Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been quizzed on the Premier League title conundrum he faces, with his farewell tour threatening to become a nightmare.

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German coach stepping down in the summerHas lifted another Carabao CupOut of Europe & wobbling domesticallyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Reds have already savoured Carabao Cup glory this season, meaning that their legendary German tactician will walk away in the summer with at least one piece of silverware to his name. They have, however, slipped out of the Europa League at the hands of Atalanta.

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A quarter-final defeat has been suffered in that competition, with a 3-0 first leg loss on home soil leaving Liverpool with a mountain to climb. They have also started to look tired in the English top-flight, slipping to third in the table, two points back on defending champions Manchester City.

WHAT KLOPP SAID

Quizzed on whether fresh legs or tactics will be most important in a thrilling race to the finish, Klopp said after seeing his side run out of gas in a 1-0 victory over Atalanta in Bergamo: “It’s always a mix of all. Imagine we wouldn’t be tired but with a sh*t tactical plan, not so sophisticated. Or the other way round, a great plan and tired. It is the best league in the world, I have watched a lot football and whatever other leagues say, Italy has improved, Spain is fantastic, Bundesliga is there, but the Premier League is the most intense league, definitely.

“Besides Villa, all the teams are out in the quarter-finals. Because of extra European games they are getting rid of FA Cup replays. It’s just tricky but it’s not my problem any more. It’s my last European game and I’ll watch it and hopefully not speak any more about these kind of things. It’s a tough period and has to be tough. Three teams are going to try to win the Premier League. If that would be easy then something would be completely wrong. It was always a mix of sophisticated plans and physical and mental freshness.”

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Getty WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Liverpool’s focus has been narrowed on domestic competition, with six games left to take in this season, but the same is true of Manchester City and Arsenal following their Champions League exits. Klopp’s side will be back in action on Sunday when taking in a trip to Fulham.

Footballers are only human, and they love making fools of themselves on reality TV just like us normal folk. Sometimes it's TV gold, sometimes it's a disaster for everyone involved.

Football FanCast takes a look at the top ten times footballers have appeared on reality TV.

David Seaman

Dancing on Ice, 2006

If there is one thing we like making celebrities do, it's dance for us. Dancing on Ice adds the extra element of literally being on ice, a concept ex-England and Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman was more than happy to get involved with.

Seaman was a fairly safe pair of hands back on his day, excluding that infamous lob from Ronaldinho at the 2002 World Cup, but he wasn't particularly known for being any good with his feet. He was injured while attempting a move called the 'headbanger' during rehearsals.

In typical Seaman spirit though, he powered through, being eliminated just before the final. He continued to do live shows, where he would eventually meet his current wife, Frankie Poultney. So, all in all, it did have a happy ending.

Bruce Grobbelaar

Hell's Kitchen, 2009

Zimbabwean goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar is no stranger to controversy. Having been accused of match-fixing during his time at Liverpool – an allegation that Grobbelaar disputes to this day – he must have felt right at home with celebrity chef Marco Pierre-White in Hell's Kitchen.

Grobbelaar surprised many by being one of the stand-out performers of the show, impressing the man who mentored Gordon Ramsay, along with his fellow competitors. In the end, he decided to leave the show on his own terms, saying that he missed his wife too much and would rather be with her.

Pierre-White implored him to stay, but it wasn't enough. We like to think Grobbelaar kept up with cooking, making his wife a tasty homemade meal every night in a quaint cottage somewhere. All the best, Bruce.

Paul Gascoigne

L'isola dei Famosi, 2021

Our very own Gazza has quite the cult following over in Italy following his spell at Lazio between 1992-95. So much so, he was asked to be a contestant on L'isola dei Famosi – Italy's version of 'Survivor' in 2021.

Unfortunately, Gazza was forced to pull out of the show following a shoulder dislocation during one of the trials. He could be seen grimacing and waiting for medical staff just after. He continued with a sling around his arm, but was forced to retire after problems persisted.

Despite his injury, Gazza was looking well and in fine form amongst his fellow competitors. The teary reunion shows just how much of a beloved personality he truly is. It's good to see Gazza doing well!

