Sports

Ibrahima Konate is to leave Liverpool when his contract expires next month after failing to agree on a new deal. The 27-year-old French defender had been in talks with the club about extending his contract, but could not find common ground when it came to signing a new deal and is now set to walk away for free. Konate has been linked with a number of sides across Europe since the turn of the year, but has yet to decide on his next move. The France international has made 183 appearances since his arrival from RB Leipzig, winning one Premier League title, one FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups. about:blank Konate had been linked with Real Madrid for most of the season as his contract ticked down, but it appears a return to the city of his birth with Paris St Germain looks more likel...

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that there has been contact connected to AC Milan’s search for a new head coach following the departure of Massimiliano Allegri. The Argentine tactician is currently concentrating on leading the United States men’s national team into this summer’s FIFA World Cup, set to begin on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, uncertainty continues to surround his long-term future, with his current deal expected to expire after the tournament. Reports from Italy suggested that AC Milan had initiated discussions with the 54-year-old manager as the Serie A club seeks a fresh start after failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League once again. Speaking after a training session on Thursd...

Championship side Millwall have reportedly rejected a fresh £20 million bid from newly promoted Premier League club Ipswich Town for their standout forward, Femi Azeez. The Tractor Boys are eager to bring the attacker to Suffolk, but the Lions are holding out for a fee closer to £30 million for their star player. Azeez is coming off a sensational breakthrough campaign with Millwall, where he registered 11 goals and 8 assists across 35 Championship appearances. His clinical performances on the right flank, frequently cutting inside onto his preferred left foot—guided Millwall to a third-place finish before their promotion bid was halted by Hull City in the play-off semi-finals. The 24-year-old’s market value has climbed even higher following a dream international debut for Niger...

British heavyweight star Tyson Fury has confirmed he will return to the ring in Dublin on August 1 as preparations continue for a highly anticipated showdown with Anthony Joshua later this year. Fury, 36, announced the date in a video posted on Instagram on Tuesday from his training camp in Thailand, captioning it: “Let’s go August 1, Dublin, Ireland.” While his opponent for the Dublin bout is yet to be revealed, promoter Frank Warren had earlier suggested that an official announcement was imminent. The fight is part of Fury’s build-up toward a potential blockbuster clash in the heavyweight division, with Joshua also scheduled for a tune-up bout. The former unified champion is expected to face Albanian boxer Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on July 25 before talks over a Fury-Joshua figh...

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will battle Jamaica in the final of the 2026 Unity Cup after the Reggae Boyz secured a 2-0 victory over India in Thursday’s semifinal clash at The Valley. Goals from Courtney Clarke and Kaheim Dixon ensured Jamaica booked their place in the final, setting up another exciting encounter with Nigeria following last year’s showdown between both sides. Jamaica entered the match as favourites and quickly stamped their authority on the game. Clarke broke the deadlock in the eighth minute with a composed finish after a rapid counterattack that left India’s defence exposed. The Caribbean side continued to dominate proceedings and came close to increasing their lead before halftime, but Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh made several impressive saves to keep his te...

The Federal Government has approved the installation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology and an anti-doping laboratory at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja as part of a major upgrade of sports facilities nationwide. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the National Sports Commission through its official 𝕏 account, describing the project as the first phase of a broad sports infrastructure revitalisation programme aimed at bringing facilities up to international standards. According to the commission, the Abuja stadium upgrade will extend beyond the introduction of VAR and anti-doping facilities. The project will also feature rehabilitation of tracks and floodlights, renovation of media and athlete sections, and the development of a High Performance Centre along...

A massive tribute to football icon Lionel Messi is about to be dismantled just months after its grand unveiling. Government engineers in India have declared the giant monument structurally unsound, warning that it poses an immediate danger to the public. The 21-meter (70-foot) golden statue, located in the Lake Town area of Kolkata, was erected to celebrate the Argentina superstar’s recent tour. However, West Bengal state engineers recently inspected the towering structure and discovered it was visibly swaying in the wind. Because the monument looms directly over an incredibly busy main road, emergency teams had to scramble up the sculpture on Wednesday, using heavy-duty ropes around its shoulders as a temporary measure to keep it steady. Local lawmakers have confirmed that th...

Mikel Arteta is “fully convinced” Arsenal can be crowned champions of Europe for the first time this weekend, capitalising on the immense momentum of ending their 22-year wait for a Premier League title. The Gunners are set to face reigning European kings Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday’s highly anticipated Champions League final in Budapest. The historic clash comes just days after Arsenal wrapped up their first domestic league title since the legendary 2004 "Invincibles" era. A star-studded PSG side, who ruthlessly thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 in last season’s final, enter the match as the heavy favorites to lift the European Cup once again. However, Arteta firmly believes the massive psychological boost and confidence gained from conquering England will inspire his side to upset t...

West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes is reportedly keen on joining Manchester United ahead of other interested clubs during the summer transfer window. Fernandes is expected to leave the Hammers following their relegation from the Premier League. The 21-year-old enjoyed an impressive campaign after arriving from Southampton and has since drawn attention from several top European sides, including Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid. According to the i Paper via Metro UK, the Portuguese midfielder has identified the Red Devils as his preferred destination this summer. The report also stated that a move for Fernandes is expected to be pursued in the coming weeks.