Emmanuel Eboue has made 79 appearances for the Ivory Coast
Sunderland are set to terminate the contract of defender Emmanuel Eboue after he was suspended by Fifa from all football-related activity for one year.
The 32-year-old, who joined the Black Cats until the end of the season on 9 March, was given the ban after failing to pay money owed to a former agent.
Sunderland said Eboue did not make the club aware of the matter, which relates to a dispute from July 2013.
The Ivory Coast international has two weeks to appeal against the decision.
Eboue, who has not made a first team appearance for the Black Cats, had been ordered by Fifa to pay agent Sebastien Boisseau an undisclosed amount he was entitled to under the terms of an agreement between the pair.
The former Arsenal full-back was fined 30,000 Swiss francs (£21,000) in September 2014 and given four months to settle the matter.
Eboue spent eight seasons at the Gunners after arriving from Belgian side Beveren in 2004, before moving to Turkey, where he won three Super Lig titles and five domestic trophies with Galatasaray.
Gary Neville had been named Valencia head coach until the end of the season
Former Manchester United and
England defender Gary Neville has been sacked by Valencia after less
than four months in charge of the Spanish club.
The 41-year-old, who is part of the England coaching set-up, was given his first managerial job in December.
Valencia won three of their 16 league games under the former television pundit, and 10 of 28 games overall.
Neville said he wanted to stay but results had "not been to my standards" or those "required by this club".
He added that he understood "we are in a results business".
Neville's younger brother Phil is also part of the Valencia coaching team and will be retained.
Neville first faced calls to quit after a 7-0 loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg in February.
His last match in charge was a 2-0 home defeat by Celta Vigo just before the international break.
He has spent the past six days with the England squad for friendly games with Germany and the Netherlands.
Former Liverpool assistant manager Pako Ayestaran, 53, will take charge for the rest of the season.
Pako joined the club as assistant coach in February in a move that Neville insisted was his decision.
"I'm
the head coach of Valencia, I will be the head coach of Valencia for
the rest of this season. If I leave, Pako will leave. He's come to be
part of my coaching staff," Neville said at the time.
"I understand it might look like there's something going on. There absolutely isn't."
"The last thing I want levelled at me when I leave here is that Gary Neville lacks commitment," said Neville in DecemberValencia
owner Peter Lim also co-owns Salford City along with the Neville
brothers and former Manchester United team-mates Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt
and Paul Scholes.
Neville's management career began with a
Champions League loss to Lyon at the Mestalla and it was not until 13
February that Los Che clinched their first of only three league wins.
Cup competitions provided some respite for Neville, with seven wins coming in the Copa del Rey and Europa League.
Neville
retired in 2011 after 602 Manchester United appearances and 85 England
caps. He won 16 trophies at United and represented his country at five
major tournaments.
Six-time Spanish champions Valencia are 14th in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone with eight games remaining.
On
Saturday they face Las Palmas, who are one place below them, and meet
four of the top six - including both Barcelona and Real Madrid - before
the end of the season.
Analysis
European football expert Andy Brassell:
"I don't think he did have any chance of turning it around and I think it was an incredibly difficult first job.
Not
just because of the relative lack of experience, not just because of
the size of Valencia, but because of the situation he was going into.
The
fans were pretty unhappy with the way the club was being run, players
were dispirited but you add to that the lack of experience, the
communication barrier - it was just all too much." Spanish football journalist Graham Hunter on BBC Radio 5 live:
"A cocktail of horrible factors piled against him. The first problem was he trusted Peter Lim - trusted that he'd be given time.
"I
don't think in any way his credibility - as a coach, an analyst or
somebody who will be brilliant for British football in the coming years -
has been dented one little bit.
"He leaves a club that is still
badly wounded, badly put together and he would have been the man - once
he learned Spanish fluently - to put the club right again, off the pitch
as well as on it, next season."
Match of the Day's Gary Lineker expressed sympathy for NevilleReal Madrid and Wales forward Gareth Bale said it was "a shame he's been sacked".
Speaking
ahead of Saturday's El Clasico derby with Barcelona, Bale said: "It is
obviously difficult coming to Spain anyway and being a manager where you
really do have to be vocal.
"I'm sure he'll bounce back from the experience and it will stand him in good stead for the future."
