Gary Cahill has welcomed John Terry's contract extension as a "great boost" for Chelsea players and fans.
Terry's long association with the west London club had looked to be
coming to an end, 17-and-a-half years after he made the first of his 703
appearances.
At the start of the year, the centre-back said he would not be
staying past the end of his contract in the summer, but Chelsea said an
offer may be forthcoming and it arrived this week. Terry put pen to paper on his new deal on Wednesday, ending months of speculation.
"It's important," Cahill said of his fellow defender. "All the lads
are very happy, I am sure the fans are very happy, so it is a great end
to the season in that respect.
"It is a great boost, a great boost for the club, it's a great lift for the players and obviously the fans.
"Although it kind of dragged on for a little while, it has been
sorted now and we look forward to him being part of this squad like he
has been for many, many years. It is fantastic news for us."
That news, and a new era at Stamford Bridge under Antonio Conte, is
at the back of Cahill's mind for now as preparations for Euro 2016 step
up.
With England captain Wayne Rooney unavailable due to playing in
Saturday's FA Cup final, the 41-cap defender will lead his country out
for the second time when Turkey visit the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
It is one of three matches that Roy Hodgson has in which to
experiment with personnel and partnerships before Euro 2016, although
the 26-man squad has to be trimmed to 23 by the end of the month.
"It is certainly a very good squad," Cahill told BBC Radio 5 live. "It is an exciting squad.
"We feel like we've progressed so, for me, it's a very good squad and as an England player and fan an exciting squad."
Cahill is all but assured of a place in the squad given that Hodgson
has, perhaps surprisingly, only selected three out-and-out centre-backs.
The 30-year-old was quick to point out that defensive midfielder Eric
Dier can drop back to join John Stones, Chris Smalling and himself and
said: "There's three centre-halves there and Eric can fill in in that
role.
"Do you look at it as three centre-halves or do you look at it as
four? There's the option there for the manager, and ultimately he has
decided to go that way.
"I don't see that being a big deal whatsoever -- I see that as being perfectly fine."
Barcelona
have agreed to extend their deal with kit manufacturer Nike, with
reports in the Spanish media saying it is the most lucrative agreement
of its type in the world.
La Liga champions Barcelona said in a statement that details of the contract would be revealed at the club's next general assembly.
But reports in Barcelona newspapers Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo said the deal -- which they said would run for another decade -- could be worth €155 million a season.
"FC Barcelona and Nike have extended their current sponsorship deal,
which was due to end on June 30, 2018," Barcelona's statement said.
Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu added: "We are excited by this new agreement."
Arsenal are hoping to announce the signing of Borussia Monchengladbach's Granit Xhaka shortly, a club source has CCS
The development comes after photos emerged online of the Switzerland
midfielder posing in an Arsenal kit at the club's training ground. Xhaka, 23, flew to London on Friday
to undergo a medical and agree personal terms with the Gunners, with
both sides eager to get the deal done before Xhaka joins the Switzerland
squad for the European Championship. Photos emerged on social media on Saturday of Xhaka posing in a full match kit at the indoor training facility at London Colney.
Arsenal would not confirm the authenticity of the photos, which also
showed the midfielder holding up an Arsenal shirt and standing outside
the training facility.
But a source told ESPN FC the deal was close to being finalised and
that the club hoped to announce the signing as soon it was completed.
Arsenal have been in talks with Gladbach for weeks after manager
Arsene Wenger made powerful central midfielder Xhaka one of his top
targets.
Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl confirmed
earlier this week that the German club had received an offer for Xhaka,
but declined to name the interested party and insisted no agreement had
yet been reached.
Xhaka has impressed for club and country in recent years, and
revealed that he wanted to resolve his future before representing
Switzerland at Euro 2016.
Former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has hailed Cristiano
Ronaldo's dedication, explaining how the Portuguese bathed in ice at 3
a.m.
Ronaldo, 31, scored 48 goals in 35 games in the 2013-14 season and
won the Champions League under Ancelotti before the manager was sacked
and Rafa Benitez brought in this summer.
Ancelotti, who is due to take over at Bayern Munich in the summer,
said the striker went to extraordinary lengths to ensure he was in prime
condition.
"Cristiano Ronaldo bathed in ice at three o'clock in the morning,
even if [ex-girlfriend] Irina [Shayk] was waiting for him at home," the
Italian is quoted by Marca as telling the Financial Times.
"He wasn't bothered about the money; he only wanted to be the best.
"I can't go into details but I can tell you that it is incredible how
he has always put his career before models and other issues."
In December, Ronaldo said that he misses Ancelotti and would love to play under the Italian again during his career.
Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has compared striker Anthony Martial to Brazilian former Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo.
Martial scored United's late winning goal in the FA Cup semifinal
against Everton to secure his club's place in Saturday's final against
Crystal Palace.
Cantona -- a Cup final hero for United when he scored the only goal
of the final against Liverpool in 1996 -- believes 20-year-old Martial
was "very clever" to opt for a move to Old Trafford from Monaco.
The Frenchman told MUTV: "He's very mature for his age.
