The Louisiana State's Boxing and Wrestling Commission, has enacted an emergency rule, banning Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) women fighters, with breast implants from competing in any state scheduled bouts.

However, the rule stated that fighters, who wants to participate in a bout in the state, must produce a clearance from the doctor, who performed their surgery.

Woman with Breast Implants (O.Shapoval - Dreamtimes)

The new rule covers boxing and mixed martial arts, but not wrestling, which is also a combating sport under the control and regulation of the commission.

The commissioner of the organisation, Mr Harold Williams, said during the meeting, that those who want to look good, should not be in the fighting ring. In order words, one cannot be aiming to appear beautiful and be combating in a brutal sport.

''If they want to look good, then they don't have to be in the ring,'' he said.

What prompted the organisation to act and make such rule now, was that a woman fighter, who was scheduled for a fight in the state, withdrew from the match, due to a problem she was having with her breast implants.

Read: melvinsports.blogspot.com

The Commission decided to act, fearing the financial implications, if a woman develops breast implants problem in a fighting ring.

According to The New Orleans Times-Picayune, the rule was temporary (60 days), as the Commission collects more information on the issue.

Louisiana is the first state in the United Satates, to make such a ban. Maybe some of the other states will follow there example. Breast implants can be very dangerous and life threatening, if it starts to lick, or even got bursted in a bout.

I fully understand the nervousness of the commission on the issue.
It was the correct decision to take, before any disaster takes place in a fight.
What do you think? Do you think that the commission was correct to act.
Please, use the comment link to post your reaction to the ban. Thanks.

Ban On The Liberia Football Chief Lifted

The ban on the Liberia Football Association President, Mr Musa Bility, has been lifted before the six months expiration due date. The Ban was placed on him on May 2, 2013, by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), for ''Violation of statutes relating to the use of confidential documents,'' according to the organisation.

The football governing body in Africa wrote in their website, yesterday that the ban on Mr Musa Hassan Bility, has been lifted with immediate effect.

Mr Bility and his association, was opposed to CAF changing the rules of election, in order to re-elect the president of CAF, Mr Isa Hayatou, unopposed in March this year.

Musa Hassan Bility

 

The LFA president then took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), but unfortunately he lost twice there.

In May, when the ban was announced, Mr Bility told Associated Press, that he had immediately appealed the decision, banning him for six months. He implied, that he was being banned, because of his opposition to CAF changing the rules, so that Isa Hayatou will be re-elected unopposed. He also appealed the $10,000 fine imposed on his association.

The Liberia football chief, said in May, after the ban was imposed on him that ''there was no justification'' for the punishment and that ''it was wrong''.
He added that, it was because he and his federation took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

CAF said, that the reason for the ban was because, Mr Bility, used confidential minutes from their executive committee meetings, without permission to do so.

The 2015 African Cup of Nations Hosts Cities Named

The host cities for the 2015 African Cup of Nations has been announced, by the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the football governing body in Africa.

 

The cities in Morocco to hosts the matches are Agadir, Marrakech, Rabat and Tangier, while Casablanca was named as a reserve venue. The reserve stadium in Casablanca, will be used if any of the afor-mentioned four has any kind of problem, that would make it difficult to use in the tournament.
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Ineligible Players Worries FIFA

The world football governing body - FIFA has said that, the increase in the number of ineligible players, used by some African countries, is a great source of concern to the organisation. During the 2014 World Cup qualification matches, some countries used banned players.

Inspite of severe punishment of forfeiture of the match, with 3 - 0 and the three points awarded to the opponents, the trend seem to be on the increase.

The FIFA director of competitions, Mr Mustapha Fahmy, who happened to be the former secretary-general of Confederation of African Football (CAF), said in the CAF website, that this problem is only happening in Africa, and that FIFA was going to deliberate on the issue.

 

''We have noted with some concern what has happened with a number of teams falling foul to the rules of the competition, which are clearly spelt out.''

