EQUATORIAL GUINEA HAVE BEEN FINED $100,000 (€80,200).

Equatorial Guinea have been fined $100,000 (€80,200) due to their fans' behaviour during thursday night's Africa cup of nations clash with Ghana. according to Goal.com

The semi-final tie in Malabo was suspended for 30 minutes after crowd violence that resulted in 36 people being injured, 14 of whom were taken to hospital for treatment, with one person's condition declared serious.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has now taken action, with its disciplinary committe ordering Equatorial Guinea's football federation (FEGUIFUT) to cover all of the medical costs and pay a fine of $100,000, while the national team will play their third-place play-off against DR Congo under the threat of their next home game being staged behind closed doors.

A CAF statement released on Friday afternoon statement read, "Pursuant to Articles 82, 83 and 151 of the Disciplinary Code of CAF, respectively related to the principles of conduct, responsibility and safety in the organization of games, the disciplinary panel decided:

"To have the Equatorial Guinean Party cover the cost of treatment of all injured persons during the match.

"To impose on the Equatorial Guinean Federation a fine of US$100,000 (One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) for aggressive behaviour and being repeat offenders.

"To have the team of Equatorial Guinea play their next game behind closed doors/in camera and without spectators.

"However, to promote a spirit of Fair-play and brotherhood during the AFCON2015, the Disciplinary Panel decided to suspend the match behind closed doors provided that spectators were not guilty of such an offense in the 3rd/4th place classification match.

"In the event of a repeat of identical incidents during the classification match on 7 February 2015, the disciplinary panel of CAF will automatically impose the sanction of playing behind closed doors the Equatorial Guinean team's next official match.

Ghana players left the pitch at half-time during the game in Malabo under the cover of police as bottles rained down from the home support, before the game was suspended for half an hour in the second half.

Objects were hurled towards the visiting support, causing Ghana fans to take cover on the running track behind one of the goals.

Police then used tear gas and a helicopter to disperse Guinea fans before play eventually resumed, with Ghana running out 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Jordan and Andre Ayew, and Mubarak Wakaso.

However, Blacks Stars boss Avram Grant admitted afterwards that he feared for his players' lives.

"I didn’t know what was happening," the former Chelsea manager stated. "I could not say I wasn’t concerned but I wanted to keep my players safe –

 

Time	Match	Tip	odd	Result
18.30	Greuther furth  vs  ingolstadt	2	2.40	WON

DISGRACE TO AFRICAN FOOTBALL, AS AFCON SEMI FINAL TURNED TO A WAR ZONE

                                      Police in riot gear attempt to protect Ghana players as they leave the pitch

Supporters could have died in crowd trouble which marred an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final, the Ghana FA president has told the BBC.

"We're lucky we haven't lost any lives, though people have sustained injuries arising from objects thrown at them," said Ghana FA chief Kwesi Nyantakyi.

Play was halted for 30 minutes as home fans rioted at Malabo Stadium where Ghana beat hosts Equatorial Guinea 3-0.

Police used tear gas as bottles and stones were thrown by home supporters.

A large group of Ghana fans among the 15,250 crowd sought safety behind a goal, while unruly fans threw objects at a police helicopter which hovered over Malabo Stadium.

                                              A police helicopter hovers over the stadium

                                                       Stadium in chaos

The Ghana FA said it was "like a war zone" and Nyantakyi described the conduct of some Equatorial Guinea supporters as "the highest state of barbarism".

He told BBC World Service: "African football has grown beyond this level and in the 21st century we expect to see more decency in the behaviour of fans.

"A high-profile game of this nature should have attracted police, intelligence officers and military.

"I couldn't have counted 50 policemen at the stadium, the rest were from Angola, who were not familiar with the terrain, so they didn't know how to handle the situation. So the Ghanaian fans were left at the mercy of these violent fans. "

 The Confederation of African Football (Caf) refused to take questions about the crowd trouble after the match.

Emilio Nsue, captain of Equatorial Guinea, said: "Regarding the public and the way they acted, I've never experienced that. I'd like to say sorry. It was something we've never experienced before." The Ghana FA said it was "like a war zone" and Nyantakyi described the conduct of some Equatorial Guinea supporters as "the highest state of barbarism".

He told BBC World Service: "African football has grown beyond this level and in the 21st century we expect to see more decency in the behaviour of fans.

"A high-profile game of this nature should have attracted police, intelligence officers and military.