"I think he's the same kind of player as Ronaldo. Of course Ronaldo
is a Brazilian, but he's as strong as him. Martial is skilful, he wants
to score goals and he has good vision.
"At Manchester, it's a great club for young players, when you are in the Academy and also when you are 18, 19, 20 years old.
"You need to work with people who will help you because you're still a
young player, just as [Cristiano] Ronaldo, the Portuguese Ronaldo, did
when he came to play for United and for [Sir Alex] Ferguson.
"Ferguson helped him to be the player he is today. And I think he [Martial] has been very clever to choose Manchester United." Speaking to reporters before the cup final,
Martial said he had no plans to leave United despite the club's
frustrating season, which has seen them miss out on a place in the
Champions League.
He explained: "You never know what happens in the future -- but
certainly the fans have accepted me really well, and the fact they sing
the song about me all the time shows they're quite happy with me.
"I just do my best to try to pay back that support. I love Manchester
and I love being here, and certainly I see myself being here for a good
while yet.
English premier league side Watford have announced that former Inter Milan and Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri will take over as head coach on July 1.
Mazzarri will succeed Quique Sanchez Flores as boss at the Premier
League side after the Spaniard parted company with the club at the end
of the 2015-16 season.
The Italian has agreed a three-year contract at Vicarage Road, as revealed by his agent on Friday, becoming the Hornets' eighth manager in the last four years.
Flores led Watford to a 13th place finish in the club's first season
back in the Premier League and also took them to the semifinals of the
FA Cup where they were beaten by Crystal Palace.
But owner Gino Pozzo was said to be concerned by their slump in the second half of the campaign and decided to make a change.
Watford's chief executive Scott Duxbury told the club's official
website: "Walter has been the target of a number of approaches for his
services, so we're delighted to secure him as head coach here at
Watford.
"We're thoroughly looking forward to working with such a
highly-regarded coach, with the progress and development of the club
always remaining the highest priority."
Mazzarri has been out of work since leaving Inter in 2014 but reached
the Coppa Italia final with both Sampdoria and Napoli, while also
leading the latter to a runners-up finish in Serie A in 2012-13.
Former France international David Ginola is "doing well" after
undergoing a life-saving quadruple heart bypass operation overnight,
according to his surgeon.
Ginola, 49, was airlifted to hospital after collapsing while playing football on Thursday.
There were initially conflicting reports about his well-being, with a
tweet from his official Twitter account on Thursday merely confirming
that he was in hospital "for some tests."
However, it was confirmed on Friday that the former Paris
Saint-Germain, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur winger had
undergone a quadruple bypass operation that went on into the early hours
of Friday morning.
Dr Gilles Dreyfus, who carried out the procedure at a specialist
centre in Monaco, said that Ginola had suffered no neurological
after-effects as a result of the trauma.
He also confirmed that the 1999 PFA and Football Writers' player of the year had woken up late on Friday morning.
"He's groggy and remembers nothing but he's doing well," Dreyfus told Nice Matin. "I was able to talk to him."
Dreyfus said Ginola had arrived "in a catastrophic state" on Thursday night.
"He didn't have a heart attack. But he had very complicated coronary lesions that necessitated a quadruple bypass."
Dreyfus said his team worked from 7 p.m. until past 1 a.m. to save Ginola.
He also paid tribute to the people who gave Ginola a cardiac massage
on the pitch as well as the medics who got him to the hospital.
Incoming Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelottti is looking forward to join German giants and champions.
The Italian manager is taking over from Pep Guardiola at the Allianz Arena this summer and will begin his role at the club on July 1.
And speaking to the Financial Times in an extensive interview, Ancelotti spoke of his positive impression of Bayern as a club.
"I have not had so many meetings with them, but I think it is a
family," Ancelotti said. "They have former players on the board and the
club is 70 percent owned by members."
Ancelotti has won the Champions League three times in an illustrious
managerial career that has included tenures at Juventus, AC Milan,
Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
Despite his success, he is rarely mentioned in discussions about
defining managers of the last two decades, but Ancelotti says he tries
not to allow the lack of recognition to have an impact.
"You have possibilities to be angry every single day," Ancelotti
said. "But the happiness is not in the credit, it is in the work, in the
relationship with the players, with the staff. I don't worry what they
put in newspapers."
Catalan separatists can display pro-independence flags at the Copa
del Rey final on Sunday, when Barcelona will face Sevilla for the title,
a Spanish court ruled on Friday.
The Madrid-based court accepted the appeal filed by Barcelona and a
lawyer's association to challenge the Spanish government's ban of the
flags announced earlier this week.
Government officials had argued the ban of the politically charged
flags formed part of a group of security measures being implemented for
the game at Vicente Calderon Stadium.
Barcelona said the ban of the estelada flag symbolising support for Catalonia's breakaway from the rest of Spain was an attack on the freedom of expression.
Pro-independence flags have become a common sight at Barcelona's home
matches in recent years during an upswing of separatist sentiment in
the northeastern region.
The Catalan club have been fined by UEFA because of pro-secession
chants and flags displayed by their fans during Champions League
matches.
