Category: Sports

Former footballer now pundit, Alejandro Moreno, has stated that Lionel Messi should have received a red card during Argentina’s FIFA World Cup match against Algeria.

Although Messi netted all three goals, leading Argentina to a decisive 3-0 victory, the 38-year-old avoided any disciplinary action in the first half.

Approximately thirty minutes into the match, Algeria’s Aissa Mandi was seen in agony after Messi executed a studs-up challenge that struck the defender’s calf.

To the astonishment of the spectators, referee Szymon Marciniak allowed the game to proceed without issuing even a yellow card to Messi. The former Barcelona star went on scored twice in the second half.

Moreno was among those who found the referee’s decision unsatisfactory, asserting that Messi warranted a red card and labeling his challenge as ‘clumsy.’

In addition to the tackle, Moreno pointed out what he referred to as ‘preferential treatment,’ noting that FIFA president Gianni Infantino was seen smiling in the VIP section after Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane successfully saved one of Messi’s attempts.

“It’s 100% a red card for Lionel Messi,” Mereno said on ESPN. “It should’ve been. I’ll tell you what else is concerning and it plays along this narrative that great players get preferential treatment.

“When he was about to score a hat-trick and goalkeeper [Luca] Zidane made a save, they showed [Gianni] Infantino smiling as if to say ‘that was close’. And it does play into that narrative of, ‘oh yeah, this guy’s getting a different sort of treatment.”

The pundit also questioned why referee Marciniak was not called by VAR to review the challenge before doubling down on his red card claim.

“We don’t even have to see the still, if you see the live video, it felt like a bad challenge to begin with. Then you see the replay, and this is a bad challenge. Somebody has to take a look at this. Why was the referee Szymon Marciniak not called over to review it?

“It should have been a red card for Lionel Messi. As much as I love Lionel Messi, that was a clumsy challenge, a bad challenge and you’re raking the back of somebody’s calf all the way up from the knee down to his ankle. It should have been a red card,” he added.

The on-field decision further sparked debate after it was confirmed that it was the same referee who officiated Argentina’s clash with France in the 2022 World Cup final.

2026 World Cup: Moreno slams referee for not giving Messi red card against Algeria

Nasarawa United technical adviser, Mbwas Mangut, has ruled out midfielder Jofrank Istifanus from the side’s President Federation Cup semi-final clash against Ikorodu City.

Istifanus is currently nursing a groin injury.

Mangut insisted that the team have the right personnel to make-up for the player’s absence in the team.

“As for us, we have been intact, with less injury concerns, unless for Jofrank Istifanus who has been nursing a groin injury,” Mangut stated ahead of the game.

“But we have those who can make up for his absence.”

Mangut also assured that his team will show enough determination in the game.

“I can assure you, we will come out with full determination to make our supporters and fans, both in Nasarawa State, and beyond, proud,”

The encounter is billed for the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Wednesday (today).

President Federation Cup: Istifanus ruled out of Nasarawa United vs Ikorodu City

Real Madrid on Wednesday claimed that they have evidence that LaLiga rivals Barcelona paid bribes to referees, in what is now known as as the ‘Negreira case’.

The Negreira case is an ongoing legal investigation into payments totaling over €7.3 million allegedly made by Barcelona to companies owned by the former vice president of Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), José María Enríquez Negreira, between 2001 and 2018.

Barca insist the payments were for legitimate technical and referee consulting reports, while prosecutors are investigating allegations of corruption and unfair administration.

But Madrid have now sent a letter to UEFA stating their claims.

FULL LETTER:

In this letter, the club has informed UEFA of the existence of relevant evidence that conclusively reinforces the indications already known from the beginning about the existence of long-term payments, opaque and lacking any verifiable justification, made by the F. C Barcelona to the one who was vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, José María Enríquez Negreira, through different corporate structures.

Real Madrid emphasizes that these facts constitute, from the perspective of sports disciplinary law, a systemic risk of maximum gravity for the integrity of competitions, by evidencing the existence of a structure of undue influence on the arbitration system, incompatible with the essential principles of competitive equality, neutrality, impartiality and unpredictability of the sports result.

In this context, Real Madrid has urged the immediate resumption of the disciplinary file initiated at the time by UEFA, considering it unacceptable that this situation has been prolonged over time, since its persistence seriously compromises the credibility of football, its institutions and its leaders, so it demands a firm, exemplary and immediate response in the sports field, independent of the future of the ongoing judicial proceedings.

Therefore, our club asks UEFA, in the exercise of its own, autonomous and independent competence, to adopt the disciplinary and restorative measures that are appropriate in order to guarantee the integrity, transparency and proper functioning of the competitions, without this implying, in any case, replacing the function of the jurisdictional bodies of the State or anticipating a criminal qualification of the facts.

In this sense, Real Madrid, in person in the ongoing criminal proceedings as a private accusation, will exercise, as it has been doing since its inception, the actions that correspond at each procedural moment.

Real Madrid reaffirms its commitment to the defense of the essential values of sport and will continue to promote as many actions as necessary to ensure that events of this nature do not go unpunished.

LaLiga: We have evidence Barcelona bribed referees – Real Madrid writes UEFA

Nasarawa United technical adviser, Mbwas Mangut, says his side is focused and battle-ready for the President Federation Cup semi-final clash with Ikorodu City.

