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KOEMAN DIDN’T BELIEVE IN ME, SAYS SUAREZ

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Luis Suarez broke down in tears in his farewell interview with Barcelona after sealing a move to La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona said that Atletico had agreed to pay €6 million (S$9.6 million) for their third-highest scorer of all-time behind Cesar Rodriguez (232) and Lionel Messi (634).

The Uruguayan netted 198 goals in 283 appearances after joining from Liverpool in 2014, winning four league titles, four Spanish Cups and the Champions League.

Suarez was told over the summer that he was no longer required by new coach Ronald Koeman despite hitting 16 goals in 22 La Liga starts to finish as the fourth top scorer in Spain’s top flight last term.

He looked on his way to join Serie A champions Juventus until new coach Andrea Pirlo said last week a deal was unlikely because of delays in his bid to get an Italian passport.

Suarez’s exit comes as Koeman attempts to reshape Barca. He has shown the exit to Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic, while Samuel Umtiti is also set to leave.

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However, Suarez yesterday expressed his unhappiness at being unceremoniously booted out, suggesting Messi was also unhappy at the manner of his departure.

“The club needed changes and the coach didn’t count on me. I want to show that I can still perform at a high level,” he said. “I’m joining Atletico with excitement, but I still haven’t thought about what it’ll be like to play against Barca. I haven’t fully digested it yet.

“Leo knows what I think and I know what he thinks. We are old enough to give each other advice. Leo felt strange because I’m going to a direct rival, but nothing will change our relationship.”

Suarez will be valued by Atletico manager Diego Simeone, who once described him as a “hugely important player”.

The striker will replace Alvaro Morata in Atletico’s front line after the Spain striker was loaned to Juve for a season with an option to buy.

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Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported that the deal was expedited after Suarez threatened to circulate a private e-mail from Barca that named the clubs – including Real Madrid, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain – he could not move to for free.

AFP/Reuters

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Ahead of Nigeria-Libya match: Some kidnapped journalists regain freedom

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An unspecified number of Nigerian journalists travelling to Uyo for Friday’s Nigeria versus Libya’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match have been rescued.

This is contained in a press release by the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Thursday. The association commended the Nigerian security forces for their efforts in the rescue operation.
From the press release, it was gathered that the media men were abducted within the  Anambra and Imo states axis.

”SWAN therefore commends the security operatives, particularly the Nigerian Army and Police for their prompt action which ensured that up to six of the held Sports Journalists regained their freedom with efforts to get the remaining person freed”, reads the SWAN statement.

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Klopp becomes Red Bull global soccer chief in first job after Liverpool

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Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 19, 2024 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp reacts as he gives a speech after his last match as Liverpool manager REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

German coach Juergen Klopp has been appointed head of global soccer for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls, the company said on Wednesday, in his first job since leaving Liverpool earlier this year.

Klopp, who ended his successful nine-year stint with Liverpool at the end of last season, will be starting on January 1, 2025.

“After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” Klopp, who also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund, said in a statement.

“The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.”

The 57-year-old joined Liverpool in October 2015 and won the Champions League, their first English League title since 1990, the Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup, as well as the Community Shield during his time in charge.

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Klopp, who also led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup and a Champions League final in 2013, had announced in January he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

Klopp will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Red Bull-owned clubs in Germany, United States, Brazil and Austria, the company said.

“He will provide strategic vision, supporting individual sporting directors in advancing the Red Bull philosophy,” Red Bull said.

Klopp will also support the organisation’s global scouting operation, and contribute to the training and development of coaches.

“I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more,” Klopp said.

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Some German media reported his Red Bull contract included an exit clause for the post of Germany national team coach.

Klopp has long been linked to that job, especially after his successful stint at Liverpool and with Germany struggling to make an impact on the international stage in the past decade.

-Reuters

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Cape Verdean, Delgado Rocha, to take charge of Libya, Nigeria battle in Benina

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Referee Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine of Cape Verde

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine, from Cape Verde, as referee for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, close to Benghazi.

He will be assisted by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes (assistant referee 1) and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson (assistant referee 2), with Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso as fourth official.

Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will be in the role of commissioner, with Malian Dramane Dante as referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria as security officer.

Tuesday’s encounter, which is at the back-end of a double header between both nations, will kick off at 9pm Libya time (8pm Nigeria time).  

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