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Tennis star, 37, was involved in accident that killed Jerome Barson in Florida TENNIS star Venus Williams has been blamed by cops over a car crash which killed a 78-year-old man — just days before the start of Wimbledon. Venus, 37, was trying to get through a junction when traffic backed up and she got stuck, blocking the road. VENUS 'AT FAULT   Police says Venus Williams is to blame for a fatal car accident.   Jerome Barson, 78, with wife Linda, 68, died after suffering head injuries in the crash Her 4×4 was then side-swiped by another car crossing through the intersection in the opposite direction. Jerome Barson, whose wife Linda, 68, was driving the other car, suffered head injuries and died two weeks after the June 9 smash. Police reports seen by US website TMZ said five-time Wimbledon champ Venus “violated” Linda’s right of way in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Venus told police there was a jam and she had to slow to a crawl, leaving her car exposed. There was no evi...

FC Porto communications director, Francisco J. Marques, has accused the Portuguese champions Benfica of using witchcraft to win the league titles for two years. Marques told local TV channel, Porto, that he saw emails that Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira and Dr. Armando Nhaga, the national Police Commissioner of Guinea-Bissau, exchanged earlier this year regarding agreements for witchcraft services. “In 2015-16, Benfica spent €75,000 (£65,945) to fix the Championship [using sorcery],” he told reporters. Marques also claimed that Nhaga warned Benfica that they might not win a fourth straight league title, if the club did not increase their payments for using their services with respect to the 2015/2016 campaign. The Porto chief claimed he saw an email that Nhaga sent to Vieira which said: “Regarding the 2016-17 campaign, which starts on Aug. 7 with the [Portuguese] Supercup, it could be a close fight for the [league] title, in which Benfica can make history. “This entails the urg...

Manny Pacquiao calls his Saturday night fight in Australia against that country’s former Olympian Jeff Horn a “gift,” an appropriate description given the near certainty that Pacquiao will record his 60th victory. While the bout appears to be a mismatch, there are serious things on the line. Pacquiao (59-6-2, 38 knockouts) is defending the World Boxing Organization welterweight belt he regained in November by defeating Jessie Vargas. The card will also be the first between Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum and ESPN, which will bring significant fights to basic cable. Now 38, Pacquiao originally balked at fighting Horn in a card that aims to expand the boxing audience in Australia, where a crowd of 60,000 could fill Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. When his own effort to stage a meeting against former stablemate Amir Khan failed to materialize, Pacquiao leaned on Arum’s experienced business acumen to accept the continent-wide showcase event that is the top sports story in Australia. Beyond th...

MFM FC continued to stay within touching distance of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) leaders Plateau United by defeating struggling Sunshine Stars 2-1 in a derby at the Agege Stadium, Lagos on Wednesday. The league's leading scorer Stephen Odey also starred in the win for his club, netting his 16th of the season. It was devoid of outstanding creativity and many chances, but MFM FC's extra bit of quality carried the day against a Sunshine Stars that woke up later than was required of them. Tchato Giscard's 27th minute goal from a tight angle was no doubt the most eye-catching moment of the encounter. There is a certain inevitability about it being a VAT Wonder Goal of the Matchday contender. A pass from Stanley Okorom freed him but the angle was closing up. Sunshine Stars keeper, Henry Ayodele must have expected a cross and opened up an inch of space to his near side. That was all Giscard needed for a volley that hit the roof of the net and sent the stadium ...

After Portugal's Confederations Cup loss, the Real Madrid star confirmed the arrival of two boys Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed he had become the father of two boys during the Confederations Cup. Portugal were eliminated from the tournament on Wednesday, suffering a 3-0 penalty shoot-out loss to Chile after a 0-0 draw in Russia. Ronaldo was left disappointed by his side's exit, confirming the birth of his two boys and that he would miss the third place play-off on Sunday. "I was in the service of the national team, as always, body and soul, even though my two sons were born," he wrote on Facebook. "Unfortunately, we have not been able to achieve the main sporting objective that we wanted, but I am sure we will continue to give joy to the Portuguese. The president of the Portuguese Football Federation and the national team have today had an attitude that has touched me and I will not forget. "I'm very happy to finally be with my children...

