Today's Fixtures around Europe

Germany - DFB Pokal
Borussia Dortmund
20 : 00
Wolfsburg

Italy - Serie A
Hellas Verona
18 : 00
Juventus

Atalanta
20 : 45
Milan

France - Coupe de France
Auxerre
21 : 00
PSG

Spain - Copa del Rey
Athletic Club
21 : 30
Barcelona

Newcastle release Gutierrez and Taylor

Newcastle United have confirmed that Jonas Gutierrez and Ryan Taylor
will be released by the club.

Winger Gutierrez has been a popular figure at St James' Park since joining
Newcastle in July 2008 and he scored 12 goals in 205 appearances.
The Argentina international returned to the first team earlier this year
following a successful battle against testicular cancer and was on the
scoresheet in the final-day 2-0 victory over West Ham - a win that
secured the club's Premier League safety.
Full-back Taylor's time on Tyneside has been dogged by fitness problems
since he joined in 2009 and he has twice had to overcome serious knee
injuries.
The former Wigan Athletic man managed 10 goals in 110 appearances for
Newcastle.
Managing director Lee Charnley told the club's official website: "It was a
great pleasure to see Ryan and Jonas come back into the team in recent
weeks and compete at the highest level after the injury and illness battles
they have had to overcome.
"To come through those difficult periods with such strength and dignity will
have given hope and inspiration to many and it is clear that our supporters
have a deep connection and affection for both players, as does everyone
associated with the club."

FA Chairman, Greg Dyke - " This isn't over"

Football Association Chairman, Greg Dyke wants Sepp Blatter out of the FIFA presidency despite the Swiss winning his fifth term earlier today.
Greg Dyke "this is not over by any means".

Blatter was re-elected on Friday, two days after the US Justice Department arrested seven Fifa officials for bribery and racketeering charges.
"The idea Blatter could reform Fifa is suspect," claimed Dyke.
"I'd be surprised if Mr Blatter was still in this job in two years' time."

More to follow.

Blatter vows to leave 'strong' FIFA

Sepp Blatter has vowed to leave FIFA in a "strong" and "robust" state after
winning re-election for a fifth term as president on Friday.
Blatter retained his position as head of world football's governing body
after rival candidate Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein conceded defeat following
the first round of voting at the FIFA Congress in Zurich.
Neither candidate managed to achieve the required two-thirds majority for
victory in the opening ballot - Blatter receiving 133 votes to his
challenger's 73 - but Prince Ali stood down before the second round.
The election took place against a backdrop of controversy, following news
on Wednesday that nine FIFA officials, past and present, were among 14
people indicted on charges of racketeering, conspiracy and corruption by
United States authorities.
In his victory speech, Blatter, 79, acknowledged that he is not perfect, but
promised to restore the prestige of the organisation during the next four
years.
"I promise by the end of my term I will give this FIFA to my successor in a
very strong position. A strong FIFA, a robust FIFA," he said.

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Blatter wins fifth FIFA term

Sepp Blatter has been re-elected as FIFA president for a fifth term.
Blatter defeated challenger Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein at the FIFA Congress
in Zurich on Friday, when the latter conceded defeat after the first round of
voting.
Blatter had missed out on the required two-thirds majority in the first
ballot - receiving 133 votes to his rival's 73 - but Prince Ali took to the
stage to withdraw before a second round could begin.
The result came at the end of a day that had been interrupted by a protest
and an anonymous security threat at the Hallenstadion.
The elections took place against a backdrop of controversy following the
news on Wednesday that nine past and present FIFA officials were among
14 people indicted on charges of racketeering, conspiracy and corruption
by United States authorities.
Many had called for the elections to be postponed in light of the
developments, while others – including UEFA president Michel Platini –
urged Blatter to step aside before the vote.
But the Swiss defiantly refused to heed those calls, saying in his opening
address to delegates that he would "shoulder the responsibility to fix
FIFA".
And he will now be given the mandate to carry forward that pledge, having
been voted back into football’s top job by a majority of the 209 member
associations.
However, Blatter appears likely to face a number of challenges in the early
days of his new term, with Platini having previously stated that the UEFA
member nations could boycott all FIFA competitions – including the World
Cup – should Blatter be re-elected.
FIFA vice-president David Gill, meanwhile, threatened to stand down
from the Executive Committee in the event of a Blatter victory.
The fall-out from the indictment of those implicated officials looks set to
rumble on, while a separate Swiss investigation into the awarding of the
2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar could yet cause further
headaches for Blatter and FIFA.
In his speech to delegates ahead of the vote, Blatter had insisted he was the
right man to bring about change within the game.
"I am being held accountable for the current storm," he said. "Okay, so be
it, I will shoulder that responsibility. I will take it upon myself. I will accept
this responsibility to fix FIFA together with you.
"I want to do it now, tomorrow and the day after and the weeks and
months to come."
Earlier in the day, an anonymous threat forced police to step in and search
the premises, with rumours of a bomb threat sparked while delegates were
on a lunch break.
Police were required to assess the venue following the receipt of the threat,
although clearance was subsequently given for the Congress to continue.
Addressing the situation, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said: "An
anonymous threat against the FIFA congress was received. FIFA and the
local authorities immediately evaluated the situation.
"In consultation with FIFA, the local authority decided to search the
premises during the lunch break."

