Farah stays on sidelines

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Robbie Farah will sit out another week with his hand injury after Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor ruled him out of Friday's clash with Sydney Roosters.</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Farah has missed three matches, including the State of Origin decider for NSW, since fracturing his hand in the defeat to Penrith in round 16.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He had been reported to have a chance of being a late inclusion for the Tigers, who are desperate to pull away from bottom spot on the NRL ladder, but Taylor said the hooker wouldn't return to action against the Roosters who are <span style="border: 0px; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">13/100</span></span>.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"He just hasn't done enough," he said of the 31-year-old. "He hasn't been able to tackle. He can't do anything without a needle.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"We're at a point where we want him to be much closer to 100 per cent before he plays, and that's what we'll do."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Taylor said Farah could be in contention to play against Melbourne Storm next round.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Tigers, who will have second-rower Chris Lawrence available despite him missing the captain's run, regain David Nofoaluma in the centres. He comes in for Nathan Milone, while Ava Seumanufagai is missing so Jack Buchanan comes onto the bench.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They face a Roosters side who are without winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Representative forward Boyd Cordner is back after a week's rest, pushing Isaac Liu to the bench.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">While the Tigers go into the game having lost four in a row, the Roosters are flying high in third.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">History is firmly on the side of the Roosters, who have beaten the Tigers in their past six meetings and won 10 of the past 11 clashes including a 36-4 success in Round 9 this year.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wests Tigers are <span style="border: 0px; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1/1</span></span> with a 14.5-points start against the Roosters.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdIMlaQ0GfKX4oYWQ-4aQ_3ZKjEeRENxacffXXHab0oE_FZLMVYm62rXmypPGK6x5A3SJ5WgZTdtWgcZn9o1f08_Fy9AaMaW5WZ8sbtjcKK7ZAONSAWExYFehDX6D1b7Ae8LYu-3tsQ/s1600/64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdIMlaQ0GfKX4oYWQ-4aQ_3ZKjEeRENxacffXXHab0oE_FZLMVYm62rXmypPGK6x5A3SJ5WgZTdtWgcZn9o1f08_Fy9AaMaW5WZ8sbtjcKK7ZAONSAWExYFehDX6D1b7Ae8LYu-3tsQ/s400/64.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Farah stays on sidelines

Robbie Farah will sit out another week with his hand injury after Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor ruled him out of Friday's clash with ...

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NRL interchange reduction will force props to change style of play, says Melbourne Storm's Jesse Bromwich

<div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">One of the NRL's biggest players, Melbourne Storm prop Jesse Bromwich, says next year's rule changes will force front rowers to shed excess weight so they can play more minutes.</span></div> <div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Kiwi international Bromwich, who tips the scales at 115 kilograms, says cutting the number of substitutions from 10 to eight and bringing a shot clock for scrums and drop-outs will mean stamina will play a much bigger role for the game's heavy hitters.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"Some of the big fellas might have to trim down a little bit. I think I need to lose a couple," he said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">In Napier for the Storm's 'home' game against St George Illawarra at McLean Park on Saturday, the first NRL match to be staged in the city, the 26-year-old said the rule changes will lift the excitement levels.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"It'll bring the little man back into the game and make it more entertaining," he said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"That's the way the game is going and you've got to adapt to the changes."</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Rated as one of the best props in the game, Bromwich is averaging close to 160 metres a game with the ball in hand and more than 60 minutes a game this season.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">He has managed a 76-minute game in the past and while he cannot see himself lasting a whole game, he says some front rowers will fancy the challenge of playing the full 80 minutes.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"There will be some front rowers who probably can and the change will suit them," he said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"My fitness is probably going to have to get a bit higher which isn't great news."</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">After last week's 52-10 demolition of Penrith, the Storm are in the finals reckoning, while the Dragons have lost six in a row to slip outside the top eight.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Bromwich is only too aware the side they beat 12-4 in first round will be eager to get back to winning ways with the number of games remaining fast disappearing.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"They're starting to get desperate now. We're getting to the back end of the season now so if they really want to cement a spot in the eight they're going to have to start winning games," he said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">They're definitely up for a big game this week and it's going to be a tough one.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilwlpwnmNZ72wqaBCK1uh1U36JWiHiHwKepHsdzYgSamf2OzFoGGZtVwJ0i-G5CwWXZt0Ddak1fWpduR8DPJ10jnNgr5GynY0XNZigQF1dWUy3C13Z3g-m_Kz9t-ishqlHY8z0eRqSw/s1600/65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilwlpwnmNZ72wqaBCK1uh1U36JWiHiHwKepHsdzYgSamf2OzFoGGZtVwJ0i-G5CwWXZt0Ddak1fWpduR8DPJ10jnNgr5GynY0XNZigQF1dWUy3C13Z3g-m_Kz9t-ishqlHY8z0eRqSw/s400/65.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>

NRL interchange reduction will force props to change style of play, says Melbourne Storm's Jesse Bromwich

One of the NRL's biggest players, Melbourne Storm prop Jesse Bromwich, says next year's rule changes will force front rowers to she...