Everton have agreed a £7 million deal to sign Nigeria international Henry Onyekuru from Belgian side Eupen, according to multiple reports. Onyekuru, 20, finished the season as joint-top scorer in the Belgian Super League with 22 goals in 38 matches. Arsenal and West Ham were reported to be interested in the striker but Everton have moved quickly to tie up a deal for Onyekuru, who reportedly had a medical at the club's Finch Farm training complex on Monday.. It is reported that Everton plan to loan the striker to Anderlecht, who will play in the Champions League next season, to assist his development before bringing him to the Premier League permanently. Onyekuru will be Everton's third signing of the summer, following Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who arrived in a club-record £30m deal, and Ajax midfielder Davy Klaasen. It will take the club's spending past the £60m barrier this month with a deal pending for Malaga forward Sandro Ramirez. Everton activated the fo...

After a season in which he posted a record 42 triple-doubles, Russell Westbrook, right, took home MVP honors at the NBA's first-ever awards ceremony The NBA has been handing out awards for years, but the league held its first-ever awards show Monday night. Here are the winners:   Featured Awards Most Valuable Player Winner: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder Other finalists: James Harden, Houston Rockets; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs Defensive Player of the Year Winner: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors Other finalists: Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs Coach of the Year Winner: Mike D'Antoni, Houston Rockets Other finalists: Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs; Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat Most Improved Player Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks Other finalists: Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz; Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets Sixth Man Award Winner: Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets Other finalists: Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors; Lou ...

The wing-back is close to making a move to west London with the Bianconeri keen to resolve their player's future as soon as possible. Chelsea are growing ever more confident of signing Juventus' Alex Sandro for a club record fee of around £60 million. Juventus are keen to get a final decision from Sandro and his representatives after offering him an improvement on his current £75,000-a-week deal in a contract until 2022. However, it is expected that he will formally request that the Turin giants come to a deal with Chelsea for his transfer to the Premier League champions. Antonio Conte and Chelsea count Sandro as their primary target at wing-back and are offering him more money than Juventus are willing to put on the table. If the talks go in Chelsea's favour during the next few days, Sandro will become Chelsea's first major signing of the summer. Juventus are also expected to lose Dani Alves to Manchester City and they are keen to resolve Sandro's situation so th...

The Serbia international midfielder is set to work with Jose Mourinho for a second time after the two clubs agreed terms for a transfer Manchester United have agreed terms with Chelsea over the transfer of Nemanja Matic, with the midfielder due to undergo a medical by Wednesday.   We understands the two clubs have come to an agreement for a deal worth around £40 million, allowing the Serbia international to link up with Jose Mourinho for a second time. Matic was previously snapped up by the United boss when he was in charge at Stamford Bridge in January 2014. The 28-year-old was a part of the Chelsea side which won the Premier League title with the Portuguese in 2015, then played a role in their repeat success in 2017 under Antonio Conte. United have been on the lookout for a long-term replacement for Michael Carrick for some years and, with the England international turning 36 in July, Mourinho has seen fit to bring in his former Chelsea charge to fill the role on midfield anchor...

Frank de Boer has been confirmed as the new Crystal Palace manager on a three-year contract. The former Ajax and Inter Milan boss, becomes the club’s eighth manager in seven years and replaces Sam Allardyce, who left at the end of last season. “I am thrilled to be appointed as manager of Crystal Palace Football Club,” he told the club’s official website. “It is a great honour to take charge of such an historic club, a club that is known around the world for its hugely proud and passionate fan base. “This role is a hugely exciting opportunity for me, and I cannot wait to get started in the Premier League with the players and staff here in south London.” Palace chairman Steve Parish added: “We have undertaken a thorough interview process to ensure we are in a position to appoint a manager of the calibre and experience that Frank brings with him. “I am pleased to welcome him to Crystal Palace and I know he cannot wait to get started and prepare for our record breaking fifth season in th...