"I couldn't have counted 50 policemen at the stadium, the rest were from Angola, who were not familiar with the terrain, so they didn't know how to handle the situation. So the Ghanaian fans were left at the mercy of these violent fans. "

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) refused to take questions about the crowd trouble after the match.

Emilio Nsue, captain of Equatorial Guinea, said: "Regarding the public and the way they acted, I've never experienced that. I'd like to say sorry. It was something we've never experienced before." 
BBC reports

A spectator is carried off the pitch after trying to attack the referee

Time	Match	Tip	odd	Result
20.45	ajax   vs   az  alkmaar	1H(-1)	2.54	LOSE

JAPAN SACK AGIRRE DUE TO MATCH-FIXING SCANDAL

Japan have dismissed the Mexican so as not to disrupt their World Cup qualifying campaign
Javier Aguirre has been sacked as Japan coach due to an ongoing probe into match-fixing during his time in Spain.

The Mexican was appointed in August, but has come under the spotlight in recent months as part of an investigation into the game between his then side Real Zaragoza and Levante in May 2011. Aguirre has denied any wrongdoing.

Japan have taken the decision to remove Aguirre now, however, for fear of any possible disruption in their bid to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

“We came to think that we must avoid the risk that these things affect the World Cup Asia qualifiers,” Japan Football Association president Kuniya Daini told a news conference.
“We have reached the decision to terminate the contract with coach Aguirre at this time.”

Time	Match	Tip	odd	Result
22.30	Red Bull Brasil – Penapolense	1	2.00	LOSE

REDKNAPP RESIGNS AS QPR BOSS

The veteran boss says he is quitting his post because he will undergo knee replacement surgery in the coming weeks.

The 67-year-old took charge at Loftus Road in November 2012 but informed Chairman Tony Fernandes that he was resigning on Tuesday morning.

And QPR have announced that Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey have been placed in temporary charge of the team until further notice.

Redknapp has been under pressure this season and leaves with QPR second-bottom of the Premier League, having not earned a single point away from home all season.

QPR were expected to try and strengthen their squad while the transfer window was open but their only signing was Mauro Zarate from West Ham, who has been on the field for just 14 minutes since his arrival on loan at the start of January.

Redknapp said: "I have had such a fantastic time at QPR.

"I would like to thank the Board, the players and all my staff, and especially the supporters, who have been absolutely fantastic to me since I arrived at the club for their tremendous support.

"Sadly, I need immediate surgery on my knee, which is going to stop me from doing my job in the coming weeks.

"It means I won’t be able to be out on the training pitch every day and, if I can’t give 100 per cent, I feel it’s better for someone else to take over the reins.

But Jim White of Sky Sports News HQ has spoken to Redknapp and reported: "Harry has stressed to me that Queens Park Rangers' lack of dealings in the transfer window has absolutely nothing to do with this decision.

"He insists his problems are his knees. He had a knee operation not too long ago and he tells me he has been in huge discomfort since that operation.

"He stresses that, once he gets surgery done, on one or both knees, he is coming back. In Harry's words, 'there is no way I am giving up football'".

"He stresses that, once he gets surgery done, on one or both knees, he is coming back. In Harry's words, 'there is no way I am giving up football'

VARANE IN, CAHILL OUT?

'Gary Cahill's future at Chelsea is in jeopardy after it emerged that Jose Mourinho is planning to make major changes to his defence next season,' it says in the Daily Mail. It's likely to have some semblance of truth because it comes from well-connected Chelsea fanboy (yes, we know he supports Palace) Neil Ashton.

It seems that Mourinho has 'lost faith' in Cahill. The short-term answer is to move Branislav Ivanovic back into central defence but it seems Chelsea will go back into the market in the summer, with Raphael Varane the first choice. 'Atletico Madrid's Uruguayan defender Jose Gimenez and Athletic Bilbao centre half Aymeric Laporte are also being monitored,' writes Ashton.

OUCH! PLAYER HIT BY MEDICAL CART AS HE’S ABOUT TO BE CARRIED OFF

A case of adding insult to injury as a medical car accidentally drove into an injured player during the African Nations Cup match between DR Congo and Congo.

The match ended in favour of DR Congo, after coming from behind to qualify for semi finals.

RICKIE LAMBERT TURNS DOWN VILLA'S £5M BID

"We want to keep all the players here," said Brendan Rodgers on Monday before agreeing to sell Rickie Lambert to Aston Villa for £5m. Lambert turned down the move to stay and fight for his place at Anfield.

