Blatter resigns as Fifa president

The 79-year-old, who has held the post for 17 years, has stepped down in light of the corruption scandal which has blighted the world governing body

 
Sepp Blatter has announced he will step down as president of Fifa, calling an extraordinary congress "as rapidly as possible" at which a successor will be selected.The Swiss announced his decision at a hastily-arranged press conference on Tuesday after his secretary-general Jerome Valcke had earlier been implicated in the US Department of Justice's investigations into a $10 million payment to indicted former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner."I have thoroughly thought about my presidency and the 40 years Fifa has played in my life. I love Fifa more than anything else and I only want to do the best. I decided to stand again for election for the good of football," he told the gathered media."My mandate does not appear to be supported by everybody. This is why I will call an extraordinary meeting."I will organise an extraordinary congress for a replacement for me as president. I will not stand. I am now free from the constraints of an election. I will be in a position to focus on profound reforms. For many years we have called for reforms. But these are not sufficient.

"We need a limitation on mandates and terms of office. I have fought for these changes but my efforts have been counteracted."

Blatter has been president since 1998 and was re-elected for a fifth term only four days before his resignation.

However, the Fifa Congress at which he was given that mandate had been preceded by adverse publicity caused by the arrest of seven senior officials at a hotel in Zurich with a total of 14 people then indicted by the US Department of Justice under charges of racketeering, fraud and money laundering.

On the same day, Swiss authorities announced an investigation into corrupt practices by unnamed persons during the bidding process for the hugely controversial 2018 and 2022 World Cups in Russia and Qatar respectively.

Elections to replace Blatter are set to be held between December and March.

Chelsea's players were "disgraceful"- Carragher

Jamie Carragher has slammed the reaction of Chelsea's players after PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off at Stamford Bridge.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men when their star player Ibrahimovic was sent off in the 31st minute of the second leg of their last-16 Champions League clash after clashing with Chelsea forward Oscar as they both lunged for the ball.

Despite the man advantage Chelsea failed to test PSG and eventually lost the tie on away goals as the French champions twice came from behind to grab a 2-2 draw after extra-time.

Sky Sports pundit Carragher, speaking at half-time, was heavily critical of the Chelsea players for their reaction to Ibrahimovic’s challenge as they appealed to the referee for the Swede to be punished.

And he also felt Blues manager Jose Mourinho’s pre-match comments about PSG’s aggressive approach in the first leg had played a part in Dutch official Bjorn Kuipers’ decision.

Carragher said: “The sending off is very unfortunate. It’s not a red card.

“Zlatan is actually trying to pull his foot away. You look at it and Oscar’s (foot) is as high as his, if not higher, and if the referee is the other side maybe he would look at Oscar and give the decision the other way.

“The reaction from the Chelsea players is disgraceful and it’s sad. It’s something that’s coming into the game and it comes from Jose Mourinho’s teams. They have this reaction, it’s not a one-off.

“Maybe what he’s said beforehand in the press conference has gone into the referee's head.

“I always think with Jose Mourinho’s teams, they will always be respected but they will never be loved because of situations like this. They take winning to a level that no other team or manager does.

“You see the reaction of some of the players and it has definitely played a part – and Mourinho’s words have worked.”

Fellow pundit Graeme Souness added at half-time: “We had a great game of football going on there and it saddens me, and makes me angry at the same time, that gamesmanship is deciding these big games.

“It’s not a sending off, it is Oscar’s studs that are high. This has spoiled the game. It’s not about the best team winning it any more.

“If that’s what our game is coming to we need to sort it out and sort it out quickly.”

David Luiz apologises for goal celebration

Paris Saint-Germain goalscorer David Luiz apologised for celebrating his goal against former club Chelsea as the English side exited the Champions League following a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea were eliminated as 10-man PSG twice came from behind to win an ill-tempered last-16 tie on away goals.

The first leg was drawn 1-1 and Chelsea's advantage grew when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off after 31 minutes.

Gary Cahill's strike nine minutes from the end of normal time was cancelled out by former Chelsea defender Luiz, but the hosts went ahead for a second time through an Eden Hazard penalty early in extra-time.

PSG captain Thiago Silva, who conceded the spot-kick for a handball, was denied from a corner by Thibaut Courtois but then netted with a header moments later to make it 2-2 on the night and send the visitors through.

"I think we played a great game," Luiz told Sky Sports. "When we lost Ibra, our best player, you say 'keep it simple.' Play the ball to feet and keep possession as we need to score to qualify. It was amazing tonight the spirit. Every single player gave everything.

"I finished at Chelsea and then I got a great opportunity from PSG -- they gave me a great opportunity to continue my career and I was very happy at Chelsea and won titles here but I finished and then I respect everyone.

"It was good for me to score. I said before I didn't celebrate but there was so much emotion I cannot control and sorry because I celebrated because of the emotion but I am so happy to qualify."

