Conor Gallagher found himself in the hot seat as he addressed a Chelsea fan’s criticism, calling for more “fight” from the players following their dismal performance against Arsenal.
After a crushing 5-0 defeat at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening, the Blues midfielder faced tough questions about the team’s lacklustre display.
This derby debacle marked yet another setback in Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure, leaving Chelsea stranded in ninth place on the Premier League table, a daunting 19 points behind the top four.
Throughout the season, the club’s supporters have voiced their increasing frustration with the team’s performances and during the second half against the shirt, a young fan held up a banner which read: “I don’t want your shirt I want you to fight for ours.”
When Gallagher was asked to respond to the poster, he said: “We definitely are putting the effort in. I know it’s been said many times; it’s a very young squad with not much experience as a team in the Premier League. As you’ve seen this season, we’ve had a lot of ups and a lot of downs as well. We’re still improving and working together as a team to get to that next level.
“Today is one of those days where we were just nowhere near it. We need to kind of dust ourselves off but also look at the performance and where we can improve, and all the mistakes we made, where we can put it right and just get ready for the next one.”
Chelsea’s defeat against Arsenal marked their second consecutive loss, following a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals.
This defeat dealt a significant blow to their aspirations of securing European qualification for the next season, with the team now trailing three points behind sixth-placed Newcastle United, who have managed to revive their fortunes with three victories in their last four league matches.
The 5-0 thrashing is Arsenal’s biggest victory over Chelsea across all competitions.
This defeat is also the heaviest suffered by the Blues by a fellow London rival since their 6-0 loss to QPR in 1986.
Looking ahead, Chelsea face the daunting task of regrouping swiftly as they prepare for challenging games against Aston Villa on Saturday and London rivals Tottenham next week in their next two fixtures.
A late strike from Arkadiusz Milik, assisted by Timothy Weah, propelledJuventus into the Coppa Italia final,securing a 3-2 aggregate victory over Lazio despite a 2-1 defeat in the second leg of their semi-final clash on Tuesday.
Despite Juventus claiming a 2-0 victory in the first leg at home, Valentín Castellanos leveled the tie for Lazio with two goals by the 48th minute of the second leg.
However, Milik, coming on as a substitute, secured Juventus’s final berth with a close-range finish seven minutes from time.
This victory marks Juventus’s advancement to their 22nd Coppa Italia final, with the club boasting a record 14-time triumph in the competition, their latest in the 2020–21 season.
“Lazio had to turn the game around; it was normal to expect aggression,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri told a press conference. “After the 2-0 score at the start of the second half we improved and we got the result against an excellent Lazio. [But] we should have scored first.
“Today was an important match. Our elimination would have led to a dangerous psychological repercussion given that we are not yet mathematically [qualified for] the Champions League.”
Lazio wasted no time reigniting hopes of overturning the deficit from the first leg as Castellanos soared above the Juventus defence, nodding home a Luis Alberto corner to give the hosts the lead in the 12th minute.
Just before halftime, Castellanos had another chance to extend Lazio’s lead, but his low shot was thwarted by Juventus keeper Mattia Perin.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)is poised to secure their 12th Ligue 1 title with a victory against relegation-threatened Lorient on Wednesday, coupled with AS Monaco dropping points against Lille.
The potential title triumph coincides with speculation surrounding Kylian Mbappé’s imminent departure, as reports suggest he plans to join Real Madrid once his PSG contract expires.
Despite a comfortable 11-point lead with five matches remaining, PSG’s ambitions extend beyond domestic success. They are set to face Lyon in the French Cup final and have progressed to the Champions League semifinals against Borussia Dortmund.
Manager Luis Enrique has acknowledged the possibility of a quadruple-winning season, including the French Super Cup triumph in January, as he and his squad prepare for the challenges ahead.
“The quadruple? Of course we talk about it. It’s a motivation,” Luis Enrique told a news conference. “It is a way of writing the club’s history and the city’s history. But the most important thing is not what we win but how we win, how we play.
“We have eight games left, hopefully nine and we will put the same commitment in all of them.
“It’s motivating us. For the moment, we have one title [the French Super Cup]. We need to win the league and continue to fight in Ligue 1 to respect the other clubs.
After, we will have the French Cup final against Lyon [on May 25], a special game. It is a long and sinuous road. We will have to be very focused at this end of the season.”
Guardiola, who enjoyed immense success at Barcelona, winning numerous titles, including two Champions League trophies, expressed his desire to return to the club in a different role.
While the idea of his comeback may excite Barcelona fans, Guardiola clarified that he envisions himself as the ultimate authority at the club rather than as a manager.
He hinted at appointing Aitana Bonmati, a Spanish World Cup winner and recipient of the ‘Laureus Award’ for Sportswoman of the Year in 2023, as the club’s sporting director, should he make a return to Barcelona.
In the documentary ‘Aitana Bonmati Conca’ on TV-3’s ‘Sense Ficcio’ show, Guardiola said: “I would come for free, do not suffer. It would not be an economic question.
But here there will be a problem that I must tell you: I will be the president and I will be the one who will sign you as sporting director.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRJR9oEW8OI
Bonmati responded by saying: “I like to command and it is poor to advance that there are still few women in positions of command. Maybe when you stop coaching at the age of 80…”
Guardiola immediately cut her short and replied: “Don’t worry, I have no intention of coaching until I’m 80. We’ll see who signs who…”
After suffering a setback in the Champions League against Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola is resolute about leading Manchester City to a domestic double by securing the FA Cup and Premier League titles once again.
Currently trailing league leaders Arsenal by four points, with two games in hand, City aims to close the gap and reclaim the top spot.
Additionally, they have a chance to clinch the FA Cup when they face Manchester United in the final at Wembley on May 25.
Their immediate focus, however, is on their upcomingPremier League fixtureagainst Brighton, scheduled for Thursday, away from home.
Sources close to Liverpool have revealed that the club has shifted its focus to Feyenoord coach Arne Slot as a potential successor to Jurgen Klopp after cooling their interest in Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim.
Slot has emerged as the top candidate ahead of Amorim and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi in the race to replace Klopp, especially after top target Xabi Alonso opted to stay with Bayer Leverkusen.