''This only happened with one continent, Africa... others like Europe, Asia or South America did not experience the same problems, where disciplinary action had to be taken.

''We need to look into what happened and work on finding solutions and ways to assist (and avoid) similar occurances in future,'' he said.

He added, ''We will come up with possible solutions and discuss them in our courses with member associations.

''We are always looking to improve and provide better organistion for all our competitions,'' Mr Fahmy said.

Read: melvinsports.blogspot.com

It is pertinent to note here, that about eight African countries ran foul of the rules of the competition, during this World Cup qualification matches for Brazil 2014. And inspite of FIFA's punishment of forfeitures, with 3 - 0 and three points awarded to the opponents, the problem continued.

Cape Verde Island, paid dearly for fielding an ineligible player in their last qualifier match against Tunisia, in which they won 2 - 0 and qualified for the play-offs. The Cape Verdians finished on top of the table, and qualified for the play-offs, but FIFA punishment came with 3 - 0 and three points deduction.

 Tunisia was awarded three points, which took them from second position to the first, so they qualified for the play-offs instead. Tunisia will be playing Cameroon in the play-offs in October and November.

The latest country in hot water for this problem is Liberia. FIFA
Disciplinary Committee, has opened proceedings against Liberian Football Association for allegedly, using an ineligible player in the World Cup qualifier match, against Angola on the September 7.

Angola won the match 4 - 1, but finished third on the table while Liberia finished fourth. FIFA has invited the Liberian Football Association, to come and defend themselves with any necessary documents or evidence pertaining to the case.

The Draw For 2014 African Nations Championship

The African Nations Championship (CHAN) draw for the 2014 tournament in South Africa for the group phase is out. The mundial is organised by the African football governing body (CAF) for the home based players alone.

There are four groups of A to D, with each group containing four teams. The top two will qualify for the second round which is the knockout phase. Here is the draw for the group phase.

Group  A             Group  B            Group  C          Group  D
South Africa         Burkina Faso      Ghana                DRC
Nigeria                  Morocco             Congo               Burundi
Mali                      Zimbabwe           Libya                Gabon
Mozambique         Uganda               Ethiopia            Mauritania

 

Group A: This has the host of the tournament - South Africa and Nigeria which is appearing in the tournament for the first time after qualifying by knocking out Ivory Coast on the aggregate of 4 - 3. Nigeria is one of the favourites. Mali is also a strong team in the group, but Mozambique may surprise everyone and qualify.

Group B: In this group, on paper Morocco and Burkina Faso are expected to qualify for the second round but Zimbabwe which beat South Africa last week in a friendly has also a good chance. Uganda has chance also after winning the regional title.

Group C: This group has one of the favourites that may win the title - Ghana, who was the finalist in the first edition against the winner - Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Any of the other three - Libya, Ethiopia and Congo has a chance of qualifying along with Ghana.

Group D: In this group, DRC, the champion of the first edition in 2009, is the favourite to qualify, while Gabon has more chance to go through with the DRC, but you never know, this is football, anything can happen. Burundi and Mauritania may turn-out to be a big surprise and qualify.

The African Nations Championship (CHAN), was first organised in 2009 in Ivory Coast and the second edition was held in Sudan. Next year will be the third edition of the tournament.

World Cup 2014: African Play-offs Drawn

The 2014 World Cup - African play-offs has just been conducted in Cairo, Egypt. The play-offs winners are to be determined by two legs encounters - home and away. The winner then qualify automatically to the Brazil summer mundial. Without much ado, here are the draws:

Ivory Coast      vs   Senegal
Ghana              vs   Egypt
Ethiopia           vs   Nigeria
Tunisia            vs   Cameroon  
Burkina Faso   vs   Algeria

The number one ranked African country in football will be playing against Senegal, the team they met in the African Cup of Nations qualifier match in Dakar, Oct. 2012. Riot broke out in that match as Ivory Coast led 2 - 0 in the match with about 70 minutes played.