Stan Collymore

The Farm, 2004

Channel 5's The Farm was a short-lived reality TV show that pitted celebrities together to see who would come out at 'top farmer' between the years of 2004-2005. Unsurprisingly, there were only two seasons, with ex-Liverpool player Collymore featuring in the first.

He didn't last long. Collymore walked away from the show, not because it was ridiculous, but because he fell out with rapper Vanilla Ice.

Collymore has since stayed away from reality TV, which is probably for the best. We wouldn't want to see him get in a scrap with Fred Durst in a hairdresser's.

Jermaine Pennant

Celebrity Big Brother, 2018

Jermaine Pennant is on the long list of footballers from the early 2000s who didn't live up to their potential. He played for some of the biggest clubs in the country, such as Liverpool and Arsenal, but never really made it. Still, he's used to a certain type of lifestyle, and one way to keep that up is through reality TV.

In 2018, Pennant was on Celebrity Big Brother, flirting and kissing glamour model Chloe Ayling while his wife was at home. It's almost as though he didn't realise the entire premise of the show was being recorded at all times of the day.

It didn't end there. Determined to save his marriage, Pennant took his wife onto the Jeremy Kyle show. His foolproof plan didn't work though, and Alice Goodwin left him after nine years of "ups and downs".

Neil Ruddock, John Fashanu, Carlton Palmer and Frank Worthington

Come Dine With Me, 2010

Football in the 90s was pretty wild. The introduction of the Premier League in 1992 meant piles of money became available to clubs so they could bring in the best talent from all around the world, but players like Neil Ruddock, John Fashanu and Carlton Palmer were still knocking about. Frank Worthington was player-coach of his hometown team, Halifax Town, at the time.

As it turns out, these four produced some very good TV. They got on really well, they were funny, and made some pretty tasty-looking food. There was fancy dress, and Neil Ruddock appeared with nothing but an apron on. It's pretty much exactly how you'd imagine it would have gone, only with less swearing.

Still, it's disappointing John Fashanu didn't go on a rant and accuse Frank Worthington of having a sad little life.

Lee Sharpe

Celebrity Love Island, 2005

Love Island is intrinsically linked with football whether you like it or not. It may now be a hotbed of buff semi-professionals looking for the 15 minutes of fame their careers didn't produce, but back in season one, a floppy-haired Lee Sharpe rocked up looking for love.

The ex-Manchester United winger had just retired from the game and was hoping to finally settle down at the ripe old age of 34. He caught the eye of many of the women on the show, including eventual winner Jayne Middlemiss, but spent most of his time with Liz McClarnon, whom he finished in 6th place with.

Sharpe and his family have since moved to Spain where they've opened a successful sports bar called Sharpey's. His quest for love on Love Island may not have worked out, but that sounds like a pretty good life to us.

Danny Mills

Celebrity Masterchef, 2012

Ex-England international Danny Mills joins Bruce Grobbelaar on the more wholesome side of reality TV when he signed up for Celebrity Masterchef in 2012. Unlike Grobbelaar, Mills saw it out until the end, finishing second to actress Emma Kennedy.

He may have lost, but Mills apparently makes a banging sea bass with fennel and chilli risotto. Just like Grobbelaar, we hope Mills has kept up with it. Hopefully, we'll get invited over to his to eat some fish and drink some organic wine.

Jill Scott

I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, 2022

The first footballer on this list to have actually won the show they were on, ex-Manchester City midfielder Scott made a real name for herself in the jungle. Her career as a TV personality has since taken off having appeared as a pundit for several WSL and Premier League games.

Scott excelled in the jungle, winning an incredible 97% of available stars when she competed. For those who don't know, contestants get stars that help get food for their teammates. Scott essentially fed the rest of the jungle in Australia during her stint, which came just months after retiring as a European champion with the Lionesses.

Shola Ameobi

Cribs, late 2000s

Back in the early 2000s, MTV's Cribs was a pretty big deal. It was an opportunity for the rich and famous to show off the things they spent their money on. It turns out money can't buy taste after all, but it can buy a 55-inch plasma screen TV!

