..::Football IV::..

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Martial wins Manchester United Goal of the Season

Anthony Martial has been awarded Manchester United's 2015/16 Goal of the Season for his debut strike against Liverpool.

The goal was one of 10 shortlisted on the official website, alongside another Martial effort, before being included in the final Twitter poll and subsequently being voted the winner.

The 20-year-old, who has scored nine Premier League goals since arriving from Monaco last summer, thanked Louis van Gaal for allowing him the opportunity after the United chief introduced Martial with 20 minutes to play.

"It was a fantastic atmosphere on the day and thankfully the manager had confidence in me to put me on," the forward said.

"The guys really backed me up and it’s thanks to them that I was able to score. Scoring goals earlier in the season certainly helped me to settle in and I had the support of the staff and the players which really helped too.
"I want to score more next season, that’s normal."

 

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Rashford & Borthwick-Jackson scoop Man Utd awards

Manchester United goal scoring sensation Marcus Rashford has been rewarded for his impressive displays this season by being named the club's Under-18 Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has won the Under-21 Player of the Year award for his contributions during the 2015-16 campaign, with the left-back featuring in 12 appearances in all competitions.

Rashford burst onto the scene with a memorable brace in United's 5-1 demolition of Danish outfit FC Midtjylland in their Europa League Round of 32 second leg clash before following that up with a duo of strikes against Arsenal in the Premier League.

The England under-20 international has gone on to score seven goals in 15 matches in all competitions and revealed his delight at winning the award at the ceremony on Monday evening.

"It’s been a bit crazy really as everything happened at once, so it’s difficult to take in," the 18-year-old said."That worked in my favour as I didn’t really have time to think about.

“It means a lot coming from Manchester. It’s what dreams are made of when you’re born here, it was everything I was looking forward to – I’m happy."

Meanwhile, Borthwick-Jackson, 19, was overjoyed with his award, revealing he is rarely anxious ahead of matches despite playing on the biggest stage at such a young age."It’s just a huge honour for me, winning this award," he said. "It’s unbelievable, it’s what dreams are made of. It’s what you dream of as a little boy, winning an award with Manchester United.

"All the way through, this is what I’ve been dreaming of doing and I’ve managed to come up through every age group and managed to make my way into the first team. As I say it’s just a dream for me.

"I don’t really get nervous. I know that’s hard to believe, when you’re coming out to play in front of 75,000 people, but nerves never really get to me. I block the crowd out and just get on with the game, it’s what you’re paid to do!"

 

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Congratulations for Martial,Rashford & Borthwick-Jackson!

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Zidane: Ronaldo WILL face Man City… he's 100 per cent fit


Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has indicated that Cristiano Ronaldo is "100 per cent" ahead of the clubs' Champions League semi-final second leg with Manchester City.

Ronaldo has sat out the previous three matches - against Rayo Vallecano, City and Real Sociedad - owing to a thigh muscle strain, but appears to have proven his fitness ahead of Real's crucial encounter.

There was some bad news for the Madrid boss, however, as he confirmed that Casemiro and Karim Benzema have been ruled out of the clash.
"Cristiano is 100 per cent, but Benzema and Casemiro are different," Zidane told a media conference ahead of the game.

"I'd have liked to have Casemiro and Benzema, but it is not like that, others will play and they will do well. Karim today still had an issue, and we did not want to take any risks."

When asked whether his central midfielder was definitely ruled out of the match, the Frenchman stated he hoped the Brazilian would still be involved.

"Casemiro is Casemiro, but we have other players who can do same work as he does. (It is) not a (serious) injury, but he had bruise and did not train today. We have a big enough squad to cover."

Real have fared well in the absence of their star striker Ronaldo, securing back to back wins domestically but looked off the pace against City at the Etihad without the Portugal international.

 

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Huth and Fellaini charged with violent conduct

Robert Huth and Marouane Fellaini have been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association following their clash during Leicester City's 1-1 draw at Manchester United.

The incident occurred in the 21st minute of the match and television replays appeared to show Huth pulling Fellaini's hair before the Belgium international struck his marker with an elbow.Both players have until 6pm on Wednesday to reply to the charge.

A statement from the FA read: "Marouane Fellaini and Robert Huth have both been charged for alleged acts of violent conduct which were not seen by the match officials but caught on video."The Manchester United midfielder and Leicester City defender were involved in an incident in the 21st minute of their game on Sunday."

As the on-field officials did not see the clash, footage will be reviewed by a panel of three former elite referees, who must unanimously decide whether they consider the offences to be worthy of a sending off in order for an FA charge to follow.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal defended Fellaini's reaction as being in keeping with how "every human being" would respond to Huth's provocation - which he deemed only to be acceptable in situations of "sex masochism".