 

 The match was abandoned and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the football governing body in Africa, banned Senegal for one year, no home matches would be played in Senegal, so they played all their home games in neutral countries - Guinea and Morocco. The ban will be over by the time Terenge Lions will be playing the return leg in November.

The second ranked African Ghana, will be playing against Egypt - the only country that had 100% results during the qualifying phase. With the ongoing unrest in Egypt, it is not known at the time, this article is being written, whether the Pharaohs will be playing their home game in Cairo or continue to play in El Gouna town, with 12,000 seater stadium.

Algeria is the third ranked country and will be meeting the finalist in the 2013 African Cup of Nations - Burkina Faso. Though Algeria is ranked the third best African team, the Burkinabes has shown that they are a force to reckon with. Their qualification for the play-offs and finalist at the ACN is there as proof for anyone to see.

The fourth seeded team is the current African champions - Nigeria, which is drawn against Ethiopia. It is pertinent to note here, that the two countries has met 7 times already and the champions had the upper hand. Out of the 7 times, Nigeria has won 5 times, drew one and lost one. Nigeria must not underate the Ethiopians, after all they did not qualify for the play-offs by shear accident. They worked hard to be here.

The fifth seed is Tunisia against Cameroon. Tunisia was seeded fifth, because the fifth ranked African team Mali did not qualify for the play-offs, hence Tunisia the sixth ranked. Tunisia did not initially qualify for the play-offs, but last week Cape Verde which qualified, was punished by FIFA with 3 points deduction, for fielding an ineligible player in a match in March 2013.

You can read an article I wrote about this last week, it was titled, ''Tunisia Replaces Cape Verde In The WC Play-offs'' Please check the right hand side of your screen, you will see it, under archieve.

All the first matches will be played between October 11 - 15, while the second ones will be played between November 15 - 19. FIFA notified all the countries involved to submit the dates, venues and times of the matches by Friday this week.

Didier Zokora Fined About $20,000

Didier Zokora (32) - the Ivorian international and Turkish club Trabzonspor midfielder, has been fined the sum of approximately $20,000 for leaving the national team camp in anger, when the coach handed the captain's armband back to Didier Drogba, as the team was preparing for their last World Cup qualifier match against Morocco, on September 7th 2013.

Didier Zokora

Zokora was the assistant captain of the national team known as - The Elephant. He has been the intrim captain. Drogba is the team's captain but has not featured for the team for several months.

So when he was recalled backed by the coach, Mr Sabri Lamouchi, he was given back the armband. But Zokora stormed out of the camp, as a result of the action of the coach.

This behaviour did not sit well with the Football Federation of Ivory Coast, so the organisation fined the player.

In a statement the president of the federation, Mr Sidy Diallo, said, ''Mr Didier Zokora, will no longer wear the captain armband of the national team no matter the circumstances.''

Mr Diallo, added, ''The last grouping of the Ivorian national team was marked by an unacceptable reaction from Didier Zokora concerning the captaincy of the team.''

The Elephant went on and drew 1 - 1, in the World Cup qualifier against Morocco. The team qualified for the play-offs, and the draw for the play-offs will be held on Monday, 16th September, in Cairo, Egypt.

Tunisia Replaces Cape Verde In The WC Playoff

The amazing fairy-tale story of Cape Verde Island qualification, for the World Cup play-off, has suffered a massive blow, as FIFA sanctioned the Cape Verdean Football Association, for fielding an ineligible player, in the World Cup qualifing decider match against Tunisia on 7th September, 2013.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ordered the forfeiture of the match and awarded 3 - 0 to Tunisia. The three points awarded to Tunisia, brings their total tally to 14 points, while Cape Verde now in second position finished with 9 points.

The ineligible player in question was Fernando Varela, who was suspended for four matches, for his unsportman behaviour against a match official, during a FIFA World Cup qualifier match in March, 2013, after he was given a red card. He did not serve his full suspension, before playing in the match against Tunisia, on the 7th of September.

