Nasri's girlfriend blasts Deschamps

Nasri's girlfriend blasts Deschamps - Samir Nasri's girlfriend hit out at France coach Didier Deschamps in a foul-mouthed Twitter tirade after the Manchester City midfielder was left out of the 30-man provisional World Cup squad.

British model Anara Atanes made clear her displeasure at Deschamps' decision to leave Nasri at home despite his achievements at the club level this season.

Nasri's girlfriend blasts Deschamps

Atanes tweeted: "F*** France and f*** Deschamps. What a s*** manager."

She followed it up minutes later by tweeting: "In case you didn't read my tweet properly.... I'll repeat myself...f*** FRANCE!!!!! And f*** Deschamps!

"Let's just get this straight. I'm not mad I get my boyfriend for two months. I just think there's a level of respect to be had #shouldhavebeenspanish."

The outburst is unlikely to endear Nasri to Les Bleus' supporters who have recently reconnected with the France side after the disquiet that followed the squad going on strike during its shambolic 2010 World Cup campaign.

Nasri was not involved in the bust-up in Knysna, South Africa, but was reported to have been a disruptive influence as France nosedived out of Euro 2012 remarkably tamely against Spain, after he launched a scathing attack against reporters during the tournament.

The former Arsenal man has seemed like a happier figure at club level and, on Sunday, capped a fine season for Manuel Pellegrini's men with the opening goal in the 2-0 Premier League title-clinching victory over West Ham.

He was, however, widely expected to be left out of the party for Brazil this summer, with Deschamps confirming the decision in his provisional squad for the tournament on Tuesday evening. ( goal.com )

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Robin van Persie plays head tennis with his son, Lukas Podolski does it with a sea lion

Robin van Persie plays head tennis with his son, Lukas Podolski does it with a sea lion - Robin van Persie's young son Shaqueel, who reportedly joined Manchester City's academy in March, showed off his skills during a TV shoot with his father. The two played a bit of head tennis and Shaqueel didn't seem too bothered by all the cameras and people watching. 

Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski, meanwhile, visited a zoo back in his hometown of Cologne, Germany and discovered that a sea lion that made it look easy... 

(Instagram/Poldi_Official)

Naturally, Podolski now wants to sign the sea lion for Arsenal. Olivier Giroud is nervous. ( sports.yahoo.com )

READ MORE - Robin van Persie plays head tennis with his son, Lukas Podolski does it with a sea lion

Ex-Arsenal player ‘joins Jihad in Syria’

Ex-Arsenal player ‘joins Jihad in Syria’ - A former Arsenal star is said to be fighting in Syria alongside extremists. 

The man appeared in a video released on Russian website FiSyria.com where he derides the West as “animals” and “dirty people”, and urges Muslims to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). 

“It’s very important for you to protect your children from these animals, from these dirty people; Allah says they are the worst of creatures,” said the fighter. 

"From those who think that they cannot fight they should also come and join us because it maybe that they can help us in something else, for example help with medicine, help us financially [or] help us with with advice," he continues. 

A balaclava protects the fighter's identity but text that accompanies the video state that he was brought up in Portugal before signing for the Gunners - a fact verified by other jihadists, report the Mirror.

Furthermore, the fighter – who has changed his name to Abu Issa Al-Andalusi - grew up with Cristiano Ronaldo, according to the accompanying text, but left that lifestyle to “to make the path of Allah”. 

There have been no further details released regarding the individual and when contacted by the Sun, Arsenal said: “We do not recognise the individual from the published clips and we don’t have any record of a [person of this name] representing the club at any level.” ( Eurosport )

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Vince McMahon, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Vice

Vince McMahon, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Vice - There are always a lot of dumb rumors going around that media outlets are all too eager to spread and that people are all too willing to believe. So as a public service, we here at DT bring you the reality check that will keep you from looking like a gullible Guti. 

WWE chairman Vince McMahon interested in buying Newcastle! (A website no one's ever heard of) — What's not to believe about a report on a random website citing an anonymous source? For starters, it makes no mention of this rumor being around since 2011 and the fact that the Guardian debunked it last month. 

Cristiano Ronaldo with Detective Sonny Crockett. (Getty)

David Beckham might name his MLS team "Miami Vice"! Like the TV show! And the less popular Colin Farrell movie! (Palm Beach Post) — This is one even I want to believe because it would be wonderful, but NBC Universal, which owns the rights to the show and film, would probably sue the David Beckham brand underpants off of MLS if they tried this. Plus Beckham's publicist, Simon Oliveira, already denied it and basically said you're stupid if you ever believed it. 

David Beckham wants to sign Cristiano Ronaldo for the Miami Vice in 2017! (The Sun) — I'm sure he also wants to sign Lionel Messi, all of Bayern Munich and 1958 Pele. You know, like every other football club owner on the planet. But the man doesn't even know the name of his club, when they will start playing or where they will do it, so signing Ronaldo or a reanimated George Best in three years is pretty far down the list of priorities. 

