Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona Femeni Dominated The Champions League Award Night.

Robert Lewandowski won the Player of the Year award last season, but it’s an all-Premier League trio nominated this season — Jorginho and N’Golo Kante represent Chelsea while Kevin de Bruyne did enough for Manchester City to warrant his nomination.

The awards were handed out during the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League group stage draw ceremony in Istanbul.

First award of the night was the UEFA President’s award which goes to Simon Kjaer and the doctors and medical staff who helped save Christian Eriksen’s life during the European Championship.

Chelsea dominated the award night in the men’s category winning four out of available six.

Chelsea’s N’Golo Kanté has been named Midfielder of the Season for the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League.

The French international, 30, beat off competition from Jorginho and Kevin De Bruyne after a remarkable campaign that concluded with Player of the Match performances in the semi-finals and final.

Jorginho beat Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Chelsea team-mate N’Golo Kante to the men’s player of the year award.

Edouard Mendy also picked up silverware, winning UEFA’s men’s Champions League goalkeeper of the year prize.

Chelsea also tasted success in the men’s coach of the year category, with Thomas Tuchel being handed the award after leading the team to victory over Manchester City in the Champions League final in Porto.

Tuchel only took charge at Stamford Bridge in January – after Frank Lampard had led the side into the knockout stage – and oversaw wins against Atletico Madrid, Porto and Real Madrid en route to the final.

Man City’s Ruben Dias won the men’s Champions League defender of the year award, while Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland nailed the forward of the season trophy.

Barcelona dominated the women’s category after winning the treble last season.

Lluis Cortes picked up the UEFA women’s coach of the year award, while Alexia Putellas – who scored Barcelona’s second goal in their 4-0 win against Chelsea in the Champions League final – was named women’s player of the year.

Putellas also won the women’s Champions League midfielder of the year award, while team-mates Jennifer Hermoso and Sandra Panos won the forward’s and goalkeeper’s categories, respectively.

The only non-Barcelona player to claim silverware was Irene Paredes, who was named women’s defender of the year. However, the centre-back has since joined the Spanish side from Paris Saint-Germain.

Time To Evacuate – FIFA Working On Evacuating Afghan Women Athletes.

The world football’s governing body FIFA says it is “negotiating the complex evacuation” of footballers and other athletes from Afghanistan.

Earlier this month, the captain of the Afghanistan women’s football team alongside other athletes across the globe called on FIFA to save their sisters (teammates) after the country’s capital city of Kabul fell to the Taliban.

During their previous rule from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban stopped girls from receiving any form of education, while women were unable to work or leave the house without being accompanied by a male relative. Those who defied them commonly received punishments and beatings.

Many of the country’s female footballers and other athletes have been advised to go into hiding. While many have lost hope, the world keeps demanding help from FIFA to help save the lives of those in hiding and restore hope of the girl-child.

FIFA has replied saying it is working with “governments and relevant organisations to make a complex evacuation”.

On Thursday, at least 60 people were killed and 140 others injured, from two explosions at the Kabul airport.

FIFA wrote to a number of governments earlier in August to request the evacuation of female players.

“FIFA’s leadership is personally involved in negotiating the complex evacuation of footballers and other athletes.

“This is an extremely challenging environment and, given the delicate and volatile situation on the ground, please understand we cannot provide any further details at this stage.” – the governing body stated.

Ex-captain Khalida Popal now works with FIFPRO to evacuate athletes. Which they have evacuated the women’s national team of 50 athletes on Tuesday along with their family members, thanks to the Australian government.

BREAKING: Benjamin Mendy Charged With Rape And Sexual Assault.

Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has been charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, Cheshire police have said.

Mendy, 27, is due to appear in court on Friday with charges related to three complainants, over the age of 16, and are alleged to have happened between October 2020 and August 2021.

France international Mendy has been remanded in custody ahead of his appearance at Chester Magistrates’ Court and has been suspended by City pending an investigation.

Cheshire Police spokesperson said “Criminal proceedings against [Ben] Mendy are live and he has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice ongoing proceedings.”

The left back has been remanded in police custody and is set to appear at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Friday 27 August.

