Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Former Premier League referee David Coote has pleaded not guilty to a charge of making an indecent image of a child, following a police investigation earlier this year. The 43-year-old, who was dismissed by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December 2023, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. Court Appearance Coote, of Woodhill Road in Collingham, Nottinghamshire, spoke briefly during the 18-minute hearing to confirm his name, date of birth, and enter a plea of not guilty. He was granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on 9 October. The charge relates…

Jamie Vardy is ready for a new chapter in his remarkable footballing journey, insisting that “age is just a number” as he begins life in Italy with Serie A newcomers Cremonese. The 38-year-old striker ended a glittering 13-year spell at Leicester City this summer, departing the King Power Stadium as one of the club’s all-time greats. Over 500 appearances, he netted 200 goals, including 24 in the unforgettable 2015-16 season when Leicester shocked the world by winning the Premier League title. Now, Vardy is embracing a fresh challenge in northern Italy after signing on a free transfer with Cremonese. The…

Chelsea Football Club has been charged with 74 alleged breaches of Football Association (FA) rules in relation to payments made to agents, intermediaries, and third parties between 2009 and 2022. The latest development adds another layer of scrutiny to the club’s financial practices during the Roman Abramovich era. Scope of the Charges The alleged breaches primarily cover transactions between the 2010-11 and 2015-16 seasons, though the FA’s charge spans over a decade of activity. The focus is on the way the club handled dealings with player representatives and third-party ownership structures, which are tightly regulated to prevent conflicts of interest…

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers have not been short of drama, and the latest controversy surrounds Nigeria’s talismanic striker Victor Osimhen. Former Ghanaian captain Asamoah Gyan has sensationally claimed that Osimhen faked the injury which forced him off during Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo last week. Osimhen, who joined Turkish giants Galatasaray this summer in a record deal, appeared to sustain a knock midway through the first half after colliding with Rwandan defender Niyomugabo. He was substituted immediately and missed Nigeria’s crucial 1-1 draw against South Africa days later in Bloemfontein. However, Gyan has cast doubt on…

Cape Verde are on the cusp of history after defeating Cameroon 1-0 in Praia on Tuesday, moving within touching distance of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time. Dalion Livramento’s brilliant solo strike sealed a famous victory against the five-time African champions and left the Atlantic island nation, with a population of under 600,000, needing just one more win from their remaining two fixtures to secure a ticket to the 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States. A Famous Night in Praia Cape Verde entered the clash one point ahead of Cameroon at the top…

The Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada suffered another devastating blow on Tuesday night after being held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in Bloemfontein. It was a match billed as a must-win for Nigeria, but instead the team left the Toyota Stadium with only one point, further complicating their qualification path. The Match South Africa struck first through an unfortunate own goal from captain William Troost-Ekong midway into the first half. Nigeria responded just before the interval when defender Calvin Bassey calmly slotted home after connecting with…

The Super Eagles were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by South Africa in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. Nigeria, who came into the tie seeking maximum points to boost their qualification hopes, had to settle for a share of the spoils after a tense and hard-fought battle with the Bafana Bafana. Completesports.com’s Adeboye Amosu assesses the performances of the Nigerian players in what proved to be another difficult outing for the three-time African champions. Stanley Nwabali – 7/10 The Chippa United goalkeeper produced a composed display on familiar soil.…

Former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew has backed new signing Kelechi Iheanacho to rediscover his best form and play a key role for the Scottish champions. The Nigerian forward completed a free transfer to Celtic Park last week after his contract with Sevilla was terminated following a disappointing single season in Spain. Despite concerns about his recent struggles, Mulgrew believes Iheanacho still has plenty to offer and could thrive under Brendan Rodgers’ guidance. A career in need of revival Iheanacho, 28, has endured a turbulent few years. Once regarded as one of the brightest young strikers in England during his spells…

Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray Alvarez has been handed a 10-month ban after failing a drugs test, though European football’s governing body accepted that his violation was unintentional. The 30-year-old tested positive for canrenone — a diuretic sometimes used as a masking agent — following Athletic’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals in May. Uefa confirmed the sanction this week, ruling that Alvarez committed a “non-intentional anti-doping rule violation.” Alvarez’s case is a particularly sensitive one, given his history of illness. The Spain international was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016 and has since been under treatment…

Onana arrived with the reputation of being among the world’s finest modern goalkeepers, admired for his confidence on the ball and ability to dictate play from the back.