IN ENGLAND

Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have been charged by the Football Association for failing to control their players after a mass confrontation during Sunday’s Premier League game at Stamford Bridge.

Players from both sides clashed towards the end of the match, which ended in a one-all draw, after Forest’s Neco Williams had appeared to push defender Marc Cucurella off the pitch.

Both clubs have until Thursday to respond to the charge.

Manchester City have accused the Premier League of being misleading over the verdict in its landmark legal case on rules over commercial deals.

City have written to top-flight clubs criticising the league’s summary of the case verdict, saying it contains several inaccuracies.

Both sides claimed victory after the decision of an arbitration panel was published on Monday following a legal challenge by City against the league’s associated party transaction (APT) rules.

City, who are owned by the Abu Dhabi-backed City Football Group, had some complaints upheld, with two aspects of the APT rules deemed unlawful by a tribunal.

Manchester United and England centre-back Harry Maguire says he will be out of action for a few weeks due to injury.

Maguire was hurt in the first half of United’s goalless draw at Aston Villa in the Premier League and was substituted at half-time, before leaving Villa Park in a protective boot.

The 31-year-old who missed Euro 2024 because of a calf problem, appeared nine times for United so far this campaign, scoring in the three-all Europa League draw against Porto.

Ipswich Town defender, Axel Tuanzebe is expected to be out for at least a month after sustaining a freak hand injury while doing the washing up.

Tuanzebe sustained a deep cut to his thumb while he was washing the dishes last week.

He had started the first six Premier League games of the season for promoted Ipswich before missing Saturday’s four-one loss to West Ham.

Leicester City defender, Caleb Okoli has shared his relief following the Foxes’ first victory in the Premier League, securing three crucial points.

Okoli spoke about the significance of the win for the squad and how it boosted their confidence as they head into the international break.

Tottenham striker, Dominic Solanke has expressed delight after making a return to the England squad for the Nations League against Greece and Finland.

Solanke stated that his mother was over the moon when he received the call.

Wayne Rooney has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his red card in Plymouth Argyle’s two-one win over Blackburn Rovers.

The Pilgrims’ head coach faces three charges over the incident which came after Joe Rankin-Costello’s 87th-minute equaliser for the visitors.

Rooney is accused of using insult or abusive language towards a match official and that his conduct after he was red-carded was improper and/or violent.

Rooney, who has been Argyle boss since May, has until Tuesday, 15th October to respond.

Arsenal women boss, Jonas Eidevall says his side will go full throttle in the Women’s Champions League when they begin their campaign on Wednesday.

The Gunners play Bayern Munich in Germany in their opening group game

The fixture is Arsenal’s first of four in the space of twelve days, with games against Chelsea women, Valerenga and West Ham to follow in quick succession.

IN NIGERIA

Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen says his side will not underestimate the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

Eguavoen declared that it would be dangerous for the Super Eagles to underrate the North Africans.

The Super Eagles will be up against Libya at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, before traveling to Benghazi Libya for the reverse fixture billed for 15th October.

The Super Eagles currently top Group D with four points from two games, while Libya occupy bottom spot with one point.

Former Nigerian international, Dimeji Lawal has advised the Super Eagles to approach the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Libya like a cup final.

Lawal urged the Super Eagles to take advantage of every goal-scoring chance against Libya.

Nigerian striker, Tolu Arokodare has expressed confidence that he would soon get a call-up to the Super Eagles.

Arokodare has been in fine form for Genk in the Belgian Jupiler, scoring six goals in ten league appearances.

Despite his impressive scoring feat, Arokodare was not invited for this month’s AFCON 2025 qualifiers between the Super Eagles and Libya.

Head coach of the Flamingos, Bankole Olowookere, has expressed confidence that the team will perform well at the upcoming FIFA Under-seventeen Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.

Olowookere, who stated this, said the team was fully prepared for the championship.

The coach said the girls are determined and ready to do their best for good results at the championship.

Flamingos have been drawn in Group A of the finals alongside host nation and debutant Dominican Republic, Ecuador and New Zealand.

