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FORMER FRANCE DEFENDER JEAN-PIERRE ADAMS DIES AFTER 39 YEARS IN COMA

Former France defender Jean-Pierre Adams has died at the age of 73, almost 40 years after falling into a coma following a medical error, his former clubs announced on Monday.

In 1982, Adams was administered a near-fatal dose of anaesthetic ahead of a routine knee operation, which caused brain damage.

On the day of Adams’ operation to repair a damaged tendon – suffered while on a coaching training camp – many staff at the hospital in Lyon were on strike.

Born in Senegal, the defender made more than 140 appearances for Nice and also played for Paris Saint-Germain.

In a statement, PSG said Adams’ “joie de vivre, charisma and experience commanded respect”.

Nice said the club would pay tribute to Adams – who won 22 caps for France between 1972-1976 – before their next home game against Monaco on 19 September.

Adams also made 84 appearances for Nimes, who said they were sending their “most sincere condolences to his loved ones and his family”.

Since the accident, Adams has been cared for by his wife, Bernadette.

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COPA AMERICA: NEYMAR STARS AS BRAZIL OPEN CUP DEFENCE WITH CONVINCING WIN OVER VENEZUELA

Neymar was on target as Brazil opened their Copa America defence with a 3-0 win over Venezuela at Estadio Nacional on Monday.

Hosting the tournament after it had been moved from Colombia and Argentina amid political unrest in the former and a spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the latter, Brazil were never troubled by a Venezuela side that had reported 12 positive coronavirus tests amongst their ranks earlier this week.

Marquinhos got them on their way midway through the first half with his third international goal before Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Neymar doubled their advantage from the penalty spot in the 64th minute.

Brazil – who finished with 18 shots to Venezuela’s three – added a third late on when substitute Gabriel Barbosa turned home a Neymar cross from close range.

Brazil started on the front foot and twice went close early on, Joel Graterol keeping out Richarlison and Eder Militao heading wide from a teasing Renan Lodi cross.

They were rewarded for their bright start in the 23rd minute when Marquinhos flicked home from close range after Neymar’s corner had fallen kindly to him.

Richarlison saw an effort ruled out for offside soon after, while Neymar dragged wide from a promising position as Brazil failed to extend their advantage before the interval.

Neymar was unable to steer home a Gabriel Jesus cross at the start of the second period, but he stroked home from the spot shortly after the hour mark after Danilo had been clipped in the area by Yohan Cumana.

Late on Neymar turned provider for Brazil’s third in the 89th minute, rounding Graterol and crossing for Barbosa to chest home from almost on the line.

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EMILIANO SALA’S FAMILY TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION OVER FOOTBALLER’S DEATH IN PLANE CRASH

Emiliano Sala’s family are taking legal action against Cardiff City and French club Nantes after the Argentine footballer died in a plane crash two years ago, British media have reported.

A single-engine plane carrying Sala from Nantes to his new team Cardiff crashed on January 21st, 2019 in the English Channel. He never played for the Welsh side who bought him for a club record £15 million (€17.5 million).

The wreckage was found nearly two weeks later following a privately-funded underwater search and the 28-year-old’s body was recovered three days later. The body of the plane’s pilot David Ibbotson was not found.

Thirteen defendants were named, but proceedings will be delayed with David Henderson, who allegedly arranged the flight, set to stand trial in October.

“The family of Emiliano Sala are asking the coroner to fix the inquest date when she reviews matters, with a date soon after the trial of David Henderson, which has been fixed for 18th October 2021,” their lawyer Daniel Machover was quoted as saying.

“In the meantime, in order to protect their legal rights and remedies arising from Emiliano’s untimely death, the family have commenced civil proceedings in the high court, but will seek agreement to stay those proceedings pending the outcome of the inquest.”

An official investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch revealed the plane crashed after the pilot lost control and the aircraft broke up while flying too fast.

