November 4 in Sports History

Wilt Chamberlain

1960 — Wilt Chamberlain of Philadelphia scores 44 points and sets an NBA record by missing all 10 of his free throws in the Warriors’ 136-121 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

1962 — Sonny Randle of the St. Louis Cardinals catches 16 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown in a 31-28 loss to the New York Giants.

1976 — Baseball holds its first free agent draft with 24 players from 13 major league clubs participating. Reggie Jackson eventually signs the most lucrative contract of the group, $2.9 million over five years with the New York Yankees.

1984 — Seattle’s Dave Brown returns two interceptions for touchdowns in a 31-17 triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs.

2000 — In the highest scoring Division I-AA game in NCAA history, Ricky Ray passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns and scores three more to lead Sacramento State over Cal State Northridge 64-61.

2001 — Luis Gonzalez’s RBI single caps a two-run rally off Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the ninth, and the Arizona Diamondbacks win their first championship by beating the New York Yankees 3-2 in Game 7.

2006 — Invasor beats heavy favored Bernardini by one length in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.

2006 — Rod Brind’Amour of Carolina scores his 1,000th career point, assisting on a goal in the Hurricanes’ 3-2 win over Ottawa.

2007 — Adrian Peterson runs for an NFL-record 296 yards and three touchdowns in Minnesota’s 35-17 win over San Diego.

It’s the second time he tops 200 yards rushing this season, the only rookie to accomplish the feat. San Diego’s Antonio Cromartie returns a missed field goal an NFL-record 109 yards for a touchdown in the game.

2009 — The New York Yankees win the World Series, beating the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 behind Hideki Matsui’s record-tying six RBIs.

2012 — Guan Tianlang wins the Asia-Pacific Championship, making the 14-year-old Chinese star the youngest player to qualify for the Masters. Guan, an eighth-grader, easily surpasses the mark set by Italy’s Matteo Manassero, who was about to turn 17 when he played in 2010.

2012 — Andrew Luck breaks the NFL’s single-game rookie record by throwing for 433 yards in leading Indianapolis to a 23-20 win over Miami. Luck is 30 of 48 with two TDs and breaks Cam Newton’s previous mark of 422 yards set last season.

2012 — Tampa Bay rookie Doug Martin rushes for a franchise-record 251 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-32 win at Oakland.

Youngster set to reject Manchester United

Manchester United are set to miss out on one of the hottest properties in European football with AC Milan wonderkid Gianluigi Donnarumma set to sign a new contract with the Serie A giants.

The 16-year-old progressed through the Rossoneri’s famed academy and became the youngest goalkeeper ever to make his first-team debut in the Italian top flight recently.

With his record grabbing the attention of a number of clubs, talkSPORT have claimed that reports in Italy are suggesting Donnarumma is willing to commit his future to Milan.

Despite being under contract until 2018 Milan are aware that a huge contract offer from a European rival could tempt the young stopper to leave, which would be a major blow to the club.

The report has also claimed that United were ready to push ahead with plans to make a January bid, although the news that Milan are ready to offer a new deal may end any interest Louis van Gaal has.

Extradited FIFA official pleads not guilty

A Brazilian FIFA official who headed the 2014 World Cup organising committee and was extradited this week from Switzerland has pleaded not guilty in a New York courtroom to charges stemming from a sprawling bribery case.

Jose Maria Marin appeared on Tuesday before a judge in federal court.

He will be freed on $US15 million ($A21 million) bond.

Marin is the second FIFA official to waive extradition to face charges in the US in a $US150 million ($A210 million) corruption case linked to broadcasting rights.

The 83-year-old was arrested in May.

Jose Mourinho handed stadium ban and $92,000 fine

                                                           

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been given a one-match stadium suspension with immediate effect and fined £40,000 (NZ$92,000) over a misconduct charge, the Football Association says.

The penalty came after Mourhino admitted a FA charge relating to his language and/or behaviour towards the match officials during his side's 2-1 defeat by West Ham United on October 24.

Mourinho was sent to the stands at Upton Park after trying to speak to referee Jon Moss at halftime following Nemanja Matic's first-half red card.

