Abel RKay

French footballer Nicolas Anelka on Sunday strongly defended a controversial gesture he made during a weekend match, saying "I am neither anti-Semite nor racist", even as British football authorities mulled possible punishment. The 34-year-old West Bromwich Albion striker and former member of France's national team issued a series of tweets rejecting claims that the gesture he made Saturday was anti-Semitic or a thinly veiled Nazi-like salute, as many have interpreted. His response came amid growing outrage online and internationally, and a risk that he could face match suspensions if England's Football Association finds his act racially offensive. Anelka argued in his tweets that the gesture -- in which he thrust his straightened right arm downwards while tapping his bicep with the other hand -- was merely "anti-establishment". "I don't know what religion has to do with it. Of course I'm not an anti-Semite or r

Left: Hull City's midfielder Tom Huddlestone celebrates scoring  against Fulham at the KC Stadium Hull City's Tom Huddlestone scored his first goal in over two and a half years on Saturday, before honouring a bet by getting an impromptu pitch-side haircut. The English midfielder made a bet during his time with previous club Tottenham Hotspur that he would not cut his hair until he next scored a goal. Having last found the net in Spurs' 3-3 draw with Arsenal in April 2011, his hair has swelled into a huge afro, but he finally ended his drought in Hull's 6-0 victory at home to Fulham. Huddlestone put Hull 4-0 up in the 67th minute, smashing home from the edge of the area, before running to the touchline, where a member of the Hull staff produced a pair of scissors and cut off a sizeable lock of his hair. "That (the celebration) has been sorted out since the beginning of last season at Tottenham," said Huddlestone, who was als

Javier Mascherano has revealed his delight at the impending return of Lionel Messi for Barcelona. The four-time Ballon d'Or winner is in the latter stages of his recovery from a hamstring injury - which he suffered in the 4-1 win over Real Betis on Nov. 11. Messi is expected to feature in Barcelona's clash with Elche on Jan. 5 - the club's first game after the international break - and Mascherano cannot wait to line up alongside his compatriot again. He said: " I spoke to Leo during all his injury. I know that he's very well, and that he has made a fantastic recovery." In his absence, the Blaugrana have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League but have seen their lead at the top of La Liga eroded, with second-placed Atletico Madrid level with Barca on 46 points. Messi will find out whether he has been successful in his bid to add to his record haul of Ballon d'Or awards when the winner of the prize is announced on Jan. 13, with

Luis Suarez's "wild nature" was on display as he tried to win a penalty with an "acrobatic swimming pool jump" that deserved a yellow card for simulation, according to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. Chelsea had done well to stifle the Liverpool marksman before the flash point in the final stages of their absorbing 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge on Sunday that left Mourinho and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers in firm disagreement. Trailing after goals by Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto'o following Martin Skrtel's early strike, Suarez set off after Chelsea fullback Cesar Azpilicueta only for Eto'o to block his run, leaving the Uruguayan on the floor appealing in vain to referee Howard Webb. "The player is amazing and I love his quality, commitment and ambition to play," Mourinho told British media of Premier League top scorer Suarez, banned for 10 games after biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in a game last Apr

Olivier Giroud ensured Arsenal will finish 2013 on top of the Barclays Premier League as his second-half goal clinched a 1-0 win against Newcastle United.    Arsene Wenger's side had surrendered first place after Manchester City's win over Crystal Palace, but just 24 hours later the Gunners reclaimed pole position with a hard-fought victory at St James' Park. Giroud's first goal since November 23 was enough to give Arsenal their second successive win and move them one point ahead of second placed City heading into the new year. Arsenal, who were without German playmaker Mesut Ozil, took the lead when France forward Giroud bagged his 11th goal of the season with a glancing header from Theo Walcott's free-kick in the 65th minute. "There is a big satisfaction because we surprised many people," Wenger said. "We played two away games and got six points against West Ham and Newcastle and as you can see the team is ready f

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 Mashabiki wa Chelsea wakiishangilia timu yao. Skrtel akifunga goli baada ya kutokea piga nikupige langoni mwa Chelsea Skrtel akishangilia goli lao la kwanza kwa upande wa liverpool Chelsea ambao wako nyumbani walirudi kwa kasi na kufunga mabao mawili  yaliyowekwa nyavuni na Hazard na Eto'o na kwenda mapumziko wakiwa mbele kwa 2-1.