United took an early lead in the match through Anthony Martial but an equaliser from Huth's central-defensive partner Wes Morgan earned Leicester a point that helped them to be confirmed as Premier League champions on Monday.

 

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Aubameyang reiterates Real Madrid desire

Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reiterated his desire to play in Spain, but does not know when a transfer will occur.Aubameyang previously revealed he made a promise to his grandfather, a Real Madrid supporter, that he would one day play for the club.

Dortmund were last week rocked by the news captain Mats Hummels had informed the board of his desire to move to Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

Aubameyang meanwhile does not know when or if he will complete a transfer to La Liga, but confirmed he places Madrid above Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.

"I am focused on finishing the season with my team. We do not know what can happen, but I have a contract until 2020," he told Cadena Cope.

"I've always said it would be a dream for me to play in Spain, [but] I do not know when."I cannot say [where] because I do not know how things are, but I have more family links to Madrid than Barcelona.

"And, yes, I like Real Madrid a little more than Atletico."

 

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Ranieri sets new Premier League record for quickest ever title win

The story of Leicester City's fairytale Premier League title win continues to unfold and unearth new records, and now Claudio Ranieri can add one of his own to the growing list.

The Italian, who claimed his first top-flight title in three decades of management with the Foxes' 5000-1 triumph, has broken the record for the fewest days passed between appointment and winning the title which was previously held by Jose Mourinho.

Ranieri was appointed by Leicester on July 13, 2015, and claimed the league crown on May 2, with 294 days passing in between, beating Mourinho's record by 38 days.

Mourinho, in his first stint at Stamford Bridge, was appointed on June 2, 2004, and won Chelsea's first ever Premier League crown on April 30, 2005.

Chelsea dominate the list, with Carlo Ancelotti up next on 342 days, having been appointed on June 1, 2009, and winning the title in his first season on May 9, 2010.

Arsene Wenger was appointed on October 1, 1996, and won his first, and Arsenal's, first Premier League crown on May 3, 1998. Arsenal won their last title in 2004, with 4392 days passing since then.

 

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Bayern Munich 2-1 Atletico Madrid (agg 2-2): Simeone's men book another final

Atletico Madrid followed up their Barcelona heroics by dumping another favourite out of the Champions League, as a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich nevertheless sent them through to the final on away goals.

Atletico held a 1-0 aggregate advantage from the first leg at Vicente Calderon, but Xabi Alonso cancelled it out when his free-kick found the back of the net following a deflection off Jose Maria Gimenez.

Bayern had been relentless in their pressing and were offered the chance to lead the tie for the first time when referee Cuneyt Cakir awarded them a penalty following Gimenez's foul on Javi Martinez.However, Thomas Muller, back in the line-up after being benched for the meeting in Madrid, was denied from the spot by Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Muller's failure to convert proved to have a huge cost, with Antoine Griezmann racing away early in the second half and slotting a disguised shot beyond Manuel Neuer at his near post.

Robert Lewandowski's 74th-minute header made it 2-2 on aggregate, but, after Fernando Torres was kept out from the spot by Neuer following a controversial penalty decision, it was not enough to offer Pep Guardiola - who suffered a third straight semi-final exit at the Bayern helm - the chance to sign off his tenure in Bavaria with a shot at the Champions League title.

Bayern controlled possession from kick-off, but, after Lewandowski headed wide in the 12th minute, Gabi offered a reminder of the threat posed by Atletico when he forced Neuer into a routine save with a powerful drive from 25 yards.

Guardiola's side were unperturbed and Jerome Boateng – starting a second successive match after returning from three months out at the weekend – picked out Muller's diagonal run into the box, who, rather than shoot, teed up Lewandowski for a shot that was blocked by the onrushing Oblak.Lewandowski and Philipp Lahm missed further chances as Bayern applied relentless pressure, and they finally broke through in the 31st minute.

Augusto Fernandez conceded a free kick near the edge of the box for a foul on David Alaba and Alonso drilled the resultant free-kick into the back of the net with the help of a deflection off Gimenez that wrong-footed Neuer.

Despite being rejoined in the centre of defence by Diego Godin, things got worse for Gimenez two minutes later when he was adjudged to have fouled Martinez inside the box while defending a corner, conceding a penalty.

The centre-back was shown a yellow card by the referee, but Oblak bailed him out by diving to his right and saving Muller's spot-kick, bouncing back to his feet to block Alonso's follow-up.

