Sports

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has issued an apology following backlash over comments he made about British football supporters. Infantino came under criticism after speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland last month, where he described it as “really special” that no British citizens were arrested during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The remarks drew a sharp response from the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), which urged him to concentrate on making tickets affordable for the 2026 World Cup rather than making what it described as “cheap jokes” about fans. Responding in an interview with Sky News, Infantino explained that his comments were meant to be light-hearted and to highlight the calm and orderly nature of the Qatar tournament. He apologised to football su...

Leicester City have announced the signing of Joe Aribo on loan, strengthening their squad as they push forward in the season. According to Sky Sports on Monday, the Nigerian international joins the Foxes on a temporary deal, with the club confirming the move on Monday. Aribo brings valuable Premier League and Championship experience, having previously featured for clubs including Southampton and Rangers. Speaking to Foxes Hub, he said: “For me, it’s amazing to have got it done and I just can’t wait to get going. I’ve always known the squad is good. I’m so certain [about] where we can get to and what we can do together. It’s just good to be a part of it.” Born in Camberwell, England, Aribo began his career with Staines Town in 2014, competing regularly in the Isthmian League bef...

Superstar footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly gone on strike ahead of Al-Nassr's next game in Saudi Arabia. The 40-year-old, who is on a contract worth £488,000 per day, is reportedly dissatisfied with the management of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). The Saudi Pro League giants are due to play local rivals Al-Riyadh on Monday, but may now be without their captain, who has scored 18 goals in 22 games across all competitions this season. According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, a source at the club told the newspaper that Ronaldo is unhappy with the manner in which Saudi Arabia's PIF is handling Al-Nassr's finances, particularly in comparison to how they are treating rival clubs. The PIF controls a 75 per cent stake in four Saudi Pro League clubs, Al-Ahli, Al...

Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Atalanta to sign Nigerian international Ademola Lookman, the Spanish club confirmed on Sunday, February 1. In a statement, Atletico said the clubs had agreed on the transfer of the 28-year-old forward, who has already arrived in Madrid. The deal is subject to a medical examination and the signing of final contract documents. Media reports estimate the transfer fee at around €40 million. Lookman rose to global prominence after scoring a memorable hat-trick in Atalanta’s victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the 2024 Europa League final. He also played a key role in Nigeria’s impressive run at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The winger has scored three goals in 19 appearances across all competitions for Atalanta this season. Bo...

Karim Benzema is reportedly in talks over a possible switch to Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal following a fallout with his current club, Al-Ittihad. Sources say negotiations are ongoing, with Al-Hilal keen to secure the striker on a short-term deal covering the remainder of the season. However, Benzema’s representatives are said to be pushing for a contract lasting at least 18 months. A source quoted by AFP revealed that while Al-Hilal are willing to sign the former Real Madrid star for the final six months of his existing deal, his agent is demanding a longer agreement. Reports also suggest Benzema is dissatisfied with a proposed contract extension from Al-Ittihad, a disagreement believed to be behind his absence from the club’s last two league fixtures. The 2022 Ballon d’O...

South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, has dismissed reports suggesting that the country has been confirmed as the new host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). In a statement issued on February 2, McKenzie clarified that no official decision has been made to relocate the tournament from Morocco, which remains the designated host nation. He emphasized that the competition is still scheduled to kick off on March 17, with no changes to the existing arrangements. McKenzie’s clarification followed remarks credited to Deputy Minister of Sport, Peace Mabel, who had implied that South Africa was set to host the tournament after Morocco allegedly withdrew just weeks before the opening match. According to those claims, Morocco had stepped down from hosting dut...

Atletico Madrid are closing in on the signing of Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, with the Spanish giants poised to complete their first major addition of the winter transfer window by landing the Atalanta star. The move follows Giacomo Raspadori’s departure earlier in the window, which pushed Los Colchoneros to accelerate their search for a replacement in attack. Lookman has been on Atletico’s radar for some time, but negotiations have intensified in recent days as the club moved decisively to secure his signature. Turkish side Fenerbahce were initially leading the race after holding talks with Atalanta over a €40 million transfer. However, Atletico Madrid have now overtaken them and are on the brink of finalising the deal. Reports indicate that Atletico are ready to pay €35 ...

By Tosin Oyediran Arsenal reaffirmed their Premier League dominance with a commanding 4-0 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road, restoring a seven-point cushion at the top of the table. The Gunners overcame an early setback when Bukayo Saka pulled up in the warm-up, with Noni Madueke stepping in to make an instant impact. The winger set up Martin Zubimendi’s opener before delivering a corner that led to an own goal by Leeds’ Karl Darlow, putting Arsenal 2-0 up by halftime. “It was disappointing to lose Saka before kick-off, but Noni showed great composure and creativity,” manager Mikel Arteta said. After the break, Viktor Gyokeres added Arsenal’s third on 69 minutes, outmuscling the Leeds defense to continue a remarkable run of form with his fourth goal in si...

Elena Rybakina delivered a commanding display to overcome world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping three-set final, securing the women’s singles title at the 2026 Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena. The fifth-seeded Kazakh edged past the Belarusian powerhouse 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to lift her second Grand Slam trophy and her maiden Australian Open title, adding to her Wimbledon triumph in 2022. Rybakina set the tone early, breaking serve in the opening game and wrapping up the first set in just 37 minutes. Her powerful serving proved decisive, particularly at 4-3 when she saved two break points—one with an ace and another with a blistering 182km/h serve out wide. After quietly celebrating the opening set, Rybakina was pushed hard as Sabalenka raised her intensity in the second, clai...

History is on the line in the Australian Open men’s final on Sunday with tennis gladiators Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz each vowing no surrender. Separated by 16 years, the pair stand at opposite ends of their careers and are pursuing significant but different milestones. The 38-year-old Djokovic is striving to win a record-extending 11th Melbourne crown and with it a 25th major title to finally surpass Margaret Court’s long-standing landmark. Should he do so, he will also become the oldest man to lift the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup at the Australian Open. The 22-year-old Alcaraz has already won six Grand Slams and is bidding to become the youngest man to complete a career sweep of all four majors. Fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal did it at 24. “For me, I thi...