BARCELONA COULD JOIN PREMIER LEAGUE IF CATALAN INDEPENDENCE HAPPENS, CLAIMS SPORT MINISTER

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If Catalunya were to break free of Spain then the Camp Nou giants, along with Espanyol and Girona, would have to explore options away from La Liga

Barcelona could look at joining the Premier League, Ligue 1 or Serie A if Catalan independence is secured, according to the region’s sports minister.

A controversial referendum is due to be staged on Sunday , with Catalunya seeking to become recognised as a nation in its own right,

The Spanish government has deemed the process illegal, with ballot boxes being seized and prime minister Mariano declaring that the vote “won’t happen”.

Catalan natives are pressing ahead with their proposal, though, and that includes a plan of action for sporting clubs should a new country be formed.

Barcelona, Espanyol and Girona would all face an uncertain future on the back of independence, but Gerard Figueras believes that there are plenty of intriguing options to explore.

He said: “In the case of independence, Catalan teams in La Liga – Barcelona, Espanyol and Girona – will have to decide where they want to play: in the Spanish league or a neighbouring country like Italy, France or the Premier League.

“Now in Spain there teams from other countries who play in national leagues: clubs from Andorra in football and basketball. Monaco play in France, in England Welsh clubs. I don't think that UEFA has anything against seeing another club play in a different league from their country.”

While suggesting that Barca could remain part of the La Liga set-up, those in charge of the Spanish top flight have warned that any exiles will be excluded.

Liga president Javier Tebas said: “In sport, it isn't a la carte and things must be clearly stated. It isn't easy to have an agreement and study Spanish legislation but if they [the Catalan clubs] do get that, then they will not be able to play in Spain's La Liga, but I hope it doesn't come to that."

Barcelona have yet to address the potential ramifications of independence in public, with the club waiting on the will of the people before putting any plans in place.

A statement from the club regarding the current state of affairs read: “FC Barcelona, in holding the utmost respect for its diverse body of members, will continue to support the will of the majority of Catalan people, and will do so in a civil, peaceful, and exemplary way.”

While events away from the field continue to dominate the headlines in Catalunya, Barca have avoided any distractions to reassert domestic dominance on it.

Ernesto Valverde’s side have secured eight successive victories in all competitions this season, with faultless openings being made to their La Liga and Champions League campaigns.

Okorocha gave me the worst advice during my presidency – Obasanjo

Dailypost.ng

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has jokingly blamed Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, for “all the bad things” that happened to the country during his tenure between 1999 and 2007.

Obasanjo was speaking in Owerri, at the graduation ceremony of students of Rochas Foundation.

He said the worst advice he got while in office was from Okorocha, one of his then advisers.

“As you may all know, Rochas was one of the advisers I had when I was president,” he said.

“All the bad things that happened to this country under my presidency was advised by Rochas Okorocha,” he said.

Obasanjo however extolled the qualities of the Governor, who he said never ceased to surprise him.

“He (Okorocha) has never stopped to surprise me. He is a man of vision, of ideas. He is a thinking man. And when he explained to me his ideas about education, what he has done, I was marvelled. I doff my hat for you, Okorocha.

“Let me say this, the beginning of the development for any country is education. And the extent that we take education seriously, that is the extent that we take development seriously.

“Rochas is not just dealing with education; he is dealing with education for the underprivileged in general. Which means that if the poor and the underprivileged will rise above their disadvantaged position, it is only through education.

“And with what I have seen today, I have no regret at all to accept his offer for me to be part of this wonderful programme and wonderful development agenda to our country and for our continent,” he added.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte warned about David Luiz form by Arsenal great Paul Merson

Metro.co.uk

Antonio Conte has been warned about David Luiz (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has been warned that David Luiz seems to be slipping back into some bad habits after some unconvincing recent performances for the club.

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has noticed some recent laziness from the Brazilian defender, who has on the whole been far more consistent in his second spell at Stamford Bridge.

Luiz had a reputation for being a slightly eccentric and error-prone performer in his first stint with Chelsea, but became a key part of Conte’s side when he rejoined from Paris Saint-Germain last year.

However, he gave away a needless penalty against Atletico Madrid in midweek and seems to be taking his foot off the gas somewhat, with Merson concerned that he could become a liability once again.

Luiz hasn’t been at his best lately (Picture: Getty)

‘David Luiz is getting a bit lazy and he reminds me of David James at the moment,’ Merson wrote in the Daily Star.

‘James was an unbelievable goalkeeper but he was that good it became too easy for him and he’d lose concentration, earning him the nickname Calamity James. It’s the same with Luiz.