The initial ban by the government sparked a debate in Spain, and was
heavily criticised by politicians from Catalonia and Barcelona, the
region's largest city.
Catalonia's pro-independence regional leader, Carles Puigdemont,
originally responded to the government's ban of the flags by saying he
would not attend the final. He then changed his stance and said he will
go after the court ruled to permit the flags.
Copa del Rey finals in recent years have been used by separatists
among Barcelona's large fan base to display pro-independence flags.
Spain's King Felipe VI was loudly jeered by both Catalans and Basques
before last year's final between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao at the
Camp Nou.
Barcelona, who repeated as La Liga champion last weekend, will be trying to also defend their Copa title.
Sevilla won their third straight Europa League title on Wednesday. The judge's decision said:
"It has at no time been proven that the display of this flag can incite
violence, racism, xenophobia or any form of discrimination against
human dignity.
AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has threatened his players that
he will stop paying them if they do not save their season by winning
the Coppa Italia.
The Rossoneri are set to conclude another disappointing season
without qualifying for Europe for a third straight year unless they
beat Juventus in the final of the Coppa Italia this weekend.
Ahead of that fixture, Berlusconi paid the team a rare visit at their
Milanello training facilities, and he delivered a warning to them.
"We cannot afford to carry on making fools of ourselves," Berlusconi said.
"These people here [turning to point at the camera] are the ones who give us a living because they give us money as sponsors.
"They have just told me now that if you keep playing the way you are,
they aren't going to give us any more money. So I won't pay you. In
fact, if you want your money you would have to take me to court for it,
and do you know how long it takes for a civil action case to be heard in
Italy? Eight years."
It is the first time Berlusconi has been seen at Milanello since he
fired Sinisa Mihajlovic and hired Cristian Brocchi and he was keen to
motivate the players ahead of the weekend's cup final.
"Winning the Coppa Italia would give our season some meaning," he
said. "You need to give everything you have got inside you and then some
more. A win is extremely important for you and for Milan as it would
mean entry into Europe, as well as allowing us to celebrate our 29th
trophy in 30 years."
Milan concluded the Serie A campaign in seventh place, four points
adrift of sixth-placed Sassuolo and 10 behind their city rivals Inter.
If they fail to beat Juve at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, the Europa
League berth on offer to the cup winners would go to Sassuolo.
FIFA's ethics committee adjudicatory chamber has recommended a
two-year ban from all football related activities for Wolfgang
Niersbach, the former president of the German Football Association
(DFB).
Niersbach, who is a current member of the FIFA Council and the UEFA executive committee, resigned in the wake of the 2006 World Cup scandal in November after allegations first published by German news weekly Der Spiegel in mid-October.
The paper reported that the German World Cup bid committee had set up
a slush fund to secure the votes of the four Asian members of the FIFA
Executive Committee for the right to host the 2006 tournament.
The DFB headquarters and Niersbach's private property were raided by dozens of tax investigators and members of the Frankfurt prosecution service over alleged tax fraud concerning a 2002 payment to FIFA for €6.7 million.
Niersbach has denied the claims and insisted that the €6.7m, which
allegedly was paid by the late former adidas CEO Robert Louis-Dreyfus,
was used to release a grant of €170m for the organisation of the
tournament.
A statement read: "The investigations concerning Mr Niersbach
conducted by Dr Cornel Borbely, chairman of the investigatory chamber of
the Ethics Committee, were opened on 22 March 2016 and the final report
was passed to the adjudicatory chamber on 22 April 2016.
"In its final report, the investigatory chamber recommends a sanction
of a two-year ban from all football-related activity and a fine of CHF
30,000 for violations of arts 13, 15, 18, and 19 of the FIFA Code of
Ethics.
"Under its deputy chairman Mr Alan Sullivan, the adjudicatory chamber
has studied the report of the investigatory chamber carefully and
decided to institute formal adjudicatory proceedings against Mr
Niersbach. In the course of the proceedings, Mr Niersbach will be
invited to submit his position including any evidence with regard to the
final report of the investigatory chamber (art. 70 par. 2 of the FIFA
Code of Ethics) and may request a hearing (art. 74 par. 2 of the FIFA
Code of Ethics).
"For reasons linked to privacy rights and the presumption of
innocence until proven guilty, the adjudicatory chamber will not publish
further details at the present time.
Manchester
United manager Louis van Gaal shunted the spotlight away from his own
future by claiming that it is more important for the club to win a
trophy as they need silverware.
The Dutchman is preparing his players for Saturday's FA Cup final at
Crystal Palace at Wembley, which is a venue that he described as "the
most prestigious temple of England."
Having missed out on a top-four finish in the Premier League on goal
difference earlier in the week, he is under pressure to deliver
silverware, which would end United's three-year wait for a trophy.
Speaking at his news conference on Thursday, Van Gaal warned that
Palace will pose a threat from set pieces. That comment might have
encouraged midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who will hope to return to the starting line-up, having completed his suspension in time.
