Russia escapes IOC blanket ban for Rio Olympics

<p dir="ltr">The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has rejected clarion calls for Russia to be banned from next month's Rio Olympics over the nation's doping record, offering athletes a lifeline by ruling that decisions on individual competitors will be left to the international sports federations.</p><p dir="ltr">The IOC's decision on Sunday, less than two weeks before the Rio Games opens on Aug. 5, follows the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) call for a blanket ban in response to the independent McLaren report that found evidence of state-sponsored doping by Russian athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.</p><p dir="ltr">"I think in this way, we have balanced on the one hand, the desire and need for collective responsibility versus the right to individual justice of every individual athlete," IOC President Thomas Bach said on a conference call.</p><p dir="ltr">"In this way we are protecting the clean athletes because of the high criteria we set. This may not please everybody, but this result is one which is respecting the rules of justice and all the clean athletes all over the world."</p><p dir="ltr">WADA and 14 national anti-doping organisations had urged the IOC to impose a blanket ban in the wake of the damning McLaren report, but former Olympic fencing champion Bach said that Russian sportsmen and women "will have to clear the highest hurdle to take part in the Olympics".</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbITBi5gmdWCmjnjFKkIz7WEH-cStQDvF19_vkkY3xqUXE4B8yzyuF1mu2j8IxBMwdoqiNnTWNOWIBD9xJyqQHtxqOTltixRXhvk5AyY0bNeYvzouDm62iuJdB_UWA7rd4piwk0idDYIo/s1600/gif_20160721155317.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbITBi5gmdWCmjnjFKkIz7WEH-cStQDvF19_vkkY3xqUXE4B8yzyuF1mu2j8IxBMwdoqiNnTWNOWIBD9xJyqQHtxqOTltixRXhvk5AyY0bNeYvzouDm62iuJdB_UWA7rd4piwk0idDYIo/s640/gif_20160721155317.gif"> </a> </div>

Russia escapes IOC blanket ban for Rio Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has rejected clarion calls for Russia to be banned from next month's Rio Olympics over the nat...

The Champions League trophy is waiting at San Siro! #UCLFinal

<p dir="ltr">Today is the day! </p><p dir="ltr">Are you excited! </p><p dir="ltr">#UCLfinal <br>Zidane has won the #UCLFinal as a player in 2002</p><p dir="ltr">As an asst manager in 2014</p><p dir="ltr">Will he win it as a manager tonight? </p><p dir="ltr"> Difference between the two teams =the difference is in the manager! #UCLfinal</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafGm5HlfcXznNgi_YQyliKZRib6P4OrpKkc2I7jKP1zHRUi9MnzSZ0ZGVMVE035OWcvumxaJIddS1sjJ47X6XLijowZDkLY8MxPmpMlwjTE7hTYAXMiNjj2v5ERJm33viXAPesYQ6h-c/s1600/gif_20160528072457.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafGm5HlfcXznNgi_YQyliKZRib6P4OrpKkc2I7jKP1zHRUi9MnzSZ0ZGVMVE035OWcvumxaJIddS1sjJ47X6XLijowZDkLY8MxPmpMlwjTE7hTYAXMiNjj2v5ERJm33viXAPesYQ6h-c/s640/gif_20160528072457.gif"> </a> </div>

The Champions League trophy is waiting at San Siro! #UCLFinal

Today is the day! Are you excited! #UCLfinal Zidane has won the #UCLFinal as a player in 2002 As an asst manager in 2014 Will he win it as a...

Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - the facts

<p dir="ltr">Today is the day! </p><p dir="ltr">Are you excited! </p><p dir="ltr">#UCLfinal <br>Zidane has won the #UCLFinal as a player in 2002</p><p dir="ltr">As an asst manager in 2014</p><p dir="ltr">Will he win it as a manager tonight? </p><p dir="ltr"> Difference between the two teams =the difference is in the manager! #UCLfinal</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU6OdPxdN3sFRB9NzwaI3v4y_flkt7T0jeRrM2CP0W7tAqiuZCoiTCjWdxjFOjbCkUEiUmX8ssaAp6fkEZFlAYlxDr_s2AhBTcaF7uO84oYs2vjpLVpKJfCQW5ec2i9f_KI7MFAiDWo4/s1600/IMG_20160528_072232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU6OdPxdN3sFRB9NzwaI3v4y_flkt7T0jeRrM2CP0W7tAqiuZCoiTCjWdxjFOjbCkUEiUmX8ssaAp6fkEZFlAYlxDr_s2AhBTcaF7uO84oYs2vjpLVpKJfCQW5ec2i9f_KI7MFAiDWo4/s640/IMG_20160528_072232.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><h3 class="sp-story-body__cross-head" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 2rem 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25rem; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; color: rgb(18, 18, 18); text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - the facts</h3><ul style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: square; outline-style: none; color: rgb(37, 37, 37); text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1rem 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 4px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none;">Real Madrid have reached the Champions League/European Cup final for the 14th time, more than any other team. They have won 10 of those - also a record - including their past four (1998, 2000, 2002, 2014).</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1rem 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 4px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none;">This is the third time in the past four years the Champions League final has been contested by teams from the same nation (Germany 2013, Spain 2014, Spain 2016).</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1rem 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 4px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none;">Including 2016, Madrid has now made 17 appearances in the Champions League/European Cup final (14 for Real, three for Atletico), more than any other city (Milan has 16).</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1rem 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 4px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none;">Atletico have won seven of their past 16 games against Real Madrid in all competitions (five draws, four losses). They had failed to win any of their previous 25 games against Real (six draws, 19 losses).</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1rem 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 4px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none;">The past four competitive games between Real and Atletico have produced only four goals (two each).</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1rem 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 4px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none;">This is the third season in a row in which a manager has reached the Champions League final in his first season in the competition (Diego Simeone 2014, Luis Enrique 2015, Zinedine Zidane 2016).</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1rem 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 4px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none;">Atletico have kept 15 clean sheets in their last 21 Champions League games, including four in six knockout games this season.</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFz2tvMo6ARPATr8QZnbiyxe_rONzbIW5Qnr4g8wKSaI_a9JuO2NW2VqB8Rhzc699_nJxXFJIwLJZhS5swd68gXO4reyBqn7qFg6bYMKQPd5on6JZAY6hl9qNFgp_MlqBoSZYxW9JpHk/s1600/gif_20160528073950.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFz2tvMo6ARPATr8QZnbiyxe_rONzbIW5Qnr4g8wKSaI_a9JuO2NW2VqB8Rhzc699_nJxXFJIwLJZhS5swd68gXO4reyBqn7qFg6bYMKQPd5on6JZAY6hl9qNFgp_MlqBoSZYxW9JpHk/s640/gif_20160528073950.gif"> </a> </div>

Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - the facts

Today is the day! Are you excited! #UCLfinal Zidane has won the #UCLFinal as a player in 2002 As an asst manager in 2014 Will he win it as a...

Milan: Only hours away from the Champions League final in the San Siro #UCLfinal

<p dir="ltr">Today is the day! </p><p dir="ltr">Are you excited! </p><p dir="ltr">#UCLfinal <br>Zidane has won the #UCLFinal as a player in 2002</p><p dir="ltr">As an asst manager in 2014</p><p dir="ltr">Will he win it as a manager tonight? </p><p dir="ltr"> Difference between the two teams =the difference is in the manager! #UCLfinal </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2t1oUaHkUG2YZoIhFCCmKR9D3cNr4kdUuCTDBV6ckSdGnXLUuI7H3mCH_2ML9T382Bo5HrlZgfjZ8MGFGAbzntxC9R7YgH82k9P-O0rZVm8cBFRJArnKxbGMYluhDGM9HxzHVQagH2yc/s1600/_89795056_zidane_reuters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2t1oUaHkUG2YZoIhFCCmKR9D3cNr4kdUuCTDBV6ckSdGnXLUuI7H3mCH_2ML9T382Bo5HrlZgfjZ8MGFGAbzntxC9R7YgH82k9P-O0rZVm8cBFRJArnKxbGMYluhDGM9HxzHVQagH2yc/s640/_89795056_zidane_reuters.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><h3 class="sp-story-body__cross-head" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 2rem 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25rem; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; color: rgb(18, 18, 18); text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">            Zidane under scrutiny</h3><div><span style="color: rgb(90, 90, 90); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(237, 237, 237);">Zinedine Zidane could become the seventh man to win the Champions League/European Cup as a player and a manager</span><br></div><div><span style="color: rgb(90, 90, 90); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(237, 237, 237);"><br></span></div><div><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; color: rgb(37, 37, 37); text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Guiding your team into the Champions League final less than five months into your first managerial job at senior level is no mean achievement.</p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; color: rgb(37, 37, 37); text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">And when you consider Zinedine Zidane also reignited Real Madrid's previously faltering La Liga challenge by finishing the season with 12 straight victories - including a 2-1 triumph over arch-rivals Barcelona - you might think the French coach had already earned himself job security.</p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; color: rgb(37, 37, 37); text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The soap opera life at the Bernabeu, however, has seen Zidane face questions over his future in virtually every news conference he has held in recent weeks.</p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; color: rgb(37, 37, 37); text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">At probably any other club, Zidane's future would be assured, because he has done an excellent job since taking over from much-maligned predecessor Rafa Benitez in January.</p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; color: rgb(37, 37, 37); text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Interestingly, the key turning point came at the end of February when Zidane suffered his first defeat as Real manager, a dispiriting 1-0 home loss against none other than Atletico.</p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; color: rgb(37, 37, 37); text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Real's tame performance in that encounter sparked a significant reaction from the recently-appointed coach, who immediately installed defensive midfielder Casemiro into his starting line-up, injecting much-needed strength and solidity into the centre of the pitch.</p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; color: rgb(37, 37, 37); text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Casemiro has become fundamental to Zidane's Real, his physical attributes and tactical awareness providing support for the back four and giving the team better balance.</p></div></div>

Milan: Only hours away from the Champions League final in the San Siro #UCLfinal

Today is the day! Are you excited! #UCLfinal Zidane has won the #UCLFinal as a player in 2002 As an asst manager in 2014 Will he win it as a...

Who wins the battle tonight? #UCLFinal

<p dir="ltr">Today is the day! </p><p dir="ltr">Are you excited! #UCLfinal </p><p dir="ltr">Zidane has won the #UCLFinal as a player in 2002</p><p dir="ltr">As an asst manager in 2014</p><p dir="ltr">Will he win it as a manager tonight? </p><p dir="ltr"> Difference between the two teams =the difference is in the manager! #UCLfinal </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6h2EVH7nVgxIEYtxuhpWxRos_cFOiYJnDemZPZot-LowMP69KQenCsS2HIkJ_SG-X1gEoKbefJydTyjFbnkCvKAgwcjekgrXxL5FchwvzMlwWliJlI1LtGMW7W-14dZVKBOB6FAXsCE8/s1600/IMG_20160528_070002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6h2EVH7nVgxIEYtxuhpWxRos_cFOiYJnDemZPZot-LowMP69KQenCsS2HIkJ_SG-X1gEoKbefJydTyjFbnkCvKAgwcjekgrXxL5FchwvzMlwWliJlI1LtGMW7W-14dZVKBOB6FAXsCE8/s640/IMG_20160528_070002.jpg"> </a> </div>

Who wins the battle tonight? #UCLFinal

Today is the day! Are you excited! #UCLfinal Zidane has won the #UCLFinal as a player in 2002 As an asst manager in 2014 Will he win it as a...