Wachezaji wa Hull City wakishangilia moja ya magoli yao baada ya kuwachabanga Fulham 6-0 jana kwenye mchezo wa Pemier League huko Uingereza, huku golikipa wa Fulham akionekana kwenda nyavuni kuokota mpira. Matokeo mengine ya mechi za EPL za jana ni kama inavyoonesha hapo chini West Ham 3 vs West Brom 3 Aston Villa 1 vs Swansea 1 Man City 1 vs Crystal Palace 0 Norwich 0 vs Man United 1 Cardiff 2 vs Sunderland 2

    ‘They like to cry’ – Jose taunts Gunners   Mourinho Jose Mourinho dismissed suggestions that John Mikel Obi was fortunate not to be sent off during the 0-0 draw at Arsenal, who “like to cry” according to the Chelsea boss. The Gunners were angry after Mikel was given the benefit of the doubt by referee Mike Dean following a second-half challenge on Mikel Arteta. But Mourinho, still unbeaten against Arsenal, said: “They like to cry. That’s tradition. “English people, for example Frank Lampard, never provoke a situation like that and players from some countries – especially some countries – have it in their blood. “Even if the opponent is aggressive with you, keep going. Let’s go – this is English football. “Football is for men – or women with a fantastic attitude. It is a game of contact. The referee had a great game.” Chants of “boring, boring Chelsea” rang out from the frustrated home fans after the final whistle. Mourinho countered: “I ag

Cheki Tweet ya Spurs hapa chini ikieleza juu ya kocha wao mpya. Tottenham Hotspur          ✔ @ SpursOfficial Follow The Club can announce that Tim Sherwood has been appointed Head Coach with a contract to the end of the 2014/15 season 12:16 AM - 24 Dec 2013   Tweets nyingine zinazohusu uteuzi wa Sherwood kuutwaa umeneja wa Spurs hizi hapa.   Henry Winter          ✔ @ henrywinter Follow Sherwood's contract "to end of 2014-2015 season" presumably also designed to send a message to # thfc players that he's more than a caretaker 12:19 AM - 24 Dec 2013       James Pearce          ✔ @ Pearcesport Follow I wish Tim Sherwood well, but have concerns for man with no managerial experience working for Chairman with such high expectations 12:24 AM - 24 Dec 2013

Telegraph Sport runs the rule over the Arsenal and Chelsea players following Monday night's Premier League meeting at the Emirates Stadium    Arsenal Wojciech Szczrsny Watched one Lampard shot hit the underside of the bar and saved another effort from the midfielder. Otherwise, it was a comfortable evening for the Arsenal keeper. 7/10    Bacary Sagna Upset Mourinho by going down in a heap by the touchline after being caught by Lampard. Tried to raid forwards when he could and nearly set up Giroud in the first half. 6    Per Mertesacker Arsenal’s German found it easy against Torres. He also dealt with Chelsea set pieces into the Arsenal area with Terry and Cahill threatening. 7    Thomas Vermaelen The captain came in for the injured Laurent Koscielny and was rarely tested by Chelsea’s front players. Will have been relieved to see Lampard hit the bar, when he was caught out of position. 6  Kieran Gibbs Produced a wonderful

