Spicy Joe Vibes Blog

Paris - Grieving for his cousin who was killed in the terrorist attacks in Paris last week, Lassana Diarra's mind is most likely far away from Marseille's trip to Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 on Sunday. Diarra was playing for France against Germany last Friday when the night of terror began with explosions outside the Stade de France. His cousin was among 129 people killed and 350 wounded, but he stayed with the national team and went on as a substitute against England at Wembley on Tuesday. He has arguably been Marseille's best player this season, but it is uncertain whether he will face Saint-Etienne, with his club reportedly giving him some time off. Diarra was not the only French league player affected. Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu lost two friends in the attacks...

Madrid - Spanish authorities say they have moved to ban a Manchester City fan from sporting events in Spain for two years after he attacked a police officer in a Champions League game this month. Spain's anti-violence commission said on Thursday that the fan, who was not immediately identified by authorities, will also be fined 6,000 euros ($6,400) for his actions at the Nov. 3 group-stage match in Sevilla. Authorities said the fan "violently assaulted" a police officer inside the Sevilla stadium. They say the fan later tried to hide within the crowd. The commission also said it will ban an Atletico Madrid fan from stadiums for one year and will fine him 6,000 euros ($6,400) for "attacking several police officers" in a Spanish league match on Nov. 8.

Paris - Prime Minister Manuel Valls warned Thursday of the danger of an attack in France using "chemical or biological weapons", in a speech to lawmakers debating the extension of a state of emergency. "We must not rule anything out," Valls said. "There is also the risk from chemical or biological weapons," he added. As the investigation spreads across Europe into the attacks claimed by the Islamic State group, Valls also called on the European Union (EU) to urgently adopt measures to share airline passenger information. "More than ever, it's time for Europe to adopt the text to guarantee the traceability of movements, including within the union. It's a condition of our collective security," he said. Meanwhile, police in France are going to be allowed to carry weap...

Wema Bank on Thursday said it had been granted a national banking licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Wema Bank said in a statement in Lagos that the development would upgrade it from its current regional bank status. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Wema Bank downscaled to a regional bank in 2010 to operate only within core areas of business in South-South, South-West and FCT Abuja. The bank said it got the new licence because its capital base currently stood at N43.8 billion and having met the regulatory requirements for the national banking licence as stipulated by the CBN. Its Managing Director, Mr Segun Oloketuyi, was quoted as saying that: “this approval represents a milestone for the bank in the delivery of its project LEAP commitments. "Six years ago, we took a decision to refocus the bank’s operations on its areas of strength and build a sustainable institution. "We took advantage of the new licensing regime and applied for a regional au...

Nigeria's fine of $5.2 billion against MTN, Africa's largest telecommunications company, is billions more than any company has been hit with anywhere in the world and may scare off investors, analysts say. MTN was fined for having 5.2 million active but unregistered SIM cards. The cards are a matter of national security as they can be used by extremists. Still, the sheer size of the penalty shocked the telecoms industry. "It is totally out of proportion," said expert John Strand, an analyst with Denmark-based Strand Consult. "I have never seen any operator receiving a fine of more $100 million and I've been in this business for 20 years.". Until now, the United States tended to levy the highest fines on telecom companies. AT&T is suing the Federal Communications Commission o...

The chief executive officer of Adidas says a new president of FIFA is not enough and that the world body of football should introduce limits on the term and age of its future leaders. Herbert Hainer says "it would be no help whatsoever if one person is gone. You have to change the federation fundamentally." Hainer spoke in an interview with the Wirtschaftswoche weekly released Friday. Adidas is a long-time major FIFA sponsor. The German sports apparel company extended the contract last year until 2030. FIFA has been rocked by a corruption scandal. It has suspended president Sepp Blatter and a new president will be elected in February. Hainer said FIFA should be run like a business firm, with a paid chief executive officer and a supervisory board above him.

Hang on to your hats. Range Rover has ripped the roof off its best-selling Evoque to produce the world's first compact 4x4 luxury cabriolet. The new £50,000 Chelsea tractor, pictured, is designed for fashionable, adventurous types who want wind-in-the-hair motoring, whether for an urban jungle shopping trip to Harrods and Harvey Nichols or family treks though the Cotswolds countryside.                                                                          The new model's foldable fabric roof is, says Range Rover, the longest and widest fitted to any vehicle on sale today, and boasts that it's created 'the most exclusive and capable convertible in the world; a convertible for all seasons'.  Prices start from £47,500 for the Evoque cabriolet, which rolls off the Halewood production line on Merseysi...