The Solid Miners will battle with Ikorodu City at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Wednesday.

Mangut urged his players to channel the disappointment of missing out on a continental ticket in the 2025-26 Nigeria Premier Football League into the match with Ikorodu City.

“Well, this is a game we all know will be very difficult,” Mangut told the club’s media.

“Ikorodu City are a side that is young, mobile, play as a compact, and you could see the class they showed in the league.

“Coming to this stage in the FA Cup, you know no one is a pushover. So, we believe we are going to play a very difficult game.”

Mangut however urged his players to be clinical in front of goal in the game.

“We have it in mind to work harder, believing that the side that takes its chances carries the day.

“We can’t afford to make mistakes. We will minimize costly errors.”

President Federation Cup: Nasarawa United ready for Ikorodu City showdown – Mangut

Bayelsa Queens are set to part ways with their head coach Whyte Ogbonda, DAILY POST reports.

The Prosperity Girls surrendered their title at the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, playoff to Edo Queens following a 0-0 draw against Rivers Angels on the final of the competition.

Bayelsa Queens finished second in the tournament with eight points from five matches.

According to reports, Ogbonda will be relieved of his duties following a comprehensive review of the team’s performance during the 2025/26 campaign.

The club is expected to make a pronouncement on the gaffer’s future this week.

Ogbonda guided Bayelsa Queens to win their eighth NWFL title two years ago.

NWFL: Bayelsa Queens set to sack head coach Ogbonda

Former France international, Emmanuel Petit, has urged England manager Thomas Tuchel to drop Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka from the Three Lions’ World Cup starting XI ahead of their opening match with Croatia on Wednesday.

Petit insisted that Saka struggled against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final last season.

According to him, the 24-year-old ‘doesn’t make an impact anymore’.

Asked if Saka deserves to start England’s opening match against Croatia, Petit told talkSPORT: “No; for me, no.

“We saw that in the Champions League final, he was struggling.

“He doesn’t make any impact anymore. I think there are better players who deserve to be in the first XI.

“And we’re not talking about Zidane or Messi, that kind of player, who even at 60 per cent, they should be on the pitch. Saka is not that kind of player.”

World Cup 2026: He struggled against PSG – Petit tells Tuchel to drop Arsenal star

Danish Superliga club FC Midtylland have re-signed Nigerian striker Stanley Iheanacho from Portuguese side CD Mafra.

Iheanacho penned a contract with the Danish giants until December 31, 2030.

The 21-year-old played for FC Midtylland before leaving for CD Mafra two years ago.

The talented forward registered 17 goals in 65 appearances for CD Mafra during his two-year stint at the club.

Iheanacho is eager to make a positive impact on his return to the club.

“I already know many of the team, as several of those I played with in the U19 team and in Mafra are now playing in the first team. I look forward to being part of the club again, hopefully winning titles and playing in the Europa League, ” he told the club’s official website.

Iheanacho completes move to Danish club FC Midtylland 

Rivers Angels forward, Abasiofon Uwah, has reacted to the controversy that followed the presentation of the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, top scorer award.

Uwah and Edo Queens Atume Doosuur both finished with 13 goals at the end of the 2025-26 NWFL season.

Only one award portrait was presented at the ceremony, which led to tension between the two players.

Uwah admitted that she overreacted after the award presentation to Doosuur.

“To everyone who has reached out, thank you for caring, and I want to be honest with you,” Uwah wrote in a statement

“Atume and I both gave everything this season to finish as joint top scorers. When only one award was presented, I held on, not out of anger, but because I had poured my heart into this season and that trophy represented every sacrifice I made.

“Still, looking back, I could have handled that moment better, and I acknowledge that.

“There is no bad blood between Atume and I. We represent each other as players and as people.”

Uwah, however, stated that the issue has been resolved by the league organisers.

NWFL: Rivers Angels’ Uwah reacts to top scorer award dispute

Manchester United have made it clear that both Manchester City and Liverpool cannot activate Marcus Rashford’s £40 million release clause.

Rashford is set to return to the Premier League club after Barcelona refused to trigger a €30m clause, which would have made his move to the LaLiga champions permanent.

Football transfer, Fabrizio Romano, gave an update on the 27-year-old’s future as it stands.

Romano wrote on X: “Marcus Rashford £40m release clause is not valid for Man City and Liverpool, the final decision stands with the player.

“He’s gonna assess all options, Man United too, including staying under Michael Carrick.”

Rashford is currently on international duty with England at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Man Utd name two EPL clubs blocked from activating Rashford’s £40m release clause

Kun Khalifat FC have expressed gratitude to captain Chikamso Amaefula ahead of his move away from the club.

Amaefula is reported to be close to a move to Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Rivers United.

Kun Khalifat praised the defender for his dedication throughout his stay with the club.

The Owerri-based club described him as hardworking, disciplined, and fully committed to the team’s goals.

Kun Khalifat wrote in a statement, “Kun Khalifat FC sends appreciation to Amaefula Chikamso as he begins his journey with Rivers United FC. 

“Chikamso was hardworking, disciplined, and fully committed to the team’s goals. He showed humility, respect, and a strong team spirit. Loyal to the badge and reliable.

“Your dedication and positive attitude made a real impact in the team.

“We wish you well in your new adventure.”

NPFL: Khalifat FC bid farewell to captain Amaefula