It is the latest blow for Mourinho, who is under pressure with Chelsea 15th in the English Premier League having lost six of their opening 11 matches - the worst start by any defending EPL champions.

They are also labouring in the Champions League, in which they face Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday (NZT Thursday), and out of the League Cup.

Mourinho has also been named as a respondent in the legal action being brought against the club by their former team doctor Eva Carneiro for constructive dismissal, sources close to the case said on Monday.

He will be forced to miss Saturday's trip to Stoke City, who beat Chelsea on penalties in the League Cup last week.

The latest punishment is separate from the one-match suspended stadium ban and £50,000 (NZ$116,000) fine Mourinho received earlier this season for comments about match officials following Chelsea's 3-1 EPL defeat to Southampton.

Chelsea coach Silvino Louro had a charge of improper conduct relating to the West Ham game withdrawn, the FA said in a statement on its website. But the governing body added that it had reminded Louro "of his responsibilities".

Jurgen Klopp issues Chelsea warning to Liverpool players

                                                             

       
                       
Jurgen Klopp has warned his Liverpool squad that Chelsea are defending Premier League champions for a reason.

The Reds face Jose Mourinho’s struggling side at Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s early kick-off as their German manager looks to secure his first Premier League win.

Liverpool are two points ahead of 15th-placed Chelsea after a return of 11 points from 10 games have left the Premier League holders hovering above the relegation zone.

But Klopp, who replaced former Chelsea coach Brendan Rodgers at Anfield earlier this month, urged his Liverpool players not to allow complacency to creep in ahead of Saturday’s clash.

“I wasn’t interested in what was being said in public last season,” Klopp told his pre-match media conference on Friday afternoon.

“I had a responsibility to the Dortmund fans and players. If people didn’t understand our problems, then I didn’t care. You have to rule your own situation.

“Most of the problems are in the press conferences when you have to find the answers. Sometimes you don’t have the time to change things between matches.

“Mourinho isn’t a worse coach than last year. The players aren’t worse than last year. Things happen. I feel for him as I had something similar but it’s not the end of the world. They can still play football and that’s our problem.”

Liverpool are in ninth place in the Premier League table after a run of three successive draws with Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton.

The Reds registered their first win of Klopp’s Liverpool reign thanks to a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth in the League Cup fourth round on Wednesday night.

The 5 biggest football derbies in Africa

By Jonathan Olafioye

Derby in football refers to a fixture or match between two teams from the same town, city or region. Some rivalries between two clubs who are not from the same region are also sometimes refers to as a derby.

A good example of the rivalry between two teams who are not from the same region is the ‘El Clasico’ between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Although the two teams are not from the same region, sport lovers worldwide still refer to the encounter as a derby.

In this article, we are going to look at the biggest derbies and rivalries that exist between some African football Clubs.

                        

1. The Cairo Derby: Al Ahly vs Zamalek (Egypt)

Number on the list is The Cairo Derby. This is undoubtedly the biggest derby on the continent; it is a match between the two most successful clubs in Egypt and Africa, Al Ahly and Zamalek.

It is a fixture between two teams named by the Confederation of African Football "CAF" as the 1st and 2nd African Clubs of the 20th Century respectively.

Both clubs have been the top clubs in the Egyptian Premier League, and have 50 domestic titles between them.

The largest winning margin in this derby was 6–0 for Zamalek for two times, the first was in 1942 Cairo League; the Second was in the 1944 Egypt Cup Final.

2.    The Soweto Derby: Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates (South Africa)

The Soweto derby is a rivalry between two teams based in Soweto, Johannesburg, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

The fierce rivalry between these two teams can be linked to the fact that Kaizer Chiefs was formed by a former Orlando Pirates striker Kaizer Motaung, who is currently the chairman and managing director of the side.

Both teams have 20 league titles between them, Kaizer Chiefs with 12 and Orlando Pirates with 8 to their belts.

The two teams have met 62 times in their history; Kaizer Chiefs have won 24 of those, while Orlando Pirates have emerged victorious 17 times, and 21 fixtures of this fixture have ended in a stalemate.

Kaizer Chiefs have won 2 of the last 5 meetings between these two sides, while the remaining 3 encounters ended in a draw.