Warriors, trailing 3-1, in state of shock

<p dir="ltr">Kawakami: Warriors, trailing 3-1, in state of shock.</p><p dir="ltr">Every shoulder was slumped and every facial expression was frozen, glazed, dazed and weighed down by so many invisible things.</p><p dir="ltr">Andre Iguodala sat still. Draymond Green didn't move. Stephen Curry wandered from his locker into the showers like he was walking through a nightmare.</p><p dir="ltr">If anybody talked to each other, I didn't see it.</p><p dir="ltr">After getting shellacked in Game 4 again here by the Thunder, the Warriors' locker room was a dark and silent painting, a stunning frozen moment while everybody in there absorbed every queasy emotion at once.</p><p dir="ltr">The greatest regular-season team in NBA history went numb on Tuesday night, before, during and especially after their 118-94 loss at Chesapeake Energy Arena to fall behind 3-1 in this Western Conference finals.</p><p dir="ltr">There were no words to express this, except to say that this proud, accomplished, championship-winning team was in a state of shock.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0N_TcqK7DuDH2ibWPscQPU_hrY7M31bt-L4eFLfTjSTkWnmJNUrnhU5ZKw3EphgTiefE3PEYDgA3WjkEY3MbyYHFtTty1K5S8edwF9U3v6ndWrOtE51m_VMZfFY-vRJr2i5ugtcX1YeI/s1600/Warriors-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0N_TcqK7DuDH2ibWPscQPU_hrY7M31bt-L4eFLfTjSTkWnmJNUrnhU5ZKw3EphgTiefE3PEYDgA3WjkEY3MbyYHFtTty1K5S8edwF9U3v6ndWrOtE51m_VMZfFY-vRJr2i5ugtcX1YeI/s640/Warriors-1200.jpg"> </a> </div>

Warriors, trailing 3-1, in state of shock

Kawakami: Warriors, trailing 3-1, in state of shock. Every shoulder was slumped and every facial expression was frozen, glazed, dazed and we...

Mourinho And United 'Agree Terms Of Contract'

<p dir="ltr">Some issues reportedly remain before a contract is signed between Mourinho and Manchester United.</p><p dir="ltr">Jose Mourinho has agreed personal terms with Manchester United but Sky sources say some issues remain before a contract is signed.</p><p dir="ltr">Both parties have reached a deal on Mourinho's contract length and salary, and Sky's Sport Correspondent Paul Kelso says a three-year deal with an annual salary in excess of £10m a year is expected but unconfirmed.</p><p dir="ltr">However, it is understood they are still in negotiations over several unresolved image rights issues.</p><p dir="ltr">Both Manchester United and the former Chelsea manager are currently tied into commercial partnerships - and there are fears of a potential conflict as Mourinho's deal with Jaguar could be at odds with the club's seven-year association with General Motors.</p><p dir="ltr">Chevrolet, a division of GM, are the club's shirt sponsor.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWpr678vjyh7Z7S_LTwbPDQtCiPb4AbAlm99Y4dZvQpahU-j-hoZ7Hg1R6-uje_PRZEZXhWb4gCsgiqtkziqsHZXqz3dGI3VQ9A-S4sb7hOW6kpw4hxmR_vfRDtdofDZ43YtVj-uFTpA/s1600/gif_20160525022137.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWpr678vjyh7Z7S_LTwbPDQtCiPb4AbAlm99Y4dZvQpahU-j-hoZ7Hg1R6-uje_PRZEZXhWb4gCsgiqtkziqsHZXqz3dGI3VQ9A-S4sb7hOW6kpw4hxmR_vfRDtdofDZ43YtVj-uFTpA/s640/gif_20160525022137.gif"> </a> </div>

Mourinho And United 'Agree Terms Of Contract'

Some issues reportedly remain before a contract is signed between Mourinho and Manchester United. Jose Mourinho has agreed personal terms wi...

Spanish Olympic team members robbed at gunpoint in Rio

<p dir="ltr">Three members of Spain's Olympic sailing team were robbed at gunpoint in a popular tourist area of Rio de Janeiro, where the Summer Games will start in less than three months, officials said Saturday.</p><p dir="ltr">The sailors from the Nacra 17 catamaran class were in Santa Teresa, a picturesque part of Rio that is a favorite for foreign visitors, when "they were confronted by five people armed with two pistols," the Spanish Sailing Federation said in a statement.</p><p dir="ltr">Olympic champion Fernando Echavarri, world and European champion Tara Pacheco and trainer Santi Lopez-Vazquez were robbed but "fortunately they did not suffer personal injury," the sailing federation said.</p><p dir="ltr">"A bag with money, documents and a camera were taken" in the incident, Rio's tourism police said in a statement. The Spanish team said the mugging occurred in the early hours of Saturday, while police said it was on Friday.</p><p dir="ltr">"Civil police are working to identify the authors of the crime and to recover the stolen objects," said the police statement.</p><p dir="ltr">Spanish officials said the team was in Rio to train ahead of the Games which open August 5.</p><p dir="ltr">Security is one of the main concerns for organizers in a city where large working class neighborhoods known as favelas are considered off limits to most tourists and where heavily armed police engage in frequent shootouts with drug gangs. Muggings and crimes involving firearms also occur regularly in the wealthiest neighborhoods in the south of Rio.</p><p dir="ltr">"It was a very unpleasant experience," Lopez-Vázquez said. "There were five youths with two pistols. They took all the work equipment we were carrying at that time."</p><p dir="ltr">The Spanish federation said "lack of security in Rio is one of the points that worries the teams."</p><p dir="ltr">"Fernando, Tara and Santi want to forget what happened as quickly as possible and concentrate completely and exclusively on the training."</p><p dir="ltr">Some sailors preparing for the Olympics have also expressed concern about high levels of pollution and floating garbage in Guanabara Bay where the fast, but flimsy racing dinghies and windsurfers risk being impeded by plastic bags caught on rudders or centerboards.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlvuSoQLqcdPF0BHntJkuUVWhU_x_DAYnIofB-EtKPcp3upEyT0LIGcjj9t2ooDt-YA8ofcqQB2Rp57gjdbpm4IOg3tn80PfrGV3iZqY0mjbsOsZNo72UkqYTaTpVZVFDIdy-wsj6FR0/s1600/IMG_20160513_224935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlvuSoQLqcdPF0BHntJkuUVWhU_x_DAYnIofB-EtKPcp3upEyT0LIGcjj9t2ooDt-YA8ofcqQB2Rp57gjdbpm4IOg3tn80PfrGV3iZqY0mjbsOsZNo72UkqYTaTpVZVFDIdy-wsj6FR0/s640/IMG_20160513_224935.jpg"> </a> </div>