'I'm not going to sleep well tonight'
Gary Neville's Valencia tenure in quotes:
"Valencia
are a huge football club of immense standing - and I know from my time
as a player the passion and dedication of the Valencia fans" (2 December
as he took charge)
"Sitting on the television over the last few
years, it is time now to stand up. If I turned down this job I could
have kissed goodbye to my credibility" (3 December - first news
conference)
"You're asking me about my position. I find this
question ridiculous. It's from you. Don't put this on to the fans" (31
January after fans booed another defeat)
"I am not going to
sleep well tonight. This is one of the worst experiences I've ever gone
through in football" (3 February after the 7-0 defeat to Barcelona)
"I
last doubted myself 18 years ago. After that, I developed coping
mechanisms to deal with situations. I'm fine" (After the same game)
"I
said before I came that I would be judged in five months. I have been
judged in six weeks" (After a 1-0 defeat to lowly Real Betis)
"There
can be a hurricane on the outside but you have to be in the eye of the
storm on the inside" (12 February after no wins in nine league games)
"I
understand it might look like there's something going on. There
absolutely isn't" (17 February after Pako Ayestaran is appointed)
"I
take responsibility and apologise to the fans. It is unacceptable to
play like that in a derby. We deserve all the criticism" (13 March after
losing to bottom club Levante)
Carla Miranda had Lionel Messi's face tattooed on her leg
A DIE-HARD fan of Lionel Messi managed to meet her hero — by showing security a huge leg tattoo of his face.
Carla Miranda met the Barcelona star as he was on international duty in her native Chile.
Argentina beat Chile 2-1 but Carla was only smiles as she posed for pictures with the forward after the match at the Hotel Radisson Petra, where the national team were staying.
The Chilean used her ink to get VIP access to Messi's hotel
Carla kept her tattoo hidden in the snap, with Messi showing the full extent of his in shorts.
Messi also posed for a picture with another fan who had a similarly inked shin.
The Argie striker inspired his side to a 2-1 victory over their South American rivals.
Messi teed up a 24th-minute winner for defender Gabriel Mercado.
Felipe Gutierrez had put Chile ahead before Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria equalised in Santiago.
I'VE JUST FOUND A WAY TO MEET MY OWN IDOL +Cristiano Ronaldo ....INTERESTINGLY INTERESTING!!!
Watson relates to Blackwell after suffering brain injuries boxing Eubank Sr.
Retired boxer was injured permanently by Eubank Sr., lends support to comatose middleweight
MICHAEL WATSON last night led the prayers for Nick Blackwell.
Blackwell, 25, is in an induced coma following Saturday night’s British middleweight title fight against Chris Eubank Jr.
The Trowbridge warrior collapsed after he was stopped in the tenth round at the Wembley Arena and medics rushed him to a nearby hospital suffering with bleeding in the brain.
Former super-middleweight star Watson says he feels a huge sense of pride his life-changing fight against Eubank’s father, Chris Sr in September 1991 helped give Blackwell the best chance of recovery.
Eubank Jr. brutalised Blackwell, who left the arena on a stretcher Action
Blackwell was battered by Eubank Jr. so much his father intervened London News Pictures Ltd
Messages of support flooded in throughout Easter Sunday — including from Eubank Snr and Jr — and Watson told the world of boxing now is the time to unite behind stricken Blackwell.
Watson, now 51, told SunSport: “What I want to say to Nick is keep up the fight — keep up the faith — that is what is crucial right now.
“He must believe in himself and keep up the fight, never give up.
“This is also a tough time for his family, friends and everyone who knows him.
“But I would tell them that where there is life there is always hope.
“It is now their job to keep the faith, like Nick will.
Watson fought Eubank Sr, incurring brain damage which makes him especially empathic to Eubank Jr's opponent Action
“The thing I know about Nick is that he is a true fighter and if I can do it, then so can he.
Watson rallied the boxing world to get behind Blackwell, who was deemed fit to continue after being bloodied Rex
“Unity is truly strength — it is critical that people keep behind Nick through this and give him the support in life that he needs.
“At this time more than ever he needs unity.”
Watson’s life changed when he faced Eubank Sr for the vacant WBO super-middleweight title at Tottenham’s White Hart Lane.
It was in the final few seconds of the 11th round when Eubank dropped Watson — who had been leading on all three scorecards — with an uppercut, which sent him to the canvas.
But Watson’s head hit the second rope on his way down, injuring his brain stem which caused serious bleeding that almost killed him.
Watson spent 40 days in a coma, six months in a wheelchair and underwent six operations on his brain.
There was scarce ringside medical assistance that night and it took 15 minutes to get Watson out of the arena which impacted gravely on his recovery.
But Watson, who sued the British Boxing Board of Control in 1999 for making inadequate medical provisions, changed the face of boxing in this country forever.
Every licensed fight in Britain must now be attended by paramedics, two ambulances and an anaesthetist, while the nearest neurological trauma unit should be within ten minutes of every venue.
Eubank Jr celebrated victory with Eubank Sr. afterthe fight was stopped in the tenth round Reuters
On Saturday, Blackwell was given oxygen within seconds of his collapse and paramedics quickly rushed him out of the arena on a stretcher before he was taken straight to hospital.
British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith said: “I spoke to one of the doctors and he said there is a bleeding of the brain.