Mario Balotelli to Arsenal! With the help of Puma! (Daily Express/Metro) — Rumors of sportswear companies engineering megadeals to bring their sponsored athletes and their sponsored clubs together pop up from time to time. This one was inevitable since Arsenal and Balotelli both signed with Puma very recently, but if these things happened, Nike's biggest footballer (Cristiano Ronaldo) wouldn't be playing for Adidas' Real Madrid and Adidas' biggest footballer (Lionel Messi) wouldn't be playing for Nike's Barcelona. 

So that's the Puma angle out. But what about Mario to Arsenal anyway? Well, he can't stop saying how happy he is to play for Milan "especially in difficult moments" and he also says the only thing he misses about England is Man City fans. He's probably not going to Arsenal (or any other English club) then. 

David Moyes resigns himself to just winning the Champions League this season! (Dirty Tackle) — False. Moyes actually still believes Man United can win the FA Cup even though they were knocked out way back in the third round. Being optimistic helps limit the Sir Alex Ferguson night terrors to just the hours he's asleep. ( yahoo.com )

READ MORE - Vince McMahon, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Vice

Gunning for them! Arsenal players brawl with armed riot police as ugly scenes mar Ronaldinho's super strike in Brazil

Gunning for them! Arsenal players brawl with armed riot police as ugly scenes mar Ronaldinho's super strike in Brazil - At least four players from Argentine club Arsenal were detained for interrogation after a confrontation with Brazilian police at a Copa Libertadores match on Wednesday.

Police said at least two officers and a journalist sustained minor injuries in the brawl after Atletico Mineiro's 5-2 win over the Argentine club in the city of Belo Horizonte.

The players will likely be charged after throwing punches and kicking the officers who were trying to protect the referees as the final whistle blew at the Independencia Stadium.

Scroll down for video

Violence: Arsenal players clash with riot police who came onto the pitch to protect the referee

Fight: Disturbing scenes took place when the players tried to voice their dissatisfaction with the officials

Armed: A Brazilian anti-riot police officer aims his pellet shotgun at Arsenal players

Television images showed some of the players - who were not immediately identified - attacking the officers, who used shields and batons to protect themselves.

Some officers also had shotguns loaded with rubber bullets, although local police official Claudia Romualdo said no shots were fired at players. Police also were prepared to use tear gas to control the situation but it also wasn't needed.

The altercation began after several Arsenal players approached the officiating crew following the match to complain. Some police officers immediately arrived, shoving the players away and upsetting the Argentines.

Mindless: An Arsenal coach tries to calm down his players as they clash with the riot officers

Protection: The referee and linesman were heavily protected as they left the field

The confrontation continued as police tried to escort the players from the field.

'The officers were positioned to provide safety to the visiting players so they could go into the locker rooms, but inexplicably they attacked the officers again as they left the field,' Romualdo said.

She said one of the players hit her with a kick to her chest.

'What happened here is deplorable,' Romualdo said. 'This is not about sports. When our law is broken, obviously we need to take action.'

Problems: Argentinian clubs are angry with Brazil after Tigre were forced to stay off the field in the final of the 2012 Copa Sudamericana citing safety concerns after allegedly being assaulted by the police at half-time

Fiasco: The trouble continued into the dressing room as Arsenal were still unhappy with their treatment

Recompense: Nicolas Diego Aguirre (back right) of Arsenal and other teammates caused significant damage to the dressing room which Atletico Mineiro have said they will charge them for

Every Arsenal player and the entire Argentine delegation was kept from leaving the stadium until authorities were able to identify those who attacked the officers.

Atletico Mineiro club director Eduardo Maluf told local media that Arsenal's locker room was damaged by the Argentine delegation. He said the club will eventually ask Arsenal to pay for Atletico's losses.

'They came here to fight,' Atletico Mineiro coach Cuca said. 'I was tired of seeing their defensive midfielders kicking (our players) away from the ball.' 

Ronaldinho scored two of the goals for Atletico Mineiro, who has won all of its five matches to lead Group 3 of the Latin American club competition. Arsenal is third in the group. Only two teams will advance to the next round.

Brawl: The trouble started at the end of the first-half between both sets of players

Firing on all cylinders: Ronaldinho scored twice during the game, including one sumptuous finish

Old days: At moments the two-time winner of FIFA's World Player of the Year looked back to his very best

Video: Ronaldinho hits a powerful chip straight into the top corner

Dailymail.co.uk : PUBLISHED: 08:41 GMT, 4 April 2013 | UPDATED: 12:11 GMT, 4 April 2013

READ MORE - Gunning for them! Arsenal players brawl with armed riot police as ugly scenes mar Ronaldinho's super strike in Brazil

You're a liar! Nasri hits back at Mancini's barb

You're a liar! Nasri hits back at Mancini's barb - You're a liar! Nasri hits back at Mancini and praises former manager Wenger as his best-ever boss in further snub

Samir Nasri has labelled Roberto Mancini a liar after the Manchester City manager questioned his £24million man’s efforts in training.