GSL: Three Players Handed Two-Year Ban For Attacking Referee.

The Disciplinary and Homologation committee of the 2020-2021 Guinness Super League has handed a two-year ban to Moussa Kagou, Béatrice Yakadam and captain Yvette Kamieta, all players of ASFF Diamare in the just concluded season.

According to the release published on Wednesday, August 25, the three footballers plus a number of staff and administrators of AS Diamare violently attacked Referee Ebouga Suzanne and the match commissioner of the Match-Day 17 fixture Ibrahim Aboubakar.

The detailed report from the match officials was submitted which has helped the commission in making the following decisions:

Team captain, Kamieta Yvette, Moussa and Yakadam were accused and found guilty of assaulting the match officials on that day and since, have been banned for two years from the date of publication of the verdict.

President and head coach Hamadou Boubakari, his Secretary General Pakouli Siddi and deputy coach Ahmadou have also recieved a two-year ban from all FECAFOOT competitions.

In addition the club ASFF Diamare who finished the season just above the relegation zone lose the game by forfeiture and a point deduction in their general classification. Hence, dropped into the relegation zone and have been relegated to the second tier Championship.

As Diamare drop to the 11th apot with just nine points instead of the initial 13 they accumulated this season, Renaissance Athleticque climbs to the 10th spot thus ensuring survival.

The decision is appealable within a specific period in reference to the FECAFOOT laws of the competition.

Flying Officers Cup Will Give Us Perfect Preparation For The TotalEnergies CAFWCL – Hasaacas Ladies Coach.

Hasaacas Ladies Head Coach, Yusif Basigi believes the Flying Officers Cup will give his side the perfect preparation ahead of their campaign in the TotalEnergies CAF Women Champions League Campaign in Egypt later this year.

The CAFWCL (WAFU ‘B’) Champions will battle for supremacy with some of the top teams in Nigeria when the Flying Officers Cup kick-start on October 10th at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The Ladies from Takoradi would go into the Pre-season Championship, hoping to continue from where they stopped, having won the treble, The League title, The Ghanaian Women FA Cup and the CAFWCL WAFU ‘B’ Qualifiers Cup in Ivory coast some weeks ago.

The experienced Gaffer, who is also the Head Coach of the Ghanaian Women U-20 Side, the Black Princesses said he is confident that his team will do well and also use the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship to prepare for the challenge ahead.

“We are getting prepared for the Flying Officers Cup in Nigeria.” Batigi said from his base in Takoradi.

“This is the first time we are getting an invitation for a Club side Pre-season Championship. This is unprecedented and we can’t wait to be in Nigeria and play in a different environment.

“Our aim is to do well in the tournament, because if we do well, it’s going to breed our confidence and propel us for the TotalEnergies CAF Women Champions League in Egypt and also the start of the new season in Ghana.

He continued “Success builds momentum, which we are hoping to take to Egypt. We need to keep fit, stay together as a team and try to achieve more success.

This year’s edition of the Flying Officers Cup is the third edition and will see sixteen teams from Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic compete for prize and honour in Abuja from October 10th to 24th.

Abeokuta 10km Race – Rite Foods Won Grand Sponsor Right.

Nilayo Sports Management Limited, the organizers of Great Abeokuta 10KM Race has announced Rite Foods Limited as the major sponsor of this year’s race.

Mr. Bukola Olopade, the Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited said: “We are delighted to announce Rite Foods Limited as Headline sponsor of the second edition of Great Abeokuta 10KM Race.”

This partnership also perfectly coincides with the concept of this edition of the Great Abeokuta 10KM Race which is run solely by Nigerians.

He added that “All runners will have the ultimate dollar prize to contest for.”

This event will mark itself in history as this will be the first time of a road race organized by Nilayo Sports without foreign runners.

“We felt that is important to push the Nigerian narrative, that is why we also themed this year’s race: ‘Naija, Race For The Homeland’ it is necessary to showcase the dynamism of our strength as a nation of great people who are committed to excellence in all human endeavours.” – he concluded.

The Bigi Abeokuta 10KM Race is scheduled for the 13th of November 2021. The route starts at Ake Palace ends at M.K.O Abiola International Stadium.