Nigeria U17 WNT played out a 1-1 draw against their Mexican Counterparts in a friendly match.

Both teams will participate in the forthcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Dominican Republic.

The test game took place in the Caribbean country as they Teams put finishing touches to their preparation for the competition which holds later this month.

During the game, Nigeria drew first blood through Faridat Abdulkareem in the 33rd minute at the end of a well-executed team move.

Enyimba head coach, Yemi Olanrewaju is confident despite the caliber of opponents in their CAF Confederation Cup group.

The People’s Elephant are drawn in Group D with defending champions Zamalek, another Egyptian club Al Masry and Mozambique’s Black Bulls.

Despite the enormity of the task before his team, Olanrewaju said they will strive to deliver a strong performance, while downplaying the pressure from Enyimba fans.

Former Super Eagles forward, Benedict Akwuegbu, has made a bold return to Nigeria’s top-flight league, NPFL, after being appointed as Club Consultant to Plateau United.

Akwuegbu’s role includes providing strategic guidance and advice to the club’s management, and implementing plans to improve the club’s performance.

His responsibilities also cover analysing the club’s operations to identify areas for improvement, advising on player recruitment and retention, and building relationships with stakeholders, including sponsors and partners.

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau has expressed his satisfaction with the progress being made at Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, Benue State.

He highlighted the importance of having multiple stadiums in Nigeria where Grade A matches involving Super Eagles can be played.

Atletico Madrid winger, Rasheedat Ajibade has been crowned Spanish Liga F Player of the Month for September, capping off an incredible run of form for the club.

The 24-year-old Nigerian sensation dazzled throughout the month, scoring five goals and providing two assists in four league matches for Atletico.

Her exemplary performances left opponents in awe and solidified her status as one of the league’s top talents.

Ajibade beat other top players to the award, edging out Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor, Real Madrid’s Caroline Weir, Levante Badalona’s María Llompart, and Athletic Club Femenino’s Nerea Nevado.
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Lagos State Government has endorsed the candidature of Wahid Oshodi, a former Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Social Development in the state, for the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) Presidency.

Oshodi is set to contest for the position at ATTF’s 2024 Elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Oct. 15.

The State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos, said the government expressed its support for Oshodi’s candidacy.

Omotoso said the government’s position was based on Oshodi’s genuine passion for table tennis over the past decades.

OTHER LEAGUES

Spain World Cup winner, Andres Iniesta has retired from playing at the age of forty.

Iniesta is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, thanks in part to the midfield partnerships he formed with Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets for Spain and Barcelona.

He earned one hundred and thirty-one caps for his country, scoring the winning goal in the 2010 Fifa World Cup final and winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

Zamalek media coordinator, Ahmed Shawky has reiterated that the club is in negotiation to sign Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos.

Recall that the former Spanish international is a free agent after leaving Sevilla this summer.

Shawky stated that both parties are trying to find common ground.

Northern Ireland have called Mansfield Town goalkeeper Christy Pym into their squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Belarus and Bulgaria.

The 29-year-old has not played for his country before, but trained with his new team-mates on Tuesday after regular keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell withdrew from the squad on Monday with a shoulder problem.

OTHER SPORTS

In Basketball; Facundo Campazzo has been suspended for one game and fined €5000 for his outburst at a referee in a Round 1 game against FC Bayern Munich.

Crvena Zvezda received a €7000 fine for their fans’ actions in an away game versus Paris Basketball.

Hedo Turkoglu has been re-elected as president of the Turkish Basketball Federation on Tuesday.

He has served as TBF president since 2016 and was re-elected in 2021.

A regular convention was held in Ankara, focusing on the elections for TBF president.

The latest re-election was contested by candidate and fellow former player Efe Aydan. Out of 165 available votes, Turkoglu got 109 and Aydan had 29.

In Tennis, Novak Djokovic has continued his pursuit of a 100th career title by dismantling Italian youngster Flavio Cobolli to reach the last 16 of the Shanghai Masters.

