Arsene Wenger: Chelsea will not go down

Chelsea are not in a relegation battle, despite lying 16th in the Premier League, according to Arsene Wenger.

The Blues are one point above the drop zone and boss Jose Mourinho's future has been discussed by the board.

"If you ask me objectively 'will Chelsea go down?' I say no, no chance," said Arsenal boss Wenger, who has clashed with Mourinho in the past but did not discuss his present situation.

"They are in a difficult spell but they are not in a relegation battle."

Wenger was called a "specialist in failure" by Mourinho in February 2014, with the Frenchman labelling the remark "disrespectful" and "embarrassing".

The Arsenal boss also pushed Mourinho in Chelsea's 2-0 victory over the Gunners later that year.

In his first spell as Chelsea boss in 2005, Mourinho called Wenger a"voyeur".

Asked if he thought Chelsea's best chance of turning their form around was to keep Mourinho, Wenger added: "I do not want to assess any other things over Chelsea because it's not my problem."

Arsenal, who lie second in the Premier League, welcome third-placed Manchester City to Emirates Stadium on Monday holding a one-point lead over Manuel Pellegrini's side.

Wenger could have Alexis Sanchez back after a hamstring injury suffered in the draw at Norwich on 1 December.

"There is a very slight chance for Sanchez to be in the game," said Wenger. "He is running but not participating in full training.

"It is still December. We are not fighting for the Premier League on Monday but we will look to nullify individual quality they have."

Leicester are the surprise leaders of the Premier League with 35 points from their 16 games.

The average amount of points earned by the champions since the top flight was reduced to 20 teams is 85.7, but Wenger says the winners may take the title with a lower mark this term.

"It looks to be very tight. The Premier League could be decided at around 80 points," said Wenger.

"If you look at the results, consistency will be the main priority because every week you are surprised by results.

"We have established a good run and it is important we continue that."

Pep Guardiola to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season

Manchester City have been put on red alert by reports claiming Pep Guardiola is set to announce his decision to leave Bayern Munich.

The former Barcelona coach's contract at Bayern expires at the end of the season and he has been strongly linked with the Premier League club, as questioned continue to be asked of Manuel Pellegrini’s leadership at the Etihad Stadium.

On Wednesday Spanish newspaper Marca reported the 44-year-old has already informed the Bundesliga champions he is ready to seek out a new opportunity.

It was also claimed Guardiola is prepared to reject a €20million-per-season offer to continue at the Allianz Arena.

The Catalan has twice guided Bayern to the German title but the Champions League trophy has eluded him, with Real Madrid and then Barcelona eliminating the Bavarians in 2014 and 2015.

Manuel Pellegrini remains in charge of City, but with doubts still surrounding his tactical expertise, the two-time Premier League champions could be tempted to move quickly and secure Guardiola's services should he make himself available in the new year.

Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked with the former Spain midfielder, although City are likely to be able to trump their rivals with a huge contract offer.

Samuel Eto'o given managerial chance at Antalyaspor

Former Cameroon captain Samuel Eto'o has been appointed interim player-manager at Turkish side Antalyaspor.

The 34-year-old striker, who joined the club on a three-year contract in June, has been given three matches to impress at the helm.

He takes over from Yusuf Simsek, whose contract was terminated by mutual consent on 7 December.

Antalyaspor will make a decision about whether to give Eto'o the role permanently after the winter break.

Eto'o will be guided and assisted by Mehmet Ugurlu, who is the club's technical director, as the Cameroonian takes his first steps into management.

The move is an unexpected one the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea player, who has been involved in a number of controversial and damaging disputes with his country's football federation as well as with team-mates.

One of his former international team-mates, Patrick M'boma, admitted he was "surprised Eto'o has gone into management so soon".

But he revealed Eto'o, who he played alongside in two Africa Cup of Nations-winning sides, has long-held ambitions in that area.

"I know it was in his plans to be a manager - he told me many years ago," M'boma told BBC Sport.

"But from what I know he has no experience. I hope he will be a good manager but I do not know.

"He has the personality and the knowledge, but I am not sure he will have the patience. If he can improve on the areas where he is weak he could be a success."

Chelsea board discuss ''The Unhappy One'' future

Jose Mourinho's Chelsea future is in question following discussions about his position between the London club's board of directors.

Owner Roman Abramovich led the talks after the champions were beaten 2-1 at Leicester on Monday.

It was their ninth Premier League defeat in 16 games and left them a point above the relegation places.

