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UEFA Opens Disciplinary Case Against PSG Chief Al-Khelaifi After UCL Loss

Written by 11 March, 2022
UEFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi following heated incidents following the team's Champions League loss to Real Madrid. The Qatari is also a member of UEFA's executive committee, the chairman of the influential European Club Association, and the CEO of Doha-based broadcaster beIN Media Group, which holds key Champions League television rights. The disciplinary case, which also includes sporting director Leonardo, was initiated in response to reports that Al-Khelaifi went in search of match officials on Wednesday night to protest refereeing decisions. PSG was defeated 3-1 in Madrid, sending them out of the round of 16 with a 3-2 aggregate loss. The French side had led 1-0 after the first leg, and Kylian Mbappe scored again in Madrid to give PSG a 2-0 aggregate lead, which was erased by Karim Benzema's hat trick. UEFA confirmed the disciplinary cases had been opened but did not provide…

Liverpool through to the final eight of the Champions League

Written by 08 March, 2022
Liverpool advanced to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League 2021/22 with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Italian champions Inter Milan. Lautaro Martinez's second-half stunner gave the reigning Serie A champions victory on the night, though Liverpool gained passage after Alexis Sanchez was shown a second yellow card just moments after the goal. Inter Milan became the first team to defeat Liverpool at Anfield in over a year, since Fulham managed a 1-0 victory in March 7, 2021. Salah, who struck the woodwork twice, stated post-match that progress in the competition was the most decisive takeaway on a difficult night in L4. “It was a tough game - they were very good in the away game. We struggled at the start, but the most important thing is that we have qualified,” Salah told BT Sport. “I hit the post twice, it’s OK – maybe next game I will score three!…

FIFA Urges Players, Coaches From Russia & Ukraine To Temporarily Break Club Contracts

Written by 08 March, 2022
FIFA has announced temporary changes to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) for Russian and Ukrainian players, coaches, and clubs. FIFA announced the changes in an official statement on March 8, informing all foreign players and coaches that their contracts with Ukrainian clubs would be suspended until the end of the season. At the same time, FIFA stated that if Russian clubs affiliated with the Football Union of Russia (FUR) do not reach an agreement with their foreign players and coaches by March 10, they will have the right to terminate their contracts until the end of the Russian season on June 30, 2022. FIFA stated in its announcement that the decision regarding Ukrainian clubs was made in order to give players and coaches the opportunity to work and earn money. Unless both parties agree otherwise, Ukrainian clubs would benefit from the amendments as well. The…

Eguavoen names a provisional Super Eagles squad to face Ghana.

Written by 05 March, 2022
Super Eagles Coach Augustine Eguavoen announced his 30-man squad for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-offs against Ghana. Ademola Lookman of Leicester City is the most notable name on this list. FIFA recently cleared the bi-national to switch international allegiance to the Super Eagles, and he is now set to make his debut later this month. Nigeria will play Ghana in a potentially tense West African derby on March 25th before hosting Ghana four days later as both teams compete for one of Africa's five tickets to the World Cup, which will be held later this year in Qatar. FULL SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands) Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Calvin Bassey (Glasgow…

England FA Boycotts International Games against Russia

Written by 28 February, 2022
England's Football Association has announced that the country will not play international matches against Russia for the "foreseeable future". The decision comes days after Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine. "Out of solidarity with Ukraine and to wholeheartedly condemn the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership, the FA can confirm that we won't play against Russia in any international fixtures for the foreseeable future. This includes any potential match at any level of senior, age group, or para football," the FA said in its statement. This is not the first blow that the Russian sporting fraternity has suffered since the war in Ukraine started a few days back. The UEFA has moved the 2022 Champions League final out of Russia in light of the conflict. The football associations of Poland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic have threatened to boycott Russia in their upcoming World Cup qualifier games. Formula…

Liverpool win Carabao Cup final after beating Chelsea in penalty shootout

Written by 28 February, 2022
Liverpool defeated Chelsea in the final of the League Cup on penalties. It is the first time in five years that the competition was not won by Manchester City. Liverpool wins the League Cup for a record ninth time, it was previously tied on eight with City while Chelsea has won it five times, most recently in 2015. Chelsea, which has already won the Club World Cup this month, lost on its last visit to Wembley Stadium to Leicester in the FA Cup final last season. After an entertaining 120 minutes of action, the 2022 Carabao Cup final was decided by a penalty shootout as Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga smashed his penalty high over the crossbar. Kepa was the only player to miss in the shoot-out as Liverpool converted all 11 of their kicks and Chelsea netted 10. The Spaniard replaced Edouard Mendy in the final minutes of extra time.…

Tuchel Admits To difficult Abramovich Chelsea's Situation In the UK

Written by 26 February, 2022
Labour MP Chris Bryant called on his colleagues in the parliament to bar Abramovic from entering the United Kingdom and also said that he should be dismissed as Chelsea's owner. Abramovic is said to be amongst the group of Russian oligarchs who have close ties with their president Vladimir Putin. Tuchel believes that Russia's war on Ukraine and Abramovic's connection with Chelsea could turn the public against the club. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has now admitted that everything is not well at the West London club and that he understands "critical opinion" towards them. Tuchel described the situation as "unreal" and said that it is clouding the minds and excitement of everyone at Chelsea. "We should not pretend that this is not an issue and I agree. The situation for me and for everybody here, for the players, is horrible. Nobody expected this. It’s pretty unreal, it’s clouding our minds,…

NCDC held the Super Falcons for four hours at the Abuja Airport

Written by 25 February, 2022
The Super Falcons of Nigeria recorded a 3-0 victory against Ivory Coast on aggregate after a 1-0 victory away against Ivory Coast at the Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan only to arrive at Abuja's international airport from the qualifying game in Ivory Coast and end up being held for over four hours by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as some players fainted and were reduced to tears. After sealing a ticket to the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Super Falcons took a two-hour flight from Abidjan to Abuja. The nine-time African champions were tested for COVID before the game and also before they departed but Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) deem it fit to delay the girls despite presenting PCR test results. Coach Randy Waldrum said the situation, which followed a two-hour flight, was "very frustrating". But the NFF has absolved itself of…