Franck Ribery and Diego Simeone were involved in a physical confrontation before the half-time whistle, but tempers were quickly cooled.

Simeone replaced Fernandez with Yannick Ferreira Carrasco at half-time and eight minutes later Atletico had their crucial away goal.A brilliant pass from Torres released Griezmann on the counter-attack, and the France international guided a cool finish beyond Neuer.

Lewandowski set up a tense final 15 minutes when he powered a header into the back of the net after Arturo Vidal nodded Alaba's delivery from the left back across goal.

Torres had the chance to wrap the game up when he was sent tumbling by Martinez and the referee pointed to the spot, despite initial contact appearing to be made outside of the box.

The former AC Milan striker had his penalty saved by Neuer to the keeper's right, and Oblak produced a great stop from Douglas Costa's deflected strike with two minutes remaining to ensure Simeone's side will have another chance to claim the Champions League title, having lost to arch-rivals Real Madrid in the 2013-14 final.

 

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Simeone: Atletico have eliminated two of the world's three best teams

Diego Simeone believes Atletico Madrid have accounted for two of the world's best three teams to reach the Champions League final.

Atletico overcame defending champions Barcelona in the quarter-final, before Antoine Griezmann's goal at Allianz Arena on Tuesday eliminated Bayern Munich on away goals following a 2-2 aggregate draw.

Simeone acknowledged it has been a hugely impressive campaign from his team and was particularly proud of their response to a brilliant first-half display from Bayern."This Champions League has been spectacular and very difficult," said the coach."We have overcome two of the three best [teams] in the world, going through difficulties and suffering.

"In the first half we saw a tremendous Bayern, with pressure, speed and intensity. We were up against the best team I have faced in my career."Their first half was fantastic, with us providing a minimal response to the situations they created.

"In the second half it was no longer the same match, it was more even. We countered well, scored a goal and were closer to capitalising on our advantage from the [Vicente] Calderon."

The outcome could have been very difficult had Thomas Muller converted a first-half penalty, while Fernando Torres was also unable to score from the spot in the closing stages for Atleti.Simeone was well aware how difficult it would have been for his side had they gone into the break 2-0 down.

"The two penalties were key at the time because of what they transmitted," he said.
"If they had scored theirs it would have become very difficult. And for them it would have cost a lot if Torres scored."

 

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Guardiola: I have given my life to Bayern Munich

Pep Guardiola says he has given his life to Bayern Munich after failing to take the club to a Champions League final at his third and final attempt.

The former Barcelona coach is set for Manchester City after this season, meaning Tuesday's elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Atletico Madrid spells the end of his European hopes with the German giants.

The Bavarian side were continental champions when Guardiola arrived and the coach had the stated aim of building on that success, and while he has taken the side to three-straight semi-finals, he failed to get them to a decider.

But Guardiola insisted it was not for a lack of trying."I have given my life for this team, I fought and gave my best," he told reporters after the game.

"That's all. We are not in the Champions League final but I am very proud of this team. We played the way we wanted to play."What was missing, was a goal. I am mostly sorry for the players."

 

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Real Madrid must control Aguero, warns Ancelotti


Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero may have only managed two goals in eight Champions League games this season but he remains the man to watch in the semi-final second leg against Real Madrid, according to Carlo Ancelotti. City and Madrid played out a 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg, with Aguero unable to shake the attention of central defenders Pepe and Sergio Ramos.

The Argentine has not been as prolific in front of goal on the continental stage as he has been in the Premier League this season but Ancelotti is sure he will pounce if given the opportunity at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.“He is a very good striker,” Ancelotti told Goal. “Real Madrid has to be aware of him because he could easily score at the Bernabeu. It won’t be easy stopping him.

“In the first game, Ramos and Pepe had him under control and I hope in the second game the same thing happens. It won’t be easy for Real Madrid.“Manchester City played a great first half in the first game but in the second they felt a bit tired. We’ll see.”

Ancelotti also defended Raheem Sterling, who has endured a difficult first season at City since his high-profile £49 million transfer from Liverpool, and backed the 21-year-old to shine in the absence of David Silva.The problem is these teams have a lot of players and the coach can only choose 11 of them,” said Ancelotti.

“At Manchester City, there are top players in midfield. Jesus Navas, Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva have been playing and Sterling is having difficulty finding his place.“The door is open for him after Silva’s injury but he is still a young player who can improve.

“Young players are useful in these kinds of games. [Kingsley] Coman is very young and played with Bayern Munich. Saul [Niguez] did the same with Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid played with Lucas [Vazquez].”

