Serena Williams fined $17k for three code violations during her confrontation with the umpire at the US Open Final

Serena Williams has been fined a total of $17,000 for her three code violations during the US Open final against Naomi Osaka.

The six-time US Open winner was docked $10,000 for “verbal abuse” of chair umpire Carlos Ramos by the tournament referee’s office on Sunday. Additionally, she has been fined $4,000 for being warned for coaching and $3,000 for breaking her racket. The money comes out of her prize money of $1.85 million as the runner-up. Williams lost 6-2, 6-4 to Osaka in Saturday’s final.

Under Article III, Section P, “verbal abuse” is defined as “a statement about an official, opponent, sponsor, spectator or other person that implies dishonesty or is derogatory, insulting or otherwise abusive.”

The section says a player is subject to a fine up to $20,000 for each violation. There are separate categories for coaching (“Communications of any kind, audible or visible, between a player and a coach may be construed as coaching”) and for abuse of rackets or equipment.

In the controversial final, Serena was adjudged to have recieved coaching from Patrick Mouratoglou; a claim he accepted before being penalised a point later for racket abuse. She was then docked a game for verbal abuse after seven games in the second set. During the verbal tirade, Serena had called Ramos a ‘cheat’ and a ‘thief

Lionel Messi bans himself and teammates from talking to media after allegations that his teammate smoked marijuana

Argentina Lionel Messi helped Argentina in their world cup qualifier match against Colombia with a 3-0 win on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning but that's not what caught the headlines-the Barcelona star organized a march with his Argentine teammates to the post match press conference and informed the journalists present that he and his  teammates will not give any briefings, interviews or communication to the media till further notice.

Messi's shocking revelation comes after Argentine press accused Argentine striker Ezequiel Lavezzi of smoking marijuana at the Argentina training ground the day before the Colombia match coupled with numerous reports blasting Messi for not performing for his country the way he performs for his club side.

Messi said in a statement: 

“Hello, good evening, excuse me, but this is a small one. We prefer to look at the face before giving a statement. As you know, because we know everything here, we are telling you that we will not talk to the press anymore, obviously you should know why. Accusations and lack of respect and we never said anything, but this goes beyond everything. The accusation to Pocho (Lavezzi) is very serious and if we do not go out to say anything it is believed that it is true”. 

“We’d rather cut this one down. We are very sorry that it has to be this way, but we have no other choice. We know that many of you are not in the game of lacking respect, you can lose, win, play good or bad, but get into one’s life … If we did not cut it today we would not cut it anymore.We know that most of you guys don't play that game of disrespect. We can be criticised if we lose, or win, or if we play well or badly. But this is getting into personal lives. 

'If we don't put a stop to it now, we'll never stop it.' It’s very serious and we are here, and we will not get into that game. We are going to keep saying a million things. That said. A million thanks”.

An Argentine Journalist Gabriel Anello of Radio Mitre, tweeted that Lavezzi was left out of the Argentina squad for the Colombia match due to his use of Marijuana but the player has denied the claims saying he'll take the journalist and media house to court.

Anello Tweeted: 

“Lavezzi is left off the substitutes’ bench tomorrow because of the joint that was smoked last night in the camp? I’m asking… just asking.”

Lavezzi responded:

 “I have hereby communicate that I’m going to initiate legal action against Gabriel Anello for his false declarations against my person, for the serious damage that they have caused to my family and in my work.”

'VP Yemi Osinbajo's visit has motivated us against Algeria' - defiant Mikel Obi says ahead of WC qualifier

Ahead of the Russia 2018 World cup qualifier against Algeria on Saturday in Uyo, team captain John Mikel Obi has stated clearly that he and his mates will do everything within their power to defeat Algeria.

According to the Chelsea midfielder who hasn't played for his club side this season, the players are aware of the game’s importance and would do everything to ensure victory in Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, saying they are even more motivated following the visit of Vice president Yemi Osinbajo at their training base this week.

“We all know what this match means, why we have to give everything,” Mikel told NFF's official website.

“Yes, we started the race well by winning in Zambia, but we have to approach this match even more seriously. The Algerians will come with determination and they will play hard, but we will play harder. The World Cup is the biggest stage; every player wants to be there. I am happy we have such a young and energetic team.

“ I played at the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 but there are many of these players who have never been to the World Cup. They want to be there.Three points; that is what we will be playing for. We are committed and the visit of the Vice President (Professor Yemi Osinbajo) to our training in Abuja has motivated us even more.

'Mikel Obi is being punished at Chelsea because he played at Olympics'- Coach Gernot Rohr blasts Chelsea coach

John Mikel Obi has not played a single minute of football this season for Chelsea, with Chelsea coach Antonio Conte preferring the likes of Kante, Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas, Loftus Cheek and Oscar to Mikel Obi.

Nigeria's chief technical adviser Gernot Rohr has blasted Chelsea coach, saying he is punishing the Nigerian captain for missing out on pre-season preparations with Chelsea as he helped Nigeria's U-23 team win the Rio 2016 Olympics football Bronze medal.

"I can never punish a player because he played for his country, and I am not happy with what is happening to Mikel at his club because he is my captain.' Rohr told journalists at a press conference in Uyo.

”The only thing that has not made Mikel to play for Chelsea this season is because he went with the U23 team that won bronze at the 2016 Olympics games, and that is why he is being punished” the Super Eagles coach said.

''He has not featured under the new coach, Conte, since then. But I will still build  the   team playing against Algeria around him because he is in a  good shape and fit for the match.

“Besides, Mikel is committed to the national team and he is a source of motivation to the other players.”

Super Falcons train with coaches Florence Omagbemi & Perpetual Nkwocha ahead of African Women's Cup

The Super Falcons trained on Wednesday and Thursday morning with head coach Florence Omagbemi & assistant coach Perpetual Nkwocha ahead of the 12th edition of the African Women's Cup Of Nations tournament holding in Cameroon next month.

The players worked on tactical drills, defensive set-up, heading and goalkeeping drills. More photos after the cut.

Photo-credit : @NGSuper_Falcons

Neymar bloodied and battered as he's forced off field in World Cup qualifier (photos)

Barcelona footballer Neymar was on the receiving end of an elbow from a Bolivian defender on Thursday night which left him bloodied and bruised as he was forced off the field in Brazil's 5-0 win over Bolivia. Medics rushed onto the field to try to stop the streaming of blood from Neymar, but the gash proved too big, forcing the talisman to withdraw from the match.