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Rafa Benitez to quit Napoli at the end of the season

Rafa Benitez, 55, has told Napoli he will leave at the end of the season.
He spent 2 years as thier manager after winning the Europa League with Chelsea.
Benitez won 2 trophies with Napoli - Italian Cup(2013-14 ) and Italian Super Cup(2014).

Benitez refused to discuss his future and the prospect of taking charge at Real Madrid, where he had stints as a youth coach, Under-19 coach and
assistant first-team coach in the 1990s.

Benitez previous clubs are Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan and Chelsea.

Should he take the managerial job at Real Madrid, it will be his first in his homeland after years of leaving Valencia.

Rafa Benitez managerial honours:
Valencia: La Liga (2001-02, 2003-04); Uefa Cup (2003-04)
Liverpool: Champions League (2004-05); Uefa Super Cup (2005); FA
Cup (2005-06); Community Shield (2006)
Inter Milan: Supercoppa Italiana (2010); Fifa Club World Cup (2010)
Chelsea: Europa League (2012-13)
Napoli: Italian Cup (2013-14); Italian Super Cup (2014)

Sepp Blatter refuses to quit FIFA

Sepp Blatter has refused to resign as Fifa president following a request
from Uefa chief Michel Platini.
The 79-year-old Swiss held an emergency meeting with key Fifa officials
on Thursday after world football's governing body was subjected to yet
more damaging corruption claims.
He then met Platini alone, at which point he was urged to quit.
Blatter is seeking a fifth term as president when he takes on Prince Ali bin
al-Hussein in Friday's election.
Several influential football figures want the vote delayed after seven Fifa
officials were arrested in Zurich on Wednesday.
But others, among them English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke,
think it should go ahead, believing Prince Ali now has a good chance of
beating Blatter.
Uefa, which governs European football, decided on Thursday not to
boycott the election after initially suggesting it might do.
It will continue to back Prince Ali.

See how Chelsea FC celebrated winning the English title

Chelsea FC claimed their fifth(5th) English title and third(3rd) under manager Jose Mourinho. 

Chelsea were on top of the English premier league table from the beginning of the season - a record in the Premier League era 274 days, last season's winners Man City topped for only 15 days.

Chelsea loss only 3 of their Premier league games this season.

See more picures of Chelsea Premier league winning jubilation below...

Liverpool to keep Balotelli despite flop

Mario Balotelli

In 28 games in all competitions for Liverpool, Balotelli scored just four
goals, attracting the ire of some of the Anfield faithful.
But Raiola has quashed any talk of a potential move for his client.
"No, we had talks with Liverpool and he will definitely stay," the agent told
Sky Sports.
"I think Mario did [adapt]. I can't talk about [Liverpool manager] Brendan
Rodgers, obviously that is something for Brendan, but I think Mario did.
"I have spoken at various times to the club and they were happy with his
input and professionalism.
"Obviously we have to improve the performance but I am really confident
that will happen this year."