However, Liverpool anticipates competition from Barcelona and Bayern Munich for Slot’s signature, prompting them to continue assessing other candidates.
Klopp’s impending departure, announced in January, has spurred Liverpool’s CEO Billy Hogan and former sporting director Michael Edwards to adopt a “data-led” approach to finding his successor.
Slot, who guided Feyenoord to the Dutch title last season, has impressed the Liverpool hierarchy with his style of play, personality, and ability to work within the club’s structure.
Despite Feyenoord’s efforts to retain him, there is optimism at Anfield that Slot may be tempted by the allure of the Premier League.
Liverpool, currently second in the Premier League, are gearing up for a crucial derby against Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday, with their managerial search ongoing.
Arsenal asserted their dominance at the summit of the Premier League table with a commanding win over Chelsea at Emirates Stadium, extending their lead by three points and significantly boosting their goal difference.
The Gunners, buoyed by their recent victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers, delivered a resounding performance, capitalising on Chelsea’s lacklustre display following their FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City.
Despite recent setbacks, Arsenal showcased their title-winning credentials under Mikel Arteta’s guidance.
Leandro Trossard eased any early tension by finding the net past Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic, setting the tone for Arsenal’s dominance.
Although Chelsea had occasional forays forward, including a missed chance by Nicolas Jackson, Arsenal took control in the second half.
Ben White extended Arsenal’s lead with a goal from a corner before Kai Havertz, the former Chelsea forward, netted twice in quick succession, including a sublime finish from Martin Odegaard’s exquisite pass.
As Chelsea faltered, White added his second goal, further bolstering Arsenal’s goal difference to +56, a significant advantage over their title rivals.
Overall, it was a near-perfect evening for Arsenal, reaffirming their status as frontrunners in the title race.
However, he defended his players by suggesting that even some of the greatest teams in football history have experienced similar setbacks.
The scoring commenced with Leandro Trossard’s goal in the fourth minute, followed by a barrage of four goals within 18 minutes in the second half.
Ben White and Kai Havertz each netted twice, handing Chelsea their most significant defeat in a London derby since March 1986.
“We talked at half-time about how it is not possible to start the game like this,” Pochettino said. “But we started [the second half] in a bad way again. We conceded two goals and in this moment, the team gave up. We were not in the game.”
Asked whether that capitulation made him question the character of some of his players, Pochettino continued: “No, it is not the character.
“I played football and I was in some similar situations with big, experienced players. I played with [Diego] Maradona, I played with Ronaldinho, and I played with [Gabriel] Batistuta. In some part of the season, these type of things can happen and you say ‘yes, these guys that were at the top, give up.’
“Sometimes, because of the opponent, because of our energy, because nothing is for you in this situation and you cannot find anything positive during the game, this type of thing happens. It will happen for sure with different teams.”
While Arsenal moved four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table, having played two more games, with Liverpool sandwiched between them in second place, Chelsea face a scramble to qualify for Europe after suffering their 11th defeat of the season.
“We are capable of having an amazing performance and three days later, we show the extremes,” Pochettino added. “Our standards are not sustained for the bad days. When we have bad days, we are so bad. When we are good, we are capable of everything. It is another thing we need to be aware of that we need to increase for the future.”
Arteta had previously described Pochettino as a “father figure” dating back to their time together as players at Paris Saint-Germain and he said: “[I have] all the sympathy in the world, with everything that he’s been through and everything that he’s been doing. He knows that.
“I’ve been on the other side as well. He’s doing a great job. I think when you look at this team and analyse every second of them, they deserve to win many matches; they deserve to win against big teams.
“He’s doing a really good job so hopefully things will turn around and be as he deserves.”
Chelsea are away to Aston Villa on Saturday, while Arsenal play north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
“We have to do our job. Now we have to wait and see [for Liverpool and Manchester City’s results],“ Arteta said. “We have a lot of games coming up. Let’s enjoy tonight and let’s go back to work.”
Convention People’s Party (CPP) has submitted an interlocutory injunction application to the Electoral Commission (EC), requesting the suspension of the Ejisu by-election.
The CPP’s objective is to delay the April 30 by-election until a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission, aimed at preventing Esther Osei from representing the party in the election, is resolved.
Emmanuel Gallo, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the CPP, initiated the lawsuit, stating that the party officially informed the Electoral Commission on April 18 of its decision not to participate in the by-election.
Among the six reliefs the party is seeking, it is praying to the court to declare “that on record, no Constituency Branch Conference of the CPP has been held in Ejisu and elected the said Esther Osei or anybody as a Parliamentary candidate for consideration and approval by the CPP’s Central Committee to be submitted to the defendant as the CPP’s Parliamentary candidate for the said Ejisu Constituency by-election.”
The party contends that any candidate purportedly representing the CPP in the by-election, particularly Esther Osei, has not been officially endorsed through the party’s internal processes as mandated by its constitution.
The CPP clarified that Esther Osei or any other individual has not been officially endorsed by the party’s Central Committee to contest in the upcoming Ejisu Constituency by-election.
According to the CPP, the selection of a parliamentary candidate for the constituency should involve the Constituency Branch Party Conference, followed by approval from the Central Committee, a process which has not been completed in this case.
The party asserts that no candidate has been duly elected through the established procedures for candidature selection in the Ejisu Constituency.
In its legal action, the CPP seeks a declarationaffirming that the party’s Central Committee has not endorsed any candidate for the by-election.
The party is petitioning the High Court to halt the by-election until its claims and requests are addressed.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has mandated all state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to furnish their audited financial statements for the year 2023 by May 2024.
Failure to comply with this directive will result in sanctions for the non-compliant entities.
This directive was issued during the 2024 annual policy and governance forum of state-owned enterprises, highlighting the president’s unwavering commitment to ensuring compliance.
The forum serves as a platform to assess the performance of all SOEs in the previous year, aligning with the government’s objectives.
During the launch of a policy on corporate governance, President Akufo-Addo urged SOEs to submit their audited accounts by May 15th of the current year, emphasizing the repercussions of failing to meet this deadline on financing arrangements with the World Bank.
