I met Buhari Saturday Tony Blair; APC candidate to speak Thursday — Chatham House

A former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has confirmed that he held a private meeting with the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Muhammadu Buhari, in London on Saturday.

There has been speculations in Nigeria that a picture showing Messrs. Blair, Buhari and Governor Amosun as well as a former Kwara state governor, Bukola Saraki, was photoshopped.

Mr. Buhari’s campaign office had stated that the former head of state was in the U.K. on a working visit.

However, Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state and supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, are claiming that Mr. Buhari is in the UK for medical treatment.

To buttress their claim, some of the critics claimed Mr. Blair was not in the U.K. on Saturday and could therefore not have met Mr. Buhari.

PREMIUM TIMES Monday contacted the office of Mr. Blair for confirmation and we got a response that the meeting actually held.

“Mr. Blair had a private meeting with General Muhammadu Buhari in London,” said Rianne Buter in an email response to PREMIUM TIMES’ inquiry.

Ms. Buter also said Mr. Blair “hopes to visit Nigeria shortly when he will see the President”.

Mr. Buhari’s campaign office also issued a statement saying the APC candidate “would hopefully give a talk at the prestigious foreign policy hub, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, in London.”

Chatham House has now confirmed that Mr. Buhari will speak Thursday on the topic: “Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition”.

Details of the event as posted on the website of Chatham House also revealed that Mr. Buhari would speak for one hour between 10 and 11a.m. and the event would be chaired by Richard Gozney, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria between 2004 and 2007.

Chatham House encourages interested persons to send questions to Mr. Buhari via Twitter.

“Send questions for the speaker by using #CHAfrica on Twitter. A selection will be put to him during the event,” it said

Ex-Anambra gov, Mbadinuju, dumps PDP for APC

Former Governor of Anambra State, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, on Monday in Abuja defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

The former governor, who could not hide his anger at the alleged shoddy treatment he and his supporters were subjected to by the PDP, said he was confident that Nigeria would fare better under an APC administration with Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.) at the helm of affairs.

At a press conference to announce his defection in Abuja, the former said the Boko Haram menace was part of God’s judgment on Nigeria for embracing injustice instead of promoting justice and fairness.

He believed until the leaders gave justice and fairness its pride of place especially in national life, the insurgency would not abate.

We’ll catch Shekau before elections — Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he believes the leader of the insurgent group, Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, responsible for thousands of deaths, will be apprehended by government forces before Nigeria’s elections starting March 28.

Mr. Jonathan disclosed this in an interview with Thisday newspaper on Friday.

​”God willing we will catch Shekau before the elections,” Mr. Jonathan said in response to a question on what his government is doing about Mr. Shekau’s threat to disrupt the elections.

Mr. Shekau, whose group has killed over 15,000 Nigerians, has remained elusive since the sect launched its series of deadly attacks in 2009.

In September 2014, claims by the Nigerian military that Mr. Shekau had been killed during a shoot-out turned out to be a hoax.

Efforts by the Nigerian government to improve the capacity of the army through arms procurement have been repeatedly frustrated by foreign authorities as claims of human rights abuses loom over the military.

But government forces have made significant gains in the war against Boko Haram in the last two weeks, reclaiming some areas seized by the militants.

Mr. Jonathan admitted that the strength of Nigeria’s military was not commensurate with its position as Africa’s largest economy, adding that his government is determined to look inwards for arms procurement.

“Concerning the military strength being not at par to that of Nigeria’s economic development, there are some countries that don’t have powerful military,” Mr. Jonathan said.

“I don’t think Switzerland has a very powerful military. There are some countries that were even doing away with their military until this issue of terror, and now some of them are reconsidering.

“What happened in Nigeria is that after the civil war we had no reasons to buy sophisticated weapons. Since after the civil war, all what we have been doing is peace keeping, apart from stabilising Liberia and Sierra Leone, where our soldiers really fought war to stabilise those countries.

“Back home, we were at peace with our neighbours. It is now that we are witnessing Boko Haram that we see that fighting them is not what we do with AK 47, and now we have to look for money. I totally agree with you, if Brazil can manufacture commercial helicopter, what stops us from going into manufacturing.”

