Category: Sports

The Chinese government has declared that the action taken against Kylian Mbappé by some major brands in China was in order.

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, stated Beijing’s position on Tuesday after a video featuring the French football star circulated online.

“Any rhetoric or action that hurts the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be rejected across the sectors in China,” Guo said.

A French talk show had asked Mbappé about his favourite meme of himself. “A video someone made of a guy; I think he was a Chinese dictator,” he replied.

The clip, which triggered the controversy, shows a doctored image of Mbappé’s face on the body of Mao Zedong, the founding leader of Communist China.

Dairy giant Mengniu, beverage maker Dongpeng, and cheese maker Milkground have all terminated their sponsorship agreements with Mbappé.

The Real Madrid star apologised in a statement on Tuesday, saying he now understands that his “ill-judged” comment hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities worldwide.

“I apologise to everyone my words have upset. This was absolutely not my intention,” Mbappé wrote. “I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry.”

China defends brands’ withdrawal of sponsorship deals With Mbappé

Crown FC have named Oyetunde Samuel Olalekan as captain for the new Nigeria National League, NNL, season, DAILY POST reports.

Abdulahi Saka will serve as assistant captain of the Ajilete Warriors.

Crown FC will open the new campaign with a clash against Heartland FC in Owerri.

Olalekan and Saka are expected to provide leadership on and off the pitch.

According to the club, the leadership role will be crucial in maintaining focus and building confidence, noting the opener presents an early opportunity to demonstrate their readiness.

Crown FC head into the new campaign with renewed determination after months of preparation focused on tactical organisation and fitness.

NNL: Crown FC appoint Oyetunde captain for 2026/27 season

Kwara United technical adviser, Ashifat Sulaiman, has expressed optimism about his team’s progress following the draw against Barau FC.

The Harmony Boys played out a 1-1 draw with Barau FC in a matchday 10 encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday.

Goodluck Ogbolu and Anthony Sunday scored for Kwara United and Barau FC respectively.

Sulaiman said they would continue working to secure more positive results in subsequent away matches.

“This is the way to move forward,” Sulaiman said at the post-match press conference.

“We will build on this result and continue to improve.”

Kwara United have garnered 12 points from 10 matches this season.

They will next host Bendel Insurance at the Rashidi Yekini Main Bowl in Ilorin on Sunday as they look to build on the result in Kano.

NPFL: Kwara United coach upbeat after draw against Barau FC

Oladunni Oyekale has been unveiled as the new head coach of Nigeria National League, NNL, side Eko United, DAILY POST reports.

Eko United will be making their maiden outing in the NNL in the 2026/27 season.

Oyekale’s appointment was confirmed at an unveiling ceremony in Lagos.

The experienced tactician previously managed NNL clubs Crown FC and Gombe United.

His experience will be crucial for the Lagos-based club, who will be gunning for promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

Eko United will square up against Heartland in their first game of the season at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan Lagos on Sunday, November 8th.

The new NNL season will commence on Sunday, 1 November 2026.

NNL: Eko United unveil Oyekale as new head coach

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has warned Barau FC over security lapses during their home fixtures this season.

NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Dr Ayo Abdulrahman, said it received a video clip circulating on social media showing some of the club’s stewards encroaching onto the field of play after the matchday 10 encounter between Barau FC and Kwara United FC.

Abdulrahman stated that such behaviour could lead to a major security breach if not properly checked.

The league body warned that the club will face sanctions if a similar incident occurs in any of its subsequent home matches.

It urged the club to ensure strict compliance with its security directives going forward.

NPFL: Barau FC faces warning over security lapses at home games

Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso, has confirmed that Joao Pedro will be unavailable for a couple of weeks.

Alonso was speaking to the media ahead of their Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool.

Pedro was missing last weekend, as the Blues suffered a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

The Brazil forward will also be out for the Liverpool match.

He is not expected to be fit in time for the league visit of Manchester United.

“João has suffered a thigh injury, he won’t be available for few weeks,” Alonso said.

Xabi Alonso confirm major injury blow ahead of Liverpool, Man Utd matches

Warri Wolves has filed an appeal following sanctions imposed on the club by the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, DAILY POST reports.

The Seasiders were fined ₦4.2 million and docked three points and three goals from their accumulated tally by the NPFL.

Warri Wolves will also play their next three home matches behind closed doors.

The club said they are appealing for leniency in view of its efforts to apprehend the suspect involved in the alleged attack on match officials following last weekend’s home draw with Kano Pillars.