3.    The Port Harcourt Derby: Dolphins vs Sharks (Nigeria)

The Port Harcourt Derby is a fixture between two giants in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Sharks FC and Dolphins FC from Port Harcourt.

Both teams are managed and control by the Rivers State government. Any match between these two clubs has never been easy, because a lot of pride is always at stake. Either of the two teams wants to be the ‘King of Port Harcourt’.

The Port Harcourt Derby is a derby that always divided the City of Port Harcourt into two.

In 2005, Dolphins beat Sharks 2-1 home and away in the league.

4. The Tunis Derby: Club Africain vs. Esperance  (Tunisia)

The Tunis derby is the local derby between the two major clubs based in the Tunisian City of Tunis, Club Africain and Esperance.

The derby is played in Rades in the Stade Olympique de Radès stadium due to its larger capacity of 60,000 seats.

The Club Africain headquarters are located in Bab Jedid, an old area of the city of Tunis Espérance headquarters is located 1 km from that of Club Africain. Both clubs have a similar amount of supporters and are considered the two largest clubs in Tunisia.

The two teams have met 120 times in their history. Esperance have won 48 of those matches, Club Africain with 27 wins, with the rest ending in a draw.

Club Esperance have won 4 of the last 5 meetings between the two sides, while  Africain had managed just 1 victory.

5. The Nairobi Derby: A.F.C Leopards vs. Gor Mahia (Kenya)

. The Nairobi Derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards is inarguably among the top derbies in the continent. Players and fans feel the intensity of the encounter, no matter the situation or timing.

Gor Mahia has won the Kenyan Premier League a record 14 times, while A.F.C. Leopards have one less league title to their name. The passion of the fans during encounters between these two teams makes the derby matches "thrillers".

Villas-Boas to leave Zenit

Andre-Villas Boas has announced he will leave Zenit at the end of the season after falling foul of officialdom in Russia.

Andre Villas-Boas has revealed he will quit as Zenit coach at the end of the Russian season.

The former Chelsea and Tottenham boss is thought to have grown increasingly frustrated in recent months after a government-led change in squad regulations forced the sale of star striker Salomon Rondon to West Bromwich Albion.

To compound matters, Villas-Boas was hit with a six-game touchline ban from Russian Premier League games last week for confronting an official.

Zenit are already six points behind early runaway Premier League leaders, and reigning champions, CSKA Moscow ahead of the sides' meeting on Saturday, but the Portuguese coach remains committed to bringing success to St Petersburg.

Villas-Boas said: "Talking about a contract extension, when we last met with you I said that the club had made me an offer at the end of last season, I have refused and at the end of the season I will leave the club.

"But in any case we will continue to work hard, we need to score points, to catch up with those ahead of us, to try to perform successfully in the Champions League."

He added of his touchline ban: "If we talk about the disqualification and my absence on the bench, then I am of the view that it is much more important what happens in training.

"Of course it is important to transfer some instructions during a game, but it is not critical.

"Much more important is what is happening here at the base in preparation for the match. As for the appeal, as far as I know from the club lawyers, this situation does not allow such a possibility."

Lucas committed to Liverpool

The 28-year-old appeared to be on the verge of a loan move to Besiktas in August, but injury to captain Jordan Henderson gave the Brazil international an opening and he has started the last two matches against Arsenal and West Ham.

With Henderson's participation at Old Trafford on Saturday still in doubt as he recovers from a heel injury there is every chance Lucas could start against Manchester United.

Despite the almost constant speculation about his future, the midfielder insists he is fully committed to the club he joined from Gremio in 2007, making him their longest-serving current player.

"I think the last couple of years, every transfer window my name is [linked with a move]. It's been very intense," he told liverpoolfc.com.

"Of course there are times when you think you might have to move on and I was very close to moving, but one thing I will always have is commitment to this club.

"I've been here so long and I always said if I had the choice to be here and be happy, I would always choose Liverpool.

"When your future is in doubt, you might have to think of another solution, but I'm happy that it didn't happen and I'm here to fight for the club as I have been doing for eight years.

"I'm just looking forward to a good season and putting Liverpool back where it belongs. I have this chance to say I'm fully committed.

" I just need to now focus on my performance and help in the way the manager and the staff asked me to help.