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Chris Sandow released by Parramatta Eels effective immediately

<div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Parramatta has agreed to release half-back Chris Sandow effective immediately, freeing him from the final few months of his NRL contract.</span></div> <div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">English Super League club Warrington is chasing the half-back's services ahead of the July 25 cut-off date, but the deal still needs to be approved by the NRL.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"The club thanks Chris for his time at the Eels and wishes him all the best for his future," an Eels statement read.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Sandow played in the Eels' last-start loss to the Bulldogs on Friday, but copped a two-game ban for a shoulder charge on Brett Morris.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The 26-year-old is reportedly set to receive $50,000 from the Eels after a dispute over unpaid third-party agreements.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Sandow's relationship with the club deteriorated dramatically in recent weeks.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Parramatta great Peter Sterling unloaded on Sandow after an insipid display against Canterbury last Friday night.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"I've been a critic of Chris for a long time now, he's easy to fall in love with when we see what he can do on a football field," Sterling said on Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"Obviously I can show you, I'll put together clips of the things people don't see, what he doesn't do in games, and the defence he comes up with.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"You cannot be responsible for setting up two smashing tries, but then be directly responsible for conceding three."</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">That spray came just a day after Sandow went on an expletive-laden rant on his Facebook page that was presumed to be about Eels' coach Brad Arthur, who had earlier told Triple M that Sandow could leave the Eels if the club did not give him a severance package.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Sandow then posted: "I'm sick of these big mouth c**** down here they think I'm one on my own should we run a muck or what I'm over the bullshit."</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">He has had a torrid time at the club since joining from the Rabbitohs in 2012 on one of the NRL's most lucrative contracts, believed to be worth $500,000 a season.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The expensive signing of the 2008 rookie of the year was widely criticised and his three-and-a-half-year stint in blue and gold has seen him dropped to the NSW Cup with Wentworthville many times.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">His former South Sydney captain Roy Asotasi is currently playing with Warrington, alongside other former NRL players Ashton Sims and Joel Monaghan.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfZqjSJGpDnRl3lYZbzxLG_uCNeEvf_jNAmJqvPJ1VCE4jSuNeYJYeifXPSzK8AwqEWEM55yn34PxCb9qyJkcQ51c5f3TFcPcbI2O7VE7te2TI8moaRYiE3OzOuVXSMogHTgTX25NjA/s1600/66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfZqjSJGpDnRl3lYZbzxLG_uCNeEvf_jNAmJqvPJ1VCE4jSuNeYJYeifXPSzK8AwqEWEM55yn34PxCb9qyJkcQ51c5f3TFcPcbI2O7VE7te2TI8moaRYiE3OzOuVXSMogHTgTX25NjA/s400/66.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>

Chris Sandow released by Parramatta Eels effective immediately

Parramatta has agreed to release half-back Chris Sandow effective immediately, freeing him from the final few months of his NRL contract. ...

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Slaven Bilic: West Ham exit would have been 'embarrassing'

