Niger appoint “super coach” Courbis

Rafael Callejas, the former president of the Honduran Football Federation (FENAFUTH), has pleaded guilty to his part in bribery schemes at FIFA that are under investigation by United States authorities.

Callejas, who served as president of FENAFUTH between 2002 and 2015, pleaded guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy at the federal court in Brooklyn, New York.

The charges are in connection to his receipt of bribes in exchange for the awarding of contracts for the media and marketing rights to FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

According to court filings and facts presented during the plea proceeding, Callejas negotiated and accepted bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to award contracts for the media and marketing rights …

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has hailed the impact that Diego Simeone has made on Atletico Madrid.

Simeone took control of Atletico as the club struggled toward the end of 2011 and turned around their fortunes by engineering a fifth-placed finish in La Liga and a Europa League triumph.

The capital side have since continued their improvement under Simeone s tenure, occupying second place in the Spanish top flight, and the 24-year-old believes their rise towards becoming a major outfit has been aided by the Argentine s managerial nous.

They have become a rival this season because with nearly half the season gone, they are near the top of the table, Busquets told reporters ahead of Sunday s match between the two sides at Camp Nou.

Atletico finishe…

Roma midfielder David Pizarro intends to end his career at the Serie A club, despite being loaned out to Manchester City in January.

The Chile international played just five games for City, with the 32-year-old also hinting at a fractious relationship with manager Roberto Mancini.

I returned to Rome from Manchester, and I don t intend to move again, the one-time Inter man told Il Romanista.

I feel at home here. I ll go on vacation for a few weeks, and then come back to hopefully finish my career here.

I still have a year left on my contract and have no intention of leaving. I am very motivated to try and help the club get back in to Europe.

I also became a father for the third time in November, and I want my son to be a Roman.

Pizar…

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he can t wait to see Axel Tuanzebe return to Manchester United from his loan at Aston Villa.

Tuanzebe, 21, has enjoyed an encouraging loan spell in the Championship in 2018-19, making 26 appearances for Dean Smith s side.

The defender could yet help his side secure a return to the Premier League, with Villa holding a 2-1 lead over West Brom in the play-off semi-final after the first leg last Saturday.

Regardless of Villa s promotion push, Solskjaer seems eager to make sure Tuanzebe is given a chance in the top flight next season, with United in need of improved strength in depth at the back following a hugely disappointing campaign.

Funny coloured tracksuits.

Tucks pants in his socks.

Axel Tuanzebe and Andre M…

Chelsea defender David Luiz admits he is flattered by the reported interest from La Liga giants Barcelona.

Luiz, who has been mostly used as a holding midfielder since Rafa Benitez took over the reigns at Stamford Bridge, has been linked with a move to Camp Nou in the summer.

The Catalans are looking to add another high-profile centre-back to their ranks ahead of the 2013/2014 season and the Brazilian defender is reportedly high on their wish list.

The 25-year-old says he is aware of the transfer talk and reveals he is flattered to have been linked with a club like Barca.

“Of course I am happy with the interest of Barcelona,” the Brazilian in Catalan daily Sport.

“I just try to do my job in the best way possible, wherever I am, and now I�…

Market: Accrington Stanley win

Odds: 21/20 @

Two sides who will be hoping to extend on their League Cup in midweek, Accrington will welcome Tranmere to the Wham Stadium on Tuesday night.

Starting with the hosts, after managing to muster a top-half finish last season, Accrington could have their sights set on mounting a legitimate play-off charge this time around. After opening the 2022/23 League One campaign with an action-packed 2-2 draw at home against Charlton on July 30th, John Coleman s men also impressed a few days ago. Last seen over the weekend picking up a 1-0 victory away at Shrewsbury, the Reds should be smelling the chance to keep up their recent momentum here. Signing off their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 win against Championship returners Su…

Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi admits he has been buoyed by the winning mentality at his new club.

The Belgium international joined the London club from Marseille this month on a five-year deal for a reported fee of €33.1million, and scored twice in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Atus Ferlach this week.

Chelsea endured a dismal campaign in 2015-16, failing to win a major trophy and finishing 10th in the Premier League, just a year after winning the competition under Jose Mourinho.

But Batshuayi is in no doubt that belief is growing over their prospects of a title tilt under new manager Antonio Conte.

It ended 8-0 to the Blues, with Pedro (2), Batshuayi (2) and Remy adding to our first half goals.

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)

It…

Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo has hit out at the Premier League, branding the standard of football second-rate.

The former Espanyol man, who spent four years in Italy between 2006 and 2010 before returning from Spain last summer, came out fighting as he hit back at suggestions that Serie A is in decline.

Once the Premier League was the most beautiful in the world, the 26-year-old told Gazzetta dello Sport.

But I think now the football has become second-rate.

It s more fun to play in Italy where every game is a fight, rather than a tournament where the first few teams get an easy 30 points.

The Argentina-born forward did, however, have some positive words for English football, particularly by praising their hard-line stance on hooliganism.

…

Neymar has denied a rivalry exists with Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe.

The pair are two of the most valuable players in the world and have accounted for nine of PSG s 14 goals over the past four matches in all competitions.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel applauded their partnership following the recent 3-1 win over Montpellier and both will need to shine if the Ligue 1 side are to achieve Champions League glory this season.

There have been suggestions that France international Mbappe, 20, has occasionally felt frustrated with perceived favouritism towards Neymar, but the Brazilian insists there is no hidden animosity in their friendship.

My relationship with Kylian is very good, Neymar told France Football.

We are good friends and help e…

Fabio Cannavaro has endorsed the capture of Gonzalo Higuain but says it will be difficult for Juventus to win the Champions League without Paul Pogba.

Juve spent big to recruit Higuain, last season s top scorer in Serie A, from Napoli as a replacement for striker Alvaro Morata, who was re-signed by Real Madrid.

But the departure of France international Pogba to Manchester United for a world-record fee has left a void in midfield that head coach Massimiliano Allegri may struggle to fill against top opposition, according to Cannavaro.

Juve certainly reinforced themselves they have a deep, complete squad and I think Higuain is stronger than Morata, but winning the Champions League is incredibly tough, ex-Bianconeri defender Cannavaro was quoted by Gazzetta dello Sp…