of the Absa Premiership continued following AmaZulu’s goalless draw against Platinum Stars.

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The musical chairs at the bottom of the Absa Premiership continued as AmaZulu’s goalless draw against Platinum Stars in KwaMashu moved them back above Moroka Swallows.

The game with few clear-cut chances saw both sides deservedly share the points. AmaZulu’s point helped them leapfrog Swallows courtesy of a better goal difference – both stand on 24 points from 27 matches.

After Free State Stars won in an early game yesterday it looks unlikely that either Swallows or AmaZulu can avoid relegation altogether at the end of 30 games.

Chances are either would have to negotiate the play-offs to stay up, if they avoid automatic relegation.

Whatever happens in AmaZulu’s three remaining games, Durban is favoured to continue enjoying top-flight football next season. This after local side Lamontville Golden Arrows virtually confirmed their return to the top division with a 3-2 win at Thanda Royal Zulu in the First Division.

Arrows twice came from behind to edge the victory in Richard’s Bay to cement their lead at the top of the table with two rounds of games left to play. Goals from Mabhudi Khenyeza, Zukile Mkhize and Nkanyiso Cele cancelled out strikes from Thanda’s Junior Sekete and Mazwi Mncube in the KwaZulu-Natal derby.

The result took the Durban outfit to 15 wins and 56 points, the maximum number of points that second-placed Jomo Cosmos can reach if they win their last two matches.

That means Arrows need only a point from their two games, regardless of how Cosmos fare, to go back up after last season’s relegation.

Cosmos kept up the pressure on Abafana Bes’thende with a 5-0 thumping of Royal Eagles in another match in Durban yesterday. At worst Cosmos should finish second or third to ensure they qualify for the play-offs. Thanda are still in that play-off race as well.

AmaZulu were made to sweat for whatever little possession and goal chances that came their way in the first half against Platinum. Most of the target-shooting came from the visitors, and luckily for Usuthu, the shots were held well by goalie Energy Murambadoro.

Mogakolodi Ngele and Ndumiso Mabena tested Murambadoro, and the latter almost snuck in for a one on one situation with the goalkeeper. Luckily for AmaZulu defender Marc van Heerden slid in to cover for Mbulelo Mabizela and Sadate Ouro-Akoriko in the heart of the defence. - The Star



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Title race will be closer next season

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he expects a much-closer title race next season as his major rivals regroup.

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London – Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he expects a much-closer title race next season as his major rivals regroup.

Thirteen points clear at the top, victory over Crystal Palace will see Chelsea win their fourth Premier League title, but first for five

years.

And Mourinho believes it would be almost impossible for his side to dominate the league next season.

“At this moment, it’s very difficult in the Premier League for a team to be dominant,” he said.

“This is not Germany with Bayern (Munich). This is not Switzerland with Basel. This is not Scotland with Celtic.

“It’s even more difficult to dominate than before. How can you speak about domination when everyone knows what will happen next summer?

“Arsenal have a phenomenal squad. Thierry Henry said they need four top-class players. Give Arsenal four top-class players and I think they will again be the ‘Invincibles’.

“Man United have a phenomenal squad, including the most expensive player in the history of the Premier League (Angel Di Maria), who is not playing.

“They are a club where financial fair play doesn’t make a huge difference for them and they will invest hugely again in the summer.

“Man City have done phenomenally, winning two titles in three years, and people say they will invest hugely.

“Liverpool is fighting for the title for many years. So next year it will be even more difficult for everyone than this year.” – DPA-ANA



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Leicester boss rages at journo

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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson accused a journalist of being “an ostrich” during a peculiar tirade following his side's 3-1 Premier League loss at home to Chelsea.

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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson accused a journalist of being “an ostrich” during a peculiar tirade following his side's 3-1 Premier League loss at home to Chelsea.

Ian Baker, who was covering Wednesday's match at the King Power Stadium for AFP, asked Pearson to elaborate after he told his post-match press conference that his players had had to deal with “criticism and negativity”.

“Have you been on holiday for six months? Have you been away for six months?” responded Pearson, whose side are a point above the relegation zone with four matches of the season remaining.

“I think you must have either your head in the clouds, or been away on holiday, or reporting on a different team, because if you don't know the answer to that question...

