Asafa Powell vows to return after positive drugs test

Former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell says he wants to return to the track as soon as possible after his failed drug test.

The 30-year-old tested positive for banned stimulant oxilofrine at the Jamaican Championships in June.
When the news emerged, he said he had never "knowingly or wilfully taken any supplements that break any rules" and has reiterated that stance.

World's fastest 100m men

• Usain Bolt (Jam) - 9.58 secs
• Tyson Gay (USA) - 9.69 secs
• Yohan Blake (Jam) - 9.69 secs
• Asafa Powell (Jam) - 9.72 secs

"This has been the most difficult week of my athletic career," said Powell.

"The supplements I took formed part of a very strict and rigid training regimen," he added in a statement.
Powell and American sprinter Tyson Gay's failed drug tests were made public 10 days ago and both are now awaiting the results of their B samples.
Powell said checks done by his team "told us the supplements were fit for consumption by professional athletes".
"I have retained legal counsel and as such I cannot now discuss all the details of the case," he added.

Asafa Powell

• Age: 30
• Nationality: Jamaican
• Personal bests: 100m - 9.72 secs, 200m - 19.90 secs (world record, 9.74secs, 2007)
• Medals: Olympics: 4x100m relay - gold (2008); World Championships: 100m - bronze (2004,2008), 4x100m relay - gold (2009), silver (2007)

"I will say, however, that I have requested that my B sample be tested and I await the results.

"Should this sample return adverse results, my team and I hope that the hearings will happen as fast as possible so as to allow me to return to my team, to once again represent my country, and to make my family, friends, and fans proud."
Powell was the last man to hold the individual 100m record before compatriot Usain Bolt broke it in 2008.
He later helped Jamaica win 4x100m relay gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Sherone Simpson, a 4x100m relay silver medallist at last year's London Olympics, failed a drug test at the same event as Powell.
Discus thrower Allison Randall confirmed she had returned a positive test at last month's trials on 15 July, the same day police in Italy raided the hotel rooms of Powell and Simpson and took away unspecified drugs for analysis.
Jamaican world 200m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown tested positive for a banned diuretic in May, the same month Gay provided his positive sample in an out-of-competition test.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson breaks British high jump record

Heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson set a new British high jump record at the British Indoor Championships.

The 21-year-old cleared 1.96m in Sheffield to beat a record which had been held by Debbie Marti since 1997.
James Dasaolu defended his men's 60m title, crossing the line in 6.50 seconds to finish three hundredths of a second ahead of Dwain Chambers.
European indoor champion Holly Bleasdale won her fourth British indoor pole vault gold with a 4.73m jump.
There was a personal best - and a stadium record - for Asha Philip as the 23-year-old retained her 60m title with a 7.09-second finish.
William Sharman and Andrew Pozzi could not be separated in the men's 60m hurdles and, after a lengthy review, the race was declared a dead heat.

British all-time indoor high jumpers (women)

• Katarina Johnson-Thompson - 1.96m (2014)
• Debbie Marti - 1.95m (1997)
• Diana Davies - 1.94m (1982)
• Jo Jennings - 1.94m (1993)
• Jessica Ennis-Hill - 1.94m (2010)
• Susan Jones - 1.93m (2003)
• Julia Bennett - 1.92m (1990)
• Vikki Hubbard - 1.92m (2010)

The two athletes dipped home in 7.64 seconds, with Sharman - fifth in the 110m hurdles at last year's outdoor World Championships in Moscow - achieving a personal best.

Both Sharman and Pozzi are expected to be selected for next month's World Indoor Championships in Poland after British Athletics announced that gold medallists in Sheffield who also achieve the qualifying standard would be chosen for Sopot.
Dasaolu secured his place in the British team for Poland, recovering from a bad start to clock the second fastest time in the world this year.
He will be one of the favourites for gold as only Cuba's Yunier Perez has run quicker over the distance this year, and by only 0.01 seconds.
"All today was about was doing three rounds in one day, coming through unscathed, booking my place on the plane, and defending my British title so I'm happy," said Dasaolu, who was by far the slowest out of the blocks of all the finalists.
"It's not the greatest start, but Poland is 30-odd days away. Everything else I will get right come Sopot and hopefully pick up a medal. I know there is more in the tank."
Liverpool Harrier Johnson-Thompson is expected to compete in the pentathlon in Poland and will compete at the Dutch Championships next week in a bid to qualify for the event.
But in Sheffield, Johnson-Thompson - whose previous best in the high jump was 1.89m - eclipsed Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill's high jump best by two centimetres.
"It's a proud moment. I can't believe it," she said.
"I knew I was in good form because I had a good session in Loughborough last week and had a really good high jump session."
Elsewhere, 2011 European Indoor champion Jenny Meadows, competing for the first time in 12 months after injury, qualified for Sunday's 800m final by winning her heat.
Julian Reid won the men's triple jump, recording a personal best 16.87m on his fifth attempt to push Nathan Fox (16.37m) into second.

World Indoor Athletics: Johnson-Thompson pentathlon doubt

Katarina Johnson-Thompson will have to rely on a wildcard if she is to take part in the pentathlon at next month's World Indoor Championships after illness forced her out of qualifying.

The 21-year-old Briton said she was "devastated" to withdraw from Sunday's qualifying in the Netherlands.
She has already met the long jump and high jump qualification marks for the championships, in Poland from 7 March.

Katarina making waves

Johnson-Thompson set a British record in the high jump and a personal best in the long jump at the British Indoor Championships

"All my indoor season was leading up to this. I was ready," she tweeted.

"Athletics is so up and down. Just not meant to be this weekend."
Last week Johnson-Thompson set personal bests in the long jump and high jump at the British Athletics Indoor Championships in Sheffield, hitting qualifying marks for Sopot in the process, meaning she could be selected for the individual events by Team GB.
But after competing over 60m hurdles in Apeldoorn on Sunday she withdrew from the final four events of the pentathlon, which is the indoor version of the heptathlon, with five disciplines rather than seven.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) invites eight athletes to the combined events competitions at the World Indoors.
Only one wildcard place is on offer, with the winner of last year's Combined Events Challenge, the top three athletes outdoors from last year and the top three indoors from this season qualifying by right.

World Indoor Championships: James Dasaolu out with injury

British sprinter James Dasaolu will miss the World Indoor Championships because of a slight hamstring tear.

The second-fastest Briton of all time was to compete in the 60m in Poland but suffered the problem during Saturday's Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix.
"Been a good indoor season but I will be missing the World Indoors and focusing on being fully fit for the outdoor season," he said on Twitter. 
Meanwhile, Katarina Johnson-Thompson will only compete in the long jump.
The International Association of Athletics Federations did not grant the 21-year old an invitation for the pentathlon after she pulled out of the qualifying event with illness.
Johnson-Thompson qualifies for the long jump after setting a personal best in the British Athletics Indoor Championships in Sheffield earlier this month.
Dasaolu, who clocked 9.91 seconds for the 100m at the British Championships in 2013, clutched his left leg after winning the Sainsbury's Indoor Grand Prix.
In a statement released via British Athletics, the 26-year-old said: "I am disappointed but this is going to be a big year and I don't want to take any risk at all. I will now concentrate on being 100% fit for the outdoor competitions."
Britain have named a 35-strong team for the World Indoors, which take place from 7-9 March in Sopot.
Laura Muir, the world number one at 800m, and pole-vaulters Holly Bleasdale and Luke Cutts have all been included.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland team:

MEN

60m:
Dwain Chambers, Richard Kilty
400m:
Richard Buck, Nigel Levine
800m:
Mukhtar Mohammed, Andrew Osagie
1500m:
Lee Emanuel, Chris O Hare
3,000m:
Andy Vernon, Jonathan Mellor
60m hurdles:
Andrew Pozzi, William Sharman
4x400m:
Daniel Awde, Michael Bingham, Jamie Bowie, Buck, Luke Lennon-Ford, Levine, Conrad Williams
High Jump:
Robbie Grabarz, Tom Parsons
Pole Vault:
Luke Cutts

WOMEN

60m:
Sophie Papps, Asha Philip
400m:
Margaret Adeoye, Shana Cox
800m:
Laura Muir
1500m:
Jemma Simpson
3,000m:
Eilish McColgan
4x400m:
Adeoye, Eilidh Child, Cox, Christine Ohuruogu, Victoria Ohuruogu, Laura Wake
60m hurdles:
Tiffany Porter
Pole Vault:
Holly Bleasdale
Long Jump:
Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Shara Proctor

World Indoor Athletics: British Athletics omit Kate Avery

British 3,000m runner Kate Avery says she was not selected for the World Indoor Championships because she did not ask for permission to miss the trial in Sheffield on 8 February.

