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http://ift.tt/2qv2L28 “We are facing a diplomatic crisis,” Infantino told Switzerland’s Le Matin Dimanche newspaper. “I am confident the region will return to a normal situation.” AFP PHOTO / JACK GUEZ FIFA is confident the diplomatic crisis sweeping Qatar will normalise and not threaten the 2022 World Cup, the organisation’s president, Gianni Infantino, said in an interview published Sunday. “We are facing a diplomatic crisis,” Infantino told Switzerland’s Le Matin Dimanche newspaper. “I am confident the region will return to a normal situation.” He told the paper FIFA was “closely watching the evolving situation and we are in regular contact with the highest authorities in Qatar.” But he stressed that Qatar’s World Cup was five years away. “Obviously, if football can offer a small contribution to improve the situation, I won’t hesitate to offer my help,” he said, while adding that FIFA should stay clear of “geopolitics.” Saudi Arabia and allies including the UAE and Bah...

http://ift.tt/2qv2L28 "We are facing a diplomatic crisis," Infantino told Switzerland's Le Matin Dimanche newspaper. "I am confident the region will return to a normal situation." AFP PHOTO / JACK GUEZ FIFA is confident the diplomatic crisis sweeping Qatar will normalise and not threaten the 2022 World Cup, the organisation’s president, Gianni Infantino, said in an interview published Sunday. “We are facing a diplomatic crisis,” Infantino told Switzerland’s Le Matin Dimanche newspaper. “I am confident the region will return to a normal situation.” He told the paper FIFA was “closely watching the evolving situation and we are in regular contact with the highest authorities in Qatar.” But he stressed that Qatar’s World Cup was five years away. “Obviously, if football can offer a small contribution to improve the situation, I won’t hesitate to offer my help,” he said, while adding that FIFA should stay clear of “geopolitics.” Saudi Arabia and allies i...

http://ift.tt/2sdKiaY CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 09: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors attempts a shot defended by LeBron James #23 and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 9, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Jason Miller/Getty Images/AFP Jason Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP Kyrie Irving and LeBron James unleashed a historic scoring spectacle Friday to power defending champion Cleveland over Golden State 137-116 in the NBA Finals, ending the Warriors’ bid for a perfect playoff run. Irving scored 40 points, hitting 15-of-27 shots from the floor and 7-of-12 3-pointers, while James added 31 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists to pull the Cavaliers within 3-1 in the best-of-seven championship series. “The magnitude of th...

http://ift.tt/2qilhKc Denmark's Forein Affairs minister Anders Samuelsen (L) speaks with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson during a Foreign Affairs minister meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels on May 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Monday downplayed differences with EU partners over the bloc’s military ambitions, saying London supported their efforts to bolster defence cooperation. Reports on Friday put Brexit-bound Britain in the dock for blocking the launch of an EU military headquarters because it opposed any suggestion the unit should have an active operational role. EU diplomatic sources were quoted as saying the British government was anxious not be wrong-footed on the issue ahead of a June 8 general election dominated by Brexit. But Johnson said the differences had been overdone and that the problem was about finding the right language, not the principle. “We understand the vital importance of European co...

http://ift.tt/2qbC3Zm Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 7, 2017. Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP There is nothing Arsene Wenger relishes more than confounding his doubters and the Arsenal manager will know on Saturday whether he has a strong chance of doing so once again. Wenger’s side travel to Stoke having boosted their chances of qualifying for the Champions League – a task that looked a lost cause just a few weeks ago – by winning 2-0 at Southampton on Wednesday. That left Arsenal in fifth place in the Premier League, three points behind Manchester City in the slot directly above. City will have played their home game with Leicester City by the time Arsenal kick off at Stoke, but a Gunners victory is sure to stoke up the pressure on Liverpool, who are currently in third. Jurgen Klopp’s side are four points bette...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Some beneficiaries of the Federal Government N-power programme in Nasarawa have protested the non-payment of their five months stipend. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protesters who carried placards and leaves marched for over five kilometres from the Lafia Branch of United Bank for Africa to the Government House. Spokesman of the group, Abdulkareem Isiaka, said most of their members have not been paid since the programme started five months ago. He said the protest was to draw the attention of the concerned authority to come to their aid by ensuring that they get their money as at when due. “All those who are yet to be paid have already reported to their respective places of primary assignment. “We have reported to the authority at the various local government areas, yet nothing was done about it hence the need for the protest. “Maybe they are not reporting the case to the appropriate authority, but with this protest now the authority wi...

http://ift.tt/2q5cwmm Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez celebrates his goal against Southampton on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. PHOTO: TWITTER/ARSENAL Arsene Wenger hailed Alexis Sanchez’s unique qualities after the Chilean opened the scoring in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory at Southampton and then created a second goal for substitute Olivier Giroud. Wednesday’s victory took Arsenal to within three points of the Premier League top four and keeps alive the possibility of a 20th successive season of Champions League football for the north London club. Sanchez broke the deadlock in the 60th minute at St Mary’s, gathering Mesut Ozil’s pass and leaving two defenders sprawling before firing home his 20th goal of the league campaign. “The goal he scored tonight shows what he’s about: very good technique in a short space,” Wenger said. “He scores important goals. He has invention in his head. He’s creative, not phased by anything, and he surprised everyone in the stadium tonight with his goal. ...