It is not clear whether Mourinho will be in charge for Saturday's home game against fellow strugglers Sunderland.

Mourinho, 52, in his second spell in charge of Chelsea, was given Abramovich's public backing in October, but domestic results have not improved since.

The Russian's instinct has always been to keep backing the man who brought the Premier League title back to Stamford Bridge last season and signed a new four-year contract in August.

However, Chelsea's form has collapsed, with the loss at Leicester leaving them 16th in the table with 15 points.

Abramovich and the rest of Chelsea's hierarchy are weighing up how long they can afford to wait for improvement.

The Blues are 20 points behind leaders Leicester and 14 off the Champions League places, with a crucial last-16 tie against Paris St-Germain to come in that tournament. 

Formal Chelsea forward Tony Cascarino told BBC Sport

"This is a critical period for Chelsea. It's gone from 'we can't win the league', 'we can't qualify for Champions League' to 'we're fighting relegation'. That, for Chelsea, will not be acceptable at the highest level."

The other dilemma is whether to deprive Mourinho, a manager with a proven track record of success, the opportunity to turn things around.

The January transfer window will soon open, giving the club the chance to bring in new faces and maybe get rid of a few old ones.

Mourinho turned on his players after Monday's defeat at The King Power Stadium, claiming they had "betrayed his work".

The Blues conceded goals to Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, with Mourinho insisting he had warned his players about the danger they posed.

In response, midfielder Cesc Fabregas said his team-mates needed to justify their "big wages" and start playing like "big players".

He was one of seven players the Blues manager said had been underperforming at the start of the season.

The other problem facing Abramovich and Chelsea is the lack of an available, quality successor.

The unemployed Carlo Ancelotti has already been sacked by the Blues, while other potential targets, such as Bayern Munich's Pep Guardiola and Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone, out of reach at present.

It has led to speculation Chelsea may turn once more to Guus Hiddink on a temporary basis.

The 69-year-old Dutchman had a spell as caretaker boss in 2009, guiding the club to FA Cup success.

Daniel Sturridge suffers foot injury

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has suffered a new injury setback after a foot problem in training ruled him out of a return against Bordeaux in the Europa League.

The 26-year-old was hoping to make a return on Thursday from a knee injury which has kept him out since 4 October.

However, the England international has been sent for a scan after complaining of discomfort in a foot.

Sturridge has made three appearances this season and only 18 in 2015.

His only goals this season came when he scored twice in a 3-2 Premier League home win over Aston Villa on 26 September.

Before Liverpool's Europa League game against Bordeaux on Thursday, manager Jurgen Klopp told BT Sport: "We trained this morning, we were at the hotel and he had to leave to have a scan. We have to wait for the results."

The Sturridge effect (Premier League)
Liverpool with Sturridge	Liverpool without Sturridge
Games: 58	Games: 49
Average goals: 2.3	Average goals: 1.6
Win percentage: 60.3%	Win percentage: 46.9%

Sturridge joined Liverpool from Chelsea in January 2013 and went on to score 28 times for club and country in 2013-14.

Yet he has endured a frustrating time with injuries.

Last season he was out for five months with a thigh injury suffered on England duty. He also had treatment for calf and thigh problems before returning.

And he picked up a hip injury against Manchester United in March, which cut short his season.

That episode led to him visiting medical experts in the United States, and an operation in May, with the former Manchester City player returning to action in September.

But after making three appearances, he suffered a knee injury before Liverpool's draw at Tottenham on 17 October.

Tyson Fury: David Haye is just jealous because he couldn't beat Wladimir Klitschko

Tyson Fury has taken a swipe at fellow heavyweight boxer David Haye in response to comments made by the 35-year-old returning fighter.

Haye, who announced his ring comeback on Tuesday, lost to Wladimir Klitschko in 2011 and declared in his press conference that Fury has little chance against the Ukrainian on Saturday.

Haye said the Manchester-born fighter will ultimately fall short against the Boxing great, but Fury is not happy with the Londoner’s comments.

“How does that work then?” Fury told Sports Arena Warren Haughton.

"Because he couldn’t beat him - I think that’s a bit of jealousy, don’t you?

“I’ve wished him all the best in his comeback and he wishes I lose!

“That’s just the sign of a jealous person who won’t achieve anything in his comeback.

“Jealousy is one of the biggest sins we can be accused of and I’m accusing him of jealousy.

'He’s had his time in the sun and now he’s trying to take everybody else’s.

“Instead of being happy for his fellow person, he’s upset about it.

“I can say one thing though - when I get this belt, David Haye will not get a chance to fight for them.”