According to The Guardian: 'Liverpool initially had no intention of selling the 32-year-old eight months after his £4.5m arrival from Southampton but were tempted into a rethink by Villa's straight cash offer.' Crystal Palace and Hull City also made enquiries that were rebuffed by Liverpool, whose squad will be boosted by the arrival of Divock Origi and Danny Ings.

Time	Match	Tip	odd	Result
16.00	Akhisar belediye  vs  Trabzonspor	2	2.40	WON

SCHURRLE SEALS WOLFSBURG MOVE

The 24-year-old has struggled for regular first-team football this season and has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the Bundesliga side.

Schurrle has made a total of 22 appearances for Jose Mourinho's side this season, scoring five goals, but has made completed 90 minutes in the Premier League just once.

"It's a last-minute deal which we didn't expect to be a last-minute deal." said Sky Deutschland's David Marcour.

"We know a contract was in place a week ago. Wolfsburg were very relaxed and willing to pay 28m to 30m euros."

Wolfsburg are second in the Bundesliga and returned from their winter break with a stunning 4-1 win over leaders Bayern Munich at the weekend.

"Wolfsburg are really building up a squad to attack Bayern," added Marcour.

"They want to be the second force in the Bundesliga and this signing is a sign to watch out.

"It will definitely be the biggest transfer in Germany in this window."

The former Mainz player joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year deal in 2011.

He was part of Germany's World Cup-winning squad, scoring two goals in the 7-1 semi-final victory over Brazil and coming on for Christoph Kramer as a first-half substitute in the final against Argentina.

Schurrle's exit from Stamford Bridge is expected to pave the way for Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado.

CUADRADO-JUAN JOINS CHELSEA FROM FIORENTINA

The 26-year-old Colombia forward has signed a four and half year deal and could make his Blues debut at Aston Villa this weekend.

Chelsea's Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah will move in the opposite direction on loan and will be with Fiorentina until the end of the season.

Cuadrado played an eye-catching role in Colombia's run to the quarter finals at last summer's World Cup in Brazil, scoring in the 4-1 victory over Japan and contributing four assists, a tally only equalled by Germany's Toni Kroos.

He has since scored six goals in 23 appearances in Italy and the Chelsea website described their new signing as playing "predominantly behind a striker, but he is also comfortable on either flank. Pacy and agile, he is a purposeful attacking threat with an eye for the spectacular."

Cuadrado said: "I am very happy and thankful for this opportunity I’ve been given.

"This is a great club and, honestly, it is like a dream to join the Chelsea family and to know that the manager believes in me. I’m happy.

"The best part about this dream is that I'm going to be part of such a big club and that's huge motivation to perform well. I'm quick and positive and I have to show that to help my team-mates.

"It's really going to be brilliant to work with one of the best coaches anywhere in the world. I'm very proud to be playing for him and think he will make me a better player.

"We are a big club so we can win important things. Playing for this team, the league championship is I think the most important thing. As for everything else, Chelsea have big players so we want to win big things.

"Best wishes to all of the Chelsea fans. I hope to perform for them in the best possible way and I hope we can achieve a lot of things together."
 Is this a good signing? Share your thoughts.

Kevin De Bruyne is most definitely the real deal

The real deal? Most definitely. Wolfsburg’s Kevin De Bruyne ran the show against Bayern munich.

According to German football bible, Kicker, the Belgian creative midfielder is the only player in the Bundesliga worthy of the world-class tag and on the evidence of his brilliant display in Wolfsburg’s remarkable dismantling of the Bayern machine, that assessment is 100 per cent correct.

With Bayern in hari-kari mood – pushing too many players forward and frequently giving the ball away cheaply – the Wolves must have thought Santa was back in town and in the speedy, skilful and quick-thinking red-head had the perfect man to lead the counter-attacking charge, scoring twice and setting up another.

“Often he was all on his own running at me,” moaned Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer, who in one unfortunate 90 minutes, conceded as many goals as he had in the entire “Autumn Championship”.


Bought for £18 million from Chelsea a year ago, he spent his first six months combining the exceptional with the disinterested, but this term has been all-action throughout, as ready to put in a defensive shift as to turn on the style.

Time	Match	Tip	odd	Result
17.30	DENIZLISPOR    VS   ADANA DEMIRSPOR	2	2.12	WON