Category: Sports

Chelsea’s hierarchy is in a meeting, where they are discussing the future of Liam Rosenior as head coach.

This was revealed by football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, via his X account on Wednesday.

The meeting comes a day after the Blues were thrashed 3-0 at Brighton.

It was their fifth consecutive defeat in the Premier League.

Romano said: “Meetings ongoing during the morning and again now at Chelsea to make final decision on Liam Rosenior’s future.

“The head coach always felt support from the hierarchy in recent weeks but results have been poor… and Chelsea are seriously considering a change of direction.”

Chelsea have not scored in the EPL since March 14.

They lost 1-0 to Newcastle, 3-0 to Everton, 3-0 to Man City, 1-0 to Man Utd and 3-0 to Brighton.

EPL: Chelsea board in emergency meeting to discuss Rosenior sack

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has reaffirmed its plans to end the 2025–26 season in May.

The NPFL stated that the window created at the start of the season was to ensure seamless operations, devoid of the disruptions experienced in past seasons.

The NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, said the final games of the season will be played on May 24.

“We synergised with the NFF Competitions Department at the start of the season to create windows for the Federation Cup,” Owumi told NPFL Media.

“It has been in effect since January, and we are running our calendar as designed.

“We have been intentional in maintaining fixture fidelity, and it took a lot of planning and cooperation from the clubs to achieve this.”

DAILY POST reports that the league is expected to embark on a two-week break this weekend for the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, President Cup window.

NPFL reaffirms end date for 2025-26 season

Ranchers Bees and Jigawa Golden Stars will battle for the remaining promotion slot in the Nigeria National League, NNL on Wednesday (today).

Doma United, Inter Lagos and Sporting Lagos have all secured promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, from the three other Conferences.

Ranchers Bees, who top the Conference D table with 20 points, will be away to Gombe United.

A draw at the Pantami Stadium will be enough to seal the ticket.

Gombe United need maximum points from the game to avoid relegation.

Jigawa Golden Stars sit in third position on the Conference D table with 18 points.

They must beat Kebbi United, who are also fighting to avoid the drop, on the road to stand any chance of returning to the top-flight.

NNL: Ranchers Bees, Jigawa Golden Stars in battle for NPFL promotion

Barcelona are reportedly planning a summer fire sale, with midfielder Frenkie de Jong among five high-profile players they are willing to let go.

Though the Netherlands international has long been a pillar in the Blaugrana’s engine room, his recent campaigns have been repeatedly disrupted by injuries.

As reported by MARCA, De Jong headlines the list of potential departures this summer.

Joining the 28-year-old are Robert Lewandowski, Marcus Rashford, Andreas Christensen, and Marc Casado.

De Jong is under contract until June 2029, but his recurring fitness issues have raised serious concerns.

This season alone, he’s missed 11 matches due to various injuries, including a hamstring problem that sidelined him for 45 days.

With Marc Bernal back in the fold and De Jong among the club’s top earners, his future looks increasingly uncertain.

Elsewhere, Lewandowskiwhose deal runs through June 2026, is reportedly nearing an exit.

Rashford’s loan spell is also set to end this summer, and after a quiet showing, particularly in the Champions League quarterfinals, a return to Manchester United seems likely.

La Masia product Casado has fallen out of regular favour under manager Hansi Flick, while Christensen has been sidelined since December with an ACL injury.

De Jong among five high-profile players Barcelona want to sell this summer

Serie A club Hellas Verona will not sign Gift Orban on a permanent transfer at the end of the season, Completesports.com reports.

Orban joined the Buddies on a season-long loan from Bundesliga outfit, Hoffenheim last summer.

A purchase option was included in the contract by both parties.

According to German publication, BILD, Verona, who are doomed for relegation in Serie A will not exercise the buy option.

Orban is Verona’s top scorer this season with seven goals, but the Nigerian has failed to register a goal in nearly three months.