Saturday’s bout in Dusseldorf is arguably the biggest of the 27-year-old’s career and he says it will be a special night for his family, where he will have ‘no excuses’.

Fury added: “It’s going to be fantastic. The best word I can say is fantastic.

"It’s going to be an epic night for the Fury family.

“I’m feeling really good, really ready for the fight.

"No excuses, I’m fit and on top of the world basically."

Paper Round: Paris Saint-Germain's gigantic wages make them favourites for Cristiano Ronaldo

Bayern Munich think Pep Guardiola will sign a new deal with the club, while PSG are set to pay Cristiano Ronaldo giant wages. That and more from the Wednesday papers.

PSG to offer Ronaldo insane wages

Paris Saint-Germain are preparing their bid for Cristiano Ronaldo and it includes £250,000-per-week after tax, according to The Mirror - that's equivalent to £500,000-per-week in England, a wage packet that is expected to force even the mighty Manchester United out of the race for the superstar's signature. PSG see Ronaldo as Zlatan Ibrahimovic's successor in the French capital and they're willing to boost the Portuguese's pay accordingly to a deal that is £30,000-per-week more than the Swede's after taxes.

Paper Round's view - PSG don't look like the favourites for Ronaldo because they offer him the highest level of competition or the most fame. They happen to be a team that's big enough and in a glamorous enough city to put them in the conversation for Ronaldo so wages can lure him. If he's going to go there, it's going to be for an incredible amount of money, and £250,000-per-week after taxes is definitely that.

Bayern believe Guardiola will stay

Pep Guardiola isn't going anywhere. At least that's what Bayern Munich believe. The Mirror claims that the Bavarians are confident their manager will sign a new two-year contract with the club that will keep him at the Allianz Arena until 2018. Guardiola's current deal expires in the summer and bothManchester City and Chelsea were keeping an eye on his situation. The new contract will see his pay rise to £17 million-per-year.

Paper Round's view - Guardiola has looked likely to stay at Bayern Munich for a few months now. While he has made it clear that he doesn't like staying at any club for too long, it's not as if he's been around for a decade. Man City have some instability and it's tough to imagine him making them Champions League contenders right away. The same is true of Chelsea. Both have troubles with their squads. Bayern are easily the best team for him right now and getting paid £17m helps.

Eriksson luring Rooney to China

Sven-Goran Eriksson is trying to get Wayne Rooney to make the move to China. The former England and current Shanghai SIPG manager told The Sun that Rooney should join a Chinese club and thinks he would enjoy it. “I live in Shanghai, and if you asked me to compare it to London, I honestly couldn’t say which was better," Eriksson said. The Chinese Super League is ready to offer Rooney big money to join up.

Paper Round's view - Rooney is struggling at Manchester United and his place in the team going forward will be in question unless he drastically improves. Being relegated to bench duty would be tough to watch, while a move to China would allow him to be a star and make a ton of money. The question is whether it's worth leaving the spotlight and the top flight, as well as living in a new country. Eriksson can say whatever he wants, but moving from England to China is a major change and one not everyone can and wants to make. We just don't see this happening.

Pato offered to Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham

Alexandre Pato's representatives are trying to get their client into the Premier League and have made his availability known to Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, according to The Standard. The forward is at Sao Paulo, on loan from Corinthians, who want to sell him for about £11m. Pato has been playing well in Brazil after a rough spell at AC Milan, where he dealt with injuries, but he's been generally fit back in his home country.

Paper Round's view - Pato has been linked to English clubs since the summer, when Corinthians first started to offload him and his wages. Tottenham have been the most common team linked, but Spurs want an outright striker and Pato is better on the wing so they're out. Arsenal don't really need another winger either. If any of these three clubs are going to sign him, it will probably be Liverpool, if only because we don't know what JurgenKlopp will do, so we can't rule them out.

Southampton won't sell Mane in January

Manchester United want Sadio Mane. Again. But The Mail understand that Southampton are insistent that their star winger will not be sold in January. Louis van Gaal tried for Mane in the summer and still wants a winger so he plans to come back in January, but the Saints will be as determined to keep him as they were months ago. However, while Southampton will not sell Mane in January, they are starting to accept that he will probably leave the club in the summer.

Paper Round's view - Southampton can't sell Mane in the middle of their season. They have too much to play for and if they could be so resilient in the summer, doing so in January will be easy by comparison. But Mane's contract expires in 2018 so if they can't get him to sign a new deal then they almost certainly will have to sell him in the summer. By then, they might be able to get £30m for him, though.

