Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

FIFA is preparing to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) checks on corner-kick decisions at the 2026 World Cup, despite the International Football Association Board (Ifab) and major domestic leagues opposing the expansion of VAR’s remit. The move comes after discussions at an IFAB meeting in October, where football’s law-making body agreed to allow VAR intervention for wrongly issued second yellow cards that lead to a red. However, it rejected Fifa’s proposal to include corner-kick decisions within the reviewable protocol. Undeterred, FIFA appears set to create its own competition-specific trial for next summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.…

A former England international and Premier League footballer has been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, prompting widespread attention across the sporting world and raising renewed discussion about privacy, due process and accountability in high-profile cases. The player, whose identity has not been disclosed for legal reasons, was detained at London Stansted Airport on Sunday. According to reports, he was stopped by Border Force officers at a passport control point as he prepared to board an outbound flight. A routine check reportedly flagged that he was sought by police in connection with a non-recent allegation of attempted rape. Essex Police…

OGC Nice have strongly condemned the actions of a group of supporters who physically confronted players and staff after the club’s sixth consecutive defeat, calling the behaviour “unacceptable” and offering full support to those targeted. The chaotic scenes unfolded late Sunday night as the team returned from a 3-1 loss away to Lorient – another blow in what has become a spiralling run of poor form. According to reports in France, around 400 frustrated fans gathered at Nice’s training centre, blocking the team bus as it arrived and escalating tensions during a confrontation that lasted nearly 45 minutes. Witnesses say…

Aspinall

Spain’s national team has vowed to dedicate their UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign to injured midfielder Aitana Bonmati, after the Barcelona star suffered a broken leg during training. The 27-year-old, who has won 83 caps for her country, sustained the injury at the national team’s Madrid training base on Sunday, just ahead of the second leg of the final against Germany at the Estadio Metropolitano. Bonmati had played 77 minutes in the first leg of the final in Kaiserslautern, which ended goalless, demonstrating her importance to the team. Her absence for the decisive second leg is a significant blow, not…

World pole vault sensation Armand Duplantis is set to compete at the London Stadium in July 2026, marking his first appearance at the iconic venue in eight years. The Swedish superstar, widely considered one of the greatest athletes of his generation, confirmed his return for the London Diamond League, where he hopes to add yet another milestone to an already historic career. Duplantis, now 26, has dominated pole vaulting since bursting onto the senior stage, winning two Olympic gold medals and multiple world and European titles. His relentless pursuit of excellence has seen him break the world record 14 times…

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has officially released his final 25-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking the end of weeks of anticipation following the announcement of an unusually large 55-man provisional list. With the continental tournament set to kick off later this month in Morocco, Broos has opted for a well-balanced mix of experience, proven performers, and emerging stars. The final selection reflects the stability and cohesion that carried South Africa to a memorable bronze-medal finish at AFCON 2023, while also showcasing the coach’s willingness to reward form players and promising youngsters who have…

Red Bull have issued a statement expressing “sincere regret” after comments made during and after the Qatar Grand Prix triggered a wave of online abuse and even death threats toward Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli. The controversy began on the penultimate lap of Sunday’s race, when Antonelli ran wide at Turn 10 and lost fourth place to McLaren’s Lando Norris. The position swap ultimately gave Norris two extra points—an outcome significant in the three-way title fight heading to Abu Dhabi. Moments after the incident, Max Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, suggested via radio that it “looked like” Antonelli had “pulled over…

Adelani

Everton manager David Moyes says the club received “no explanation” after the Football Association dismissed their appeal against Idrissa Gueye’s red card during Monday’s 1–0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Gueye, sent off just 13 minutes into the match for slapping team-mate Michael Keane during a heated exchange, now faces a three-match ban for violent conduct. The suspension rules the 36-year-old Senegal midfielder out of upcoming Premier League fixtures against Newcastle, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest. Despite the unusual nature of the incident, Everton moved quickly to mend the optics. On Thursday, the club shared a light-hearted photo of…