Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has named his team for the Cosafa Cup clash with Botswana on Sunday.
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JOHANNESBURG – Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba has named the team to face Botswana in the Cosafa Cup quarter-final encounter at Moruleng Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 5.30pm).
The squad will be captained by goalkeeper Jakson Mabokgwane.
Starting XI: Jakson Mabokgwane (c), Siyabonga Nhlapho, Kwanda Mngonyama, Clayton Daniels, Marc Van Heerden, Carl Lark, Thamsanqa Sangweni, Thapelo Morena, Tlou Segolela, Gift Motupa, Phumelele Bhengu
Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has accused the La Liga club of freezing him out by dropping him from the team after talks on a contract extension broke down.
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Madrid - Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has accused the La Liga club of freezing him out by dropping him from the team after talks on a contract extension broke down even though he was fit to play.
Germany international Khedira, who joined Real from VfB Stuttgart in 2010, will leave Real for free at the end of the season, with Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as Juventus, reportedly keen to sign him.
The 28-year-old has barely featured since the turn of the year, with Real citing a series of minor injuries as the reason for his absence, but Khedira told sports daily Marca the club had decided he was no longer wanted.
“I did have a small injury, a pain in my right heel, but that wasn't why I wasn't playing,” Khedira said in an interview published in Saturday's edition of the newspaper.
“It wasn't a complicated injury, I was able to play,” he added.
“I've always felt that I've had the coach's backing, but the message indirectly came through to me that I was no longer needed, I was frozen out and wouldn't have a chance to continue playing.
“It's not the end that I wanted. It hurts that I'm accused of a lack of professionalism because I've always put the team ahead of myself. I've always gone with the truth.”
Khedira is not in the squad for Real's final La Liga match of the season at home to Getafe later on Saturday.
“Nobody from the club said anything to me directly,” he told Marca. “It's all feelings, incidents and comments saying I wouldn't play any more. But nobody approached me.
“What has happened this season has hurt me to the bottom of my soul.”
Khedira posted a farewell message on his Instagram account on Saturday after his final visit to Real's Valdebebas training ground.
“Valdebebas for the last time,” he wrote. “I am moving on but I will surely miss my club Real, all of its staff and my unbelievable team mates! Guys, it was one heck of a ride!!!”
Real will end the campaign without a major trophy after failing to defend their Champions League crown and trailing Barcelona who wrapped up the La Liga title last weekend.
Carlo Ancelotti's side were knocked out in the last 16 of the King's Cup by Atletico Madrid in January. – Reuters
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Manchester City are overwhelming favourites to sign Raheem Sterling and will bid for the Liverpool forward when the transfer window opens.
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Manchester City are overwhelming favourites to sign Raheem Sterling and will bid for the Liverpool forward when the transfer window opens.
Though Brendan Rodgers insisted he still expects Sterling to honour the two years he has left on his contract, City are in pole position — ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal — to sign him as they reshape their squad.
Sterling’s future on Merseyside is becoming increasingly unstable. His agent, Aidy Ward, gave an interview to the London Evening Standard in which he said his client would not sign a new deal ‘for 900,000 per week’.
Liverpool then cancelled a scheduled meeting between Ward, Rodgers and chief executive Ian Ayre, as they felt there was little point going through with a summit when Ward had made his position clear.
Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s owners, will not be bullied. Rodgers said: ‘The ownership have shown strength in their time here. They have done an incredible job to stabilise the club. In this situation, they will show that strength and power to the club. The simple fact is Raheem has two years left on his contract.’
City, however, have moved into a position where they will look to strike for the £45million-rated England international and Manuel Pellegrini did not try to play down the prospect of Sterling arriving at the Etihad this summer, where he could expect to be paid £120,000 per week.
Arsenal would like to take Sterling, probably more so than Chelsea, but it is doubtful they could compete with City’s financial muscle — a transfer fee and wages over five years would take the package beyond £80million.
Pellegrini said: ‘I don’t know what happens with Sterling. There are a lot of very important players that maybe all the teams are wanting. We finish the season tomorrow. After that we’ll see what we need and which players can come here.