The Public Finance Management Act mandates the submission of audited financial statements by the end of April each year.
The president’s directive aims to address compliance delays and bolster the overall performance of state-owned enterprises.
“Failure to achieve this target will affect adversely the terms of our financing arrangements with the World Bank. The preparation and publication of SOEs have always suffered delays due to a litany of constraints.
Key among them is non-compliance for public entities to the submission of financial statements. In 2020, SOEs were published in March 2022.”
“The 2021 SOE was published in January 2024, this year. The 2022 SOE is now at the final stage of completion. We should not tolerate these delays any further. All board chairs, entities and management teams are hereby instructed to comply fully with the submission requirements from SIGA.
The Public Finance Management Act mandates the submission of audited financial statements of specified entities by the end of April each year.”
John Boadu, the Acting Director-General of theState Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), is optimistic about the positive impact of the new policy on corporate governance and reducing reliance on government.
He affirmed that SIGA will meticulously oversee SOEs’ compliance with the president’s directive and will enforce appropriate measures against those who do not meet the deadline.
Director of Special Duties for theMovement for Change, Hopeson Adorye,has disputed assertions that six thousand members of the movement have switched allegiance to the ruling New Patriotic Party.
He stated that, to his knowledge, only three individuals have defected.
“Only three people have left. I am challenging them to provide data for the six thousand they are claiming. It is true they were reaching out to people to join them but they all turned them down.
I am telling you that I can provide some of them to come to your studio and speak. They called people to come, and they all turned them down.
Alfred Ababio Kumi, a former NPP parliamentary candidate for Adenta who had previously joined the Movement for Change, held a press conference on Monday, April 22, 2024, to announce that he is leading six thousand members back to the NPP.
Kumi stressed that his group acknowledged their error in leaving the NPP and expressed renewed support for the party and its flagbearer in the upcoming 2024 general election.
However, Hopeson Adorye disputed this claim, stating that there is no evidence to support the assertion that the Movement for Change, led by Alan Kyerematen, lost six thousand members.
“Six thousand from where? If you claim six thousand have defected, you must have data to prove it. They are very aware that Movement for Change engages in a voluntary recruitment process through our website, www.alankyerematen.com.
National Democratic Congress (NDC)will officially unveil its 2024 running mate, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, today at the Kofi Ohene Konadu Auditorium, University of Professional Studies (UPSA).
Former President John Dramani Mahama, the NDC’s flagbearer, will attend the event alongside members of the party’s Functional Executive Committee and Council of Elders.
The announcement was made by NDC’s National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, in a press statement issued on April 16.
“Also in attendance will be members of Parliament and an array of distinguished guests from the Diplomatic Corps, the Clergy, Nananom, Women Groups, academia, representatives of Civil Society Organisations, Labour Organizations, and Creative Arts, among others,” part of the statement read.
The party’s Communications Directorate has instructed invited guests to arrive before the start of the event at 4 pm.
They have also reminded all attendees, including guests and media personnel, to follow the guidelines provided at the event venue.
Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has issued a clarification regarding its decision to tax the foreign incomes of resident Ghanaians.
This comes after the initial announcement of the tax measure was met with some confusion and concern among the public amid the current economic hardship Ghanaians are already facing.
The government announced the decision on Monday, April 15, in place of the suspended VAT on electricity, which it said created a revenue gap of about GH¢1.8 billion.
Hence for clarity, the Authority released a statement on Monday, April 22, explaining which individuals would be affected by the said tax.
According to GRA, individuals considered residents for tax purposes include citizens with a permanent home in Ghana who reside in the country throughout the year, those present in Ghana for at least 183 days in any 12-month period that begins or ends within the year, and government employees or officials posted abroad, among others.
Parts of the statement also urged individuals who are going to be affected by this tax embark on voluntary disclosure of their foreign income starting May 1 to benefit from a waiver on the interest on their account.
“To facilitate easier declaration and payment of taxes for resident individuals to report of undisclosed incomes, the GRA has opened a special window for taxpayers to rectify their records.
All eligible individuals are strongly encouraged to utilise this opportunity to regularise their tax affairs,” GRA added in the statement.
The taxing of these Ghanaians is to replace the suspended VAT on electricity, which the government stated had resulted in a revenue gap of approximately GH¢1.8 billion.
The Tax Act 2015 (Act 896) stipulates the rules, regulations, and procedures governing various aspects of taxation, including income tax, value-added tax (VAT), customs duties, and other levies.
The Act specifies the obligations of taxpayers, the powers and responsibilities of tax authorities such as the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the penalties for non-compliance.
Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke has accused Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta of regularly dyeing his hair, suggesting that the club’s recent struggles are indicative of a “psychological collapse.”
Despite the pressures of leading a Premier League team, Arteta maintains a seemingly flawless jet-black hairstyle, which has sparked speculation about his grooming habits.
Yorke’s comments have raised eyebrows, with some questioning whether Arteta’s haircare routine is an attempt to conceal signs of ageing.
Speaking to TVSportGuide, Yorke said: “Will Arteta start getting grey hairs? You can’t see grey hairs if you dye your hair every day. Arteta won’t allow that to show. Your hair can’t be that black at that age.”
However, Arteta may find himself grappling with a few more grey hairs by the end of the season if Arsenal’s current shaky form persists.
Their recent defeats to Aston Villa in the Premier League and Bayer Munich in the Champions League have raised doubts about their ability to cope with pressure during the crucial stages of the season.
“Arsenal’s annual collapse in April is concerning for the club,” said Yorke.
“Every time they come to the business end of the season, we’ve seen them lose some important games. It’s a psychological reason, because they were playing some of the best football in the league weeks ago, managing to score at least four goals a game, so it’s an unbelievable change. It’s pressure getting to the players and Mikel Arteta.
“We usually see the manager run up and down the touchline, but now it looks like he’s running out of energy. Arteta has to be careful, he looks like he’s become cautious and defensive, and his body language is not what it was a month ago.
Compare his body language in interviews and on the side of the pitch, and tell me you don’t see a difference. The pressure is likely to blow up in his face again, and thatwill be a disaster for Arsenal. The intensity in his interviews is not what it used to be.”
Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag is keen on bolstering the team’s striking options this summer due to Rasmus Hojlund’s recent struggles.
Despite sitting sixth in the Premier League, United’s goal tally of 45 in 31 games is surpassed by 10 other teams in the division.
While Hojlund showed promise by scoring in six consecutive games between December and February, the £72 million ($92 million) summer signing has been unable to regain his scoring touch since sustaining a muscle injury six weeks ago.
As a result, Ten Hag is eager to add more depth and quality to the striker position.
When asked how important it would be to have a proven scorer for next season, Ten Hag replied, “I think it would help.”
He added, “You need more options. You need double positioning in every position. Some positions we didn’t have choices for this season—the striker position and the left-back position—and that has a negative impact on the results.”
Erik ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford is uncertain, as Manchester United’s form has declined this season despite financial backing since his arrival in 2022.
It remains to be seen if he will have another transfer window to strengthen the squad according to his preferences. While Rasmus Hojlund, 21, has contributed with 13 goals in 34 games across all competitions, it’s evident that the former Ajax manager desires more attacking firepower.
With the summer transfer window set to open in mid-June, United will face Bournemouth on Saturday evening, aiming to keep their slim hopes of Champions League qualification alive.
However, with seven games remaining, they currently trail fourth-placed Tottenham by 11 points.
Once upon a time, the Ghana Football Association made an intriguing decision by appointing Milan Zivadinovic, a Yugoslavian coach,to lead the Black Stars.
His tenure became one of the most memorable chapters in Ghanaian football history.
Zivadinovic, affectionately known as Ziva, took charge in May 2002 on a two-year contract, overseeing both the Black Stars and Black Meteors teams.
His appointment came after Fred Osam Duodu’s dismissal following Ghana’s exit from the Nations Cup in Mali.
Reports from Graphic Sports indicate that Ziva received a $15,000 signing-on fee and a monthly salary of $10,000, with accommodation provided at the upscale Wangara Hotel.
However, just four months into his tenure, Ziva abruptly left his position without authorization from the Ghana Football Association, then led by Ben Koufie.
His departure coincided with the cancellation of a scheduled Black Meteors match against Liberia, leading to his classification as Absent Without Leave (AWOL), as reported by Graphic Sports on September 19, 2002.
The BBC report captures events as “Ghana’s Yugoslav coach Milan Zivadinovic has left his job after he was refused leave by the country’s football association to return home.
The GFA denied Zivadinovic permission to travel to attend to family matters after a meeting with the chairman, Ben Koufie, on Tuesday.
“An infuriated GFA executive body immediately summoned an emergency meeting on Wednesday in which the future of the coach was discussed. In a statement issued late in the evening, the GFA said a decision would be reached in the next few days over what to do about the situation.”
In an interview with Accra-based Joy FM, the then vice president of the Ghana Football Association, Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, revealed that the FA denied the Yugoslavian coach a request for leave.
“When Ziva met the chairman, he was told that there are important assignments ahead in the next few weeks and that it is inappropriate for him to travel now. We have a match against Rwanda in the Nations Cup qualifiers next month after the Black Stars lost 1-0 in the first match against Uganda, so he has to stay and prepare the team.”
Ziva resigns
On September 24, 2002, Ziva sent a letter to the Ghana Football Association, announcing his resignation as head coach of the Black Stars and Black Meteors.
According to the Graphic report, Ziva, at the time of his resignation, had pocketed the $15,000 signing-on fee plus three months salary, which summed up to $45,000.
In a subsequent interview with the BBC, Ziva cited interference and unfavourable weather conditions, which caused him illness, as reasons for his departure.
“I was never given a free hand to do my work. My contract stated that if I was not satisfied with conditions in the first six months, I could leave.”
Ruben Amorim appears set to stay at Sporting CP, ruling out moves toLiverpool or West Ham, according to reports from Portuguese outlet Record.
Both clubs had shown interest in Amorim to address their managerial vacancies, with Liverpool seeking a successor to Jurgen Klopp and doubts lingering over David Moyes’ future at West Ham.
Despite recent talks with West Ham during a trip to London, no positive outcomes were reached. Talks with Liverpool have reportedly stalled since last week.
While the Hammers offered a more lucrative financial package, Amorim is said to be “keeping his options open” and could consider opportunities outside of England.
Sporting Lisbon, under Amorim’s guidance, have had a successful season, currently leading the Portuguese league by seven points and contending for the Taca de Portugal.
With Amorim likely to remain at Sporting, Liverpool and West Ham may need to explore other managerial options. Potential candidates for Liverpool include Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho’s appearanceat Craven Cottage has sparked speculation about a potential return to the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest has formally requested the release of the VAR audio from their recent match against Everton, where they suffered a 2-0 defeat and had three penalty appeals dismissed.
The club expressed dissatisfaction with the refereeing body, PGMOL for appointing Stuart Attwell as the VAR, citing concerns about his alleged support for Luton Town, a rival battling against relegation.
Despite facing criticism for their initial statement post-match, Forest reiterated their stance and urged PGMOL to disclose the communication between the on-field referee and the VAR booth at Stockley Park.
Monday’s statement read: “Nottingham Forest has today submitted a formal request to the PGMOL to release into the public domain the audio recordings between officials during yesterday’s match against Everton at Goodison Park.
“The club has requested this be shared for three key match incidents — Ashley Young’s challenge on Giovanni Reyna (24th minute), Ashley Young’s handball (44th minute) and Ashley Young’s challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi (56th minute).
“We firmly advocate for the broader football community and supporters to have access to the audio and transcript for full transparency, ensuring the integrity of our sport is upheld.”
On Monday, the Football Association (FA) announced its intention to investigate Nottingham Forest’s initial tweet,along with remarks made by manager Nuno Espirito Santo and defender Neco Williams.
Additionally, Mark Clattenburg, a former Premier League referee currently working as a consultant for Forest, has been requested to clarify the content of a newspaper article he authored regarding the officiating.