Ameobi was a big fan of hats. "I love wearing hats, lots of shapes and sizes of hats that I love wearing, just different sizes and colours really," he said on his episode of Cribs. But the most impressive thing at his place was his coffee table that lights up. He loved that thing.

"I have actually [still got it]," the ex-Newcastle United forward said when he was asked about the table in 2017. "My missus hates it but it doesn’t light up anymore, it’s just a coffee table now."

Manchester United's ownership problems have been well-documented since the Glazer family bought the club back in 2005.

Despite spending a similar amount of money to the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea over the past decade, the Red Devils have just two EFL Cups, an FA Cup and a Europa League title to show for it.

Both City and Chelsea have splashed huge wads of cash on players over the years but have been able to recuperate funds to bring their net spend down by selling the likes of Cole Palmer for £40m and Mason Mount for £55m, making a profit on certain big-name players.

On the other hand, Man United have made a profit on just one player in the last three years and he is currently outperforming the team's second-most expensive player of all time.

Daniel James' stats at Manchester United

Daniel James arrived at Old Trafford in 2019 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for a fee of £15m from Championship outfit Swansea City, having never played a single minute of Premier League football before.

United's record appearance maker Ryan Giggs admitted that Solskjaer sought his advice before giving the green light to sign the rapid winger when he was the head coach of the Welsh national team.

The Wales international spent a little over three seasons at the Theatre of Dreams, making 74 appearances in all competitions and scoring nine goals while registering nine assists. However, by the beginning of the 2021/22 campaign, the Reds secured the signing of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund which was the catalyst behind James' eventual departure to bitter rivals Leeds United for £25m.

The English giants made a £10m profit on the Welshman but given Antony's recent performances in a red shirt on the right wing and Sancho's internal suspension from the first-team, Man United may have made a mistake allowing James to leave.

James vs Antony stats comparison

In 12 appearances this season for Manchester United, Antony has failed to register a single goal or assist, leading to a lot of criticism directed at him. The Athletic journalist Adam Crafton even claimed that James was "more useful than Antony", following United's heavy 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester City at the end of October.

While James is not the type of player to set the world alight, he has statistically had a better individual campaign at Elland Road than Antony at Old Trafford, with the Peacocks sitting pretty in third place and pushing for promotion back to the promised land of the Premier League.

The 26-year-old has played a vital role in what has been a solid campaign for the Yorkshire club so far, bagging four goals and four assists in 15 appearances.

James is currently averaging 0.75 goals and assists combined per 90 while Antony has yet to record one goal contribution. Additionally, James has been far more of a threat for Leeds, boasting 3.4 shots per 90 and 1.23 shots on target per 90 to Antony's 2.96 shots per 90 and lowly rate of 0.56 shots on target per 90, according to FBref.

Furthermore, James is attempting fewer take-ons in each game, totalling 2.83 per 90 to Antony's 4.44, yet has a 49.3% success rate to the Brazil international's 29.2%.

While Antony is playing at a higher level than James, there is not much difference between the duo's performances or statistics on the pitch, further highlighting United's flawed recruitment strategy under the Glazers.

Sri Lanka batting coach Thilan Samaraweera will exit the role at the end of this series, and Kusal Mendis is keen on fulfilling his wish

