Sports

The South African Football Association’s (SAFA) appeal against Bafana Bafana midfielder Themba Zwane’s three-match suspension has been dismissed by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. SAFA disclosed this in a statement released on their website on Thursday.Zwane is serving a three-match suspension he was handed by the FIFA disciplinary committee following the red card he received in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening game against tournament co-hosts Mexico last week.“We are disappointed with the outcome of our appeal because we strongly believe that the punishment is far harsher than the offense that Themba is said to have committed,” SAFA said in a statement.Zwane will serve his final match on the sidelines when Bafana Bafana face 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts Canada in the Last 32 in Los Angele...

FIFA has confirmed that fans will be allowed to bring rainbow flags when Iran faces Egypt in this weekend's controversial 'Pride Match' at the World Cup. The fixture, between two countries where hom0s£xuality is outlawed, is meant to honour the LGBTQ+ community and was pencilled in before it was known which teams would be involved. It will be held in Seattle and coincides with the city's annual Pride Weekend. The announcement of the 'Pride Match' sparked a bitter row involving the two Muslim countries, with Egypt writing a strongly worded letter to FIFA. The country's football association said it 'completely rejected' any initiatives related to supporting homosexuality, which are described as 'directly contrary to cultural, religious and social values in the region, especially in ...

Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is edging closer to a British record move to Manchester City with further talks planned in the next 24 hours. Nottingham Forest have already rejected two offers for the England midfielder and have been holding out for a total package worth close to £130million, which would make Anderson one of the most expensive players in history. \ According to Daily Mail Sport, the clubs are now due to hold further discussions, which, if successful, could see the deal completed. The deal could outstrip Alexander Isak’s £125m transfer to Liverpool last summer, while Anderson’s international midfield partner Declan Rice became the most expensive British player of all time when Arsenal splashed £105m on him three years ago. For eye wit...

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup final and join him in presenting the trophy to the champions. The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, with Infantino saying both men will watch the match together before taking part in the trophy presentation ceremony. Infantino praised his strong relationship with Trump, noting that the U.S. president played a key role in supporting FIFA’s efforts to host the expanded tournament in the United States. The announcement comes months after Trump drew attention at the FIFA Club World Cup final, where he joined Chelsea captain Reece James in lifting the trophy following the club’s victory over Paris Saint-Germain. While FIFA presidents traditionally present the ...

France head coach, Didier Deschamps will miss his side’s final World Cup group game following the death of his mother. The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed the news. Deschamps learned of his mother’s passing on Tuesday morning and has been given permission by FFF president Philippe Diallo to fly back to France to attend the funeral.  France, who have already qualified for the knockout stages after beating Senegal and Iraq in their opening two games, face Norway on Friday in Boston to determine the winner of Group I. In a statement, the FFF said assistant coach Guy Stephan will take charge of the squad until Deschamps returns.  As a player, Deschamps won the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000 with France. He became manager of the national si...

The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has received a new contract to continue in the job. This was revealed by the chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Shehu Dikko. Dikko revealed this to journalists on Tuesday, following a meeting between officials of the NSC and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Abuja, where plans for the future of the national teams were discussed. Chelle’s initial two-year contract is due to expire at the end of 2026, and negotiations over an improved deal have been ongoing in recent months. After a third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, Chelle was reported to have requested a monthly salary package of $130,000, which would also cover the remuneration of his assistants, among other conditions. It is believed that h...

United States striker Folarin Balogun has disclosed that he takes inspiration from elite players like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland, whose consistent scoring ability he describes as inevitable.  Speaking to reporters during a training session, Balogun admitted that he finds the prolific goal-scoring rate of the game’s top players both annoying and deeply motivating.  The forward stated that he is eager to continue climbing the tournament scoring charts and establish himself among the top goal scorers at the FIFA World Cup 2026.  “I think it’s annoying!” Balogun joked. “Seeing players like Messi, Mbappe, Haaland — they’re so inevitable. I think they’re scoring a goal a game, sometimes more. For me, it’s just about trying to get to that level — to be...

Manchester City winger, Jeremy Doku has become a proud father days after his plans to leave the FIFA World Cup to attend his child’s birth sparked controversy. After consultations with medical staff, Doku was allowed to temporarily leave the Red Devils before last Sunday’s game with Iran to join his wife in London, where the couple welcomed a baby boy, Praise, the federation said in a statement. “Jeremy received the news before yesterday’s match that the birth was imminent,” the team’s doctor, Brahim Hacene, said. Doku had already been ruled out of Sunday’s match due to illness. “As he had already been receiving the appropriate medical treatment for several days, he was able to fly without any medical risk to be with his family during this very special moment,” the doctor said....

English football club, Manchester United have secured the majority of the land required to build the largest stadium in the UK.  The proposed "New Trafford" will feature a 100,000-seat capacity and is projected to take five years to construct. The new facility will sit 350 meters away from Old Trafford, which has served as the club's home for 115 years. Manchester United have unveiled plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium, set to become the biggest sporting venue in the country. The club has secured the majority of the land required to build the facility, ramping up plans to create the largest stadium in the United Kingdom. United will continue to work on acquiring the remaining land parcels needed, though no significant issues are expected in finalizing those agreements....

= Galatasaray have rejected a bid of €125 million for Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, reaffirming their determination to hold onto the Nigerian forward despite mounting pressure from European clubs ahead of the summer transfer window, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The offer, reported by Forza Cimbom, was immediately turned down by the Turkish champions, who have also previously rebuffed a €120 million proposal from Atletico Madrid. Manchester United, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid all remain in pursuit of the 27-year-old, but Galatasaray have made clear that no offer below their asking price will be entertained. It is a valuation that the Istanbul club feel is justified by Osimhen’s extraordinary output since arriving in Turkey. The former Napoli striker has score...