“We have formally requested observations from Nottingham Forest, Nuno Espirito Santo, Neco Williams and Mark Clattenburg as a result of their comments following their Premier League match against Everton on April 21,” read the FA statement. “We will provide any further updates in due course.”
Meanwhile, the Premier League responded to Forest with a statement of its own.
“The Premier League was extremely disappointed to read the comments made by Nottingham Forest on social media yesterday, following its match against Everton.
“We note that the FA has confirmed it will be investigating the club’s statement. It is never appropriate to improperly question the integrity of match officials, and the nature of these comments means the Premier League will also be investigating the matter in relation to the League’s Rules.”
Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism for wearing “two earrings” during his warm-up at Manchester United,while Antony’s celebrations in the FA Cup were labelled as “naff.”
United faced Coventry in the semi-finals at Wembley on Sunday, where they struggled despite initially holding a three-goal lead.
Erik ten Hag’s side eventually secured victory on penalties, but Graeme Souness and others were unimpressed by the demeanour of some United players.
The Liverpool legend has taken aim at Garnacho in particular, telling talkSPORT of the Argentina international winger: “Garnacho, for me, is an exceptionally talented young man. But I worry about it. It’s just an observation—call me old-fashioned, call me a dinosaur—but he’s got two earrings in the warm-up on the pitch.
He’s a young boy just learning the game. Coming back to the point that Joe Cole would have made about good senior pros, pointing out to younger guys how you live your life, how you act, how you train, and your attitude towards life.
And I just worry—it’s an age-old thing; it’s not a new thing at Manchester United—they have always been the most glamorous club in this country, and just like Bayern Munich in Germany is called FC Hollywood, I think you can use the same term to talk about Manchester United.
They get too much too soon at Manchester United. They get so much attention, Manchester United players, and I think it’s to their detriment.
Especially in the modern game, when the kind of rewards these boys get, they get far too much far too soon. I think Marcus Rashford is a case in point. He’s 26; he should just be approaching his best years, but it looks like his best years have gone.”
Souness has also blasted Brazilian forward Antony for his penalty shootout celebrations, which saw him cup his ears in the direction of devastated Coventry players.
The Scot added: “For a player to act like that, it’s naff. You just don’t do that as a Manchester United player. It wasn’t Real Madrid you’d just knocked out. It was Coventry, a team from the Championship. It’s not the first time I’ve seen it from him, doing daft stuff.”
While questions continue to be asked of United in what has been another inconsistent campaign, with speculation suggesting that Ten Hag may not bein a job at Old Trafford for much longer, the Red Devils are now looking forward to another FA Cup final derby date with arch-rivals Manchester City on May 25.
Antony faced criticism for his exuberant celebration, including cupping his ears towards Coventry’s players and fans, after United’s FA Cup semi-final win.
This behaviour came in contrast to Harry Maguire’s consoling gestures towards the Coventry players, who had staged an impressive comeback from 3-0 down.
“Did you see the reaction of Harry Maguire? He [Antony] was provoked, that’s why this was a reaction of that, you haven’t seen the provocation, only the reaction,” Ten Hag told a press conference. “But he should not do it.
I have seen Harry Maguire straight after and other; we should acknowledge the performance of Coventry coming to that final and the comeback. We are 70 mins totally dominating the game by far and 3-0 must have been the game is closed but the return from their side was very good.”
Erik ten Hag expressed his discontent with the penalty decision given to Coventry in added time due to a handball by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
However, he clarified that he would not resort to the approach takenby Nottingham Forest,who questioned the referees’ integrity following their Premier League loss to Everton.
He added: “You can’t do that. You can agree, or you can disagree. The handball for Wan-Bissaka is totally wrong, a mistake but you can’t question it. So it’s not good for the game and the refereeing; we should respect them and there is no respect.”
Antony, United’s second most expensive signing at £85 million ($105m) in 2022, has only managed two goals and two assists across all competitions this season.
As they prepare to face Premier League strugglers Sheffield United on Wednesday, United are seeking their first win in regulation time since defeating Everton on March 9.
With slim chances of Champions League qualification, the Red Devils are now prioritising ending a disappointing season positively and securing a spot in next season’s Europa League.
Ten Hag added: “We have to win every game. That’s what United stands for, that is our approach, go from game to game but we have to qualify for Europe and we have two opportunities in the league and the FA Cup final.”
Stuart Attwell, the referee whoNottingham Forest criticizedafter their loss to Everton, has been chosen as one of England’s two VARs for the upcoming European Championship.
“UEFA Euro 2024 is the pinnacle of European national team football, with the best teams competing and that’s why we have selected the best referees to officiate these matches,” the governing body said in a statement on Tuesday.
“All chosen referees have performed consistently to the highest standards in UEFA’s top competitions, and also in their domestic competitions. They have prepared exceptionally well to be in this position and we have full confidence in them to show their quality at the final tournament.”
Nottingham Forest has formally requested the release of the VAR audio from their recent Premier League match against Everton. They expressed dissatisfaction with the refereeing body PGMOL after having three penalty appeals denied during the game.
Forest criticized the PGMOL for appointing Stuart Attwell as the VAR for the match, alleging that his support for Luton Town, a fellow relegation contender, influenced his decisions.
Referee Anthony Taylor, who is also set to officiate at the Euros in Germany, notably declined to award penalties on three occasions, including a potential foul on Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi by Everton defender Ashley Young.
“Nottingham Forest has today submitted a formal request to the PGMOL to release into the public domain the audio recordings between officials during yesterday’s match against Everton at Goodison Park,” Forest said in a statement on Monday.
“The club has requested this be shared for three key match incidents — Ashley Young’s challenge on Giovanni Reyna (24th minute), Ashley Young’s handball (44th minute) and Ashley Young’s challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi (56th minute).
“We firmly advocate for the broader football community and supporters to have access to the audio and transcript for full transparency, ensuring the integrity of our sport is upheld.”
The Premier League has released a statement expressing “extreme disappointment” at Nottingham Forest’s complaints following their recent match.
They have confirmed plans to investigate the matter in accordance with the league’s rules.
