Khel Now Live Football Blog-Tuesday 09 May 2017

Published at :May 8, 2017 at 9:55 AM

Modified at :May 8, 2017 at 9:55 AM

Keep up with all the latest news from across the football world throughout the day right here on Khel Now...

10:14:21 PM: Lionel Messi deserved a two-match ban for Argentina - Diego Maradona

Argentina legend Maradona told Radio La Red he was surprised that the FIFA appeals committee reduced the four-match ban against the Barcelona star after Messi had served the one-game sanction against Bolivia.

"It makes absolutely no sense, but Leo deserved [to be sanctioned] for one more match and I say that with my heart in my hand," Maradona said.

"They reduced the ban for the same reason they always do with star players and veteran players," Maradona said.

"Messi is not the type of player to insult anyone. I managed him for one year and he is more like a teddy bear than a football player."

Messi will now be available for Argentina's crucial World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru.

Maradona insisted that he had no influence in the FIFA appeals committee's decision.

"I tried to help Messi but I had nothing to do with it," he said. "The gentlemen who were there said four [matches] and then all of a sudden it was three. I want to be clear about Messi that I did speak to people but I never asked anything of [FIFA president Gianni] Infantino. Infantino has no role in the court [of appeals]."

Maradona said he was pleased with the decision.

"You have to congratulate all those who made it possible to get Messi's ban reduced," he said. "I am happy with the decision, both for Messi and because I am Argentine. We can return to dreaming about the World Cup again."

Maradona, 56, was recently appointed coach of Al-Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates second division. He had been out of management since being sacked by Dubai's Al-Wasl in 2012.

9:52 PM: Federation Cup 2017 Match reports and Highlights:-

3:48 PM: The starting Line-ups for the Federation Cup tie between Chennai City FC and East Bengal are out!

East Bengal had managed a draw in the last game against Churchill Brothers while Aizawl had defeated Chennai City 3-2 on Sunday

02:50 PM: Dick Advocaat has been appointed as the manager of the Netherlands National Football Team

This is the third term for the 69-year-old veteran as he looks to save the sinking ship of Dutch National Team as they suffer in a transition phase

Advocaat has massive experience, something which the National side badly needed. Advocaat was the manager of Fenerbahce S.K in the Turkish league and has managed the National Team from 1992-94 and 2002-04. He has also had three stints as assistant manager.

12:47 PM: The Federation Cup will see East Bengal face Chennai City FC today at the Barabati at 4:00 PM.

Chennai City and East Bengal will both look to take the bragging rights as they head into their second game of the Fed Cup

Aizawl FC defeated Chennai City FC 3-2 in a come-from-behind victory in the first game for both clubs while East Bengal had played a goalless draw against Churchill Brothers.

12:17 PM: Oye, it's ROBIN Paaji's birthday! Khel Now wishes him all the luck as he keeps scoring goals by the tonnes!

Happy birthday, Robin! Naam Robin hai to kya hua, bhai apna Batman hi hai! ;)

Robin has been one of the talismans for Stephen Constantine in the National team and has proved his credentials in front of the goal time and again. The Noida-born player scored five goals in 14 appearances in the recently-concluded I-league, while playing for East Bengal.

12:12 PM: John Ruddy has been released by the Canaries, after spending seven years under the Norwich City bar

The 30-year-old club has made 243 appearances for his former club and says he's 'not surprised' after the club let him go

Norwich City was promoted to the Premier League twice with Ruddy under the bar, and the player was always seen as one of the key performers. Ruddy has made a solitary appearance for the Three Lions and was signed from Everton in 2010.

12:01 PM: Let's wish Atletico Madrid striker Kevin Gameiro a very warm happy birthday!

Kevin Gameiro has been in fine form this season, scoring 16 goals and making 7 assists in 43 appearances

We hope you continue the leniage made by Fernando Torres, Sergio Aguero and Radamel Falcao!

12:00 PM: Hello and Welcome back guys! We begin the day with a little touch of history! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JUPP HEYNCKES!!!

I'm sure Bayern fans miss him, as the former gaffer took them to European glory before Pep Guardiola took over

We wish you all the good health, coach!

10:00 pm Is Sanchez heading for Emirates exit?

Alexis Sanchez drops hint on Arsenal future.

"If a player wants to be at the very top he needs to win the Champions league and league titles."

“I don’t think it has been a very good season for me because I came here to win trophies, to be competing in the Champions League semi-finals and to win the Premier League, and I feel disappointed that we aren’t in a position to win the Premier League or the Champions League,” he said. “We do have the FA Cup final coming up and we’ll give it our all to try to win it.

09:15pm Mohun Bagan thrash DSK shivajians 4-0 in the Federation Cup. Click here to read match report and watch highlights .

07:05pm: THEO HERNANDEZ PASSES MEDICAL, ON HIS WAY TO SANTIAGO BERNABEU

Atletico Madrid left-back Theo Hernandez on loan at Deportivo Alaves has passed a medical ahead of a move to Real Madrid

The French professional left-back is one of the hot defensive properties in Spain and was often courted by Real Madrid's direct rivals, FC Barcelona. The 19-year-old is seen as a long-term replacement for Brazilian superstar Marcelo.

06:50pm

The first game of the day was a cracker and here the line-ups for Mohun Bagan Vs DSK Shivajians in the Federation Cup.

06:10 PM: Bengaluru FC defeat Shillong Lajong FC 3-2. Match report will be published soon.

The JSW-owned side attacked brilliantly and interestingly, all three of their scorers are from the North East, a region synonymous with Shillong Lajong

03:50 PM: 71 of the 77 people on board had died in November 2016 in a plane crash involving Brazilian club Chapecoense.