‘There won’t be major surgery because I don’t think we need it. We will try every year to have a stronger squad, not because we lost the title this year but because it’s important to make changes every year.’
Sterling was booed by some Liverpool fans when he attended the club’s end of season awards.
When Rodgers was confronted with a similar situation with Luis Suarez, he made the Uruguay striker train on his own but he says this issue is more complex and urged Liverpool’s fans not to turn on Sterling.
Rodgers said: ‘With Raheem, especially with him being such a young player, my duty will always be to protect, support and guide him. There will always be opinions but I see him every day and I will deal with it accordingly. There’s no doubt these type of things can affect players but what I know of Raheem is that he’s a strong boy who is continuing to work hard.
‘My message to the supporters would be: “This is a young boy who in my time as manager has given the club everything. He was thrust into the team at 17. He was given that opportunity and he grabbed it.’
Rodgers, though, would not comment on the decision to cancel the meeting with Ward, saying: ‘Whether there are talks or no talks, he has two years left and I expect him to be here.’
This has been a testing year for Rodgers and Liverpool, who are closing in on a deal for Burnley’s Danny Ings. Rodgers faces talks with FSG’s head of football Mike Gordon over the club’s performance but he does not think his job is under threat.
Asked whether he felt reassured FSG would stick by him, he replied: ‘Yeah, 150 per cent.’ Rodgers added: ‘The owners have had great success in terms of how they want to work. Everyone here has that belief in what they’ve brought to the club.’ – Daily Mail
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Brendan Rodgers has urged Liverpool fans not to turn on Raheem Sterling in the last game of the season at Stoke City.
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Brendan Rodgers has urged Liverpool fans not to turn on Raheem Sterling in the last game of the season at Stoke City after a turbulent week at the club regarding the player's future.
The Liverpool manager repeated his pledge Sterling would not be sold, after a meeting with the player and his agent, Aidy Ward, was cancelled yesterday in light of comments the latter made to the London Evening Standard. Rodgers said he expected Sterling “to see that two years through [on his existing contract] and continue to behave as immaculately as he has done”.
However, it is expected that the clubs with an interest in Sterling will explore further the possibility of signing him after the end of the season tomorrow. Manchester United have already made one speculative inquiry about the player and there is interest from Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and a range of European clubs.
In the meantime, Rodgers urged the club's supporters to remember what Sterling has done for the club over the last two years and try to separate his contributions on the pitch from his current contract wrangles. Rodgers said: “My message to the supporters would be, look, this is a young boy who in my time as manager has given the football club everything.
“He was thrust into the team at 17 years of age. He was given that opportunity and he grabbed that opportunity. In the following period he has been exceptional for me. Of course, he has had dips in form and performances but only because his standards are so high. He's a young man who has obviously passed on his career to other people and, unfortunately, whether people perceive it as right or wrong, he is being led by the representative.
“The young boy I see on a daily basis and who I work with is still the same boy who wants to learn, and I think the supporters will just continue to show what they always do, which is wonderful support for every player in the Liverpool shirt. It is hard and it has been a difficult season for the supporters this season, we all appreciate that, but give us that great support for the last game against Stoke and let's see if we can finish the season on a high. We will then go away, reflect on the whole season and will come back strong next year.”
Rodgers said that Sterling was still under consideration to be selected for tomorrow's last game of the season at the Britannia Stadium. “I think with Raheem, his character is unquestioned. He is a really strong boy mentally but he's also a human being as well and a very young one at that. There's no doubt these type of things can affect players but what I know of Raheem is that he's a strong boy who is continuing to work hard. It hasn't affected him in training but I will always gauge that up until the very last minute.”
Rodgers said that he had the support of John W Henry, the club's American owner and his Fenway Sports Group. He added that it was not just Liverpool who had come under pressure to sell their best players in the past. Tomorrow's game will be the 710th and last for Steven Gerrard before he joins the Los Angeles Galaxy.