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Wellington18-Dec-2018

Thilan Samaraweera has a chat with Kusal Mendis•LightRocket/Getty Images

Kusal Mendis has paid tribute to outgoing Sri Lanka batting coach Thilan Samaraweera, and hopes to complete a double-hundred on day five, as a leaving present for a man who has seen him through tough times both professionally and personally.Samaraweera, who has been the team’s batting coach for a year, is due to be replaced by former Durham coach Jon Lewis at the end of the Test series. Mendis went through one of the leanest periods of his career in the past few months – hitting only one fifty across formats in 23 innings between mid-June and mid-November – and credits Samaraweera with helping him out of that rut.”I’m really thankful to Thilan because I was in a really low place – I had failed about 15 one-dayers, and still the coach (Chandika Hathurusingha) and Thilan refused to drop me,” Mendis said after batting out the entirety of day four in Wellington, hitting his sixth Test ton in the process. “They let me play Tests again. I was only only able to get here because they stood by me. Thilan goes after the next Test, but I’m really thankful to him. I was only able to do this because of them.”Mendis revealed that Samaraweera had taken an interest in his career long before he had taken up an official role with the Sri Lanka side. In early 2017, when Samaraweera was serving a short stint as Bangladesh’s batting coach – also under head coach Hathurusingha – Mendis had hit 196 against Bangladesh in Galle, falling four short of a double ton. Samaraweera had then sought him out and given him advice despite having been the opposition’s batting coach.”I remember one time in Sri Lanka, I got out for 196. Thilan was coaching Bangladesh at the time. He told me: ‘You will later realise what you’ve done. You’ve got more talent than that. To be able to score 200 at your age means you’ve got a big future.’Then when he had become our coach, I missed a double-ton again, against Bangladesh (making 194 in Chittagong earlier this year). He told me the same thing again.”Mendis said he was determined to make the double-century happen on day five. Provided the weather stays good, he will resume his innings on 116.”Before this Test he told me: ‘Before I leave, hit a double-hundred.’ So I’m trying my best to score a double for him. He’s helped me so much. Everyone in the team knows how much he’s helped. Not just on the cricket side of things, but he’s helped me personally as well.”

Xavi branded the referee a "disaster" after Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final loss to PSG, after Ronald Araujo's "unnecessary expulsion".

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• Barca succumbed to PSG despite leading in the quarter-final
• Araujo's red card changed the complexion of the match
• Xavi furious with several refereeing decisions

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barcelona's hopes of advancing in the Champions League were dashed as they succumbed to a 6-4 aggregate defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals on Tuesday evening, leaving Xavi pointing fingers at the referee for their defeat. The manager believes that Araujo's needless sending-off was a crucial point in the tie as the decision tilted the balance of the game heavily in favour of the visitors.

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  WHAT XAVI SAID

  Speaking after the match, Xavi said: "We are annoyed. The red card marked the tie. We were well organised 11 vs. 11. It completely changed everything. For me, it's too much to send [Araujo] off there.

  "The referee was really bad. I told him, he was a disaster. He killed the tie. I don't like speaking about referees but it has to be said. I don't understand it. It's not good going down to 10 players and from that point on it's another game. For as much as we speak [about the match], the red card marks everything."

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  Referee Istvan Kovacs was indeed at the centre of attention as he brandished a total of twelve cards during the match, including three red cards – also counting the one to Xavi for violently protesting a decision that saw Barcelona being denied a penalty after Marquinhos brought down Ilkay Gundogan. The goalkeeping coach Jose Ramon de la Fuente was also shown red as he kept losing his cool.

  "That was an error by me, it was my fault," added Xavi.

  "But) It is a shame that all the work of a season, because of a refereeing decision, finishes here. I would have liked to have played 11 v 11 against Luis Enrique and PSG [for] all the minutes of the game. We know that there are sendings off in football but I believe that this one [for Araujo] was unnecessary."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The final whistle saw Barcelona supporters in despair, players devastated on the pitch, and Xavi consoling his team in the aftermath of their defeat. The manager also walked up to the match referee and let his feelings known as he continued to fume at the official after a 10-man Barcelona got outplayed by Mbappe and Co. Nonetheless, Xavi has little time to grieve over their continental exit as they face a monumental clash against eternal rivals Real Madrid next in La Liga on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Arsenal have deployed chiefs to assess the performances of an overseas defender live in action ahead of a possible future move, according to a fresh report.

Gunners contract latest

According to 90min, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu have both entered talks to discuss new deals in the capital, and whilst that could be fantastic news for the long-term future of the club should they both put pen to paper, there may well be a problem in the here and now.

During Tuesday’s Premier League 4-3 victory over Luton Town, Tomiyasu was missing due to a calf injury, and with Mikel Arteta confirming after the game that he would be sidelined for a while, the manager may look to recruit a replacement at right-back.

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Posts BySean Markus Clifford Dec 3, 2023

Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong has emerged as a potential target despite still having another five years remaining on his terms with Xabi Alonso's side (Bayer Leverkusen contracts), but it’s not the first time the 22-year-old has been on the radar at the Emirates Stadium.