Manager was meant to bring the beautiful game to Stamford Bridge but his instincts are telling him to go back to his old ways    Jose Mourinho called it “one step back”, but it was a move that made him happy. Chelsea ’s reversion to solidity, caution and tough tackling was a throwback to his first reign. He turned the Christmas lights off for the night and they may not come back on. Mourinho’s return to English football has been bumpy. All across the game you hear people theorising that he is not the same man who left these shores in September 2007. He is not diminished, exactly, but seems less decisive and sure of his destiny. With this 0-0 draw, though, he was back in a safe familiar place. For this London derby Mourinho occupied the coaching zone from the kick-off, writing notes, jabbing his finger at positions he wanted his players to occupy. His expression was grave and often grumpy. He was trying to shape the game in his defeat-ph

Tanzanian Vodakcom Premier League (VPL) Champion football giant club Yanga Football Club has terminated the services of their former head coach, Ernie Brandts. The Dutch national's contract has been terminated with just a month to be ended officially. He handled the team in 50 club engagements where he registered 29 victories, 13 draws and 8 losses. According to a club official,Abdallah Ahmed Bin Kleb, the decision was met just 2 days after that bitter 3-1 loss to arch-rivals Simba football club during a tense match in which Ugandan striker, Emmanuel Okwi netted on his new club debut (for Yanga f.c) at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.  "We shall continue to work with the assistants of the sacked coach as we look forward to a permanent replacement", Vice Chairman of the Competition Committee , Mussa Katabaro is quoted by Bin Zubinery, in the soccer mad city of Dar es salaam. Bin Kleb used the same forum to announce the club's future plan

This is a very special moment that we share. May the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ renew our heart and souls to continue serving our God.. Amen!

Yaya Toure's plea for Messi to join Manchester City if he leaves Barcelona  The prospect of the double world player of the year making a sensatonal switch to the Etihad has been a dream for the Blues faithful   Yaya Toure wants Messi to join the Blues. The prospect of the double world player of the year making a sensatonal switch to the Etihad has been a dream for the Blues faithful but the prospect of City shelling out a world record £100m for the Barca superstar has moved closer with Yaya going public. He said on a French sports channel this evening: "If it's to come to Manchester City, I hope Messi can leave Barca"   Messi is reportedly unhappy at the Spanish giants under Gerardo Martino. It has been reported today that he publicly criticised club vice-president Javier Faus. Messi is said to have laid into Faus, claiming he "doesn't know anything about football." He also said Faus "wants to manage Barcelona like a business,

Wayne Rooney was quite happy to play in midfield for David Moyes on Saturday     A grinning Wayne Rooney lingered on the grass for a while and was the last man to leave the pitch, strolling away in easy conversation with Carlton Cole like he owned the place. This was a Rooney who had just spent the afternoon in midfield, precisely the location which antagonised him so much when Sir Alex Ferguson asked him to play there. The powers to recover the Rooney we once knew are the singular most remarkable aspect of the David Moyes era. He has now made more assists – eight – than any other player in the Premier League this season and though the goalscoring has not quite reached the rapacious levels of Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero, the contribution has been more complete. Manchester United winning the battle to keep him has been every bit as significant as Liverpool holding on to Suarez. “Do you know what I see more than anything in Wayne? I see leadership,” the United

Spain international Pedro scored a nine-minute hat-trick as Barcelona overturned a two-goal deficit to lead La Liga going into the winter break.  Getafe led 2-0 inside the opening 15 minutes after Sergio Escudero drilled in after a neat one-two and Lisandro Lopez powered in a free header.   But Barca, without the injured Lionel Messi and suspended Neymar, led before half-time thanks to Pedro's treble. Cesc Fabregas scored twice more as the champions moved above Atletico Madrid. Gerardo Martino's side knew they needed to beat eighth-placed Getafe with anything other than a 1-0 win to move back ahead of Atletico, who won 3-2 against Levante on Saturday, on goal difference. The Spanish top-flight has a two-week mid-season break over the Christmas and New Year period, with La Liga clubs returning to action on 4 January. While much of the pre-match focus concentrated on Barca's abil