The 23-year-old was involved in a physical altercation with a fan after the club’s 1-0 home loss to AC Milan.

Serie A: Hellas Verona shuns permanent transfer for Orban

Kano Pillars have been fined a sum of N15 million for breaching the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, framework in their clash against Rivers United.

The Sai Masu Gida failed to provide adequate and effective security, resulting in unauthorised persons gaining access to restricted areas.

“‎For repeated failure to ensure proper ‎conduct of their supporters, resulting in the harassment of, and intimidation of match officials, Kano Pillars are fined N3m.

‎Kano Pillars were further fined N3m for repeated gross misconduct towards match officials.

‎For repeated disruption and delay of the match, which led to the harassment of the centre referee, and stoppage of play, Kano Pillars have also been fined N2m.

‎Kano Pillars will also play the remaining fixtures in the NPFL behind closed doors.

The Kano-based club defeated Rivers United 2-1 at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

‎The club have within 48 hours of the date of notice to appeal the sanctions.

NPFL slams Kano Pillars with N15m fine for violent conduct

Zaidu Sanusi will miss the second leg of FC Porto’s Portuguese Cup semi-final clash against Sporting Lisbon.

Sanusi missed training on Tuesday (today) as he continued his recovery from the injury.

The Nigerian international sustained the injury during Porto’s league clash with Tondela last weekend.

The left-back was replaced by Thiago Silva in the 62nd minute.

“Zaidu will remain out as he is still recovering,” Porto head coach, Francesco Fariolli told the club’s official website.

Sanusi has registered one goal, and two assists in 25 appearances across all competitions for the Dragons this season.

Portuguese Cup: Sanusi ruled out of Porto’s clash with Sporting Lisbon

Umar Sadiq was on target as Valencia held Real Mallorca to a 1-1 draw in their LaLiga clash on Tuesday night.

Mallorca took the lead through Samu Costa four minutes after the break.

Sadiq equalised in the 67th minute, finishing off a move created by Javi Guerra.

Both teams missed several chances in the keenly contested encounter.

Sadiq was in action for the entire duration of the game.

The 29-year-old, who joined Los Che from Real Sociedad in January, has registered two goals and two assists in 14 league appearances for Carlos Corberán’s side.

LaLiga: Sadiq salvages draw for Valencia against Real Mallorca

Former Chelsea star, Florent Malouda, has warned the club’s fans not to compare Estevao to the Blues legend Eden Hazard.

According to the Frenchman, the comparison won’t help the 18-year-old Brazilian.

Malouda said, as quoted by Tribal Football, “We should not compare Estevao to Hazard.

“It’s not going to help him. Hazard is a legendary player who has won many trophies and made a big difference. But the context is totally different.”

Estevao moved to Chelsea from Palmeiras last summer with huge expectations because of his brilliant display for the Brazilian side.

His contract with the Premier League west London club will expire in June 2033.

Chelsea: Don’t compare Estevao to Hazard – Malouda

Bayern Munich striker, Harry Kane, is currently topping the chart for the European top scorers so far across various domestic leagues following the weekend matches.

The England international leads the standings with 32 goals in 27 matches for Bayern Munich after scoring in the 4-2 win against VfB Stuttgart on Sunday.

Behind Kane is Benfica’s Luis Suarez, who holds second place with 24 goals, while Kylian Mbappe remains third with 23 goals for Real Madrid.

Ayase Ueda is behind Mbappe and 23 goals for Feyenoord, while Manchester City striker Erling Haaland climbs to fifth place with 23 goals after scoring the winner for the Cityzens against Arsenal.

Paul Onuachu follows with 22 goals for Trabzonspor, while Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis, Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi and Brentford’s Igor Thiago each register 21 goals.

Estoril Praia’s Yanis Begraoui completes the top 10 with 19 goals, as European top scorers continue to promise intense competition in the coming weeks.

European top scorers: Harry Kane tops chart ahead of others