Additionally, the Football Association announced on Monday that they would investigateNottingham Forest‘sinitial tweet, along with comments made by manager Nuno Espirito Santo and defender Neco Williams.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, now employed by Forest as a consultant, has also been called upon to clarify the contents of a newspaper article he authored regarding the officiating.
Meanwhile, the referees, referee assistant teams, VARs, and support match officials selected for Euro 2024 will oversee the 51 matches of the tournament.
Sporting CP head coach Ruben Amorim is keeping quiet about his future after a brief trip to London amid rumors linking him to a managerial role atWest Ham.
Upon his arrival at Lisbon airport early Tuesday morning, the 39-year-old smiled for the cameras but declined to speak to reporters.
Accompanied by his agent Raul Costa, Amorim flew to London on a private jet after Monday’s training session, reportedly to discuss a potential move to West Ham.
According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the purpose of the trip was for Amorim and his agent to assess an official offer from West Ham, received earlier this month.
Sources informed ESPN that Amorim is one of the leading contenders being considered by the east London club to succeed David Moyes.
A Bola further reports that West Ham’s offer surpasses that of Liverpool’s.
ESPN sources reveal that Amorim is under contract with Sporting until June 2026, with a €20 million ($21.3m) release clause applicable to foreign clubs.
Amorim has emerged as a prominent candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield following Xabi Alonso’s decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen next season.
Earlier this month, Amorim vehemently denied reports suggesting talks with Liverpool or any other club about his future.
Amorim had previously expressed uncertainty about his continuation at Sporting next season.
While Sporting is aware of Premier League interest in Amorim, they remain optimistic about his tenure, hoping he will lead the league leaders for a fifth consecutive season.
Although Sporting has not initiated a search for Amorim’s potential replacement, they are reportedly monitoring the market.
Amorim’s squad currently holds a seven-point lead over Benfica in the Primeira Liga and has advanced to the Portuguese Cup final.
Sporting is scheduled to face FC Porto in their next league fixture on Sunday.
Tom Brady praises Jude Bellingham for his latest individual accolade and shares that they had a conversation when Bellingham joined Real Madrid.
Bellingham, aged 20, clinched the Breakthrough of the Year award at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid. This recognition follows his earlier achievements of winning the 2023 Golden Boy and Ballon d’Or Kopa trophies this season.
“When he actually transferred from Dortmund to Real Madrid, we struck up a conversation. I was really impressed by his maturity and how talented he is, although of course everyone can see that,” Brady told ESPN Deportes.
“He’s got a great future because of what’s in his brain and what he’s really focused on.”
Brady, a minority investor in Birmingham City, joined others in praising Bellingham at the award ceremony. Tennis star Novak Djokovic, who secured his record-equalling fifth Laureus Sportsman Award, commended Bellingham, noting that he possesses all the qualities of a “great champion.”
“What I was impressed with is that he was always trying to make these runs, and he was not getting the right balls, and he was getting a little bit frustrated, but then he was waiting for the right opportunity,” Djokovic told a news conference.
“He was serious, professional, dedicated, patient and believed that the chance would come. It came at the right moment and he decided the game. He’s only 20, so that’s a feature or characteristic of a great champion.”
Following his award win on Monday, Bellingham expressed his ambition to secure a trio of team accolades this season, aiming for a successful culmination to his debut campaign with Madrid.
With Madrid leading La Liga by 11 points and progressing to theChampions League semifinals, Bellingham’s role becomes pivotal in Gareth Southgate’s pursuit of the European Championship title with England.
Having scored in Sunday’s victory over Barcelona in the Clásico, Bellingham’s contributions are instrumental as Madrid inches closer to clinching the La Liga title.
Additionally, they are set to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals after prevailing over Manchester City in the quarterfinals.
“It’s been an amazing 24 hours, a great week really for myself and the club,” Bellingham said, speaking at the Laureus ceremony held at Madrid City Hall. “To be here with so many amazing athletes and so many inspirational people is a real pleasure.
“We’ve still got a few more games to wrap up La Liga; we’ve got two very difficult games against Munich and then against the Euros. Hopefully we can take [England’s] form from the last few tournaments into that and push on and do one better.”
At just 17 years old, Bellingham contributed to the England squad during Euro 2020, making three substitute appearances en route to the final, where Italy clinched victory over England on penalties at Wembley.
In his debut season with Real Madrid, Bellingham has netted 21 goals, with 17 of them achieved in La Liga. His most recent goal, a 91st-minute winner against Barca at the Bernabéu, effectively sealed the title race with six games remaining.
“[Scoring in Clásico] is a really special feeling; you kind of lose all control of your body and the normal senses that go through your head,” Bellingham said. “It’s something I really enjoy doing.”
Spain’s historic victory in the Women’s World Cup lastyear received further recognition at the Laureus World Sports Awards held on Monday.
The Spanish national team was honoured as the world team of the year for 2023, while midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was named the best sportswoman.
Novak Djokovic was awarded the sportsman of the year title at the ceremony in Madrid, with American gymnast Simone Biles receiving the comeback of the year award.
Real Madrid forward Jude Bellingham was recognised with the breakthrough prize, and Rafael Nadal was honoured with the sport for good award for his foundation’s work.
Despite the triumph on the field, the Spanish women’s World Cup victory was marred by controversy due to an incident involving forward Jenni Hermoso and then-federation president Luis Rubiales.
Laureus acknowledged Spain as the first all-female team to win the team award.
Before her success in the World Cup, Bonmatí played a crucial role in Barcelona’s second Women’s Champions League victory.
She became the first female soccer player to win the Laureus Award, adding to her Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best Player accolades.
“I want to thank all my teammates and the staff of my club and national team who have helped me a lot, and because of them, I am here today,” Bonmati said.
Djokovic secured his fifth Laureus Sportsman Award, matching Roger Federer’s record, following his remarkable performances at the Australian Open, French Open, and U.S. Open, where he clinched his 24th Grand Slam singles title.
NFL legend Tom Brady had the honour of presenting Djokovic with the prestigious award.
Biles made an extraordinary comeback to competition, winning four gold medals at the world championships, including her unprecedented sixth all-around title.
Nadal’s foundation received recognition for its significant impact, particularly in assisting over 1,000 vulnerable young people in Spain and India, as acknowledged by Laureus.