The president further said that if re-elected, his administration would focus on local technologies for arms production.

“Recently, we wanted to buy tear-gas from a country and they were bragging and saying that Nigeria has human rights abuse issues. I kept wondering what is tear-gas? I vowed that God willing if I return, Nigeria must produce tear-gas,” he said.

“What is the technology of producing tear-gas for God’s sake? What is the technology of producing APCs and armoured tanks? I agree with you that in terms of manufacturing, we must and we have no choice than to get into it as a nation. That is why we are emphasising about local content in production; that you can witness in the automobile industry which has come back.”

Mr. Jonathan also said that more companies would be issued licenses to produce arms, to complement the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON.

“Just last week a company that bought over the machine tools in Osogbo came to show the bullet proof vest that they produced and I asked them, can’t you produce weapons and they claimed that they can manufacture weapons if they could be patronised and there is a guarantor,” said the president.

“Yes we have our own DICON, but DICON alone cannot produce all our weaponry. We must have more than two, three companies in a big country like Nigeria.

“I told the company that immediately after the elections, if I’ll be here for the next four years, before they start going for weapons, all the tear-gas that we’ll use in Nigeria, will have to be produced in Nigeria.”

Polytechnic Lecturers Begin Strike February 25

Polytechnic lecturers under the auspices of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) have said following the expiration of two weeks notice given to the federal government, the union will begin an indefinite strike action on February 25th, 2015.

The union had on February 11 issued a two weeks ultimatum urging the federal government to immediately implement the agreement it reached with the union which led to the suspension of its strike last July.

President of ASUP, Comrade Chibuzor Asomuga, who addressed journalists in Abuja at the weekend at the end of the national executive council (NEC) meeting of the union expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to implement the agreement it reached with the union.

He said in July 2014, ASUP suspended the strike on the plea of the Hon Minister of Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau who just resumed as minister then. He said the minister had requested for a three month moratorium to enable him tackle the lingering problems.

“Unfortunately and sadly too, since the suspension of that strike and despite our strong reminders to government on the pending issues and repeated assurances from the minister, none of the issues has been addressed to a logical conclusion”, he said.

“In a strange twist, rather, and without recourse to the content and spirit of the understanding on which the union suspended the strike, the Federal Ministry of Education on the 26th of January 2015, under the guise of a proposed verification exercise, issued a circular directing the suspension of the CONTISS 15 Salary Structure which implementation dates back to 2009, thereby, creating further confusion in the sector.

“This development is provocative, ill timed, retrogressive, and is a flagrant breach of the trust and character of the agreement that led to the suspension of the strike in July, 2014. We are lost as to the real intent and objective of the Federal Ministry of Education in stirring the hornet’s nest at a time when our nation is in the throes of a challenging transition.”

He said the union had therefore resolved that at the expiration of the two weeks ultimatum the Union has issued to Government beginning from 11th February, 2015 on the pending issues, ASUP shall embark on an indefinite strike action until all the ongoing anomalies in our Polytechnics are addressed and the 13 point demand pending before Government implemented.

Other resolution reached at the end of the NEC included that “the Federal Government should, without further delay dissolve the Governing Councils of the Federal polytechnics Oko and Ado Ekiti as they have become burdens rather than solutions to the myriad of problems bedeviling the sector.

“That the circular issued by the Ministry of Education suspending the implementation CONTISS 15 Migration be withdrawn with immediate effect as the suspension is ill-timed and counterproductive and will create further tension in the sector.

“That Managements and Councils of Polytechnics in Nigeria must desist from interfering in ASUP activities in their Institutions and stop forthwith the intimidation of staff who insist that proper things be done.”

Coutinho screamer inspires Liverpool to victory over Southampton as Rodgers' side keep Champions League hopes alive

Nobody gets out the bunting for sixth place, but there is more to Liverpool’s inch-by-inch pro-gress up the table than first sight suggests.

This win edged them past Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, but the gap now separating Liverpool from clubs with loftier ambitions is increasingly small. They are a point behind Southampton, whose bubble may be about to pop, two points off Manchester United in fourth, three points away from Arsenal in third. Inferior goal difference means Liverpool will need to go that extra yard but, on this form, it is well within their power.