The club has won its first trophy post the massive accident

The club won the Santa Catarina trophy for the second year running, despite losing to Avai and dedicated the victory to the departed.

Top clubs from Brazil and Argentina had loaned thier players to the club, who signed 25 players this season and promoted 9 from the youth team.

FOOTBALL AND ITS HAPPY STORIES! :)

03:45 PM: 40 Days to GO to the CONFED CUP! ARE YOU GUYS READY?

The coveted trophy. Beautiful, isn't it?

The Confederations Cup will begin on 17th June and the finals will be played on 02nd July.

03:27 PM: The Lineups are out for the Federation Cup clash between Bengaluru FC vs Shillong Lajong!You will get the official match report at Khel Now.

03:03 PM: Mohammedan Sporting Colts prove their mettle again, defeat Bishnupur FA

Well played, lads!

Mohammedan Sporting Club juniors thrashed Bishnupur Football Academy 6-0 in their opening match of the 2017 IFA Nursery Football League, played at the Saltlake Central Park Ground in Kolkata on Sunday (7th May 2017).

Mohammedan SC dominated the match from the very beginning and jumped into a 3-0 lead before the interval. Striker William scored four goals before Tarun Munda and Hasanur Rahman scored apiece to make sure the junior Black Panthers got off the mark with three points.

02:56 PM: IT'S A DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR N'GOLO KANTE!THE FRENCH MIDFIELDER HAS LAPPED UP THE FOOTBALL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION PLAYER OF THE YEAR, adding to the PFA Player of the League he won earlier this season.

The player is set to lead Chelsea to the Premier League this season after playing a key role in Leicester City's title-winning dream run last season

CONGRATULATIONS, Kante!

02:42 PM: Aizawl FC's all-conquering journey has not been ignored by Bollywood. Reportedly, Ajay Devgan is interested in playing the role of the inspiring Khalid Jamil! Ajay is one of the prime actors in the industry and is well-known for flicks like Drishyam and Gangaajal.

A little curl of the hair, a stubble and a thin moustache! You're set to go, Ajay. We hope you play the part well!

Read the full story here: Ajay Devgan to play Khalid Jamil in Bollywood flick!

02:03 PM: This is a little sad. Blackburn Rovers become the first team to win the Premier League and relegate to the second division of English football!

The Riversiders won the Premier League in 1994 with former English striker Alan Shearer leading the line

Do you know about Blackburn's Indian connection? Read it here.

We hope the team returns to where it belongs soon!

01:50 PM: Patrice Evra scores! Yeah, that's enough to make it to the News! Watch it here:

The celebration and jubilation prove what the goal means to him!

You're missed at Manchester United, Patrice!

01:40 PM: Just a reminder: Indian clubs are fighting it out in the ongoing Federation Cup in Cuttack. Khel Now welcomes you to the two games today.

Use the official match hashtags to support your team! #BFCvLaj and #MBvDSK!

You can read the official match reports after the game on KhelNow.com!

01:30 PM: The Guardian is reporting that AS Roma defender Antonio Rudiger is close to signing for Antonio Conte's Chelsea! First major transfer rumour involving the possible Premier League champions!

Antonio Rudiger is known to Antonio Conte, due to his time in Italy at Juventus. The Italian is reported a huge fan of the burly German.

Read the full story here: Rudiger and one more AS Roma player keeps Chelsea interested!

01:13 PM: Join us in wishing Mohun Bagan defender Kingshuk Debnath! The defender turns 31 today.

Kingshuk Debnath has played for Mohun Bagan, Chirag United and Mohammedan Sporting among other clubs! We wish him all the luck and good health for his future!

12:54 PM: There's some great news coming in from the UAE. Magician Diego Maradona is back in the business!

We all love that smile, don't we? The former Argentine coach is back in management and takes the hot seat at UAE club Al Fujairah FC

The club is in the second-tier and it is Maradona's first managerial commitment post his sacking from UAE side Al Wasl in July 2012.

Maradona announced this on his Facebook page, captioning, "I want to tell you that I am the new coach of Al-Fujairah SC, in the second division of the United Arab Emirates."

12:36 PM: Good afternoon friends! Let me remind you that there are only 150 days to go for the U-17 World Cup in India! Are you ready?

To be fair, this is the biggest footballing event to be held in India. Will the Blue Colts make it big? We hope.

11:55am

Its also a happy birthday to Barcelona manager Luis Eneique. The tactician who turns 47 will leave the club at the end of the season. Would you like him at your club?

11:25am

Its time for some birthday wishes and first up is Juventus centre-back Andrea Barzagli who turns 36 today. Happy birthday.

11:00am Coming up later today in the Federation Cup its another double header as bengaluru take on Shillong Lajog while Mohun Bagan meet DSK Shivajians. Those games are at 3pm and 7pm respectively and we'll have you covered.

10:50pm Let's remind you that yesterday in the Federation Cup East Bengal and Churchill shared the points while there was a win for Aizawl FC.

East Bengal and Churchill share points in Federation Cup opener. Click here to read match report and watch match highlights.

Aizawl come from behind to trounce Chennai City in Federation Cup

10:30am

The FIFA President Giani Infantino has congratulated Aizawl FC on their title win.

"This title is the result of the determination of everyone involved and my congratulations go to the players, the coach, the administration, the entire technical and medical staff as well as the fans for this great achievement.”

“On behalf of the entire football community, I would like to thank Aizawl FC and your association for helping to spread the positive message of football,”

10:05 am Don't forget to follow Khel Now on Facebook and and Twitter for all the latest developments as well.

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10:00 am: Hello and welcome to the Khel Now Live Football day Blog. It's the place where you can keep up with all the latest news from the world of football throughout the day, every day. Im your host Mrunal Nakashe nd I'll be with you through the forst part of the day.