Arisa Trew, a teenage skateboarder, was honoured with the Action Sportsperson Award for her groundbreaking achievement as the first female to successfully land a 720 in competition.
Diede de Groot, a Dutch wheelchair tennis player, was named the sportsperson of the year with a disability for her exceptional performance, securing her third consecutivecalendar Grand Slam title.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) has named seasoned coachKarim Zito as the headcoach of the newly established national U19 men’s team.
Assisting Coach Zito in his new position will be former Asante Kotoko striker Eric Bekoe.
“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appointed the vastly experienced Abdul Karim Zito as the Head Coach of the newly formed national U19 male team in a bid to fortify Ghana’s youth football infrastructure.
“This strategic move is in line with the GFA’s unwavering commitment to nurturing young talent and building a culture of consistent excellence within all the national teams.
It also aligns with the strategy of building a developmental pathway for young Ghanaian players.
“Assisting Zito in this pivotal role is former Asante Kotoko striker Eric Bekoe, whose experience, expertise, and positive energy will certainly complement Zito’s strong leadership,” parts of a communiqué from the Ghana FA said on Monday, April 22.
Dutch-born Ghanaian forward Brian Brobbey is resolute in leaving his mark atAjax and showing gratitude for the club’s trust in him.
Speaking to Men’s Health recently, the 22-year-old expressed his appreciation for Ajax and his determination to make them proud.
Brobbey, a product of Ajax’s youth system, initially departed for RB Leipzig on a free transfer but returned to Ajax later on. Since his return, Brobbey has been an impressive performer, tallying 21 goals and 10 assists in 39 matches.
The talented striker believes he is nearing his peak and harbours ambitions of achieving significant milestones in his career, including representing a top football club and featuring for the Dutch national team in the European Championship.
Brobbey is confident that a strong showing at the Euros will enhance his value and allow him to repay Ajax for their faith in him.
“If I can score a goal at the European Championship, I will promote myself even more and increase my value,” he said.
“I have always said: I am going to pay Ajax back. Of course, I left, but they brought me back. I want to make sure I have been worth it, by playing well for my club and scoring goals,” he added.
Chelsea and Ivorian football icon, Didier Drogba,has publicly voiced his support for Senegalese striker Nicholas Jackson following the severe backlash he endured after Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday, April 20, 2024.
Jackson faced the brunt of Chelsea fans’ anger due to what many perceived as a dismal performance against Manchester City.
The Senegalese player missed three clear-cut opportunities during the game, contributing to the disappointment.
In response, some Chelsea fans resorted to hurling insults at Jackson on social media, with some comments taking on racist undertones.
Drogba, widely regarded as one of Chelsea’s greatest strikers of all time, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express unwavering support for his fellow African footballer.
The tweet on Monday, April 22, 2024, reads, “Keep your head High UP and never stop working hard, it will pay off.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea has condemned the racist attacks on the former Villarreal striker.
“There is no place in society for any form of discrimination and we operate a zero-tolerance approach to any incident of this nature.
“The club will support any criminal prosecutions and take the strongest possible action, including bans, against any individual who is found to be a season ticket-holder or member,” a statement by Chelsea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJBtfGT2Hpw
The same sentiments were echoed byChelsea coach, Mauricio Pochettino, who urged the fans to be measured with their expectations of Nicholas Jackson as he is not Drogba’s replacement.
“He’s our main striker, the only striker we have fit. He’s doing fantastic. He’s doing an amazing job for the team; running, scoring goals, giving assists.
“His first season, a young guy, came in from Spain, even with not too much experience there. If we want the player to match the iconic players here, if we compare him with [Didier] Drogba, obviously he’s going to lose.
“But he’s going to have all my support. Even if he doesn’t score, the way that he’s fighting for the club and his team-mates, he’s producing chances. He needs time to improve. He’ll be better next season for sure, no doubt about that,” he said.
Jackson, who has scored 13 Premier League goals, is expected to lead the line for Chelsea when they take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
Traffic accident shook the bustling intersection of Lapazin the Greater Accra Region at 8:40 pm on Monday, April 22, 2024.
A “trotro” commercial bus collided with two pedestrians—a woman in her late 30s and a man in his late 20s—as they ventured across the busy thoroughfare.
The cause of the accident was attributed to malfunctioning traffic lights, a result of a power outage plaguing the area.
Eyewitnesses, including a reporter from GhanaWeb, sprang into action, swiftly removing the unconscious victims from harm’s way and rushing them to the nearest hospital for urgent medical attention.
This incident underscores the challenges posed by the ongoing power outages, commonly known as ‘dumsor’, affecting the country.
Many Ghanaians have voiced concerns about the adverse impact of ‘dumsor’ on their daily livesand safety, particularly on the roads, where streetlights and traffic signals frequently succumb to the darkness during power disruptions.
Following his recent penalty goal that secured a victory for LA Galaxy against San Jose Earthquakes, Paintsil expressed his unwavering self-assurance whenever he steps up to take a penalty.
He emphasized the importance of mental strength in his career and highlighted how it has contributed to his success from the penalty spot on numerous occasions.
“I’m always comfortable taking penalties because this is not something new for me. I’m always confident, especially in a penalty shootout.
I’m someone who never loses hope, especially if I lose a penalty, I will just keep going because I’m really mentally strong when it comes to penalty kicks,” the Black Stars winger said.
Joseph Paintsil has been a formidable force for LA Galaxy since joining the team. At 26 years old, he has emerged as a crucial player in the ongoing Major League season.
With nine league appearances under his belt, Paintsil has already showcasedhis prowess by scoring four goals and providing four assists for his team.
Former Asante Kotokodefender Eric Donkor has disclosed that he was once approached to participate in match-fixing during his tenure at the club.
Donkor revealed that the club involved was struggling to avoid relegation and sought to manipulate a match result in their favor.
However, he firmly rejected the offer. Speaking to Akoma FM, Donkor emphasised his integrity by refusing to engage in any form of match-fixing.
“During my playing days, I recall being asked to personally fix a match. It involved a team that was in the relegation zone and was an away game for Kotoko but I declined it. Based on the results I received, I’m sure they called a few other players as well.