Spanish Olympic team members robbed at gunpoint in Rio

Three members of Spain's Olympic sailing team were robbed at gunpoint in a popular tourist area of Rio de Janeiro, where the Summer Game...

Louis Van Gaal Defiant Amid Mourinho Rumours

<p dir="ltr">Louis van Gaal refused to be drawn on his future as speculation linking Jose Mourinho with Manchester United intensified.</p><p dir="ltr">No sooner had United lifted the FA Cup after a dramatic extra-time victory over Crystal Palace, Sky Sports News HQ reported the former Chelsea boss was set to replace Van Gaal at Old Trafford.</p><p dir="ltr">But, speaking at his post-match press conference, Van Gaal - who lauded the trophy in front of the media in attendance - snubbed the chance to discuss whether his time with United could be coming to an end.</p><p dir="ltr">"I show you the cup and I don't discuss that [my future] with my friends in the media, who have already sacked me for six months," he said.</p><p dir="ltr">"Which [other] manager can do what I have done? I don't want to talk about leaving."</p><p dir="ltr">Jesse Lingard's stunning volley guided United to their first piece of silverware since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, yet the victory was overshadowed by the revelations surrounding Van Gaal's future.<br>Despite this, the United boss spoke of his pride at emulating the club's legendary manager with a first FA Cup final triumph since 2004.</p><p dir="ltr">"I said when I started as manager that we were in a process of transition," Van Gaal added. "I have already said that a lot of times in press conferences.</p><p dir="ltr">"I have to refresh my selections in my squad and I have done it in spite of the many injuries this season. We are fifth in the race and now we have lifted a cup.</p><p dir="ltr">"That is a title and it was three years ago that United had a title. I am very proud that I am the first manager after the period of Sir Alex Ferguson [to win a trophy]. I have had a picture with him, that is history."</p><p dir="ltr">Asked whether he would be at United next season, Van Gaal added: "I have signed a three-year deal so you never know."<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53f2ntAXQ5Fb5F1Gu4J5UQt_2xUsN-XsBOrUaCWJazS7Uuc4PYJkV2J89LwntGZac3LppK5ZQrzpPnSDq1SSN4lyPFz7TALyaerCzhQTLM_BoVq5N05rQObS49HlYow3kNVXeaNKMU4M/s1600/gif_20160521163631.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53f2ntAXQ5Fb5F1Gu4J5UQt_2xUsN-XsBOrUaCWJazS7Uuc4PYJkV2J89LwntGZac3LppK5ZQrzpPnSDq1SSN4lyPFz7TALyaerCzhQTLM_BoVq5N05rQObS49HlYow3kNVXeaNKMU4M/s640/gif_20160521163631.gif"> </a> </div>

Louis Van Gaal Defiant Amid Mourinho Rumours

Louis van Gaal refused to be drawn on his future as speculation linking Jose Mourinho with Manchester United intensified. No sooner had Unit...

Van Gaal reacts to FA Cup success: Read what Louis van Gaal had to say after ...#MUFC

<p dir="ltr">VAN GAAL REACTS TO FA CUP SUCCESS<br></p><p dir="ltr">Manchester United lifted the FA Cup for the 12th time after an extra-time victory over Crystal Palace at Wembley - and Louis van Gaal was naturally delighted. </p><p dir="ltr">Here is what the manager had to say in his post-match interview with MUTV...</p><p dir="ltr">On the balance of play:<br>“In the first half we played a good match I think, we created six chances and didn’t score and they have created two chances. In the second half it was more even I have to admit but we were the attacking team. We hit the post and the bar."</p><p dir="ltr">On overcoming setbacks:<br>"We had two injuries [Rashford and Rojo]. It was the same story as in the season – a lot of injuries. Then we went down to 10 players but we showed again the team spirit that we showed on the way to this final. We have scored in the last minute two times, we were behind against West Ham United and came back. And now we are behind and coming back to win even with 10 players. We can’t forget that we played Tuesday evening and Crystal Palace didn’t which can make a big difference when you have to play 120 minutes.”<br></p><p dir="ltr">On Jesse Lingard’s winning goal:<br>“Yes it was a fantastic goal and a special moment. You don’t see them too much. I had a lucky hand I believe.”</p><p dir="ltr">On coming from behind in the game:<br>“We were 1-0 down with 15 minutes to go and still we have to believe until the end. We showed your MUTV film to the players [before the match]. I said we fight until the end, against the odds, never giving up. When you play with 10 against 11 it is very difficult but we did it.”</p><p dir="ltr">On what the cup means to him:<br>“A lot because that was my aim. My aim was the experience of English football, English culture and to bring a title to Manchester United in spite of the transition that we have to make. I’m very happy because I’ve done it in four countries and I don’t think many other managers can say this. It [feels] unbelievable.”</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiBxTKGxZGbv3cSOfq49r5p7aHOJGm4XleEhxjtopyGeP6b2bZckQSfD1XuVEYieNiMCa8KLNUVvV0kFt2XzSr_-O7aVaMNAaXflev1nKVGaS5qWUlHIJI62AP8BHUKSGAoGXqzWBiIE/s1600/gif_20160521171815.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiBxTKGxZGbv3cSOfq49r5p7aHOJGm4XleEhxjtopyGeP6b2bZckQSfD1XuVEYieNiMCa8KLNUVvV0kFt2XzSr_-O7aVaMNAaXflev1nKVGaS5qWUlHIJI62AP8BHUKSGAoGXqzWBiIE/s640/gif_20160521171815.gif"> </a> </div>

Van Gaal reacts to FA Cup success: Read what Louis van Gaal had to say after ...#MUFC

VAN GAAL REACTS TO FA CUP SUCCESS Manchester United lifted the FA Cup for the 12th time after an extra-time victory over Crystal Palace at W...