Van Gaal said: "I think the interests of the club are much more
important, and the interest of the fans is more important, than those of
the manager.
"Of course, you have your own aims and that's one of the aims I have
had always, so it's always exciting when you are so close, but close is
not enough. You have to win it. A club like Manchester United needs
silverware."
"When you win silverware, it's important for the players, because a
qualification is not a title. A title is the FA Cup or championship,
because they can look and hold the trophy, so that's an exciting moment
also. We are playing in the most prestigious temple in England.
"Fellaini is not suspended. But you have to wait and see the line-up.
If I say something about that, then [Palace manager] Alan Pardew knows
the line-up. They have scored 29 of 56 goals out of set plays. It's a
lot more than us."
Van Gaal has faced criticism for his style this season but he
admitted that he would settle for grinding out a narrow win again on
Saturday. He made reference to Liverpool's Europa League final defeat
against Sevilla on Wednesday to highlight the futility of progressing to
the last stage, then losing.
The United manager said: "Close is not enough you have to win it.
Now, we can win something. You cannot predict a final, you have seen it
yesterday, for example.
"Our starting point is to win well and score beautiful goals but, if
we win 1-0, that is also enough. Winning is the most important thing in a
final, otherwise you have nothing."
He said that he would not shy away from using youngsters again,
explaining: "We need matches of this level because it's an education for
the young players. You have to cope with that pressure. It is a step in
their development."
Borussia Monchengladbach have suggested that the bid they received
for Arsenal target Granit Xhaka this week falls short of their
valuation.
Sources told CCS last month that Arsenal were confident of signing Xhaka, 23, and Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl confirmed this week that they have received an offer for the player, although he neglected to name the bidding club.
Xhaka himself also declined to confirm whether Arsenal were the club in question but said he could imagine joining the Premier League side.
However, an agreement appears to be some way off, with Bild
reporting on Thursday that Arsenal have offered only €25 million
(£19.1m) for the Switzerland international and that Gladbach are seeking
€40m (£30.7m).
Eberl told Bild: "There is an offer, but it does not mean that we
will allow Granit a transfer for that price. We really don't need to
discuss the fee proposed in the offer."
All 16 national teams competing at the Copa America Centenario in the
United States in June have accounced 40-man provisional squads. Final,
23-man rosters must be submitted by May 20. Argentina (provisional)
Mariano Andujar (Estudiantes), Geronimo Rulli (Real Sociedad), Nahuel
Guzman (UANL), Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Agustin Marchesin
(Santos Laguna), Mateo Musacchio (Villarreal), Gonzalo Rodriguez
(Fiorentina), Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina), Marcos Rojo (Manchester
United), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Martine Demichelis
(Manchester City), Ramiro Funes Mori (Argentina), Ezequiel Garay
(Rosario Central), Emmanuel Mes (San Lorenzo), Milton Casco (River
Plate), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate), Jonathan Maidana (River Plate),
Leonel Vangioni (River Plate), Guido Pizarro (UANL), Javier Pastore
(Paris Saint-Germain), Ever Banega (Sevilla), Javier Mascherano
(Barcelona), Augusto Fernandez (Atletico Madrid), Matias Kranevitter
(Atletico Madrid), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Roberto Pereyra (Juventus),
Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur), Enzo Perez (Valencia), Carlos Tevez
(Boca Juniors), Lautaro Acosta (Lanus), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Hebei China
Fortune), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica), Angel Di Maria (Paris
Saint-Germain), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli),
Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Sergio Aguero
(Manchester City) Brazil (final)
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Internacional), Diego Alves (Valencia), Ederson (Benfica) Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Fabinho (Monaco),
Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Douglas Santos (Atletico Mineiro),
Miranda (Inter Milan), Gil (Shandong Luneng), Marquinhos (Paris
Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Caio (Sao Paulo) Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Elias
(Corinthians), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Rafinha (Barcelona), Renato
Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Lucas Lima
(Santos), Willian (Chelsea) Forwards: Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich), Hulk (Zenit), Ricardo Oliveira (Santos), Gabriel (Santos) Bolivia (provisional)
Carlos Lampe (Sport Boys), Romel Quinonez (Bolivar), Juan Carlos Robles
(San Jose) y Guillermo Viscarra (Oriente Petrolero), Marvin Bejarano
(Oriente Petrolero), Jorge Flores (Universitario), Nelson Cabrera
(Bolivar), Diego Bejarano (The Strongest), Mario Saavedra (Bolivar),
Omar Morales (Wilstermann), Edward Zenteno (Wilstermann), Fernando
Marteli (The Strongest), Cristhian Coimbra (Blooming), Ronald Eguino
(Bolivar), Ignacio García (Nacional Potosi) y Luis Gutierrez (Hapoel
Ironi Kiryat Shmona), Pedro Azogue (Oriente Petrolero), Sebastian
Gamarra (AC Milan), Walter Veizaga (The Strongest), Jhasmani Campos
(Kazma FC), Martin Smedberg Dalence (IFK Goteborg), Fernando Saucedo
(Wilstermann), Alejandro Chumacero (The Strongest), Rudy Cardozo
(Bolivar), Samuel Galindo (Petrolero), Cristhian Machado (Wilstermann),
Mario Parrado (San Jose), Alejandro Melean (Oriente Petrolero), Raul
Castro (The Strongest) y Danny Bejarano (Bolivar), Enrique Hurtado
(Petrolero), Rodrigo Ramallo (The Strongest), Juan Carlos Arce
(Bolivar), Carmelo Algaranaz (Petrolero), Bruno Miranda (Universidad de
Chile), Gilbert Alvarez (Real Potosi), Marcelo Martins Moreno (Changchun
Yatai), Rodrigo Vargas (The Strongest), Eduardo Fierro (Universitario),
Yasmani Duk (New York Cosmos) Chile (final) Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Barcelona), Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile), Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Catolica) Defenders: Mauricio Isla (Marseille), Jose Pedro
Fuenzalida (Universidad Catolica), Gonzalo Jara (Universidad de Chile),
Enzo Roco (Espanyol), Gary Medel (Inter), Eugenio Mena (Sao Paulo) Midfielders: Jean Beausejour (Colo Colo), Marcelo Diaz
(Celta Vigo), Francisco Silva (Chiapas), Erick Pulgar (Bologna), Arturo
Vidal (Bayern Munich), Matias Fernandez (Fiorentina), Charles Aranguiz
(Bayer Leverkusen), Pablo Hernandez (Celta Vigo), Edson Puch (LDU
Quito). Forwards: Nicolas Castillo (Universidad Catolica),
Fabian Orellana (Celta Vigo), Mauricio Pinilla (Atalanta), Alexis
Sanchez (Arsenal), Eduardo Vargas (Hoffenheim). Colombia (provisional)
Cristian Bonilla (Atletico Nacional), David Ospina (Arsenal), Camilo
Vargas (Argentinos Juniors), Robinson Zapata (Santa Fe), Felipe Aguilar
(Atletico Nacional), Eder Alvarez (River Plate), Santiago Arias (PSV),
Cristian Borja (Santa Fe), Farid Diaz (Atletico Nacional), Frank Fabra
(Boca Juniors), Deiver Machado (Millonarios), Stefan Medina (Pachuca),
Yerry Mina (Santa Fe), Jeison Murillo (Inter Milan), Oscar Murillo
(Pachuca), Helibelton Palacios (Deportivo Cali), William Tesillo (Santa
Fe), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Wilmar Barrios (Deportes Tolima),
Nicolas Benedetti (Deportivo Cali), Edwin Cardona (Monterrey), Guillermo
Celis (Junior), Juan Cuadrado (Juventus), Gustavo Cuellar (Flamengo),
Cristian Higuita (Orlando City SC), Vladimir Hernandez (Junior),
Sebastian Perez (Atletico Nacional), Andres Felipe Roa (Deportivo Cali),
James Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Carlos Sanchez (Aston Villa), Daniel
Torres (Independiente Medellin), Carlos Bacca (AC Milan), Roger Martinez
(Racing Club), Marlos Moreno (Atletico Nacional), Dayro Moreno (Club
Tijuana), Luis Fernando Muriel (Sampdoria), Felipe Pardo (Olympiacos,
GRE), Harold Preciado (Deportivo Cali), Luis Quiñones (Pumas UNAM),
Adrian Ramos (Borussia Dortmund) Costa Rica (final)
Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (Real Madrid), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense), Esteban Alvarado (Trabzonspor) Defenders: Cristian Gamboa (West Brom), Jose
Salvatierra (Alajuelense), Michael Umana (Persepolis), Johnny Acosta
(Alajuelense), Oscar Duarte (Espanyol), Kendall Waston (Vancouver
Whitecaps), Ronald Matarrita (New York City FC), Bryan Oviedo (Everton),
Francisco Calvo (Saprissa) Midfielders: Yeltsen Tejeda (Evian), Celso Borges
(Deportivo La Coruna), Randall Azofeifa (Herediano), Esteban Granados
(Herediano), Bryan Ruiz (Sporting Club), Johan Venegas (Montreal
Impact), Christian Bolanos (Vancouver Whitecaps), Joel Campbell
(Arsenal) Forwards: Ariel Rodriguez (Alajuelense), Alvaro Saborio (D.C. United), Marcos Urena (Midtjylland) Ecuador (final) Goalkeepers: Alexander Dominguez (LDU de Quito), Esteban Dreer (C.S. Emelec), Maximo Banguera (Barcelona SC) Defenders: Juan Carlos Paredes (Watford), Arturo Mina
(Independiente del Valle), Gabriel Achilier (C.S. Emelec), Frickson
Erazo (Atletico Mineiro), Robert Arboleda (U. Catolica), Walter Ayovi
