Sports

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has pardoned the Senegalese football supporters jailed after violence erupted during the 2025 AFCON final in Rabat, citing “humanitarian reasons”, according to a statement from the royal court released Saturday, May 23. The palace said the decision was taken in light of the “age-old fraternal ties” between Morocco and Senegal and ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which will be celebrated in Morocco on Wednesday, May 27. The pardon is expected to cover 15 Senegalese supporters who remained imprisoned following clashes that marred the Africa Cup of Nations final on January 18 at Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Senegal had initially won the chaotic final 1-0, but the result was later overturned on appeal and awarded administratively to hosts Mor...

The president of the Iranian Football Federation has revealed that FIFA approved the relocation of the country’s World Cup training base from the United States to Mexico. According to Mehdi Taj, Iran will now camp in the Mexican border city of Tijuana, though FIFA is yet to officially confirm the decision. Iran had initially been assigned Tucson, Arizona as its tournament base, but growing security concerns linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict created uncertainty around the team’s participation plans. The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will see Iran face New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, before taking on Egypt in Seattle on June 26. Taj explained that all participating nations must receive FIFA...

Real Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season, with José Mourinho reportedly close to making a return to the Santiago Bernabéu. Arbeloa, 43, was promoted from Real Madrid B in January after replacing former teammate Xabi Alonso. However, his stint in charge is set to end following a disappointing season in which Madrid failed to secure any major trophy. Mourinho, who is currently managing Benfica, is believed to be in advanced talks with Real Madrid over a return to the club he previously managed between 2010 and 2013. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s La Liga clash against Athletic Bilbao, Arbeloa dismissed any possibility of joining Mourinho’s coaching crew. “Mou has a fantastic technical team and trusted people around him. If ...

Manchester City have announced plans to immortalise outgoing manager Pep Guardiola by renaming the expanded North Stand at the Etihad Stadium in his honour. The newly upgraded section of the stadium will now be known as “The Pep Guardiola Stand” and is set to officially open during Guardiola’s final match in charge against Aston Villa on Sunday. The club confirmed the development in a statement released on May 22, with owner Sheikh Mansour paying tribute to Guardiola’s remarkable impact during his decade-long reign in Manchester. “I said a long time ago that Manchester City should have the very best people at its disposal, both on and off the field. For ten years Pep has embodied that ambition,” Sheikh Mansour said. “He has left a lasting mark on the DNA of this football club, ...

Wikki Tourists FC has announced the death of its defender, Kabiru Mohammed, following a fatal auto crash along the Zaria–Gusau road. The club disclosed this in a statement posted on its official Facebook handle on Thursday. “The club is deeply saddened to announce the tragic death of Mohammed following a fatal accident along the Zaria–Gusau road,” the statement read. The club stated that the defender joined Wikki Tourists from Lobi Stars FC during the ongoing 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season and quickly established himself as a key member of the team’s defence. According to the statement, Mohammed was admired for his commitment, discipline and passion for the game. It added that his last appearance for the club was during the President’s Federation Cup clash ...

Michael Carrick has been appointed Manchester United head coach on a full-time basis, the club have confirmed. The former United midfielder, who was appointed in January until the end of the season following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, has been rewarded with the full-time job after securing a return to the Champions League. United have won 11 of Carrick's 16 games in charge, drawing three and losing two, in a run that started with a four-game winning streak and resounding triumphs over Manchester City and Arsenal. He took over with United seventh in the Premier League, but Sunday's 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest clinched third spot with a game to spare. His backroom team of Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans, and Travis Binnion are expected to be given new contrac...

Despite stepping down as manager, Guardiola will remain connected to the City Football Group as a Global Ambassador. In the new role, he will provide technical advice to clubs within the group and work on selected football projects. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will step down at the end of the season, bringing an extraordinary 10-year reign at the Etihad Stadium to an end. The club confirmed on Friday that the Spanish manager, who joined City in July 2016, will leave his role this summer after becoming the most successful manager in the club’s history. Manchester City said Guardiola will leave having won 20 trophies during his time in charge. Despite stepping down as manager, Guardiola will remain connected to the City Football Group as a Global Ambassador. In the new rol...

A potential heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has once again hit a stumbling block, despite renewed reports suggesting the fight is nearing completion. According to reports from the BBC, Fury’s team has already signed the contract for the highly anticipated all-British clash, while Joshua is yet to put pen to paper, sparking fresh concerns about whether the bout will finally happen after years of negotiations and public exchanges. Speculation around the fight intensified after Fury defeated Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Joshua, who was seated ringside during the event, did not respond when Fury climbed onto the ropes and motioned for him to enter the ring. Speaking afterward, Fury expressed frustration over Joshua’s reaction...

Morgan Rogers has been crowned UEFA Europa League Player of the Season after playing a key role in Aston Villa’s historic European triumph. The 23-year-old midfielder delivered an outstanding performance throughout the campaign and ended it in style with a goal and an assist in Villa’s 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg in Wednesday’s final. Rogers finished the competition with three goals and five assists across 15 matches, while also recording 1,088 minutes — the highest by any Aston Villa player in the tournament. The recognition comes ahead of Thomas Tuchel’s expected announcement of England national football team’s World Cup squad on Friday, with Rogers strongly tipped to make the list. Aston Villa also dominated UEFA’s Europa League Team of the Season after their successful run...

Fermin Lopez is expected to miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after sustaining a fractured foot during FC Barcelona’s 3-1 victory over Real Betis on Sunday. The 23-year-old midfielder suffered a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his right foot and was substituted at half-time before later undergoing surgery. Barcelona confirmed that the operation was successful but did not specify how long the Spanish star will remain sidelined. Lopez later shared an emotional message on Instagram, revealing that his dream of playing at the World Cup had been cut short. “The surgery went well, and I’m already focused on returning stronger physically and mentally,” he wrote. “Football and life can sometimes be cruel when you least expect it. Still, these moments are part of the journey. “This...