Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has formally requested that FIFA cancel planned LGBTQ+ “Pride Match” celebrations set to take place during Egypt’s 2026 World Cup fixture against Iran in Seattle. The match, scheduled for 26 June at Lumen Field, falls during Seattle’s annual Pride celebrations and two days before the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a landmark event in LGBTQ+ rights history. Seattle’s local organising committee had previously announced that the match would include celebrations highlighting and supporting the LGBTQ+ community. However, these plans were made long before the World Cup draw or the identification of the teams that would…

Nigeria may face a major goalkeeping dilemma ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali now doubtful for the tournament after suffering ankle and hand injuries. Reports indicate the Chippa United shot-stopper picked up the problems during last month’s 2026 World Cup playoffs in Morocco and has not featured for his club since returning. Chippa United manager Vusumuzi Vilakazi confirmed concerns over Nwabali’s fitness but insisted the player remains determined to prove his readiness. “I don’t think he will make it, but when I was talking to him, he was confident that he will recover…

Liverpool have omitted Mohamed Salah from their travelling squad for Tuesday’s Champions League showdown against Inter Milan, a decision that marks the most dramatic moment yet in the growing rift between the club and their all-time Premier League top scorer. The club acted after Salah’s explosive post-match interview on Saturday, in which he claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” and admitted his relationship with head coach Arne Slot had broken down. According to club sources, the call to temporarily remove him from selection was made with Slot’s full agreement and is seen as the best way to defuse…

Manchester United powered into the Premier League’s top six with a commanding 4-1 win at Molineux, piling further misery on bottom-placed Wolves, who slumped to an eighth consecutive defeat and edged closer to what already feels like inevitable relegation. Bruno Fernandes struck twice, while Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount added goals in a dominant second-half display that exposed Wolves’ fragility, lack of confidence and inability to withstand sustained pressure. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde briefly dragged the hosts level on the stroke of half-time, but Rob Edwards’ side were overwhelmed after the interval as the gulf in quality, belief and execution became impossible…

Xabi Alonso faces a decisive moment in his Real Madrid tenure as pressure mounts ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Manchester City. After Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo at the Bernabéu, patience among fans, players and the club’s hierarchy has worn thin. The boos that echoed through the stadium were followed by an emergency meeting among senior decision-makers, leaving Alonso’s prospects of surviving the storm increasingly bleak. Madrid’s season has unravelled alarmingly. Four points behind Barcelona, with just one win in their past five league games, the momentum that carried Alonso through a 13-in-14 winning run earlier in…

Liverpool manager Arne Slot insists he is “not weak” as he tries to steady the club amid Mohamed Salah’s explosive public criticism and unexpected exclusion from the squad for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan. The 33-year-old winger was omitted after an interview in which he claimed Liverpool had “thrown [him] under the bus” and suggested his relationship with Slot had collapsed. The comments—rare in their directness from a player long viewed as a model professional—have sent shockwaves through the club and dominated the build-up to a crucial European fixture. Speaking at San Siro on Monday evening, Slot cut…

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…