Author: Kayode Akinwumi

A new dramatic episode in the ongoing tension between Manchester City and Premier League unfolded today at the League’s head office in London on Wednesday. City fans protested outside the head office following a meeting between the clubs and the League executives. The meeting was held to address frictions following a tribunal ruling on the league’s associated party transaction rules.A vehicle outside the league’s office at Paddington carried a huge screen showing the crests of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham with the inscription “Richard’s Masters” in subtle reference to the league’s Chief Executive Richard Masters. These had been the…

Vinicius Jr earned an ovation from Madrid fans at the Bernabeu on Tuesday with an outstanding performance as the club came from behind to beat Dortmund 5-2 in the Champions League. The Brazilian completed a hat-trick as Madrid rallied in the second half to turn around a 2-0 deficit. The hat trick couldn’t have come at a more auspicious time as the Ballon d’Or award ceremony comes up on Monday 28 October and Vinicius is a leading contender.Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti tipped the Brazilian forward for the award again following his exhilarating performance on Tuesday, describing him as “an extraordinary…

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed fears over defender Riccardo Calafiori’s fitness ahead of the Gunners’ important meeting with Liverpool on Sunday, although he assured his team “will be flying” against the Reds. The Italian limped off the pitch in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday. Arteta’s men continued their good form in Europe despite their crushing defeat in the Premier League last weekend. However, the scare over their prized summer acquisition who fell on his right leg and had to be brought off with 18 minutes on the clock is worrisome considering the long list of their…

Kayode Akinwumi Real Madrid came from behind to beat Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, setting the right mood ahead of Saturday’s El Classico. However, the taste of victory against the German side came with a bit of unpleasantness, with Madrid losing two important players to injury. Brazilian forward Rodrygo came off the game with a limp after sustaining a hamstring tear. Similarly, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is also out with a muscle injury.Courtois has thus been ruled out of the much-anticipated showdown with Barca. The Belgian will be replaced by second-choice goalkeeper Andriy Lunin who has filled in for…

Ghana and West Ham player Mohammed Kudus may be in more disciplinary trouble than it initially appeared with the FA bringing further charges against him. The midfielder was shown a red card during West Ham’s 4-1 defeat to Tottenham after kicking Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven and pushing him and Pape Matar Sarr in the face.The FA is further charging the Ghanaian with “violent conduct and acting in an improper manner.” The alleged act was perpetrated after the offence for which he was sent off.Referee Andrew Madley initially booked the 24-year-old with a yellow card for pushing on Van…

Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has expressed uncertainty over Victor Boniface’s return to action. Leverkusen travel to face Brest tomorrow in the Champions League, and the Nigerian striker who was in a car accident on Sunday is highly doubtful for the encounter.Boniface sustained minor hand injuries from the accident and has been reported to be recovering well. But it is not certain yet if he will be in the lineup when Xabi Alonso’s men continue their Champions League campaign on Wednesday. Rolfes informed the press that he has been in contact with the Nigerian and confirms there’s no cause…

After getting a positive result against Brentford last weekend, Manchester United fans have a reason to look forward with hope to their Europa League trip to face Fenerbahce.The Turkish side, coached by former United coach Jose Mourinho, are not without motivation to beat the Red Devils on Thursday evening. However, the atmosphere has improved around the team, with speculation over the gaffer’s job not as rife as it was before last weekend. There’s also the renewed hope of better goalscoring prospects with the full return of Rasmus Hojlund, who has said much about how Ruud van Nistelrooy’s presence would help…

For a player with Thomas Müller’s longevity, it is only normal to have played alongside many great players, several of them top strikers. In addition to Harry Kane who is currently his teammate, Müller has had the good fortune of playing with Mario Gómez, Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose, and Robert Lewandowski. Having been around so many goalscoring geniuses, and being a prolific scorer himself, Müller was quick to acknowledge that the England captain is on an elite level. He said in an interview for Bundesliga.com, “He’s a goalscorer, and there are not many who can match his numbers. It’s not…

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has disclosed he approaches coaching Kylian Mbappe the same way he coached his compatriot Karim Benzema. Mbappe completed a free transfer to the Los Blancos in the summer and inherited the No. 9 jersey which was previously worn by Benzema at Madrid.By his standards, Mbappe’s start to his Madrid era has been somewhat slow, scoring eight goals in his first 12 games for the Spanish champions. While there have been comments and criticism on the French attacker’s overall game and contributions when Madrid are out of possession, Ancelotti has made it clear he only demands…

Brazilian star Neymar Jr returned to the pitch after over a year of absence due to an ACL tear. He came off the bench during Al Hilal’s victory over Al Ain in the AFC Champions League Elite game.He was brought on to replace Nasser Al Dawsari in the 77th minute of the encounter moments after Al Hilal went up 5-3 thanks to a Salem Al Dawsari goal. He got a chance soon after coming on, combining with Aleksandar Mitrovic to create room for an attempt which he played wide of the goal. Al Hilal came away with a 5-4 win…