Luiz's teammate and PSG captain Thiago Silva believes his team can win the Champions League this season if they can reproduce more displays like the one turned in against Chelsea.

"I have to congratulate the whole team. It's tough to play 11 versus 11, so 10 against 11 is even more difficult," Silva told beIN SPORTS. "We were very solid at the back, we showed a great mentality. I think we have a lot of quality players who can hurt any team in Europe. If we play like that, it's possible.

"The attitude we showed today, with a player less, was fantastic. We stayed calm and I think we played well. I think we just have to think about ourselves. If we play like that, we can go all the way, if we show that mentality. Of course, it's the club's objective to win the competition, it's also that of the players, and if we play like that, it's possible."

Luiz, 27, only moved to PSG from Chelsea last summer, and following his departure, Jose Mourinho declared the Brazil international would not be missed.

His emphatic 86th-minute header, five minutes after Gary Cahill had put Chelsea ahead, was Luiz's response to his former boss, and was symptomatic of PSG's warrior-like spirit in west London.

"I'm very happy. It was difficult to lose Zlatan Ibrahimovic, one of our best players, so soon, but we kept our spirit and character and we continued playing," Luiz told media. "They scored first, but we always believed in our chances. I'm so happy to have qualified, because it's so difficult to go far in the Champions League."

Chelsea had been expected to make progress after the duo's 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes last month, and follow up last season's last-eight victory over PSG.

Twelve months ago, Laurent Blanc's men had arrived in London for the second leg trying to defend a 3-1 lead. Defender Marquinhos said the fact they needed to get a positive result worked in PSG's favour this time round.

"We came here with the will to win," said Marquinhos. "We didn't win, but we played well with a player less. Everyone gave their all. I'm very proud of the team. We still have a lot of games to go.

"It wasn't easy. We didn't give up right till the end. We knew that if we deserved it, we would go through. We didn't want to repeat the same mistakes as last year. We came to play, to score and to win."

Silva: Mou 'lacked respect'

Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva has said Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho "lacked respect" for his side ahead of their Champions League tie.

Silva, 30, scored the decisive goal six minutes from the end of extra time to earn 10-man PSG a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and take them through to the quarterfinals on away goals.

The victory avenged PSG's dramatic away goals loss to Chelsea in last season's quarterfinals, when Demba Ba scored late on.

Prior to the draw for the last 16, former Porto and Inter Milan boss Mourinho said he would be happy to face PSG due to the close proximity of the French capital to London.

He said in December: "We don't have much choice, there are only five possibilities -- but to make it easy for everybody, I would say Paris Saint-Germain.

"It's easy for us to travel, easy for the fans to travel and they won't have to spend a lot of money to go there. They are a very good team and I would prefer a really good team, which will motivate the boys. So, if I could choose, even though I can't, I would say Paris."

Silva felt Mourinho should have shown more respect for his side, but acknowledged that last year's defeat had been more a source of motivation.

"It wasn't revenge, but they really lacked respect for us, particularly Mourinho, because he said he wanted to play PSG because it was close and that it was easy for their supporters to travel there," the Brazil international was quoted as saying by RMC.

"But I don't think our display was because of that -- it was because of last year."

We weren't good enough - Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho put Paris Saint-Germain's win in the Champions League on Wednesday night down to the fact the Ligue 1 club showed aggression and coped better with the pressure of the game.

Chelsea were eliminated against 10-man PSG, who twice came from behind to win an ill-tempered last-16 tie on away goals at Stamford Bridge.

"I want to discuss that with the players tomorrow and see the game in a calm way," the Portuguese said. "I want to see their feelings, I want to know what they felt on the pitch and we must try to find conclusions about our performance. Our performance wasn't good enough.

"Of course we have the game in our hands twice but the opponent was stronger than us. They coped better with the pressure of the game.

"Maybe because they were with 10 men we felt even more the pressure of winning and they had nothing to lose. They were just playing their game.

"We conceded two goals from two set pieces where the organisation is clear and it's absolutely decided the players are in the zone. We conceded two goals that are difficult to accept."

When asked about PSG's style of play, Mourinho added: "They were aggressive the same way [as in Paris].

"They are what we used to call, in our side of the continental Europe, they were clever. In England that is not accepted as clever, intelligent, experienced people.

"I wouldn't say dirty, but this is a great part of the game."

Mourinho went on to say that Laurent Blanc's men coped better with the pressure and that Chelsea did not respond well to having an extra man for the majority of the match.

"We had the game in our hands twice [when Chelsea took a lead] and they coped better with the pressure of the game. We couldn't cope with that, we concede two goals in two set pieces and that is difficult to accept.

"Last season we lost [the first leg] in Paris 3-1 and had one direction to go and that direction was without any pressure because the game was lost. Today with the 1-1, it was a dangerous result. We tried to win in this game, but the moment we had 10 men we felt too much that pressure."