(Monterrey), Cristian Ramirez (Ferencvarosi) Midfielders: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United),
Angel Mena (C.S. Emelec), Christian Noboa (Rostov), Fernando Gaibor
(C.S. Emelec), Pedro Larrea (El Nacional), Carlos Gruezo (FC Dallas),
Jefferson Montero (Swansea), Michael Arroyo (Club America), Fidel
Martinez (Pumas) Forwards: Enner Valencia (West Ham), Jaime Ayovi (Godoy Cruz), Juan Cazares (Atletico Mineiro), Miller Bolanos (Gremio) Jamaica (provisional)
Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Akeem Chambers (Waterhouse),
Duwayne Kerr (Unattached), Ryan Thompson (St. Louis FC) Shaven Paul
(Portmore United), Sergio Campbell (Pittsburgh Riverhounds), Upston
Edwards (Portmore United), Joel Grant (Exeter City), Rosario Harriott
(Harbour View), Michael Hector (Reading), Kemar Lawrence (New York Red
Bulls), Adrian Mariappa (Crystal Palace), Wes Morgan (Leicester City),
Demar Phillips (Real Salt Lake), Alvas Powell (Portland Timbers), Ladale
Richie (Montego Bay United), Damano Solomon (Portmore United), Jermaine
Taylor (Portland Timbers), Rodolph Austin (Brondby), Michael Binns
(Portmore United), Oniel Fisher (Seattle Sounders FC), Vishinul Harris
(Arnett Gardens), Omar Holness (Real Salt Lake), Chevonne Marsh
(Cavalier), Joel McAnuff (Leyton Orient), Garath McCleary (Reading),
Ricardo Morris (Portmore United), Romeo Parkes (Pittsburgh Riverhounds),
Andrew Vanzie (Humble Lions), Je-Vaughn Watson (New England
Revolution), Lee Williamson (Blackburn Rovers), Giles Barnes (Houston
Dynamo), Andre Clennon (Vaasan Palloseura), Simon Dawkins (San Jose
Earthquakes), Clayton Donaldson (Birmingham City), Junior Flemmings (New
York Red Bulls II), Jamar Loza (Norwich City), Darren Mattocks
(Portland Timbers), Dever Orgill (Marieham), Allan Ottey (Montego Bay
United) Haiti (provisional)
Steward Ceus (Unattached), Luis Valendi Odelus (Aigle Noir), Johny
Placide (Reims), Brian Sylvestre (Carolina RailHawks), Jean Sony Alcenat
(Voluntari), Jean Marc Alexandre (Fort Lauderdale Strikers), Carlens
Arcus (Troyes), Wilguens Aristede (FICA), Judelin Aveska (Atletico
Uruguay), Alex Christian (Vila Real), Romain Genevois (Nice), Chadeley
Germain (Petit-Goâve), Reginal Goreux (Standard Liege), Kim Jaggy
(Aarau), Andrew Jean-Baptiste (Estrella San Agustin), Jerome Mechack
(Jacksonville Armada), Stephane Lambese (Paris Saint-Germain),
Jean-Jacques Pierre (Paris FC), Paulson Pierre (Baltimore), Ricardo Ade
(Don Bosco), Bryan Alceus (Bordeaux), Junior Delva (Don Bosco),
Wilde-Donald Guerrier (Wisla Krakow), Zachary Herivaux (New England
Revolution), Max Hilaire (Cholet), Kevin Lafrance (Chrobry Glogow),
James Marcelin (Carolina RailHawks), Pascal Millien (Jacksonville
Armada), Soni Mustivar (Sporting Kansas City), Sony Norde (Mohun Bagan),
Sebastien Thuriere (San Antonio FC), Herve Bazile (Caen), Kervens
Belfort (1461 Trabzon), Woodensky Cherenfant (FICA), Jonel Desire
(Mirebalais), Derrick Etienne (New York Red Bulls), Jeff Louis (Caen),
Jean-Eudes Maurice (Ha Noi), Duckens Nazon (Laval), Manchini Telfort
(Cavaly) Mexico (final)
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (Malaga), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca) Defenders: Paul Aguilar (Club America), Miguel Layun
(Porto), Rafael Marquez (Atlas), Diego Reyes (Real Sociedad), Nestor
Araujo (Santos Laguna), Hector Moreno (PSV), Yasser Corona (Queretaro),
Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres), Jesus Molina (Santos Laguna) Midfielders: Jesus Manuel Corona (Porto), Hector
Herrera (Porto), Hirving Lozano (Pachuca), Andres Guardado (PSV), Carlos
Pena (Chivas), Jurgen Damm (Tigres), Javier Aquino (Tigres), Jesus
Duenas (Tigres) Forwards: Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkeusen), Raul Jimenez (Benfica), Oribe Peralta (Club America) Panama (final) Goalkeepers: Jose Calderon (Platense), Jaime Penedo (Saprissa), Alex Rodriguez (San Francisco) Defenders: Felipe Baloy (Atlas), Harold Cummings
(Alajuelense), Eric Davis (FC DAC 1904), Fidel Escobar (Sporting San
Miguelito), Luis Henriquez (Tauro), Adolfo Machado (Saprissa), Roderick
Miller (San Francisco) Midfielders: Ricardo Buitrago (Juan Aurich), Armando
Cooper (Arabe Unido), Anibal Godoy (San Jose Earthquakes), Gabriel Gomez
(Cartagines), Amilcar Henriquez (America), Valentin Pimental (La
Equidad), Alberto Quintero (San Jose Earthquakes) Forwards: Abdiel Arroyo (RNK Split), Ismael Diaz (Porto
B), Roberto Nurse (Mineros de Zacatecas), Blas Perez (Vancouver
Whitecaps), Luis Tejada (Juan Aurich), Gabriel Torres (Zamora) Paraguay (final)
Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Colo Colo), Antony Silva (Cerro Porteno), Diego Barreto (Olimpia) Defenders: Paulo Da Silva (Toluca), Gustavo Gomez
(Lanus), Pablo Aguilar (America), Fabian Balbuena (Corinthians), Bruno