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BARCELONA AGREE TERMS WITH INTER MILAN FOR VIDAL MOVE.

According to very reliable journalists, including Fabrizio Romano and Gianluca Di Marzio, Arturo Vidal to Inter is confirmed.

An agreement between Barcelona and the Italian club has been reached for a transfer fee of just €1m.

The price tag on Vidal is obviously symbolic since a 33-year-old Vidal is not worth a lot, the Catalan club is more focused on getting rid of the player’s wage.

The Chilean midfielder is expected to arrive in Milan tomorrow to complete his transfer. Reportedly, Vidal will sign a two-year deal, earning him €6m net per season.

Arturo Vidal has joined Barcelona in August 2018 for a €18m transfer fee, leaving German giants Bayern Munich. Since then, the midfielder has played a total of 4989 minutes in a Barça jersey, featuring in 96 games in which he scored 11 goals and made 10 assists.

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Vardy wins golden boot

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy became the oldest player to win the Premier League Golden Boot after finishing the season with 23 goals.

The 33-year-old ended up a goal clear of Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Southampton striker Danny Ings, both on 22.

Vardy is the ninth English player to win or share the Golden Boot.

Last season Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah and Arsenal’s Aubameyang shared it with 22 each.

Vardy still finished clear despite failing to score on the final day as Leicester lost 2-0 to Manchester United to miss out on a Champions League place.

“It’s a wonderful individual achievement,” said Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers. “We wouldn’t be where we are without his quality and goals. 

“He’s a joy to work with, has a great mentality and has such quality. It’s a huge accolade and we’re all delighted for him.”

Former England striker Vardy scored more in 2015-16, Leicester’s title-winning season, with 24 goals – but missed out that time to Harry Kane’s 25.

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Carzola to join saudi side

Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla is set to join Qatari club Al Sadd.

Cazorla, 35, played his last game for Spanish club Villarreal on Sunday and his contract has now expired.

In joining Al Sadd, Cazorla will be managed by former Spain international team-mate Xavi, who has extended his deal at the club until 2021.

“We have reached an agreement with Santi Cazorla,” Al Sadd tweeted. “He will reach Doha soon to complete the formalities and join the team.”

Cazorla played 180 times across six seasons for Arsenal between 2012 and 2018 and spent the last two seasons playing for Villarreal for the second time in his career.

Manchester City’s David Silva, 34, is also being linked with a move to Qatar, with Al-Duhail said to be keen on the Spanish midfielder.

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“THIS LEAGUE IS UNFORGIVING” : TIM KRUL BITTERED AFTER BURNLEY LOSS.

Norwich City goalkeeper, Tim Krul has provided an honest assessment of the Burnley game on Saturday, after a 2-0 defeat to the Clarets.


Speaking to the club website, he said: “It’s difficult to find words if I’m honest. I think we’ve let ourselves down a little bit over the last few weeks, I’ve said it before. At the start of the season I definitely thought we had enough in this squad to be staying up.


“There’s obviously been more reasons, I don’t want to chuck too many excuses on it but with injuries, seeing Zimbo [Christoph Zimmermann] back today is the only positive. We’ve definitely missed him this year, he’s a rock.
“All centre-halves have been injured in some way this season and I think there’s been a big doubt. To analyse today, you nearly can’t.


“I’m really proud of the effort in the second-half, the way we defended with nine men, Ben [Godfrey] in particular blocking and heading everything with Zimbo. It’s hard that he scored an own goal. If you go with nine men in the second-half, the game is over.”


“Zimbo is a massive player for us, he’s shown it for years now and he’s a leader we’ve been missing. I’m pleased to see him back, he’s been working extremely hard in the background, but at the end of the day the season is over and that’s the hardest thing to take.”


Speaking on performances since the restart, Krul says although the right intentions were in place, the quality simply hasn’t been present.
“We’ve been in some games; we just haven’t been able to nick a draw and it’s frustrating. This league is unforgiving, and you can see that today. It’s hard enough with eleven men and to go down with nine is highly disappointing.