“Your question is absolutely unbelievable, the fact you do not understand where I am coming from. If you don't know the answer to that question then I think you are an ostrich.

“Your head must be in the sand. Is your head in the sand? Are you flexible enough to get your head in the sand? My suspicion would be no. I can, you can't.”

Pearson, 51, also mockingly mimicked Baker's voice and described him as “daft” and “very stupid” before cutting the press conference short and leaving the room.

The incident created a stir on social media, while a YouTube video of Pearson's outburst had been watched 56,000 times by Thursday morning.

It is not the first time that Pearson, who steered Leicester to promotion from the Championship in 2014, has found himself in the headlines this season.

He was fined £10,000 ($15,470, 13,780 euros) and given a one-match touchline ban by the Football Association for swearing at a Leicester fan during a loss to Liverpool in December and also swore at a journalist last month.

In February he was involved in a curious touchline tussle with Crystal Palace's James McArthur that saw him playfully grab the midfielder by the neck and then prevent him from returning to the pitch by holding his shirt.

Baker maintained a sense of humour over the press conference incident, writing on Twitter: “If getting called an ostrich by Nigel Pearson is not a career highlight I don't know what is.” – AFP



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Birds coach in a race against time

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Just three matches into his tenure as Moroka Swallows coach and Craig Rosslee is already beginning to sound like a stuck record.

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Just three matches into his tenure as Moroka Swallows coach and Craig Rosslee is already beginning to sound like a stuck record.

The refrain “we should have had the maximum points” has become such a part of his post-match interviews that an uninformed observer would think he’s reading from a script.

And while he might be right, Rosslee would do well to sing from another sheet.

After all, what use is it to lament what could have been. A coach’s job is to ensure his team gets the job done, at all costs – and so far Rosslee is failing.

Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at the University of Pretoria should easily have been a win, Swallows dominating proceedings but lacking that killer instinct which has contributed directly to their looking set for relegation.

Yet there was Ross-lee, holding counsel with the media hounds on the pitch long after the final whistle had blown, waxing lyrical about his team’s “good, organised performance” and the fact his goalkeeper “never had to make a save”.

Well, it would all be grand had Sage Stephens stopped Atusaye Nyondo from cancelling out Vuyisile Wana’s strike.

But when you are in the throes of relegation, playing pretty counts for nothing, especially when it does not bring home the desired three points. And this was the case with the Birds at Tuks Stadium as it was nearly two weeks ago in Polokwane where they had the same result against SuperSport United.

Just as against Matsatsantsa, Swallows scored first on Tuesday but failed to defend their lead, or better still add to it, against a side that never really came to play. “It feels like a massive loss given our dire situation,” Rosslee said of the result “We should have been more like the Italians that when we go 1-0 up we don’t concede, especially a goal like the one we did.”

No use saying that after the match though, is it? A good coach would have explained such things to his players before the match. Now Swallows are left to hope for miracles although Rosslee seems to believe they still have their fate in their own hands.

With just three matches remaining in their campaign they better do that fast or prepare for life in the lower division. Tomorrow night they host a Maritzburg United outfit that was beating Ajax Cape Town 1-0 on Tuesday night as Swallows settled for a point at Tuks.

Thereafter there’s a duo of tough clashes against Ajax and Bloemfontein Celtic, making for a bleak outlook for Swallows’ future as one of only five ever-present teams in the elite league since the founding of the Premier Soccer League in 1996. - The Star



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Chelsea closing in on title

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Chelsea came from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1 and move to within one win of clinching the Premier League title.

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London - Chelsea came from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1 and move to within one win of clinching the Premier League title for the first time in five years.

Chelsea were labelled as “boring” by Arsenal fans during the 0-0 London derby on Sunday and they were below par against a Leicester side chasing a fifth successive league win to boost their chances of survival in the top flight.

Marc Albrighton fired Leicester ahead in first-half stoppage time but Didier Drogba equalised soon after the restart before late goals from John Terry and Ramires ensured Chelsea will seal the title with victory against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Chelsea have 80 points from 34 games with last season's champions Manchester City second on 67. Third-placed Arsenal also have 67 but they have played a game less.

Leicester remained 17th with 31 points from 34 games, one point ahead of 18th-placed Sunderland but Nigel Pearson's side have played a game more.

