Sports

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has described this season as “unacceptable” following their latest defeat to Manchester United, admitting the club has fallen far below its usual standards. The Reds slumped to their 18th loss in all competitions after a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford, piling more pressure on Arne Slot’s side during a disappointing title defence. As reported by BBC Sport on Monday, the Liverpool skipper was quoted as saying, “I’m not here to make excuses,” Van Dijk said. “It’s been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season, and it’s tough. We shouldn’t feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever.” The Liverpool captain acknowledged that the team must take responsibility and respond strongly to avoid repeating the same struggles next season. “We have to work ...

Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has revealed that his personal request to King Mohammed VI of Morocco for a royal pardon for Senegalese supporters was denied. The fans were jailed following violent incidents during the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. In a press conference, Faye explained that he had written to the King both to congratulate him on hosting the tournament and to request clemency for the detained supporters. “I asked the King of Morocco for forgiveness for our supporters,” Faye stated, noting that the government had exhausted multiple avenues to secure their release. “We tried every possible way, through courts, diplomacy, even religious channels like the Tijaniyya order, but nothing worked. If all of this changes nothing, what else can be do...

Former Nigerian international footballer, Osaze Odemwingie has advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to stop "pampering" and begging players of Nigerian descent born abroad to represent the Super Eagles.  His comments come as the NFF continues its efforts to recruit talents like Michael Kayode, Tosin Adarabioyo, Caleb Okoli, and Kingsley Ehizibue for the senior national team. Speaking with Brila FM, the former West Bromwich Albion forward emphasized that the Super Eagles are a prestigious team that should attract talent naturally rather than through solicitation.  "These days, it’s like they want the pampering. Me as you know, I don’t need no pampering. If Naija pampers me, it’s more than enough for me," Osaze stated. Reflecting on his own journey and mixed heritag...

Inter Milan have been crowned Serie A champions after a dominant 2–0 win against Parma on Sunday night at San Siro. Goals from Marcus Thuram and Henrikh Mkhitaryan secured the crucial victory, sealing the title with three games still remaining in the season. The result puts Inter 12 points clear of Napoli and 15 points ahead of rivals AC Milan. Inter broke the deadlock just before halftime when Thuram fired home a powerful right-footed strike past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. The second goal came in the 80th minute after Lautaro Martínez set up Mkhitaryan, who calmly finished to wrap up the win. Celebrations erupted at full time, with blue and gold ribbons filling the pitch as head coach Cristian Chivu lifted his first major trophy as a manager. Before the match, Chivu had made it clea...

Team Nigeria concluded their outing at the 2026 World Relays in Gaborone on a strong note, earning two additional qualification slots for the World Athletics Championships in Beijing and a place at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest. The team had earlier made a statement on Day One by clinching a mixed 4x100m qualification ticket with an African record performance. Although they missed out in several other events initially, the repechage rounds provided another opportunity—which they capitalised on. In the mixed 4x400m event, the quartet of Samson Nathaniel, Mary Kudoro, Chidi Okezie, and Patience Okon-George delivered a season’s best time of 3:12.88, finishing second behind South Africa in a tightly contested race. Their performance secured Nigeria’s sec...

Ipswich Town secured promotion back to the Premier League with a dominant 3-0 win over Queens Park Rangers, sealing second place in the Championship. Goals from George Hirst and Jaden Philogene inside the opening 10 minutes set the tone at Portman Road, with Kasey McAteer adding a late third to confirm the result. The victory ensured Ipswich held off competition from Millwall, who also won their match but had to settle for third place and a spot in the play-offs. Manager Kieran McKenna praised his side’s achievement after guiding the club to a third promotion in four seasons. “This has probably been the hardest one, if I’m honest, so it means an awful lot,” he said. “We’ve had to try and rebuild this team under difficult circumstances and you know everyone’s stuck at it. I think w...

Legendary Arsenal striker Ian Wright has described former Super Eagles star Austin "Jay-Jay" Okocha as the most underrated player in the history of the Premier League.After spending four years at Paris Saint-Germain, Okocha joined Bolton Wanderers under Sam Allardyce as a free agent in 2002.The mercurial number 10 quickly became a favorite with the Bolton faithful through his dazzling skills and technical flair. He played a pivotal role in helping the club avoid relegation during his debut 2002-2003 season, netting seven goals.This included a strike against West Ham United that was later voted the team’s Goal of the Season. Okocha was handed the captain’s armband for the 2003/2004 campaign, leading Bolton to their first cup final in nine years.Although they ultimately lost 2-1 to Middlesbr...

Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho has played down reports linking him with a return to Real Madrid, stating that no contact has been made by the club. Speaking on Friday, the Benfica manager addressed growing rumours suggesting he could be considered for the Madrid job ahead of the summer. Mourinho, who previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, made it clear there has been no approach from the Spanish side. “No one from Real Madrid has spoken to me. I can guarantee that,” he said, adding that he is accustomed to transfer speculation after many years in football. Real Madrid are expected to reassess their managerial situation following a difficult campaign under Alvaro Arbeloa, who was appointed earlier this year by club president Florentino Perez. The team currently...

An attempt by Gianni Infantino to facilitate a symbolic handshake between Israeli and Palestinian football officials ended unsuccessfully during a tense moment at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. Infantino had invited Jibril Rajoub and Israeli FA Vice-President Basim Sheikh Suliman to stand together on stage following their separate addresses. While Suliman remained in place, Rajoub declined the invitation and resisted calls to participate in the gesture. Despite repeated efforts by Infantino to bring both officials closer for a handshake, Rajoub refused and made his position clear, leading to a visibly tense exchange on stage. Explaining the refusal, Palestinian FA Vice-President Susan Shalabi said the move was unacceptable given the ongoing situation, stressing that such a gestur...