Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Crystal Palace midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn has been handed a five-match ban for violent conduct following a shocking incident in her team’s League Cup clash with Leicester City on November 23. The Republic of Ireland international was shown a straight red card after grabbing Leicester’s Hannah Cain by the neck and throwing her to the ground, prompting widespread condemnation from players, managers, and fans alike. The incident occurred when Cain, the Wales international, pushed Littlejohn during the match. In response, the 35-year-old midfielder wrapped her arm around Cain’s neck and forcefully slammed her head into the pitch. Cain required on-field treatment…

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has doubled down on his decision-making regarding the club’s academy players, insisting his priority is winning matches rather than preserving reputations or responding to public pressure. His comments come amid growing scrutiny over the lack of first-team minutes for homegrown midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and other youth prospects this season. United’s tradition of including at least one academy graduate in every matchday squad since 1937 remains intact, but critics argue the spirit of that record is being stretched. While academy players have occupied places on the bench, their involvement on the pitch has been minimal.…

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has moved to ease growing speculation over Mohamed Salah’s future and reduced playing time, insisting the Egyptian star remains firmly in his plans despite being left out of the starting XI for the past two Premier League matches. With Liverpool stuck in a difficult run of form and pressure increasing from all angles, Slot’s comments come at a crucial moment for both player and club. Salah, 33, has endured a subdued start to the season by his own elite standards, scoring just four league goals during what has been a disappointing opening for the Reds. The…

Arsène Wenger, one of football’s most respected figures and a long-time advocate for global player development, has declared France the “super favourites” to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the tournament now months away, excitement continues to build across the 16 host cities spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Yet, according to the former Arsenal manager, one nation stands head and shoulders above the rest. Speaking in an interview with TribalFootball, Wenger said France’s extraordinary attacking depth places them in a different category from their rivals. The 74-year-old, who now works closely with FIFA on global football…

Turkish football has been plunged into deeper turmoil as the homes of several top-flight players, including Fenerbahce captain Mert Hakan Yandaş, were raided on Friday morning amid a sweeping investigation into illegal betting and match-fixing. The probe, centred in Istanbul but reverberating across the nation, now threatens to become one of the most damaging corruption cases in modern Turkish sporting history. Prosecutors ordered the arrest of 46 individuals—29 of them professional footballers—as authorities escalate efforts to dismantle what they describe as an extensive network of illicit betting, third-party wagering, and deliberate manipulation of match outcomes. By mid-afternoon, 35 of the…

Wilfried Nancy has promised to deliver “exciting, attacking, winning football” after being officially unveiled as Celtic’s new manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract. The 48-year-old Frenchman arrives from MLS side Columbus Crew, ending weeks of negotiations and stepping into one of Scottish football’s most demanding roles. Nancy will take charge of his first match on Sunday in a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash against Hearts at Celtic Park. That fixture marks the start of a hectic introduction, with a Europa League showdown against Roma and a League Cup final against St Mirren following in quick succession. “I can’t wait to get going…

Leeds United delivered their most important performance of the season as they beat Chelsea 3–1 at Elland Road, ending a four-game losing run and lifting themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone. Under-pressure manager Daniel Farke watched his side produce a bold, aggressive and spirited display that not only relieved tension around the club but also dented Chelsea’s title ambitions. The match began at a breathless pace, with Leeds showing an energy and purpose that had been missing in recent weeks. They carved out four openings inside the first five minutes, setting the tone for a ferocious first half.…

Arsenal restored their five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League with a composed 2–0 victory over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium, extending their unbeaten run to 18 matches in all competitions and showcasing once again the professionalism and resilience that have marked their season under Mikel Arteta. The Gunners made three changes from the side that drew with Chelsea, with Ben White, Noni Madueke and captain Martin Ødegaard returning to the starting XI. Despite the heavy recent schedule, Arteta resisted the urge for sweeping rotation, keeping key midfielders Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi and Riccardo Calafiori in the side…

Real Madrid delivered a commanding performance to defeat Athletic Club 3-0 at San Mamés, ending a frustrating three-game winless run and keeping the pressure firmly on La Liga leaders Barcelona. Kylian Mbappé was the star of the night with a brilliant brace and an assist, though the victory was overshadowed by fresh injury concerns for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Eduardo Camavinga. It took just seven minutes for Xabi Alonso’s side to assert their dominance. Alexander-Arnold, making only his fifth league appearance of the season after recovering from a hamstring problem, produced a trademark diagonal pass from deep. Mbappé controlled impeccably, gliding…

Liverpool’s struggles under Arne Slot continued as a late deflected equaliser spared the Premier League champions from another damaging home defeat, with Sunderland leaving Anfield frustrated not to have claimed all three points after an inspired and disciplined performance. On a tense Wednesday night, Liverpool looked flat, short of ideas and alarmingly vulnerable at the back, while Michael Beale’s Sunderland played with confidence and organisation, creating the better chances and exposing the fragility of a side still searching for rhythm and belief after a dismal run of results. The visitors grew into the game quickly, unsettling Liverpool with their energy…