“I think maybe we are scared to win the league,” Drogba told Sky Sports. “Two wins and then we get the trophy but this one was difficult. We have to give credit to Leicester.

“In the second half we came back and we wanted to make sure the game against Crystal Palace is the one that gives us the league.

“We don't get enough credit. We are top of the league, we have the most points and people find us boring.”

Leicester kept things tight in the early stages but they were forced to make two quick substitutions because of injury, Matty James replacing midfielder Andy King and Ritchie De Laet coming on for defender Robert Huth.

The home side's rhythm was not disrupted, however, and left back Paul Konchesky forced Petr Cech into a smart save at his near post before Chelsea cleared their lines after a scramble in the box.

Leicester took the lead when Jamie Vardy crossed the ball into the box and Albrighton capitalised on Cesar Azpilicueta's slip to sidefoot past Cech.

But just as Leicester fans chanted “We are staying up”, Chelsea equalised when Drogba swept home Branislav Ivanovic's cross in the 48th minute to level the scores.

Chelsea were being well contained by Leicester but the visitors snatched the lead in the 79th minute when Gary Cahill headed Cesc Fabregas's corner towards goal and Terry was lurking at the back post to flick the ball past Kasper Schmeichel.

If Chelsea's second was a little fortunate, their third was anything but as Brazilian midfielder Ramires fired a left-foot shot home from the edge of the box to take the London side closer to the title. – Reuters



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Pirates hammer Supersport

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Orlando Pirates produced one of their finest performances of the season to dispatch SuperSport United in their Premiership match.

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Orlando – Orlando Pirates produced one of their finest performances of the season to dispatch SuperSport United 4-1 in their Premiership match at Orlando Stadium.

The Sea-Robbers went a goal down just after the quarter hour mark, but two minutes before the break equalised through Menzi Masuku before Kermit Erasmus added a second.

Trailing after leading for much of the first stanza, SuperSport had no answer for the scintillating play of Pirates in the second half with Masuka grabbing his brace and Sifiso Myeni putting the contest beyond doubt.

With the three points, Pirates move to 48 points and level with Mamelodi Sundowns but behind on goal difference.

The defensive frailty of the Buccaneers took centre stage in the opening stages as the visitors were gifted a goal. Thuso Phala took advantage of a lapse in the Pirates defence, where he was allowed to run into space in the box and slotted home the opener in the 16th minute for SuperSport.

While Pirates were guilty of poor defending early on, their strike force more than made up for their shortcomings as the game progressed.

Masuku pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 43rd minute. In a goal-mouth scuffle Masuku was on the end of a loose ball to head the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

Erasmus completed the first half turnaround for the Soweto giants in injury time. From a swift counter-attack, the cross drew out SuperSport keeper Ronwen Williams and Erasmus was able to win the ball and take a 2-1 lead for the home side.

Masuku scored a wonder goal in the 55th minute to secure his brace and grab a 3-1 lead for Pirates. From just inside his own half, the fiery 22-year-old went on a swerving, pacy run and reeled off a thunderbolt strike from long range as Williams was reduced to an awestruck spectator.

Pirates claimed a three goal advantage in the 62nd minute. SuperSport were caught a man short at the back from a Pirates counter-attack, with the final ball falling to Myeni who drilled the ball home for an emphatic 4-1 scoreline. – ANA



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Real keeps pressure on Barcelona

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Real Madrid kept alive their hopes of overhauling Barcelona when a James Rodriguez stunner set them on their way to a serene 3-0 home victory over struggling Almeria.

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Madrid - Real Madrid kept alive their hopes of overhauling La Liga leaders Barcelona when a James Rodriguez stunner set them on their way to a serene 3-0 home victory over struggling Almeria.

Barca, chasing a fifth Spanish league title in seven years, thrashed Getafe 6-0 at the Nou Camp and have a two-point advantage with four matches remaining.

Almeria held out against their illustrious opponents until the stroke of halftime at the Bernabeu when Rodriguez pounced on a loose ball and lashed a shot into the top corner from just outside the penalty area.

The European champions, depleted by injuries to forwards Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, doubled their lead four minutes after halftime when Mauro Dos Santos diverted the ball into his own net under pressure from La Liga top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese forward was unable to add to his tally and stayed on 39 for the season, one more than Barca's Lionel Messi who struck twice on Tuesday.