“I think the way the market is now, it doesn't matter whether it's Liverpool or at other clubs, people will want to move on. You can be one of the biggest clubs in the world but that doesn't stop people wanting to look elsewhere, if that is the case. You don't just see it at Liverpool, you see it at a number of the top clubs.
“It's just the way of the world now. That's why Stevie and guys like that are held in such esteem because it is very rare now to have that loyalty to a club. The game is different now and you have to manage that as best as you possibly can. You have to do everything you can, whether financially or having a plan going forward, and if the player still wants to leave then you have to deal with that as best you can and keep the club going forward.” – The Independent
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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is confident goalkeeper David De Gea will stay at Old Trafford despite reported interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
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London - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is confident goalkeeper David De Gea will stay at Old Trafford despite reported interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The 24-year-old De Gea, who is seen as the perfect replacement for the ageing Iker Cassillas at the Bernabeu, has enjoyed a fine season and won the club's player of the year award on Wednesday.
Speaking ahead of United's final game of the season against Hull City on Sunday, Van Gaal said De Gea, who suffered a hamstring injury in the draw against Arsenal last weekend, has not packed his bags just yet.
“I believe still that David De Gea will stay,” Van Gaal told a news conference on Friday. “I want to play him in the match against Hull City because I have to put my strongest team.
“David has trained today for the first time. He still has a problem so we have to wait and see.
“I have spoken to some players this week. You have to wait and see how these talks develop in terms of players staying or going.”
Hull must beat Van Gaal's side on Sunday and also hope 17th-placed Newcastle United fail to defeat West Ham United to avoid relegation to the Championship.
Hull boss Steve Bruce spent nine years as a player at Old Trafford but Van Gaal, who will be able to recall captain Wayne Rooney after injury, said it was important United do not go easy on their former employee.
“It's the same approach as ever. We need to defend our image as Manchester United and we are ending in fourth position, so we have to give our utmost best,” the Dutchman said.
“I have to put my strongest team because we have to give everything for all the other Premier League clubs, and especially of course Newcastle United.
“We have taken six points off Newcastle United and we have to take six points off Hull City, I think. I have said to the players in spite of him (Bruce) being a Manchester United guy, we have to do what everybody is expecting from us.” – Reuters
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Rafa Benitez is poised for a sensational return to the Bernabeu with Real Madrid expected to sack Carlo Ancelotti.
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Rafa Benitez is poised for a sensational return to the Bernabeu with Real Madrid expected to sack Carlo Ancelotti tomorrow and appoint the former Liverpool boss next week.
Benitez, 55, currently at Napoli, had been close to a £6million-a-year, two-season deal to take over at West Ham but will now rejoin the club he served as a youth player and coach more than 20 years ago.
‘I am not inside his head but think he would be truly happy to manage Real Madrid one day,’ said Benitez’s agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon.
Benitez could enter a hostile dressing room with several players unhappy that today’s home game with Getafe looks like being Ancelotti’s last.
The Italian had still to be informed of Madrid’s decision last night but Real president Florentino Perez is determined to shake up a team that failed to win a trophy this season.
Supporters also seem unconvinced, with only seven per cent of 30,000 polled by Spanish newspaper Marca favouring his appointment. Jurgen Klopp, the Borussia Dortmund coach, was the people’s choice but he speaks no Spanish and is seen as a maverick by Real’s board.
Instead, Benitez will become the 11th coach of Perez’s reign. Benitez is close to Perez and his right-hand man, Jose Angel Sanchez. The club want him to improve fitness levels after blaming Ancelotti for a spate of muscle injuries that ruined the second half of Madrid’s season.
Paul Clement, Ancelotti’s English assistant, has already agreed to go and is waiting on the outcome of Steve McClaren’s dispute with Derby before taking over at Pride Park.
Benitez’s arrival should be good news for record signing Gareth Bale. Benitez speaks English, favours the fast direct football that suits Bale and part of his remit will be to coax the best from the Welshman.
A playing career that took him as far as Real Madrid’s C-team only to be cut short by a knee injury at the age of 20 saw Benitez switch to coaching Real’s B-team, working alongside Vicente Del Bosque. When Del Bosque got the big job, replacing Benito Floro, Benitez became his assistant.