Mourinho was scathing in his assessment of his players, whose spirits he must raise for Sunday's clash with Southampton as the Blues resume their bid for a first Premier League title in five years.

"We didn't deserve to go through," Mourinho said. "When a team cannot defend two corners and concedes two goals, a team doesn't deserve to win.

"The individual performances were not good enough and when you concede two goals from two corners it's about lack of concentration, lack of responsibility to cope with the markers and the space you have to control.

"When a team cannot cope with the pressure of being one player more and playing at home... we couldn't cope with that pressure.

"We deserved to be punished with this draw, defeat."

Ancelotti will not be sacked - Perez

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has told a news conference that Carlo Ancelotti will remain as the club's manager "whatever happens" in the final months of this season.

Madrid suffered an embarrassing 4-3 home Champions League round-of-16 second-leg defeat to Schalke on Tuesday night. And even though they still qualified 5-4 on aggregate for the quarterfinals, their display was greeted with derision by home fans at the Bernabeu.

The crowd whistled and jeered the players and waved symbolic white handkerchiefs to call for the coach's head, while the Spanish press called the performance by the Champions League holders "a total disaster."

With the team also having taken just one point from their last two La Liga games and been replaced by bitter rivals Barcelona atop the Primera Division table, Blancos pundits immediately speculated that club president Florentino Perez could swing the axe in the coming days.

But Perez has come out to back the man who won the decima Champions League title and the Copa del Rey last season. He was reacting to the front page of Marca which claimed "Florentino will fire Ancelotti if there's a debacle at Camp Nou" in the clasico a week on Sunday.

He said: "To clear up statements that have nothing to do with reality, and have created a poor atmosphere around club for players.

"Our greatness is in our self-criticism and self demanding nature, but to take advantage of our low moment in form, to attack coach and the players is disproportionate.

"I want to show our club has full confidence in our coach and our players. Whatever happens in coming weeks, Carlo Ancelotti will remain Madrid coach. And all players have the support and affection of the club, board and president.

"We have best coach and players for Madrid. They have won respect of all football fans, and especially all Madridistas. We feel very proud of all of them.

"They have won the trophies Madridismo waited many years for: Copa del Rey, plus the decima European Cup, Supercup, Club World Cup, playing amazing football just months ago. For some it was best football of all time at this club.

"We had never won four trophies in one calendar year, so this coach and players form part of the history of this club. we will keep battling for the Champions League and La Liga, and remain united despite all from outside.

"We ask all our socios and fans to support our coach, and be proud of them, for all they have done, and all they will do. They need our support, as that is our strength, and always has been."

Perez said that Ancelotti had been surprised by attacks on him in the media.

"What the coach has experienced until now, is not like what it is like at Madrid," Perez continued. "Madrid has high demands, new people understand they pass from being best team ever, to being worst.

"He is a bit surprised, but he has a lot of experience, been in important clubs before. This is new for him, and could be seen as self-destructive, but he will continue his work.

"No doubt he will have a great season. He won four trophies in one year, I just ask that he is left to do his work. I am the first to be demanding, but with a positive atmosphere."

Zlatan - Chelsea like 'babies'

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has accused Chelsea's players of being "babies" after the Paris Saint-Germain striker was sent off at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

PSG advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals at Chelsea's expense despite Ibrahimovic being shown a straight red card after 31 minutes, dismissed for a challenge on Oscar which was more clumsy than malicious as he attempted to pull out of the 50-50 tackle.

Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers was quick to make his decision, although he was surrounded by nine Chelsea players as he pulled the card out of his top pocket.

Ibrahimovic said: "I don't know if I have to get angry or start to laugh. For me when I saw the red card I was like 'the guy doesn't know what he's doing.'

"That is not the worst. The worst is when I got the red card all the Chelsea players come around. It felt like I had a lot of babies around me."

The Sweden striker also suggested Oscar feigned injury.

"I pulled out [of the tackle], because I saw him come in the tackle," Ibrahimovic said.

"I don't know if he was acting afterwards. Doesn't matter. We won the game, we went through and let's see what happens."

Laurent Blanc said after the match that the club would decide soon whether or not to contest the red card, telling reporters: "There will be a committee who will convene to talk about the decision and I hope he will be in our party for the quarterfinal."

Ibrahimovic, 33, lauded the performance of his teammates, who defied the numerical advantage to twice come from behind and progress on away goals courtesy of a 2-2 draw -- 3-3 on aggregate.

"It was an amazing performance because we were playing with one less [player]," he added.

"They played with big hearts. It's not easy to play with 10 guys, especially against a team like Chelsea. We showed quality and big heart."

Ba - PSG will avoid errors

Demba Ba believes Paris Saint-Germain's anticipated defensive tactics in Wednesday's Champions League round-of-16 second leg with Chelsea could work in the French side's favour.