Manchester United will not offer joint managerial role to Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal - reports

<p dir="ltr">Manchester United will not offer joint managerial role to Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal - reports.</p><p dir="ltr">Could Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal be working alongside each other at Manchester United next season?.</p><p dir="ltr">Manchester United WILL NOT offer manager Louis van Gaal a role as Director of Football in a set-up that will see Jose Mourinho come in as the club’s new manager, according to Sky Sports.</p><p dir="ltr">The Sun newspaper ran a back page story suggesting Van Gaal would become Director of Football and Mourinho would be swept in as the new United manager in the coming days, yet Sky Sports have been informed by Old Trafford officials that there are no such plans being put in place.</p><p dir="ltr">Van Gaal heads into Saturday’s FA Cup final against Crystal Palace under huge pressure after he failed to lead United to a top four finish and qualification for next season’s Champions League.</p><p dir="ltr">His predecessor David Moyes was sacked after he could not deliver Champions League football in his first season in charge at United and there is an expectation that Van Gaal will now face the same fate, even if his side lift the FA Cup by beating Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday.<br>Van Gaal has continued to insist he will remain in charge at United for next season, while Mourinho has let it be known that he is keen to make his return to the game at Old Trafford following his sacking form Chelsea last December.</p><p dir="ltr">The longest running soap opera of the 2016 sporting year will come to some kind of conclusion in the coming days, with defeat for Van Gaal’s United at Wembley almost certain to bring down the curtain on the Dutchman's turbulent reign as the club’s manager.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxe4mfiT0SNe1pFbqSFG6A9rIFFZrOqf6TB_gRjy_Amyr5PEEkuubmMxM5VR-BhjSDKFwT3f-Y80p3mA6sCEKlMNrXcuu05wjTSwW9iFksI4csTD2TZWEMKSY8k2kt-GdLCXKCzhDbt2o/s1600/gif_20160521163631.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxe4mfiT0SNe1pFbqSFG6A9rIFFZrOqf6TB_gRjy_Amyr5PEEkuubmMxM5VR-BhjSDKFwT3f-Y80p3mA6sCEKlMNrXcuu05wjTSwW9iFksI4csTD2TZWEMKSY8k2kt-GdLCXKCzhDbt2o/s640/gif_20160521163631.gif"> </a> </div>

Manchester United will not offer joint managerial role to Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal - reports

Manchester United will not offer joint managerial role to Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal - reports. Could Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal...

Jose Mourinho agrees deal to succeed Louis van Gaal at Man United despite FA Cup win #MUFC

<p dir="ltr">Jose Mourinho agrees deal to succeed Louis van Gaal at Man United despite FA Cup win</p><p dir="ltr">Louis van Gaal’s fate as Manchester United manager is set to be sealed on Monday, with the club’s American owners due to rubber-stamp his departure – two days after winning the FA Cup at Wembley.</p><p dir="ltr">Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan coach, is set to take charge at Old Trafford on a three-year deal, but Van Gaal’s exit has still to be confirmed by the club.</p><p dir="ltr">However, with Joel, Bryan and Avram Glazer all at Wembley to witness the FA Cup Final victory against Crystal Palace, which was sealed by Jesse Lingard’s extra-time goal, the three United directors are understood to be planning to resolve Van Gaal’s situation at a meeting in London on Monday, which will also involve executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.</p><p dir="ltr">Mourinho, also in London to attend a David Haye fight at the O2 Arena, will take charge of United once Van Gaal’s departure is confirmed by the club.<br>Mourinho’s first game in charge is likely to be against Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on June 22 before facing neighbours Manchester City and their new coach, Pep Guardiola, in Beijing three days later.</p><p dir="ltr">Mourinho’s first game in charge is likely to be against Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on June 22 before facing neighbours Manchester City and their new coach, Pep Guardiola, in Beijing three days later.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMj9kS05oivmL8Lvi9CBp4HHc_wuaoOk0TNqy9d5U5Lt84teMjyS7rn4e4R7YlB_8EUPKA2oFp75uc7QAOHLfhN-AzMj5A4DQ9muYSg_D9bExJLY0NYZXYJ4xa2mYTMVIeaO2P3HJgVio/s1600/gif_20160521163631.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMj9kS05oivmL8Lvi9CBp4HHc_wuaoOk0TNqy9d5U5Lt84teMjyS7rn4e4R7YlB_8EUPKA2oFp75uc7QAOHLfhN-AzMj5A4DQ9muYSg_D9bExJLY0NYZXYJ4xa2mYTMVIeaO2P3HJgVio/s640/gif_20160521163631.gif"> </a> </div>

Jose Mourinho agrees deal to succeed Louis van Gaal at Man United despite FA Cup win #MUFC

Jose Mourinho agrees deal to succeed Louis van Gaal at Man United despite FA Cup win Louis van Gaal’s fate as Manchester United manager is s...