The 37-year-old Serb was sharp and clinical in a 6-1, 6-2 win, which took little over an hour.

Cobolli, who grew up idolising the 24-time Grand Slam champion, could not cope with Djokovic’s ability to anticipate the rallies and rarely miss a return.

The world number four will face Russia’s Roman Safiullin for a place in the quarter-finals.

Still on Tennis, Katie Boulter is out of the Wuhan Open after a straight-set defeat by Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko.

The British number one was beaten 6-2, 7-5 in the first round by the world number 96.

The second set was more competitive, with Tsurenko making the decisive break in the 11th game before holding serve to seal victory.

The Ukrainian will next play Poland’s Magda Linette, who beat 11th seed Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 6-2.

In Rugby, Munster flanker Peter O’Mahony will miss Saturday’s United Rugby Championship showdown with rivals Leinster because of a hamstring injury.

The Ireland captain picked up the injury in last weekend’s 23-0 victory over Ospreys in Cork.

O’Mahony and prop Oli Jager, who hurt his neck against the Welsh side, were both forced off in the first half.

Leinster sit top of the URC table after winning their opening three games while third-placed Munster are four points behind.

In Cricket, England overcame significant setbacks to reach 96-1 in reply to Pakistan’s massive 556 on day two of the first Test in Multan.

Ben Duckett hurt his left thumb taking the catch that ended the Pakistan innings, meaning Ollie Pope opened the batting in his place.

Pope pulled his second ball to mid-wicket, where Aamer Jamal took a stunning one-handed catch.

To their credit, Zak Crawley and Joe Root were assured in defying the lively hosts. Crawley is on 64 and Root 32, England still 460 behind.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Most people give up just when they’re about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one foot from a winning touchdown…..Words from Ross Perot.

IN ENGLAND

Chelsea midfielder, Moises Caicedo says his objective at Stamford Bridge is to become a Blues legend.

Caicedo expressed that he is enjoying life in West London under Enzo Maresca’s management.

The midfielder expressed his gratitude to his manager, Enzo Maresca for entrusting him with the captain’s armband, as it has always been his dream to captain the London club.

Chelsea are top of the yellow card table after seven Premier League matches and Sunday’s fractious game with Nottingham Forest has raised some questions.

The team’s manager, Enzo Maresca played down concerns when asked but the Blues face an automatic fifty thousand pounds fine after referee Chris Kavanagh brandished them six yellow cards during the one-all draw at Stamford Bridge.

The Football Association are also awaiting analysis of the referee’s report before deciding whether to take further action with forward Nicolas Jackson accused of slapping Forest defender Morato, while both clubs will likely face a charge of failing to control their players following an on-pitch melee.

Aston Villa striker, Jhon Duran has signed a new deal at Villa Park to keep him at the club until 2030.

The 20-year-old moved to Villa Park in January 2023 in a eighteen million pounds deal from Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire, signing a five-and-a-half year deal until 2028.

The Colombian remained in the Midlands and scored six times so far this season, including in a one-nil win against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

The verdict has been announced in Manchester City’s legal case against the Premier League over its associated party transaction (APT) rules.

City had some complaints upheld, with two aspects of the APT rules deemed unlawful by a tribunal.

The Premier League said the tribunal rejected the majority of Manchester City’s challenges and endorsed the overall objectives, framework and decision-making of the APT system.

APTs are aimed at the value of sponsorship deals with companies linked to clubs’ owners.

Former Wales striker Rob Earnshaw believes Brennan Johnson embarking on an impressive goalscoring run for Tottenham after deleting his social media account is not a coincidence.

The winger reportedly deactivated his Instagram page following criticism received after Spurs’ one-nil loss to north London rivals Arsenal in September.

Earnshaw feels Johnson’s decision to remove himself from social media played a key role in his upturn in form under Ange Postecoglou.

Johnson has gone on to score in each of Tottenham’s six matches since defeat by the Gunners.

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Chelsea women manager, Sonia Bompastor says the decision to postpone their Women’s Super League match against Manchester United was not good.