Ba, 29, was part of the Chelsea squad that lost the first leg of last season's quarterfinal tie with PSG 3-1 before he scored the decisive goal late in a 2-0 second-leg win to send the Blues through on away goals.

The sides now meet at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea favourites to progress following their 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes last month.

Ba, who left the Premier League leaders for Besiktas last summer, told RMC that though Chelsea's prospects looked brighter than last season, it could actually help PSG.

"The situation is better, but it's still difficult because Paris can score goals," he said. "Last year, there were no calculations to be made. It was simpler. When Pastore scored his splendid goal at the Parc des Princes, all of Paris thought it was all done for the semifinals.

"At 2-1, it would perhaps have been different, but that meant there was undoubtedly a little too much confidence. And we capitalised.

"This time, in terms of concentration, the Parisians know they mustn't make mistakes at the back and they won't. PSG mustn't concede an early goal, because when Chelsea decide to defend, it becomes difficult."

Ba's departure from west London followed those of Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o. In their stead, Chelsea brought in Diego Costa to give Jose Mourinho the top-grade striker he had publicly demanded, and also bolstered midfield with Cesc Fabregas.

"The arrivals of Fabregas and Diego Costa have strengthened the squad," Ba admitted. "There is also [Nemanja] Matic, who couldn't play in the Champions League last season. Eden [Hazard] has been brilliant in every game this season. The team is stronger, but PSG are also exceptional and the Parisians know what to expect."

In his pregame press conference, Mourinho, 52, criticised PSG's physicality in the first leg, particularly in halting the dangerous Hazard -- but denied trying to send a message to Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers, who will take charge of the tie.

Ba explained Mourinho's message to his players will be that which he delivers before every fixture, regardless of the competition.

"He's always the same," the former West Ham United and Newcastle United striker said. "I remember that he told us one day during training: 'There are no friendly matches, competitive matches or training matches. There are just matches.'

"I can tell you that for Mourinho this match is just as important as the one they will play next weekend in the league."

Xavi relieved he stayed at Barcelona

The midfielder was all set to quit Camp Nou and move to MLS side New York City, only to be persuaded to stay by Luis Enrique

Xavi has admitted he is relieved he decided to stay with Barcelona last summer as he prepares to make his 750th appearance for the club against Eibar next weekend.

The midfielder was in advanced negotiations with new MLS side New York City FC before a late plea from Barca coach Luis Enrique changed his mind at the 11th hour.

He has since made 26 appearances so far this season and Xavi is convinced he made the right choice in staying at Camp Nou, where has spent his entire career.

"I'm glad I didn't leave last summer," he said.

"I'm lucky enough to have been at the best club in the world. I've been in the first team for 17 years and, together with the years in the academy, that's nearly 25 years here, which makes me very proud."

The 35-year-old rose to prominence under the tutelage of former Blaugrana boss Frank Rijkaard who saw his potential to play in a more advanced midfield role and Xavi pointed to the Dutchman as a key influence.

He added: "I had no idea that the best years of my career would be further forward in midfield. It was Rijkaard that put me there, he saw that I had a good last pass."

The former Spain midfielder, who retired from international duty after the last summer's World Cup, also enjoyed great success during Pep Guardiola's four-year reign in charge of the club and sees similarities between the now Bayern Munich boss and Luis Enrique.

"They both impose their character and style on their teams. Pep was very vocal and Luis Enrique is too, they both like to have control."

Ujah appologies after grabbing horns

FC Koln striker Anthony Ujah may have performed the most random goal celebration ever this weekend.

The Nigerian forward fired home his side’s fourth in their 4-2 win over Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, before unleashing some seriously crazy behaviour.

Ujah decided that celebrating with his teammates was too conventional and spotted team mascot Hennes VIII – a goat – out of the corner of his eye. 

Poor Hennes would be forgiven for feeling a little gruff as Ujah tugged at his horns and tried to straddle him.

Fair play though to Ujah, he did later apologise for being over-zealous with his antics with this post on Twitter.

"yeeeeees😁😁 Finally a win for us at home and what a special way it came. Sorry to Hennes i was a bit too hard on him" 🙈 pic.twitter.com/4AzCAok2fT

— Anthony Ujah (@ujah_9) March 8, 2015

Lawrenson: Balotelli is a 'waste of time'

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has told boss Brendan Rodgers to ditch Mario Balotelli, calling the striker a "waste of time."

Balotelli endured a difficult start to life at Liverpool following a 16 million-pound move from AC Milan last summer, but seemed to have turned a corner when scoring winning goals against Tottenham Hotspur and Besiktas last month

The Italy international came on for the final 32 minutes of Livepool's 0-0 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup quarterfinals but, in his postmatch analysis on the BBC, Lawrenson pulled no punches.

"Forget about Mario Balotelli. He is an absolute waste of time," Lawrenson said. "He shouldn't be anywhere near this team.

"I can see why Brendan Rodgers threw him on [Sunday's FA Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers] as he might just create something, but 99 times out of 100 he will let you down."