“Nick’s in intensive care, he’s in an induced coma and is being looked after by the experts.
“It’s a very normal procedure. They put you in a coma to get the swelling to go down. There’s no timescale, it’s just a matter of waiting and seeing.”
Watson MBE added: “It makes me proud Nick had all the help he needed on hand.
Blackwell staged a valiant resurgence despite considerable swelling to his face Reuters
“There was nothing for me that night, it was totally the opposite. But it made sure changes happened in boxing and they were implemented at the right time.
“I’m very proud to know I changed boxing in that way and people like Nick can be saved because of it.”
Watson also had a message of support for Eubank Jr. Eubank Sr blamed himself for Watson’s injuries and admitted he was never the same fighter again.
But Watson said: “I would say to young Chris this is not his fault, he must understand that.
“It is an accident, this is the sport we are in. I accepted that instantly when it happened to me, I forgave his father.
“Chris must stay strong, pray for Nick and everyone will get through it together.”
A tennis training video has just become an internet sensation smashing its way to one million views on Facebook.
Starring busty model Elizabeth Anne, the two minute video features endless slow motion shots of her very ample assets.
Since it was uploaded to Facebook the sexy clip has been shared thousands of times with one fan saying "She is playing tennis?????? watched it 23 times, still cant see any tennis..."
Sadly, it's unlikely she'll make it to the court's of Wimbledon this year as her technique is a little off.
Many have posted comments about how bad the American model is at the game with one saying: "She needs tennis lessons. Help the poor girl out!"
YOUTUBE DOUBLES: Elizabeth Anne becomes an internet sensation
YOUTUBE STRETCH: Elizabeth Anne shows off her skills
Am not sure she'll be too worried about her skills as since the video went viral she's been inundated with work requests.
On a recent social medai post the model said: "Busy day and feeling very tired. Long shoot today for an adult bikini company.
"Try having a g-string up your b**t for 12 hours in a studio of mostly all men and tell me how tired you'd feel lol."
YOUTUBE BG HIT: The video has been viewed one million times on Facebook
YOUTUBE SMASHER: Elizabeth Anne has been inundated with work since the video went viral
Uganda goalkeeper Abel Dhaira has died at the age of 28 at his base in Iceland after losing his battle against cancer.
Dr. Bernard Ogwel, from the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa), confirmed the news on Sunday.
"It is really sad for his family and Uganda as a country," Ogwel told BBC Sport.
Dhaira played for Icelandic Premier League side IBV Vestmannaeyjar and was diagnosed with cancer in recent months.
The goalkeeper made his debut for the national team in 2009 and helped the Cranes win the regional Council for East and Central African Football Associations (Cecafa) Senior Challenge Cup in 2012 at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Former Cranes skipper Andrew Mwesigwa, who is now based in Vietnam, was amongst the first to pay tribute to his compatriot.
"On a sad note we have lost our brother Abel Dhaira who has just died a few minutes back," Mwesigwa said.
A former goalkeeper for Ugandan Premier League side URA FC, Dhaira's health deteriorated in January 2016 and he was hospitalised in Kampala at the Nsambya Hospital before returning to Iceland where he was receiving further treatment.
Dhaira's coach at IBV Vestmannaeyjar, Bjarni Johannsson said last month that the club would do everything to help the player during this time of need.
The club had organised a testimonial game for Dhaira early this month in Iceland.
Dhaira had not featured for the Uganda Cranes since 2013, but he had always remained hopeful he would make a comeback.
Dhaira also featured for Express FC in the Uganda Premier League before joining DR Congo's AS Vita and later Tanzania's Simba SC.
Kenya lost their 2017 Afcon qualifier in Nairobi 1-0 to Guinea Bissau
A riot stopped play in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday as fans threw missiles and police fired tear gas into the stands.
The unrest broke out when a goal was awarded to Guinea Bissau after 81 minutes, with Kenya's players arguing the ball had not crossed the line.
Play was halted for 30 minutes as Kenya fans threw missiles at the Guinea Bissau bench and the fourth official.
Kenya, who were beaten 1-0 in Nairobi, could face sanctions.
The result takes Guinea Bissau to the top of their qualifying group and leaves Kenya with little chance of qualifying for next year's tournament.
Elsewhere in Group E, Congo and Zambia drew 1-1 in an identical scoreline to their result in Ndola on Wednesday.
Jordan Massengo put Congo ahead in Brazzaville just after half-time, with Winston Kalengo equalising in the 72nd minute.
Guinea Bissau lead the group on seven points, one point ahead of both Congo and Zambia, with Kenya bottom, six points off the top.
In Sunday's first Nations Cup qualifier, Ghana lost their 100% record in Group H with a 0-0 draw inMozambique.
The result in Maputo leaves the Black Stars on 10 points, four ahead of Mauritius, the surprise package in Group H. Mauritius could close that gap with a win over Rwanda in Kigali on Tuesday.