<div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1" itemprop="description" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says being eliminated by Maltese minnows Birkirkara in the Europa League would have been "embarrassing" for the club.</span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The Premier League side scraped through to the third qualifying round after winning 5-3 on penalties. </span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"These things happen in football and it would have been a major blow to be eliminated but we deserved to go through," said the Croat. </span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Former Hammers defenders Bilic replaced Sam Allardyce as manager in the summer. </span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><br /> <h2 class="cross-head" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">'We have to learn from this experience'</span></h2> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">    West Ham went into the match with a 1-0 advantage after James Tomkins's late winner in London, but were pegged back by former Italy striker Fabrizio Miccoli's close-range effort in the second leg. </span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The match remained 1-1 on aggregate and the Hammers scored all five penalties to set up a tie with Romanian side Astra. </span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bilic - who took charge of his fourth match - feels the result will hold them in good stead for the forthcoming season. </span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"We didn't sink and to play 120 minutes and be one man down in heat will be good for the boys' confidence in the long term," said Bilic. </span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"I didn't expect them to throw the towel in. I have played many times in Europe and you have to cope with it. </span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"It would have been embarrassing, no matter the heat or that we were without many players but we overcame the circumstances. </span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"This will help us in the matches against the Romanians because we have to learn from this experience." </span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><h2 class="cross-head" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">West Ham fail to stay cool</span></h2> </div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">    The match was played in over 30C heat in Malta and tempers frayed. Mark Noble was booked for an altercation, while Tomkins was dismissed after grabbing and throwing an opposing defender to the ground. Birkirkara's Mauricio Mazzetti saw red later on for two bookable offences. </span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"After the red card it was harder for us. We were the better team but we didn't create a lot or penetrate enough," added Bilic. </span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"The heat definitely affected us more than them, but it also affected them because they are not used to that heat even here. </span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"They didn't go over the top. I told the players we could moan about them provoking but it is very common."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoYOwzELtBe9cBJ2REvC_wDthO9nAVWEQxzks73JATAatuzCEO_xkZdCuYNa7KFKjjHkEfiRL80NLOO3sXLOamJJQwHPMtNQ6B_yCjzfLzUy_wObmHp-bybDYT4JBcyR8mIp0FlJ69Q/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoYOwzELtBe9cBJ2REvC_wDthO9nAVWEQxzks73JATAatuzCEO_xkZdCuYNa7KFKjjHkEfiRL80NLOO3sXLOamJJQwHPMtNQ6B_yCjzfLzUy_wObmHp-bybDYT4JBcyR8mIp0FlJ69Q/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Slaven Bilic: West Ham exit would have been 'embarrassing'

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says being eliminated by Maltese minnows Birkirkara in the Europa League would have been "embarrassing...

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Inter win race to sign Man City outcast Jovetic

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Manchester City have reached an agreement with the Serie A club over an initial €3m loan move, with the Nerazzurri legally obligated to complete a permanent €13m deal in 2016</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Inter are on the verge of completing a deal for Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Goal understands a payment package has been agreed between the two clubs, with Jovetic initially joining the Serie A side on a 12-month loan deal for a €3 million fee.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Inter will then be legally obligated to purchase Jovetic in a permanent transfer for €13m in July 2016, with City receiving a further €2.8m if Roberto Mancini's side qualify for the Champions League.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Goal reported on July 2 that Inter were battling with City rivals AC Milan in the race to sign Jovetic, with the Nerazzurri being the Montenegro star's preferred choice.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mancini, meanwhile, confirmed to Corriere dello Sport on Tuesday that Jovetic is a transfer target as the Serie A club look to add to their attacking options for the 2015-16 season.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He said: "We really need an attacker because we only have two players up front at the moment.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"I already tried to sign Jovetic in my last season with Manchester City but he arrived when I was gone. He can play as a focal point or as a support striker but could also feature on the wings."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And now the Inter boss has got his man, with the Italian giants willing to match Jovetic's £90,000-a-week (€127,000) wages in a move that will see him return to Serie A.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Liverpool had previously been interested in signing Jovetic but the arrivals of Divock Origi, Danny Ings and Christian Benteke have lessened the need for more attacking reinforcements at Anifled.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jovetic joined City from Fiorentina in 2013 for £22m (€31m) but has struggled to become a regular fixture in the first team under Manuel Pellegrini, making only nine Premier League starts last season.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqpV9WPsLw7Blljyp8Vp2ielS2BStwYXVClWc28oL3od5o1Iozpc_YgAdea8F1-xaRxnslXZ6AA2qXHx4vOkzoZLCQdEoddOCdJWbqbCSdjUmoq17JnT_zGL4mfsog4OLr4GcfyOatw/s1600/mc7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqpV9WPsLw7Blljyp8Vp2ielS2BStwYXVClWc28oL3od5o1Iozpc_YgAdea8F1-xaRxnslXZ6AA2qXHx4vOkzoZLCQdEoddOCdJWbqbCSdjUmoq17JnT_zGL4mfsog4OLr4GcfyOatw/s400/mc7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Inter win race to sign Man City outcast Jovetic

Manchester City have reached an agreement with the Serie A club over an initial €3m loan move, with the Nerazzurri legally obligated to com...