Lawrenson did praise Blackburn, who have earned a lucrative replay at Ewood Park on either April 7 or 8 with the prize of a Wembley semifinal at stake on the weekend of April 18.

"Congratulations to Blackburn Rovers on an absolutely magnificent display. They were never ever desperate at any time," he added.

"They have looked at how Liverpool have played recently and the tactics were spot on. Goalkeeper Simon Eastwood hasn't really had to make a real top class save."

Ronney to inspire United victory - Van Gaal

Wayne Ronney has never won the FA Cup but his manager expects that he will motivate the Red Devils to do the business against the Gunners on Monday

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes Wayne Rooney can inspire his side to victory against Arsenal in the FA Cup at Old Trafford on Monday.

Rooney has already helped the Red Devils to a victory over the Gunners this season, scoring in a 2-1 win back in November.

The two rivals meet again with a semi-final place at Wembley up for grabs, and Van Gaal has underlined Rooney's desire to claim a cup which has so far eluded him.

"I don't know how Rooney will motivate the dressing room but I think he shall do that because he is very motivated as a captain and a player," he told reporters.

"He wants to win a title. He has not won the FA Cup and that is something that is missing.

"My first championship with Ajax was very important for me. It was also an emotional thing and you have seen how he was motivated in the last minute of the game against Newcastle. You saw him running and pressing for a lost ball and that was fantastic.

"Every human being has his own identity and character and this is Wayne's character and he has also picked up red cards because of that character but, against Newcastle, it was fantastic."

No Old Trafford concerns - Wenger

Arsene Wenger has backed Arsenal to get a result at Old Trafford, despite his side not having won there since 2006.

Emmanuel Adebayor's goal in September that year gave the Gunners the points at Manchester United that day, but they have suffered some horrendous defeats since -- most notably an 8-2 humiliation in August 2011.

Arsenal travel to United for an FA Cup quarterfinal on Monday and, having achieved an impressive away win against Manchester City in January, Wenger said they had no fears.

"I know we have not won at Old Trafford for a few years, but I don't believe history plays any part in this game," he explained.

"It doesn't matter what shirt they wear, or what stadium they play in, it is down to quality. If I've learnt something in my life it's that the performance on the day decides the outcome of the day, not where you play.

"We won at Manchester City and the fact that we can win away from home is important. If you haven't won away from home all season, it's more difficult. But we know we can do well away."

However, the fact that United have already secured something of a psychological advantage this season appears to have irked Wenger.

Louis van Gaal's first away victory as United manager came when his side won 2-1 at the Emirates in November, a result that still rankles with the Arsenal boss.

"We have lost some points in the Premier League this season that we should never have lost," he added. "The game against United was the biggest one we threw away.

"We were so dominant that the game should have been over in the first half-hour. When you look again at the way we conceded the two goals -- well, we just offered them the game."

While Van Gaal wants his United side to hurt Arsenal's top four ambitions on Monday, Wenger said his players could deliver a psychological blow of their own.

Last season's FA Cup success gave the Gunners their first trophy in nine years, and Wenger believes that restored a winning belief amongst his players.

"It's a big game, and every big win in a big game has an impact subconsciously in the belief of the team," he said. "Once you get to the quarterfinals you think that's a good opportunity to win a trophy.

"Winning the FA Cup last season gave us energy. How much, I don't know. But it gave us energy because we had a few years without winning a trophy and on that front it was vital. The change after winning a trophy is more linked with belief.

"This team has a good mentality because we had a slow start this season and every time, when we lose a big game, you see how much the players are touched.

"I think the mentality is very healthy, they want to do well and we will be focused on Monday night."

Wenger rejects Scholes' Ozil jibe

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that Mesut Ozil has a point to prove to his critics after another round of criticism for his performances in recent days.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is among those who has questioned the efforts of Arsenal's 42.5 million pound signing, with World Cup winner Ozil perceived to be struggling to live up to his billing since his high-profile arrival at Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013.

Scholes wrote in the Independent: "Since he has been there you cannot doubt his quality but at times he looks like he is going through the motions, however much ground he covers.

"He needs a leader around him to get him going. At Real Madrid he had a chance of winning league titles. At Arsenal that is not on the cards."

Yet Wenger has defended his playmaker, after insisting his influence on the team is not fully appreciated. "He has a point to prove and he knows that," said Wenger of Ozil.

"We are all in a job where in every single game we have to prove a point. I believe that he has the quality. He puts a lot of effort in to help a team. He works much harder than his style shows.

"You can be cheated [deceived] a little but by his style of play. He is fluent, supple and looks like he doesn't put the effort in, but he does. I knew he had good physical potential, but I didn't realise how good. He has a huge physical potential."

When asked about the suggestion from Scholes that Ozil "took the easy option joining Arsenal," Wenger said: "I believe that this is a wrong statement [from Scholes]. Ozil works very hard and he is a great player. A player like Paul Scholes would have loved to play with Mesut Ozil."

