THE INTENSIFIED REPORT

Borussia Monchengladbach were ruthless in Wednesday's cup tie against Bayern Munich as they struck five past the German Champions to end their hopes of a treble. Gladbach, who struck thrice in the opening 21 minutes became the first team to score five goals against the Bavarians since Borrusia Dortmund in 2012 and the first-ever team to score three goals in 21 minutes against Bayern in a German cup game. 5-0 the game ended in favor of Borussia Monchengladbach.

Sprinter Blessing Okagbare is out of the Tokyo Olympics after being suspended for failing a drugs test. The Nigerian - a rival to Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith - had won her 100m heat on Friday and was due to race in the semi-finals on Saturday. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said the 32-year-old had tested positive for a human growth hormone following an out-of-competition test on 19 July. The AIU said Okagbare was notified of her provisional suspension on Saturday. It added it would not be making any further comment at this stage. Okagbare, Olympic long jump silver medallist in Beijing in 2008, had posted a time of 11.05 seconds in her 100m heat and was set to line up against Asher-Smith and Jamaica's Elaine Thompson-Herath in the first semi-final. The news comes two days after 10 other Nigerian athletes were declared ineligible for the Games. The AIU ruled they were unable to take part because of non-compliance with out-of-competition drug testing requirem

A remarkable performance by top marksman Giannis Antetokounmpo ensured that Milwaukee Bucks claimed their first title since 1971, in ge six of the NBA Finals against Phoenix Suns. The game ended 105-98. Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded am impressive 50 points and14 rebounds. Khris Middleton chipped in 17 points and Bobby Portis had 16. Phoenix's Chris Paul led the Suns with 26 points. Antetokounmpo was the first player to have at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a Finals' game since blocks were first recorded in 1974, the NBA tweeted. He became the seventh player to have at least 50 points in the championship round. In 1971 the Bucks won the title in their third season behind the standout play of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) and Oscar Robertson. They beat the Baltimore Bullets in the final four games to none, winning the final game on the road.

International Olympic Commission (IOC) President Thomas Bach said he did not know "how complex this would be" to stage the Tokyo Games, which start later this week. "I can admit we did not know how complex this would be. The only certainty we had was rather than cashing in on the insurance, we would have to invest much more to make this Olympic games possible," Bach told members of IOC. Bach also said World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus would be in Tokyo on Wednesday and deliver a speech to IOC members. - Reuters

Super Eagles and Villarreal of Spain forward, Samuel Chukwueze, has been nominated for the La Liga Player of the Month award for April. The Nigeria international will compete with Barcelona captain Lionel Messi, Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, and Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa for the individual accolade. Other contestants are Sevilla’s Fernando, Real Betis’ Claudio Bravo and Fernando Pacheco of Deportivo Alaves. Chukwueze was terrific for the Yellow Submarine during the month in question, scoring three goals in five Spanish elite division matches, while the 33-year-old Argentine superstar found the net on four occasions from the same number of outings. He has scored four goals in 27 league appearances for the Yellow Submarine this term.

Bruno Fernandes will wear the captain's armband when Manchester United take on Paris Saint-Germain in the opening encounter of the Champions league, following Harry Maguire being ruled out for the encounter. Maguire overcame a slight injury to play and score in the 4-1 over Newcastle United on Saturday night, but he has now been ruled out of the trip to France. Solskjaer, confirmed during a press conference in Paris on Monday, that the Portuguese will captain United in Maguire's absence.  "We hope Harry will be fit for the weekend game (for the Chelsea game) but we're not sure," Solskjaer told reporters in Paris. "The captain is sitting next to me. Bruno will captain the team tomorrow (Tuesday)." A surprised Bruno said, "I was not expecting this. I know the same time as you. Of course, for me, it's an honour i will be captain for my team-mates and being captain for Manchester United is important for me. United will be without Eric Ba

 Organizers of the Athens Marathon have cancelled this year's event scheduled to take place between Nov. 7-8, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Greet athletic federation, SEGAS, disclosed that they decided to cancel this year's event as they could not guarantee the safety of the runners. The Athens Marathon, which was first held in 1972, rose in popularity and has attracted more than 15,000 participants. SEGAS said they would organize a "Special Edition Virtual Race" instead, with details set to be announced in the coming days. Berlin, New York, Boston, and Chicago Marathons have all been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, a major disruption to global running calendar. Reuters

