Adriano Extends Monaco Contract

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Monaco’s Brazilian defender Adriano has signed a three-year extension to his contract.

Adriano’s contract was due to expire in June but the 29 year-old defender is now set to remain with the Principality club until 2014.

“I’ve been negotiating with the club for six weeks,” said Adriano.

“Despite interest from elsewhere I told my agent to try and make sure I stay at Monaco. I like it here and my family are settled. I’m very happy to be staying.”

Monaco are currently 15th in Ligue 1 and are not yet safe from relegation.

Ayew Hat-Trick Sends Marseille Top – Lyon Keep Pressure On

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Andre Ayew scored a hat-trick and his younger brother Jordan grab a goal to see off OGC Nice 4-2 at Stade Velodrome last night. A result that sees them hop above Lille into top spot in Ligue 1.

This is the first time Marseille have been top since week 15 of the season and it is a great time to do so with only a handful of games remaining.

Ayew was given the opportunity to play upfront due to the absence of Loic Remy and he took his opportunity with both hands, grabbing a goal in the 30th, 60th and 90th minute.

In the end Nice were well beaten and will look to pull themselves away from the danger zone with a win over struggling Caen on Sunday.

Elsewhere in Ligue 1, Lyon left it late to beat Montpellier 3-2 at the Stade de Gerland. A 90th minute goal from Yoann Gourcuff helped them claim all three points and keep the pressure on Marseille at the top. Ederson gave Lyon the lead after 23 minutes but his goal was cancelled out by Montpellier striker Oliver Giroud who levelled in the 30th minute.

In the second half Lisandro Lopez restored Lyon’s led with a goal in the 55th minute, however Montpellier pulled the game level again in the 84th minute thanks to a goal from Souleymane Camara.

Montpellier looked set to steal a point before Gourcuff came off the bench to score a late winner for Claude Puel’s side.

The race for the Ligue 1 title is getting tighter and all eyes are now on week 34 where L’OM travel to Lyon in a match that could shape the title race.

Taiwo Summoned After Final Rant

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Nigeria international Taye Taiwo has been summoned to a May 5 hearing by National Ethics Council (CNE) to explain his foul-mouthed outburst at the League Cup final, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced Wednesday.

Taiwo scored the winning goal as league champions Marseille beat Montpellier 1-0 to win the trophy last weekend.

But moments after the triumph the big defender went from hero to villain as he grabbed a microphone and unleashed a verbal volley at Marseille’s bitter league rivals Paris Saint Germain.

As Taiwo celebrated near the Marseille fans he was heard proclaiming: “Marseille are coming up to Paris to (expletive) PSG.”

The next day France’s Professional Football League (LFP) said it would probe Taiwo’s behaviour, which has now reached the CNE.

Teammate Stephane Mbia has also been summoned to the hearing for the role he played in the incident.

Taiwo has since made a public apology to PSG via Marseille’s television channel, and widened that apology in a press release Monday.

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps said: “He shouldn’t have done that. He’s made a huge blunder, but he didn’t think it would reach such proportions.

“He knows it now, and is very sorry.”

Marseille are only two points behind league leaders Lille, with a game in hand.

Losing Taiwo, one of Marseille’s most influential players, to a ban could theoretically damage their chances of defending the league title

Lloris Set For Lyon Contract Talks

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Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has today spoken of his desire to enter contract negotiations with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Lloris has been in excellent form this season, form which has led to strong interest from clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Lyon have the second best defense in the Ligue 1 and Lloris has been at the centre of this fantastic achievement.

Aulas is keen to get a new contract sorted to ward off any interest from the big boys in England.

“I met with Hugo just before he left the national team to inform him that we’re ready to enter the negotiations,” the supremo told French radio station RMC.

“We’d like to have this wrapped up within a month and give him the good terms that he deserves and that Olympique Lyonnais want.”

The 24-year-old has kept 10 clean sheets this season and has cemented his spot as the French No. 1.

Marseille Aiming For Top Spot

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Marseille could go top of Ligue 1 tonight if they beat OGC Nice at Stade Velodrome.

L’OM are currently two points behind current leaders Lille after they only managed a 1-1 draw away Lorient on Sunday.

Marseille are flying high at the moment after becoming the first team ever to retain the Coupe de la Ligue thanks to a 1-0 victory over Montpellier on Saturday.

Nice have not enjoyed the best of seasons and will be looking continue their seven game unbeaten run to help pull them away from the relegation zone, they are currently just three points clear of 18th placed Caen.

Elsewhere in Ligue 1 tonight 3rd placed Lyon face Coupe de la Ligue runners-up Montpellier at Stade de Gerland, as they look to keep up the pressure on Marseille and Lille.

Both games kick-off at 6pm GMT.