The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Cardiff

  • Czech striker killed in bus crash

    Czech international striker Josef Sural has been killed after a bus carrying several of Turkish club Aytemiz Alanyaspor’s players crashed.

    Sural, 28, died at the hospital where he and six of his team-mates were taken after a bus carrying them back from a game at Kayserispor crashed on Sunday.

    Ex-Cardiff and QPR defender Steven Caulker was on the bus and is unharmed physically but emotionally distraught.

    Chairman Hasan Cavusoglu claimed the driver had fallen asleep at the wheeA second on-board driver was also reportedly asleep when the accident happened around three miles from the club’s home city of Alanya.

    Cavusoglu said the six players other than Sural were not in a critical condition.

    Read Also: Rohr combs Europe for strikers

    Seven of the Super Lig’s club’s players had rented the private minibus, while the rest of the club’s players and staff travelled on a team bus or on their own.

    On Twitter, the club posted: “We have learned with deep sorrow that Josef Sural lost his life as a result of an accident carrying seven football players from Alanyaspor.”

    Ex-Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse also plays for Alanyaspor but it is not known whether he was on board.

    Sural joined Alanyaspor from Sparta Prague in January.

    He made 20 appearances for his country, last featuring in their Nations League defeat by Ukraine in October.

    The Football Association of the Czech Republic said news of Sural’s death brought “great sorrow”, adding: “We will never forget you.”

     

    BBCSports

  • Sala crash: Cardiff may sue Nantes over pilot’s licence

    Cardiff ‘may sue Nantes’ following the death of club record-signing Emiliano Sala.

    The Premier League club have found no proof that the pilot of the plane that crashed in the English Channel had the right licence to fly Sala following an internal investigation, according to the Telegraph.

    The paper has reported that if the Air Accidents Investigation Branch can support Cardiff’s evidence that pilot Dave Ibbotson was not allowed to ‘carry passengers on a commercial basis’, that would be negligence on the part of whoever selected him.

    Willie McKay and son Mark helped organise the trip from France to the Welsh capital and senior members at the club also believe they could be liable, as well as the Ligue 1 side – whom the two agents were working on behalf of.

    Cardiff boss Neil Warnock and club CEO Ken Choo joined mourners at the funeral of Sala in his hometown in Argentina on Saturday.

    The 28-year-old striker’s body was repatriated on Friday before it was returned to Progreso, about 350 miles from Buenos Aires, for the public vigil.

    Warnock and Choo joined locals from the small town for a service in the gymnasium of Sala’s boyhood club, San Martin de Progreso.

    Sala died on January 21 when the plane he was travelling in crashed in the English Channel after he had visited players at his former club, Nantes.

    His body was pulled from the wreckage on February 7 but the British pilot, Ibbotson, 59, from Lincolnshire, has not been found.

    Meanwhile Cardiff have contacted other top-flight clubs in an attempt to establish whether there may be grounds to avoid paying the full £15million transfer fee being demanded by Nantes for Sala, The Mail on Sunday has revealed.

  • Sala’s body to be flown to Argentina for vigil

    Emiliano Sala’s remains begin homeward journey as the body is to be flown back to his hometown in Argentina where a vigil is planned.

    Sala, 28, was travelling to Cardiff in a plane piloted by David Ibbotson, which went missing over the English Channel on 21 January. His body was recovered from the plane wreck last week but Mr Ibbotson’s body has still not been found.

    Sala was flying to join his new side Cardiff City from French club Nantes when the plane went missing.

    Julio Muller, Mayor of Sala’s hometown of Progreso, said the footballer’s family had arrived for the service.

    Mr Muller said Sala’s body would arrive in the late afternoon on Friday and be taken to the gymnasium next to his youth club’s headquarters, where a vigil was scheduled. His boyhood club San Martin de Progreso posted an emotional tribute on Facebook, saying: “We are waiting for you…like the first day you left but this time to stay with us forever.

    “You went and you are an example for everyone. Eternally in our hearts.”

    Authorities formally identified Sala’s body last week, with his family saying they could “now begin to mourn our son and our brother.”

  • Emiliano Sala: The waiting continues even for his pet “Nala”

     

    Life indeed can be cruel, and life itself is full of uncertainties, some too difficult to explain. Emiliano Sala is on person the football world was looking forward to see what he would bring to the table in the English premiership after sealing a deal transferring from French Ligue  1 side Nantes to Cardiff for a whopping £15million about (about N7billion)

    The world unfortunately woke up to behold sudden disappearance of the private plane that was to take the 28 year old to his new club after he had bid his former teammates at goodbye.

    He had made his mark with the French club he joined 2015, making 142 appearances scoring 42 goals. The plane disappeared within in English Channel with no trace.