But the 22-year-old, who lives in New York, says British Athletics only contacted her on 15 February to ask whether she wanted to be considered.

Avery's 3,000m world ranking

Kate Avery is 24th in the 2014 3,000m world rankings, but the 15th-fastest eligible entrant for the World Indoors. That is because countries are limited to selecting two athletes per event

"If I had to have emailed them more than a week before [to ask to miss the British trials], why get in touch? I don't understand," Avery told Sportmasta.

Less than 48 hours after first contacting her, British Athletics told her she could not be considered.
"I felt really overwhelmed to be asked if I wanted to be selected," she said. "The World Indoors weren't in my plans but I think you can't really turn that down."
The Durham athlete is currently at university in the USA and in November became the first British woman to win a medal at the National Collegiate Cross Country Championships.
That performance won her selection for Great Britain Under-23s at the European Cross Country Championships, where she placed fourth.
This year, she is ranked first in Britain by more than four seconds at 3,000m with a time of eight minutes 56.20 seconds.
Eilish McColgan is the only Briton selected for the women's 3,000m in Poland next month. The Scot, who was also absent from the trials, ended 2013 with a best of 8:47.79, but has not raced since 22 September.
"I had an email on Monday asking if I could ring one of the selectors and I was excited thinking it was just about the details," Avery continued.
"But it was to say I could not go because of failing to get permission to not run the trial. But it was them who asked me if I wanted to be considered, not the other way around.
"Then to not be picked and see that there's a space, and also that the person who has been picked didn't run the trial is really tough to take."

World Indoors: Richard Kilty benefits from James Dasaolu injury

Richard Kilty wants to show he deserves a place in the World Indoors 60m.

Great Britain number one James Dasaolu won the British Grand Prix in 6.50 seconds last weekend but his injury means Kilty, who finished four places and 0.03 seconds adrift, was selected.
The 24-year-old now collects his first senior GB vest as an individual, having previously been named in relay squads.

6.53 is the number

Richard Kilty will represent Great Britain in the 60m alongside Dwain Chambers. Both men have a season's best of 6.53 seconds, the same as Joseph Morris, Nesta Carter and Kim Collins.

"For James, injury close to the Worlds is a nightmare, but I focus on the opportunity to prove myself," he said.

Dasaolu currently tops the world rankings with a time of 6.47, but Kilty is not far behind as his season's best of 6.53 ranks him eighth going into next month's championships in Poland.
And the Teesside sprinter beat French duo Christophe Lemaitre and Jimmy Vicaut, and American Mike Rodgers last Saturday, all of whom have broken the 10-second barrier over 100 metres.
"I've shown some some consistency this season and I was fairly pleased to beat some world-class athletes last weekend," Kilty told Sportmasta Tees.
"I think I can run sub 6.50. I was a little fatigued in Birmingham on Saturday having raced three hard rounds in the UK trials the weekend before.
"There are little things to improve on technically in terms of being a little tense, and leaning for the line a little too early.
"If I can run that perfect race, there's so many guys within a couple of hundredths that I think I can go to Poland and win.
"But that's the case for a lot of athletes. My first target is make the final as then anything can happen."

Veronica Campbell-Brown tests positive for banned diuretic

World 200m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica has tested positive for a banned substance.

A sample taken from the 31-year-old at the Jamaica Invitational on 4 May tested positive for a banned diuretic  - something which is viewed as a masking agent by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Campbell-Brown won 200m and 4x100m relay golds at the 2004 Olympics and retained her 200m title in 2008.

Campbell-Brown factfile

• Age: 31
• Nationality: Jamaican
• Olympic titles: 200m & 4x100m (2004), 200m (2008)
• World outdoor titles: 200m (2011), 100m (2007)
• World indoor titles: 60m (2010 & 2012)
• 200m personal best: 21.74 secs

She now faces a possible two-year suspension from athletics.

At London 2012, Campbell-Brown took bronze in the 100m and was a member of Jamaica's silver medal-winning sprint relay team.
Diuretics, which promote the production of urine and are used to help high blood pressure, are banned because they can be used by athletes to hide other performance-enhancing substances.
"In a country renowned for producing great sprinters, Campbell-Brown is one of the best ever," said BBC Radio 5 live's athletics correspondent Mike Costello.
"She's twice won Olympic gold over 200m and world titles over 100m and 200m, but now her reputation has been shredded and the damage done to the credibility of Jamaican athletics in general is extensive.
"She has complained in the past that modern-day female athletes have been denied commercial opportunities because many women's world records have been set by drug-tainted Eastern Europeans, and therefore beyond reach. Now she belongs in the same hall of shame."
News of Campbell-Brown's positive test emerged 48 hours after her compatriot, the 400m runner Dominique Blake, received a six-year ban for her second doping violation since 2006.

Veronica Campbell-Brown: Provisional drugs ban for sprinter

World 200m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica has been provisionally suspended from competition after a positive test for a banned substance.

Campbell-Brown, 31, tested positive on 4 May for a banned diuretic. 
She is suspended pending her "B sample" result, the Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association said, and faces a two-year ban from athletics.
Her management company said she would seek to clear her name, adding "Veronica is not a cheat".

Campbell-Brown factfile

• Age: 31
• Nationality: Jamaican
• Olympic titles: 200m & 4x100m (2004), 200m (2008)
• World outdoor titles: 200m (2011), 100m (2007)
• World indoor titles: 60m (2010 & 2012)
• 200m personal best: 21.74 secs

The banned diuretic for which she tested positive at the Jamaica Invitational meet is considered by the World Anti-Doping Agency to be a masking agent.

"The Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association can now confirm that a case concerning Mrs Veronica Campbell-Brown is currently ongoing," the governing body said. 
"She has been provisionally suspended from competition awaiting the outcome of a disciplinary panel that will be empanelled to hear this case."
Campbell-Brown won 200m and 4x100m relay golds at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and retained her 200m title in Beijing four years later. She has won 16 medals for her country in world and Olympic meets and at London 2012 took bronze in the 100m and was a member of Jamaica's silver medal-winning sprint relay team.
The statement from her management company said the charges were "a shock to her, her loyal supporters, and many others in not just sports but also the other spheres into which she has extended herself to help".
It continued: "She has, via hard work and dedication, accomplished a record on the track which is absolutely remarkable. She remains an ardent believer in the purity of competition, the beauty of the sport and resolute in the fact that unearned suffering has redemptive qualities.
"She will begin the process of clearing her name."