CR7 has not scored a free kick for Real Madrid in 51 attempts

Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to score from a direct free kick for Real Madrid in over 10 months, according to Spanish daily AS.

Ronaldo last hit the back of net with one his trademark free kicks in the 4-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals on April 29, 2014.

In La Liga, meanwhile, the Portugal international last scored a from a dead ball situation, excluding penalties, versus Sevilla on March 26, 2014.

The record means Ronaldo has not scored directly from a free kick in 51 attempts, with statistics showing 21 hit the wall, 14 were off target and 16 were saved by the goalkeeper or hit the woodwork.

This season, Ronaldo has shared the responsibility with Gareth Bale, who has scored once from his 12 efforts in La Liga.

Ronaldo's success rate from penalties remains impressive, though, with the former Manchester United forward finding the back of the net 55 times from 60 attempts during his time in Madrid.

Arsenal's Gabriel Paulista injured

Arsenal have suffered a blow with the news that defender Gabriel Paulista has been ruled out for up to three weeks due to a hamstring injury

Gabriel Paulista, 24, who signed from Villarreal in January for £13.5million, limped off after 36 minutes of Arsenal’s 2-1 win over QPR on Wednesday.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger confirmed Gabriel will miss the FA Cup tie with Manchester United on Monday, the Premier League match against West Ham and the Champions League last-16, second leg in Monaco.

Gabriel has impressed in his four games for the Gunners, putting in an excellent performance against Everton in a 2-0 Premier League win last Sunday.

Danny Welbeck is ‘exceptional’, Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has defended striker Danny Welbeck despite his ordinary scoring record since joining the Gunners from Manchester United.

Welbeck has scored just seven goals in 26 matches for the London giants, and hasn’t started either of Arsenal’s last two matches.

But ahead of Monday’s FA Cup sixth round clash with United, Wenger has lavised praise on the England international.

‘Danny puts a big effort in, he plays very well for me and is an exceptional player who will have a great future here,’ the Arsenal boss said.

‘I am convinced the subject is raised because he is a former United player. I am very, very happy that I bought him. He’s one of the players who has played the most games for us but not in the last couple of games.

‘You can make an individual debate on every single player but what is important is that you have moments in the season where some players play a bit less.

‘Most of the time it’s up front because not every single player can play every game in the biggest part of the season. You have a player like (Olivier) Giroud who is playing at the moment but he missed four months. During that period, Welbeck played every game.’

Monday’s game at Old Trafford is crucial for both clubs, as it remains the best chance for them both to land a trophy this season.

Arsenal’s record against United is poor in recent years, but Wenger said: ‘I don’t believe too much in history, I just believe in the performance on the day. We are doing very well away from home.

‘The size of the pitch is the same everywhere, it’s down to how much effort we put in to win the game. It is a special intensity because it is between two teams who have a chance to win this competition.

‘Both teams will think “if we get over this hurdle, we have a good opportunity to win the competition”.’

London likes Arsenal over Chelsea

Chelsea fans rated second-worst in London according to YouGov poll

Chelsea’s reputation has taken a massive hit in recent weeks, with Blues fans reportedly involved in unsavoury racist incidents in both Paris and Manchester.

And it appears that these allegations have now dented the club’s public standing to such an extent that Londoners have as bad an impression of Chelsea supporters as they do Millwall fans.

Ian Holloway’s Championship side are often stereotyped as having the worst fans in London, but according to this YouGov poll Chelsea’s supporters now run them close – while Arsenal’s are positively charming by comparison.

According to the poll, 29% of Londoners have encountered Chelsea and Arsenal supporters, but their impressions of the different sets of fans varies greatly.

YouGov’s figures suggest that 18% of Londoners have a negative impression of Arsenal fans, compared to 43% for Chelsea supporters.

It’s a similar story when it comes to positive impressions as well, with the Gunners trumping Chelsea 33% to 13%.

Of London’s other sides, Brentford, Fulham and Leyton Orient are apparently the most well liked, while West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur supporters still have work to do when it comes to winning London over.

Arsenal clear to seal Morata deal

Arsenal have been given the green light to sign Alvaro Morata with Juventus ready to accept £60m for his services.

Morata, who moved to Juventus last summer from Real Madrid, has enjoyed a successful season, catching the eye of the Gunners.

Madrid have a buy-back option to re-sign him at the end of the season, but reports say they’re willing to pass on that.

It’s believed Juventus and Real Madrid have agreed to let the striker join either Arsenal or Liverpool for £60million instead – and split the cash.

It would be a huge fee for Arsenal to come up with, but Morata is one of the most exciting strikers in Europe, and is set for a bright future.

Rochdale player faces sack

A Rochdale youth player is reportedly facing the sack after telling Steven Gerrard he would ‘bang’ his three-year-old daughter.

