DeSean Jackson to remain on NFC East, signs contract with the Washington Redskins
Wide receiver DeSean Jackson was released from the Philadelphia Eagles last week amid accusations of having gang ties that were affecting his performance on the field. But he already has found a new team for the upcoming season, the Washington Redskins.
According to reports, the Redskins reached a deal with Jackson late Thursday afternoon, just three days after his release from the Eagles. Jackson had an impressive season last year with a total of 82 catches for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns.
The National Football League (NFL) has recently started closely monitoring players’ behaviour off the field, after the conviction of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez as guilty of first degree murder.
The Eagles reached the decision to drop Jackson after discovering that he still has connections to the Crips, a notorious Los Angeles gang. Jackson has been associated to Theron Shakir, who was charged and later acquitted with the murder of a teenager. Shakir is a notorious member of the LA Crips and is also a rapper. He was signed by Jackpot Records, a label owned by Jackson.
Jackson’s new contract with the Redskins is for three years, in which he will receive $24 million, with $16 million guaranteed. Although it is a risky move by Washington, they come from a 3–13 season and it seems that they have hopes that Jackson could improve the team’s fortune.
Tiger Woods will miss the Masters Tournament
Tiger Woods has announced that he will miss the 2014 Masters Tournament after undergoing successful back surgery to fix a pinched nerve.
This will be the first Masters Tournament Woods has missed since 1994. “I’d like to express my disappointment to the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and patrons that I will not be at The Masters. It’s a week that’s very special to me. It also looks like I’ll be forced to miss several upcoming tournaments to focus on my rehabilitation and getting healthy.” Woods commented.
Woods also stated that he will try to be ready for the US Open tournament, which he might also be forced to miss if he is not fully recovered. “It’s tough right now, but I’m absolutely optimistic about the future,” Woods said.
Woods’ website stated on Tuesday that he “could begin chipping and putting, after assessment by his doctors, in three weeks.” Woods is expected to make a full recovery in roughly three to four months just in time for the British Open that takes place from July 13 to July 20.
Barcelona FC handed a 14-month trading ban by FIFA
For the next 14 months Barcelona FC will have to rely on its youth system when in need of new players after receiving a long-term transfer ban for illegally signing players under the age of 18.
The football club won’t be able to purchase any new players until the summer of 2015. The club also received a $500,000 USD fine. The ban does not prohibit Barcelona from selling any players, though the club was looking into buying a new goalkeeper after this season, since current goalkeeper Victor Valdez will be leaving the Catalan club at the end of his contract. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) was also fined 500,000 Swiss Francs.
Barcelona will be appealing the ban, and any appeal against the ban must be lodged within three days. It is expected that the ban will be resolved by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). If the case does reach the CAS it would still give the possibility to the club of signing new players for the summer.
FIFA rules state that international transfers are only permitted for players over the age of 18, unless the player meets one of three qualifying criteria. Players under 18 can move to a club in a different country if their parents move there for non-footballing reasons, if they are from another nation within the European Union and aged between 16 and 18, or if they live within 100 km of the club.
A FIFA investigation discovered that Barcelona FC and RFEF were guilty of a “serious” infringement of the rules.