Veronica Campbell-Brown cleared to race after failed drugs test

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) has confirmed that two-time Olympic 200m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown has been cleared of a doping violation and can race again.

The 31-year-old Jamaican has not competed since she tested positive for a banned diuretic last May.
But she has now been included in Jamaica's team for next month's World Indoor Championships in Poland.
She said the past few months have brought "much pain and suffering".

“I lost out on the opportunity to compete for most of 2013 and the chance to defend my World 200m title. However, I press on.”

Veronica Campbell-Brown

The sprinter released a statement on Monday saying she was free to compete and, on Tuesday, Cas confirmed they had upheld Campbell-Brown's appeal.

"The final court available to us as athletes have spoken and humbly I say they have confirmed my innocence," said Campbell-Brown.
She was provisionally suspended by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association after failing a test at the Jamaica Invitation meeting on 4 May.
In October, a Jamaican disciplinary committee review deemed a reprimand was sufficient punishment because the banned substance was not used for performance enhancement.
However, Campbell-Brown, who has won seven Olympic medals, had to wait for the IAAF's verdict before she could compete again. It appears the body that governs world athletics decided to hand the case to Cas.
"Yes, I lost out on the opportunity to compete for most of 2013 and the chance to defend my World 200m title. However, I press on," she added.
"Dr Martin Luther King Jr spoke of the redemptive quality of unearned suffering and I must say I am redeemed."
She also thanks the IAAF for "expeditiously handing my case to Cas".
Monday's news is a boost for Jamaican athletics, which has been under scrutiny following a series of failed tests.
Last year, Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson tested positive for banned substances and missed the World Championships in Moscow.
In 2009, Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake and three other islanders received reduced suspensions of three months after testing positive for a banned stimulant.

Jamaican sprinter appears before anti-doping panel

Sprinter Asafa Powell has told a Jamaican anti-doping hearing he did not list all his supplements at trials as he could not remember their names.

The former 100m world record holder, 31, tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine  at the national championships in June.
He said the naming oversight was caused by his "excitement" about the trials.

Asafa Powell

• Age: 31
• Nationality: Jamaican
• Personal bests: 100m - 9.72 secs, 200m - 19.90 secs (world record, 9.74secs, 2007)
• Medals: Olympics: 4x100m relay - gold (2008); World Championships: 100m - bronze (2004,2008), 4x100m relay - gold (2009), silver (2007)

Powell and his attorneys are attempting to explain the result to a three-person Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission panel.

The hearing in Kingston, which began on Tuesday, is expected to last at least two days.
Training partner Sherone Simpson tested positive for the same stimulant but denied being a "cheat" at her hearing.
Powell was one of several witnesses to testify at Simpson's hearing, which was adjourned until 4 February.
The pair are among five Jamaican athletes who failed drugs tests at the national championships. Discus throwers Allison Randall and Traves Smikle and high-jumper Demar Robinson had their disciplinary cases heard last month.
Powell and Simpson, who won silver in the 4x100m relay at the London Olympics, have been provisionally suspended since the positive tests were confirmed and missed the World Championships in Moscow last August.
They both blamed the positive tests on a new brand of nutritional supplements given to them to them by a recently hired physical trainer, Canadian Chris Xuereb.

Bolt vows to restore athletics faith

Powell testified he received nine supplements from Xuereb, including one called "Epiphany D1", which laboratory tests later found to contain oxilofrine.
He further revealed he began taking two capsules of that product from early June, an amount he doubled at Xuereb's suggestion on the morning of the trials.
Powell only told doping control officer Paul Wright about some of the supplements he was taking at that event, listing just three on his declaration form.
Jadco attorney Lackston Robinson accused Powell of being "significantly negligent" after hearing Powell's excuse that the thrill of attending the trials caused him to forget many of the supplements' names.
Xuereb has said he did not give Powell and Simpson any performance-enhancing drugs and only purchased major-brand vitamins, claiming in July that "both athletes are clearly looking for a scapegoat."
Powell was the last man to hold the individual 100m world record before compatriot Usain Bolt broke it in 2008. He later helped Jamaica win 4x100m relay gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Asafa Powell: Jamaican sprinter's drug trial adjourned

Former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell will have to wait until 12 February to find out if he faces a two-year ban from athletics.

The 31-year-old is accused of taking the banned stimulant oxilofrine,  but his trial was adjourned on Wednesday.
On day two of the hearing, a toxicologist claimed Powell would have gained no advantage from the drug.

Asafa Powell

• Age: 31
• Nationality: Jamaican
• Personal bests: 100m - 9.72 secs, 200m - 19.90 secs (world record, 9.74secs, 2007)
• Medals: Olympics: 4x100m relay - gold (2008); World Championships: 100m - bronze (2004,2008), 4x100m relay - gold (2009), silver (2007)

Powell's camp have defended the manner in which coach Chris Xuereb, who the sprinter blames, was appointed.

"I simply relied on the referrals of well-known and trusted physios who we had worked with in the past," Powell's agent Paul Doyle told the hearing in Kingston.
Powell, who set a world record of 9.74 seconds in 2007, was one of five Jamaicans, along with former training partner Sherone Simpson, to test positive at the Jamaican national championships in June.
Professor Wayne McLaughlin of Caribbean Toxicology told the Jamaican Anti-Doping Commission trial that oxilofrine "does not improve speed".
Tests have shown the stimulant is present in a supplement known as Epiphany D1, a substance Powell and training partner Simpson, whose trial resumes on 4 February, claim Xuereb supplied.
The trainer denies supplying the supplement, but the court heard that he was also administering Powell's anti-inflammatory injections and Vitamin B12, despite not being certified as a doctor, massage therapist, chiropractor or physiotherapist.
On Tuesday, Powell told the court he did not list all his supplements at trials as he could not remember their names.

Athletics; Asafa Powell: Jamaican sprinter drug verdict due in April

Former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell will not find out until 10 April what ban, if any, he is to serve for a failed drugs test last year.

The Jamaican, 31, tested positive for banned stimulant oxilofrine  in June 2013 and faces up to a two year ban.

Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson could both be banned from athletics for up to two years

In final submissions in Kingston on Wednesday, his legal team appealed for leniency for what is a first offence.
Sherone Simpson, who failed a test at the same event, will receive her verdict on 8 April.
Both Powell and Simpson, who were provisionally suspended in July, argued for the minimum suspension, on the grounds of minimal fault.
However, Jamaica's Anti-Doping Commission lawyer argued that they were negligent and had blindly trusted the physical trainer whom both blame for their positive tests.
The trainer - Chris Xuereb - denies supplying a supplement known as Epiphany D1, which contains the banned substance.

Asafa Powell

• Personal bests: 100m - 9.72 secs, 200m - 19.90 secs (world record, 9.74secs, 2007)

• Medals: Olympics: 4x100m relay - gold (2008); World Championships: 100m - bronze (2004,2008), 4x100m relay - gold (2009), silver (2007)

During an earlier hearing in January - adjourned until this month after it overran - the court heard that Xuereb was also administering Powell's anti-inflammatory injections and Vitamin B12, despite not being certified as a doctor, massage therapist, chiropractor or physiotherapist.

Along with Simpson - a silver medallist in the 4 x 100m relay at the London 2012 Olympics - Powell was among five Jamaicans to test positive at the Jamaican National Championships in June of last year.
At the time, he said checks done by his team "told us the supplements were fit for consumption by professional athletes".
Powell set a world record of 9.74 seconds in 2007 and won gold in the men's 4 x 100m relay at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Chelsea need Premier League 'help' to compete in Europe

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has called for a re-think on Premier League scheduling for clubs competing in the Champions League, and would like the same support enjoyed by their European rivals.