The play-offs draw will be held on Monday, the 16th of September in Cairo, with the five best placed African countries on the FIFA Ranking list, that was just released for September, seeded.

Nigeria Thrashed Burkina Faso 4 - 1 In A Friendly

The Nigeria's Super Eagles thrashed Burkina Faso's Stallions 4 - 1 today in Kaduna in what seemed like a repeat performance of their African Cup of Nations final match earlier this year in South Africa. Though the scoreline margin were not the same.

In the African Cup of Nations in February, Nigeria defeated the Stallions by a lone goal to lift up the trophy for a third time.

Stephen Keshi

 

Ideye Brown of Dynamo Kiev, who has been finding it difficult recently to score goals for the Super Eagles, scored twice in the first half.
The other two goal were scored by Shola Ameobi of Newcastle United and Emmanuel Emenike of Fenerbahce who also scored the first goal on Saturday in the 2 - 0 win of Nigeria against Malawi in the world cup qualifying match.

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Burkina Faso player Saidou Simpore, scored a consolation goal for the Stallions. Both teams missed some star players in this match. Nigeria missed Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa who all were allowed to go back to their clubs, after the Malawi match. Burkina Faso also missed star players - Traore and Bance.

In the other African friendly match today, Ghana was defeated 3 - 1 in Tokyo by Japan. Ghana scored the first goal of the match on the 24th minute by Frank Acheampong. On the 50th minute Shinji Kagawa equalised for Japan, while on the 64th minute Japan increased the their scoreline, with a goal from Yasuhito Endo. Then on the 72 minute mark, Japan struck again through the goal of Keisuke Honda.

The Super Eagles Flew Over The Flames

The Super Eagles of Nigeria over powered the Flames of Malawi in their world cup Brazil 2014 qualifying decider in Calabar with a 2 - 0 win. The goals came from the former Spartak Moscow striker, Emmanuel Emenike and Chelsea winger now on loan to Liverpool, Victor Moses. It could have been more, but for the wonderful saves from their goalkeeper.

Emmanuel Emenike, joined the Turkish top club, Fenerbahce last month from Spartak Moscow on a fee of €13.2m, while Victor Moses was sent on a season loan to Liverpool for a fee of €1.2m. Moses goal came from penalty.

 As anticipated, Nigeria dorminated the match, ball possession, pace and skills, but the Malawi Flames did their best to keep the score margin at a minimum level. The Malawian keeper made a couple of good saves.

The first goal came at the last minute of the first half, Onazi sent a long range ball from the midfield into the Malawian eighteen to Emenike who beat the defender marking him and lobe the ball over the body of the onrushing goalkeeper. It was a world class finishing from the striker.

The Nigerian team played very well, they showed that they have superior qualities to the Malawians, as virtually all the Nigerian players are playing in the major leagues in Europe, while just a couple of the Malawian play in South Africa.

The second goal was a beautiful combination between Nnamdi Oduamadi and Ahmed Musa. Oduamadi already beaten the first player and also beaten their captain who brought him down and referee gave penalty, which the new Liverpool man, Victor Moses, made no mistake in putting into the net.

After the match the Malawian coach, Mr Tom Saintfiet, said that, "We came with a game plan to hold the Eagles to a goalless draw in the first 45 minutes and then leave them apprehensive in the second half, but that didn't work"

"But that goal, with 30 secs left. It was a killer. It killed us and it was a mistake from my left defender.

"He was not coming back to defend and you could have seen me shouting, about five times to ask him to come back," he said.

"But I must admit we lost to a better side and I wish the super Eagles all the best and hope that they qualify for the world cup in 2014," he added.

As for the penalty given, he said that he was 90% sure that it was not a penalty, but would like to watch it again.

"For the penalty, I have to look at it again. But I am 90% sure it was not a penalty.''

