Mourinho slams Rostov pitch for Europa tie…See full details

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Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho / AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK

Coach Jose Mourinho slammed the state of the Rostov pitch on Wednesday ahead of Manchester United’s Europa league tie, questioning whether the game should go ahead.

“It’s still hard for me to believe that we are going to play,” Mourinho said at a press conference in Rostov ahead of Thursday’s last-16 tie.

“I know that we have to, but it is hard for me to believe we are going to play on that field — if you can call it a field.”

Mourinho compared the pitted and damaged Olimp-2 stadium pitch in Rostov to the surface at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium where Manchester United and City refused to play a pre-season friendly last year.

“I have now a lot to think (about) because I was expecting something more playable.

“On a very similar pitch in the summer in China, me and Manchester City decided not to play, but it looks like we have to play.”

He said he spoke of the risks of playing on the surface to a UEFA official and was rebuffed.

“I didn’t have any contact with anyone until now. I just had a quick contact with gentleman from UEFA when I was looking at the pitch,” he said.

“When I told him about my concerns the gentlemen just told me the players are insured -– if something happens no problem.”

– Dangerous –
Concern about the uneven pitch and his players’ safety posed a team selection headache for the Portuguese coach.

“I don’t know which team to play, really,” he said, against a side he described as ‘dangerous’, and who he knows beat both Ajax and Bayern Munich this season.

Wayne Rooney and leftback Luke Shaw were left at home along with Bastian Schweinsteiger and United are without Eric Bailly, who was sent off in their round of 32 1-0 win at Saint-Etienne.

But Armenian forward Henrikh Mkhitaryan returns to the 20-man squad after recovering from an injury incurred just after scoring the winner at St Etienne. And Zlatan Ibrahimovic is also available despite his three-match domestic suspension which does not apply to the Europa league.

Mourinho is pondering how to counter a strong Rostov attack n which he singled out Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun as a particular threat

“I don’t even know if he plays. I think Rostov have four good attack players, especially three of them that are very dangerous so I don’t know who is going to play,” he said.

“I know that they are dangerous, I know they defend with 10 players, they defend with everybody and then they are very dangerous in conter-attack.”

Rostov coach Ivan Daniliants promised a “classy performance” against United.

“The match is sold out and we’re set to give our fans a classy performance,” he said.

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Aditya Chopra Is Unwilling To Sign Fatima Sheikh In His Next Film – Here’s Why…Read full details

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Fatima Sheikh made an impact with her incredible performance in Dangal. You’d think that she’d be flooded with offers of meaty roles, but well, she has her own set of struggles. Reportedly, Aamir Khan, who will be seen in a YRF’s Thug Of Hindostan, wanted Fatima to play a small but important role in the film. Aditya Chopra however didn’t seem to think that it was a good idea.

Apparently, Fatima would only be required to do a dream sequence in the film and in the dream sequence, Aamir and the female character would be required to kiss. Aditya didn’t think it was a good idea because of the impact Fatima and Aamir’s jodi made as father and daughter and hence, the makers are still on a lookout for this particular role.

What are your thoughts?

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Source: Miss Malini

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Here’s Why Diljit Dosanjh Did Not Accompany Anushka Sharma On The Kapil Sharma Show…Read full details

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Here comes the bride…in spirit! 1st poster of #Phillauri – releasing March 24! Hope you guys love it! @foxstarhindi @officialcsfilms

A post shared by AnushkaSharma1588 (@anushkasharma) on Feb 6, 2017 at 12:00am PST

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The promotions for Anushka Sharma – Diljit Dosanjh starrer Phillauri are on in full swing. However, the former appeared on The Kapil Sharma Show recently as part of the film’s promotions, minus her co-star, Diljit.

The reason for his absence is reportedly due to the rivalry between Colors’ CEO Raj Nayak and Kapil Sharma. Diljit is a judge on Rising Star, which airs on Colors, and therefore he was barred from attending Kapil’s show. Earlier also, there have been instances when celebs were restricted from attending shows due to the alleged tiff between Kapil and Raj Nayak.

We reached out to the channel to confirm the reports, but did not get any revert so far.

The post Here’s Why Diljit Dosanjh Did Not Accompany Anushka Sharma On The Kapil Sharma Show is copyright of MissMalini.

Source: Miss Malini

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Ronaldo, Bale back for Champions League clash…See full details

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Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Christiano Ronaldo / AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were named Monday in Real Madrid’s Champions League squad for the last-16 second-leg tie against Napoli after missing the weekend win over Eibar.