Mario Balotelli signed for Liverpool last summer from AC Milan

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Ancelotti pays the price for trophyless season

Ancelotti sacked!
Real and Barca shared La Liga's Clasico spoils but Luis Enrique's side
proved too hot to handle over the season, while Ancelotti's former club
Juventus did the damage to Real's hopes in Europe.
Former Real striker Alvaro Morata was instrumental for Juve as Real were
denied a final meeting with Barca, losing their two-legged semi-final
3-2 on aggregate.
"Injuries have burdened us, especially [the absence of Luka] Modric," said
Ancelotti. "I think that with Isco, James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos, the
team played well and we achieved many victories with this system."
Ancelotti was eventually let go on May 25 after two seasons at the helm.
While the Italian struggled to finish with a flourish and exited a year from
the end of his contract, his delivery of the much-craved 'Decima' to the
Bernabeu will always see him held in high regard.
"What did Ancelotti do wrong? I don't know. The demands here at Real
Madrid are very high," said Perez.
"The affection that the players and the fans have for Carlo is the same as
the affection I myself have for him."

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FIFA in crisis

Fifa executives arrested

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has welcomed investigations launched into
allegations of corruption in world football, following a day in which the
governing body was thrown into crisis.
On Wednesday, 14 people - including nine FIFA officials - were indicted
on charges of racketeering, conspiracy and corruption by Switzerland's
Federal Office of Justice, following a request by United States authorities.
Seven of those charged were arrested in Zurich earlier in the day.
They were later named as FIFA vice-presidents Jeffrey Webb and Eugenio
Figueredo, along with executive committee member Eduardo Li,
development officer Julio Rocha, attache to the CONCACAF president
Costas Takkas, CONMEBOL executive committee member Rafael Esquivel
and FIFA organising committee member Jose Maria Marin.
Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner and ex-executive committee
member Nicolas Leoz complete the line-up of indicted FIFA officials.
The fallout to Wednesday's proceedings has been swift, and widespread,
with UEFA calling for Friday's FIFA presidential elections to be
postponed.
Blatter - who will seek re-election for a fifth term in that vote, and is not
among those accused by the authorities of any wrongdoing - issued a
statement vowing that FIFA would do everything in its power to root out
corruption within the game.
He also confirmed that 11 individuals had already been provisionally
banned from carrying out any football-related activity.
"This is a difficult time for football, the fans and for FIFA as an
organisation," read the statement. "We understand the disappointment that
many have expressed and I know that the events of today will impact the
way in which many people view us.
"As unfortunate as these events are, it should be clear that we welcome the
actions and the investigations by the US and Swiss authorities and believe
that it will help to reinforce measures that FIFA has already taken to root
out any wrongdoing in football.
"While there will be many who are frustrated with the pace of change, I
would like to stress the actions that we have taken and will continue to take.
In fact, today's action by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General was set
in motion when we submitted a dossier to the Swiss authorities late last
year.
"Let me be clear: such misconduct has no place in football and we will
ensure that those who engage in it are put out of the game. Following the
events of today, the independent Ethics Committee - which is in the midst
of its own proceedings regarding the awarding of the 2018 and 2022
FIFA World Cups - took swift action to provisionally ban those
individuals named by the authorities from any football-related activities at
the national and international level.
"These actions are on top of similar steps that FIFA has taken over the past
year to exclude any members who violate our own Code of Ethics.
"We will continue to work with the relevant authorities and we will work
vigorously within FIFA in order to root out any misconduct, to regain your
trust and ensure that football worldwide is free from wrongdoing."
FIFA PROBE - HOW THE DAY UNFOLDED:
- Early on Wednesday morning, FIFA officials and those from sub-
organisations are arrested following a United States Department of Justice
(USDoJ) request, with Swiss authorities confirming the charges relate to
corruption allegations.
- A total of 14 people are indicted, including nine FIFA officials, seven of
whom have been arrested.
- Those arrested are alleged to have solicited and received bribes totalling
in excess of $100million between the early 1990s and the present day.
- FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali bin Al Hussein calls it a "sad day
for football" and demands drastic changes in the way the governing body is
run.
- Swiss prosecutors open separate criminal proceedings against "persons
unknown" in relation to alleged money laundering with regard to the 2018
and 2022 World Cups, with FIFA described as the "injured party".
- At a hastily arranged press conference, FIFA explain they are "very
happy" with the arrests and for the investigations to take place, while
confirming president Sepp Blatter and vice-president Jerome Valcke are
not involved in the probe.
- Director of communications Walter de Gregorio adds that the hosting of
the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will not be affected and that Friday's
presidential elections will go ahead as planned.
- US Department of Justice (USDoJ) names the indicted FIFA officials,
who include Jack Warner and CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb.
- Ex FIFA vice-president Warner pleads his innocence, saying: "I reiterate
that I am innocent of any charges. The actions of FIFA no longer concern
me. I have been afforded no due process and I have not even been
questioned in this matter."
- The "majority" of the football officials arrested on Wednesday contest
extradition to the United States, it is announced, leaving Switzerland's
Federal Office for Justice awaiting formal requests within 40 days before
proceedings can be resumed.
- European football's governing body UEFA calls for Friday's elections to
be postponed, and expresses concern that corruption is "deeply rooted in
FIFA's culture".
- FIFA bans 11 individuals from carrying out any football-related
activities, a move welcomed by Blatter.

