Sports

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, has parted ways with South African club Chippa United, bringing an end to his four-year stay with the club to become a free agent. Chippa United confirmed Nwabali’s departure in a statement released on Thursday, revealing that the 29-year-old submitted a formal request to leave despite signing a three-year contract extension in 2024. The club stated that it had accepted his request and granted him a release. The statement read, “We would like to sincerely thank Stanley Nwabali for the years of service, commitment, and professionalism he has shown during his time at Chippa United Football Club, his contribution to the club will always be appreciated, and we wish him success in the next chapter of his career.” Taking to Instagram to bid farew...

Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has acknowledged that the huge financial package involved in signing Victor Osimhen is so substantial it could fund the construction of an entire squad. The Turkish Super Lig champions secured Osimhen on a permanent deal last summer following a successful loan spell from Napoli. Despite heavy interest from clubs in the Premier League and Saudi Arabia, Galatasaray activated the striker’s €75 million release clause to complete the transfer. The former African Footballer of the Year ended his five-year spell in Naples to return to Istanbul, becoming one of the club’s highest earners. Osimhen reportedly pockets a guaranteed €15 million annually, plus a €1 million net loyalty bonus and an extra €5 million per year in image rights. Over the four-year le...

 American boxer, Floyd Mayweather, has filed a blockbuster lawsuit against Showtime and former Showtime Sports president Stephen Espinoza, alleging missing earnings from several of his fights for the network including his 2017 showdown against UFC superstar Conor McGregor. Mayweather inked a lucrative six-fight deal with the broadcaster back in 2013 and ended up having the last seven fights of his professional career aired on the platform. But claims the network owes him “hundreds of millions of dollars in the misappropriated funds and damages resulting from a long-running and elaborate scheme of financial fraud.” Mayweather alleges that former advisor Al Haymon screwed him out of money with the “substantial participation and aid” of former Showtime Sports President Stephen Espi...

Superstar footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo has been pictured back in training with his Saudi Pro League side, Al-Nassr, despite being on strike. The 41-year-old Portuguese star had refused to play,with his participation in the upcoming match against Al-Ittihad still not certain. Ronaldo, who earns an astronomical £488,000-a-day, is understood to be unhappy with the recruitment at his club and thinks the Saudi backers are giving their rivals preferential treatment. But the Portuguese forward was seen working out on the pitch in a training session under the watchful eye of manager Jorge Jesus, in a hint that he could return to the fold, having previously trained away. Ronaldo shared pictures of himself training with his 671million followers. He included a couple of blue and y...

Anger has flared among Al-Ittihad supporters following Karim Benzema’s stunning move to Saudi Pro League rivals Al-Hilal, with some fans burning jerseys bearing the striker’s name in protest. Photos and videos circulating on social media show disgruntled supporters setting fire to Benzema’s shirts, voicing their frustration over his decision to join a direct title rival after spending two and a half seasons at Al-Ittihad. Benzema, who completed the move to Al-Hilal as a free agent after declining a contract extension from Al-Ittihad, addressed fans in a farewell message shared on 𝕏. In the post, he reflected on his time at the club and thanked supporters for their backing. “This chapter comes to an end, but the respect and gratitude will remain forever. Thank you to the club, the ...

A former youth player with Brazilian Serie A side Cruzeiro has di£d weeks after being hit by a stray bullet. Joao Victor da Silva Santos, 22, had been in a coma for three weeks in hospital in his native city of Maceio in the north-eastern state of Alagoas. He was celebrating the anniversary of Palma Alagoana, a local team in Maceio owned by an uncle when he was critically injured. Tributes were being paid today, Feb. 4, to Joao, a midfielder with Cruzeiro’s Under-17 team, after it was confirmed he had lost his fight for life yesterday, Feb. 3, at Alagoas State General Hospital where he was admitted to intensive care following the January 11 shooting. Parma Alagoana, where Joao who was better known by his nickname of Vitao played for its seven-a-side team,...

Liverpool manager, Arne Slot has revealed that playing attractive, entertaining football matters more to him than simply collecting trophies at Anfield. Speaking during a discussion on The Reds Roundtable, Slot reflected on last season’s Premier League title success, explaining that the style of football his team played gave him just as much satisfaction as lifting the trophy itself. “As a manager, you can win the league, you can win the Champions League, you can win an FA Cup or a League Cup, but the biggest thing you can win is that you can play the nicest football to watch,” Slot said. The Dutch tactician admitted that some supporters may not fully agree with his stance, but insisted that his philosophy remains unchanged. “Although at this moment of time, fans might argu...

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called for Russia’s ban from international football to be lifted. Russia has been barred from competitions since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, the International Olympic Committee recently recommended that international sports federations allow Russian teams to compete at the youth level. Speaking to Sky News, Infantino said the ban “has achieved nothing” and “has only generated more disappointment and hatred.”“When asked about lifting the ban, I said we have to, definitely,” Infantino said. “This ban has not achieved anything; it has just created more frustration and hatred. Allowing Russian boys and girls to play football in other parts of Europe would help.” 

Premier League champions,Liverpool, have confirmed a £60m deal for Jeremy Jacquet, with the Rennes centre-back to join in the summer. The 20-year-old completed his medical with the champions on Deadline Day and will move to Anfield on July 1. Liverpool have agreed to pay a fixed fee of £55m plus a potential £5m in performance-related add-ons. ‘Liverpool have reached an agreement for the transfer of Jeremy Jacquet from Stade Rennais, with the defender set to join the club ahead of the 2026-27 season, subject to a work permit and international clearance;,the club announced on its website. ‘The Reds have secured a deal for the 20-year-old that will see him complete the remainder of the current campaign in Ligue 1 and move to Anfield in the summer on a long-term contract.’ Jacqu...

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended his controversial decision to award a peace prize to United States President Donald Trump, while dismissing calls for a boycott of the upcoming World Cup. Infantino faced widespread criticism after presenting Trump with the honour on behalf of FIFA during the 2026 World Cup draw held in Washington DC in December. The decision attracted further scrutiny following recent US foreign policy actions and renewed controversy surrounding Trump’s statements on global security issues. However, speaking to Sky News on Monday, February 2, Infantino insisted the award was justified, describing Trump as deserving of FIFA’s inaugural peace prize. “Objectively, he deserves it,” Infantino said. “Whatever we can do to help peace in the world, we should b...