The experiment lasted as long as Del Bosque, who was just standing in until Real signed Jorge Valdano as permanent coach. When the Argentine started telling Benitez who to pick for Real’s second string, the young manager walked away. It has been a long road back but one lined with trophies.
He won La Liga with Valencia in 2002 and 2004 only for Madrid to sneer that his teams played dull football. Champions League success with Liverpool did a lot to destroy that argument.
Benitez was born in Madrid, studied in Madrid and even did his military service in Madrid. Now it seems he is to finally coach the club closest to his heart. – Daily Mail
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he will not choose to leave the club he has just steered to another Premier League title.
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London - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho would not choose to leave the club he has just steered to another Premier League title but he is prepared to manage another English team, the Portuguese coach has told the BBC.
Mourinho, 52, said in an interview with the Football Focus programme that having come back to Stamford Bridge in 2013 for a second spell in charge he would only leave if owner Roman Abramovich did not want him.
“I see myself coaching another club, yes, but I love Chelsea and I am in Mr Abramovich's hands and until then I'm here,” he said. “The day Mr Abramovich thinks I'm not good enough for Chelsea, I want to work, and if possible in England too.
“Until Mr Abramovich says, I don't see myself going. Any club comes to me now and offers me a fantastic project, offers me twice my wages in the contract at Chelsea, no chance.”
Mourinho's first spell in charge from 2004 to 2007 ended when his relationship with Abramovich broke down but the former Porto manager has enjoyed a successful return to the club.
Mourinho will receive a third Premier League winners' medal on Sunday but he is not feeling so charitable this time - meaning no surprise souvenir for a lucky fan at Stamford Bridge.
After claiming a second English title in 2006 following a 3-0 win against Manchester United, Mourinho launched his medal and blazer into the crowd.
Chelsea host Sunderland in their final game of the season on Sunday where they will be presented with the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2010.
“My son now is collecting all my stuff,” the Portuguese told a news conference on Friday. “He keeps everything.
“At that time (2006) he was too young, but in this moment he is collecting everything. Shirts, medals - he steals everything from me.”
Mourinho was named Premier League manager of the season for the third time following previous triumphs in 2005 and 2006.
“I was not waiting for it, I was never manager of the month, but I'm happy with it,” he said.
“It's a club trophy, not an individual one. It's for me, my assistants, my players, everybody who works with me. It's something you don't just get by yourself.
“It's the icing on the cake but I work for the cake. The Premier League is the real cake but obviously to be the manager of the season is nice.” – Reuters
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Hull City manager Steve Bruce is desperate for a favour in the fight for Premier League survival.
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London - Hull City manager Steve Bruce is desperate for a favour in the fight for Premier League survival but friend and West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce may not be the man to offer it in the final round of matches on Sunday.
Hull are 18th with 34 points and not only have to beat Manchester United, having lost all their seven games against them in the Premier League, but must also hope 17th-placed
Newcastle United fail to defeat West Ham.
Newcastle, who have 36 points, have picked up just one point from 10 matches but welcome a West Ham side to St James' Park
that have been given most of the week off training by boss Allardyce.
“I speak to him (Allardyce) most weeks but not this one,” Bruce told a news conference . “It is Sam's prerogative (giving his players time off), it can work for you and against you. “What he does with his team is his business. I know it is the same for whoever they play that he wants to win the game.
“No game is ever a certainty in this league.”
Hull finished 16th last year following promotion from the Championship and they also reached the FA Cup final where they
lost in extra-time to Arsenal. Bruce, however, believes his side have suffered from second-season syndrome and their cause was not helped last week when midfielder Jake Livermore tested positive for cocaine.
“It's gone down to the wire. We are up against it but we have still got a chance and have to believe we have a chance,”
Bruce said.
“First of all we have to beat Manchester United which is never easy. But there have been some strange results this season
and we hope we can pull it off and get favour from elsewhere.
“We didn't expect to be in this position but we are. Lets hope there is one final twist because not a lot has gone our way
over the past couple of months.”