Newcastle will give McClaren money to spend

Steve McClaren will have Newcastle active in the January transfer window. The Chronicle say the Magpies board are not panicking and are completely behind their manager. The 3-0 loss to Leicester City hasn't caused the club to reconsider their direction and McClaren will be given money to spend when the transfer window opens as they look to strengthen the side.

Paper Round's view - Newcastle are in a relegation fight and the worst thing they can do now is be hesitant. If McClaren is the man they think will get them to safety then back him. Do so behind the scenes and do so by giving him the funds to strengthen the squad in January. It looks like they are confident in McClaren so acting that way, and supporting him, is the only reasonable way forward.

Jose Mourinho & Diego Costa make up after their row

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says he and Diego Costa had "a few kisses and cuddles" after an argument during Tuesday's 4-0 Champions League win at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Mourinho was unhappy with the Spain striker's movement as he struggled to impose himself in the first 45 minutes.

Costa, who ended a six-game run without scoring against Norwich on Saturday, completed 90 minutes in Israel. "I was disappointed. I reacted and he reacted too," said the Portuguese.

"At half-time in the dressing room there were a few kisses and a few cuddles."

Chelsea's win moved them level on 10 points with Porto at the top of Group G.

The two meet in their final group game on 9 December, when a point for Mourinho's side will be enough to see them progress to the last 16.

"In the first half I could feel only the bad pitch stopped us from playing even better when we reached the last third," he said.

"I think we played better matches than today, but we lost."

Meanwhile, Mourinho confirmed John Terry is a doubt for Sunday's Premier League game at Tottenham after the defender injured his ankle in Tuesday's game.

Jose Mourinho blames 'dangerous pitch' for John Terry Injury

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho blamed a "dangerous" pitch for the ankle injury which is expected to prevent captain John Terry from playing in Sunday's match at Tottenham.

Terry, 34, was carried off on a stretcher in the 72nd minute of Chelsea's4-0 win at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

"The surface was bad and dangerous," Mourinho said.

"For John to leave the pitch with the score at 1-0, I know already that he is in trouble."

Mourinho lost midfielder Ramires to an injury sustained while training at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa on Monday and criticised the "very bad" pitch before Tuesday's match kicked off.

The surface appeared to cut up heavily throughout the game, with Mourinho replacing a large divot near his technical area at one point.

"My medical department is really good. John is a special guy, with a special desire to recover," Mourinho said.

"But I don't believe too much that he can play (against Spurs). Ramires slid on the pitch and had a muscular injury."

Terry will have a scan on his injury later this week.

England 2-0 France: Dele Alli and Wayne Rooney score on emotional Wembley night

Dele Alli scored a spectacular goal as England beat France on an emotional display of solidarity at Wembley on Tuesday night.
Both teams came together before the game to show their respect for the people of Paris following the attacks on the French capital last Friday with a group photo to the applause of a red, white and blue crowd.
As the game got underway, Alli grabbed the opener before the break with a stunning 25 yard thunderbolt which clubmate Hugo Lloris could not get near.
Wayne Rooney added the second with a well-taken volley minutes after half time, but despite an improved performance from the Three Lions, it was the event and not the result which took on the greatest of importance.
The pre-match formalities were observed impeccably on an touching night in London, as both sets of players came together to observe a truly moving minute silence after the tragic events where 129 people were killed in Paris on Friday night.
Despite the poignant scenes prior to kick off, any suggestions the game would be uncompetitive were immediately dismissed with some crunching tackles flying in in the midfield.
Manchester United’s Anthony Martial looked electric up against Nathanial Clyne when he zoomed away from the Liverpool defender for the first attempt on Joe Hart’s goal of the night.
Rooney had a great chance on 32 minutes when Harry Kane found his captain who bamboozled Laurent Koscielny before sending the ball inches wide of the left post.
However, five minutes before half time England struck through a spectacular Alli goal, with the Tottenham youngster – on his first start for his country – crashing the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.
The first half was the best performance Wembley had seen from the home side in a long while and it got better after the break with Alli again involved.
The 19-year-old robbed Paul Pogba of the ball in midfield before finding Raheem Sterling on the left, whose cross was met with a fantastically timed volley from Wayne Rooney – his 51st goal in an England shirt.
There was a standing ovation as Lassana Diarra was introduced; only days after his cousin was killed in the attacks in Paris. Antoine Griezmann, whose sister escaped the attack on the Bataclan threatre, came on to a similar reception.
Moments later Pogba had France’s best chance of the game with a whipping and dipping effort which grazed the roof of substitute Jack Butland’s goal.
Pogba began to show his class as he linked brilliantly with Martial, but the Manchester United man could only fire straight at Butland.
The game trickled out as a contest as the substitutions increased, but it was the strength of football coming together under the devastating circumstances which was the headline maker.

