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Tuesday Kickoff: Mourinho signs new deal, FIFA names woman to ExCo & more

MourinhoRM (Reuters Pictures)

All of the Jose Mourinho departure talk can be put on hold. The Special One is not going anywhere.

Mourinho signed a new four-year deal with Real Madrid that will extend the manager's time with the club until 2016. Two years into his original deal with Madrid, Mourinho guided the club to the first 100-point season in La Liga history, dethroning Barcelona to capture the league championship and adding a title in Spain to ones that he has already claimed in Portugal, England and Italy.

It had been widely speculated that Mourinho was destined for a return to the Premier League, with him being heavily linked to Manchester City throughout the season.

Here are a few more stories to kick off your Tuesday:

FIFA NAMES FIRST WOMAN TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

FIFA will make history on Tuesday, appointing the first woman to its executive commitee.

Lydia Nskera will be installed during the FIFA Congress in Budapest on Tuesday to break the gender barrier on the FIFA ExCo. Currently president of the Burundi Football Association, Nskera has already worked with FIFA on committees regarding the Women's World Cup, the Olympics and other women's soccer matters.

ABIDAL RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL

Six weeks after undergoing a liver transplant, Barcelona fullback Eric Abidal is out of the hospital.

Abidal has had liver concerns over the last 14 months, with him needing to have a cancerous tumor removed from his liver last March. He managed to return to the playing field prior to season's end and had a strong 2011-2012 season before needing to undergo the transplant, with the new liver provided by his cousin, Gerard. It is uncertain when, and if, the 32-year-old Abidal will be able to return to action as he continues his recovery.

HERTHA BERLIN LOSES RELEGATION APPEAL

Hertha Berlin will indeed be going down to the 2. Bundesliga.

Despite appealing its loss to Fortuna Dusseldorf after fans stormed the field and interrupted the match on two occasions while the club was attempting to come back from a one-goal aggregate deficit, Hertha Berlin's shouts were denied by the German federation, and the club remains relegated. During stoppage time, fans poured onto the field thinking the game was over when time still remained, forcing a 20-minute delay when one Berlin goal would have changed the result.

The ruling affects Americans Alfredo Morales and John Anthony Brooks, two up-and-coming defenders whose club will be in Germany's second tier next season.

MILAN HOLDING ONTO IBRAHIMOVIC, SILVA

AC Milan has dealt with enough players leaving in recent weeks, and president Massimiliano Allegri plans on holding onto two of his standout performers despite rampant transfer interest.

Allegri said that neither Zlatan Ibrahimovic nor Thiago Silva would be sold this summer even with clubs like Manchester City reportedly ready to offer big money in the transfer market. Ibrahimovic won Serie A's golden boot with 28 goals this season and is under contract until 2015, while Silva continued to improve in central defense and is locked up through 2016.

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Are you surprised Mourinho is staying at Real Madrid? What do you think of FIFA naming a woman to the ExCo? Happy to hear Abidal is in recovery? Think Hertha Berlin had a strong case? Do you see AC Milan having a down year after losing so many veterans?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. No a male name would be the same, it’s because of the well know fame of Burundi in the game and the women’s game especially. Her/his well know influence on it, and my firm belief that he/she will be empowered in the EXCO, and that FIFA beleives he/she are there to represent openess and transparency. I will say the same for the next stooge unlce Jake gets in for CONCACAF. Read between the lines as you wish, classy.

    Reply
  2. Well, woman or not, I would be surprised if FIFA gave anyone power that they didn’t feel they had some or entire control over.

    Reply

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