Warri Wolves said it also acknowledges the seriousness of the incident and respects the league’s disciplinary process, while remaining hopeful the appeal will receive favourable consideration.

They urged supporters to remain calm, united and steadfast.

NPFL: Warri Wolves file appeal over sanctions

Bayern Munich and England striker, Harry Kane was named the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner on Monday night in London.

The 33-year-old beat Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal to the prestigious prize.

He earned the award after a remarkable 2025/26 campaign in which he found the net 73 times for club and country.

With Kane’s victory now official, here is the complete roll call of Ballon d’Or winners since the award began:

1956 – Stanley Matthews (England)

1957 – Alfredo Di Stefano (Spain)

1958 – Raymond Kopa (France)

1959: Alfredo Di Stefano (Spain)

1960 – Luis Suarez (Spain)

1961 – Omar Sivori (Italy)

1962 – Josef Masopust (Czechoslovakia)

1963 – Lev Yashin (USSR)

1964 – Denis Law (Scotland)

1965 – Eusebio (Portugal)

1966 – Bobby Charlton (England)

1967 – Florian Albert (Hungary)

1968 – George Best (Northern Ireland)

1969 – Gianni Rivera (Italy)

1970 – Gerd Muller (Germany)

1971- Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)

1972 – Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany)

1973 – Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)

1974 – Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)

1975 – Oleg Blokhin (USSR)

1976 – Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany)

1977 – Allan Simonsen (Denmark)

1978 – Kevin Keegan (England)

1979 – Kevin Keegan (England)

1980 – Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany)

1981 – Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany)

1982 – Paolo Rossi (Italy)

1983 – Michel Platini (France)

1984 – Michel Platini (France)

1985 – Michel Platini (France)

1986 – Igor Belanov (USSR)

1987 – Ruud Gullit (Netherlands)

1988 – Marco van Basten (Netherlands)

1989 – Marco van Basten (Netherlands)

1990 – Lothar Matthaus (Germany)

1991 – Jean-Pierre Papin (France)

1992 – Marco van Basten (Netherlands)

1993 – Roberto Baggio (Italy)

1994 – Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria)

1995 – George Weah (Liberia)

1996 – Matthias Sammer (Germany)

1997 – Ronaldo (Brazil)

1998 – Zinedine Zidane (France)

1999 – Rivaldo (Brazil)

2000 – Luis Figo (Portugal)

2001 – Michael Owen (England)

2002 – Ronaldo (Brazil)

2003 – Pavel Nedved (Czech Republic)

2004 – Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)

2005 – Ronaldinho (Brazil)

2006 – Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)

2007 – Kaka (Brazil)

2008 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

2009 – Lionel Messi (Argentina)

2010 – Lionel Messi (Argentina)

2011 – Lionel Messi (Argentina)

2012 – Lionel Messi (Argentina)

2013 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

2014 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

2015 – Lionel Messi (Argentina)

2016 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

2017 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

2018 – Luka Modric (Croatia)

2019 – Lionel Messi (Argentina)

2020: Not awarded because of the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 – Lionel Messi (Argentina)

2022 – Karim Benzema (France)

2023 – Lionel Messi (Argentina)

2024: Rodri (Spain)

2025: Ousmane Dembele (France)

2026: Harry Kane (England).

Ballon d’Or: List of all winners in history of award after Kane’s triumph

Manchester United have decided to give Michael Carrick more time to turn the team’s fortunes around.

The UK Telegraph reports that the decision was taken at a meeting of the club’s hierarchy on Monday.

Carrick’s position as head coach appeared under serious threat following Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth.

The result left United 16th in the Premier League table and winless in their last eight matches in all competitions.

However, following talks on Monday between the club’s senior figures, including co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, the decision has been made to give Carrick and the players more time.

The 45-year-old took charge of training on Tuesday as the Red Devils prepare for a trip to Chelsea on Saturday.

EPL: Man Utd make u-turn on sacking Carrick

Ligue 1 club Olympique Marseille will make a decision on Tochukwu Nnadi’s future during the winter transfer window.

Nnadi joined Marseille from Belgian Pro League outfit Zulte Waregem in January 2025.

The defensive midfielder made eight appearances for the club during the second half of last season.

The 23-year-old has also struggled for minutes in the current campaign and is not considered indispensable by the club.

According to Get French Football News, Marseille are ready to sell or loan the player.

A move away from Marseille would boost his chances of regular club football and a place in the Nigeria squad.

Ligue 1: Olympique Marseille consider January departure for Nnadi