Wait,what?!Barcelona are taking 10,000 Scotland flags to the Copa del Rey final

<p dir="ltr">Barcelona fans will be handed 10,000 Scotland flags for Sunday's Copa del Rey final with Sevilla after pro-Catalan independence flags were banned.</p><p dir="ltr">The government's representative in Madrid decided not to allow the 'Estelada' flag to be used in the game in the city's Vicente Calderon ground for "operational and security reasons".</p><p dir="ltr">Scotland voted to stay in the United Kingdom in 2014.</p><p dir="ltr">The Spanish government will not allow Catalonia a similar referendum.</p><p dir="ltr">Catalan nationalist organisations are orchestrating this weekend's move.</p><p dir="ltr">"We've chosen this symbol because it highlights the different treatment that Catalonia receives from Spain, compared with the UK government's treatment of Scotland," a group of bodies said in a statement.</p><p dir="ltr">On Wednesday, Barcelona released a statement following the Estelada ban.</p><p dir="ltr">"FC Barcelona considers the decision to be an attack on the freedom of expression, the fundamental right of each and every individual to express their ideas and opinions freely and without censorship, a right which is recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," it read.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowg61vT3uItJ88LS6vatmZ3eShS_A1F5a7IODLmaTBv22QHOWkvB-zz5pW9EziCbP2N7_BE2WEZwbjOZLElA_ptx4yZVgIIZ0IsvYuleo-rtzKp7z2Tc8NbLV134tf8vqeIO8_3KO-BI/s1600/gif_20160520081558.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowg61vT3uItJ88LS6vatmZ3eShS_A1F5a7IODLmaTBv22QHOWkvB-zz5pW9EziCbP2N7_BE2WEZwbjOZLElA_ptx4yZVgIIZ0IsvYuleo-rtzKp7z2Tc8NbLV134tf8vqeIO8_3KO-BI/s640/gif_20160520081558.gif"> </a> </div>

Wait,what?!Barcelona are taking 10,000 Scotland flags to the Copa del Rey final

Barcelona fans will be handed 10,000 Scotland flags for Sunday's Copa del Rey final with Sevilla after pro-Catalan independence flags we...

Jose Bautista Getting Cold-Cocked Was Just One Part of This Bench-Clearing Brawl

<p dir="ltr">The Blue Jays and Rangers have some slow-marinating beef from last fall's American League Division Series, when Jose Bautista bat-flipped his way into Texas villainy. It took seven games this season for things to really buble over, but boy did they ever on Sunday.</p><p dir="ltr">It all began in the eighth inning, when the Rangers' Matt Bush hit Batista with a pitch.</p><p dir="ltr">Two batters later, Justin Smoak grounded to third in what looked like an inning-ending double play, before Bautista went barreling into second, getting a piece of second-baseman Rougned Odor's leg with a hard slide.</p><p dir="ltr">Odor did not like that:</p><p dir="ltr">Both benches cleared, creating a 50-plus-person melée in shallow centerfield, and everyone-including the middle-aged coaches-got themselves in on the action. In the end, eight players and coaches were ejected from the game through this and other incidents, and the play was ruled a double play as Bautista was charged with interference.</p><p dir="ltr">"[I was] pretty surprised, and obviously that's the only reason he got me," Bautista told MLB.com of Odor's punch. "He got me pretty good, so I have to give him that. But it takes a little bit of a bigger man, I guess, to knock me down."<br>I guess he had to save face somehow:</p><p dir="ltr"><i><b>The question is, how does it stack up against Nolan Ryan v. Robin Ventura?</b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyPxDs8d_CsEhaENVh_20v3D7n8XO4cp4eLT5U8UCUZpxRSZ021_TNis_Crozh8qqh58RIL1gm_zZr0tYZyBuMdaoZkWjGVC-HDSn30audH6u3b5zJ7XzdsUBeYH6g5gOtq4NSAhoZao/s1600/Tx28f1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyPxDs8d_CsEhaENVh_20v3D7n8XO4cp4eLT5U8UCUZpxRSZ021_TNis_Crozh8qqh58RIL1gm_zZr0tYZyBuMdaoZkWjGVC-HDSn30audH6u3b5zJ7XzdsUBeYH6g5gOtq4NSAhoZao/s640/Tx28f1.gif"> </a> </div>

Jose Bautista Getting Cold-Cocked Was Just One Part of This Bench-Clearing Brawl

The Blue Jays and Rangers have some slow-marinating beef from last fall's American League Division Series, when Jose Bautista bat-flippe...

Rougned Odor punches José Bautista as Rangers-Blue Jays descends into brawl

<p dir="ltr">A feud simmering since José Bautista’s bat flip in last year’s AL Division Series boiled over into a wild brawl in the final game of the season between Toronto and Texas, a 7-6 victory for the Rangers on Sunday.</p><p dir="ltr">Bautista and Texas second baseman Rougned Odor got into a fistfight behind the bag after a hard slide by the Toronto slugger in the eighth inning. Players from both teams rushed the field as Odor landed a punch to Bautista’s face.</p><p dir="ltr">Umpires needed about 10 minutes to restore order, and Blue Jays reliever Jesse Chavez hit Prince Fielder with the next pitch when the game resumed. He was ejected after an earlier warning for both teams when Bautista was hit by a pitch from Matt Bush.</p><p dir="ltr">Toronto manager John Gibbons was among eight ejections in the game after an argument in the third inning, but he was back on the field during the brawl. First base coach Tim Leiper was tossed in a separate argument in the third, and bench coach Demarlo Hale, filling in for Gibbons, was ejected when Chavez (0-1) hit Fielder.</p><p dir="ltr">Ian Desmond hit a three-run homer in the seventh to give Bush his first major league win two days after the 30-year-old rookie made his major league debut.</p><p dir="ltr">Bush (1-0), a former No1 overall pick whose career was derailed by several alcohol-related incidents, was released from prison in October after serving three and a half years in a drunken-driving case that seriously injured a 72-year-old man.</p><p dir="ltr">Desmond finished with four RBIs. Adrian Beltre’s sixth homer was the first by a right-handed hitter in 342 career attempts against Toronto starter Aaron Sanchez.</p><p dir="ltr">The brawl started when Bautista slid through the base at second, forcing Odor to throw wildly to first on an attempted double play. Odor turned to Bautista and shoved him before landing the punch.</p><p dir="ltr">Texas was awarded an inning-ending double play on the Chase Utley rule, and Sam Dyson pitched a perfect ninth for his second save of the season.</p><p dir="ltr">Dyson was on the mound when Bautista famously flipped his bat on a clutch three-run homer in the seventh inning of the deciding fifth game of last year’s division series in Toronto.</p><p dir="ltr">Bautista gave Toronto a 5-2 lead with a three-run double in the sixth. Troy Tulowitzki had three hits and scored two runs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI88Hiso7qoXsdbXyI51_pp9VjGQ-z1qf-evkf7D3AZuE4AuH-5Vc4kNOfLQGLacoJs7u4Krz1RjlaCIM4q1z7j72lpo6sE3um0dHD1CfZZRI70-0Syvu8FZV_mgt1ropqvOc76TWKfI/s1600/2016-05-15%25252019.33.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI88Hiso7qoXsdbXyI51_pp9VjGQ-z1qf-evkf7D3AZuE4AuH-5Vc4kNOfLQGLacoJs7u4Krz1RjlaCIM4q1z7j72lpo6sE3um0dHD1CfZZRI70-0Syvu8FZV_mgt1ropqvOc76TWKfI/s400/2016-05-15%25252019.33.08.jpg"> </a> </div>