"Hopefully, I'll be an important player for the club this season."

Balotelli loses driving licence in Italy for speeding

Not for the first time, Mario Balotelli was caught speeding - and the AC Milan striker lost his driving licence until further notice.

Balotelli, who recently returned to Italy on a one-year loan from Liverpool, was going 109 km/h in a 50 km/h zone in his hometown of Brescia, according to Italian news agency ANSA.

The 25-year-old Italian did not protest the charge, reportedly telling the officer that he didn't notice the speed limit.

He asked police to hold off releasing the news until he had informed Milan, ANSA reports.

Milan reportedly inserted clauses into Balotelli's contract that prohibit him from damaging the image of the club, among other rules, but it is unclear if he violated any terms after this latest incident.

It's not his first case of speeding. In 2011, while playing for Manchester City, Balotelli had his Maserati confiscated. After separate offences, he was ordered to pay €10,000 in parking fines incurred between 2012 and 2013. He was stopped in Liverpool for driving at similar speeds in his Ferrari as recently as May, but he was also co-operative with police.

Balotelli could make his official second debut for Milan in the derby vs. Inter on Sunday.

Bertolacci ruled out of Milan derby

Milan have been dealt an injury blow ahead of the derby after Andrea Bertolacci suffered a thigh problem on international duty.

Milan defender Andrea Bertolacci will miss the derby with Inter on Sunday after sustaining a thigh tear while playing for Italy.

The 24-year-old only arrived at San Siro from Roma during the close-season and has featured in both of Milan's Serie A outings this term.

However, Bertolacci left Italy's training camp on Friday after being forced off 55 minutes into the 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifying win over Malta a day earlier.

Medical tests on Monday showed the defender will not be fit in time for the first Milan derby of the campaign this weekend, with further tests scheduled for next week.

Fabregas key in Chelsea move, says Pedro

                                                   

Chelsea attacker Pedro has revealed that compatriot Cesc Fabregas played a key role in his transfer from Barcelona to Stamford Bridge.

Pedro has made it clear that fellow Spain international Cesc Fabregas played a major role in his transfer from Barcelona to Chelsea as he was the first to make contact on behalf of the Premier League champions.

The versatile attacker initially appeared to be on his way to Manchester United, but eventually joined Chelsea instead in a deal worth a reported €30 million.

"My transfer to Chelsea was done within a couple of days. It all started with a call from Cesc," Pedro told El Pais.

"Mourinho then gave me a call and that helped me make a decision. Mourinho made me feel important and gave me confidence."

Pedro won numerous trophies with Barcelona alongside Lionel Messi and he was quick to admit that he will miss the Argentina international at his new club.

"Messi is an amazing team-mate. He really is a great guy," he added.

"We have achieved a lot together, played many important games and scored many goals. I will definitely miss Leo.

"I will continue to see Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta with the national team, but I will clearly miss Messi."

Arjen Robben suffers thigh injury

Arjen Robben has been ruled out of action for four weeks after the Bayern Munich winger picked up a thigh injury while on international duty. Arjen Robben had to be substituted off during Netherland’s 2016 UEFA Euro qualifier against Iceland on Thursday after just 30 minutes, as the winger struggled to continue play.

Tests by Bayern’s club doctor Volker Braun revealed an injury in the left adductor muscle, which will sideline Robben for at least a month. The 31-year-old has a lengthy history of injuries and missed 18 matches last season. Muscular problems have troubled Robben since his early days in professional football and Bayern Munich can only hope this groin injury won’t affect his form in any way.

Arjen Robben is set to miss Bayern Munich’s first two UEFA Champions League group stage matches against Olympiakos and Dinamo Zagreb. Netherlands, who suffered a 1-0 defeat to Iceland, will have to be without Robben during their trip to Turkey.

Pep Guardiola’s side has been severely hit with injuries as the squad has been stretched thin in the early days of the season. While the club bought Douglas Costa to bolster its forward line, it is expected Guardiola will assign Thomas Mueller on the right wing in Robben’s absence, as Franck Ribery is also missing due to an injury picked up last season.