They scored with their first two shots on target in this game, the second in the 73rd minute, but that should not detract from the display. Southampton had three first-half penalty appeals — one of which was particularly convincing — but this was a gutsy, impressive win on a day that made it impossible to play the brand of football that is the trademark of manager Brendan Rodgers.

Liverpool had to tough it out instead, and did. In a spoiling swirl of wind and driving rain, not to mention strength-sapping bitter cold, they dug in against the formidable aerial power of Graziano Pelle, and the midfield worked hard. They have now kept five consecutive clean sheets away from home in the league — a record unmatched since 1985, the days of Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson. No, it wasn’t the prettiest, but it was never going to be, and Philippe Coutinho’s first goal at least was a thing of beauty.

It was fitting that it should take place in front of local hero Matt Le Tissier, too. It will not have greatly pleased him — he is too much of a Southampton loyalist for that — but he would surely have admired the artistry and the technique.

Lazar Markovic slipped a simple pass inside to Coutinho and he turned it into something truly magnificent with a curling shot from 30 yards. Le Tissier scored a few like that and it may have jogged his memory as Coutinho’s effort bent perfectly beyond the reach of Fraser Forster, struck the underside of the bar and bounced down over the line, as if the ball itself knew a degree of aesthetic flamboyance was required for such a finish.

That was after just three minutes, and 70 had passed by the time Liverpool struck their next shot on target, again with success. The fact that Southampton’s usually pin-sharp defence made not one, but two mistakes, on the way to goal illustrates the job that Liverpool had done by then. soaking up the pressure and leaving them exhausted. 

One would never have guessed it was Liverpool that had played a European game as recently as Thursday. Southampton substitute Morgan Schneiderlin played a careless square ball directly to Alberto Moreno, whose forward run ended with a cross which should have been cleared by Matt Targett. Instead, off-balance, he tapped it helplessly to Raheem Sterling, who drove the ball through a crowd of players, goalkeeper Forster unsighted until it was too late.

So nothing to celebrate yet, but suddenly Liverpool have options. When Rodgers left out Daniel Sturridge many felt it was a sign he was prioritising the Europa League as the best entry route to next season’s Champions League. Not after this.

If it was even half in Rodgers’s mind that the small number of set-pieces required to secure cup qualification might prove less of an obstacle than an assault on a top four, he can now afford to play both ends. Manchester United must be worried. Squeezed by Arsenal and Southampton, and now Liverpool, the league is their only route back. 

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes Real Madrid's joint third highest scorer as Portuguese star nets 290th goal for Galacticos against Elche

Cristiano Ronaldo became the joint third highest scorer in Real Madrid’s history on Sunday night with his 290th goal as Los Blancos saw off Elche 2-0.

Karim Benzema put Real ahead in the 56th minute with a scrappy opening goal before Ronaldo headed in his 38th goal of the season with half an hour of the contest remaining.   

The three-time Ballon d'Or winner is now level with Galacticos legend Carlos Santillana.

Santillana scored 290 goals in 645 games from his debut in 1971, but Ronaldo has finally drawn level.

Amazingly, it took Ronaldo just 281 matches to achieve the same feat as Santillana for Madrid. 

Ronaldo is now just 17 goals behind second placed top scorer Alfredo Di Stefano and 33 behind all-time leader and club legend Raul.

Sunday's victory puts Real four points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga after Luis Enrique's side slipped up 24 hours earlier against Malaga.

More misery for Man United as Van Persie leaves the Liberty on crutches wearing protective boot

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie left the Liberty Stadium on crutches and with his right leg in a protective boot to pile more misery on Louis van Gaal. 

The Dutchman, who started the match alongside Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, hobbled out of Swansea's stadium after appearing to injure his right leg. 

Van Persie and his team-mates were unable to stop Swansea from sealing a Premier League double over Manchester United as Ki Sung-yueng and Bafetimbi Gomis struck to hand the home side all three points. 

Ander Herrera had put his side in the lead in the 28th minute, however the Spaniard's opener was quickly cancelled out by Ki Sung-yueng.