Jose Mourinho's table-toppers are preparing themselves for a west London derby at Fulham on Saturday - just 72 hours after they drew 1-1 with Galatasaray in Istanbul.

And, given the lack of rest afforded to the Blues, Lampard believes the Premier League should follow models used elsewhere in Europe, where domestic games are often moved to allow Champions League clubs more time to recover from continental competition.

"It's not ideal," the England international is quoted as saying by Sportmasta. "We don't expect any favours and certainly know we won't get them. It's about resting up and getting ready to go.

"I don't know about the Premier League but other countries seem to look after their teams representing them in the Champions League. I'm not sure we do so much here.

"I'm not trying to get one over on other Premier League teams, it just seems a general rule. There could be a bit of common sense if you are getting back at 6:00 (on Thursday)."

However, Lampard is confident Chelsea's squad is capable of coping with the rigorous schedule, and says the players just have to accept the situation.

"We can't moan, we've got a fantastic squad with fit young players. We have to get on with it," he added.

Ancelotti: I didn't think Atletico could win La Liga

Carlo Ancelotti claims he thought only Barcelona and Real Madrid were capable of winning La Liga as his side prepare to visit Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Diego Simeone's men have fallen off the pace a little in recent weeks after a relative slump in form, but they remain only three points off the summit heading into this weekend.
Los Blancos moved a victory clear at the top of the table last week as both Atletico and Barca suffered surprise defeats, but Ancelotti was nonetheless quick to lavish praise on their local rivals for the fight they have shown so far in 2013-14.
"It's a very interesting league campaign, it's very exciting," he told Sportmasta. "There are three brave, strong sides battling for the title.

"It's a surprise because I thought that it would be between Barcelona and Madrid but Atletico are doing a fantastic job. It's very surprising to see that at this level that being on 60 points is not enough to be top of the table.

"They could perfectly play in any league. They know what their shortcomings are and they exploit their qualities: punishing their opponents on the counterattack and from set pieces.
"They are an efficient team. Atletico are just like Simeone was when he was a player: they give their all and play as a unit."

Real Madrid made a mockery of Atletico in the Copa del Rey semi-finals earlier this month, beating them 5-0 on aggregate to avenge their defeat in cup final to their rivals last season and a 1-0 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu in September.

"Both of those games gave us confidence because in the league derby we had problems against them," Ancelotti added.

Real Madrid's visit to Atletico kicks off at 17:00CET on Sunday.

Big guns shooting down rivals

Liverpool have hit more shots on target than any other team this season (186), while Arsenal have hit the target with 55.3% of their efforts.

Sportmasta takes a look at all the key Opta statistics ahead of the weekend's Premier League action with Daniel Sturridge looking to score in nine consecutive Premier League games at Southampton.
Fulham, who host Chelsea, have allowing the opposition more shots on target (173) against them than any other team in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Chelsea have allowed the opposition fewer shots (81) on target against them than any other team.
Stoke striker Peter Crouch has scored seven Premier League goals against Arsenal; only against Blackburn (8) has he been more prolific. Crouch also has scored four goals his last six Premier League appearances at the Britannia Stadium.
Everton v West Ham United
Everton have won seven and lost none of their last 11 Barclays Premier League meetings with West Ham.
Kevin Nolan has scored six goals in his last seven Barclays Premier League appearances.
There have been four red cards in the last four Premier League games between West Ham and Everton, three for the Hammers.
In the last 10 league meetings between these two sides, there has only been one clean sheet kept by either side, Everton winning 2-0 at Goodison Park last season.
West Ham have conceded the highest proportion of Premier League goals from set pieces this season (41%).
The Toffees have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 Premier League games, conceding exactly one goal in 10 of those games.
Roberto Martinez's side have failed to score in three of their last four Premier League matches, including the last two.
West Ham United have kept more clean sheets than any other team in the Premier League (13), including four shut outs in their last five matches in the competition.
Everton have conceded the joint-most penalties in the Premier League this season (six - along with Crystal Palace).
Everton have lost just one of their last 21 Premier League games at Goodison Park (W15 D5 L1).

Fulham v Chelsea
Darren Bent has scored in four of his last six Barclays Premier League games against Chelsea.
Chelsea have recovered more points from losing positions than any other team in the Barclays Premier League this season (14).
Fulham have failed to score in six of their last nine Premier League games against Chelsea and netted only one goal in each of the other three.
The Blues have won 14 and lost just one of the 25 Premier League meetings with their west London rivals, with their only defeat in this fixture coming at Craven Cottage in March 2006.
Only Wayne Rooney (10) has scored more Premier League goals against Fulham than Frank Lampard (8).
Fulham have allowed the opposition more shots on target against them than any other team in the Premier League (173).
Chelsea have allowed the opposition fewer shots on target against them than any other team in the Premier League (81).
Chelsea are looking for their 100th win in Premier League London derbies having won 99 and lost 42 of the 200 they have contested.
Branislav Ivanovic has scored Chelsea's last two Premier League goals away from home.
Jose Mourinho's side have kept eight clean sheets in their last 11 Premier League games and conceded just one goal in each of the other three.
Hull City v Newcastle United
Hull City have won five and lost just one of the last eight meetings in all competitions with Newcastle.
Newcastle United are looking for their 100th Barclays Premier League away win, having won 99 and lost 173 of the 378 they have played so far.
Hull City have seen more opposition players sent off than any other team in the Premier League (5).
Newcastle United have failed to score in seven of their last nine Premier League games.
Hull City have failed to score in five of their last eight Premier League games, but in the other three games during this run they have netted seven times.
Loic Remy has been caught offside more often than any other player this season (29).
The Tigers have won just one of their last six Premier League home games (W1 D2 L3), but this victory came in emphatic fashion as they defeated Fulham 6-0 on Dec 28th
Only Luis Suarez (33) has fired in more shots in the Premier League in 2014 so far than Hull's Nikica Jelavic (29).
This is the third different fixture where Steve Bruce and Alan Pardew have faced each other, after Birmingham v West Ham and Newcastle v Sunderland. Pardew has three wins and Bruce just the one in five previous encounters.
Only Chelsea (469), Liverpool (464) and Man City (472) have fired in more shots (inc. blocked) than Newcastle (429) this season.

Stoke City v Arsenal
Peter Crouch has scored seven Barclays Premier League goals against the Gunners; only against Blackburn (8) has he been more prolific.
Arsenal have only scored in the first half of three of their last 13 Barclays Premier League matches.
Arsenal have won seven and lost just one of the last 10 Barclays Premier League games against Stoke City, but won none of the last three trips to the Britannia Stadium (W0 D2 L1).
Peter Crouch has scored four goals his last six Premier League appearances at the Britannia Stadium.
Only five teams in the Premier League have taken more points on home soil than Stoke have at the Britannia this season (21).
Only Tottenham (29) have earned more points away from home than Arsenal (26) this season.
Stoke have scored the joint-fewest headed goals this season (2) while only Liverpool (11) have netted more headers than Arsenal (10).
Olivier Giroud has scored the opening goal of a game more often than any other player in the Premier League this season (7).
Arsenal have hit the target with 55.3% of their shots, a divisional high shooting accuracy.
The Potters have committed more fouls than any other team in the Premier League (360) and picked up the most cards (58 yellows and three reds).
Southampton v Liverpool (5.30pm)
Southampton have dropped more points from winning positions than any other team in the Barclays Premier League (15).
Liverpool have scored 11 headed goals from just 15 headers on target this season in the Barclays Premier League.
Daniel Sturridge has scored in eight consecutive Premier League appearances. Only Ruud van Nistelrooy (10) has scored in more consecutive appearances in the history of the competition.
Liverpool have conceded the highest proportion of goals from headers of any team in the top flight this season (26%).
Liverpool have scored the highest proportion of first half goals of any team in the Premier League this season (66%) and their total of 46 is already a Premier League record, with 11 games to play.
Southampton have won four of their five Premier League games against Liverpool at St Mary's (L1), including the last three in a row.
Liverpool will be looking for revenge against Southampton, as the Saints are the only team to defeat the Reds at Anfield this season in all competitions (0-1 in Sept 2013).
Liverpool have fired in more shots on target than any other team this season (186).
Only four teams have kept fewer clean sheets than Liverpool in the top flight this season (7), three of those teams are in the bottom four.
Saints are one of only two teams in the Premier League to keep a clean sheet against Liverpool this season (the other being Arsenal at the Emirates).