They were due to face United at home on Sunday but it was postponed with a week’s notice due to a conflict with Chelsea’s European schedule.

Chelsea face Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League group stage on Tuesday, just two days after the United game was set to take place.

IN NIGERIA

Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, president Ibrahim Gusau has expressed confidence that the Super Eagles will still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite a poor start.

The Super Eagles have only recorded three points from four games, drawing three and losing one game.

Despite the poor start in the qualifiers, Gusau is confident that the Super Eagles will still secure the ticket.

KRC Genk striker Tolu Arokodare says he is willing to play for the Super Eagles but has not been contacted by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

Arokodare, who has been making a mark in the Belgian league with his goals, emphasised that he will remain patient and work hard to earn a spot on the senior national team.

He also expressed his desire to play in the Premier League despite Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface’s decision not to play in England.

Enyimba have been handed a tough draw in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The two-time African champions are drawn in Group D with holders Zamalek of Egypt, Al Masry, who are also an Egyptian team and Mozambique’s Black Bulls.

Zamalek, who won the African Super Cup title after a penalty shootout victory over rivals Al Ahly are favourites to top the group.

The top two teams in the group will qualify for the knockout round.

The group stage will kick off in November, 2024.

Coach Bright Ozebagbe has quit his role as head coach of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) outfit, Ikorodu City.

Ikorodu City announced the gaffer’s resignation on social media.

The coach helped the Oga Boys secure promotion to the NPFL last season.

Ikorodu City occupy the bottom spot on the log with one point from five games.

Rivers United head coach, Finidi George has praised his team’s resilience in the victory over Akwa United.

The Port Harcourt club maintained their unbeaten start to the new campaign courtesy of a two-one win over the Promise Keepers.

Despite his side’s victory, Finidi praised their opponent for putting up a strong fight.

Rivers United will face Katsina United away in their next league game.

Former Super Eagles striker, Victor Agali, has spoken highly of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, praising the improvement in both its standard and quality.

Agali pointed out that the future looks promising for Heartland FC, given their style of play.

Nigerian international, Chidera Ejuke has been named Sevilla’s Player of the Month for September.

Ejuke was rewarded for his exemplary displays for the Rojiblancos during the month under review.

The talented winger netted the winning goal in Sevilla’s two-one victory over Real Valladolid on 24th September.

His exemplary displays for Sevilla has earned him a recall to the Super Eagles for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Libya.

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, NRFF, says the federation will continue to work to enhance the development of the sport at the grassroots in the country.

Its President, Ademola Are, said the just concluded World Rugby technical and medical training course was part of a development programme in Nigeria.

According to Are, the purpose of the training was to support participants with necessary equipment to develop rugby at the grassroots level.

Former British heavyweight champion David Price has thrown his support behind a potential rematch between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title.

Price believes the fight is a “win-win” situation for Joshua, who can either redeem himself with a victory or still maintain his status as a top contender even if he loses again.

Price praised Dubois as a “wrecking machine” with sky-high confidence, but emphasised that Joshua has nothing to lose and everything to gain from the rematch.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, revealed that Saudi Arabia is likely to host the highly anticipated rematch as part of the Riyadh Season festival.

In a move that is set to send shockwaves through the international fencing community, British junior fencing star Folayemi Akinyosoye has announced his decision to switch allegiance to represent Nigeria, the country of his family’s origin.

This historic transfer marks a significant milestone for Nigerian fencing, as the 20-year-old Akinyosoye brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise garnered from his successful stint with the British junior fencing team.

Akinyosoye’s decision to switch allegiance was motivated by his deep-seated connection to Nigeria, where his family roots originate.

OTHER LEAGUES

Celtic defender Greg Taylor will miss Scotland’s Nations League matches against Croatia and Portugal.

The left-back was absent for Sunday’s win at Ross County after suffering a calf injury in the midweek Champions League defeat by Borussia Dortmund.

Taylor, capped fourteen times, also withdrew from the squad for the opening defeats to Poland and Portugal in this campaign.

Head coach Steve Clarke was already without ten players through injury and there are doubts over Angus Gunn.