    After the search have been called off by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) the family not willing to let go in a jiffy, had to join hands with well-wishers including footballers particularly his compatriots like Diego Maradon, lionel Messi Gonzalo Higuaín, Sergio Agüero among others to raise funds to continue the search which eventually yielded fruit last Sunday with the discovery of the plane under the sea with a yet to be identified body to confirm whether it is that of Sala or his pilot  David Ibbotson.

    From what has been found and reported so far, the chances of seeing both alive is very slim, yet the family, his friends and well-wishers keep hoping that even a miracle is possible in the face of facts that suggest that all may have been lost.

    Sadly too it is not only his friends well-wishers and football confraternity across the world that is waiting, even his pet dog named ‘Nala’ is not left out in the waiting even as the family in conjunction with the private company conducting the search are now working towards the next assignment, that of pulling out the wreckage which is 67m (220ft) below water to identify the said body and perhaps see whether a second body is there or even what else can be made of the facts on ground. It is indeed painful as it is for all football lovers across the globe, so it is for Nala!

    Emiliano Sala’s sister, Romina, shared this sad but irresistible photo of his dog, Nala. “Nala is waiting for you too.” ❤

     

  • Ronaldo jnr thrills dad with screamer

    Ronaldo jnr thrills dad with screamer

     

    When Cristiano Ronaldo eventually calls time on a career drowned in trophies, he will be sorely missed by football supporters. But it may not be the end of the Ronaldo legacy.

    The Portuguese striker has held up his end of the bargain as he has continued to terrify defenders with the Ronaldo name – following on from Brazil legend – and now it seems his son is the next to continue the tradition.

    Aptly-named Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, who put on a show for the watching crowd in Cardiff after Real’s Champions League triumph in May, has shown but a glimpse of what the footballing world should expect in the coming years after the youngster scored a thunderbolt in a youth game this week.

    The seven-year-old showed he has inherited his father’s eye for goal as he fired a strike into the top-right corner of a sandy pitch.

    Ronaldo, who was enjoying some time off ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga clash with Eibar on Sunday at the Bernabeu, posted the video on his Instagram account accompanied by a well-selected emoji.

    It was a goal that has been well-received by his followers, with one Ronaldo fan, ‘nelson_percius’, commenting: ‘I saw Cristiano, my kids will see Cristiano Jr’.

    It’s not the first time an insight into Ronaldo Jr’s talents has been given after former Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand paid the Ronaldo’s a visit in October, as well as a free kick fired in in typical Ronaldo fashion on the sandy pitches of Madrid back in May.

    But the youngster will have to go a long way to replicate the achievements of his father, who has recently been nominated for yet another FIFA Ballon d’Or.

    The Portuguese striker has been in hot form this season as he continues his rivalry with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, which he has struggled to compete with so far this season.

    Ronaldo has managed just one goal in his four La Liga appearances – compared to Messi’s 11 – but his penalty against Tottenham on Tuesday night took his tally up to five for the competition.

    After being held to a draw by Spurs, Real are now second in group H and level on points with Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

  • Real Madrid win first La Liga title since 2012

    Real Madrid win first La Liga title since 2012

    Real Madrid win first La Liga title since 2012

    Real Madrid won their first La Liga title since 2012 thanks to a final-day 2-0 victory at Malaga on Sunday and in spite of FC Barcelona’s 4-2 win over Eibar.

    Cristiano Ronaldo scored early in the game to settle the nerves, latching onto Isco’s through ball to step around Carlos Kameni and tap into an empty net.

    Karim Benzema then added their second goal after the break after Kameni had parried Sergio Ramos’ shot.

    Real, who had only needed a draw to win the title, now face Juventus in the Champions League final aiming to complete a double

    FC Barcelona, who had won the past two titles, came from 2-0 down to beat Eibar 4-2 at the Nou Camp.

    But they had also needed Real to slip up if they were going to retain the trophy.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Real Madrid finished with 93 points, while FC Barcelona ended with 90 points to stay second.

    The result means Zinedine Zidane, in his first full season as Real boss, has recorded another first.

    He is the first manager to lead Madrid to the Spanish league title since Jose Mourinho did five years ago.

    If Real beat Juventus in Cardiff, they will become the first team to successfully defend the Champions League.

    Zidane had won the tournament six months into the job last summer.

     

     

  • Palace fined over Cardiff spying allegations

    Crystal Palace have been fined by the Premier League for the alleged leaking of information prior to their clash with Cardiff City in April.

    A complaint was raised following the Cardiff City Stadium clash, which Palace won 3-0 to all but secure top-flight survival, that the visitors had obtained information relating to Cardiff’s starting line-up.

    It was claimed Palace’s sporting director Iain Moody, who took up a role at Selhurst Park after being sacked by Cardiff, used his contacts to find out information relating to their starting XI – an allegation he strenuously denied.

    Following an investigation into the incident, the Premier League have ruled Palace breached rule B16 regarding acting in “utmost good faith” to opposition sides.

