Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Ashley Cole has opened up on a major turning point in his career, revealing that his marriage ultimately stopped him from completing a move to Real Madrid. The former England defender, widely regarded as one of the best left-backs of his generation, discussed the dramatic shift in his transfer plans while appearing on the Stick to Football show this week. Cole, who left Arsenal for Chelsea in September 2006 in a high-profile swap deal involving William Gallas and £5 million, admitted that he had been seriously exploring a switch abroad. According to him, opportunities to join either Real Madrid or…

China’s world champion long jumper Wang Jianan has been officially cleared of doping allegations after a thorough investigation involving hospital CCTV footage and patient records. The 29-year-old athlete, who made history by becoming the first Asian man to win gold in the long jump at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon with an 8.36m leap, had faced a significant setback when an out-of-competition doping test in November 2024 detected traces of terbutaline. Terbutaline is a drug commonly prescribed to treat and prevent breathing issues, particularly in asthma patients. The presence of the substance in Wang’s system initially raised concerns, casting…

Paris Saint-Germain’s evolution from a star-studded “bling-bling” project into a club increasingly defined by homegrown talent has become one of the most remarkable shifts in European football. Once known for blockbuster signings and global superstars, PSG are now leaning heavily on their Paris-born academy products to defend their Champions League crown—an approach accelerated by injuries but rooted in long-term planning. This transformation was highlighted again this season as as many as five academy graduates featured regularly in the senior team. When injuries sidelined Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Achraf Hakimi, PSG turned naturally to local youngsters such as Senny Mayulu,…

Galatasaray’s Champions League hopes suffered another setback on Tuesday night after a 1-0 home defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise, and former Premier League striker Troy Deeney believes the loss highlights just how crucial Victor Osimhen is to the Turkish champions. Osimhen, who has been in blistering form in Europe this season, was unavailable after sustaining an injury on international duty with Nigeria two weeks ago. His absence was glaring once again, as Okan Buruk’s men struggled to create clear chances or find a cutting edge in front of goal at RAMS Park. The Nigerian forward has already produced six goals in…

As Bayern Munich prepare to visit the Emirates Stadium for a top-of-the-table UEFA Champions League clash, Harry Kane has issued a strong warning to Arsenal: Bayern remain “dangerous against anyone,” and the England captain insists his side are ready for another heavyweight battle. Both teams enter the tie level on 12 points and in excellent form, setting the stage for one of the standout fixtures of the group phase. The matchup also rekindles a familiar rivalry, with Kane once again at the centre of attention. The last time Arsenal and Bayern met in the Champions League, the striker played a…

Morgan Rogers delivered a brilliant second-half brace to inspire Aston Villa to a 2–1 comeback win over Leeds United at Elland Road, turning up the pressure on under-fire Leeds boss Daniel Farke. The defeat, Leeds’ third in a row, keeps them inside the Premier League relegation zone and raises further doubts about the direction of a team struggling for goals, confidence and structure. The afternoon had begun with rare optimism for the home supporters, who saw their side make the perfect start inside eight minutes. A Sean Longstaff free-kick sparked a chaotic sequence in the Villa box. Gabriel Gudmundsson headed…

Toto Wolff has sold 15% of his shareholding in the Mercedes Formula 1 team to American billionaire George Kurtz, in a landmark deal that values the eight-time constructors’ champions at a record $6bn (£4.6bn). The valuation sets a new high for an F1 team and reflects the sport’s soaring commercial growth. Kurtz, 55, is the founder of cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike, a long-time Mercedes sponsor. His investment comes from personal funds and not from the company. The 15% stake sold represents 5% of the team, as Wolff’s holding company owns a one-third share of Mercedes F1. The Austrian is expected to…

Referees’ chief Howard Webb has denied allegations that Women’s Super League official Lisa Benn lost her place on FIFA’s international referees list because she lodged complaints about being “manhandled” and intimidated by a coaching staff member. The dispute was outlined at an employment tribunal on Thursday, where Benn argued she was unfairly ranked below peers after reporting misconduct within Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). Benn, 34, served as a referee at the 2022 Women’s European Championship and had been considered a rising figure within the officiating ranks. She claimed her FIFA prospects were damaged after filing grievances against Steve…

Anthony Joshua

Barcelona will finally return to the Nou Camp this weekend, ending a two-and-a-half-year exile from their historic home. The Catalan giants will host Athletic Club on Saturday, 22 November, in what marks their first official match at the stadium since 28 May 2023. The long-awaited comeback follows a partial reopening of the ground, which has been undergoing one of the most ambitious renovation projects in European football history. The Nou Camp, originally opened in 1957, has been a symbol of Barcelona’s identity for decades. But in May 2023, the club closed the stadium to begin a massive modernisation project worth…