GLOBAL ASSOCIATION NEWS

Ligue 1 clubs should sanction players who did not take part in a show of support against homophobia, though the players’ union says it was “astonished” its members were asked to do so.

France’s sports minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera said players “have to show up” on such issues.

But the National Union of Professional Footballers said players should not have to convey “collective messages”.

The issue led to some Toulouse players missing Sunday’s game at Nantes.

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Indonesia’s men can restore pride to the country’s football when they contest the SEA Games final on Tuesday, following a deadly stadium disaster and humiliation at losing the right to host the Under-twenty World Cup.

They booked their place in the gold-medal match against Thailand with a pulsating three-two win over holders Vietnam.

Gold for Indonesia would be their first in men’s SEA Games football since it became an age-group tournament in 2001.

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Releasing audio of Video Assistant Referee decisions is a “small step forward” in providing clarity around incidents.

According to Referees’ Chief, Howard Webb, who says the application of VAR technology has been questioned and criticised by managers, players and pundits throughout the Premier League season.

In a bid to improve transparency, Webb appeared on Sky Sports to talk through how key decisions were reached, alongside pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville.

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NIGERIA

Former Nigerian forward, Jonathan Akpoborie has blamed Southampton style of play as the cause of Super Eagles striker, Paul Onuachu’s inability to score goals.

The Nigerian international had failed to score a goal since joining the Premier League in January transfer window.

With just two games left to the conclusion of the league, Akpoborie said Southampton have failed to play to Onuachu’s strength.

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Former Enyimba coach, Kadiri Ikhana says Nduka Ugbade should remain as Golden Eaglets handler.

Despite the team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, Ikhana who led Enyimba to the 2003 CAF Champions League title, believes Ugbade should continue with the team.

The Golden Eaglets failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup after losing to Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals of the CAF Under-seventeen AFCON.

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Golden Eaglets defender, Yahaya Lawali is expected to link up with Spanish giants Barcelona in the coming days.

The right-back featured in all of the Golden Eaglets’ four games at the ongoing 2023 Africa Under-seventeen Cup of Nations in Algeria.

Lawali was named Man of the Match in Nigeria’s opening two games against Zambia and Morocco.

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Hakeem Ishola emerged winner of the inaugural edition of the Ikeja Golf Club Stableford Cup.

He scored 44 points playing off handicap 14 to come top among a pool of 120 golfers from various golf clubs across the country who participated in the tournament.

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ENGLAND

Curtis Jones scored twice as in-form Liverpool brushed aside hapless Leicester to maintain their recent winning streak and push the Foxes closer to Premier League relegation.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have won their last seven games to bolster their push for a top-four finish and now lie a point behind Newcastle and Manchester United, albeit having played a game more.

Another dismal loss for Leicester leaves the 2016 Premier League champions firmly rooted in danger in 19th position, two points adrift of safety with only two games remaining.

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Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland has put his war wounds on display after several battles with Yerry Mina.

During the game, he was embroiled in an ongoing tussle with combative Everton defender Mina.

The Colombian was accused by Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola of ‘unnecessary behaviour’ for his actions.

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Manchester City are maintaining a watching brief on Mateo Kovacic, who is ready to leave Chelsea this summer.

Kovacic is admired by Pep Guardiola and would be keen to join the Premier League champions elect.

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Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher, has singled out Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior for criticism following the Gunners’ Premier League three-nil defeat to Brighton.

Carragher branded Kiwior as ’embarrassing’ for staying down in the build-up to Brighton’s first goal against Arsenal.

The defeat against Brighton means Arsenal are four points behind leaders Manchester City on the log.

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Leicester have reportedly taken the drastic step of axing their end-of-season awards night with the club staring down the barrel of relegation to the Championship.

The crisis shrouding the 2016 Premier League winners triggered senior officials to cancel their annual event, believing it would not be appropriate.

The focus will remain firmly on their make-or-break run-in, despite the provisional date for the awards ceremony being set for next week.

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Manchester United look set to resume their pursuit of Adrien Rabiot after previously failing to bring the Juventus midfielder to Old Trafford last summer.

The Frenchman was nearing a move to United following Erik ten Hag’s arrival with club executives even flying abroad to try and wrap up a deal.

Manchester United are now pushing to finalise a move for the player who will be a free agent at the end of the season.

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Wrexham have made the decision to release eleven players following their promotion to the football league.

The Hollywood owned Welsh outfit chaired by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney secured the National League title in April to seal a long-awaited return to League Two.

Wrexham’s mega-money American owners splashed out on an all-expenses-paid party trip to Las Vegas to celebrate their success and announced their released and retained list ahead of next season.

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OTHER SPORTS

British sports promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed Anthony Joshua could still face Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia this year, even if Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk does not happen.

Joshua recently fought for the first time in eight months, as he defeated Jermaine Franklin by unanimous decision in April.

Fury and Usyk were in talks for a fight that would crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion in two decades, but they could not agree on financial terms.

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In Tennis, incoming world number one, Carlos Alcaraz has suffered his earliest exit in a tournament since October when he was beaten by Hungarian qualifier Fabian Marozsan in the Italian Open last thirty-two.

Spain’s Alcaraz, who will replace Novak Djokovic at the top of the rankings after the event, lost 6-3 7-6 (7-4)

It was only his second defeat in twenty-two matches on clay in 2023.

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In Rugby, Sale Sharks boss, Alex Sanderson hopes reaching the Premiership final can be a landmark moment for the club and rugby union in the north of England.

The Salford-based outfit beat Leicester Tigers 21-13 to set up a clash against Saracens at Twickenham on twenty-seventh May.

It is their first final for seventeen years as they try to emulate their only previous triumph of 2006.

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OTHER LEAGUE

Barcelona President Joan Laporta says the club is Messi’s home as they look to re-sign the forward this summer.

The Argentine’s contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires in June, with reports linking him to Saudi Arabia.

Laporta said Barcelona can compete with anyone for Messi’s signature.

Also, Barcelona players were attacked by Espanyol fans while they were celebrating their LaLiga title win.

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Villarreal pass master Dani Parejo is eyeing a return to England at the age of thirty-four.

Having played forty-one consecutive matches for Villarreal this season, Parejo will miss the forthcoming fixture against Girona as he is suspended for accumulation of yellow cards.

Parejo regularly tops the passing statistics charts and amassed almost two thousand completed passes.

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Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba’s season could be over after tests confirmed the midfielder suffered a left thigh injury in the win over Cremonese.

Pogba’s campaign has been blighted by injury and he was withdrawn in the twenty-four minute after making his first competitive start in over a year.

Meanwhile, Juventus have decided to put midfielder Paul Pogba up for sale.

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Former Brazil international, Rivaldo says Cristiano Ronaldo could have been ‘fooled’ when he signed his massive contract at Al-Nassr.

Rivaldo feels the big wages offered in the Middle East mask the difficulty of the league and their way of life.

Ronaldo, joined the Saudi Arabian side in January after his contract at Manchester United was terminated following an explosive interview criticising the club.

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TODAY’S FIXTURE
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IN UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – SEMI-FINALS

Inter Milan vs AC Milan