Aston Villa v Norwich City (Sun, 4.30pm)
Aston Villa have lost just one of the last 11 Barclays Premier League games against Norwich City (W5 D5 L1).
The Canaries have won just four of their 32 Barclays Premier League away games under Chris Hughton (W4 D9 L19).
Paul Lambert's side have failed to score in each of their last three Premier League matches.
No player has had more headed shots (20) or scored more headed goals (4) in the Premier League this season than Christian Benteke.
In Norwich's last 12 Premier League games they have failed to score six times and scored exactly one goal in each of the other six.
Leroy Fer has committed more fouls than any other player in the top division this season (49).
Only Crystal Palace (7.89%) have a lower shot conversion rate than Norwich City in the Premier League this season (7.91%).
Paul Lambert joined Aston Villa from a spell as manager of Norwich City. His win ratio with the Canaries was 32% compared to 26% with the Villans in the Premier League.
Aston Villa have conceded a joint-league high seven goals in the opening 15 minutes of games, but a joint-league low four times in the final 15 minutes.
Aston Villa have scored just one goal from a corner this season, fewer than any other team.

Swansea City v Crystal Palace (Sun, 4.30pm)
Swansea have scored the highest proportion of second half goals of any team in the Barclays Premier League this season (75%).
Crystal Palace have recovered just one point from losing positions in the Barclays Premier League this term, fewer than any other team.
Swansea City have won the last four games against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
The south Londoners have failed to score in each of their last five competitive matches against the Swans.
Crystal Palace have the worst shot conversion rate in the top flight this season scoring with just 7.9% of their shots.
Palace have conceded just nine goals in their last nine Premier League games and just one of those came in the first half of a match.
Wilfried Bony has scored five goals in his last eight Premier League appearances.
Crystal Palace have conceded the joint-most penalties in the Premier League this season (six, along with Everton).
Swansea have benefited from a league-high seven own goals this season, accounting for almost a fifth of their goals (19%).
22% of Crystal Palace's goals have been scored in the opening 15 minutes of matches, a league high proportion.

Tottenham Hotspur v Cardiff City (Sun, 4.30pm)
Tottenham have conceded fewer headed goals than any other team in the Barclays Premier League this season (1).
Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored seven Barclays Premier League goals against Spurs, his joint-highest tally against any opponent in the competition.
32% of the goals Cardiff City have scored have been from headers, the highest proportion of any team in the top flight this season.
Cardiff have failed to score in five of their last six meetings with Tottenham in all competitions.
Cardiff City have fired in fewer shots on target than any other team in the top flight this season (84).
The Bluebirds have failed to score in more games than any other team in the Premier League this season (15), including the last three in a row.
Former Spurs defender Steven Caulker has blocked more opposition shots than any other player in the Premier League this season (38).
Cardiff City have yet to win or concede a penalty in the Premier League this season - the only side yet to do so.
Emmanuel Adebayor has scored just once at White Hart Lane in the Premier League this season, with seven (88%) of his eight PL goals this term coming away from home.
David Marshall has made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League (106).

Villas-Boas: Barcelona or Real Madrid jobs would be a 'dream'

Ex-Chelsea and Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has confessed that he dreams of coaching either Barcelona and Real Madrid someday.

After honing his talent as Jose Mourinho's understudy, the Portuguese made a name for himself at Academica then Porto before struggling to inspire as Chelsea manager as he failed to survive his first season at Stamford Bridge.

He returned to the bench in the Premier League in charge of Tottenham but, after 18 months in the job, he was shown the door as Spurs' poor form showed no signs of improving in a troubled 2013-14 campaign.

Villas-Boas' failures in England have not put him off coaching top clubs, however, and he was not shy about suggesting he could be in charge of either the Catalans or the Blancos in the future.

"Real Madrid and Barca are two of the best clubs in the world," he told Sportmasta. "One of them may have won more titles, but the other have made more of a mark in recent history - the legacy Pep Guardiola left is awe-inspiring.

"For me, as a young coach, it would be a dream to train either of them."

Villas-Boas coached Gareth Bale in his final season with Spurs before the winger joined Real Madrid for €100 million last summer and his former tutor praised the Welshman for following his ambition by joining the Spaniards.

"He's been amazing," the Portuguese coach added. "Although he scored many great goals in the Premier League last year so this is not a surprise.

"He has adapted very well at Madrid. He is aware that he is facing one of the biggest challenges of his career. Coming to the club was his decision, he had many offers but decided to go with the team with the most titles." 

'Porto are very strong' - Benitez wary of testing Napoli tie

Rafa Benitez has warned his Napoli charges that Porto represent very strong opposition in the last 16 of the Europa League.

The Partenopei reached next round of the competition with a 3-1 win over Swansea at the Stadio San Paolo on Thursday on the back of a 0-0 first-leg draw at the Liberty Stadium.
Porto, meanwhile, followed up a 2-2 draw at home with a 3-3 stalemate at Eintracht Frankfurt this week, with a strike from Nabil Ghilas four minutes from time sealing Paulo Fonseca's men's progress on away goals.

Benitez, who guided Chelsea to Europa League success last season, was hesitant regarding his team's chances of making the quarter-finals and is especially concerned with the leg at the Estadio do Dragao.

"Porto are a very strong team," the ex-Inter and Liverpool trainer told Sportmasta. "The market in Portugal is very different, there are 200 Brazilians who cannot wait to land there.

"The environment will be very difficult to deal with when we go to their stadium, it will be a very difficult test."

Napoli, who sit third in Serie A, kick off at Livorno on Sunday in their next match at 18:30CET. 

Ajax crash out as Porto snatch dramatic last-16 spot

Bitter rivals Sevilla and Real Betis will contest a Seville derby in the last 16 of the Europa League after progressing on Thursday.
With Sevilla having drawn 2-2 at Maribor last week, goals from Jose Antonio Reyes and Kevin Gameiro put them in control with half an hour to play.
Although Dare Vrsic made it 4-3 on aggregate in the final minute, the Slovenian champions could not find the second that would have forced extra-time as Sevilla sealed their passage.
Sevilla will take on a Betis side who were impressive in winning 2-0 in Russia to seal a 3-1 aggregate success over Rubin Kazan.
Nono and Ruben Castro scored the goals and the upcoming derby now gives Betis a chance to salvage something from a dreadful season that currently sees them 11 points adrift of safety at the bottom of La Liga.
Napoli coach Rafael Benitez - who won the tournament last year with Chelsea and secured progress on Thursday against Swansea - will continue his defence of the title with a tie against Porto, who sealed a dramatic away-goals victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
After a 2-2 draw in Portugal, the Germans looked in a strong position when leading 2-0 on the night. Eliaquim Mangala levelled with a double, but the tie appeared to be settled when Alexander Meier restored Frankfurt's advantage in the 76th minute.
But with four minutes remaining, substitute Nabil Ghilas struck for the visitors to send Frankfurt crashing out.
Benfica will face Tottenham in the next round after they ran out 3-0 winners over PAOK to seal a 4-0 aggregate success.