The event will feature a 10KM Race and a Wheelchair category.

Also speaking on the event is, Boluwatife Adedugbe, Assistant Brand Manager, Rite Foods Ltd.

“The event is going to be extremely memorable; attendees are going to be treated to a refreshing experience with a fantastical array of quality products strategically positioned at all race points in following through with an experience like never before.” – he said.

He concluded – “This strategic partnership with Nilayo Sports fits perfectly with promoting the proudly Nigerian narrative with Rite Foods being a pioneer of the ‘Proudly Nigerian and Truly World Class Narrative‘ in the FMCG industry, which is significant to the event essence.”

The race is greatly supported by the Ogun state government.

Other sponsors include Access Bank, Kenya Airways, Suzuki, Eco gas, and IBD Hotels

Adamasigba – Lekan Salami Stadium To Be Commissioned In September

Newly renovated Lekan Salami Stadium

The Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Friday, inspected the Lekan Salami Sport Complex remodeling project, and will officially commission the newly remodeled Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State on the 1st of September, 2021.

In his statement, the Governor promised to utilise sports to develop the economy of the State, saying: “So, we want to utilise sports to also develop our economy. We want to keep coming here every week by God’s grace to watch Shooting Stars (The Community Owned Team) play in the National Premiership League and to also play competitions in Africa.”

He continued- “When I was campaigning, people asked me questions about job opportunities for our youths and I said discovering sporting talents is one way of engaging our youths. And this is one of such projects that can enable us to achieve that.

“Also, we want to be on the map internationally by hosting international sporting events, not just football. We have seen the centre courts for the Tennis, Swimming Pool project and the facilities for Volleyball, Boxing, kick-boxing and the rest.”

He added “We also want Shooting Stars to go on and play the World Club Cup competition, which I know is not beyond us. We have to bring development to our people, to our city and our State. That was why we were elected in the first place.”

“I will say I am excited and I look forward to the official opening, which has now been pushed to the 1st of September. I also look forward to seeing our darling team, Shooting Stars, beat the foreign Team.”

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, also has something to say about this new development.

In his statement, he indicated that the Lekan Salami Sport Complex has been upgraded to FIFA standard, with four world class Changing Rooms, capacity for 25 players and Wet Areas with capacity for 11 players at a time.

Also available is the Doping Control Room, Clinic, Referee’s Room, Match Officials Room and a Youth Centre (Ball Boys Rooms).

He added that the stadium has also, in line with FIFA requirement, been equipped with State-of-the-art Studio, including CCTV facilities that can monitor 5km radius of the stadium and also the Ibadan Airport, as well as world class gadgets that will enable the linking of the stadium to a minimum of four stadia.

He also noted that a new training pitch, a multipurpose hall for Basketball, Volleyball and Handball, a new Squash Hall and a 50 by 30 Metres Multipurpose Hall completed with a centre court, for Gymnasium, Boxing, Judo, Kickboxing will also be delivered at the facility.

“They are flat chested and unattractive” – Tanzania President Blast Women Footballers

Samia Suluhu Hassan – Tanzania President

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has come under fire for describing women footballers in the country as having ‘flat chest’ and they would not be able to get married as they are unattractive.

Hassan made the derogatory remarks on Sunday during a ceremony to celebrate the victory of the U23 men’s football side in a regional football event at State House in coastal city of Dar es Salaam.

“For those who have flat chests, you might think they are men and not women,” she said at Sunday’s event.

“And if you look at their faces you might wonder … because if you want to marry, you want someone who is attractive, a lady who has the qualities that you want.”

She added that for the women footballers “those qualities have disappeared”.

WATCH: Samia Suluhu Hassan’s comments have sparked an outcry in Tanzania.

Hassan, who took office in March after the sudden death of her predecessor John Magafuli, is the only current serving female head of state in Africa alongside Ethiopia’s President Sahle-Work Zewde, whose role is mainly ceremonial.

President Hassan stated that while these female players bring prizes to the country, “if you look at their lives in the future when their legs are fatigued from playing when they don’t have the health to play, what life will they be living?”

“The life of marriage is like a dream to them. Because even if one of you here takes them home as your wife, your mother will ask if they are a woman or a fellow man.”