Premier League bottom four:
P W D L GD Points
17. Newcastle 37 9 9 19 -25 36
18. Hull 37 8 10 19 -18 34
19. Burnley 37 6 12 19 -26 30
20. QPR 37 8 6 23 -27 30 – Reuters
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Since he joined Kaizer Chiefs three years ago,Tefu Mashamaite adopted the motto: “You share the load, you share the glory.”
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There’s a simple motto that has stuck with footballer Tefu Mashamaite since he joined Kaizer Chiefs three years ago.
The motto is: “You share the load, you share the glory.”
So it comes as no surprise that the Kaizer Chiefs’ defender had no hesitation in handing his Kaizer Chiefs’ Player of the Season award to his defensive partner, Eric Mathoho, on Wednesday night.
Mashamaite felt he needed to share the success with his “co-star” after already walking away with various PSL awards last weekend.
“I’ve been sharing the load with Tower (Mathoho) and other teammates all season. I saw it fit that I can’t just claim every individual award. I needed to share the glory as well,” Mashamaite told Saturday Star this week.
The 30-year-old Amakhosi defender walked away with the 2014/15 Footballer of the Season, Absa Premiership Player’s Player of the Season and the Absa Premiership Defender of the Season last weekend, too, and won total prize money of R450 000.
Despite currently being our most talked-about footballer, he insists his awards were the result of a team effort.
“It’s not every season that a defender wins an award as player of the season. This year, one major contributing factor to winning the title has been defence.
“I’m just happy to be part of this defence. I’m grateful for the number of hours I could play and owe all the glory to my teammates. They contributed a lot to the team.”
Mashamaite also praised his manager, Stuart Baxter, calling it a dream come true to play under him.
“He has a great mentality. When he joined the club, he told us that his ambitions were not just to win trophies but also to transform the lives of players, and that’s what he has done for myself and my teammates.
“He has made me a better human being and I’m grateful to work under him.”
Mashamaite adds that the team’s failure to win the title last year had “fuelled the fire” in them to go all the way this season.
“It has been a great ride. Definitely a redemption from what happened last season. We drew a lot of inspiration from the pain that befell us then, with Sundowns coming through and just snatching the league title from us.
“We asked ourselves a lot of questions, and reflected on our past season. I think this time we really came back with force, and broke a few records en route to winning the championship,” he says.
Mashamaite adds that his family had been overwhelmed by his recent achievements and was thrilled to have his mother by his side when he picked up his awards.
“My mom was very emotional, she was happy.
“She reflected on the journey we had ever since I was young and looked back at the challenges that I overcame.
“I’m grateful that she’s still here to see my achievements and to taste my success.”
While the defender is enjoying every minute of playing for the Soweto giants, he admits to having ambitions of playing overseas.
“Never limit your dreams,” he says. “Germany is a league that excites me. I watch the German league on a regular basis, and no matter which team is playing, the atmosphere and the fans are always great. That’s what dreams are made of.”
Right now, however, his concentration is on leading Chiefs to back-to-back titles next season.
“Next season I’ll be looking to improve my performance as an individual, as a leader as well as a team player.
“Playing for Chiefs is a challenge itself. Hopefully we can win back-to-back titles.
“It would have been nice to win the title three years in a row, but we have an opportunity to do so again.”
Mashamaite says he has no intention of retiring anytime soon.
“My legs feel like I can go on for another 10 years. I will take each day as it comes. Many people ask me about my retirement because I am 30. That thought has not even crossed my mind.”
After a gruelling season, Mashamaite admits he is looking forward to taking a few weeks off to relax and spend quality time with his family.
“Since last Sunday it’s been hectic with TV, radio and newspaper interviews. To be honest, I’m tired now.
“I’m looking forward to taking a long drive to Limpopo to chill with the family.” - Saturday Star
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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he wants to stay on at the club despite a season without a major trophy.
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Madrid - Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will discuss his future with the club after their final La Liga game of the campaign at home to Getafe and said he wants to stay on despite a season without a major trophy.