The extent of Van Persie's injury is not yet known, however Van Gaal did say his fellow countryman 'could not run anymore'. 

‘We dominated the game even with 10 men because Robin van Persie could not run anymore because of an injury (after United had made their last substitution),' said Van Gaal.

The Red Devils boss will be hoping Van Persie's injury is not too serious as his side face a battle to claim a spot in next season's Champions League and face Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on March 9. 

Gone but never forgotten: Barcelona rename first-team training pitch after late manager Vilanova, who died of cancer last year

Barcelona have renamed their first-team training pitch 'Camp Tito Vilanova' after their late coach and manager, who passed away last year from cancer.
Vilanova's family were at the ceremony, joining the entire Barcelona squad and his widow, Montse Chaure, thanked the club for the gesture.
'The best thing we can do when someone we love isn't here is remember them,' Chaure is quoted as saying in AS. 'He loved this pitch, he always said he was privileged to do something he enjoyed, which was coaching. He loved all these players.'

Vilanova was a loyal assistant to Pep Guardiola, from his days as coach of Barcelona B through to his trophy-laden tenure with senior team.
When Guardiola stepped down from his role as manager in 2012, it was Vilanova who replaced him at the helm of the club.
He led Barcelona to La Liga glory in his only season as manager, with his team reaching 100 points and finishing 15 ahead of Real Madrid, before his health forced him to step down.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu believes the training pitch will keep Vilanova's memory alive to future generations of Barca players.
'We all know who Tito Vilanova is, but putting his name on this pitch, all those who step on it in the future will know who he is; they will ask and we will tell them,' Bartomeu said.

Don’t shift elections again, UN tells Nigerian govt.

The United Nations has urged the Nigerian government to ensure the sanctity of new dates for its general elections, amid increasing concerns the government may yet again move the crucial polls from March 28 and April 11.

The general elections were shifted from February 14 and 28 by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over security fears.

Many Nigerians and the international community have urged the government to ensure the polls are not shifted the second time. The main opposition, All Progressives Congress, APC, says the government instigated the first shift to avoid the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan at the polls.

In a statement Friday, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, “strongly” urged the Nigerian government and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to respect the new dates and ensure there are no further shifts.

“Following the postponement of general elections in Nigeria to 28 March and 11 April, the Secretary-General strongly urges the Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure these new dates are maintained, in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution,” a statement by the world body said.

Mr. Ban’s statement came days after the head of INEC, Attahiru Jega, told Nigerian Senators he could not commit to the sanctity of the new dates for the elections, saying that was outside the powers of the electoral body.

Speaking Thursday, President Goodluck Jonathan said the elections will hold as scheduled by INEC.

The United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban, welcomed the president’s commitment to the new calendar.

He commended the progress made by INEC in the preparation for the elections, including the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards.

He urged all relevant national institutions to continue to work with INEC to ensure all voters can exercise their constitutional right to participate in the elections freely and without intimidation.

The Secretary-General expressed strong concern over reports of election-related violence.

He urged all political leaders to adhere to their commitments under the Abuja Accord, to refrain from inflammatory statements and to immediately condemn any statements from their supporters that amount to an incitement to violence or subversion of the electoral process.

The Secretary-General reiterated to Nigerians that the United Nations will be closely following developments and is offering its full support to Nigeria at this important moment.

Cristiano Ronaldo Named In Kim Kardashian’s Sex List

Who would have imagined that Real Madrid star player had been one of Kim Kardashian’s sex partner?
The Twitter war between Kanye Wests ex, Amber Rose and Kim Kardashian just got interesting with the mention of Cristiano Ronaldo’s name.
The  world’s best footballer was named amongst the long list of  men who’d slept with the TV reality star including Ray J, rapper the Game, Scott Storch amongst others.

A photo shared to Instagram by one of Amber Rose’s fans has more than 19 names.However, It is yet to be confirmed if Ronaldo actually had a ‘thing’ with the Kardashian, although they’ve been spotted together on numerous occasions in the past.

Satisfy Us In Bed Or Face Mass Divorce – Kaduna Women Protest Against Their Husbands

A group of women from the Rido community in Kaduna State, took to the streets on Wednesday, February 19, 2015 to publicly complain about their husband’s sexual weakness, asking that they start performing their matrimonial duties or face mass divorce.