The Netherlands international was reportedly in talks to join the Gunners over the summer, and while a deal failed to come to fruition before the deadline, the hierarchy appear to be taking a second bite of the cherry during the upcoming window.

Arsenal send scouts for Frimpong

According to 90min once again, Frimpong was watched by Arsenal and top-flight rivals Liverpool in Bayer Leverkusen's most recent fixture that took place last weekend.

"Arsenal and Liverpool were present to watch Bayer Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong during Sunday's Bundesliga clash with Borussia Dortmund, 90min understands.

"The 22-year-old has a £35m release clause which expires this summer – his deal as a whole runs until 2028 – and that figure would appear to represent tremendous market value given he has played consistently well in the Bundesliga and has experience of playing in both the Champions League and Europa League."

Frimpong is an "astonishing" player

While Frimpong is naturally a right-back, he seems to be stronger in the offensive aspect of his game which he’s proven this season by posting 10 contributions, six assists and four goals, in 13 Bundesliga appearances (Transfermarkt – Frimpong statistics).

The Amsterdam native also currently ranks in the 98th percentile for successful take-ons, showing just how much he loves to use his athletic pace, dribble past his marker and create as many chances as possible for himself and his fellow teammates in the final third (FBRef – Frimpong statistics).

Sponsored by Puma, Arteta’s target even has experience competing in both the Champions League and the Europa League, so not only may he possess a winning mentality at the top, but he also appears to be at the top of his age with a career-high Transfermarkt valuation.

For all of the positive qualities that he has in his locker, Frimpong would be an “astonishing” addition to any team, as described by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, so this could be a no-brainer of a deal to pursue should the right opportunity present itself in January.

Glasgow Rangers went through the summer transfer window without a permanent sporting director or director of football to work in tandem with Michael Beale at Ibrox to improve the squad.

This resulted in the English head coach being able to bring in nine new signings to shape the team to his will; including Cyriel Dessers, Danilo, Sam Lammers, Abdallah Sima, Jack Butland, Leon Balogun, Dujon Sterling, Jose Cifuentes, and Kieran Dowell.

A number of these signings have not worked out thus far and Beale was relieved of his duties after a run of three losses from the opening seven Scottish Premiership matches.

Philippe Clement was subsequently brought in to replace him and the club have now ensured that the Belgian will be supported in the transfer market with the appointment of Nils Koppen as the new director of football recruitment.

The 38-year-old chief is due to join the Gers from PSV on the 2nd of January and here are four dream signings he could pull off to make an instant impact at Ibrox…

1 Lawrence Shankland

TEAMtalk reported over the summer that the Gers were eyeing up Hearts centre-forward Lawrence Shankland as a target to replace Alfredo Morelos at the time, as the Colombia international had departed on a free transfer.

However, Beale opted to go with Dessers, Lammers, and Danilo as his forward signings and Dessers, in particular as a number nine, has struggled badly.

The Nigeria international has managed four goals and zero assists in 12 Premiership outings, and has lost a staggering 77% of his ground duels in that time.

He has also made four Europa League group stage appearances for the Light Blues and is yet to contribute with a goal, assist, or 'big chance' created for the side.

Shankland, on the other hand, could come in as an upgrade on Dessers when you consider his form for Hearts since the start of last season.

The Scotland international has produced 11 goals in 21 matches in all competitions for his side, which includes six goals in 14 Premiership games.

Last term, the 28-year-old marksman racked up an impressive tally of 28 goals and four assists in 47 appearances for Hearts – with 24 of those coming in the Scottish top-flight – and these statistics suggest that Shankland could be a big upgrade on Dessers with his superior strike rate.

2 Darius Olaru

In midfield, Koppen could reignite the club's reported summer interest in FCSB attacking midfielder Darius Olaru, who could provide Clement with a creative spark in the middle of the park, and trigger his €5m (£4.3m) release clause.

The 25-year-old has scored seven goals and created ten 'big chances' in 18 league appearances for his club so far this season, along with 2.2 key passes per game.

Last season, the Romania international caught the eye with one goal, 19 'big chances' created, and 2.2 key passes per match across 37 league outings.