Speculation that Real president Florentino Perez is poised to discard Ancelotti, a year before his three-year contract expires, has been rife since the holders were eliminated from the Champions League and Barcelona secured the La Liga title last weekend.
Ancelotti's post-training news conference on Friday had the air of a farewell, with journalists applauding the Italian at the end, but he insisted he is ready and willing to continue.
Ancelotti led Real to a record-extending 10th European title last term, as well as a King's Cup triumph, and they went on to win the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup before their form tailed off after the turn of the year.
“I understand that this is a key moment for the club because they are taking an important decision,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“If I don't carry on I will have spent two fantastic years here and each will go their separate ways, the club one way and me the other,” he added.
“We have had some very happy moments, perhaps the happiest in the history of Real Madrid.
“I won't be sad as I will have the feeling that I gave everything I could.
“I have the confidence and the desire and the excitement to carry on because I like this club and these players and I like this city.”
Spanish media reports have suggested Napoli coach Rafa Benitez, who had a stint working in Real's academy in the mid-1990s, is the front runner to replace Ancelotti.
There has also been speculation that Ancelotti could continue but without his long-term fitness trainer, Giovanni Mauri, and goalkeeping coach Villiam Vecchi, who would be replaced.
Ancelotti dismissed a suggestion a lack of fitness had scuppered Real's trophy chances and defended his assistants.
“I have a lot of confidence in them and they have been working with me for a long time,” Ancelotti said.
“What I have achieved in my career I have achieved with this staff and I still think they are the best in the world.”
Real are assured of second in La Liga and a Champions League berth for next season. – Reuters
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expects Raheem Sterling to see out the remaining two years of his contract at the club.
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London – Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said he expects Raheem Sterling to see out the remaining two years of his contract at the Premier League club.
Liverpool called off planned talks with the winger after his agent was quoted as saying he would not sign a new deal even if Liverpool offered 900 000 pounds per week.
Sterling has already rejected a new 100,000 pounds per week deal but Rodgers said “the situation is quite simple.
“Raheem, whether there are talks or no talks, has two years left and I expect him to see that through,” he said.
“I’m sure talks will take place over the summer. I don’t see Raheem as being unhappy.
Rodgers added he also has no plans to drop Sterling for the league season-ender against Stoke, saying: “Raheem will be available
for selection. My relationship with him hasn’t been affected at all.” – DPA
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Manchester United are ready to blow their transfer policy wide open in a bid to lure veteran German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger to Old Trafford.
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Manchester United are ready to blow their transfer policy wide open in a bid to lure veteran German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich.
United do not usually buy players over the age of 27 in order to make sure that everyone they bring in will still have value if they want to move them on.
However, manager Louis van Gaal is so keen to bring some much needed know-how and European experience to the centre of his midfield that he has persuaded chief executive Ed Woodward to break with usual club practice and make a serious attempt to sign Schweinsteiger, who will be 31 by the time next season kicks off.
The Munich star, who has won eight Bundesliga titles and one Champions League crown, currently has a year left on his deal at the Allianz Arena and talks over a new deal have reached an impasse.
It is this stand-off that United hope to exploit and Sportsmail can reveal that United have already initiated contact and that Schweinsteiger even visited Manchester recently under his own steam to have a look round the area.
Indications from inside Old Trafford last night were that a deal is some way off but that the club’s interest remains real.
Not only does Van Gaal have to persuade a player he worked with when he was coach of Bayern between 2009 and 2011 to leave Germany but United also face the challenge of talking one of the biggest clubs in Europe into selling to one of their traditional rivals. However, the fact that United have made contact over Schweinsteiger indicates just how badly Van Gaal feels his midfield needs bolstering by somebody who can walk straight into the squad and perform at the highest level.
The last time United signed what they consider an ‘over-age’ player was three summers ago, when Sir Alex Ferguson bought Robin van Persie from Arsenal at the age of 29.
The Dutch forward subsequently helped United to a Barclays Premier League title and, despite his relatively modest form since, executives at Old Trafford remember the remarkable impact a ready-made player can have.