The League One club are investigating comments the footballer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, made when the Liverpool captain uploaded a picture of his family on Instagram.

The 34-year-old captioned the image ‘My World’, to which the individual commented: ‘I’d bang your girl Stevie.’

A backlash greeted the remark, with some brandishing the commenter a ‘paedophile’.

According to the Daily Star, the police have been called over the matter, but cannot intervene unless Gerrard makes an official complaint.

The comment has since been removed by the player in question, but he is still likely to be severely reprimanded, with his future in the professional game now in doubt.

A Rochdale spokesperson said: ‘The matter has been dealt with internally. We will be making no further comment.’

Guardiola warns vengeful Ribery

The Spaniard has told the experienced attacker that he cannot afford to lose his temper again in the future as it could cost Bayern dearly

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has warned Franck Ribery to control his temper after the winger's vengeful reaction toward Eintracht Braunschweig defender Benjamin Kessel in Wednesday's 2-0 DFB Pokal win.

The former France international kicked out at Kessel after a strong challenge from the Eintracht man and was fortunate to escape a red card for his action.

Guardiola was not impressed with Ribery's behaviour, and has told the winger a repeat will not be tolerated.

"It is incredibly dangerous when you end up playing with 10 against 11 in the Champions League. This will not happen again...," Guardiola was quoted as saying by Sport Bild when questioned about Ribery's action.

"A game like Wednesday's one is like a final. We have to control ourselves."

The Frenchman himself, meanwhile, feels his reaction did not cross the line.

"He tackled me with two legs forward. This could have been dangerous for me," Ribery explained.

"Everything is alright, though. This is all part of the game. My intention wasn't bad when I tackled him."

Five injured as robbers attack Kano Pillars

The reigning Nigerian champions were attacked by men of the underworld on Thursday afternoon leaving five of their key players injured

Kano Pillars’ Gambo Muhammed, Eneji Otekpa, Adamu Murtala, Reuben Ogbonnaya and Ubong Ekpai were injured as the Masu Gida were attacked by armed robbers along Abaji-Lokoja on Thursday afternoon.

Okey Emordi’s men had eliminated Al-Malakia in their 2015 Caf Champions League preliminary round and were heading to Owerri ahead their Nigeria Premier League opener against Heartland.

The Caf Champions League campaigners were travelling in a 32-seater coaster bus which had 25 people including 18 players alongside a four-man technical crew led by coach Okey Emordi in another Peugeot car. 

Team’s media officer Idris Malikawa informed Goal that Pillars cheated death as the gunmen shot intermittently with no place to hide.

“Five of our players are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre in Lokoja and are responding to treatment as we were attacked by robbers around 1.15 pm,” Malikawa told Goal.

Striker Gambo had his arm seriously damaged from a gun shot while Ekpai sustained injuries behind their head but no death was recorded.

Podolski could return to Arsenal, says agent

The Germany attacker's representative has suggested he could return to the Premier League once his loan deal expires at the end of the season

Lukas Podolski's agent has talked up the possibility of a return to Arsenal or a potential move to Turkey when the forward's loan at Inter comes to an end.

The Germany international has yet to find the net for Inter since joining from Arsenal on a deal until the end of the season in January and there is no agreement in place for him to move to San Siro on a permanent basis.

"Anything could happen," Podolski's representative Ali Pektas told Fanatik.

"For the moment he's on loan at Inter, and when it ends at the end of the season he could return to Arsenal, where he still has a year on his contract.

"With regard to his future, all I can say is that anything could happen, even a transfer to Turkey. Why not?

"Last summer he could have moved to Galatasaray, but it never materialised. Every summer Lukas and I go on holiday to Turkey.

"He appreciates it [Turkish football] a lot, and he wants to keep playing at a high level."

Podolski has made nine appearances for Inter so far, but has yet to find the net for the Giuseppe Meazza outfit.

The 29-year-old's contract with Arsenal runs until June 2016.

Papiss Cisse and Jonny Evans both face FA charge

Newcastle United’s Papiss Cisse and Manchester United’s Jonny Evans have both been charged by The FA following their game on Wednesday 4 March 2015.

The charges are in relation to an alleged breach of FA Rule E1[a] in that in or around the 38th minute of the game the two players spat at each other.

The incidents were not seen by the match officials but caught on video.

Both players have until 6pm on Friday 6 March 2015 to respond to the charge.

In Premier League matches, if an incident has not been seen by the match officials, a three-man panel of former elite referees will be asked by The FA to review the footage independently of each other.

They will then advise what, if any action, they believe the match referee should have taken had it been witnessed at the time.

For an FA charge to follow, all three panel members must agree it is a sending-off offence. 

In this instance, the decision by the panel was unanimous in respect of both players.

'He will become even better', claims Brendan Rodgers

Rodgers insists there is still much more to come from Jordan Henderson, after the midfielder helped orchestrate Liverpool’s victory over Burnley.