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Mat Ryan 'very excited' after Socceroos goalkeeper moves to Valencia in Spain

<div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Socceroos international and new Valencia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan says he will be following in the footsteps of his heroes when he pulls on the Los Che jersey.</span></div> <div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Ryan signed for the La Liga club from Club Brugge, and told Fox Sports the move was a dream come true.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"As a young boy in the parks of Western Sydney, kicking a ball around, you're re-enacting moments from watching as a kid the likes of the English Premier League, the Spanish League, what the superstars are doing," he said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"To have an opportunity to go and play at that level, it's something that has got me very excited."</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Ryan will be keeping out the efforts of superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on a regular basis next season, with incumbent Valencia goalkeeper Bruno Alves still on the mend from a long-term knee injury.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Getting an inside run on the number one jersey will enable Ryan to play for Los Che in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, and establish himself as the team's long-term shot-stopper.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"In Australia I used to wake up every morning there was a Champions League match on at 4:30 or 6:30," said Ryan.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"It's the pinnacle of club football now and that's our first main objective here at Valencia.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"Our first match actually falls on my mother's birthday, so fingers crossed I can do well in training before then and be selected for the match."</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Ryan earned huge plaudits in his time at Brugge, being elected as Belgian goalkeeper of the year in both his seasons at the club.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">He said a move to a major European league was a "no-brainer" and the next logical step in his career.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"All people in life, in all aspects, they always want to challenge themselves against the best," he said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"I'm no different. I know that experience at this level is going to make me better than what I've been through already."</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Valencia finished fourth in La Liga in the 2014-15 campaign.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGCb5pNMbcJWyhILY-SABjU2C5PQKJwBovXj1eWXqbTDth14bt36iaGWLWF1dCbJjV1GdnDJo_Oy9mpc7D77cFoki8dQLBhj6Q5DSSdeXcFVH3jv3dubB3wlkrM4tkaUB17rR-lXwMA/s1600/valencia2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGCb5pNMbcJWyhILY-SABjU2C5PQKJwBovXj1eWXqbTDth14bt36iaGWLWF1dCbJjV1GdnDJo_Oy9mpc7D77cFoki8dQLBhj6Q5DSSdeXcFVH3jv3dubB3wlkrM4tkaUB17rR-lXwMA/s400/valencia2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>

Mat Ryan 'very excited' after Socceroos goalkeeper moves to Valencia in Spain

Socceroos international and new Valencia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan says he will be following in the footsteps of his heroes when he pulls on t...

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Real Madrid to tell Sergio Ramos ‘don’t go to Manchester United’

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Pérez, and the chief executive, José Ángel Sánchez, will hold talks with Sergio Ramos in China this weekend, when they will tell the central defender they do not want to sell him, despite his desire to leave for Manchester United.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Madrid are on tour in Australia, where Rafael Benítez insisted Ramos was staying “100%”, and they travel to China on Saturday. Pérez is expected to join the squad from Spain and will take the opportunity to speak to Ramos.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Spain international has told Madrid he wants to depart for Old Trafford but he has two years left on his contract. Sources at the Bernabéu have not ruled out offering Ramos an improved contract, although that would represent a significant break from their position going back more than a year.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A new offer does not necessitate meeting in China but it would reflect the urgency of the situation and Madrid’s desire to be seen doing everything they can to keep their captain.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ramos does not intend to back down. If this ends with a new contract, it will not be because that was his goal but because it became unavoidable. He will reiterate his desire to leave, insisting there is no turning back and that he wants only to join United, but he knows that if Madrid refuse to sell, he will have to stay.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It may not be that simple, though, and the outcome of the meeting is impossible to predict. There are five weeks to go until the end of the transfer window.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Louis van Gaal has described transfers as a process, with the United manager saying: “Maybe Mr Ramos is in the process, you never know.” The club made an initial written bid of €40m (£28.2m) and reports in Spain have suggested there has been an improved offer.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">United’s position remains that they will not let David de Gea go unless Madrid agree to negotiate on Ramos, and the player could try to force Madrid’s hand. Should United’s position, and that of Ramos, remain steadfast then Madrid would essentially have to decide whether it is more important for them to have De Gea or Ramos.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">That would depend on the faith Madrid have in their existing goalkeepers, Keylor Navas and Kiko Casilla, who has just joined from Espanyol for €6m, in principle as a back-up.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Perhaps more significantly, it would involve making a judgment on whether it would be problematic to keep a player who has expressed a desire to leave and what the supporters’ reaction towards him will be, not least after a media campaign that attacked him as a mercenary – a campaign Ramos’s camp suspected of having come from the club.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The decision would also take into account the fact Ramos has two years on his contract, whereas De Gea has one. Both players want to leave and do so now. Madrid would be able to sign De Gea for free next summer, although the departure of Iker Casillas means they want the United goalkeeper this summer.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">According to the newspaper El País, Madrid have signed a deal with De Gea which obliges them to pay him €15m if they do not sign him before the end of this transfer window.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Another factor is the pressure that has been brought to bear on Pérez. At Casillas’s Bernabéu send-off before the goalkeeper joined Porto, supporters chanted: “Ramos is not for sale!” The chant was not so much a hands-off message to United as a warning to Pérez not to sell and Madrid’s position has hardened from setting a prohibitively high price to insisting Ramos is not for sale.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pérez said he had let Casillas leave because the 34-year-old wanted to go and the club had respected that. Asked whether that rule was applicable to other players, ie Ramos, he responded: “There are some players who have contracts and want to go who will not go.”</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A few days later Benítez said Ramos would stay and if his words were a little lukewarm then they were firmer when he was questioned again on Thursday in Australia, although he did add the caveat: “Football is unpredictable.”</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Asked if Ramos would be at the Bernabéu next season, Benítez replied: “Yes.” He added: “For me, yes, 100%. Football, like life, is unpredictable but in this case it is as clear for me as I think it is for the club. Sergio will still be a Real Madrid player at the start of the season.”</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Football is curious,” Benítez said, when the issue was raised again. “I respect Van Gaal but what interests me is that Sergio continues. I want and expect that he will be here at the start of the season. He is fundamental.”</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiQL-5jYbEkPgvvk_vvwvf5nbjEfjEsyth20rxPPzF_UGrz00s7Bj27bB3NQxd9iHIfreti_vn-FhzuMLb4b4RjL0ZBL6XiWIzrRVV3cf9DhBsUgrBtxVRujIJqI7oNHfxxQrbP3BSw/s1600/real9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiQL-5jYbEkPgvvk_vvwvf5nbjEfjEsyth20rxPPzF_UGrz00s7Bj27bB3NQxd9iHIfreti_vn-FhzuMLb4b4RjL0ZBL6XiWIzrRVV3cf9DhBsUgrBtxVRujIJqI7oNHfxxQrbP3BSw/s400/real9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Real Madrid to tell Sergio Ramos ‘don’t go to Manchester United’

Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Pérez, and the chief executive, José Ángel Sánchez, will hold talks with Sergio Ramos in China this wee...

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Real to accept Arsenal's Benzema offer and sign Liverpool and Man Utd target

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">REAL MADRID will reportedly accept Arsenal's offer for Karim Benzema.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Gunners are thought to have lodged a £31.3million bid for the French hitman.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Arsene Wenger is in the market for a striker to take the workload off Olivier Giroud's shoulders.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Reports in Spain suggest Real will use the money from Benzema's prospective sale to try and land Marco Reus.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It is thought Dortmund midfielder Reus could cost in the region of £63million.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Gunner's interest in Benzema has been welcomed by legend Ian Wright.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He tweeted: "Is Benzema coming or not? Please make it happen Ivan."</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXokDUG8uELiXn-ptZGlH4RLQYtcGe-UQ2A3VD9Jm1j90j1eqRMJ6MDNPxDY7LBoxw8yWT8D5MHLP7dkYSYVBqrKFAF_ImyQU_HAvfa8CWfnO4XZX0yD_58lXQ4PI41YvxJyZWH3nUQ/s1600/real10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXokDUG8uELiXn-ptZGlH4RLQYtcGe-UQ2A3VD9Jm1j90j1eqRMJ6MDNPxDY7LBoxw8yWT8D5MHLP7dkYSYVBqrKFAF_ImyQU_HAvfa8CWfnO4XZX0yD_58lXQ4PI41YvxJyZWH3nUQ/s400/real10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Real to accept Arsenal's Benzema offer and sign Liverpool and Man Utd target

REAL MADRID will reportedly accept Arsenal's offer for Karim Benzema. The Gunners are thought to have lodged a £31.3million bid for t...

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David De Gea told to play against Barcelona and prepare for new season with Man United