Former Benfica player Kostas Katsouranis was sent off for the visitors, allowing Nicolas Gaitan to score directly from the free kick, and further goals from a Lima penalty and a fine Lazar Markovic strike secured a simple win.
Juventus and Fiorentina will meet in the next round in an all-Italian clash after Fiorentina's 1-1 draw saw them through 4-2 against Esbjerg, but Lazio miss out on progression after Juninho Quixada's 88th-minute strike saw Ludogorets claim a 4-3 aggregate win.
Ludogorets will face Valencia, whose goalless draw at home to Dynamo Kiev was enough to see them through 2-0 on aggregate.
Ajax suffered their joint-heaviest European aggregate defeat, going down 3-1 to Salzburg on the night and 6-1 over the tie, while Basel's 3-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv saw them through after a goalless first leg to set up a meeting with the Austrians.
AZ drew 1-1 with Slovan Liberec, sealing a 2-1 win overall, and will face Anzhi Makhachkala, who beat Genk 2-0 in Belgium after a scoreless first leg thanks to a fine performance from Olexandr Aliyev.
Elsewhere, Viktoria Plzen earned a surprise 2-1 win in Ukraine to see them overcome Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2. Plzen's reward is a tie with Olympique Lyonnais in the next round, who beat Chornomorets 1-0 after a 0-0 draw last week.

Spain omit Mata and Torres

Juan Mata's move from Chelsea to Manchester United has failed to earn him a recall to the Spain squad.

The 25-year-old midfielder has been a regular starter for United since his switch from Stamford Bridge last month but he has failed to catch the eye of Spain boss Vicente del Bosque.
Del Bosque has also omitted Chelsea striker Fernando Torres from his 22-man squad for the high-profile friendly international against Italy in Madrid on Wednesday.
The duo now face a struggle to impress Del Bosque ahead of the World Cup this summer as this is his last game before he names his preliminary list of 30 players for Brazil in May, although the coach tweeted: "This is a list only for the match against Italy. It doesn't mean anything for Brazil 2014."
Juventus striker Fernando Llorente, who has been in fine form in Serie A, and Atletico Madrid's David Villa are other notable omissions, while Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique is absent due to injury.
Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa could make his debut for Spain at the Vicente Calderon - his home ground - after scoring 27 times in all competitions this season.
Costa completed the nationalisation process that allowed him to switch allegiances from Brazil to Spain in time for La Roja's friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and South Africa last November, but was forced to miss both games due to injury.
Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara is rewarded for his impressive form for the Bundesliga champions with a call-up to the senior squad for the first time this season.
Chelsea full-back Cesar Azpilicueta is also included for the first time since the Confederations Cup ahead of Real Madrid's Alvaro Arbeloa.
Del Bosque said: "We think Azpilicueta is playing well at Chelsea and we will take a closer look at him.
"The same with Thiago. He is playing for Bayern Munich, one of the best teams in Europe, and he is in the starting line-up despite the high degree of competition."
Manchester City duo David Silva and Alvara Negredo also feature in the squad.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).
Defenders: Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea).
Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City).
Forwards: Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City), Jesus Navas (Manchester City), Pedro (Barcelona), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid).

'Ridiculous' critics just want to hurt Barcelona - Alba

Jordi Alba has lashed out at "ridiculous" critics of Barcelona, claiming people are simply out to harm the reigning La Liga champions.

The Catalans have fallen behind Real Madrid in the race for the title in Spain, albeit only by three points, but have made it to the Copa del Rey final and have a healthy 2-0 lead heading into the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at Camp Nou against Manchester City.

However, their altered style of play under Gerardo Martino and two defeats in February have combined to draw criticism in the direction of the Catalans, but the left-back dismissed it as hearsay that is created to derail the club's hopes of success.

"The criticism is coming from people from outside the club that want to do us harm," Alba, 24, told reporters at a promotional event. "It's just a slagging off, it's nothing objective.

"These days, many ridiculous things have been said, but the team are calm about it.

"We're doing fine in all three of the competitions and we're out to win every one of them. It's important that in all three it's up to us. We have to be united."

Barca are back in La Liga action on Sunday at home to Almeria, where a win could see them return to the top of the table if Atletico Madrid defeat Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderon earlier that day.

RVP to escape action

• Robin van Persie's damning verdict of Manchester United has infuriated his team-mates.
• Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster is wanted by a host of top European clubs, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus all in the frame.
• Newcastle defender Steven Taylor is a £3.5 million summer target for Hull.
• Juventus and Inter Milan are fighting it out to sign Southampton's Dani Osvaldo.
• French midfielder Steven Nzonzi wants to quit Stoke.

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• West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka's career could be over after he was hammered by the FA for his 'quenelle' gesture.
• Brendan Rodgers has dismissed the prospect of Pepe Reina returning to Liverpool after his loan at Napoli.
• Robin van Persie has apologised to his Manchester United team-mates and said he was not criticising them with his comments after the defeat at Olympiakos.
• West Brom boss Pepe Mel's position has been further weakened by the departure of Dave McDonough, the club's director of technical performance and scouting.
• Newcastle manager Alan Pardew expects to be backed with substantial transfer funds in the summer.
• Inter Milan are trying to revive a deal for Tottenham misfit Etienne Capoue.
• Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton is in talks with Bolton about an emergency loan deal.
• Young Manchester United defender Michael Keane is a target for Championship side Blackburn.

• England boss Roy Hodgson has warned his big names he is ready to be a World Cup heart-breaker.
• West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka is set to turn his back on English football.
• Robin van Persie will not be punished for blasting his Manchester United team-mates.
• Brendan Rodgers has slammed the door shut on Pepe Reina coming back to Liverpool.
• Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is winning his battle to be fit for Sunday's Capital One Cup final.

• Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard wants English football's governing bodies to look after their Champions League teams.
• Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas wants to manage in the Premier League again.
• Aidy Boothroyd, who was sacked by Northampton in December, is set to be named the new England U20 coach.

• England's WAGS have been given the green light to accompany the World Cup squad to Miami this summer.
• Patrice Evra could be the next Manchester United player to join Inter Milan.

• Frank Lampard has bemoaned a perceived lack of support offered to English clubs in Europe by the domestic game's governing bodies.

• The FA Commission on England's talent crisis has been delayed until after the World Cup with Roy Hodgson fearing a debate about the national team's failings could overshadow his preparations for the tournament in Brazil.

Fabregas: Messi carrying Barcelona

Cesc Fabregas has insisted that there's no truth in the rumours suggesting a number of Barcelona players are unhappy with Lionel Messi's contribution to the team.

The Blaugrana have come in for criticism in the wake of their 3-1 La Liga defeat against Real Sociedad last weekend and Messi has not escaped some harsh words either.

Nevertheless, Fabregas has stressed that everybody at Barca is happy with the Argentine's hard work for the team and says the entire squad are hoping to make amends for losing their last match.

"If there’s any player that carries the weight of the team on his shoulders, it’s Leo Messi. If more has to be asked of him, then three times as much has to be asked of us," Fabregas was quoted as saying by Sportmasta.

"It’s totally false that anything has been said against Leo. He looks very good to me. Leo has been the most consistent player in world football. I have no doubt that he’ll be there whenever he’s needed. His state of mind is very good, he’s happy.

"He isn’t happy about Saturday, because we’re all disappointed about it. But on Sunday we have another match and that’s where we have to seek a fresh new start. We have two and a half months left and we have to be at 100 per cent."