The England international scored for the second successive game with a neatly-taken strike in the first half.

He then provided the cross for Daniel Sturridge to head home the second after the break, sealing a 2-0 win and continuing the Reds' charge towards the Premier League top four.

“It was a great strike and that gave us greater confidence in the game and his ball for the second goal was terrific," said Liverpool boss Rodgers afterwards.


“He has great technique and precision and it was a great finish by Daniel.”

In the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard, Henderson has taken over the armband for the Merseyside outfit. 

And his manager believes the former Sunderland man is growing into one of the driving forces within his side.

“He is improving all the time and as he matures even more tactically he will become even better,” added Rodgers.

“He has always had athleticism, he is born with a natural gift to run, and tactically he is improving all the time and his passing is improving and he is becoming one of the real leaders of this team.

“It was a wonderful performance by him and the team in general.”

Zorc outraged as Erdmann mocks Reus injury

The attacker had to be taken off after just 20 minutes with a damaged knee but the player he collided with insists he did not need to go off

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has slammed Dynamo Dresden's Dennis Erdmann for mocking Marco Reus' injury.

The BVB star went down after a clash with Erdmann and had to be taken off after just 20 minutes of their 2-0 DFB-Pokal win and there were initial worries that his leg was broken.

The club, though, have confirmed that Reus has only bruised his knee but could still miss the weekend's clash with Hamburg.

After the game, Erdmann poked fun at him, insisting that he would have kept playing had it been him.

And Zorc has hit back at the centre-back, saying players who act like that should not be allowed on the pitch.

"The statements are an outrage," Zorc said. "Players who speak and act like he did do not belong on the football field. Not even in the same class.

"Sadly, this is not the first time Reus has been injured by a third party. Our creative players must be protected better."

After the game, Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp criticised Erdmann for the tackle, insisting it was not necessary.

Battle for fourth to go down to the wire - Van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal expects the battle for Champions League qualification to go right down to the wire.

Van Gaal says his team are involved in a "rat race" with Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Southampton for the last two Champions League qualification places.

United sit fourth in the standings, just two points in front of Liverpool and four ahead of Southampton, who lead Spurs by two points -- although the Londoners do have a game in hand.

Van Gaal agrees with Arsene Wenger's claim that the contest will still be alive when United and Arsenal take on Hull and West Brom respectively on the last weekend of the season -- although he does not know whether the Arsenal manager was right when he said 72 points would be enough to secure a top-four finish.

"I don't think of how many points (it will take), but he is more experienced in the Premier League so I want to believe him," the United manager said.

"But it is going to the last week, I know that."

If Wenger's estimate is right, United will have to win seven and draw one of their last 11 matches.

That will be no easy task given that they have to face five of the other six teams in the top seven before the end of the season.

The Red Devils host Spurs, Manchester City and Arsenal and they also have to travel to Chelsea and Liverpool.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Southampton have only three fixtures against their rivals in the top seven, but Van Gaal does not seem overly perturbed by United's upcoming games.

He chewed up one question and spat it right back at a reporter on Tuesday when he suggested United had the hardest run-in.

"No, because you said that also in front of the games in the beginning of the season and then we were 13th, do you remember that?" Van Gaal snapped.

"And in spite of all the games that we had in front of us we moved up to third on the 22nd of November after the game against Chelsea."

Van Gaal's powers of recall are impressive, but for parts of this season the play his team has shown has not.

United may have lost twice in 22 matches but some fans have been unhappy with the slow pace of their play.

And during the 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday, United fans booed when Jonny Evans played the ball back to goalkeeper David de Gea.

Van Gaal understands the supporters' frustrations but insists passing back to the goalkeeper is sometimes not the worst option for a defender.

"You have to give credit of your doubt to your player and you have to support him," Van Gaal said before going on something of a technical explanation.

"When you make a mistake in defence it is more or less always a goal against. You have to see that also, the fans have to see that.

"But I agree with the fans that we don't have to use so much the goalkeeper, because I have seen also moments where we can play a higher tempo without interfering with the goalkeeper, but the goalkeeper is also the 11th player.

"He can accelerate our game also and sometimes the solution is, via De Gea, to play forward.

"That is a higher tempo than playing the ball to the player next to you as De Gea is always the second station and it is always better to play the second station, in my opinion, than the first station as you need a lot of first stations to come there."

Van Gaal wants United to stop surrendering possession so easily.

"What we can improve is our unnecessary ball losses," he said.

"When we can avoid too much ball losses unnecessarily then we make a big step."

Van Gaal looks set to recall Angel di Maria for Wednesday's trip to Newcastle even though he substituted the 59.7-million-pound man at half-time on Saturday.

"Di Maria is not the only player who has suffered a bad day," Van Gaal added on MUTV.

"He can be the best player in the world in the next match so I think everything is going well. He has trained very well and I don't think there is any problem."