The women, who were assembled at the NDA Junction in the state capital, blamed the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) for their husband’s inability to perform as a result of the chemical waste and fumes from the company into their environment.

Speaking to newsmen during the protest, some of the  married women complained bitterly that some of the men in the Mararaba Rido community were impotent due to the toxic waste from the KRPC.

They revealed that their husbands suffer weak erection and infertility, while the women suffer miscarriage and other health complications.

A married woman, Jummai Isaac, 27, said she has not taken in since she got married in the year 2000.

“I haven’t conceived since I got married in the last fourteen years, and doctors have, on several occasions, confirmed to me absence of any known cause of inability to get pregnant.

Initially, doctors thought I had fibroid in my womb, but after several scans and some medical tests, they dispelled that notion.”

However, a community leader, Mohammed Bashar, explained that, “Most of the complaints could be associated with secondary infertility, because victims have, in the past, given birth to children before they suddenly stopped.

There was widespread belief that smoke and poisonous gases emitted from the refinery have reproductive health effect on people living in the area, but no medical report has confirmed the allegation due to inability of villagers to seek comprehensive medical tests, perhaps owing to lack of awareness and poverty.”

Nigerian Opposition Leader Buhari Arrives in London on ‘Charm Offensive’

Nigerian opposition leader Muhammadu Buhari has flown to London in an attempt to ease Western fears about his leadership in the event that he succeeds in winning the upcoming presidential election.

Buhari, election candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), is up against incumbent Goodluck Jonathan in the vote, delayed until March 28 by the electoral commission on the recommendation of the country’s security services.

The security authorities claimed that a six-week military operation against the radical Islamist group Boko Haram, which is being conducted in the northeast of the country, was scheduled to begin on the same day as the election, leaving an inadequate security presence for voters in the rest of the country.

According to his campaign, after flying in from the Nigerian capital, Abuja, Buhari is set to speak at the foreign policy NGO the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House as well as holding talks with “key members of the British political establishment”. However, Chatham House could not confirm that he would be speaking, only saying it was “likely” and Newsweek could not determine who Buhari would be meeting. Manji Cheto, West Africa analyst at political risk consultancy Teneo Intelligence, believes that Buhari’s flying visit to Britain is to show Western officials that he is someone who will “adhere to democratic principles” if he is elected next month.“This is designed to position Buhari as pro-investment and pro-Western partners,” she says. “What [western officials] have heard is mostly information that the PDP [the rival People’s Democratic Party] has said to the world through propaganda.”

“It’s him having private meetings as well to calm Western partners about any potential autocratic tendencies so to speak,” she adds. A journalist with knowledge of the situation on the ground in Nigeria, who declined to be named on matters of Nigerian politics, added that the devout Muslim politician is on a “charm offensive” to reassure Western officials about not only his own credentials but also his ability to tackle the threat of the Boko Haram insurgency. “There is a feeling of anxiety among Western governments about Buhari, about what he represents and who his backers are,” the reporter noted. “So it doesn’t surprise me that he has flown in for talks before the election.” “He wants to, as much as reassure them about himself, also convince them that he has got a plan for dealing with Boko Haram. I think that would be top of his agenda.” Buhari - a former military general - has failed on three occasions (2003, 2007 and 2011) in his bid to return as Nigerian president since the country moved from a series of military rulers to a democratic system in 1999. He survived a Boko Haram assassination attempt last July when a suicide bomber aligned to the radical Islamist group targeted his car in the northern city of Kaduna.The PDP has won every election since Nigeria since the end of military rule and is the favourite heading into the 28 March election.

Wilfried Bony is the 'perfect player' for Manchester City, says Manuel Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini has hailed Wilfried Bony as the ‘perfect player’ for his squad as the £28million striker prepares to make his debut for Manchester City against Newcastle on Saturday evening.
Bony scored nine goals for Swansea in the first half of the season after netting 25 times for the Welsh club during the previous campaign and Pellegrini believes the forward’s familiarity with his surroundings will see him make a strong start to his career at the Etihad Stadium.
‘I think that Bony will be an important player for us,’ the Chilean manager said. ‘He will be in the squad list we will see if he will be in the starting 11 or after that have some minutes but he works with our team the whole week without any problems.