Messi has netted 14 goals in 18 La Liga appearances so far this term. 

Hodgson may axe 'big name'

Roy Hodgson admits he may have to leave one of his experienced players out of the squad for this summer's World Cup.

The England boss gave the clearest indication yet of the players who are in his thoughts for the tournament - which gets under way on 12 June - in naming a 30-man squad for next week's friendly against Denmark.
Ten of those named have fewer than five caps and Hodgson says he may have to disappoint some of the country's established players when he names his squad for Brazil.
"I am very conscious of the fact that I could have to leave a big name out," said Hodgson.
"It was a very different kettle of fish a couple of years ago (before Euro 2012), I don't think there was much debate then.
"It wasn't easy before the Euros to be honest. This time it is going to be even harder.
"Because before the Euros at least I was choosing names of players I knew and players I had seen play but had never really worked with.
"This time I will have to disappoint some people I have worked with who have maybe done a good job for me and the team."
The spotlight is likely to fall on the likes of Chelsea duo Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard and Manchester City's James Milner, who are not regular starters for their club sides.
Cole, especially, is under pressure, with Southampton's Luke Shaw receiving his first call-up to the squad for the Denmark again, along with established left-back Leighton Baines.
Cole has 106 caps to his name but has only made 12 appearances for Chelsea this season and Hodgson admitted Shaw would likely get a chance to impress next week.
"It is a logical thought but I can't make promises," he said. "I think everyone who has watched him play recently will not deny that he deserves a place in a large squad like this.
"It would be nice if he gets to play on Wednesday night, but that decision hasn't been made."
The deadline for final squad submissions for the World Cup is 2 June 2, but Hodgson is keen to name his party early so he will announce his 23 players on 13 May, with an additional seven players on standby.
However, he admitted that his squad could well change from the one named for the game against Denmark.
"This is not a definitive list," he added. "The fact someone is on this list does not say he will be going or be one of the seven standby players because I reserve the right to change my mind on those subjects."

FOOTBALL; Nigeria unveil World Cup jerseys

The new home and away kits for the Super Eagles were finally unveiled in Abuja on Thursday and were modeled by three players from the CHAN squad

Nigeria's World Cup jersey was unveiled on Thursday in Abuja ahead of their friendly against Mexico on March 5.

The trio of Ejike Uzoenyi, Shehu Abdullahi and Chigozie Agbim were the models for the unveiling of the new kit designed by Adidas which took place at the Sunday Dankaro House, Abuja National Stadium.
The new home jersey is a mix of lemon green and white stripes while the away jersey is white with green stripes and numbered with red.

The goalkeeper's jersey is yellow with purple stripes.

The Super Eagles will wear it next week when they play against Mexico in a friendly match in Atlanta, USA.
Nigeria are drawn in World Cup Group F with Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Badminton: Chris Adcock & Gabby White target gold at Worlds

England's Chris Adcock is hopeful of going one better than 2011 and winning mixed doubles gold at next week's World Championships in Guangzhou, China.

Adcock teams up with compatriot Gabby White this time, after winning silver with Scotland's Imogen Bankier at Wembley two years ago.
Bankier will play with Bulgarian Petya Nedelcheva in the women's doubles.
"I don't feel any extra pressure because of winning a silver medal last time," said Adcock.

World Championships line-ups

• England: Rajiv Ouseph, Toby Penty, Sarah Walker, Chris Adcock, Andrew Ellis, Chris Langridge, Peter Mills, Marcus Ellis
• Ireland: Sam Magee, Chloe Magee, Scott Evans
• Scotland : Alistair Casey, Kirsty Gilmour, Paul Van Rietvelde, Martin Campbell, Patrick MacHugh, Imogen Bankier
• Wales: Daniel Font, Oliver Gwilt

"Of course it would be great to get another medal. However, as I proved last time, anything can happen at a major championships and we will be taking it one game at a time.

"Hopefully by doing that we will get into a position to challenge."
Adcock and White, ranked 17th, have a bye in the first round, while English champions Chris Langridge and Heather Olver take on Sweden's Nico Ruponen and Amanda Hogstrom.
Both Adcock and White will play in two competitions, with Adock joining Andrew Ellis in the men's doubles and White playing alongside Lauren Smith in the women's doubles.
"I don't feel that there is any added pressure of playing both," said Adock.
"It's what I have always done through my whole career to date and I'm really looking forward to competing in both out in China."
Welsh duo Daniel Font and Oliver Gwilt will take on Russia's Sergey Lunev and Evgeny Dremin in round one.
In the singles, Britain's leading man Rajiv Ouseph of England plays Chong Wei Feng of Malaysia in the first round, while 20-year-old Toby Penty faces American Howard Shu.
English National champion Sarah Walker will play Kate Foo Kune of Mauritius, and Scotland's world number 36 Kirsty Gilmour will open against against Swiss player Nicole Schaller.

Badminton World Championships: Ouseph out but Penty through

English number one Rajiv Ouseph made an early exit on the opening day of the World Championships in China.

The Commonwealth silver medallist was beaten 21-11, 21-15 by Malaysian 15th seed Chong Wei Feng in the first round.
But 20-year-old Toby Penty produced a confident display in Guangzhou to beat American Howard Shu 21-16 21-16.
The left-hander from Walton-on-Thames, ranked 75 in the world, controlled the first game but had to come from 10-5 and 12-9 down in the second to seal it.
He will face Germany's 11th seed and European champion Marc Zwiebler for the first time in the second round.
Republic of Ireland's Scott Evans was beaten 21-11 21-15 by Malaysia's world number one Lee Chong Wei, who is favoured to meet China's reigning world champion Lin Dan - an easy 21-6 21-9 winner over American Sattawat Pongnairat - in the final.
Scotland's Alistair Casey also went out in the first round, beaten 21-6 21-18 by Japan's Sho Sasaki.
Elsewhere, the opening day brought mixed fortunes for the English contingent.
English champions Chris Langridge and Heather Olver were surprisingly knocked out in the first round of the mixed doubles, losing 22-20 13-21 21-13 to Swedish pair Nico Ruponen and Amanda Hogstrom.
Ranked 21 places higher than their opponents, the English pair were unable to convert a game point at 20-19 in the opener after recovering from 17-15 down. They did fight back to level, but could not sustain their momentum.
Olver returned later in the day to partner Kate Robertson to a 23-21 21-14 victory in the women's doubles over Kai Hsin Chiang and Pei-Ling Tsai of Chinese Tapei.
Lauren Smith and Gabrielle White also made a winning start, beating Indian duo Aparna Balan and N Siki Reddy 21-15 21-17.
But Scotland's Imogen Bankier, teaming up with Bulgarian Petaya Nedelcheva, suffered an 18-21 21-18 21-16 defeat by Thai pair Narissapat Lam and Saralee Thoungthongkam.

Badminton: British interest ended at World Championships

There will be no further British presence in the World Championships after a day of defeats in China.

England's Chris Adcock and Andy Ellis were eliminated in the second round of the men's doubles in Guangzhou.
China's ninth seeds Zhang Nan and Biao Chai beat the English duo 21-11 17-21 21-8 in a match that lasted 49 minutes.