 

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Simeone: I don't believe in revenge against Madrid

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone would be unwilling to use revenge as motivation if his side face Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

Simeone's side booked their place in the decider in Milan on May 28 despite a 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich in their second leg on Tuesday.Atletico face either Manchester City or Real Madrid in the final, with their city rivals having beaten them 4-1 in the 2014 decider.

Despite that, Simeone said he would happily face Zinedine Zidane's men, who are locked at 0-0 ahead of their second leg with City on Wednesday."I am happy," he said of potentially facing Madrid."We want something else now but I don't believe in revenge. There are new chances in the life, not revenge. And this is another chance."

Antoine Griezmann's second-half goal proved decisive for Atletico, who progressed courtesy of the away goals rule as they reached a second final in three years.

Simeone said his side's preparation would be better in 2016 than it was two years ago, when they faced Barcelona in a crucial La Liga clash a week beforehand."We will have the chance to better prepare for this final. That year we played a final against Barcelona one week and the following week another final against Real Madrid," he said.

"We will have at least 15 days to work on this final. It doesn't guarantee anything at all but we will have both teams in better condition for one of the greatest events in the world."

Simeone's men are still in the race for the league title, level on points with leaders Barca ahead of Sunday's trip to Levante.

 

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Ranieri: Rich teams will win for next 10 to 20 years

Claudio Ranieri expects the Premier League's richest clubs to return to dominance and win the title for the next 10 to 20 years.

Pre-season relegation candidates Leicester City were crowned champions with two games to spare on Monday, when Tottenham's 2-2 draw at Chelsea meant they could no longer catch the Foxes at the top.

Ranieri has hailed his players' achievement but anticipates their success being a one-off, with past trends representing his best estimate at what will happen in the future.

"Big money makes big teams and usually big teams win," the 64-year-old is quoted as saying by BBC Sport."Now we can say only 99 per cent of the time. Next season will be the same and for the next 10 or 20 years, it will be the same.

"How many years after Nottingham Forest [in 1977-78] and Blackburn [in 1994-95] have another team won?

"The richest, or the team who can pick up the best players to make a team, will win."Ranieri feels it may be not be until more time has passed that the scale of Leicester's shock achievement is truly appreciated.

"Maybe now is too early to think what we have done," added the Leicester boss.
"Maybe in one or two years it will be easier to understand, but now it is important to stay high in the world."

Champions Leicester will receive the Premier League trophy following their game at home to Everton on Saturday.

 

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Ronaldo: Neymar will not leave Barcelona

Former Barcelona and Brazil striker Ronaldo believes that Neymar will remain at the club for the foreseeable future.

Wagner Ribeiro, the 24-year-old's agent, had suggested that a sensational move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer could suit the Barca star, should the French champions match the buyout clause in his contract.

However Neymar has enjoyed another successful campaign at Camp Nou and is an integral piece to the MSN puzzle, alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, and Brazil legend Ronaldo believes that he is in the correct environment to continue his development.

"He will stay at Barca," the two-time World Cup winner told Canal+.

"I don't think that Neymar will leave. He is well suited to the city and the team. I don't believe in the realization of this transfer."

The former Santos forward has scored 54 La Liga goals in 91 appearances since joining Barcelona in 2013.

 

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UEFA Champions League Semi-Final Fixture 2016.05.04

UEFA Champions League Semi-Final Fixture 2016.05.04

AGG

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Real Madrid Vs Manchester City

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Real Madrid 1-0 Manchester City (1-0 agg): Zidane's men book final clash with Atletico

A Fernando own goal in the first half was enough to send Real Madrid into the final of the Champions League, as the hosts downed Manchester City 1-0 in Wednesday's second leg.

Zinedine Zidane's men have a shot at claiming the club's 11th European crown at San Siro on May 28, having followed up last week's cagey goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium with a considerably more impressive showing in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday.

Madrid – boosted by Cristiano Ronaldo's return to fitness, but still without Karim Benzema – capitalised on yet another injury setback for City captain Vincent Kompany to take a first-half lead when Gareth Bale's delivery looped in off Fernando.

Manuel Pellegrini, seeking to ensure it was not his final European game at the helm, needed a response from his side in the second half, but saw City spend most of it on the back foot.

Sergio Aguero was kept quiet and Kevin De Bruyne, so key in the last-eight triumph over Paris Saint-Germain, was also uncharacteristically subdued on a night that promised so much and yet delivered so little for City, whose best run in the competition came to a grinding halt.

For Madrid, though, there will be an opportunity to again do battle with an Atletico team who are challenging them, and leaders Barcelona, for the Liga title as Diego Simeone's men seek revenge for their Lisbon heartache of two years ago.