Fourt-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo was sidelined with an injury which coach Zinedine Zidane described as “nothing serious”. Also back in the squad for Tuesday’s clash is Welshman Bale after completing a one-match ban.

Both were absent from Saturday’s 4-1 victory at Eibar in which Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez were outstanding.

Reigning European champions Real lead Napoli 3-1 going into the second leg in Italy and tipped as favourites for a quarter-final berth.

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North Korea orders expulsion of Malaysian ambassador…Read full details

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This picture released on December 26, 2016 from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) delivering a speech at the First Conference of Chairpersons of the Primary Committees of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium in Pyongyang. STR / KCNA VIA KNS / AFP

North Korea said Monday it would expel Malaysia’s ambassador after its own envoy was ordered out of the Southeast Asian nation, in an increasingly bitter row over the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

“The Foreign Ministry of the DPRK (North Korea) notifies that the Malaysian ambassador to the DPRK is labeled as a persona non grata… and demanded that the ambassador leave the DPRK,” state news agency KCNA said, giving a 48-hour deadline.

The KCNA report came shortly after the North’s ambassador Kang Chol flew home from Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia’s ambassador to Pyongyang had already been recalled for consultations as the two countries traded barbs over an investigation into the killing of the North Korean leader’s half-brother with VX nerve agent last month.

North Korea has not acknowledged the dead man’s identity but has repeatedly attacked the murder investigation and demanded a second autopsy, accusing Malaysia of conniving with its enemies.

Airport CCTV footage shows two women approaching the 45-year-old victim and apparently smearing his face with a cloth. Police say he suffered a seizure and died less than 20 minutes later. Swabs of his face revealed traces of the VX nerve agent.

Two women — one Vietnamese and one Indonesian — are in custody and have been charged with the murder while police are seeking seven North Korean suspects, four of whom left Malaysia on February 13, the day of the assassination.

Police last week released the only North Korean they had arrested, citing a lack of evidence.

South Korea has blamed Pyongyang for the murder, citing what it says was a standing order from leader Kim Jong-Un to kill his exiled half-brother.

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Jesus absence offers Aguero chance of redemption…See full details

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Manchester City's Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero / OLI SCARFF / AFP

Pep Guardiola faces a double selection quandary as he prepares for an FA Cup fifth round visit to in-form Championship club Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

The Manchester City manager, still active on three fronts as he seeks silverware in his first season in the English game, will be without injured Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus who broke a metatarsal in this week’s league victory at Bournemouth.

The talented teenager, who had scored three goals in as many league games since his January arrival, may not play again this season, with estimates putting his rehabilitation period at two to three months.

Jesus has been flown to Barcelona to undergo treatment with Ramon Cugat, the City manager’s physician of choice who has overseen the rehabilitation of a number of the club’s players this season.

But Guardiola’s decision as to Jesus’s replacement is complicated by the looming Champions League last 16 first leg tie with French club Monaco, which takes place at the Etihad on Tuesday.

Thereafter, and assuming they do not have to schedule an FA Cup replay with Huddersfield, City have a 12-day break until they are in action in a league visit to struggling Sunderland on March 5, with Guardiola using that opportunity to take his players to Abu Dhabi for a period of warm weather training.

– ‘Sergio important’ –
But, before then, Guardiola must decide whether to recall talismanic veteran Sergio Aguero as Jesus’s replacement — and run the potential risk of an injury ruling him out of the Monaco game — or recall Nigerian understudy Kelechi Iheanacho who, despite a prolific scoring record, appears to have fallen out of favour with Guardiola in recent weeks.

Aguero appears likely to win the battle for selection and be granted his first start since Jesus broke into the first team picture with an exhilarating appearance when he came on as a substitute against Tottenham on January 21.

After the victory over Bournemouth, Guardiola acknowledged the important role he expects Aguero to fill over the remainder of the season.

“I know how important Sergio is,” he said. “I did yesterday, the day before, the last week, the last month.”

Meanwhile, Jesus’s team mate and countryman Fernandinho has revealed he is hopeful the striker may be able to return before the end of the season.

“He was treading badly with his right foot, but we will see what the doctors will say,” said Fernandinho.

“We are all hoping it was nothing serious and hopefully he can come back as soon as possible.”

Guardiola has fielded strong line-ups in the FA Cup until this fifth round stage and the game also appears a perfect opportunity for captain Vincent Kompany, who started the fourth round win at Crystal Palace to continue his comeback from injury.