‘He plays a lot of years here in England, he is the player that scores most goals during the last year.
‘I think he has all the conditions to be an important player because we try always to play with two strikers. He is the perfect player for our squad.
'He knows the Premier League, he knows our team so I think it will be easy for him to settle in in a good way.
‘We always play with a lot of movement so our strikers always have the freedom to choose in the best place they must be in every play.
‘He can play with Sergio Aguero, he can play with Edin Dzeko, he can play with Stevan Jovetic, he can play with David Silva - he can play with all the players in our team.’

One player Bony cannot play with on Saturday is James Milner with the England midfielder suffering with a knee problem
Pellegrini described the problem as not serious but said Milner was a doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Barcelona, a particular concern given that Yaya Toure is suspended for the last 16 tie.
‘He is talking with the doctor about all the situations,’ Pellegrini said. ‘I don’t think it will be very serious. We’ll see how he improves in the next days.’

Luis Figo reveals he wants to expand the World Cup to '40 or 48' teams with matches played across more than one continent at his FIFA presidential manifesto launch

Luis Figo is proposing an expansion of the World Cup finals as part of his FIFA presidential manifesto which launched at Wembley Stadium on Thursday.

The tournament's current format involves 32 teams but Figo wants to add eight or 16 more, with a focus on more teams from outside of Europe getting to the finals stage.

The former Portugal international also said a greater percentage of FIFA's income should be spent on grassroots development. 

'I believe we should consider proposals to expand the competition to a 40 or even 48 team World Cup,' Figo told the press conference at Wembley. 

'Both these options are feasible with an extra three to four days of tournament play. If this expansion were to take place I believe that additional teams should come from non-European nations.'

Figo, who played in two World Cup finals with Portugal, also offered up the option of the tournament being played on more than one continent in future.

The former Barcelona and Real Madrid star suggested that FIFA could even stage two 24-team group competitions simultaneously on the two continents before the knockout stages would be held in one country. 

Blatter remains the odds-on favourite to keep hold of the role at the head of world football's governing body, but Figo believes the desire for change after investigations into corruption will help swing opinion his way. 

'This image we are aware of this organisation that leads football is not the appropriate image,' he said. 'I trust that most want change and are ready for change, a democratic change, a change so that we achieve transparency and a change that goes back to football itself.' 

Blatter is yet to launch any campaign manifesto ahead of the election but already has the support of the federations of Africa, Asia, South America and Oceania.

The election takes place at the FIFA congress in Zurich on May 29.

Muslim snooker player Rory McLeod clarifies that 'ISIS' waistcoat badge was for his sponsor - not the Islamic terror group

Muslim snooker player Rory McLeod has explained the reasoning behind the 'ISIS' badge he was spotted wearing against Ronnie O'Sullivan in the Welsh Open.
McLeod, the only British Muslim on the snooker circuit, caused a stir on social media with his waistcoast badge bearing the initials 'ISIS' in his match against O'Sullivan on Monday.
But he has since explained that the badge bore the logo of ISIS Business Solutions - his personal sponsors of the last 14 years - rather than of an Islamic terror organisation.

Some viewers watching on the BBC were confused by the badge with some drawing unlikely links to the terrorist group.
McLeod, 43, lost his second-round match against O'Sullivan 4-2 at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, having beaten Andrew Pagett by the same score in the first round.
The competition concludes on Sunday.

Balotelli has history of fighting with team-mates over penalties... watch as Zanetti has to pull him away from Eto'o as they were playing for Mourinho's Inter

Mario Balotelli stole the headlines against Besiktas on Thursday when he fought off team-mates Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge to take the winning penalty.

With the scores level after 84 minutes, Jordon Ibe was fouled in the box and despite protestations from both Henderson and Sturridge, Balotelli took the ball and scored from the spot.

Speaking on ITV, Gerrard said: 'Basically Jordan (Henderson) should’ve taken it.

'I think Mario’s been a bit mischievous by stepping in front of him and going against what the manager has planned before the game.'