West Bromwich Albion's Stephane Sessegnon scored twice for Benin in Cotonou as the hosts beat South Sudan 4-1 to go top of Group C.
Mickael Pote and Jodel Dossou were also on target for Benin, with Atak Lual grabbing a consolation for the away side.
Mali could regain the lead in that group if they beat Equatorial Guinea in Malabo on Monday.
Comoros, who got their first win in a major qualifying competition when theybeat Botswana at home on Thursday, were brought back down to earth with a 2-1 defeat in the return fixture.
Comoros looked like they might complete a double over their opponents when Mchangama Youssouf scored just before the break.
But second-half goals from Galabgwe Moyana and then Joel Mogorosi gaveBotswana the win which puts them level on points with the top two, Uganda and Burkina Faso, who play each other in Kampala on Tuesday.
All group winners are guaranteed places at the 2017 tournament in Gabon, with the best two runners-up joining them.
Judge Rose told the footballer, who played 12 times for England, there had been "an abuse of trust - you are trusted by young fans to behave properly".
He said: "She had only just turned 15 when you began grooming her, because, as you were to admit, you found her sexually attractive."
The judge told Johnson the offences happened "at a time when you were engaged in frequent sexual intercourse with multiple partners".
At the start of his trial last month, Johnson had admitted grooming the girl and one charge of sexual activity, relating to kissing her. He was found guilty of sexual touching and cleared of one charge relating to another sexual act.
Judge Rose said Johnson had had "every opportunity" to enter guilty pleas to the charges he finally admitted. He ordered the footballer to pay £50,000 of the prosecution's £67,132 costs.
During the three-week trial the jury heard the former winger met the girl after agreeing to sign football shirts for her.
He admitted kissing the teenager but told the jury an encounter in his Range Rover "went no further".
The girl told the court he had "put his hands down her pants" and she performed a sex act on him.
The jury cleared Johnson over the sex act claim but convicted him by a 10-2 majority on the sexual touching charge.
Restrictions have now been lifted that prevented it being reported that, when Johnson was arrested, police found medicines in a safe indicating he may have been suffering from sexually transmitted infections.
Image copyrightJulia Quenzler/BBCImage captionJudge Jonathan Rose told Johnson his actions were "an abuse of trust"
In a victim impact statement read to court, the girl said she had been forced to endure thousands of malicious and slanderous remarks on social media and had been approached by a stranger asking about her relationship with the footballer.
She felt at risk going out and her schoolwork had suffered "massively", the court was told.
"I have entered many dark places over this 12-month period," she said.
"Ultimately, it was like I was being taunted as if to say he could do what he wants and get away with it."
Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage captionAdam Johnson's parents, Dave and Sonia Johnson, were at Bradford Crown Court for the footballer's sentencing
In another statement to the court, her mother said there "had been no winners" and defended the decision to report the matter to police in order to "protect other vulnerable children".
She stressed the family had never sought financial gain.
Earlier, Dr Philip Hopley, a consultant psychiatrist giving evidence for the defence, told the court: "This is a man who, at the age of 28, is socially and psychologically immature."
The doctor said he found no evidence in Johnson of an attraction to pre-pubescent children or "sexual perversion".
Speaking after Johnson was sentenced, Det Insp Aelfwynn Sampson, of Durham Police, said: "Fame, celebrity and a position of power does not give you the right to break the law in pursuit of whatever you desire.
Image copyrightPA/Owen HumphreysImage captionJohnson's former partner Stacey Flounders, with whom he has a 14-month-old daughter, was not in court for his sentencing
"This girl should have been safe but she was used by the public figure she looked up to most."
Jon Brown, from children's charity the NSPCC, questioned whether the Football Association's "really comprehensive high quality rules and regulations and policies" for child protection were followed throughout the game's hierarchy.
"We are concerned about the extent to which they're actually being embedded and implemented at club level," he said.
"We're concerned that may not be the case right across the country."
Image copyrightPAImage captionJohnson arrived at the court as a line of police officers guarded the front while reporters and photographers waited outside
Outside the court, Gerry Wareham from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Adam Johnson exploited a young star-struck fan, actively grooming her over a number of months in single-minded pursuit of his own sexual gratification."
Earlier, the court was told the player had lodged an appeal against his conviction for sexual activity with the girl.
Johnson began his career at Middlesbrough before moving to Manchester City and then on to Sunderland in 2012.
Image copyrightDurham PoliceImage captionThe footballer met the girl in his luxury car
"The last thing I want levelled at me when I leave here is that Gary Neville lacks commitment," said Neville in DecemberValencia
owner Peter Lim also co-owns Salford City along with the Neville
brothers and former Manchester United team-mates Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt
and Paul Scholes.