Lionel Messi turns 30 Saturday. So here are 30 things about the Argentina and Barcelona legend. Personal life 1. Messi's birthday isn't the biggest thing happening to him this month: next week he will marry childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo in a ceremony in Rosario. All of his Barcelona teammates are invited. 2. The Barcelona star already has two children with Antonella: Thiago (4) and Mateo (1). 3. Like many modern-day footballers, Messi's body has become increasingly adorned with tattoos. He has ink dedicated to his mother, his children and Jesus. Messi's even had a go at being a tattoo artist himself, writing "10" on his own tattoo artist's wrist. 4. Gerard Pique described teenage Messi as "introverted" and "mute" and to this day the Argentine isn't known for doing a lot of talking in his mumbled, Argentine accent. He lives a quiet life outside of Barcelona in Castelldefels. 5. Luis Suarez, Cesc Fabregas a...

Southampton have appointed the former Argentina international Mauricio Pellegrino on a three-year contract having seen off competition from Crystal Palace and other clubs across Europe for a manager whom they believe fits their criteria perfectly. The 45-year-old came through interviews with the club as their preferred candidate following the sacking of Claude Puel. Pellegrino, who took Alaves to the final of the Copa del Rey last season, is happy to work in the Southampton structure where the manager has parity with other key department such as medical and recruitment. There will be obvious comparisons with another Argentine, Mauricio Pochettino, now one of Europe’s leading managers who was appointed by Southampton under the Nicola Cortese regime in January 2013 and led Tottenham Hotspur to a second place Premier League finish last season. Unlike Pochettino when he arrived in England, Pellegrino speaks fluent English from his brief time as a Liverpool player and then later as an ass...

Chelsea have reportedly agreed a £35.1 million fee for AS Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko and he is set to have a medical at the club next week, while they are also said to have agreed terms with Alex Sandro of Juventus ahead of a potential £60 million move.    The Blues have agreed a deal in principle with Monaco and talks with Bakayoko regarding a five-year deal are set to continue over the weekend, with a medical scheduled to take place after that. RMC Sport's Mohamed Bouhafsi also noted all that's left is for Chelsea to strike a deal with the player himself. The destroyer looks set to replace Nemanja Matic in the Blues' starting XI and with him alongside N'Golo Kante, Chelsea would perhaps have the most energetic and robust midfield partnerships in the Premier League. French Football Weekly's Rich Allen believes the Blues' opponents are in for a tough time next year after Bakayoko arrives. Indeed, like Kante, Bakayoko adds not only tireless runni...

Lionel Messi has offered to pay an additional fine of €500,000 (£439,920) to ensure he avoids a 21-month prison sentence for tax fraud that a judge is expected to suspend, a Spanish state prosecutor said on Friday. State prosecutor Isabel Lopez Riera told The Associated Press the fine-for-time deal was presented by Messi's lawyers to the judge who will rule on whether to suspend Messi's sentence - as is widely expected. Lopez Riera said she has told the judge that her office is not opposed to the deal. Lopez Riera said Messi's lawyers have made a similar offer for the Barcelona player's father, Jorge Horacio Messi. He is offering to pay 360,000 euros ($402,000) to avoid his 15-month sentence for helping his son cheat on his taxes. In Spain, prison sentences under 24 months for first-time offenders can be suspended by a judge. The government attorney representing Spain's Tax Office in the case will also be able to weigh in on the proposed deal. As state prosecutor, ...