The former Blues defender finds Mourinho's antics 'normal' and regards his spell in the Premier League as a success, despite returning to Atletico Madrid after just one season Filipe Luis believes Jose Mourinho 's comments to the media can be "damaging" to certain members of his Chelsea squad. Mourinho has come under pressure after a dismal start to the season that has seen the Blues win just seven of their 12 Premier League fixtures, although Goa l understands the Portuguese will not be sacked during the international break. Luis, who spent one season under Mourinho before returning to Atletico Madrid during the summer, believes the tactics of the former Real Madrid head-coach may be harming some of the Blues players.                                      "He has his way of talking to the press, especially when the team loses, which can sometimes be damaging to certai...

Jurgen Klopp will assess some of his first-team squad as well as a few of Liverpool 's young on-loan talents during a friendly game with Wolves on Friday afternoon. The manager has not been afforded the training time he would appreciate between matches, but the international break offers him an extended period to correct issues in sessions rather than through video analysis. While he does not have a full roster at his disposal due to national team commitments, Klopp will still tackle key areas of concern. Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Lucas Leiva, Dejan Lovren, Alberto Moreno and Joao Teixeira will all start in the behind-closed-doors encounter at Melwood. Brazilian starlet Allan, who won the Finnish league during a temporary spell with SJK Seinäjoki, will also be part of the first XI.                                          ...

A return to Real Madrid is a possibility for Jose Mourinho , according to former Los Blancos president Ramon Calderon, who suggests the under-fire Chelsea boss could replace Rafael Benitez . Mourinho's job has become the subject of immense speculation after a disastrous start to the season, with his side suffering seven defeats in their opening 12 Premier League matches. However, the club's owner, Roman Abramovich, is prepared to be patient with the coach  despite reports of unrest in the dressing room. Although his three-year spell at Madrid was plagued by his disputes with Iker Casillas and a number of other players, he guided the team to a league title and three Champions League semi-finals, and Calderon believes he would be welcome back to the Santiago Bernabeu.                                                 ...

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly bought himself a multi-million pound private jet. The 30-year-old is believed to have paid out €19million on a new Gulfstream G200 business jet. Portuguese tabloid Correio da Manha believe that Ronaldo has bought the luxury aircraft which can carry between eight and ten passengers. It features separate bathrooms for the crew and passengers, plus also wardrobes, internet access, telephone, fax, microwave, electric oven, fridge for drinks and entertainment systems..                       

A young but talented boy from Enugu state has constructed an aeroplane with the help of locally sourced materials. Although the mini airplane has no engine, it looks like a real jet and even can contain two or three passengers. See some photos of the amazing plane below:                                                                                                    However, while some people really admire such young talents, others express scepticism. “Na wao… Can it fly? Cos aeroplane flies. Not putting metal together and giving it a shape of an aeroplane then bringing ...

Wayne Rooney  has revealed he voted for Chelsea striker  Diego Costa  to win the PFA Players' Player of the Year award last season. Costa scored 20 goals in all competitions for the Blues in his first season in England, but also courted controversy for his confrontational style. The 27-year-old was criticised again after his battle with Ryan Shawcross in Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to the Potters last weekend.                                                                                                                                                 But, with Costa set to line up against England on Friday, Roo...

Chelsea  midfielder  Cesc Fabregas  says he will defend manager  Jose Mourinho  "tooth and nail" and will always be grateful to the Portuguese coach. Mourinho has come under fire after the Blues' shocking start to the Premier League season, which has seen them lose seven of their 12 games. Fabregas, meanwhile, has been accused of leading a player revolt against his manager, but says nothing could be further from the truth. Speaking to  Goal  at Spain's training base in Madrid, he said: "That came from a website without too many readers, but it started growing on social media and some important newspapers ended up reporting what was a very small thing that may even have been invented by a guy on his sofa at home. "I am the first to defend our manager tooth and nail from the first minute when some began to doubt and I will continue to do so. The manager has helped me a lot in the year and a half I have been at Chelsea and I will always be gratefu...

There is indeed truism in the assertion that 'everyone loves a winner' as the triumphant Golden Eaglets were treated to a standing ovation aboard Emirates Airlines on their return trip to Nigeria after Chile 2015 conquest. Travelling on Boeing 777 Flight 248 from Santiago to Dubai, the pilot after the usual protocol over public announcement system added matter-of- factly: "We are happy to have on board members of the Nigerian U-17 National Team that was just crowned as the world champions after they beat Mali 2-0 in the final on Sunday." The announcement was followed with loud clapping and screaming by almost 300 passengers of different nationalities aboard the big bird piloted by the duo of Captain Luciano and Captain Asredew, with two co-pilots Flying Officers Oliver and Arif. "It is a great feeling to be world champions," noted Funsho Bamgboye who scored Golden Eaglets second goal in the 2-0 defeat of Mali in the Final Match on Sunday in Vina Del Ma...