Hassan’s comments were widely criticized online.

The head of the women’s wing of the opposition Chadema party and a former MP, Catherine Ruge said in her tweet “All women are beautiful”.

Maria Sarungi, the founder of civil society group Change Tanzania echoed this in her tweet while referring to the African Women Leaders Network.

The Life Threatened Ligue-1 Match: OGC Nice 🆚 Olympique Marseille.

Fifteen minutes before the end of the game, spectators stormed onto the pitch in Nice, and arguments broke out between fans and players from both clubs.

In the 75th minute Marseille had been awarded a corner kick, then Dimitri Payet was hit in the back by a plastic bottle and he angrily threw the bottle back at Nice fans while his teammates joined him.

Payet casting onto Caesar what belongs to Caesar

Apparently, objects have been thrown from the stands onto the field on a regular basis since the start of the game. The players of Marseille claimed to have complained to the centre official but to no avail.

As a result, Nice fans stormed the field to tackle the opposing players, which led to fierce arguments between players and club officials, which interrupted the game.

OGC Nice fans stormed the pitch and injured players.

Fifty minutes after the storm, the local prefect gave permission to continue the game, reported the newspaper “Nice Matin”.

With most of Marseille players having strangled marks around their necks, the side refused to continue play and did not return to the field.

It was reported that Referee Benoît Bastien also did not want to whistle the game anymore.

OGC Nice players however returned to the pitch and ready to play till the final whistle. The referee had to blow the full-time whistle as Marseille refused to restart the match.

Olympique Marseille players refused to continue play.

According to the LFP rules, Nice will apparently have an automatic 3-0 victory as they were not the one to refuse play. OGC Nice were leading 1-0 before the whole drama.

Feel free to drop your thoughts on this.

Thanks!

The Jose Mourinho Roma Era Begins In The Best Way Possible.

José Mourinho started his Roma tenure with a bang after his side dismantled Fiorentina 3-1 in the Italian capital.

Two second-half goals from Jordan Veretout handed the ‘Special One’ his first league victory since his appointment as new Roma boss in early May.

The Portuguese coach started his £34m signing, Tammy Abraham against Fiorentina.

The new signing drew a foul from Fiorentina’s Bartosz Dragowski, leading to a straight red card.

The 24-year old assisted two of Roma’s goals, and locals were so impressed they gave the former Chelsea striker a standing ovation as he was substituted in the 68th minute.

The momentum changed in the second-half when Nicolo Zaniolo received his second yellow card and was dismissed just after the break, before Nikola Milenkovic levelled on the hour mark.

Roma stepped up a gear, with Mkhitaryan squaring for Veretout to restore the hosts’ lead, before the Frenchman made it 3-1, 11 minutes from time.


The ‘Special One’ side were undoubtedly stronger on the evening than La Viola.

“It was a nice match even though we didn’t play too well. Fiorentina did very good, especially when they were down a man,” Mourinho explained to DAZN.

“Perhaps we thought it would be too easy, as I said before the match, Italiano’s Fiorentina plays good football. The referee got every decision right, VAR is there to spot every tiny error, which can at times be decisive in games.”

He continued, “We have many different solutions but at this moment what I like is the spirit of the team, the defensive organisation is getting there. I liked our sacrifice this evening even though we just played on Thursday. Then Zaniolo was sent off and we got into the match more, Tammy could’ve scored straight away.”

“We could see Tammy and Shomurodov play together, we talked about it just today. The offensive part of our game will come together slowly, Fiorentina gave us problems and we must acknowledge Italiano, he deserves credit.”

“In the second half, we pressed higher but Veretout didn’t do so on Pulgar, but he did better as the game went on.”

Finally, “The supporters? They were fantastic, just like the day I arrived. I still haven’t done anything yet still they’ve welcomed me very well, so I thank them.”

“You could see the team’s spirit tonight. That heart, that bond with the fans, is my promise: with me we will always give everything. ”

The win has now made José Mourinho the fastest manager to reach 50 wins in SerieA (77 games) in the three points for a win era (since 1994-95), in the Premier League (63 games) and in LaLiga (62 games).