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">LOUIS VAN GAAL has told David De Gea he must face Barcelona on Saturday because he wants him fit, focused and sharp for the new season.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Real Madrid-target De Gea has missed the first two games of United's US pre-season tour with a mystery back injury, although it is understood nothing showed up when he was sent for a scan at a San Jose hospital.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">That raised inevitable and unfounded suspicions that the Spanish goalkeeper was not in the right frame of mind to play following United's refusal to sanction a move to Real unless Sergio Ramos came the other way.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">But with only two pre-season games left, Van Gaal wants De Gea to face Champions League winners Barca in Santa Clara, then Paris Saint-Germain in Chicago next Wednesday, to ensure he is ready for the Premier League opener with Tottenham on August 8.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">United have no further friendlies when they return home because Van Gaal told the club's hierarchy he did not want any in the week before the season starts.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Significantly, Van Gaal, who hates fielding 'under-cooked' players, ordered De Gea to take part in the warm-up before Tuesday night's game against San Jose even though he was not going to play.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"I have good hope he can play against Barcelona," said Van Gaal. "He was injured and couldn't play against San Jose so I said, 'go stand in the goal so we have a point of direction for my attackers, but don't do anything to risk your injury'.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"That is because we have to build him up [for the new season]. I think he can play [against Barcelona] and I hope he can."</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJmzjG7uS5o_jDZ-ESMWWOJlNDeSwTdrMs7N4Xm0Nx7B31MBzvz4SsdtwNx6LYl9VfJzS3eUI6DpgsgLRgxWFo7m9IaHx18Cr5JRsulDxjPAZUPGEyukbSN6BnSnGVSITr3Vh8vQ0ZQ/s1600/mu24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJmzjG7uS5o_jDZ-ESMWWOJlNDeSwTdrMs7N4Xm0Nx7B31MBzvz4SsdtwNx6LYl9VfJzS3eUI6DpgsgLRgxWFo7m9IaHx18Cr5JRsulDxjPAZUPGEyukbSN6BnSnGVSITr3Vh8vQ0ZQ/s400/mu24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

David De Gea told to play against Barcelona and prepare for new season with Man United

LOUIS VAN GAAL has told David De Gea he must face Barcelona on Saturday because he wants him fit, focused and sharp for the new season. R...

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Chelsea sign teenager Danilo Pantic from Partizan Belgrade

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Chelsea have announced the signing of teenager Danilo Pantic from Partizan Belgrade.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The 18-year-old has represented Serbia at youth level and helped his country reach the semi-finals of last summer’s European Under-19 Championship.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A central or left midfielder, Pantic played for Partizan in last season’s Europa League, and is set to immediately join Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem on loan for the forthcoming campaign.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pantic said: "I am very happy to sign for Chelsea, the champions of the English Premier League, and I hope I can show my value at Vitesse in the coming season. I am honoured at the faith both clubs have shown in me."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pantic becomes the fourth Chelsea player to link up with Vitesse ahead of the 2015/16 season.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">English duo Lewis Baker and Izzy Brown, as well as Brazilian Nathan, have already made the temporary switch to the Eredivisie.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRS58E-NN3EvdRCdKkHnVouSXpgfWbpMbTWbWWB9ePcj6q2GEPONn0YzBtpfrfhc5foRWkNt6aoGRMN7YjJm4f2Mtp7mCsJ2x0MxjB4wUPVgVmGR0oS9cO788IcFF8c1AOdIem1m1ng/s1600/chelsea5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRS58E-NN3EvdRCdKkHnVouSXpgfWbpMbTWbWWB9ePcj6q2GEPONn0YzBtpfrfhc5foRWkNt6aoGRMN7YjJm4f2Mtp7mCsJ2x0MxjB4wUPVgVmGR0oS9cO788IcFF8c1AOdIem1m1ng/s400/chelsea5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Chelsea sign teenager Danilo Pantic from Partizan Belgrade

Chelsea have announced the signing of teenager Danilo Pantic from Partizan Belgrade. The 18-year-old has represented Serbia at youth leve...

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José Mourinho questions Kevin De Bruyne’s mentality amid Man City link