Valdez (Cerro Porteno), Miguel Samudio (America), Blas Riveros (Olimpia) Midfielders: Oscar Romero (Racing), Nestor Ortigoza
(San Lorenzo), Celso Ortiz (AZ Alkmaar), Rodrigo Rojas (Cerro Porteno),
Robert Piris Da Motta (Olimpia), Miguel Almiron (Lanus) Forwards: Roque Santa Cruz (Malaga), Nelson Valdez
(Seattle Sounders), Edgar Benitez (Queretaro), Derlis Gonzalez (Dynamo
Kiev), Jorge Benitez (Cruz Azul), Dario Lezcano (Ingolstadt), Juan
Iturbe (Bournemouth) Peru (final)
Goalkeepers: Carlos Caceda (Universitario), Pedro Gallese (Juan Aurich), Diego Penny (Sporting Cristal) Defenders: Luis Abram (Sporting Cristal), Miguel Araujo
(Alianza Lima), Jair Cespedes (Sporting Cristal), Aldo Corzo (Deportivo
Municipal), Christian Ramos (Juan Aurich), Alberto Rodriguez (Sporting
Cristal), Miguel Trauco (Universitario), Yoshimar Yotun (Malmo) Midfielders: Armando Alfageme (Deportivo Municipal),
Adan Balbin (Universitario), Cristian Benavente (Charleroi), Christian
Cueva (Toluca), Luiz da Silva (PSV Eindhoven), Alejandro Hohberg
(Universidad Cesar Vallejo), Renato Tapia (Feyenoord), Oscar Vilchez
(Alianza Lima) Forwards: Edison Flores (Universitario), Paolo Guerrero (Flamengo), Andy Polo (Universitario), Raul Ruidiaz (Universitario) United States (provisional)
David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim
Howard (Everton), Ethan Horvath (Molde), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake),
Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Matt Besler
(Sporting Kansas City), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), John Brooks
(Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Monterrey),
Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC),
Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest), Matt Miazga
(Chelsea FC), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Ream (Fulham), DeAndre
Yedlin (Sunderland), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya
(FC Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (New York City
FC), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Jermaine Jones
(Colorado Rapids), Perry Kitchen (Heart of Midlothian), Alfredo Morales
(Ingolstadt), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Lee Nguyen (New
England Revolution), Danny Williams (Reading FC), Graham Zusi (Sporting
Kansas City), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Clint Dempsey (Seattle
Sounders FC), Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew), Jordan Morris (Seattle
Sounders FC), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund), Chris Wondolowski
(San Jose Earthquakes), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin), Gyasi Zardes (LA
Galaxy) Uruguay (final)
Goalkeepers: Martin Campana (Independiente), Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martin Silva (Vasco da Gama) Defenders: Sebastian Coates (Sporting Lisbon), Jorge
Fucile (Nacional), Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Diego Godin (Atletico
Madrid), Alvaro Pereira (Getafe), Maximiliano Pereira (Porto), Mauricio
Victorino (Nacional) Midfielders: Mathias Corujo (Universidad de Chile),
Alvaro Gonzalez (Atlas), Nicolas Lodeiro (Boca Juniors), Gaston Ramirez
(Middlesbrough), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Atlas), Cristian Rodriguez
(Independiente), Carlos Sanchez (Monterrey), Matias Vecino (Fiorentina) Forwards: Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain), Abel
Hernandez (Hull City), Diego Rolan (Bordeaux), Cristhian Stuani
(Middlesbrough), Luis Suarez (Barcelona) Venezuela (provisional)
Jose Contreras (Tachira), Wuilker Farinez (Caracas), Dani Hernandez
(Tenerife), Eduardo Herrera (Lara), Wilker Angel (Tachira), Daniel
Benitez (La Guaira), Jhon Chancellor (Mineros de Guayana), Rolf
Feltscher (MSV Duisburg), Victor Garcia (Porto), Alexander Gonzalez
(Huesca), Rubert Quijada (Caracas), Roberto Rosales (Malaga), Andres
Tunez (Buriram United), Jefre Vargas (Caracas), Jose Manuel Velazquez
(Arouca), Mikel Villanueva (Atletico Malagueno), Oswaldo Vizcarrondo
(Nantes), Juan Pablo Anor (Malaga), Carlos Cermeno (Tachira), Arquimedes
Figuera (La Guaira), Arles Flores (Zamora), Cesar Gonzalez (Cortiba),
Alejandro Guerra (Atletico Nacional), Yangel Herrera (Atletico
Venezuela), Jacobo Kouffaty (Cuenca), Jhon Murillo (Tondela), Romulo
Otero (Huachipato), Adalberto Penaranda (Granada), Tomas Rincon (Genoa),
Luis Manuel Seijas (Santa Fe) Yeferson Soteldo (Zamora), Carlos Suarez
(Carabobo), Ronald Vargas (AEK Athens), Yonathan Del Valle (Kasimpasa),
Josef Martinez (Torino), Andres Ponce (Sampdoria), Gelmin Rivas
(Al-Ittihad), Salomon Rondon (West Bromwich Albion), Christian Santos
(NEC Nijmegen), Jeffren Suarez (Eupen)
Brazil coach Dunga says that he has stopped calling up Real Madrid
left-back Marcelo for the national team due to the players' bad attitude
and false public comments.