Selected Wednesday results

Men's doubles, second round:

• [4] Hiroyuki Endo and Kenichi Hayakawa (Japan) beat Chris Langridge and Peter Mills (England) 21-7 22-20
• [9] Biao Chai and Zhang Nan (China) beat Chris Adcock and Andrew Ellis (England) 21-11 17-21 21-8
• [10] Angga Pratama and Ryan Agung Saputra (Indonesia) beat Marcus Ellis (England) and Paul Van Rietvelde (Scotland) 21-11 21-8

Women's doubles, second round:

• [16] A Ra Ko and Hae Won Yoo (South Korea) beat Heather Olver and Kate Robertshaw (England) 21-10 21-15
• [7] Yixin Bao and Qianxin Zhong (China) beat Lauren Smith and Gabrielle White (England) 21-16 21-14

Women's singles, second round:

• [6] Tzu Ying Tai (Chinese Taipei) beat Kirsty Gilmour (Scotland) 21-12 20-22 21-6
• [5] Ji Hyun Sung (South Korea) beat Sarah Walker (England) 21-11 21-17

English national champions Chris Langridge and Peter Mills went down 21-7 22-20 against Japanese fourth seeds Hiroyuki Endo and Kenichi Hayakawa.

England's Marcus Ellis and Scotland's Paul Van Rietvelde also exited the tournament, beaten 21-11 21-8 by Indonesian 10th seeds Angga Pratama and Rian Agung Saputro.
English women's doubles national champions Gabby White and Lauren Smith lost 21-16 21-14 to China's seventh seeds Yixin Bao and Qianxin Zhong while Heather Olver and Kate Robertshaw went down 21-10 21-15 to Korean 16th seeds A Ra Ko and Hae Won Yoo.
In the men's singles, Toby Penty, who will be 21 on Monday, went down 21-14 21-11 to European champion and 11th seed Marc Zwiebler of Germany.
In the women's singles, Scotland's Kirsty Gilmour, 19, took Taiwan's sixth seed Tzu Ying Tai to three games before losing 21-12 20-22 21-6.
In the final match involving a Briton, English national champion Sarah Walker was beaten 21-8 21-11 by fifth seed Sung Ji Hyun of Korea in the women's singles.

Rajiv Ouseph aims to lead English badminton revival

Commonwealth silver medallist Rajiv Ouseph wants to lead a revival of English badminton fortunes.

Ouseph, 27, was among four players in the Great Britain squad for last year's Olympics, but they failed to challenge for medals after early defeats.

Continue reading the main story

“Consistency is key for me against the top guys, which I've struggled with in the past”

Rajiv Ouseph

He will compete in the inaugural London Grand Prix,  which will take place at the Copper Box from 1 to 6 October.

"I'm one of the senior players now and I want to lead by example and inspire some of the youngsters," he said.
Ouseph said that he had been helped early in his international career by Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms, who were mixed doubles silver medallists for Britain at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
He believes that players such as Chris Adcock, who won a mixed doubles silver medal for Britain with Scotland's Imogen Bankier at the 2011 World Championships, can inspire English badminton in the future.
He said: "When I came into the squad, there were Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms, who were big figures in the sport and we probably don't have that much now.
"I think people like myself, and Chris Adcock and Gabby White can show it's possible again for British players to be successful."
The world number 25 sees the London Grand Prix as an opportunity to reverse his fortunes after failing to reach the knock-out stages of last year's Olympic badminton tournament, held at Wembley Arena.
"The Olympics was a dream of mine and to achieve that was great, but there was still that lingering feeling that maybe I could have done a little bit better," he said.
"Going back to the Olympic Park, where I didn't play but got to see a lot of the sports, is maybe a chance to set things right a little bit."

Ouseph was knocked out of the London 2012 men's singles by Kevin Cordon of Guatemala

A Commonwealth Games silver medallist in Delhi in 2010, Ouseph hopes to go one better in Glasgow next year.
He has won individual titles in Finland and France this year and intends to demonstrate his potential to the world at this week's event.
"Consistency is key for me against the top guys," he said. "I've had a problem with it in the past but my form this year has been a bit better.
"Other countries such as India and Malaysia have come on leaps and bounds in the last few years, but if I take it round-by-round in London and Glasgow, I'll have a chance."
England's recently-married mixed doubles pair Adcock and White miss the event as they on honeymoon, while Scotland's lead duo of Bankier and Robert Blair are competing in other events.
In their absence, England's Chris Langridge and Heather Olver represent the greatest prospect of British success as the third seeds in an event.
Scotland's Kirsty Gilmour is Britain's only seeded player in the women's singles while Ouseph will need to overcome world number five Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark, who is the lead ranked player in the men's singles.

Rajiv Ouseph and Kirsty Gilmour reach London Grand Prix semis

England's number one Rajiv Ouseph and Kirsty Gilmour are both into the singles semi-finals of the London Grand Prix.

Ouseph beat Malaysia's Zulfadli Zulkifli 21-14 21-13 in the men's last eight with China's Tian Houwei up next.
Scotland's Gilmour overcame Japan's Sayaka Sato 21-17 21-10 in the women's quarter-finals on Friday.
In the mixed doubles, Chris Langridge and Heather Olver made the last four with a 21-17 21-19 win over Germany's Max Schwenger and Carla Nelte.
Ouseph got through his match in 38 minutes and revealed he had planned to tire out Zulkifli and take control in the latter stages.
"I knew quite a lot about him. Obviously he knew about me as well," he said.
"At the beginning, I just tried to wear him out a bit. He came out quite quickly, as I expected him to, and it was just a case of wearing him down."
Gilmour, who will face Czech Republic's Kristina Gavnholt or China's Olympic semi-finalist Wang Xin in the last four, was happy to see her off-season training help her through.
"I'm playing really well. I'm really happy with how I'm playing. I'm being quite patient and all of the things I've been working on over the summer are starting to come together," she said.

Rajiv Ouseph wins seventh straight national title

Top seed Rajiv Ouseph clinched his seventh successive English National Championships title with a comfortable win over Sam Parsons in Milton Keynes.

The 27-year-old beat eighth seed Parsons 21-9 21-8 in 28 minutes.
Defending champion Sarah Walker also retained her title, with an 18-21 21-9 21-17 win over Jersey's Elizabeth Cann.
Chris Adcock and wife Gabby both took two titles, their mixed doubles triumph courtesy of a 21-18 21-16 victory over Chris Langridge and Heather Olver.
Gabby joined Lauren Smith to win the women's doubles, while Chris teamed up with Andy Ellis to win the men's doubles.
Londoner Ouseph looked in imperious form as he triumphed against England Under-19 champion Parsons to move closer to Darren Hall's record of 10 titles.
Ouseph said: "I would like to carry on to the Rio Olympics, which would mean I could get to nine, but I'll just take it a year at a time."

Badminton: England defeat Germany to reach Euro Team final

England's men beat Germany 3-1 to set up a meeting with Denmark in the final of the European Team Championships.

Rajiv Ouseph won his singles match while doubles pairs Chris Adcock and Andy Ellis, and Chris Langridge and Peter Mills, were both victorious.
It means England will collect silver for the first time in the competition after taking bronze two years ago.
Victory over the Danes on Sunday would also give England their first gold in a European team event since 1984.
Ouseph, who won his seventh successive English Championship a week ago, led the way for England in the semi-final with a 21-13 17-21 21-16 win over European champion Marc Zwiebler in 63 minutes.
England took command of the contest when Adcock and Ellis defeated Michael Fuchs and Johannes Schoettler 21-19 21-19 in the first doubles encounter.
Germany fought back in the second singles match as Dieter Domke secured a 21-18 21-17 win over Toby Penty.
The stage was then set for Langridge and Mills as they overcame Ingo Kindervater and Peter Kaesbauer 19-21 21-17 21-19 in a fluctuating 60-minute battle.
The 3-1 win meant Rhys Walker, who made his England debut earlier in the week, was not required to face Lukas Schmidt in the third men's singles.