Manchester City have secured the signing of Benfica center-back Ruben Dias, SkySports reported. Dias penned a six-year contract with City, a deal worth £62 million with a further £3 million on add-ons. Dias, who joined the club on Tuesday, becomes City’s third summer signing following the arrivals of Nathan Ake and Ferran Torres. To have the opportunity to join a club like Manchester City is a fantastic opportunity for me and one I couldn’t turn down,” the 23-year-old told the club’s website. “Their success speaks for itself. They have been the dominant team in England over the last few years, playing an attacking brand of football which I feel suits my own game. “It is really exciting to be part of such a talented squad and to play for a world class manager like Pep Guardiola, who has a proven track record of developing young players like myself. “I believe I can improve here, at a club whose ambitions match my own and I will give everything to be successful and win titles

 Watford have completed the signing of Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong, from Udinese.  The Nigerian International penned a five-year contract at Vicarage Road. The 27-year-old, who was born in the Netherlands, began his senior career in the dutch Eredivisie with Groningen and Dordrecht before spells in Belgium and Norway. He then joined Bursaspor in Turkey before moving to the Serie A with Udinese in 2018. He has played 42 times for Nigeria and will take the number five shirt at Watford. Watford also signed 17-year-old Djibril Toure from Ceffomig FC on a five-and-a-half year deal.

Luis Suarez scored two and set up another in a sensational 20-minute debut for Atletico Madrid on Sunday as his new team started their Liga season with a thumping 6-1 victory over Granada.  Suarez set up a goal two minutes after coming on as a substitute, his sumptuous pass finished off by Marcos Llorente, before scoring himself with a powerful header at the back post.  He then added another in injury time following up his own shot to make it six for rampant Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano.  Suarez is now the first Atletico player to score and assist on his debut in the 21st century, and the first debutant to net a double for the club this century as well. Diego Costa had earlier given the home team the lead. Angel Correa and the impressive Joao Felix, who was perhaps the best player on the pitch put Granada out of sight, before Suarez stole the show.  Suarez might have had a hat-trick given he also won a penalty and had the ball under his arm to take it, only for the d

Atletico Madrid announced the signing of Barcelona forward Luis Suarez late on Wednesday, confirming the Uruguayan striker is set to continue playing in La Liga rather than joining Juventus in Italy. Barcelona said that Atletico had agreed to pay six million euros for Suarez, who left his last training session in tears on Wednesday having been told over the summer that he was no longer required by new coach Ronald Koeman. Since joining Barca from Liverpool in 2014, Suarez has won a host of trophies, including the 2015 Champions League and four Liga titles. He leaves as the club's third highest scorer with 198 goals behind Cesar Rodriguez (232) and Lionel Messi (634). The move to Barcelona's La Liga rivals follows a failed attempt to join Juventus. Juve coach Andrea Pirlo disclosed last week a deal was unlikely because of delays in the Uruguayan's bid to get an Italian passport. On Tuesday, prosecutors in Perugia said they suspected Suarez of cheating to pass his

 Kai Havertz had a night to remember as he scored a hat-trick in the Blues 6-0 thumping of  Barnsley  at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup. The goals were Havertz's first for the Blues since his 71 million pounds move from Bayer Leverkusen earlier this month. "First of many nights" for him, Blues boss Frank Lampard said as he continues to keep faith in the abilities of the 21-year-old German. Tammy Abraham, Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud were also on the target as the Blues eased into the Fourth round. Chelsea will visit either Tottenham or Leyton Orient in the next round. In other games, Arsenal went through to the next round following a 2-0 victory over Leicester City.