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Sevilla retains Europa League trophy - makes history

Colombian Carlos Bacca with a brace

Sevilla became the first side to win European football's second-tier
competition on four occasions with a pulsating 3-2 victory over Dnipro in
Wednesday's UEFA Europa League final.
The Andalusian club lifted the trophy in 2006 and 2007 - under its
former guise as the UEFA Cup - and they have now made it back-to-back
crowns for a second time, as Carlos Bacca scored twice to prove the hero.
Unai Emery's side won the competition last season in a penalty shootout
following a nervy 0-0 draw with Benfica, but this encounter proved a
much more entertaining affair.
Dnipro, competing in their first European final, took an early lead through
Nikola Kalinic, but they then found themselves behind when Sevilla struck
twice in three minutes.
First, Grzegorz Krychowiak fired home after Dnipro had failed to deal with
a ball into the box, and then Bacca produced a composed finish.
The Ukrainian side battled to level before the break, as captain Ruslan
Rotan converted a free-kick.
However, it was Bacca who had the final say, latching onto Vitolo's clever
pass to rifle home with 17 minutes left to play and ensuring Sevilla claimed
a piece of history - and a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League.
Sevilla made a bright start, but it was Dnipro who took the lead through
Kalinic in the seventh minute.
After flicking the ball onto Matheus, the Croatian striker made his way into
the box and met his team-mate's perfect cross with a powerful downward
header from eight yards.
Emery's men responded well to that early setback, with captain Jose
Antonio Reyes firing a shot narrowly wide before Krychowiak saw his
header from Ever Banega's corner clawed away by Dnipro goalkeeper
Denys Boyko.
The Polish midfielder was not to be denied for long, though, as, in the 28th
minute, he controlled Bacca's cushioned lay-off and fired the ball low into
the right-hand corner.
Three minutes later, the holders were in front.
Reyes this time produced a superb defence-splitting pass and Bacca sprung
the offside trap, before rounding Boyko to slot home.
As the free-flowing action continued, Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico
produced a stunning fingertip save to keep out Yevhen Konoplyanka's
rasping drive from distance, and Aleix Vidal went close with a similarly
powerful drive at the other end.
Just as it seemed Sevilla would reach half-time with the lead, Rotan
stepped up and curled an excellent free-kick beyond Rico into the top
corner from 25 yards.
In a less eventful second period, the key moment arrived in the 73rd
minute.
Vitolo latched onto a loose ball just outside the area and produced a
sublime first-time pass with the outside of his right foot, which ran
perfectly into Bacca's path.
The Colombian made no mistake with a low left-footed finish.
Bacca - who celebrated his winner by unfurling his nation's flag - could
have sealed a perfect hat-trick six minutes later, but Boyko spread himself
well to keep out the striker's header.
There was a moment of concern in the final moments of the match as
Matheus collapsed off the ball, seemingly following a clash of heads with
Benoit Tremoulinas, but the Dnipro man appeared to be conscious as he
left the field on a stretcher.

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BOXING: Floyd Mayweather Vs Manny Pacquaio

Floyd Mayweather(left) vs Manny Pacquaio (right)

Floyd Mayweather will try to improve his record to 47-0 with a victory at the MGM Grand on Saturday night. He defeated Marcos Maidana his past two fights. Mayweather defeated Maidana via majority decision on May 3, 2014 and via unanimous decision on Sept. 13, 2014. He is putting his WBA (Super), WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles on the line.

American Floyd Mayweather

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao has won three straight fights and is 57-5-2 overall. He defeated Chris Algieri via unanimous decision this past November at The Venetian Macao in Macau, China in his last trip to the ring.

Filipino Manny Pacquiao

Mayweather is reportedly guaranteed $180 million for this fight, while Pacquiao will get $120 million