Republic of Ireland assistant coach, John O’Shea says the narrative around the Republic of Ireland is too derogatory as he called for better support for the players tasked with reversing the team’s fortunes.

The Irish national side travel to Finland and Greece in the Nations League this week after losing new boss Heimir Hallgrimsson’s first two games in charge to England and the Greeks in September.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba’s doping ban is reduced after the Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS, accepted the midfielder’s argument that his ingestion of a banned substance was not intentional.

CAS, who cut the ban from four years to eighteen months, added that the France international should have paid a greater care in the circumstances.

Former Juventus captain, Leonardo Bonucci, has disclosed that he turned down the chance to play for PSG and Manchester City because he wanted to be close to his son in Italy.

Binucci stated that he has no regrets about his decision.

Netherlands legend Johan Neeskens has died at the age of seventy-three.

The Dutch football federation who confirmed this, said the former midfielder was part of the Ajax and Netherlands teams credited with creating total football in the 1970s.

Neeskens was capped forty-nine times for the Dutch and was part of the teams that finished runners up at the 1974 and 1978 World Cups.

OTHER SPORTS

In Basketball; Alex Sarr, the 2024 No. 2 NBA draft pick made his NBA preseason debut on Sunday alongside the Washington Wizards as they lost to the Toronto Raptors 98-125.

The 19-year-old, seven footer out of Bordeaux, France finished with 15 points, three rebounds and four assists, shooting 75 percent from the field.

Despite the Wizards’ loss, Sarr stood out, earning a starting spot and proving why he was selected No. 2 overall.

Following Saben Lee reaching a deal with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and moving to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Javon Freeman-Liberty is also leaving Manisa and heading to the NBA.

Completing the upset of UCAM Murcia in overtime last Tuesday, Freeman-Liberty complemented Lee’s 36 points with 22 points behind 9/19 field goals.

In addition, he registered six rebounds, three steals, and three assists over 41 minutes in Palacio de Deportes.

In Cycling, Katie Archibald will return to action at this month’s Track Cycling World Championships in Denmark after recovering from the freak injury that ruled her out of the Olympics.

Archibald broke two bones in her leg and tore ligaments off the bone after tripping over a step in her garden in June.

She is joined in the twenty-three strong squad by eleven Olympic medallists from this summer’s Games in Paris.

They include defending sprint world champion Emma Finucane, Sophie Capewell and Katy Marchant, who teamed up to win a historic first Olympic women’s team sprint gold for GB.

The World Championships, which run from 16th to 20th October.

In Rugby, Assistant coach Kevin Sinfield will remain as part of the England set-up, having agreed a reduction in his workload.

The 44-year-old, who was due to step down this year, will continue as a skills and kicking coach with responsibility for mentoring players.

He will have more time off outside of international action.

The rugby league legend had been due to leave his post after this summer’s series against Japan and New Zealand.

Still on Rugby, Players selected for the British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia next summer will share in the profits generated by the event.

Lions players have traditionally been paid a tour fee with bonuses dependent on their success in the Test series.

The new profit-sharing agreement will replace the fee for the 2025 tour which begins in June with a warm-up match against Argentina in Dublin.

In Cricket, England got a late reward at the end of a gruelling opening day’s play on their tour of Pakistan, who were taken to 328-4 by centuries from Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique.

An unprecedented 3-0 win was achieved by England two years ago, but with a different team and in different conditions, this was always likely to be a difficult proposition.

In Athletics, Former world under-20 athletics champion Kipyegon Bett has died in Bomet, Kenya, following a short illness.

The eight hundred metres specialist won his junior world title in 2016 and then took bronze at the senior World Championships in London the following year.

Athletics Kenya official, Barnaba Korir, described Bett as one of the most talented half-milers in the world and a polite, easy-going and extremely amiable athlete.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

For me, winning is not something that happens suddenly on the field when the whistle blows and the crowds roar. Winning is something that builds physically and mentally every day that you train and every night that you dream….Words from Emmitt Smith.