But for those who watched the Italian forward during his days at Inter Milan, this wasn't a surprising move. Balotelli attempted a similar tactic with Samuel Eto'o in a game against Palermo in 2009.

When a penalty was awarded, a teenage Balotelli tried to take the ball off of Eto'o, who was Inter's established penalty taker at the time.

Unfortunately for the enigmatic forward, his status in that squad didn't carry as much clout and he lost out to the Cameroonian, having to be dragged away by Javier Zanetti.

Needless to say, Balotelli did not join in the celebrations after Eto'o scored. 

Henderson, though, proved himself to be the bigger man and praised his team-mate after the game.

He said: 'I wanted the penalty but Mario felt confident. He’s taken big penalties before and it was great penalty in the end and a big goal for us.

'Of course everybody wanted to take it, but Mario’s taken big penalties before and he got the nod.'

Liverpool 1-0 Besiktas: Mario Balotelli Keep his cool After Grabbing Penalty Rights

He is a magnet for drama, isn’t he? Life with Mario Balotelli is never dull and so it proved again. There is a reason it is always him.

A coolly dispatched 84th-minute penalty gives Liverpool a slender advantage to protect in Istanbul but that only tells a fragment of the story of how this most mercurial of strikers delivered for Brendan Rodgers when it mattered most.

When Jordon Ibe was bundled over by Ramon Motta, Jordan Henderson seemed certain to take the captain’s role and assume responsibility for the spot-kick. Daniel Sturridge also wanted to take it. But then up popped Balotelli, who took the ball off Henderson and put it on the spot.

From the scenes that followed, that decision was anything but popular. But as some squabbled and manager Rodgers looked on stone-faced, Balotelli barely flickered. He simply tapped Henderson on the arm, told him he was fine and then casually sent Cenk Goken the wrong way.

This was his third big contribution in a week, following on from a goal against Tottenham and a free-kick that led to Adam Lallana’s winner at Crystal Palace, and how it was needed. This tie, as Besiktas manager Slaven Bilic noted, is far from over and another test of character awaits in Istanbul.

Finally, however, Liverpool are winning again in Europe. Rodgers' message before this contest was a hope and desire that they would play with verve and dash and show Europe a glimpse of the dynamic brand that almost carried them to the title.

The Champions League campaign, after all, had been a washout. Liverpool’s performances in those six games with Real Madrid, Ludogorets and Basle were miserable and never threatened to take them to the latter stages.

Having won their opening contest in September with a late penalty, Liverpool then lurched from bad to worse and did not win any of their remaining five fixtures. A failure to beat Besiktas, then, would have seen them set an unwanted club record of most games without a victory in Europe.

In the first attack, you could see the difference between the Liverpool of then and now as a slick move, which involved Joe Allen and Ibe, ended with Sturridge hoodwinking Ersan Gulum with a deft back heel but goalkeeper Cenk Gonen parried his shot.

Stood in his technical area, Rodgers acknowledged the passage of passing with a thumbs up but the period of domination he might have expected to follow did not arrive, as Besiktas showed themselves to be obdurate opponents. They frustrated Tottenham at White Hart Lane in this competition last October and it was easy to see why they have been so proficient, as they worked relentlessly and had menace on the break.

Liverpool players arrive at Anfield seven hours before kick-off ahead of Europa League clash with Besiktas

The Liverpool squad began arriving at Anfield seven hours before before kick-off ahead of their Europa League last-32 clash against Besiktas on Thursday.
Brendan Rodgers' side were dumped out of the Champions League at the group stage after returning to Europe's top club competition for the first time since 2009-10.
Liverpool were beaten by Real Madrid twice and Basle, while draws against the Swiss champions and Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets left the Anfield club third in Group B.

But Liverpool return to Europe on Thursday night as they face the Turkish league leaders in the first leg of the knockout tie.
Members of the squad including Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson were pictured arriving at Anfield shortly after midday as the Reds look to take their impressive Premier League form into European competition.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last nine in the league, a run that has rescued their season and left Brendan Rodgers' side in contention of securing a top-four finish.
And the former Swansea manager will be looking upon the Europa League as another opportunity to secure Champions League football next season with the winner of the often-derided competition earning a seat at Europe's top table for the 2015-16 season.