Germany v Netherlands cancelled, HDI-Arena evacuated due to 'concrete plans for an explosion'

The Germany v Netherlands friendly in Hannover has been called off and the stadium evacuated due to 'concrete plans for an explosion', though conflicting reports later left the actual presence of a bomb in doubt.

Journalists attending the game reported on social media that they have been asked to leave the stadium.

Spectators already inside the stadium were asked to leave, a police spokesman and a Lower Saxony interior ministry official said. 

'Concrete plans' for an explosion

After not providing an immediate explanation for their decision, the local police later confirmed that they had thwarted legitimate plans for an explosion at the game. 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel had been set to attend along with other government ministers in a show of solidarity with France.

Two Dutch government ministers attending the match - Defence Minister Jeanine Hennes and Health and Sport Minister Edith Schippers - were on their way to the airport to return home.

The world champions had initially not wanted the game to go ahead after having played against France in Paris on Friday as a wave of attacks hit the city, killing 129 people.

The contingent of 80 Germans, including players, coaches and staff, then spent the night holed up in the changing rooms of the Stade de France as the attacks took place across the capital, before leaving straight for the airport on Saturday morning.

But the players, coaches as well as the national football association then decided to go ahead with the game in a show of unity with the French.

UPDATE: 'No bomb, no arrests'

The initial reports, however, were contradicted by a German minister later in the evening.

German police found no explosives and made no arrests in Hannover, the Lower Saxony interior minister said on Tuesday.

"There have been no arrests so far. As for the question whether explosives were found, I can tell you that as for now, no," Boris Pistorius said during a news conference in the west German city.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic fires Sweden into Euro 2016 with a brace in Denmark

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice - the second a superb free-kick - to give Sweden a 2-2 draw (4-3 win on aggregate) against Denmark in their Euro 2016 play-off.. 

At the start of the game it was Denmark who looked likeliest to score, and Kim Kallstrom’s attempted clearance crashed against his own side’s crossbar. 

However, Sweden took the lead when a clever, disguised corner was aimed to an unmarked Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the near post, and he turned in a shot to the far post. Sweden almost had another later, when Ibrahimovic’s cross was put over his bar by Daniel Agger. 

In the second half, Sweden absorbed pressure and were happy to sit back, and commit tactical fouls in areas where set pieces would not pose a threat. It took until the 72nd minute for Denmark to threaten, when Christian Eriksen crashed in a shot from close range against Sebastian Larsson.

Ibrahimovic made things certain with a brilliant free kick into the top corner, and late goals from Yussuf Poulsen and Jannik Vestegaard made no difference. 

TALKING POINT

 

Ibrahimovic gets his send-off. The rumours are that Ibrahimovic will leave Paris Saint-Germain to be replaced by a new superstar, and it’s not clear if he will move onto a traditionally important side in Europe. MLS, or a return to Sweden have been suggested, and his goal tonight means that he will have one last spell in the limelight at Euro 2016. 

MAN OF THE MATCH

 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden): For a man whose physical prowess and influence is waning, he was still strong and effective for Sweden. His guile put his side ahead, and his strength and determination almost caused Agger to score an own goal. Without his personality and determination to drag his side to the tournament, they would have struggled tonight.

Rafa Nadal ease pass Stan Wawrinka

Rafa Nadal began his quest for ATP World Tour Finals glory with a convincing 6-3 6-2 triumph over a subdued Stan Wawrinka in London.

The Spaniard was in fine form, gobbling up his opponent’s serve at every opportunity, but he was equally abetted by Wawrinka’s topsy-turvy groundstokes.

[NADAL v WAWRINKA: As it happened]

A bizarre opening to the encounter saw nine consecutive points go against serve as both players secured early breaks to love, before Nadal belatedly ended the unwanted rot.

A cagy first set ensued, but when Nadal broke again in a sapping eighth game, his rival began to wilt.

Wawrinka saved an astonishing seven break points as the second set began with a flurry of high-tempo points, but that hold was a rare highlight in a one-sided episode.

Nadal soon consolidated a double break and simply watched as his opponent imploded – each glorious winner overshadowed by an army of wild unforced errors.