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">José Mourinho has cast doubt over Kevin De Bruyne’s ability to cope with being part of a Premier League title-chasing squad as the Belgian prepares to move to Manchester City for a fee that could break the British transfer record of £57.1m.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mourinho sold the 24-year-old to Wolfsburg 18 months ago for £18m and watched him help his new side to second in the Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich in a season laden with an impressive 10 goals and 22 assists.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Chelsea manager has no regrets about parting company with De Bruyne, who made only two Premier League starts at Stamford Bridge, mainly because the midfielder lacked the fortitude to compete with a host of world-class rivals for his position.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Providing his move to City is agreed, De Bruyne will surely see a similar situation unfold under Manuel Pellegrini whose signing of Raheem Sterling has indicated his desperation to win back the title lost to Chelsea.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Belgian has complained about his treatment at Chelsea but Mourinho rejects that he was the reason for his failure to play a key role at the club. “That is unfair because I wanted to keep him,” said the Portuguese. “And he told me it was not in his personality to be competing for a position in the team. He needed a team where he knows he can play every game. He needs to know that he is important.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"He did not want a team where he thinks am I playing or not? He needs that trust, he needs that quality. He needs that security. So I was not happy when he left. So yes it’s not fair.”</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mourinho added: “He didn’t tell me he couldn’t handle the pressure. He told me he wanted to play every weekend. I told him this is Chelsea, you are very young, you have Eden Hazard, you have Mata, you have Willian, you have Schürrle, and I cannot promise you that.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"And the first game of the season against Hull City he played. For the second game against Manchester United, he played. The third game of the season was the Super Cup in Prague, I decided not to play him. For the fourth match, in the Premier League, he was on the bench. And he was not happy. He told me he was not happy.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"He was not training very well and he was saying: ‘I can’t give you more. This is just my way.’</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"So yes, I accept that if this is his mentality and it’s his choice to go, it is better for Chelsea to make a good deal. Chelsea made a good deal and he was happy to go and I am happy because the kid is a good kid. And I am happy for him</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Players have different circumstances. We sold him, made our money and it was fantastic because we bought him cheap and sold him for a fantastic price. And now Wolfsburg, if they make a fantastic deal, that is good for them.”</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mourinho has heavily criticised the Chelsea goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon for talking out of turn in an interview conducted last month, where he spoke about Petr Cech having the option of joining Paris Saint-Germain before singing for Arsenal.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mourinho, whose side take on PSG in North Carolina aiming to improve on a thoroughly unimpressive pre-season defeat to a virtual New York Red Bulls reserve side on Wednesday, was clearly unimpressed.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"I don’t speak about Paris,” he said. “I don’t think that I should. A couple of weeks ago my goalkeeper coach was speaking about the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper and I think he shouldn’t do it. So it’s not for me to speak to about PSG players, squad, ambition or team, nothing. I just say that they have very good players and for us to play against them is very good.”</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mourinho also stressed he is ready to cope with all the consequences of the club being forced to leave Stamford Bridge for three years while the stadium is renovated.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Being here in North America is a stark reminder to Roman Abramovich just how vital it is to make inroads to a global market, something which needs a larger arena in which to play in and attract more supporters.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He said: “I’ve taken charge of 98 matches on my bench in Stamford Bridge and hope to have more. I know the club needs to make the next step and that is a new Stamford Bridge, more seats.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"At a certain point of our lives as a club, we will have to leave which is a bad thing but if we need to play at another stadium we will try to make it our new home while we wait.”</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinw26p0sobXdm48hAn6WLv0WPy3CkiSZPuncb2ttbM4D7bF-c2cyxVZdoD3NpkrhdCXkoFyaFxL3IdCRkIfrB6r02ywalSOY1TMd3M-xCWrgUszgrEdWDFQ0AuOUwAZIiflZyI2mytA/s1600/worsburg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinw26p0sobXdm48hAn6WLv0WPy3CkiSZPuncb2ttbM4D7bF-c2cyxVZdoD3NpkrhdCXkoFyaFxL3IdCRkIfrB6r02ywalSOY1TMd3M-xCWrgUszgrEdWDFQ0AuOUwAZIiflZyI2mytA/s400/worsburg1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

José Mourinho questions Kevin De Bruyne’s mentality amid Man City link

José Mourinho has cast doubt over Kevin De Bruyne’s ability to cope with being part of a Premier League title-chasing squad as the Belgian ...

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Wide-ranging sustainability strategy in place for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™

<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Two days before the Preliminary Draw, Saint Petersburg has hosted an important milestone on the road to Russia 2018 with the launch of the FIFA World Cup Sustainability Strategy. </span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) will implement a broad range of activities to ensure that the planning and delivery of this mega-event reduces the potential negative impact and maximises the positive effects on people, the economy and the environment. </span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">“The FIFA World Cup is the biggest single-sport competition in the world. Organising it in a sustainable manner is a major challenge. The scale of the event inevitably has an impact that must be evaluated and mitigated, but also represents a unique opportunity to contribute to a positive legacy in Russia,” said FIFA’s Head of Sustainability, Federico Addiechi. </span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Experiences from past FIFA World Cups and international standards have helped to define the priorities for the event in Russia. These were then reviewed by key stakeholders, including representatives of NGOs, UN agencies, commercial affiliates, host cities, regions and various government agencies. </span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">“The FIFA World Cup and this sustainability strategy will drive innovative standards and practices forward in many different areas. Our holistic approach covers social, economic and environmental matters,” said the LOC’s Head of Sustainability, Milana Verkhunova. </span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">“This process has been an inclusive one, closely involving stakeholders in the strategy’s </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">development. On racism and discrimination, the World Cup represents a great opportunity to raise awareness and implement initiatives that can have a real impact,” added the Chief of the Anti-Discrimination Section at the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, Yuri Boychenko.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIStWxyW2qwcGMbenOesoF1vxyaXCGpNprdwqaarzhyphenhyphenkjGO6bTJVZ10Rf5uAb0-z9KNVL7plrTzHXSnsiuX8AJb0p6N1hrbLmGk_t4JSMJXizVawCOzw9gexXdeP1_PAC7Yh68-d9fAg/s1600/footballnews9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIStWxyW2qwcGMbenOesoF1vxyaXCGpNprdwqaarzhyphenhyphenkjGO6bTJVZ10Rf5uAb0-z9KNVL7plrTzHXSnsiuX8AJb0p6N1hrbLmGk_t4JSMJXizVawCOzw9gexXdeP1_PAC7Yh68-d9fAg/s400/footballnews9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>