Meanwhile, Adam Lallana revealed he regrets the manner of his departure from Southampton but insists he never refused to play for the club in order to secure his exit.

The 26-year-old, who spent 12 years with Saints, became the subject of a protracted and high-profile transfer saga last summer with the Reds making three separate bids before they were successful.

In between those offers there was speculation Lallana had tried to force Southampton's hand by issuing an ultimatum but the player denies that.

A deal in the region of £25m was finally agreed but the acrimonious manner of his departure still rankles with fans, who were not assuaged by a full page advert Lallana placed in the local newspaper offering his thanks.

Meet the 16 Year old Kid Joining Manchester United

Manchester United have signed promising Belgian teenager Indy Boonen on a three-year deal.

Sportsmail reported in December that United were interested in the 16-year-old attacking midfielder, who can also play as a left back, as well as his brother Seppe, a 13-year-old goalkeeper.

It is believed the youngster initially grabbed the attention of United scouts when he played in a friendly against the Red Devils for former side Genk in April 2013.

Boonen, who has been on trial at Carrington for the past month, can sign professional terms now he has turned 16.

Premier League duo Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as Feyenoord and Wolfsburg were all keen to land the player, too.

When speaking to HLN about the move he said: 'It's like in a dream. The training sessions are hard, but I don't feel the tiredness when I realise I have signed for Manchester United.'

Boonen joins the growing contingent of Belgian players at the club - with aspirations of following the footsteps of first-team duo Adnan Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini.

The 16-year-old will take comfort from the fact young players are afforded first-team opportunities at United, with Tyler Blackett, Paddy McNair and James Wilson all featuring for Louis van Gaal's side this season.

The youngster appears to be a big fan of Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo too, posting several photos of the former Manchester United forward on his Facebook page.

As well as his brother, Seppe, football runs right through the family, with Boonen's father - Jacky - a former professional footballer for Lierse, Beveren and Lokeren in the 1990s.

Jacky admitted to HLN that his son, a talented playmaker with a strong left foot, is a much bigger talent than he ever was.  

The family are now expected to move to England with Indy in the summer, as the highly-rated youngster looks to continue his development in Manchester, joining up with United's youth set-up next season.

Ronaldo is the knockout king: With 35 goals across 11 cities, Real star breaks record to top Champions League goalscoring chart

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a record 35th goal in the Champions League knockout stages with a nod of the head against Schalke on Wednesday night.

Ronaldo's 58th goal in as many games for Real Madrid was his first ever scored with his head away from the Bernabeu in Europe's elite competition.  

Ronaldo continues to make fools of the best defenders in the world and not just in his own backyard, having scored in seven different countries - Spain, Italy, England, Portugal, Russia, Turkey and Germany - and 11 different cities since 2007.

His first goal of the 35 came for Manchester United against Roma at Old Trafford on April 10, 2007, before his header a year later against Chelsea in Moscow helped Sir Alex Ferguson win the Champions League final.

He's since swapped England for Spain, and the 2-0 win over Schalke became his 28th victory in the knockout stages - yet another record, overtaking Edwin van der Sar and Victor Valdes on 27.

The Portugal international was under pressure to perform in Germany. His run of three games without scoring was unheard of, given he had not went through such a drought since February 2011.

Yet the fact that such a fuss was kicked up over Ronaldo not scoring against Cordoba, Atletico Madrid or Deportivo in La Liga is testament to his talent, and the expectations that follow.

Thankfully the Bernabeu boo boys were not given ammunition to scrutinise him for long. Not when Ronaldo's track record on German territory has seen him score in three different cities against Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Schalke.

The three-time Ballon d'Or winner netted against Schalke at the Veltins-Arena in February 2014, and doing so again a year later on Wednesday night meant he scored in his 12th consecutive Champions League away match. Another record.

It helped Real win their 10th consecutive Champions League game - a record on par with Bayern Munich, which was set in December 2013. That run was ended by Manchester City, but Ronaldo will be looking to go one further.

Can Real become the first European champions to retain the title? The way the records are tumbling for Ronaldo, you wouldn't bet against it.