Rougned Odor punches José Bautista as Rangers-Blue Jays descends into brawl

A feud simmering since José Bautista’s bat flip in last year’s AL Division Series boiled over into a wild brawl in the final game of the sea...

Canelo Alvarez scores devastating 6th-round knockout of Amir Khan

<p dir="ltr">Middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez was having a lot of problems with the speed and movement of Amir Khan, just the way Khan and his team planned. And then Alvarez connected.</p><p dir="ltr">Alvarez landed a monster right hand to Khan's chin in the sixth round, and that was it as he brutally knocked Khan out on Saturday night in the main event of the first boxing card at the new T-Mobile Arena.<br></p><p dir="ltr">The largely Mexican crowd cheering Alvarez on during Cinco de Mayo weekend erupted and Alvarez had retained the 160-pound world title in his first defense six months after taking it by unanimous decision from Miguel Cotto. Alvarez and Khan fought at a catchweight of 155 pounds.</p><p dir="ltr">Sitting ringside was unified titleholder Gennady Golovkin, the fearsome puncher who, by virtue of his interim belt, looms as Alvarez's mandatory challenger. They made a deal with the WBC under which both would take interim fights and then fight in September. Golovkin blew away Dominic Wade in two rounds on April 23 and then Alvarez smashed Khan.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_JqhaqJXrvAIFOWtBdSQnc0J7euLTtDQ5VqAbipU93Jcuz-XJ7nZtb2gEa5HVu_LCFI4P_AzMCMvW68eGK9_Sz4VGeUbn8VNZcjnWqZ4hYCVueBd7NyE1-Fp7L2VTW7yRmJDgNWKbUU/s1600/gif_20160508003305.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_JqhaqJXrvAIFOWtBdSQnc0J7euLTtDQ5VqAbipU93Jcuz-XJ7nZtb2gEa5HVu_LCFI4P_AzMCMvW68eGK9_Sz4VGeUbn8VNZcjnWqZ4hYCVueBd7NyE1-Fp7L2VTW7yRmJDgNWKbUU/s640/gif_20160508003305.gif"> </a> </div>

Canelo Alvarez scores devastating 6th-round knockout of Amir Khan

Middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez was having a lot of problems with the speed and movement of Amir Khan, just the way Khan and his team p...

Manny Pacquiao announces retirement after defeating Timothy Bradley by unanimous decision.

<p dir="ltr">Manny Pacquiao unanimously outpoints Timothy Bradley.</p><p dir="ltr">Manny Pacquiao may not be ready for retirement just quite yet.</p><p dir="ltr">Pacquiao returned from the biggest loss of his career with a bang Saturday night, knocking down Timothy Bradley twice on his way to a unanimous 12-round decision in their welterweight showdown.</p><p dir="ltr">Pacquiao shook off the ring rust from a layoff of nearly a year after losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. to beat Bradley for a second time in the rubber match between the two fighters. In doing the Senate candidate in his native Philippines showed he may have to reconsider his plans to retire and devote his full time to politics.</p><p dir="ltr">Pacquiao knocked Bradley down in the seventh round, though Bradley seemed to have slipped. He left no doubt in the ninth round with a big left hand that sent Bradley sprawling.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6dQjdYQfFvnFOfUj-N5zdC2BhZRYHK3njGN5QnTNoEEJin3-36EbMNRjGNDvIO2D3rgEVYymzygKQ6Q3RLGYaHb51-oAIA-ILLR6lii0-ugb6s7mcrj69gc9VAFNeDjY6_o_57H_lao/s1600/gif_20160409235126.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6dQjdYQfFvnFOfUj-N5zdC2BhZRYHK3njGN5QnTNoEEJin3-36EbMNRjGNDvIO2D3rgEVYymzygKQ6Q3RLGYaHb51-oAIA-ILLR6lii0-ugb6s7mcrj69gc9VAFNeDjY6_o_57H_lao/s640/gif_20160409235126.gif"> </a> </div>

Manny Pacquiao announces retirement after defeating Timothy Bradley by unanimous decision.

Manny Pacquiao unanimously outpoints Timothy Bradley. Manny Pacquiao may not be ready for retirement just quite yet. Pacquiao returned from ...