Huddersfield, meanwhile, will be without their influential Australian midfielder Aaron Mooy who is on loan from City and forbidden by FA rules from playing against his parent club in the competition.

Huddersfield manager David Wagner, who has led his club to within four points of automatic promotion to a top flight they last occupied in 1972, admits he will rotate his squad with a place in the Premier League far more important than a possible place in the sixth round of the cup.

“We didn’t do it only in the Cup, also since the beginning of December when we started our rotation,” he said.

“We don’t have the biggest squad or budget, so to keep everybody healthy, we have rotated for 10-12 weeks.

“It doesn’t matter if we win or lose, it is if it makes sense for the next game and we will probably make changes against City.”

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Over 200 cars are missing, says Ghana’s presidency…Read full details

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The vehicles were assigned to former government officials and appointees under the previous administration of president John Dramani Mahama, whom Akufo-Addo beat in elections last December.

Ghana’s new government has set up a special task force to track down more than 200 missing vehicles that should have been handed back when President Nana Akufo-Addo took office.

Presidency spokesman Eugene Arhin told reporters on Wednesday that an audit of vehicles indicated that many appeared not to have been returned.

He said officials could only find: 74 of the presidency’s 196 Toyota Land Cruisers, 20 out of 73 Toyota Land Cruiser Prados, 11 out of 24 Mercedes, two out of 28 Toyota Avalons and two out of six BMWs.

“The president of the republic currently has virtually only one vehicle at his disposal,” said Arhin.

“This is the vehicle which was purchased in 2007 during the Ghana at 50 celebrations. It is a BMW.”

The vehicles were assigned to former government officials and appointees under the previous administration of president John Dramani Mahama, whom Akufo-Addo beat in elections last December.

Presidency chief of staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare said in a statement that the retention of state assets was illegal.

“Persons with state properties unlawfully in their possession should endeavour to contact the task force and make arrangements to surrender (the) same with immediate effect,” he added.

There was no immediate response from Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) party but the party faced a similar situation when it took power in 2008.

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Arsenal midfielder faces three weeks out

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Arsenal's Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey (L) vies with Watford's English mifielder Tom Cleverley (C) and Watford's French striker M'Baye Niang during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Watford at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 31, 2017.  AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey will be out for three weeks after sustaining a calf strain during his side’s 2-1 loss to Watford, manager Arsene Wenger revealed on Friday.

“Overall from the other night we lose Aaron Ramsey,” Wenger told his weekly press conference at the Arsenal training ground in London Colney, north of London.

“He is expected to be out for 21 days. We are a bit short at the moment, but we have young players who can do well.”

Ramsey, 26, spent 10 weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury earlier this season.

The Wales international’s absence leaves Arsenal short in central midfield ahead of Saturday’s trip to Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Granit Xhaka is banned, Santi Cazorla remains injured and Mohamed Elneny is preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations final with Egypt in Gabon.

Jack Wilshere, meanwhile, is still on loan at Bournemouth, but Wenger said he had no regrets about allowing the England international to leave on a season-long deal.

Asked if it would be helpful if Wilshere was available to him, Wenger replied: “Well, yes, but I would like to reiterate he wanted to go out and play.

“There is a huge level of competition and we accepted to let him go, so we have to deal with the consequences.”

Arsenal trail Chelsea by nine points and sit in third place, below Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference.

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UAE minister says Trump travel ban not anti-Islam

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US President Donald Trump’s travel ban on citizens of seven Muslim-majority nations is not anti-Islam, the United Arab Emirates foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, whose country like neighbouring Saudi Arabia is a close ally of Washington, said it was “wrong to say” that the decision by the new US administration was “directed against a particular religion”.

“The United States has made… a sovereign decision,” he said at a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, pointing out that it was “provisional” and did not apply to “the large majority” of the world’s Muslims.
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In his defence of the ban which has stirred widespread protests across the globe, Sheikh Abdullah also said that some of the countries on the blacklist had “structural challenges” on the security front that they still had to overcome.

Trump’s controversial executive order on Friday singled out citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen to prevent “radical Islamic terrorists” from entering the United States.

But the 90-day ban, which could still extend to other states, has exempted Muslim-majority nations associated with major attacks in the West.

Out of the 19 hijackers of planes used in the September 11, 2011 attacks on the Unites States, 15 came from Saudi Arabia, also the birthplace of Al-Qaeda founder and attack mastermind Osama bin Laden.

The other four included the Egyptian plot leader, two Emiratis and a Lebanese.

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