Sports

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been handed a two-match suspension by the club after appearing to express interest in a potential move to European rivals Real Madrid during the international break. Head coach Liam Rosenior confirmed that Fernandez will miss Chelsea’s FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale on Saturday, as well as the upcoming Premier League clash with Manchester City on Sunday. Rosenior explained that no action will be taken against Marc Cucurella, who spoke critically of the club’s recruitment strategy and questioned Enzo Maresca’s departure in a recent interview. “It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak in that way,” Rosenior said. “I have nothing negative to say about him personally, but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build. As...

Former Italy national football team goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has resigned from his position as head of delegation following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Italy’s latest disappointment came after a play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the four-time world champions lost 4-1 on penalties. The result means Italy will miss a third consecutive World Cup, having also failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 editions. Buffon, who was part of Italy’s victorious squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, described his resignation as “an act of responsibility.” The 48-year-old acknowledged that the key objective of returning the team to the global tournament had not been achieved. His exit follows that of Gabriele Gravina, who recently stepped down as ...

Bruno Fernandes has been named EA SPORTS Premier League Player of the Month for March, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of six career wins. The Manchester United captain delivered an outstanding performance, recording two goals and four assists in just four league matches. He now sits one award behind the all-time record jointly held by Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero, and Mohamed Salah. Fernandes was instrumental throughout the month—scoring and assisting in a win over Crystal Palace, providing another assist against Newcastle United, registering two assists versus Aston Villa, and converting a penalty in a draw with AFC Bournemouth. His tally of 16 league assists this season also saw him surpass David Beckham’s long-standing Manchester United record of 15 set during the 1999–2000 ...

Gennaro Gattuso has stepped down as head coach of the Italy national football team, the Italian Football Federation confirmed on Friday, April 3, 2026. Gattuso’s exit follows a wave of changes within the federation, with president Gabriele Gravina and team manager Gianluigi Buffon also stepping down shortly before his departure. In an official statement, the federation said both parties mutually agreed to end the Calabria-born coach’s contract, expressing appreciation for his “dedication, commitment, and passion” during his nine-month tenure. Gattuso admitted his decision came after failing to meet expectations, noting that stepping aside would allow for a fresh technical direction. He also thanked Gravina, Buffon, his colleagues, and the fans for their unwavering support, describ...

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially inaugurated its Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeals Committee as preparations begin for the 2026–2030 Executive Committee elections. The inauguration ceremony was conducted on Thursday, April 2, at the federation’s secretariat in Abuja by NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau. He charged members of both committees to carry out their duties with fairness, transparency, and strict impartiality. Speaking on behalf of the committees, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Matthew Burka’a, expressed confidence in the process and assured stakeholders of a credible outcome. “We are committed to handling this responsibility with the utmost diligence. On behalf of all members, I assure the NFF, Nigerians, and the global football community of a f...

Philippine boxing legend, Manny Pacquiao, has said his planned September fight with Floyd Mayweather will not be an exhibition, days after his fellow hall of famer said their bout would be strictly entertainment. Last month, Netflix announced a long-awaited rematch of the highest-grossing clash in boxing history, with Pacquiao and Mayweather set to face each other at the Sphere in Las Vegas on September 19. But earlier this week, Mayweather stunned the boxing world by suggesting the rivals, whose 2015 bout drove 4.6 million pay-per-view buys, would only be entering the squared circle for show this time around. "It's an exhibition, so we're both winners," Mayweather said in an interview with Vegas Sports Today. "We just want to go out there and entertain the people and put on a...

Gabriele Gravina has resigned as president of the Italian Football Federation after Italy national football team failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the third consecutive time. According to Naija News, Gravina announced his resignation during an emergency FIGC general council meeting convened just hours after Italy’s playoff final defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team on penalties on Tuesday, March 31. A new president is expected to be elected on June 22. The emergency meeting brought together key stakeholders in Italian football, including representatives from professional leagues, the amateur division, players, and coaches. Gravina had been in charge since October 2018. During his tenure, Italy won UEFA Euro 2020 but failed to secure qualification for ...

Nigeria will face Poland and Portugal in high-profile international friendlies this June as preparations gather pace for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The Super Eagles, under coach Éric Chelle, are scheduled to meet Poland on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 at a venue yet to be announced. One week later, they will confront Portugal, with organisers still to confirm the location. Nigeria edged their last meeting with Poland 1-0 in Wrocław on 23 March 2018, when Victor Moses converted from the penalty spot. Portugal, however, handed the Super Eagles a heavy 4-0 defeat in their most recent clash in November 2022. Goals from Bruno Fernandes, Gonçalo Ramos and João Mário sealed that victory. Before the June fixtures, Nigeria will compete in the Unity Cup in May alon...

Golf legend, Tiger Woods, has ruled himself out of captaining the US Ryder Cup following his recent arrest for DUI with property damage from a rollover car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida.  This comes after Woods issued a plea of not guilty to the charges but announced he would seek treatment and was granted permission to do so outside the country.  The PGA of America has now confirmed that Woods has formally withdrawn his name from consideration to captain the Americans at Adare Manor in Ireland following his accident. "The PGA of America stands in full support of Tiger Woods as he steps away to focus on his health and well-being. ... We commend Tiger for prioritizing his long-term health and deeply respect the courage it takes ...

File photo of Spain international Lamine Yamal Spain winger Lamine Yamal has slammed the racist chants that marred his country’s 0-0 friendly draw with Egypt at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona on Tuesday. Police in Spain are investigating “Islamophobic and xenophobic” chants that echoed through the stadium during the first half. Stadium screens displayed warnings against such behaviour at half-time and again early in the second half, prompting whistles from some sections of the crowd. “I know it was directed at the opposing team and wasn’t personal against me, but as a Muslim, it’s still disrespectful and intolerable,” Yamal, 18, wrote on Instagram. “I understand that not all fans are like that, but to those who chant these things: using a religion as a taunt on the fi...