Full back Alvaro Arbeloa netted a rare goal to make it 3-0 five minutes from time, his third in 167 La Liga games for Real, when he turned the ball past goalkeeper Ruben Martinez from a Javier Hernandez centre.

“We are not sure that Barca will drop any points but we are certain that we can win our last four games,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference.

“Now we begin a very important phase of the season, when every game is the most important,” added the Italian, whose side face a tough trip to Sevilla in La Liga on Saturday and play at Juventus in their Champions League semi-final, first leg three days later.

Europa League holders Sevilla climbed above Valencia into fourth when Rodriguez's Colombia team mate Carlos Bacca struck twice in a 3-1 success at La Liga debutants Eibar.

Valencia can reclaim Spain's fourth Champions League berth, which carries a place in qualifying for Europe's elite club competition, if they avoid defeat at mid-table Rayo Vallecano on Thursday.

Malaga's hopes of catching sixth-placed Villarreal, who host champions Atletico Madrid later on Wednesday, and securing a place in the Europa League suffered a setback when they lost 1-0 at Celta Vigo. – Reuters



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Liverpool struggling to score

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Brendan Rodgers said his side lacked the killer instinct after drawing a blank for the second straight game.

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London - Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said his side lacked the killer instinct after drawing a blank for the second straight game in a 1-0 Premier League defeat at Hull City.

A Michael Dawson goal put the hosts ahead in the first half, as the central defender made the most of a terrible offside trap to head home a cross from the right.

Although Liverpool pushed forward in numbers as the match wore on they never looked like breaking down Hull's massed defensive ranks.

“We just lacked that killer instinct in the final third. We are disappointed with the goal,” Rodgers told the BBC.

“Apart from that we didn't have too many chances against us. It was poor defending from us. We didn't come out together and Dawson is onside.

“We were never enough of a threat. It's been a mark of the season really, in that final third we have struggled.”

Liverpool's troubles in front of goal have been endemic throughout the campaign following the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge's continuing injury woes that have kept him out for most of the season.

The club's inability to adequately replace Suarez in the close season and a recruitment policy that brought in a number of players who have failed to shine in their debut campaigns has been a recurring theme.

Mario Balotelli, who has come to represent the failings of Liverpool's close season transfer policy, was deployed as a lone striker at Hull before being replaced in the second half.

It was another ineffective game from the Italy forward, who never looked like adding to his solitary league goal this term.

The defeat left Liverpool fifth and seven points adrift of the top four and a Champions League qualification spot.

“I think that (the top four) is not the reality of it,” Rodgers added.

“Our fight is to perform better through to the end of the season. It was always going to be difficult for us. The opportunity was tough this year in terms of where we were at as a team.”

Rodgers is under pressure to prove in Liverpool's remaining four games that he can continue to take the club forward as he could find his role under scrutiny at the end of the campaign.

Liverpool host struggling Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. – Reuters



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Amazulu, Stars play to goalless draw

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Hosts AmaZulu and Platinum Stars played to a goalless draw in their Absa Premiership match at the Princess Magogo Stadium.

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KwaMashu - Hosts AmaZulu and Platinum Stars played to a goalless draw in their Absa Premiership match at the Princess Magogo Stadium, South of Durban, on Wednesday night.

Stars who have enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence since the reappointment of Cavin Johnson as coach are now unbeaten in their last four games.

Both teams started off tentatively in the early stages and a feature of the opening 20 minutes were the high number free-kicks conceded by either side, although only two yellow cards were required in the first half. Sifiso Hlanti (AmaZulu) and Rofhiwa Tshikovhi (Stars).

AmaZulu’s Bongani Ndulula had the first real scoring chance on the night but his parting shot went wide of the goals in the 25th minute.

Nine minutes later, Stars’ Ndumiso Mabena had a shot on target but AmaZulu defender Mbulelo Mabizela did well to block the attempt.

A minute ahead of the halftime break, Stars’ Siphiwe Sithole was blown up for a handball close to his penalty area. AmaZulu’s Marc Van Heerden struck the free-kick powerfully but his effort flew over the crossbar before the teams retreated to the change-rooms at the end of a goalless first half.