    “The Premier League board has considered a complaint from Cardiff City regarding the conduct of Crystal Palace,” a statement read.

    “The Board found that Crystal Palace breached Rule B.16 and has exercised its summary jurisdiction and fined the club.”

    Breaching rule B16 reportedly carries a maximum £25,000 penalty, however the amount Palace have been fined remains undisclosed.

    Cardiff reportedly sacked the member of staff thought to have been responsible for the leak in the wake of the incident and investigated other areas of the club.

  • PhD Scholarships in Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University, 2014

    Cardiff University is inviting application for five partial PhD scholarships in Politics and International Relations. This scholarship is open to UK/EU and Overseas nationals without further restrictions. These studentships consist of £3,996 to be provided in the first year of the PhD programme. The application deadline is 1st August 2014.

    Study Subject(s): Scholarships are awarded in the area of Politics and International Relations within the School of Modern Languages at Cardiff University.

    Course Level: Scholarships are available for pursuing PhD degree level at Cardiff University.

    Scholarship Provider: Cardiff University, UK

    Scholarship can be taken at: UK

    Accreditation: Cardiff University is an accredited university. Cardiff University is accredited by the Russell Group and EUA Universities UK.

    Eligibility: This scholarship is open to UK/EU and Overseas nationals without further restrictions.

    Scholarship Open for International Students: UK/EU and international students can apply for these PhD scholarships.

    Scholarship Description: School of Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University invites applications for five partial PhD Scholarships for Home, EU and International students.

    These scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis. The scholarships will be awarded to students undertaking a PhD within the School of Modern Languages and will each provide £3,996 as a one-time disbursement in the first year of the PhD.

    Number of award(s): The School of Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University invites applications for five partial PhD Scholarships.

    Duration of award(s): These PhD scholarships will be paid as a one-time disbursement in the first year of the PhD.

    What does it cover? Each studentship consists of £3,996 to be provided in the first year of the PhD programme.

    Selection Criteria: These scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis.

    Notification: Not Known

    How to Apply: If you wish to be considered, please send an email expressing your interest to: europ-pg-admissions-at-cardiff.ac.uk.

    Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is 1st August 2014.

  • Cardiff city coaching job: Chukwu: We will miss Solskjaer at Molde FK

    Cardiff city coaching job: Chukwu: We will miss Solskjaer at Molde FK

    • Says, “I had my best time under him”

    Nigeria’s Chima Daniel Chukwu, says Molde FK will greatly miss former manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when squad members return to the Norwegian capital in the coming days.

    The former Bussdor FC forward who won Two Tippeligaen title in 2011 and 2013 alongside the 2013 Norwegian Football Cup told SportingLife on Thursday that it was sad to see the former Manchester United ace leave for Cardiff City after enjoying three fruitful years at Molde FK.

    “It is really sad to see Solskjaer leave for Cardiff. However, after taking into account all he has achieved in Norway with Molde FK, I want to wish him all the best.

    “As a player, I had my best time playing under him and I will always be ready to do it again in future if the opportunity comes,” he said.

    Speaking further, Chukwu revealed that the departing manager will be greatly missed in the dressing room not just by the players but also all that had come in contact with him during his spell at the Norwegian outfit.

    “The dressing room will definitely not be the same with his exit. Oleg was a true professional, a very positive person and carries everyone at the club along irespective of your status.

    “We can only wish him the best at Cardiff and build on the structure he had put in place here,” he added.

    Chukwu’s Molde FK it would be recalled won the Norwegian Tippeligaen back to back in 2011 and 2012. Molde FK also won the 2013 Norwegian Football Cup, after defeating their main rivals Rosenborg 4–2 in the final under the guidance of Solskjaer who now replaces Malky Mackay as the Welsh outfit’s new boss, after the Scot was sacked after Cardiff’s 3-0 defeat to Southampton on Boxing Day.

  • Osaze delighted with Cardiff

    Osaze delighted with Cardiff

    Super Eagles estranged striker Peter Osaze Odemwingie has expressed delight in penning a two-year deal with newly promoted Barclays English Premier League side Cardiff-based in Wales.

    Speaking after the deal was completed, Odemwingie told the official website, cardiffcityfc.co.uk: ” I’m delighted to complete my move to Cardiff City. I’m looking forward to this fresh start at a club that is really going places, a team that’s progressing fast.

    “I’ve seen a little bit of the City and I know that my wife and I will really enjoy living in Cardiff. I can’t wait to get started – this move makes me very happy.”

    He said on Twitter : ” Absolutely delighted to be joining Cardiff City FC! Can’t wait to hear the famous Cardiff fans roar! I promise goals.”

    In 87 English Premier League appearances for West Brom, Odemwingie netted 30 goals. He will start training with his new teammates later in the week.