Alexis Sanchez scored the winner, as Chile beat world champions Germany 1-0, in their Confederations Cup group fixture on Thursday night. The goal was his 38th international goal and makes the 28-year-old Chile’s all-time top scorer. Sanchez took advantage of a German giveaway, to squeeze the ball past Marc-Andre ter Stegen at his near post to set the record. In his 112th appearance for Chile, the Arsenal forward passed Marcelo Salas, who scored 37 goals in just 71 caps. Sanchez also equalled the record for most Chile caps, matching goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who remained on the bench with an injury.

  Bayern Munich's potential move for Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez has hit an unexpected snag, as forward Robert Lewandowski is said to be unhappy with the proposed wages the Chilean could be offered in Bavaria.  That's according to The Sun's Duncan Wright, who reported Bayern's wage offer of £350,000 per week would make Sanchez their new highest-paid player, beating Lewandowski's current wages of roughly £300,000 per week. Per the report, that could be a problem: "But SunSport understands the player has an issue with the £350,000-a-week deal Bayern are said to be preparing to land Arsenal star Sanchez. "That would make Sanchez the highest-paid player in the Munich squad, a status held by Lewandowski on just over £300,000 a week." The Poland international has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United in the past few days. Per the report, plenty of transfer speculation has surfaced after Lewandowski's agent admitted his client isn't entirel...

Former Portugal international, Luis Figo, said “nobody is indispensable”, amid heavy speculation that his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Real Madrid this summer. Ronaldo has refused to comment on his future  , after reports emerged that he wants a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid president Florentino Perez, insisted that the 32-year-old will not be sold , but Figo insists no player or official is bigger than the the La Liga and European champions. “I hold the opinion that nobody is indispensable, not just Cristiano Ronaldo,” Figo told Gol when asked about the Portugal forward’s future. “Clubs can’t depend on anybody. The history of these clubs is above everyone, even the president or whoever.” He added: “A lot of things would have to happen for him to leave. “It is a personal decision and if a person really wants something to happen then it will end up happening, but I see it as unlikely.”

Former Chelsea midfielder, Oscar, has been banned for eight games by the Chinese Football Association (CFA), for inciting a brawl in Shanghai SIPG’s 1-1 draw on Sunday. The Brazilian kicked the ball violently and purposefully against two Guangzhou R&F players, resulting in a fight on the pitch between the two teams. Oscar will now not be eligible to play in the Chinese Super League until August 13 and will pay a $5,000 fine. “Oscar’s immoral foul, which sparked a massive bust-up on the pitch, has had a huge negative impact on China’s professional football leagues,” read a statement of CFA. “The CFA alway attaches great importance to the issue of discipline, taking great pains to root out the violent fouls and other unsportsmanlike behaviour. “Hopefully disciplinary offences would be severely punished by all clubs and efforts shall be made to maintain the order of the games and protect the development of football.”

  This week’s announcement of the team captains for the second NBA Africa Game, to be hosted in Johannesburg South Africa on August 5, sparked off huge excitement across the continent. Thirteen-time NBA All-Star and 2011 NBA Champion Dirk Nowitzki, along with 2017 NBA All-Star Kemba Walker, will co-captain Team World, while two-time NBA All-Star and Team Africa captain at NBA Africa Game 2015 Luol Deng and 11-year NBA veteran Thabo Sefolosha, whose father was born in South Africa, will lead Team Africa. Nowitzki, no stranger to the continent, will be making his second visit to South Africa after having been part of NBA’s Basketball without Borders development camp eight years ago.  A veteran at the Dallas Mavericks, the 2007 regular-season MVP and 2011 NBA Finals MVP, remains integral to the team’s performance. Although he is no longer averaging his career-high 26.6 points and nine rebounds per game, he still averages about 18 points and 6.5 rebounds and is one of the few re...