City suffered an early blow when Kompany pulled up injured inside the opening 10 minutes, the captain forced off to be replaced by Eliaquim Mangala.The visitors had to adapt quickly as Madrid pressed forward, the first chance falling to talisman Ronaldo, whose header from Dani Carvajal's searching cross comfortably cleared Joe Hart's crossbar.

But the England goalkeeper could do nothing when Bale's right-footed cross clipped Fernando's outstretched leg and sailed into the net via the far post in the 20th minute.The visitors sought a quick response to quieten a jubilant home crowd, with Jesus Navas escaping down the right and firing in a low cross that Keylor Navas confidently claimed.

An offside flag denied Pepe, who thought he had turned in the second nine minutes before half-time when he got on the end Toni Kroos' set-piece delivery.City still had time to fire a first-half warning shot as Fernandinho's powerful drive struck the base of the left-hand upright in the final minute of the opening period.

With City up against it, manager Pellegrini – a beaten semi-finalist with Villarreal in the 2005-06 edition of this competition – needed a response from his side, but there were ominous signs early in the second half.

Jese Rodriguez's lung-bursting run left City players trailing in his wake, only for a poor attempted cross to let the Spaniard down, while Hart brilliantly denied Luka Modric from close range and kept out Ronaldo's header all within 10 minutes of the restart.

Raheem Sterling was introduced from the bench for Yaya Toure as Pellegrini looked to increase City's attacking focus for the final 30 minutes, but it was Madrid who continued to look the more likely.Bale hit the crossbar with a header and Ronaldo blatantly handled the ball into the net when the rebound was chipped back towards him.

City, needing only one goal to progress to the final, threw on Kelechi Iheanacho in the closing stages and had their spirits momentarily lifted when the otherwise anonymous Aguero sent a shot dipping narrowly over the target, but that was as close as they came.

A greater challenge surely awaits Madrid in Milan a little over three weeks from now, with Atletico – conquerors of Bayern Munich in the other semi-final – having taken four points of Zidane's side in the league this season.

 

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Its Atletico Madrid Vs Real Madrid UEFA Champions League Final!

Good Luck for both sides

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Terry: I had sleepless nights before facing Thierry Henry

Chelsea stalwart John Terry admits he had sleepless nights before facing Thierry Henry.

The former France international, who remains Arsenal’s record scorer with 228 goals in 277, helped guide the Gunners to two Premier League trophies.

But the Chelsea captain, who admits he’d dreaded the prospect of playing against Henry, has praised the former striker’s attitude towards him off the field.

When asked to name his toughest opponent, Terry told Chelsea Fans Channel: “For me that would have to be Thierry Henry, he had everything.

“The night before games I’d have sleepless nights, and I’d worry the night before a game.

“But he was a real gentleman off the field, as well. He’d always praise me and said things to encourage my game and help me along.

“But as a player, he had everything, I dreaded playing against him.”

 

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Vardy will thrive for England at Euro 2016, says Smith

Jamie Vardy can be a major force for England at Euro 2016 after winning the Premier League title with Leicester City, according to Alan Smith.

As well as setting a new Premier League record for netting in 11 consecutive matches, the 29-year-old has scored 22 goals to help the Foxes be crowned champions.

Vardy has won six England caps since making his debut against Republic of Ireland last June, scoring twice, and is expected to travel to France as part of Roy Hodgson's final squad for the Euros.

Smith – who played for Leicester and England – thinks this could be a tournament where Vardy seizes the opportunity to make the most of what could be a limited period at the top of the game.

Smith told Omnisport: "He is 29 and he has not got too many years at the top for a player who uses his pace and physical abilities

"But for the next two or three years, he is going to be a major force in the Premier League and hopefully for England at the Euros."He is definitely going to go to France - it is about how Roy Hodgson chooses to use him. He can ruffle quite a few feathers in France I think.

"He has got that hunger. We all know where he came from - non-league football - there is an element of making the very most of his time in the spotlight."

 

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Hummels blasts Dortmund's 'sh*tty statement' over Bayern move

Borussia Dortmund captain Mats Hummels has hit out at the club's "sh*tty statement' regarding his wish to join Bayern Munich this summer.

The Westfalenstadion outfit released a statement last week claiming Germany international Hummels had made it clear he wanted to join the Bavarians at the end of the current campaign.

But the 27-year-old has been videoed hitting out at his employers by supporters and insists nothing has been decided reagrding his future.

"This sh*tty statement has made a misleading expression," he said. "I have no idea why they had to do it.

"Everything is possible and nothing is decided yet."