"It's very important for my confidence," Nadal, who was absent last year after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix, said on court.

"I've been playing better the last couple of months, it's great to start in this way in the last tournament of the season.

"The last couple of weeks I have been playing well. The season has been not the best possible but I keep having the same motivation, the same spirit to keep improving my tennis and that's what I'm doing.

"I'm trying my best in every single practice, I just keep going. I hope to finish the year in good form."

The Spaniard meets Andy Murray in Group Ilie Nastase on Wednesday, with Wawrinka scheduled to face David Ferrer next.

Jon Walters double sends jubilant Ireland to finals

Jon Walters was the two-goal hero, as the Republic of Ireland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 at the Aviva Stadium to progress to the finals of the European Championship in France next summer. 

The Stoke forward, Ireland's stand-out player in this qualifying campaign, opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 24 minutes, then ended any hopes of a comeback from their opponents with a brilliant cushioned volley 20 minutes from time in a 3-1 aggregate win. 

Walters will rightly dominate the headlines, but manager Martin O'Neill will surely also lavish praise on the centre-back pairing of Ciaran Clark and Richard Keogh, who nullified the threat of both Edin Dzeko and then substitute Vedad Ibisevic as the away side hurled bodies forward in the final 20 minutes.

Clark, who has been on the fringes of the first team at Aston Villa, and Keogh, who plays Championship football with Derby County, were the bedrock on which this famous win was built.

Ireland had their moments of luck, not least the decision of Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers to award a penalty midway through the first half when Ervin Zukanovic seemed to try to take evasive action to get his hand out the way of Daryl Murphy's cross from the right. 

Walters accepted the gift greedily, rolling an assured penalty past Asmir Begovic in the Bosnia goal to get the Lansdowne Road stadium rocking.

But there was no hint of fortune about the second goal, 20 minutes from time, with the Liverpool-born Walters superbly finishing at the far post from Robbie Brady's deflected free-kick.

It completes a remarkable Euro 2016 comeback for O'Neill's side, who looked on the brink of elimination following last November's 1-0 defeat to Scotland atCeltic Park and the 1-1 draw with Gordon Strachan's side in June in Dublin.

.Did Martin O'Neill win the tactical battle?

O’Neill outshone his opposite number Mehmed Bazdarevic in the battle of the managers, with Ireland's 4-5-1 formation dominating the midfield and breaking up any Bosnian attempts to retain possession.

Bosnia’s attacking efforts were mostly limited to forays down the right-hand flank, particularly through the impressive Ognjen Vranjes and Edin Visca, but in the second half O'Neill brought on James McClean to add some steel to help protect left-back Robbie Brady.

Kenya official denies embezzlement in Nike sponsor deal

A senior Kenyan athletics official has denied siphoning off cash from a sponsorship deal between U.S.

sportswear manufacturer Nike and the East African nation famous for its middle and long distance runners.

Britain's Sunday Times and local Kenyan newspapers alleged Athletics Kenya (AK) vice president David Okeyo and two other senior federation officials made personal withdrawals from an AK account in which Nike deposited sponsorship money.

Kenyan police have questioned all three officials in relation to the withdrawals and on Sunday world governing body, The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), said it had referred Okeyo to its ethics committee.

Okeyo said in a statement there was "no embezzlement of funds" whatsoever on his part.

"The funds are fully accounted for by Athletics Kenya and approved by the Annual General Meeting having gone through auditing process," he said.

Okeyo added that the deal with Nike was transparent and denied any cash was missing.

"I have noted various stories that have run in the media and are trending in the social media on the Nike/Athletics Kenya contract. I wish to state that the said contract was above board and was executed with integrity," he said.

Okeyo said he was waiting for investigations to finish and did not wish to comment further in the media.

Police have said Okeyo and two other AK officials recorded statements with the Kenyan Directorate of Criminal Investigations over cash withdrawals by the three on various dates as far back as 2011.

The IAAF informed its Ethics Commission about accusations against Okeyo this weekend when the Sunday Times cited court documents from a whistle-blower. Kenyan media made near-identical allegations at the start of the year.

"The IAAF was not aware of the investigation into Mr Okeyo in Kenya and the information has immediately been passed on to the independent IAAF Ethics Commission," the IAAF said in a statement.

"As part of the root and branch governance reform project that (IAAF president) Sebastian Coe has announced there will be new processes introduced to ensure all persons appointed to IAAF Commissions and advisory groups in the future have been only duly vetted and declared as fit and proper persons to hold office."