‘It was so easy (against Atletico) Luiz switched off and let them back in the game by giving away a penalty. It was his second big mistake in a week.

Luiz has had one or two unconvincing games (Picture: Getty)

Should Conte be concerned by Luiz’s displays? (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea 2017/18 Fixtures

Man City (H) – Sat 30 Sep

Crystal Palace (A) – Sat 14 Oct

Roma – Champions League (H) – Wed 18 Oct

Watford (H) – Mon 23 Oct

Bournemouth (A) – Sat 28 Oct

Roma – Champions League (A) – Tue 31 Oct

‘It goes back farther, because I thought Aaron Ramsey’s winner in the FA Cup final was his fault, too. He’s just jogging back.

‘But I don’t think Chelsea should drop him. I think he needs to play through it. I’m sure Conte will have a word with him.

‘But he needs to be careful because he had a reputation in his first spell at Stamford Bridge for always giving you a chance in a game and he won’t want it back.’

FG will complete 2nd Niger bridge – Osinbajo

Vanguard

The Federal Government is committed to the completion of ongoing projects in the South East including the second Niger bridge, East West road and others, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has said.

Prof. Osinbajo gave the assurance in his remarks earlier today in Ifitedunu, Anambra State, at the funeral service of Mrs. Roseline Akabueze, mother of the Director-General of Budget Office, Mr. Ben Akabueze.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN

He said President Muhammadu Buhari is indeed a fair-minded and just leader that takes into account, the interest of all Nigerians regardless of their backgrounds,

According to the Vice President who spoke after the Bishop of Awka, Paulinus Eze Okafor gave a homily at the event raising issues about marginalization and restructuring, said, “we have a listening President, and I can assure you that President Muhammadu Buhari is a man who, in his heart, wants to be fair and just.’’

Prof. Osinbajo said the President had in many instances exhibited attributes of a fair leader in his choice of political associates, people to work with and so on.

He said: “one of the most important things about the President is that he is a very fair-minded person,” but could be said to be somewhat partial to Anambra state in particular, adding “and I believe that he loves this State.

“In 2003, when he first ran for office, his running mate then was Senator Chuba Okadibo, an indigene of this state; the second time he ran, his running mate was Chief Edwin Ume-Ezoeke, also an indigene of Anambra State. I think he has a very special affection for this state.’’

The Vice President explained that the Buhari’s criteria for appointments is driven by “competence of persons considered to manage certain positions.’’

He however reiterated the present administration’s commitment to the unity and prosperity of Nigeria regardless of the challenges.

“Every time we talk about fairness, we must talk about justice; when we talk about unity, we must talk about justice and I believe that is the fair thing to do,’’ the Vice President added.

Prof. Osinbajo also assured the people of the South-East of the Federal Government’s commitment to complete key projects embarked upon in the region.

He said: “about the request concerning the second Niger bridge and the east-west road and several of these projects, I want to say that the president himself went to China to negotiate the loan for the second Niger bridge.

“Aside from that, the Lagos-Calabar rail line passing through states in this region, the president also, personally, went to negotiate the loan.

“I believe that by the grace of God, we would see the completion of all of these projects; even the Onitsha road that you have been complaining about, we will ensure that it is built.’’

He prayed that God will grant the family of late Mrs. Roseline Akabueze,  the fortitude to bear the loss.

Okorocha gave me the worst advice during my presidency – Obasanjo  Ifreke Inyang 7 hours ago  Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has jokingly blamed Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, for “all the bad things” that happened to the country during his tenure between 1999 and 2007. Obasanjo was speaking in Owerri, at the graduation ceremony of students of Rochas Foundation. He said the worst advice he got while in office was from Okorocha, one of his then advisers. “As you may all know, Rochas was one of the advisers I had when I was president,” he said. “All the bad things that happened to this country under my presidency was advised by Rochas Okorocha,” he said. Obasanjo however extolled the qualities of the Governor, who he said never ceased to surprise him. “He (Okorocha) has never stopped to surprise me. He is a man of vision, of ideas. He is a thinking man. And when he explained to me his ideas about education, what he has done, I was marvelled. I doff my hat for you, Okorocha. “Let me say this, the beginning of the development for any country is education. And the extent that we take education seriously, that is the extent that we take development seriously. “Rochas is not just dealing with education; he is dealing with education for the underprivileged in general. Which means that if the poor and the underprivileged will rise above their disadvantaged position, it is only through education. “And with what I have seen today, I have no regret at all to accept his offer for me to be part of this wonderful programme and wonderful development agenda to our country and for our continent,” he added.