Mr Saintfiet, acknowledged that the player, Limbikani Mvaza, as the last man, was wrong when he brought Musa down as he was rushing to the goal. He was sent off for a second bookable offence in the match towards the ending part.

''When I saw it, I would have given a red myself. But I spoke to the player and he told me he got the ball. I would still have given a red,'' he said.

On his own reaction the Nigerian coach, Mr Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, said that the Malawians came to defend. He said, that the game was difficult but he thanked God for the victory which is very important.

Victor Moses

''Malawi is a great team, they came here with one target and that was to defend. It was a difficult game but we thank God that we got the victory, which is very important.''

''In all I thought we had a good game in the second half. In the first half the Malawians made it difficult because we didn't have enough mobility in the front line, but immediately we picked it we got the first goal from Emenike.''

''We decided to come out in the second half and play more intensive game and got the second goal again, penalty," Keshi added.

With this victory Nigeria has qualified for the ten teams play-off, it would be a two way matches, the winner would qualify for the 2014 world cup. The five victors will go to Brazil 2014. The draw for the play-off will be drawn on the 16th of September in Cairo.

The following 9 teams have qualified for the play-off, they are Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Algeria and Senegal. On Sunday, the winner of the match between Cameroon and Libya will complete the set.

The Result of this weekend WC Qualifier
South Africa                    4 - 1  Botswana  
Central Africa Republic  1 - 2  Ethiopia
Nigeria                            2 - 0  Malawi
Angola                            4 - 1  Liberia
Niger                               2 - 2  Congo
Burkina Faso                  1 - 0  Gabon
Sierra Leone                   3 - 2  Equatorial Guinea
Gambia                           2 - 0  Tanzania
Ivory Coast                     1 - 1  Morocco
Tunisia                            0 - 2  Cape Verde
Senegal                           1 - 0  Uganda
Cameroon                          -     Libya  

Some Notable African Transfers In The EPL

The open window for transfer of footballers has just been concluded and many players were bought and sold, while some were sent on loan by their teams for one reason or the other. Teams brought in players to help strenghten their squad in order to be in a better position to win matches.

This season the transfer record of last season was broken. A total of €747m was spent by the premier league. Last year's record was €628m. Among the players bought with part of the above mentioned amount were some African players.

Kolo Toure of Liverpool

The Celtic and Kenyan international, Victor Wanyama (22), joined Southampton on a transfer fee of €15m while the Ivorian and Vitesse striker, Wilfried Bony, joined Swansea City, on a transfer fee of €13.5m. Samuel Etoo (32), the undoubtably African most successful footballer, of Russia's Anzhi and Cameroon international signed a one year deal with Chelsea on a free transfer.

Victor Anichebe (25) of Everton and Nigerian international striker, joined West Brom on a fee of €7m and Stephane Sessegnon of Sunderland and Benin Republic international joined West Brom for a sign on fee of €7m.

Derek Boateng, of Ghana and Dnipro joined Fulham on a free transfer. Benoit Assou-Ekotto, of Tottenham and Cameroon international joined Queens Park Rangers (QPR) on a long season loan.

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Peter Odemwingie (32), of West Brom and Nigerian international joined Cardiff City, after he was frozened out by the club for his failed attempt to force West Brom to sell him to Harry Redknap's QPR in January. He joined Cardiff on a transfer fee of €3m. He now has a fresh start to his career.

Kolo Toure (32), the Ivorian international and Manchester City defender joined Liverpool on a free transfer. While Chealsea and Nigerian winger Victor Moses, also joined Liverpool on a season loan for a fee of €1.2m.

The Ghanian international, Christian Atsu, signed a long time contract with Chelsea but was immediately sent on a season loan to Vitesse of Holland. The Nigerian footballer, Semi Ajayi, joined Norwich from Charlton Athletics while Arouna Kone, the Wigan and Ivorian international joined Everton for a sign on fee of €7m.