Bayern Munich have made a winning start to the season, accumulating nine points off the first three matches, but there have been worrying signs, especially in the defence. The Bundesliga champions will face FC Augsburg on the other side of the international break.

Man United signs Anthony Martial from Monaco

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of 19-year-old French striker Anthony Martial from Monaco on a four-year contract with an option for a further year.

"Manchester United is delighted to announce that Anthony Martial has completed his transfer from AS Monaco," the club announced on their website.

United did not disclose the transfer fee, but British media reports said it was a £36 million record for a teenage player.

"I am so excited to be joining Manchester United," said Martial. "I have enjoyed my time at AS Monaco and I would like to thank them and the fans for everything they have done for me."

News of United's move for Martial sent shockwaves across European football, with the former Lyon youngster having played just 52 Ligue 1 games and scored 11 goals in his fledgling career.

But despite United having struggled for goals in the season to date, manager Louis van Gaal suggested that he would be given a gentle introduction to English football.

"Anthony is a naturally talented, young, multi-functional forward with great potential," Van Gaal told the club website. "We have been watching him for a while now and he has developed immensely during his time at AS Monaco.

"I am delighted he has joined Manchester United as I believe this is the right club for him to continue his development as a young player.

"He has all the attributes to become a top football player; however we need to give him time to adjust to his new environment and the rhythm of the Premier League."

Martial joined Monaco from Lyon for around five million euros in 2013 and broke into the first team only last season, scoring 12 goals in 46 appearances.

He was handed his first France call-up for the forthcoming friendlies with Portugal and Serbia and was allowed to leave their Clairefontaine training base on Monday in order to sign his contract and undergo a medical.

"I have always wanted to play in the Premier League and to join the biggest club in the world is what every young footballer dreams of," added Martial, who has represented France at every youth level from under-16 to under-21.

"I am looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and working with Louis van Gaal, who has achieved so much in his career."

Alex Song returns to West Ham on loan

Former Cameroon international Alex Song has returned to West Ham United on a season-long loan from Barcelona, the Premier League club announced.

The 27-year-old former Arsenal midfielder, who announced his international retirement this year, spent last season on loan at Upton Park, making 31 appearances in all competitions.

"It has just been confirmed. Alex Song has signed a season-long loan deal to join West Ham," West Ham co-owner David Gold wrote on Twitter. "Welcome back Alex."

Song told the West Ham website: "I am very happy. When I left, I didn't know I would come back here. It was not easy, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is I'm here now and I'm very happy.

"I feel at home, everything feels at home, for my family too, they're set up very well here. My kids are playing for West Ham academy."

Song is West Ham's eighth signing of the transfer window, following goalkeeper Darren Randolph, defenders Angelo Ogbonna and Carl Jenkinson and midfielders Pedro Obiang, Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and George Dobson.

They went on to add Hull forward Nikica Jelavic, Nottingham Forest winger Michail Antonio and loaned Victor Moses from Chelsea.

Chelsea signs Djilobodji

Chelsea has announced the signing of Papy Djilobodji from Nantes.

The 26-year-old centre-back has signed a four-year contract.

Djilobodji said: 'I’m very happy to sign for a big club like Chelsea and I want to do my best to help the team win titles. I want to thank the club for giving me this opportunity.'

Djilobodji (full name Papiss Mison Djilobodji), a Senegal international, has become a key figure for Nantes since signing for the French club in 2009.

Having started his career playing for Senegalese side ASC Saloum, Djilobodji opted to make the move to Europe in October 2009 and signed for Senart-Moissy, who were in the French fourth division at the time.

An imposing physical presence, Djilobodji quickly caught the eye of teams higher up the leagues and moved to Ligue 2 side Nantes just two months later, at the age of 21.

Quick and powerful, he was initially deployed as a defensive midfielder for Nantes, before moving back into his more favoured position of central defender.

His impressive displays at the heart of the back four were a crucial factor in Nantes securing promotion to the French top flight in 2012/13.

Their first campaign back in Ligue 1 was an important one both for the player and club and Djilobodji produced a string of solid displays as Nantes preserved their top-flight status.

Last season he was once again a pivotal member of an ever-improving team at club level, while on the international stage he was named in the Senegal squad for the African Cup of Nations and started two of their three matches at the tournament.