Meanwhile, United sources have revealed they are not overly worried by suggestions from Germany that defensive target Mats Hummels has agreed to stay with Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc claimed Hummels had decided to remain at his club but United believe the German international still wants to come to Old Trafford and will keep him high on their list of targets. – Daily Mail
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The Professional Footballers' Association could provide an emergency solution to the escalating contractual dispute between the Raheem Sterling camp and Liverpool.
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The Professional Footballers' Association could provide an emergency solution to the escalating contractual dispute between the Raheem Sterling camp and Liverpool, after the club cancelled scheduled talks on the issue when the player's agent said he would even refuse an offer of “£900,000 a week”.
The PFA was involved in resolving Luis Suarez's contractual dispute with the same club when he had been denied the chance to talk to Arsenal two years ago and it is understood that chief executive Gordon Taylor would be prepared to help mediate if there was a genuine desire to resolve the stand-off.
Taylor is aware of how the toxicity of the Sterling controversy is beginning to cause new damage to the reputation of the game. But the players' union is reluctant to offer itself publicly as a mediator, knowing how delicate such situations can be, and would wait to be asked.
Sterling's agent will tell Liverpool that extraordinary observations he made in a telephone interview with a news reporter from the London Evening Standard - including the “£900 000 a week” comment - were given off the cuff and not intended for publication, though the paper entirely stands by the interview. Liverpool abandoned the talks at the Melwood training ground after Aidy Ward said of Sterling: “He is definitely not signing. He's not signing for £700, £800, £900 000 a week. He is not signing.”
Ward will insist that was not a deliberate attempt to damage an already fractured relationship with the club, though after a week in which the 20-year-old's determination to leave has been made so clear, it is difficult to envisage a breakthrough between the two sides. It appears from Ward's tone and Sterling's determination to leave Liverpool that another club have let it be known that they are ready to make public an offer which is too good to refuse when the transfer window opens.
Taylor's experience is that once disputes such as this become public, they are harder to resolve and will escalate, and the PFA's first advice to the Sterling camp would be that the situation should be handled more delicately and less publicly.
In the Suarez case, the players' union encouraged a rephrasing of the player's contract, which had left ambiguity about whether he was entitled to talk to Arsenal when they came in with a bid of a penny more than £40m.
PFA involvement requires the commitment of both sides to the mediation process and it is unclear whether such willingness exists in this case. Since the PFA represents Manchester City's James Milner, whose contract issues have been handled with delicacy, Taylor could certainly tell Sterling that a move to a Champions League club offers no guarantees of first-team football. But the union seeks only to get to the source of the dispute in such situations, establish one party's position on it and put it to the other.
Liverpool's American owners, Fenway Sports Group, are thought to feel that a point of principle exists about players keeping to their contracts. But their refusal to let Suarez leave was helped by the then 26-year-old's desire to play, which resulted in his superb final season. Forcing a more immature and emotional Sterling to remain on the sidelines if necessary is a far riskier strategy.
Ward told the Standard he “didn't care” about the club or its image, dismissed criticism by former players as “irrelevant” and branded Liverpool legend and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher “a knob”.
He said: “I don't care about the PR of the club and the club situation. I don't care. He is definitely not signing. He's not signing for £700, £800, £900,000 a week. He is not signing. My job is to make sure I do the best with them [my clients]. If people say I am bad at my job, or they are badly advised, it does not matter.”
Taylor clearly feels concern for the player, something the England manager, Roy Hodgson, also expressed yesterday. “I worry for all these young players,” he said. “They become stars very quickly. Their period of potential stardom doesn't last for very long these days. Sometimes a few games in the Premier League and you are a star. We should never forget we're dealing with young people. I believe from what I know of Raheem that he's strong enough to compartmentalise his life - from this side to what happens on the field of play, which is what interests me. But I do sympathise with them.”
Liverpool looked to the future last night by announcing the contract extensions for Jordon Ibe - who has a new five-year deal - and Jon Flanagan, who has signed a 12-month extension. – The Independent
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Winger Jordon Ibe and defender Jon Flanagan have signed new contracts at Liverpool, the Premier League club announced.