Wide-ranging sustainability strategy in place for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™

Two days before the Preliminary Draw, Saint Petersburg has hosted an important milestone on the road to Russia 2018 with the launch of the F...

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Pre-Season Friendlies: Man City set for another penalty shootout

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Man City </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="3/1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">4.00</span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> v Real Madrid </span></span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="20/21" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.95</span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">; The Draw </span></span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="3" oldtitle="14/5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.80</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Friday, 11:00<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Live on Sky Sports 1</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Raheem Sterling made an immediate impression on his new teammates and supporters by<span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">scoring in the third minute</span> of his debut against Roma.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Even in pre-season, this next fixture offers a reminder of why he moved. His previous chance to start against Real Madrid, for Liverpool at the Bernabeu in the Champions League last November, was thwarted by Brendan Rodgers' squad rotation.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The last two meetings between these clubs were competitive encounters in Europe's top tournament in 2012, with Real Madrid <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">recovering from 2-1 down</span> with four minutes to play to win 3-2 in the Spanish capital and a 1-1 draw being contested at the Etihad Stadium.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This is likely to be another even affair. The other two matches in the Melbourne section of the International Champions Cup finished level, with Rafael Benitez's side being held 0-0 by Roma and Manuel Pellegrini's men drawing 2-2 with them.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The sole difference was that Man City <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">won their ensuing penalty shootout</span> with a little help from Joe Hart, whereas Real were felled by the Giallorossi in sudden death.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back the draw @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="4" oldtitle="14/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.80</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Malaysia XI</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="5" oldtitle="14/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">15.00</span> v Liverpool <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="6" oldtitle="1/10" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.10</span>; The Draw [6.5]<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Friday, 13:45<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Live on LFCTV</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Liverpool have mirrored last season in their early exhibition efforts, though thankfully the phase that they have mimicked is the accomplished friendly performance section rather than the leaking-five-goals-in-24-minutes ignominy that they endured is folding 6-1 at Stoke on the final day.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Reds have played three times already against some of Asia and Australia's finest and have enjoyed a <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">trio of victories</span>, dismissing the Thai All Stars 4-0, overcoming a first-half setback to defeat Brisbane Roar 2-1 and seeing off Adelaide United 2-0.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A common theme in the latest two games, which were closer, was that <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Brendan Rodgers'</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="7" oldtitle="14/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.80</span>-rated top-four hopefuls</span> had to wait until the second half to assume a lead.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They were <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">held 1-1 at half time</span> by Brisbane Roar and 0-0 by Adelaide United, so a small stake on this completing a hat-trick of Draw/Liverpool half-time/full-time combinations might prove shrewd.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Back Draw/Liverpool @</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"> </span></span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="8" oldtitle="4/1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">5.00</span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95qX27CoqYtWnwH0wLMXhnOV7ByXrkRp6jjyfDqorvIPa9mSlNBYp0z5A32F-IUUkcBTTLxbNtx0gOM-etQzGZx1m_MVqOZit39egbxTxVlvmgVdUqCVKvrig51QcUtuV-SzC3IWmhA/s1600/mc6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95qX27CoqYtWnwH0wLMXhnOV7ByXrkRp6jjyfDqorvIPa9mSlNBYp0z5A32F-IUUkcBTTLxbNtx0gOM-etQzGZx1m_MVqOZit39egbxTxVlvmgVdUqCVKvrig51QcUtuV-SzC3IWmhA/s400/mc6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="8" oldtitle="4/1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><br /></span></span></span></div>

Pre-Season Friendlies: Man City set for another penalty shootout

Man City  4.00  v Real Madrid  1.95 ; The Draw  3.80 Friday, 11:00 Live on Sky Sports 1 Raheem Sterling made an immediate impression on h...

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