AmaZulu’s Bornwell Mwape found himself unmarked in a good position in the striking zone but he failed to make his effort count five minutes from the end.

ANA



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Late goal secures victory for Chiefs

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Bernard Parker snatched an injury time winner to help champions Kaizer Chiefs to a 1-0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns.

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Prestoria - Bernard Parker snatched an injury time winner to help champions Kaizer Chiefs to a 1-0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns in their Premiership clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium, on Wednesday evening.

In what seemed to be destined for a goalless draw, Parker showed the character of the title winning side as he chased down a cross in the Sundowns box and nudged home the goal in the 95th minute.

Before the regulation 90 minutes were up, the lowlight for Sundowns, it seemed at the time, was the sending off of Siyanda Zwane. The player received his second yellow card for a foul and the referee gave Zwane his marching orders.

With the win, Chiefs move to 66 points – to reach the highest points tally in a 16-team premiership season, beating the record 65-point haul of Sundowns last season.

Sundowns, meanwhile, were joined by Pirates on 48 points, but were still ahead of the Soweto side on goal difference with a game in hand.

The first half was witness to a lack of intent from Chiefs and similar levels of creativity on attack from the hosts. The approach meant the 25 000 plus crowd had to be content with a smattering of real goal scoring chances in the first 45 minutes.

In the 28th minute, Mzikayise Mashaba barged his way into the Chiefs box and reeled off a left-footed strike, but Reyaad Pieterse was untroubled as he made a comfortable save.

Matthew Rusike had the chance to open the scoring in the 42nd minute. Bernard Parker sent a cross into the box from a corner and Rusike’s header was directed just wide of goal.

Katlego Mashego for Sundowns attempted to curl in a shot from just inside the box, but was off slightly with his strike as the ball rocketed out for a goal kick moments before the interval.

A 51st minute free kick from Teko Modise saw the shot falling to Hlompho Kekana, but the Sundowns player was not able to get his shot away before the block came in from a Chiefs defender.

In the 56th minute, Sundowns were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the box. Modise hovered next to the ball, the shot came in from Mashego but his effort was drilled into the Chiefs wall and the ball went out for a corner.

Minutes later, Chiefs had a free kick in a similar position just outside the Sundowns box. Parker stepped up to deliver the shot but his attempt curled wide of goal.

Modise had another chance for a goal in the 76th minute. The free kick specialist made a menacing run towards the box and soon had the Chiefs defence back-pedalling, but his strike did not match his promising movement towards goal as he lofted the ball harmlessly into the crowd.

Ultimately, it would be Parker who would have the final say which rubbed salt into the wounds of a disappointed Sundowns.

ANA



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Free State Stars grab crucial win over Wits

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A ten-man Free State Stars side beat Wits 1-0 in their Premiership clash at Goble Park, in Bethlehem.

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Bethlehem – A ten-man Free State Stars side beat Wits 1-0 in their Premiership clash at Goble Park, in Bethlehem, on Wednesday evening.

The relegation-threatened Stars had their captain Paulus Masehe sent off with second half in its infancy, but the hosts were still able to grab a winner through a Makhehlene Makhaula strike in the 74th minute.

The Free State outfit were able to hang on until the final whistle and collect all three points on offer.

With the timely victory, Stars move to 31 points – eight points clear of bottom-placed Moroka Swallows.

Earlier, Thulani Hlatshwayo had a chance to open the scoring inside the first five minutes, but his attempt did not trouble Daouda Diakite in the Stars goal.

Minutes later Wits were on the charge again with the shot coming in from midfielder Sandile Zuke, but Diakite had the strike covered.

Stars worked their way into the game and in the 12th minute put together a promising corner. Hendrik Somaeb sent the ball into the box and was met by Robert Sankara whose header went over the crossbar.

Zuke had another chance for Wits just after the quarter hour mark. From a free kick Zuke had a go at goal but again Diakite made the save.

Henry Botes made his presence felt for Wits with a shot in the 20th minute, but could not find a way past the Stars keeper.

Next to try his luck for Wits was Buhle Mkhwanazi, but like his teammates sent the ball into the arms of a grateful Diakite.

Just before 30 minutes were up, Wits produced yet another chance. From a free kick by Zuke, Thulani Hlatshwayo was able to meet the cross but his shot was just wide of the right-hand post.