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London - Winger Jordon Ibe and defender Jon Flanagan have signed new contracts at Liverpool, the Premier League club announced.
The pacy 19-year-old Ibe, who has signed a “long-term” deal, has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Anfield, making 13 appearances since being recalled from Championship side Derby County in January.
Flanagan, meanwhile, has not featured in this campaign due to injury - having impressed during Liverpool's surprise title challenge last year - and is set to miss a further six to nine months following knee surgery in April.
“I'm over the moon,” Ibe told Liverpool's website (www.liverpoolfc.com). “Now I just want to kick on into next season, as well as the last game of this one.
“Liverpool are a great club and I like the philosophy here. I'm enjoying it. I've just been brought into the first team and I've enjoyed the games I've played in. Hopefully I can just keep doing well at the club.”
Last season Liverpool-born Flanagan, who made his England debut in 2014, won plaudits for his committed and tenacious defence and manager Brendan Rodgers said the 22-year-old was on the verge of signing a new deal before his injury.
“People talk about the goalscorers (the departed Luis Suarez and injured Daniel Sturridge) this year and absolutely the goalscorers that we miss, but we definitely missed Jon Flanagan in equal proportion,” Rodgers told Liverpool's website.
“We're hoping that he can get back fit within the next year; it has been a long journey for him this last 18 months and in particular the last year of injury. Hopefully he can get back fit and get back into the team.”
Fifth-placed Liverpool travel to Stoke City in their final Premier League game of the season on Sunday. – Reuters
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Kaizer Chiefs' Tefu Mashamaite has donated a R100 000 prize to his central defence partner Eric "Tower&" Mathoho.
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Durban - In an unusual display of team spirit and generosity, Kaizer Chiefs star Tefu Mashamaite has donated a R100 000 prize to his central defence partner Eric “Tower” Mathoho.
From the many accolades he received at the club’s awards ceremony in Midrand, Mashamaite, 30, who has also appeared for Bafana Bafana, announced he would give his Player of the Season award and prize money to Mathoho, 25.
Mashamaite was Kaizer Chiefs’ Player of the Season, Fans’ Player of the Season and Player of the Month for February and May. On Sunday he scooped three PSL awards: Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, and Defender of the Season.
Mashamaite said his gesture was to show that his excellence depended on the whole team.
“I acknowledge the role that my teammates played in contributing to this individual success. I am grateful I got all the awards that I got,” he said.
The bedrock of Kaizer Chiefs’ league success this season, the duo are better known as Twin Towers. Mashamaite said giving the money away was an instant decision.
“I just thought it would be better to give Tower something to cheer himself about because he has really worked hard.
“I could have easily given it to anyone in the team because no one is better than the other, but I chose Tower because he has been my partner, he is the guy that I play next to,” he said.
Kaizer Chiefs spokesman Vina Maphosa said they noted “Masha’s” gesture with excitement.
“We just love the type of players we groom at Kaizer Chiefs. I think it is from the bottom of his heart. It did not come as a surprise,” he said.
Mashamaite said he came from a background where sharing with other people was a way of life.
“If you can share a load (troubles) with people next you, you also need to share your glory. We work as a team and I think we should celebrate as a team,” he said.
Mashamaite said professionals in any field of work had to understand that they were needed in society.
“Everyone needs to know that as citizens we have responsibilities in society. A person is not the profession, but they are human and belong to society.
“As footballers, we should not just focus on what happens on the field. We get watched and followed by a whole mass of people and if we can just take a human approach to try to advance lives of other people, we can be a better society.”
The holder of a BA in international relations and politics from Wits University said apart from playing football, he was a bookworm and read “anything, from fiction to biographies”. He was also a keen fisherman.
“I am more interested in what is happening in life, more than just football. I have to try to master all aspects of life and that is what I strive for. Maybe it’s my background, the values my family imposed when I was growing up,” he said.
The father of two, Phetolo, 4, and Amali, 2, said he enjoyed the company of his teammates. – The Mercury
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