true goal scorer since losing Zach Parisi to free agency after the 2011 season and having Ilya Kovalchuk retire and return the Russia after the following season. The 24-year-old has a chip on his sho

Russia will welcome Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini to the World Cup in 2018, according to sports minister Vitaly Mutko. Both men are banned from football for eight years, but Mutko says they are welcome to attend the tournament as VIP guests.Mutko also confirmed that Blatter and Platini would be invited to next years Confederations Cup in Russia. Vitaly Mutko says Blatter and Platini will be invited to the World Cup in Russia He said: Of course, we will invite them, I do not see any problems with the events that we are hosting.Blatter and Platini were banned by FIFAs ethics committee in December after Swiss authorities discovered that Blatter had signed off a £1.2m payment to Platini in 2011 without a written contract.Both men have appealed to FIFAs Appeal Committee and their cases will be heard later this month.Before their downfall, they were the two most powerful men in world football. Blatter had been FIFA president for 17 years and Platini had been UEFA president since 2007. Blatter announcing Russia had won the bid to stage the 2018 World Cup Russia has always been one of Blatters strongest allies on the world stage.According to the Russian media, anti-FIFA forces in the United States and England have sought to destabilise footballs governing body because they missed out on hosting the World Cups in 2018 and 2022. Also See: Ferguson backing Infantino Africa backs Sheikh Salman FIFA funding cuts irk Prince Ali Infantino secures more support Miguel Cabrera Jersey . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. Youth Tigers Jerseys . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. http://www.cheaptigersjerseyschina.com/willie-horton-jersey/ . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Jose Iglesias Jersey . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. Tigers Jerseys From China .Y. - Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night. NEW JERSEY DEVILSLAST SEASON: 38-36-8, 84 points, seventh in the Metropolitan Division. Missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year.COACH: John Hynes (second season, second NHL season).ADDED: LW Taylor Hall, D Ben Lovejoy, C Vernon Fiddler, RW Beau Bennett, D Kyle Quincey, D Yohann Auvitu.LOST: D Adam Larsson, D David Schlemko, F Jordin Tootoo, C Stephen Gionta, F Bobby Farnham.PLAYER TO WATCH: Taylor Hall gives the Devils their first true goal scorer since losing Zach Parisi to free agency after the 2011 season and having Ilya Kovalchuk retire and return the Russia after the following season. The 24-year-old has a chip on his shoulder after being traded by Edmonton, where he spent his first six seasoons.dddddddddddd He had 132 goals and 196 assists in 381 games and led the Oilers in scoring for three of the past four seasons.OUTLOOK: The second-season of the Pittsburgh Penguins model is in place. This is by far the fastest team the Devils have had in years. They improved six points in Hynes first season and now have more offense to support All-Star goaltender Cory Schneider. The question mark is the defense. Larsson was top pair backliner. Lovejoy could step in and work with Andy Greene. Auvitu might surprise. With no Sidney Crosby to rely on, maybe this is a playoff team. ' ' '