The Frenchman has endured a difficult campaign with the Barclays Premier League champions and was damned with faint praise by Mancini after his impressive showing against Newcastle on Saturday.

Nasri turned in a man-of-the-match performance in City’s 4-0 win and the manager joked that he ‘wanted to give him a punch’ for only showing his best form in fits and bursts.

False accusations: Samir Nasri, who shone against Newcastle, has hit back at manager Roberto Mancini

‘I don’t know what the difference was today,’ Mancini said. ‘I can’t understand sometimes a player with his quality doesn’t play like today every game.

'I think that the second year is always difficult to win again. And sometimes a player can think it is enough to play 50 per cent. Probably we had this problem this year.’

But speaking on French television channel beIN Sport on Monday night, Nasri hit back.

He said: ‘I am aware that I have not had a good season. There are many reasons for this. But when Mancini said that I’m training at 50 per cent, this is not true.’

Swipe: Mancini had blasted Nasri for only putting '50 per cent' effort in in training

In another thinly veiled swipe at Mancini, Nasri heaped praise on former boss Arsene Wenger, under whom he was first given a chance in the Premier League in 2008 with Arsenal.

The France forward spent three years at the Emirates Stadium but left in 2011 - a decision which continues to sit uncomfortably with Gunners fans.

But the 25-year-old says he has no regrets about the decision to turn his back on ‘the greatest coach he ever worked with’, insisting his decision to move north was not based on money.

Star man: Nasri put in an impressive display in City's ruthless 4-0 demolition of Newcastle on Saturday

He added: ‘Arsene Wenger is the greatest coach I have worked with. He is the one who understands me the most, he made me realise my potential.

'I am grateful to him for the role he played in my career. I only regret not having more discussions with him when I left.

‘I do not have other regrets. I do not regret joining Manchester City. I want to play and perform, and my departure from Arsenal is purely for sporting reasons.

Mentor: Nasri said Arsene Wenger, watching Arsenal's win over Reading, was his best-ever manager

‘When you compare Arsenal and City, it’s not the same. With City I’m playing in a better team, I won the title, and Arsenal fight to qualify for the Champions League. I didn’t leave for money.

‘Even when I left, I was in training well. All went well with the manager because he knows I showed professionalism.’

And in a move which likely enrage fans even further, Nasri claims he was forced out of the club because unpopular owner Stan Kroenke wanted to cash in a player who had one year left on his deal.

The real story: Nasri claimed he was forced out of Arsenal by billionaire owner Stan Kroenke

‘Cesc (Fabregas, who quit for Barcelona the same summer) or me were supposed to leave,’ he explained. ‘Arsene told me that if Cesc would leave, I would stay. ‘But Kroenke could not ignore the transfer fee.’

Nasri also dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from England this summer, despite interest from his homeland.

‘There is nothing going on with Monaco, nor with PSG,’ he concluded.

dailymail.co.uk : By Andy James : PUBLISHED: 22:29 GMT, 1 April 2013 | UPDATED: 07:05 GMT, 2 April 2013

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Liverpool needs reinforcements to challenge top four

Liverpool needs reinforcements to challenge top four - Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists the club needs reinforcements to challenge for a place in the Champions League next season.

Brendan Rodgers' side is currently seventh in the Premier League table, seven points behind Chelsea in fourth, and though it still retains a slim chance of reaching the Champions League, the Reds captain says it will edge closer with some more key additions.

"We know what the problem is and it's inconsistency," Gerrard told reporters. "In the minority of games we've played well enough to be higher than where we are in the league.

"But when you look at performances like Southampton, Villa at home, West Brom away, Arsenal at home, there's a handful of games where this team hasn't turned up.

Gerrard: Liverpool needs reinforcements to challenge top four

"That's the reason why we are sitting where we are in the table. In between those games there have been some fantastic performances, well worth a top four finish. So we know we're not far away.

"But I think if you say that you haven't got what you deserved then there's an element of feeling sorry for yourself.

"If there's a few improvements in the summer to the squad, we believe we can put in a better challenge to the top four next season."

Despite Rodgers confirming Gerrard will be offered a new contract in the near future, the 32-year-old is maintaining his focus on finishing the season well.

"For me, [a new contract] is not a priority at the moment," he added.

"The most important thing for me now is to move on to the West Ham game. I want to finish the season strong. I'm feeling good.

"Of course, I'm happy that the club are mentioning new contracts, but it's not important at the moment.

"What we need to do is put pressure on for that European place. A lot of the teams above us need to play each other. We're hoping there's a few slip ups above us and we can capitalize, but it's important that we take maximum points."

By Joe Doyle | Goal.com – 4 hours ago

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