Roma have agreed a deal in principle to sell Mohamed Salah to Liverpool for a fee close to £35m The Reds have been involved in protracted talks over the 24-year-old, who has already agreed personal terms in principle with the Merseyside club. Liverpool had an initial bid of £28m rejected earlier this month, but Salah met with Jurgen Klopp in Liverpool as discussions continued between the clubs. Salah has been a long-term Liverpool target and he almost moved to Anfield in January 2014 when Brendan Rodgers was manager. At the time, Liverpool were in advanced talks to sign him from Basel but he joined Chelsea in a £11m deal instead, where it did not work out for the forward. He would go on to make only 19 appearances for the Stamford Bridge club and had spells on loan with Fiorentina and Roma, who he joined on a permanent deal in August 2016. Salah was a regular starter as Roma finished runners-up to Juventus last season, scoring 15 goals in 31 league appearances.

Argentinian footballing legend Diego Maradona, has described Brazilian star, Dani Alves as an “idiot” for criticizing his passing ability. Maradona said this while reacting to Alves’s comparison between him and Lionel Messi. Alves had told Brazilian TV channel “Canais Esporte Interativo” that there could be no comparison between Messi and Maradona because of the latter’s infamous “Hand of God” goal in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal against England. The former Barcelona player who now plies his trade with Italian giant, Juventus said, “You want to compare Messi to Maradona? You can’t compare them. “I would not be proud to say that I won a World Cup with a ‘Hand of God. “I wouldn’t be able to tell my son that I won a World Cup like this with the whole world talking about it. “The ‘Hand of God’ tricked us, you have to take this firm position. A sportsman like this can’t be an example for youngsters.” Responding, Maradona slammed the Juventus star saying, “Dani Alves is an idiot. ...

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid open Diego Costa negotiations despite the Spanish giants' transfer embargo Striker Antonio Conte says will never play for him again could sign, then be sent out on loan until ban ends in January Chelsea have begun talks with Atletico Madrid over £50million Diego Costa — even though a transfer ban means the striker cannot play for them until 2018. The Spanish giants have made their move to re-sign a man they sold to the Blues three years ago, with manager Antonio Conte adamant that he will not play for him again. Should Atletico reach agreement with the new Premier League champions, they would loan Costa out for the first half of next season before registering him in the New Year.   The 28-year-old Spain international is keen to have his future sorted out quickly, as he is well aware that if he returns for Chelsea’s pre-season trip to the Far East next month he will be frozen out. The Blues had intended to sell him this summer anyway, but w...

  Jose Mourinho is the subject of a Spanish prosecution claim over suspected tax fraud. A Madrid prosecutor said on Tuesday that a claim of two counts of tax fraud in 2011 and 2012, when he was manager of Real Madrid, had been filed. Mourinho owes the Spanish tax authorities £2.9m (€3.3m), according to a statement, which added it had presented a claim to a local court. The allegations follow those made against Cristiano Ronaldo made by Spanish tax authorities last week, which led to the player disclosing a wish to leave the country and perhaps work with Mourinho again at Old Trafford.   Ronaldo played under Mourinho while the 54-year-old was in charge at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey and one Spanish Supercopa during that time. He left Spain to retake the manager's job at Chelsea, where he won the 2014-15 title but was sacked six months later after losing the support of players. Mourinho was named manager at Manchester Unit...

 Diego Maradona says he wishes Cristiano Ronaldo was Argentine, but still prefers Lionel Messi to lead the Albiceleste. Maradona famously led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title with decisive performances in the knockout stages of the competition. Ronaldo, who was recently awarded his fourth Ballon d'Or, has won four Champions League titles -- equalling Messi's haul -- and led Portugal to their first major tournament crown in last summer's European Championship. And while Maradona has praised the Real Madrid superstar, he would still choose Messi, who, though he has yet to win a title with Argentina, has led his country to three consecutive finals over the past three summers. "Cristiano is an animal," Maradona told TyC Sports. "I wish he was Argentine. "But I still prefer Messi. He is enjoying playing football and goes by opponents with ease. "I don't remember seeing Messi play badly. Even if Messi does not win a World Cup, he will be re...