The telling blow of the evening came just after the interval in the form of a red card. Masehe fouled Zuke, and the referee felt the offence was serious enough to give the player his marching orders and reduce the hosts to 10 men for the remainder of the clash.

Botes troubled the Stars defence again on the hour mark, but like his earlier effort Diakite stood firm.

Ultimately, Stars would have the final say as they collected a hard-fought win.

ANA



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Real, Atletico face transfer bans

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Spanish giants Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid could be banned from registering new players for a year for irregularities in the signing of minors.

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Spanish giants Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid could be banned from registering new players for a year for irregularities in the signing of minors, Spanish radio station Cadena SER reported.

Barcelona are currently banned from registering players after they were handed the same ban for similar reasons a year ago.

The Catalan giants unsuccessfully appealed that ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), however, the appeal did delay the application of the ban until January which allowed them to sign seven players, including Luis Suarez last summer.

The same route of appeal would be open to both last season's Champions League finalists.

“We are not in a position to comment on any proceedings that are ongoing. No further information can be provided for the time-being,” said a Fifa spokesperson when contacted by AFP.

Real Madrid confirmed in January that Fifa had asked for information pertaining to 51 players in their youth system.

Cadena SER also reported that Madrid's unusually busy January transfer window had been carried out with one eye on a possible ban.

The European champions signed Norwegian prodigy Martin Odegaard, 19-year-old Marco Asensio from Mallorca and Brazilian under-21 international Lucas Silva in January.

Moreover, the club have announced that Porto right-back Danilo will join Madrid in the summer for a fee of 31.5 million euros ($34.2 million, £23 million).

Under Fifa rules the signing of foreign players under the age of 18 is not permitted apart from in three exceptions.

Firstly, that the parents of the player relocate to the country for non-football reasons, that the player is aged between 16 and 18 and the transfer takes place within the European Union or European Economic Area, or that the player lives no further than 100 kilometres from the club's headquarters. – AFP



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Perfect Dortmund send off for Klopp?

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Borussia Dortmund plan to send off coach Jurgen Klopp with the German Cup title he desired after they reached next month's final.

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Borussia Dortmund plan to send off coach Jurgen Klopp with the German Cup title he has wished for after they reached next month's final by shocking holders Bayern Munich.

Dortmund will play either VfL Wolfsburg or third-division giant-killers Arminia Bielefeld, at Berlin's Olympic Stadium on May 30.

Borussia knocked out Bayern with a 2-0 win in the penalty shoot-out after Tuesday's semi-final finished 1-1 after extra-time in Munich.

The Berlin final will be Klopp's final appearance as Dortmund's head coach after seven successful years.

They won the 2011 and 2012 league titles, before finishing runners-up to Bayern for the last two years, and reached the 2013 Champions League final.

It will be the third time in four years that Dortmund have reached the cup final under Klopp having routed Bayern 5-2 in the 2012 final before losing 2-0 to the Bavarians last year after extra-time.

“We want to bring the cup back to Dortmund,” said Klopp, after Bayern missed all four of their spot-kicks in the Munich shoot-out.

“I wanted to go back to Berlin again, it's something I had been thinking about, but you don't need to talk about me at the moment.”

When he announced he was leaving a fortnight ago, Klopp said he wanted one last title and another trip on an open-air bus along the Borsigplatz in Dortmund's city centre to celebrate with their fans.

“That would be a wonderful, but deserved send-off,” said Dortmund's director of sport Michael Zorc in the direction of his coach.

While the Dortmund squad sported “Berlin, here we come” T-shirts after their Allianz Arena triumph, Klopp singled out Borussia's Australia goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak for praise.

“In games like that you need big moments and an exceptional performance in goal. He was superb,” said Klopp, as Lagerak stepped in to replace injured first-choice Roman Weidenfeller.

The 26-year-old Socceroo was described by Dortmund's veteran midfielder Sebastian Kehl as “our hero”.

“Who would have thought last December that we'd reach the final,” added Kehl after Dortmund finished 2014 in the Bundesliga's relegation places and dropped to bottom in February after a dire series of results.

With four games left, the 2013 Champions League finalists could finish in the German league's top six to qualify for the Europa League next season.