Chelsea defender Ola Aina has been included in the England Under-21s roster by Head Coach Gareth Southgate, ahead of the UEFA European U21 Championship qualifiers against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Switzerland. Brentford midfielder John Swift will join Aina in the squad, with the availability of Liverpool's Jordon Ibe and Everton’s Tyias Browning up in the air, as both players have stayed back at their respective clubs due to injuries. The word from the England camp is that the injured duo remain part of the squad as club medics are attempting to put them in tip - top condition before the game against Switzerland. Initially, Ola Aina was named to the England U20s squad for their international friendlies against France this month. The 19 - year - old debuted for the Under 20 side against Czech Republic before appearing in games against Netherlands and Germany. Anglo - Nigerian trio Dominic Iorfa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Chuba Akpom (Hull City) and Dominic Solanke (Vitesse Arn...

From soccer pitch to red carpet, FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, premiered his personal portrait film “Ronaldo” in London on Monday. Ronaldo reunited with his former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on the red carpet, which also saw a late arrival from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho Posing with a line of fans, Ronaldo sought to break a selfie record upon arrival and was also awarded certificates for other Guinness World Records he had, including “most ‘liked’ person on Facebook”. “The people who really know me, they are not going to be surprised about the movie,” Ronaldo told Reuters when asked about the film. Asked if after his soccer playing career he might eye a position as head of FIFA or UEFA, the Real Madrid striker said that he would adjust accordingly to the dictates of his future endeavours. “I’m not that smart to be president. I do not worry about that, about what is going to happen in my future.” “I think I’m still able to play a few more ...

With just three days to the 2016 FIFA Word Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Swaziland, Super Eagles Chief Coach, Sunday Oliseh has revealed that he has not fully recovered from the sickness that forced him to rush back to Belgium last month. Briefing journalists after the team’s training yesterday evening, Oliseh disclosed that due to the importance of the encounter he decided to return to ensure that the desired victory is secured. However, the former national team captain quickly added that with the zeal displayed by the boys, that the team will find a way to get the better of their hosts even as he added that he has high regards for the home team. “I am not 100% fit but this is a crucial match and we have to give it our all that is why I managed to be here. The boys are in high spirit and we have devised plans to get it right. We want to win all our matches so as to qualify for the world cup, that is our target.” The former Juventus of Italy midfielder also spoke on the late ...

The Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers, NSME, has called on the Federal Government to muster the political will to develop the solid minerals sector, its President, Mr Benjamin Onwude, urged at the NSME Conference held in Jos, Plateau State, recently. According to Onwude the government must ensure that the solid minerals that abound across the states is harnessed with all sense of commitment as it did with the oil and gas sector if it is committed to drastically reducing unemployment and creating wealth in the country. He said: “There should be no doubt that the mining industry has the potential to become once again the principal engine of economic growth of our country. The development of solid minerals requires a strong political will and patriotism to succeed. “Nigeria has put in place a new mining code and economic policy aimed at repositioning itself as a country with mining opportunities in order to attract foreign investment to minerals sector and improve its hard curren...

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has warned of a grave financial crisis in the Nigerian banking sector in the remaining part of 2015, while it also raised an alarm of a likely increase in Non-Performing Loans, NPL, in the financial sector due to the exposure of banks to the oil and gas sector. CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele The Bank also expressed concern over the decline in the quality of bank assets in the period under review, as NPLs increased by approximately 70 per cent to N628.54 billion at end-June 2015, from N363.31 billion at end-December 2014. “At 4.65 per cent from 2.88 per cent, the NPL ratio remained within the prudential limit of 5.0 per cent though trended closer to the regulatory threshold, reflecting greater levels of stress in the banking industry,” the CBN maintained. The CBN, in its recently released, Financial Stability Report for June 2015, further said the decline in crude oil revenue and dwindling demand for Nigeria’s crude will pose significant challe...

Mr Ali Moshiri,, the President of Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production, has said that the total investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, which stood at 20 billion dollars in 2014, has dropped by 20 per cent in 2015. Moshiri disclosed this in Lagos at the 33rd annual conference of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE). Moshiri that said Nigeria accounted for 20 billion dollars out of the 600 billion dollars investment in the global oil and gas industry in 2014. In Africa, Moshiri said, Nigeria was the top producer of liquid hydrocarbon and number three in gas production. He said that the country’s position in gas was because of lack of gas infrastructure and not because of the level of its gas resources. “But when you talk about investment, total industry investment in 2014 was about 600 billion dollars and Nigeria had around 20 billion dollars . After the price crash, there is tremendous reduction in global investment. Moshi...