James Tavernier (3.4) is the only Rangers player with more than 2.1 key passes per game in the Premiership this season, whilst no Gers midfielder has managed more than 1.7 per clash.

This suggests that the "inexhaustible" playmaker – as described by Alex Scout on X – has the ability to be an outstanding creative option in midfield for Clement.

3 Ryan Kent

TEAMtalk reported last month that the Gers are one of a number of teams keeping tabs on Ryan Kent's situation ahead of his potential availability in January.

The outlet claimed that Leeds United and Bournemouth are both interested in the Fenerbahce forward, who has had a tough start to life in Turkey and could already be on his way out of the club.

They are said to be willing to loan him out for the second half of the campaign and would be open to including a permanent option to sell him for a fee of around £6m.

With the aforementioned lack of creativity within the midfield and wide options at Ibrox, Kent could be a fantastic signing as a forward who could hit the ground running to make an instant impact as an impressive creator.

The 27-year-old whiz already knows what it takes to perform in Scottish football due to his spell with Rangers and caught the eye last season with eight assists, nine 'big chances' created, and 2.2 key passes per game over 29 outings.

Appearances

218

Goals

33

Assists

56

He proved himself to be a reliable option out wide over a prolonged period of time in Scotland and that is why he could be a dream signing for Koppen to make, particularly on loan.

4 Ben Godfrey

Finally, versatile defender Ben Godfrey could come in to bolster the club's defensive options after it was reported by 90min in November that the Gers are keen on the Everton outcast ahead of January.

35-year-old veteran Leon Balogun has started each of the side's last four Premiership matches and lined up against St Mirren with Ben Davies and John Souttar on the bench.

This suggests that Clement does not think too highly of his other centre-back options as Balogun, who arrived on a free transfer from QPR, has ousted them from the starting XI.

FFC published an article last month explaining why Godfrey could come in as an upgrade on Davies and that could, therefore, provide the Nigerian defender with more competition for his place alongside Connor Goldson.

The Everton defender previously showcased his ball-playing ability as a centre-back in a dominant team by ranking within the top 21% of his peers for progressive passes (3.35) per 90 and the top 13% for progressive carries (1.17) per 90 during the 2018/19 Championship season with Norwich.

Whereas, Davies ranks within the bottom 28% of Europa League central defenders for progressive carries (0.20) per 90 this season and does not offer as much drive to push the team up the pitch.

Godfrey is also three years younger than the ex-Liverpool man, and ten years younger than Balogun, which means that he has plenty of time and room to develop further.

Therefore, he could be an impressive addition to the side if Clement can get him firing to the best of his abilities as a ball-playing defender.

حسم مجلس إدارة نادي الاتحاد السكندري موقف مهاجمه الأنجولي كريستوفر مابولولو، بعد تلقيه العديد من العروض خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية.

وأعلن نادي الاتحاد في بيان رسمي عن موافقة مجلس الإدارة بالإجماع على قرار رحيل مابولولو إلى نادي أهلي طرابلس الليبي.

“لم تُحسم بعد”.. الأهلي يُعلن عبر “بطولات” تطورات رحيل محمد عبد المنعم لـ نيس الفرنسي

وأشار البيان إلى أنه قد تمت الموافقة على العرض المالي الوارد من نادي الأهلي الليبي، فيما لم يتم الكشف عن قيمة العرض المقدم.

وأتم البيان مؤكدًا على تقدير نادي الاتحاد السكندري لما قدمه المهاجم الأنجولي  لزعيم الثغر من جهد و عطاء مميز خلال فترة تواجده بالقلعة الخضراء و يتمنى له كل التوفيق في خطواته القادمة.

وخاض مابولولو 25 مباراة في الدوري مع الاتحاد هذا الموسم من أصل 32  لعبها الفريق حتى الأن، سجل خلالهم 11 هدفًا بينهم 5 من ركلات ترجيح فيما صنع هدفين.