They have four league games before the Berlin final against at Hoffenheim, who are also challenging for Europe, mid-table Hertha Berlin, second-placed VfL Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen.

“We have grown up a bit, but now we have to keep the tension in our game,” said Dortmund's Germany winger Marco Reus.– AFP



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Downs playing for pride

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Although Kaizer Chiefs have already won the PSL title, their clash with Mamelodi Sundowns will not be devoid of the usual fireworks.

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Although Kaizer Chiefs have already annexed the Absa Premiership title, their top of the table clash with nemesis Mamelodi Sundowns will not be devoid of the usual fireworks.

For a side that has won the league, there will be no need for Stuart Baxter and his men to go beyond the call of duty to win the battle at the Lucas Moripe Stadium tonight. However there’s pride to preserve for Amakhosi. Their opponents are also bracing themselves for a tough time. Downs skipper Alje Schut and playmaker Khama Billiat believe Ama-khosi will remain dangerous even though they have nothing to lose.

“It’s a big game. They want to show that they are the champions. We want to play for our pride and honour. No, never. They aren’t going take their foot off the gas. Even Baxter said they musn’t celebrate because they still have a few points to get. They want to set a record so I don’t believe that. When you play Chiefs, there’s always a lot of pride involved and bragging rights, I think they will come all out,” said Schut.

Schut’s teammate Billiat, who is excepted to torment Chiefs’ rearguard tonight, says Pitso Mosimane’s men will give of their best to preserve their dented dignity and take the bragging rights in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

“It still remains a big game even though we lost the league. Now we are playing for our pride and integrity. We play for our supporters. We have to give it our best shot as we always do,” said Billiat.

Winning tonight’s clash will do more for Sundowns’ bruised egos especially after a challenging season. Sundowns didn’t fare well in many of the competitions they were involved in except for the Nedbank Cup. Among their disappointments, the failure to defend their title did most harm. Schut, who is leaving Sundowns at the end of the season, says letting the league slip away didn’t augur well for them. - The Star



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Liverpool squandered Suarez cash

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Liverpool's half-baked transfer dealings have come back to bite them with Brendan Rodgers saying his side lacks quality.

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London - Liverpool's half-baked pre-season transfer dealings have come back to bite them with Brendan Rodgers admitting his side have lacked the quality to finish in the Premier League's top four.

Monday's tepid 1-0 defeat by relegation-threatened Hull City left Liverpool in fifth place and all but ended their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

That represents a sharp decline from last season when the goals of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge propelled the club to within a whisker of a a first English league title since 1991.

Rodgers was powerless to stop Uruguayan Suarez joining Barcelona for 75 million pounds and has been unlucky to be deprived of Sturridge through injury, but the manager must take some of the blame for failing to invest his sizeable war chest on players capable of taking the club forward.

“We have to look to improve the squad again which every big club will do,” a deflated Rodgers said after the Hull defeat.

“For fans and players it's great to get those marquee players - and there are maybe one or two we need.”

Supporters are asking why those marquee signings did not arrive last summer when Liverpool could have built on the momentum they established last season.

Chile's Alexis Sanchez was on Liverpool's radar but moved to Arsenal. Instead Rodgers splashed out 50 million pounds on Southampton trio Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren.

Midfielder Lallana has impressed after recovering from a knee injury but striker Lambert and defender Lovren have looked out of their depth.

Mario Balotelli joined from Milan for 16 million pounds but the Italy striker has shown only fleeting glimpses of his best form, registering more yellow cards (seven) than goals (four).

Left back Alberto Moreno, signed from Sevilla, has probably been Rodgers's best business but the jury is still out on Emre Can and Lazar Markovic.

Captain Steven Gerrard's departure to the MLS will create another hole in the Liverpool squad, while England forward Raheem Sterling's reluctance to sign a new contract is a headache for Rodgers who faces a major re-building job.

The most damning statistic this season has been Liverpool's lack of firepower. Suarez and Sturridge scored 53 league goals between them last season as Liverpool notched up 101.

With four games left they have managed a paltry 47.

No wonder Rodgers is on the lookout for strikers with PSV Eindhoven's Memphis Depay top of the list of players being linked with a move to Anfield.

“The kid is obviously a very talented player,” Rodgers said. “It is clear we need a goal threat for next season.” – Reuters



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