“Fans are not here; we haven’t been able to give them anything after the break. It’s been very disappointing since we have returned. 
“We haven’t been able to turn things around, the intentions were there, we’ve worked hard. The quality just hasn’t been there the last few months.”

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Norwich go out on a whimper

Norwich boss Daniel Farke said the two first-half red cards which played a crucial role in his side’s defeat by Burnley were “naive, inexperienced, stupid and not professional”.

Emiliano Buendia was shown a straight red for elbowing Ashley Westwood, after referee Kevin Friend watched a replay on the pitchside monitor.

Nine minutes later, Josip Drmic’s high-studded tackle on Erik Pieters received the same punishment, before Chris Wood’s scuffed overhead kick put Burnley in front on the stroke of half-time.

“Burnley reacted in a way that an experienced, established, smart Premier League side should react. They wanted to break up our rhythm. They tried to null ourselves a little bit, bring hectic into the game, tried to provoke a little bit,” Farke told BBC Sport.

“I’m not accusing them because that’s exactly what you have to do if you’re an experienced team. My players walked into this trap and there were two red cards which of course was crucial to the game.

“You have to call this situation naive, inexperienced, stupid and not professional – all the words fit. The players know what they have done for this team. The red cards are not a doubt.”

It had been an uneventful opening half an hour before Norwich’s capitulation, with just one shot on target from either side.

The hosts defended well at times in the second half to keep the score down but Burnley’s victory was confirmed when Ben Godfrey poked the ball into the back of his own net with 10 minutes remaining.

Norwich become only the third club in the Premier League to lose five in a row at home without scoring, while Burnley move above Arsenal into ninth place.

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Barcelona lose La liga

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi says “things have to change” at the club as they lost their La Liga title on the night their 30-game unbeaten home run in the league came to an end.

Even a win would not have been enough for Barca, as Real Madrid beat Villarreal 2-1 to win the title.

Jose Arnaiz put Osasuna ahead before Messi levelled with a free-kick.

The visitors had Enric Gallego sent off for elbowing Clement Lenglet before Roberto Torres’ close-range winner.

Messi, who is La Liga’s top scorer on 23 goals with one game to go, said: “We didn’t expect to finish in this way, but it sums up the year for us.

“We are a weak team who can be beaten with enough intensity and enthusiasm.

“We have lost a lot of points which we shouldn’t have done. We have been very inconsistent.

“We need to be self-critical, starting with the players, but also across the entire club. We are Barcelona, and we are obliged to win every game.”

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Liverpool to lift league in a special ceremony

Liverpool will lift the Premier League trophy in a special ceremony on the Kop following next Wednesday’s fixture with Chelsea.

Jurgen Klopp’s team secured their first league title in 30 years in June but fans will not be at Anfield to watch the ceremony because of Covid-19.

It will be aired for free on Sky’s Pick channel in the UK.

Club legend Sir Kenny Dalglish will hand out medals before club captain Jordan Henderson lifts the trophy.

Henderson – who lifted the Champions League trophy last season – will be the first Liverpool captain to lift the trophy awarded to the English champions since Alan Hansen in 1990, despite his season being over because of a knee injury.

Henderson and his team-mates will receive the trophy on a podium surrounded by banners made by fans and built in the middle of the famous Kop Stand.

The club has urged fans to “stay at home to enjoy the ceremony” in light of the ongoing measures in place to safeguard against the spread of coronavirus.

“With supporters unable to attend the behind-closed-doors fixture, the historic occasion will involve a unique presentation designed to acknowledge and celebrate Liverpool fans,” the club said.

In the aftermath of Liverpool mathematically sealing the title, fans gathered at Anfield despite being warned it was not safe to do so.

Fans also gathered at the city’s waterfront the following evening and faced criticism from both the club and the city’s mayor Joe Anderson.