Dailypost.ng

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has jokingly blamed Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, for “all the bad things” that happened to the country during his tenure between 1999 and 2007.

Obasanjo was speaking in Owerri, at the graduation ceremony of students of Rochas Foundation.

He said the worst advice he got while in office was from Okorocha, one of his then advisers.

“As you may all know, Rochas was one of the advisers I had when I was president,” he said.

“All the bad things that happened to this country under my presidency was advised by Rochas Okorocha,” he said.

Obasanjo however extolled the qualities of the Governor, who he said never ceased to surprise him.

“He (Okorocha) has never stopped to surprise me. He is a man of vision, of ideas. He is a thinking man. And when he explained to me his ideas about education, what he has done, I was marvelled. I doff my hat for you, Okorocha.

“Let me say this, the beginning of the development for any country is education. And the extent that we take education seriously, that is the extent that we take development seriously.

“Rochas is not just dealing with education; he is dealing with education for the underprivileged in general. Which means that if the poor and the underprivileged will rise above their disadvantaged position, it is only through education.

“And with what I have seen today, I have no regret at all to accept his offer for me to be part of this wonderful programme and wonderful development agenda to our country and for our continent,” he added.

What PDP must do before 2019 elections – Jonathan

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Goodluck Jonathan

As the 2019 general election draws near, former President Goodluck Jonathan has offered what seems to be winning strategies to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Mr. Jonathan was the former president of Nigeria and served under the umbrella of the party from 2010 to 2015. He earlier served as vice-president between 2007 and 2010 and took over when former President Umaru Yar’Adua died in office. He lost to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, the first time an incumbent president in Nigeria would lose a re-election bid.

Mr. Jonathan who has appeared sporadically in the public in recent months said for the PDP to win in 2019, in the next review of its constitution, it should enhance its statutory delegates’ format especially for the state and local government primaries.

Mr. Jonathan gave this advice while receiving a delegation of former speakers of houses of assembly elected on the platform of the party in his office in Abuja on Thursday.

He said one of the major challenges PDP is faced with is how it elects candidates and national officers.

Mr. Jonathan said there would always be crisis following the outcome of the party’s primaries or conventions until the numbers of statutory delegates to those elections are reviewed to about 70 per cent.

He also said the party must work out the modality such that no one would succeed in influencing the delegates to elections.

He added that those who had served at certain levels, including governorship, ministerial and parliamentarian positions at all levels, should be made statutory delegates.

“That is the area we have not been able to manage properly and it is still creating a problem for us. I believe the next (PDP) constitution amendment should advocate that area to be properly examined.

“From my own experience, if that area is strengthened, the party will be okay and nobody will complain at the end of primaries. If you lose, you lose gallantly and you support the person that wins,” Mr. Jonathan said.

He promised that in due time, he would speak on why the party lost in the 2015 general election to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.

“PDP is still the strongest party. We know the reason why we lost the elections.

“At the appropriate time, some of these things would be properly addressed because of history. There are certain things you don’t write now because it would be misunderstood as if you are playing politics. After some years, five, six or eight years, when the beneficiaries have left, you can state it in writing,” he added.

He encouraged the party members to go beyond ”the politics of the stomach” and not defect needlessly to other parties adding that the PDP ”did well during its 16-year rule.” He attributed its success to “the number of reforms it introduced and implemented.”

The former president appreciated the forum members for coming together to form the association as an important peg in the strategy of reclaiming power in 2019.

The leader of the delegation, Inuwa Garba, commended the former president ”for staying with the party even after losing the 2015 election and all the crisis that followed it.”

Ahead of the 2019 elections, intense political alignments and re-alignments are already ongoing within the ranks of prominent political parties.

Ancelotti thanks Bayern for 'great honour'

Livescores.com

The three-time Champions League winning coach was dismissed by the German champions following their 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League this week.

He was one season into a three-year deal when it was decided to part ways with the former Parma, Juventus, Milan, Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid manager.

After taking over from Pep Guardiola for the 2016-17 season, Ancelotti led Bayern to a fifth consecutive league title along with two DFL-Supercup trophies.

But after being shown the door, he posted his thanks on Twitter.

He wrote: "It has been a great honour to form part of Bayern's history. I would like to thank the club, the players and its amazing fans."

Thiago Alcantara responded with: "It has been an honour to play for you. I wish you all the luck in the world for your next stage."

Assistant boss Willy Sagnol has assumed temporary charge of the team ahead of their Bundesliga clash with Hertha BSC on Sunday.