West Ham manager David Moyes and Hammers players Issa Diop and Josh Cullen have tested positive for the coronavirus, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday. West Ham’s medical team were informed of the test results while Moyes and his squad were at the London Stadium preparing for Tuesday’s League Cup third round tie against Hull. “The manager and both players immediately left the stadium and returned home,” a West Ham statement said. “All three, who are asymptomatic, will now follow Public Health England and Premier League guidelines and protocols.” Tuesday’s match went ahead as planned, with West Ham assistant manager Alan Irvine taking charge of the team. It is the latest setback in a difficult start to the season for West Ham, who have lost their first two Premier League games against Newcastle and Arsenal. Fans have protested against the club’s co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, while West Ham captain Mark Noble criticised the board’s decision to sell promi

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan has contracted Coronavirus, the club has confirmed. In a statement, City said: "  Manchester City  FC can confirm that Ilkay Gundogan has tested positive for COVID-19. "Ilkay is now observing a 10-day period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine. “Everyone at the Club wishes Ilkay a speedy recovery.”

 After two wins in two matches, Leicester City are at the summit of a very fresh English Premier League Table. Leicester walloped Burnley  4-2 at home, to maintain their perfect start to the campaign. Frank Lampard's Chelsea succumbed to pressure from Champions Liverpool, as they were beaten 2-0 at home. Two goals from Senegalese forward Sadio Mane, ensured that the Champions remained unbeaten after two games. Manchester United were stunned at home by Crystal Palace. The Reds lost 3-1 to Crystal Palace, a result that has called for more signing to be made before the transfer window closes. James Rodriguez inspired rejuvenated Everton side to a 5-2 home win against newly promoted West Brom. Calvert-Lewin bagged a hatrick in that encounter. Everon are second on the log. Jose Mourinho side eased past The Saints, in a game that ended 5-2 in favour of Tottenham Hotspurs. Son bagged four goals in that encounter. Arsenal, Brighton and Leeds also secured maximum points in their

  MMA fighter Colby Covington has addressed NBA superstar LeBron James as a spineless coward, in a post-fight interview following his UFC victory over Tyron Woodley, says Nigerian Kamaru Usman is next. Covington also took the time to affirm his support for US President Donald Trump towards the coming election. He said that Donald Trump will win he election and the margin will be massive. He went further to dedicate his win to the military and first responders for how they've been handling protests and COVID-19 across the country. "You keep us safe, not these woke athletes. I'm sick of these woke athletes and these spineless cowards like LeBron James," Covington said. — GIFSkull IV - Banned Soon Due to False DMCA Spam (@GifSkullIV) September 20, 2020

Liverpool has acquired Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich in a deal worth £25m. The player has penned a contract with the Reds until 2024. Bayern will receive £20m upfront from Liverpool and £5m extra depending on the Reds' success.

The death of George Floyd in the hands of Minneapolis cops met a huge outcry and protests for justice and prosecution of the perpetrators. Different celebrities across the world joined the protest in their different countries and also in their different field of professionalism, lending their voices. Athletes, Musician and a host of other celebrities, commiserated with the family of the deceased. Floyd Mayweather Jnr. becomes the latest in the least of celebrities who have showed empathy and compassion towards the family of the deceased. The Undefeated boxer, has offered to foot every bill involved in the funeral of the late George Floyd, a gesture which has accepted by the family of the deceased. Hollywood Unlocked  broke the news Monday that the professional boxer told with the publication’s founder CEO  Jason Lee  about his commitment to take care of all Floyd’s funeral expenses during a private conversation.  Mayweather added that Anzel Jennings, CEO of his 

Jadon Sancho and Hakimi Achraf  are the latest athletes to join in the protest over the death of unarmed black man (George Floyd) in Minneapolis.  The duo took off their shirts in Sunday's thumping of Paderborn in a Bundesliga match , displaying a message that read, 'Justice for George Floyd'. Sancho who scored his first career hat-trick in the game against Paderborn, and Moroccan International player Hakimi, joins two Bundesliga playes as well as a stack of former and current athletes who have expressed their outrage over Floyd's death. Borussia Moenchengladbach's forward Marcus Thuram, knelt to honour Floyd after scoring in his side's 4-1 home win over Union Berlin. U.S. defender Weston McKennie also displayed a 'Justice for George' message on his armband in Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Werder Bremen. Ex-Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin was charged on Friday with murder in the death of unarmed 46-year-old Floyd after cellp