  Antonio Conte is close to agreeing to sign a new contract at Chelsea after positive talks, according to Sky in Italy. Conte has two years left on his current deal but Chelsea are rewarding him with a new improved contract after he won the title in his first season at the club. The new deal will see Conte earn between £9.5m and £10m a year, making him the best-paid manager in the club's history. Chelsea declined to comment when contacted by Sky Sports News HQ, but last week insisted Conte is happy at the club following reports he will leave. Conte was widely reported to be frustrated with the Chelsea hierarchy over a lack of investment in the transfer market as the Italian prepares his squad for a Champions League campaign. Conte, who previously managed Juventus in Serie A, turned down an offer to move back to his home country to take charge of Inter Milan this summer. It is understood Conte's wife and daughter will move to London to live with him.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was sent death threats during contract negotiations with AC Milan, claims super agent Mino Raiola. Last week, the Serie A club announced that the 18-year-old had decided not to extend his contract with the club beyond 2018. “We were threatened, Milan have lost Donnarumma. I take the responsibility of his choice,” Raiola said. “There was an overly hostile and violent situation that was created. Donnarumma was threatened, his family was threatened. “Threats of not playing, death threats, banners never removed from the management and passive behaviour against us. “It was never an economic matter, if there are two parties that want to find a solution they’d have done it. They [Milan management] handled a top player like Donnarumma wrongly, they were too exuberant. “I wanted to know Milan’s project gradually? Yes but I was already guaranteed from the club won’t continue signing free agents.” Raiola also insisted that he has reached no agreement with another club and ...

Cristiano Ronaldo is interested in the possibility of returning to Manchester United this summer, Sky sources understand. The Real Madrid forward wants to leave Spain and a source close to the player says United are very close to his heart. Manchester United sold Ronaldo to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 for £80m and they have tried to set up a deal for his return on at least one occasion since his departure. At the moment, United are wary of being drawn into a transfer saga surrounding Ronaldo's future and the general feeling at Old Trafford is that he will stay in Madrid. Ronaldo's advisers, though, have been told to find him a new club outside Spain because he is angry after being accused of evading tax of 14.7m euros (£13m) between 2011 and 2014. There are very few clubs who would be able to afford Ronaldo's transfer fee and his wages. Paris Saint-Germain have a longstanding interest in signing him and AC Milan's new Chinese owners have been in contact this summe...

Russia kicked off their Confederations Cup Group A campaign in style as they cruised to a 2-0 victory over New Zealand in St Petersburg. An own-goal from Michael Boxall and Fedor Smolov's second-half strike sealed all three points for new coach Stanislav Cherchesov's side as the tournament hosts impressed at the Krestovsky Stadium. Playing in the tournament for the first time, Russia were on the front foot and had two early chances cleared off the line in the opening 10 minutes. Aleksandr Samedov's corner found Viktor Vasin who saw his header hacked clear by Michael McGlinchey. Ipswich's Tommy Smith was then on hand to keep Russia at bay as the defender cleared Dmitry Poloz's effort. Smolov's goal was rightly ruled offside before Russia took the lead on 31 minutes. After New Zealand lost possession in their own half, Poloz's neat touch set up Denis Glushakov who dinked his effort over goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic and off the post before Boxall bundled the b...

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Real Madrid because he does not want to play in Spain any more, Sky source explains. The former Manchester United winger is angry about the way he has been treated by Spanish tax authorities and has told Real he wants a move away from the club. Spanish prosecutors have accused Ronaldo of avoiding £14.7m in tax - a charge he completely denies. The Portugal captain is facing allegations from Madrid's regional state prosecutor of four counts of tax fraud relating to image rights payments. The four-time Ballon d'Or winner spoke briefly when quizzed on the subject by reporters following a training session with Portugal on Wednesday, saying he had a "clear conscience". Ronaldo, 32, signed a new five-year contract last November which means he is contracted to Real until 2021, but has previously stated a desire to return to Manchester United at some point in the future. There is interest from China with the mid-season window there opening o...