Sports

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...

Atlético Madrid have  announced the signing of Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, on a permanent transfer from Atalanta. “Atlético de Madrid and Atalanta have agreed on the transfer of Ademola Lookman, who has signed for us until 30 June 2030,” the Spanish La Liga club announced on its website. “A versatile and dynamic right-footed player at 28 years of age, he is capable of playing both as a second striker and as a winger on either flank – either cutting inside or staying on his natural side – where he makes the most of his pace and dribbling ability. “Our new signing passed his medical at the Vithas-Invictum High-Performance Sports Medicine Centre at Arturo Soria University Hospital in Madrid, before heading to the club offices at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. “There...

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...