The above mentioned players were some of the African footballers, that were transfered to a new club in the English Premier League etc.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Malawi Makes A U-Turn Over Calabar

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM), has made a u-turn in their objection to Calabar, being used as the host city and U. J. Esuene Stadium, for the world cup qualifing decider match against Nigeria, this Saturday, the 7th of September, 2013.

Mr Suzgo Nyirenda, the secretary-general of the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and the organisation's accoutant, Mr Christopher Mdoloto, formed a the two-man team sent to Calabar to inspect the city and stadium, the association so vehemently opposed to being used for the important duel.

After their inspection visit to Calabar, the secretary, Mr Nyirenda, said to the media, and also in their website, that FAM was happy with the conditions in Nigeria ahead of the Flames and Super Eagles 2014 World Cup qualifying decider match on Saturday.

 "NFF has provided every support required and there are no stone unturned in making sure that all is set for the game."

Nyirenda said while in Nigeria, "Everyone in Calabar is talking about the game and the game fever is so high here."

The FAM secretary said of the U. J. Esuene stadium, Calabar, the venue of the match, "It was inaugurated in April 1977 and it has a capacity of 25,000 less like CIVO stadium.

"The stadium which has been upgraded to include a multi modern electronic video matrix scoreboard and floodlights, is in the centre of Calabar.

"It is a multi-purpose stadium. The match will kickoff at 4pm (5pm Malawi time).

"The Malawi team which is expected to arrive on Thursday, will train at UNICA stadium (University of Calabar). So far the NFF has managed to be on top of things, which we had highlighted in the letter to FIFA," he said.

The city of Calabar and the stadium was what caused the hostile war of words between coaches Tom Saintfiet of Malawi and Stephen Keshi of Nigeria.

 The criticism of Calabar by Saintfiet and FAM was so much that the association wrote to FIFA to move the match to Abuja or another country for security reasons.Read the two articles on the, Keshi Reacts To Malawi Coach Comment and Saintfiet Accuses Keshi of Racism.

The Football Association of Malawi did what they should have done in the first place and that was to send a team to go and inspect the venue for themselves and not solely rely on what the Uk foreign and commonwealth office said.

It seem like FAM decided to send a team after FIFA confirmed that the place where other countries have played against Nigeria was safe and security Chief, (Inspector General of Police) pledged to provide adequate security for both teams and accommodations.

Anyway, it is good that the issue has been settled before the match. Though the issue between Keshi and Saintfiet is not yet resolved. Last week FIFA confirmed to the media, that they received Mr Saintfiet's
complaint of racism by Stephen Keshi. FIFA said that they have not deal with the complaint.

Victor Moses Joins Liverpool

Victor Moses (22), the Chelsea and Nigeria international, has joined Liverpool on a one year loan deal. Moses, who joined Chelsea last season from Wigan, has not played for his club since the season began, under the second term of Jose Mourinho reign.

The young player was happy after signing the contract, he said that the target for Liverpool, was to get into the top four and compete in the champions league. He said, that he wants to fit into the set up and believes, that the players there would help him with that.

Victor Moses

"The target is to get into the top four, and for the club to compete in the champions league and I'm delighted to be here," Moses said.

"I just want to gel in the formation and players here will help me."

It was reported in the media, that Mourinho wants only loan deal, without the option of Liverpool, buying him at the end of the season. The two clubs have finally agreed, on who should be responsible for the player's salary.

According to some media, Liverpool wanted Chelsea to share with them in paying his weekly wage/salary of €65,000, but Chelsea refused. It is then obvious, that with this signing the issue has been resolved.

Victor was very happy that the issue has finally been settled, and now he can join a big club like Liverpool.

"First and foremost, I'm delighted to have made the loan from Chelsea, to a big club like Liverpool," he said.

The pacey and gifted winger was among the players, the Nigerian coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, selected to prosecute, the world cup qualifying decider match, against Malawi, on the 7th of September in Calabar.