USA allrounder Jannisar Khan has been suspended for two matches and given four demerit points after being found guilty of breaching the ICC’s code of conduct. This is the first time a USA player has been suspended under the ICC’s current demerit points system and puts a cloud over his selection status for ICC WCL Division Two in Namibia next April.USA need a top-four finish in the six-team event to guarantee ODI status through 2021. The tournament consists of five round-robin matches which determine if USA finishes in the top four, before a final-day playoff match that has no bearing on ODI status. It means Jannisar would be guaranteed to miss 40% of the pivotal round-robin stage if USA decide to include him in their 14-man squad for the event.An ICC media release said Jannisar was charged with violating article 2.8 of the code of conduct, which relates to “showing dissent at a decision during an international match”. The release goes on to state that Jannisar “appeared to show dissent at the decision and directed abusive language towards the umpire and his decision.”The incident occurred during USA’s win over Singapore on the final day of WCL Division Three in Oman last week. Jannisar was given out caught behind for 24 with USA needing one run to achieve their target of 162.The match was live-streamed on USA Cricket’s YouTube page. Footage from the dismissal shows Jannisar throwing his hands up after being given out caught behind upon missing a cut shot to legspinner Anantha Krishna. Audio of the feed then clearly records Jannisar shouting, “Oh, come on, man! Oh, what the f***, man!” Jannisar then starts to walk off before the audio records him shouting, “S***, man!”Jannisar pleaded not guilty to the charge laid by on-field umpires Vinay Kumar Jha and Rahul Asher, and third umpire Akbar Ali Khan. The plea was apparently done under the premise that Jannisar’s language was expressed in general frustration at the decision rather than specifically directing abuse at the umpires.After a hearing, ICC match referee V Narayanan Kutty found Jannisar guilty and issued four demerit points, which equates to a two-match ban for USA’s next two T20Is or 50-over matches, whichever comes first. At the moment, USA have no matches scheduled prior to WCL Division Two in Namibia, due to be held from April 18 to 28.Jannisar, 37, is a former Pakistan Under-15 and Under-19 player belonging to the same batch that produced future Pakistan internationals such as Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq and Taufeeq Umar, and the future South Africa legspinner Imran Tahir. He migrated to Houston, Texas several years ago where he plays his club cricket and also works as a youth academy coach. He made his USA debut in September after qualifying to play for his adopted country under the ICC’s three-year residency rule.Jannisar was the third USA player found guilty of a code-of-conduct violation during WCL Division Three. Monank Patel was handed one demerit point for a level one violation after pleading guilty to giving batsman Irfan Karim a send-off during USA’s win over Kenya. Timil Patel was given one demerit point after pleading guilty to giving batsman Saif Ahmad a send-off during USA’s win over Denmark.

South Africa seamer is set to miss the first Test of the home series after sustaining a hairline fracture on his right thumb

Liam Brickhill16-Dec-2018South Africa seamer Vernon Philander is set to miss the first Test against Pakistan on Boxing Day after sustaining a hairline fracture on his right thumb. With Lungi Ngidi out of action until February with a knee injury, South Africa will go into the first of three Test matches with just three fit frontline quicks in Duanne Olivier, Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn.Philander had recently returned to action following rehabilitation for a recurring ankle injury, that had flared up during South Africa’s trip to Sri Lanka in July, and had played in one of the early season rounds of the domestic four-day competition, as well as turning out for Durban Heat in seven of their Mzansi Super League matches.”I really don’t even want to think about what would happen should there be another injury,” said South Africa coach Ottis Gibson.All three of the remaining fit quicks will be playing in Sunday’s Mzansi Super League final, but they will not be part of next week’s round of domestic four-day cricket.ALSO READ: Gibson not worried about Amla’s dip in form”If you look at where we are, Steyn, Rabada and Olivier become very important to us. We just want to manage them as best we can. We’ve seen how Dale’s been going. I don’t want to say we’ve seen a transformation because he’s always been a top player, but he’s back to full fitness and performing like the player of old. KG (Rabada) as always is very important to us.””We’ve looked at a few bowling options over the past 14 months and we’ve got what we feel now is a very good bowling attack and group,” Gibson said. “You’ve got Steyn, Rabada, Philander, Ngidi and Olivier, who’s been in-and-out, but always in our thinking. That’s the making of a good attack in any form of the game. My job now is to keep them fit and fresh for them to be at their peak at international level.”