Football players under the age of 10 will be banned from heading as part of a series of safety measures aimed at tackling head injuries in the sport, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) has announced, ending the threat of a proposed class-action lawsuit. The revised safety measures will also limit the amount of headers in practice for players aged between 11 and 13, a statement on the US Soccer website confirmed. The new rules will be followed strictly by USSF Soccer youth national teams and the youth sections of Major League Soccer teams but are only recommendations for teams and associations outside US Soccer control. The guidelines were drawn up to resolve a legal case launched in federal court in California by a group of parents and players alleging not enough was being done to treat and monitor head injuries. No damages were sought in the suit, only amendments to rules governing the sport in the United States. As part of the resolution, the USSF has developed an e...

A strong 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of central Chile late Tuesday but there was no immediate tsunami alert, US seismologists said. The epicentre of the quake was near the coast, about 93 kilometres northwest of Coquimbo, said the US Geological Survey (USGS). It initially gave the magnitude as 6.6. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no tsunami threat from the quake, which struck at 20:54 (01:54 GMT on Wednesday) at a depth of 10 kilometres. Chile is no stranger to earthquakes. In September, the same area of the country was hit by an 8.3-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that left 15 dead and over 16 000 homeless. In February 2010, an 8.8-magnitude quake off the southern Chilean coast killed more than 500 people and inflicted an estimated $30bn in damage. Chile lies on what is known as the "Ring of Fire" - an arc of fault lines that circles the Pacific Basin and is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Nigeria retained the FIFA Under-17 World Cup crown as they blew Mali away in a pulsating final encounter. Spicyjoevibes.com reports: The golden eaglets had a big chance to go in front very early on in the first half with a penalty, but Ebere’s effort was saved. In the second half though,Victor Osimhen was at hand to fire Nigeria to a deserved lead with a stunning strike. Funsho Bamgboye doubled the eaglets lead soon afterwards with an equally powerful shot. Victor Osimhen was subsequently given the highest goal scorer of the tournament award after scoring 10 goals. Kelechi Nwakali and Victor Osimhen were among the top three best players in the competition. Nigeria are the youngest team ever to win the tournament. Congratulations to the Golden Eaglets from Naijaloaded

Researchers in the US have developed a new drug that can be delivered directly into the eye via an eye dropper to shrink down and dissolve cataracts - the leading cause of blindness in humans. While the effects have yet to be tested on humans, the team from the University of California, San Diego hopes to replicate the findings in clinical trials and offer an alternative to the only treatment that’s currently available to cataract patients - painful and often prohibitively expensive surgery. Affecting tens of millions of people worldwide, cataracts cause the lens of the eye to become progressively cloudy, and when left untreated, can lead to total blindness. This occurs when the structure of the crystallin proteins that make up the lens in our eyes deteriorates, causing the damaged or disorganised proteins to clump and form a milky blue or brown layer. While cataracts cannot spread from one eye to the other, they can occur independently in both eyes. Scientists aren’t entirely...

Manchester United host West Brom in the Premier League on Saturday Pressure is building due to the apparent lack of attacking football Manager Louis van Gaal has urged the fans to boo him and not the players The Dutchman says he can cope with the criticism better than players Louis van Gaal has urged Manchester United fans to boo him and not his players if they are frustrated with his team's football. Pressure is building on Van Gaal ahead of Saturday's game with West Brom at Old Trafford as United struggle to play the kind of attacking football their supporters are used to. But Van Gaal has requested that the brickbats come his way, saying: 'I can only advise the fans to criticise the manager and not the players. 'It's very difficult to play for Manchester United with a lot of pressure and when it is also that you taste that in Old Trafford because of all the yelling then it's not good for all my players. 'It's better t...

Jurgen Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool manager in October  The German has made an unbeaten start to his Anfield career Liverpool beat Rubin Kazan 1-0 in the Europa League Six games, three wins, three draws, no defeats. Liverpool were hoping that Jurgen Klopp would be an instant hit on Merseyside and their charismatic German coach has delivered. A club sorely lacking in direction and drive in the finals stages of Brendan Rodgers’s Anfield reign has rediscovered its mojo under Klopp. A cloud has been lifted, a new era dawns. A feelgood factor has followed the former Borussia Dortmund boss into Liverpool, re-energising players who had started to look stale under Rodgers. ‘With the new manager, everything is fresh,’ said teenager Jordon Ibe earlier this week. ‘I feel like a new player. The whole team are feeling great and fresh.’ On Sunday, Klopp’s side face Crystal Palace who have won both Premier League meetings between the clubs since a d...