Marcelo was not included in the Selecao squad for March's
World Cup 2018 qualifiers against Paraguay and Uruguay, despite being
fit to play for Madrid at the time, and was also left out of the panel for the summer's Copa America Centenario in the United States.
A debate over the omission has become increasingly embittered, with Los Blancos
coach Zinedine Zidane talking of "lies" coming from the Brazil camp,
and a national team doctor becoming embroiled in a petty-sounding
dispute over comments made from both sides. Speaking to SporTV,
the 1994 World Cup-winning captain said that his problem with Marcelo
stemmed from comments the player had made following a 2-0 World Cup
qualifier defeat against Chile last October.
Marcelo had claimed that Brazil's poor showing had been partly due to a lack of preparation time.
"[Marcelo] cannot do whatever he wants, just because he is a good
player," Dunga said. "He must be careful about what he says. There are
players who are hurting themselves because they create headlines which
are not true.
"Apart from his technical ability, a player must be committed and
behave well. I will not say everything here, you just have to look at
what happened after the Chile game, just after our arrival, and then you
can understand everything."
Leicester City will look to sign three or four players this summer as
they prepare for their first Champions League campaign, vice-chairman
Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has said.
Leicester's Premier League title success sees them qualify for next
season's Champions League group stage, while they also take part in the International Champions Cup tournament this summer and will face the FA Cup winners in the Community Shield.
The Foxes were able to devote their energies to the league this
season, playing just five extra games in total across the FA Cup and
Capital One Cup, and they will now look to bolster their squad to cope
with the increased demands.
Speaking on the club's visit to Bangkok, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: "I am extremely happy with the current squad we have, but next season we have so many more competitions.
"We have to add some players. Maybe we will add three or four. If we
sign more it will not be down to me, but the scouts and manager. They
have the sharp eyes to bring in amazing players."
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri stressed that he and head of
recruitment Steve Walsh will only be looking to bring in players who fit
the club's mentality.
"It's not so important to bring superstars but to bring players like
ours, that play with the heart and the soul," he said. "This is a family
team and we need to find new brothers."
Real Madrid duo Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez are both set to miss August's Olympic Games football tournament in Brazil.
Portugal captain Ronaldo and Colombia midfielder James are both
eligible to be selected as overage players for the tournament in Rio de
Janeiro, but the duo will also be representing their countries earlier
in the summer, with the former at Euro 2016 in France and the latter at
the Copa America Centenario in the United States.
Portugal Olympic team coach Rui Jorge has told Lance that, although the final decision on Ronaldo has yet to be made, he is not making plans around the 31-year-old.
"We do not yet know exactly about the three players over 23, we will
wait, but I don't believe Cristiano Ronaldo will be there," he said.
He added: "I don't know. We are not thinking about that. Of course he
is one of the two best players in the world. Any club or country could
use his contribution."
Colombian FA president Ramon Jesurun indicated to ESPN Deportes that James has already made his decision in conjunction with management.
"James spoke privately with coaches from the Colombia senior team and
the decision was taken for him to go to the Copa America," Jesurun
said. "It is understandable. It was very difficult for him to go to both
tournaments, you must understand that."
It has already been confirmed that Barcelona and Brazil star Neymar will miss the Copa America to take part in the Olympics on home soil.
The Olympic football tournament in Rio is being played between Aug.
3-20, with the Primera Division season due to kick off on Aug. 20. Barca
will also face Sevilla in the two-legged Spanish Supercopa, which is
due to take place on Aug. 10 and 15.
Former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has hailed Cristiano
Ronaldo's dedication, explaining how the Portuguese bathed in ice at 3
a.m.
Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has compared striker Anthony Martial to Brazilian former Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo.
Martial scored United's late winning goal in the FA Cup semifinal
against Everton to secure his club's place in Saturday's final against
Crystal Palace.
FIFA's ethics committee adjudicatory chamber has recommended a
two-year ban from all football related activities for Wolfgang
Niersbach, the former president of the German Football Association
(DFB).
Leicester City will look to sign three or four players this summer as
they prepare for their first Champions League campaign, vice-chairman
Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has said.
