Sports

Former Arsenal star, Alexander Manninger has died at the age of 48 following a tragic accident in Austria. Local police said the former Arsenal goalkeeper was killed when his car was struck by a train at an unguarded level crossing in Nussdorf am Haunsberg, near Salzburg. Manninger enjoyed a successful career across Europe, most notably as part of Arsenal’s squad that won the Premier League and FA Cup double in the 1997–98 season. Despite making only a handful of league appearances, he played a crucial role during a key period, stepping in for David Seaman and helping the team maintain their title challenge with a series of clean sheets. He went on to play for several major clubs, including Juventus, where he won a Serie A title, as well as Fiorentina, Torino, Bologna and Augsburg...

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has disclosed why his side remains the sole Premier League representative in the Champions League following their quarter-final victory over Sporting CP.The Gunners advanced to the semi-finals on Wednesday night after a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium, securing a 1-0 aggregate win over the Portuguese side. Arsenal will now face Atletico Madrid, who progressed after defeating Barcelona, in a high-stakes semi-final matchup scheduled for late April.Arteta attributed Arsenal’s unique position as the last English team standing to their resilience in navigating a domestic calendar that often hampers European ambitions."This is why we are the only English team left in the competition; the league and its schedule take a toll on you, making it very challenging to...

World Athletics has turned down an আবেদন by Turkey to change the sporting nationality of Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili, dealing a significant blow to her plans ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games. The decision followed a review by the organisation’s Nationality Review Panel, which ruled against the application submitted by the Türkiye Athletics Federation. The panel concluded that approving the request would go against key regulations governing international athletics. In its findings, the panel stated that the move was part of a wider recruitment effort involving several athletes, raising concerns about fairness and the integrity of global competitions. It warned that such actions could weaken the credibility of national representation. According to the report, Turkey’s submission w...

The Nigeria Basketball Federation has announced a major restructuring of the men’s Premier League, increasing the number of participating teams from 16 to 20 ahead of the 2026 season, alongside new player eligibility rules aimed at promoting local talent and ensuring competitive balance. The new season is set to begin on May 9, with the league adopting a broader two-conference format and tighter squad regulations. Players will now be classified into three groups: home-based, diaspora, and foreign. While there is no limit on home-based players, each club is allowed only one diaspora player—defined as a Nigerian living abroad with a valid passport—and up to two foreign players. Both diaspora and foreign signings must provide a valid FIBA international transfer certificate and complete ...

Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is reportedly set to return to the ring in July as part of a proposed two-fight deal linked to Riyadh Season, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn. Joshua has been out of action since December, when he recorded a knockout victory in his last fight. He has since resumed training and was recently seen ringside watching Tyson Fury make a successful comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov. Following that victory, Fury reignited talks of a long-anticipated showdown with Joshua—a fight that has lingered in the heavyweight division for years. Hearn revealed that current plans involve a preparatory bout in July, potentially setting up a blockbuster clash with Fury in November. Although Deontay Wilder had been mentioned as a possible opponent after ...

Chuck Schumer, the U.S. Senate Minority Leader, has called on FIFA to take responsibility for public transportation costs during the 2026 World Cup, following reports of steep fare increases in host cities. His appeal came after claims that New Jersey Transit may raise return ticket prices from Manhattan’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium to over $100—far above the usual $12.90 fare. Schumer argued that with FIFA expected to generate around $11 billion from the tournament, it should not shift the financial burden onto residents and commuters. He stressed that fans should be able to attend matches without facing excessive transport costs and urged the organization to step in and fund transit services across host cities. Kathy Hochul also expressed concern, describing the reported fa...

Luis Díaz, forward for Bayern Munich, has backed referee Slavko Vinčić over his decision to send off Eduardo Camavinga during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash against Real Madrid. The encounter ended in disappointment for Real Madrid, who crashed out of the competition following a 4-3 defeat on Wednesday night. Despite goals from Arda Güler, who scored twice, and Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid appeared to be in control at 3-2. However, the game took a dramatic turn in the 86th minute when Camavinga was shown a second yellow card and sent off for delaying play after holding onto the ball when Bayern Munich had been awarded a free kick. Reacting to the incident, Díaz stated that the referee made the correct call, noting that Bayern wanted to restart play quick...

Head coach Diego Simeone has declared that Atletico Madrid are fully prepared to challenge for the UEFA Champions League title following their progression to the semi-finals. Atletico advanced despite a 2-1 loss in the second leg of their quarter-final clash against FC Barcelona, having secured a 3-2 aggregate victory thanks to a 2-0 win at Camp Nou in the first leg. The Spanish side, still chasing their first-ever Champions League crown, will next face either Arsenal FC or Sporting CP in the semi-finals. Speaking after the match, Simeone expressed strong belief in his team’s chances, stating that they will approach the next stage with confidence and determination. He acknowledged both the team’s strengths and weaknesses but emphasized their readiness to pursue a long-awaited triu...

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti reportedly sought the opinion of Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, on whether star forward Neymar should be included in the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The revelation was made by Lula during a live session on his YouTube channel, where he disclosed that Ancelotti raised concerns about Neymar’s fitness level, noting that the player is not currently at peak physical condition. The coach is said to be focused on selecting only fully fit players for the tournament. Speaking on the conversation, Lula recounted that Ancelotti directly asked for his view on Neymar’s inclusion. In response, the president said the forward still possesses the talent but must prove both his fitness and commitment. He added that if Neymar is willing to return in ...

Inter Miami CF have announced that head coach Javier Mascherano has resigned due to personal reasons, bringing an end to a remarkable spell in charge. The former Argentina captain departs less than a year after leading the club to its first-ever MLS Cup and a record-breaking 2025 season—the most successful campaign in the club’s history. In a statement, Mascherano expressed gratitude to the club, staff, players, and fans for their support, noting that the achievements and memories created during his tenure would remain with him. Club managing owner Jorge Mas praised Mascherano’s impact, describing him as a key figure in the team’s historic successes and commending his leadership and dedication. Under his guidance, Inter Miami secured both the MLS Cup and Eastern Conference titl...