Twitter scores touchdown deal with the NFL

<p dir="ltr">Twitter lands a massive deal with the NFL.</p><p dir="ltr">The social media empire beat out Facebook and Amazon to livestream ten NFL games.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxs8orpgVk2oh7jlwvSuEIXUhmrkAI1Q7PABVi6_LB2qNv1LLPJ3pdMnG2f3cquFBdx_Kw_W4F-bvFnf12wtXvJ16KVLEUlnVyBhgxARedZsmh3zSxUQBjXVlKnDHxhwkKAMU0Bz4DvE/s1600/2016-04-06%252520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxs8orpgVk2oh7jlwvSuEIXUhmrkAI1Q7PABVi6_LB2qNv1LLPJ3pdMnG2f3cquFBdx_Kw_W4F-bvFnf12wtXvJ16KVLEUlnVyBhgxARedZsmh3zSxUQBjXVlKnDHxhwkKAMU0Bz4DvE/s640/2016-04-06%252520.jpg"> </a> </div>

Twitter scores touchdown deal with the NFL

Twitter lands a massive deal with the NFL. The social media empire beat out Facebook and Amazon to livestream ten NFL games.

Police pressured battered spouses to keep quiet:NFL wives

<blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>NFL wives: League, police pressured battered spouses to keep quiet.</b></blockquote><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjSHOr4a9BPl2ZEgpDdENsrzJ0_fb7lJDilfm63z6C_dvshlg7Y4XOtDSZeK1tOAugC16wUW9sJ2jssqWauUIlBAXJ_AtYSqk5VVMWI_dd19zhFA7MzRUb-5-mtln5VtOtuBl971YBio/s1600/RI050XVO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjSHOr4a9BPl2ZEgpDdENsrzJ0_fb7lJDilfm63z6C_dvshlg7Y4XOtDSZeK1tOAugC16wUW9sJ2jssqWauUIlBAXJ_AtYSqk5VVMWI_dd19zhFA7MzRUb-5-mtln5VtOtuBl971YBio/s1600/RI050XVO.jpg" width="320" /></a>As football fans, we always knew that domestic violence existed in the NFL, but we had never actually seen it until video was released in September of ex-Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice knocking out his then-fiancée Janay Palmer.<br /><br />But what you still can’t see in that video is the years of abuse that happened to other NFL wives that were never reported.<br /><br />A Washington Post feature released Friday tells the harrowing tales of a few former NFL wives who suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of their husbands. The piece, written by Simone Sebastian and Ines Bebea, details how these women were afraid to tell their stories not only because they were frightened about what their husbands would do, but because they felt pressure from the league, and even police, to keep quiet.<br /><br />“You get brainwashed,” an anonymous ex-wife of a New Orleans Saints player said. “It’s so ingrained that you protect the player, you just stay quiet. You learn your role is to be the supportive NFL wife. You’d cost him his job.”<br /><br />The wives and ex-wives said that they’d reach out to the NFL Players’ Association but would never hear back. And when police were involved, they often felt pressure to not press charges. Dewan Smith-Williams, who is still married to former offensive lineman Wally Williams but lives apart from him, said that the police would even talk football with her husband when they were called to their house.<br /><br />But Smith-Williams said she was far from the only one with stories like this.<br /><br />“I had friends who had black eyes. They said they ran into cupboards,” Smith-Williams told the Post. “There were women who said their husbands ran them over like they were on a football field. There are many other families’ experiences that have already been minimized, ignored, or overlooked by the law and by the NFL because of the protection of the NFL brand.”<br /><br />And while the whole feature is worth a read from any NFL fan, there’s one thing in particular that Smith-Williams said that stands out.<br /><br />“You will hear of a wife murdered before you hear another one come forward.”

Police pressured battered spouses to keep quiet:NFL wives

NFL wives: League, police pressured battered spouses to keep quiet. As football fans, we always knew that domestic violence existed in the N...

Dallas Cowboys are no longer America's team:Poll

According to a Harris poll, which surveyed over 2,500 adults, the Dallas Cowboys are no longer considered “America’s Team.” The poll concluded that Dallas has been replaced by the Denver Broncos atop the list.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOcVimLci9-CXne0S3_FyrIh5Y22nN1Yzl6flMCJyCVlOZ_dlMD7DqsfuXT6riE2cyeTBleC7wUz8JmedV45pxOLNs0T7sPudtl4UEkNG7Ip0dlt72SMDdghaJxCtnP82Po_nnKO4jo4/s1600/iB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOcVimLci9-CXne0S3_FyrIh5Y22nN1Yzl6flMCJyCVlOZ_dlMD7DqsfuXT6riE2cyeTBleC7wUz8JmedV45pxOLNs0T7sPudtl4UEkNG7Ip0dlt72SMDdghaJxCtnP82Po_nnKO4jo4/s1600/iB.jpg" /></a>The Dallas Cowboys have dropped to the #4 spot this year, after spending six years as the favorite team of adults who follow professional football.<br /><br />Replacing them at the top of the list are the Denver Broncos, moving up two spots. They’re followed by the NY Giants (who have moved up two spots to 2nd) and the Green Bay Packers (who dropped one spot to 3rd). Rounding out the top five favorite football teams are the Pittsburgh Steelers, up two spots from 7th to 5th.<br /><br />It’s important to note that this poll was conducted following the Cowboys disastrous Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. But the reality here is that the Cowboys are no longer the brand name that they have been in the past.<br /><br />A certain aspect of football fans, some of whom are what we can conclude to be casual followers of the game, tend to go with the teams who are winning. That could very well be one of the primary reasons that Dallas has fallen from the top spot.<br /><br />And then you have Peyton Manning, who is America’s golden boy and has been since his days with the Tennessee Volunteers late last century. Without his presence on the Broncos, it’s hard to imagine them being No. 1 in this poll.<br /><br />The Harris poll also indicates that the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints round out the top 10. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars are tied at the bottom.

Dallas Cowboys are no longer America's team:Poll

According to a Harris poll, which surveyed over 2,500 adults, the Dallas Cowboys are no longer considered “America’s Team.” The poll conclud...