I told them I wasn’t ready, so I didn’t interact with them too much. I did that because I value my integrity so much and those who know me personally know that.” Eric Donkor explained.
Eric Donkor contends that the involvement of betting companies with local teams inevitably influences outcomes. Additionally, he believes that inadequate player compensation increases susceptibilityto match-fixing proposals.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed confidence that Ghana will soon reach an agreement with its bilateral creditors.
This agreement is seen as crucial for the IMF’s executive board to greenlight the release of additional funding to the country’s economy later this year.
Following Ghana’s recent staff-level agreement with the IMF, the country must now fulfil all conditions for the executive board to proceed with its second review. This includes meeting requirements for the disbursement of US$360 million by the end of June.
Among these conditions is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with bilateral creditors to solidify financing assurances established last year.
Stephane Roudet, the IMF’s Mission Chief to Ghana, expressed optimism that reaching MoUs with official creditors is imminent, given the alignment evident among all parties involved.
“We are hopeful, confident that this MoU with bilateral creditors will happen in time for us to be able to have a board meeting and complete the second review of the programme before the end of June,” the Mission Chief told journalists in Washington, D.C in the United States of America.
The country needs approval of the next review and the subsequent disbursement to bolster confidence, unlock further funding and entrench the economic progress and relative stability achieved so far.
Spring meetings
During the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings, the IMF Mission Chief addressed Ghanaian journalists, shedding light on the country’s fund-assisted program. He lauded Ghana’s restructuring efforts, deeming them historic and exemplary. Compared to other nations, Ghana’s restructuring process has been notably swift and smooth, bringing its debt levels into sustainable territory.
Mr. Roudet credited the government’s prudent measures under the US$3 billion extended credit facility (ECF) program for facilitating a quicker economic recovery. Notably, key macroeconomic indicators such as growth, inflation, and gross reserves have surpassed initial projections, indicating a stronger economy.
Furthermore, Mr. Roudet hinted at an upward revision of Ghana’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast in the upcoming IMF review, reflecting the positive trajectory observed during the last mission in March.
Eurobondholders’ deal
Earlier, the Director of the IMF Africa Department, Mr. Abebe Selassie, also praised Ghana for its speedy restructuring exercise, noting that nothing fundamental was blocking a deal with Eurobondholders – which is the last leg of the debt rework exercise meant to achieve debt sustainability.
Mr. Selassie, however, stressed that a deal with Eurobondholders was not a prerequisite to approving the second review, stressing that all the fund wanted to see was constructive and ongoing discussions with the commercial holders of Ghana’s debts issued in foreign currencies.
“I should add here that the fact that they have not reached an agreement with its Eurobondholders will not prevent us from being able to provide more financing, although reaching that agreement is [of course] important,” the IMF Africa Director said in response to questions at the 2024 Spring Meetings.
Eurobond creditors must act
Mr. Selassie highlighted Ghana’s remarkable achievement in completing its restructuring exercise in a shorter timeframe compared to other countries like Zambia. He praised Ghana’s citizens, government, and creditors for their collective efforts in making the restructuring process successful.
He emphasised the historic nature of Ghana’s ability to carry out both domestic and external restructuring within a relatively brief period. While acknowledging Ghana’s efforts towards debt sustainability, Mr. Selassie emphasised the importance of commercial creditors playing their part in securing a deal to sustain economic recovery.
“Ghana has done its fair share and it is for creditors to take steps on this,” he said at the press conference streamed live across the globe.
“We are not going to ask the government to make more adjustments because creditors have not asked either. So, we will provide all the information necessary so creditors can move, allowing us to go to the board as soon as possible,” Mr. Selassie said.
2025 Budget
Mr. Selassie further stated that the recent IMF mission in Ghana successfully reached an agreement with the government on addressing the latest challenges. These policies are set to be unveiled in the 2025 Budget, which Mr. Selassie emphasized as significant.
Additionally, he highlighted Ghana’s upcoming elections in December, where a successor to President Nana Akufo-Addo will be elected.
This decision is in line with the provisions outlined in the ‘Fees and Charges’ (Miscellaneous Provision Regulations, 2023) L.I. 2481.
The adjustment in fees, as announced by the authority, applies to individuals seeking to obtain national identification cards, commonly known as Ghana Cards, or those intending to update their existing information.
Citizens are advised to take note of the impending changes and plan accordingly for any upcoming registration or information update requirements.
Economic Advisor and Spokesperson for the Vice President, Dr. Gideon Boako,has provided reassurance to Ghanaians regarding the ongoing power cuts (dumsor) across the nation.
He expressed strong optimism that the electricity challenges currently faced by the populace will be resolved by the end of this month.
“The information I have and from where I sit, I know the power cuts are likely to end by the end of this month,” he said on Peace FM’s morning show “Kokrokoo.”.
However, the Spokesperson for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia expressed deep concern about the inconsistent power supply experienced by communities nationwide.
Dr. Boako criticised the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for its failure to provide consumers with a timetable to assist them in planning their daily activities.
He emphasised the importance of transparent information for citizens to prevent damage to their goods and unnecessary expenses.
Dr. Boako lamented the challenges faced by Ghanaians due to the irregular electricity supply, underscoring the need for improved communication from utility providers.
“Ghanaians need concise, explicit communication,” he insisted, adding, “we should be able to tell people that this is the problem and by this time, by this date, the problem will be solved.”
Managing Editor of ABCNews, Gordon Asare-Bediako, has condemned the recently announced hikes in fees and charges for obtaining or replacing a Ghana Card.
Asare-Bediako, who doubles as a communication team member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), minced no words as he lambasted the government for what he perceived as an unjust burden on the citizens.
According to him, the Ghanaian populace has committed no offence warranting such treatment.
He expressed dismay at the new charges, emphasising the hardships citizens endure to obtain the Ghana Card, only to face exorbitant fees for replacements. “What crime have Ghanaians committed?” he questioned.
Asare-Bediako directed his criticism specifically at the NPP, cautioning that their actions could cost them in the upcoming 2024 elections.
He urged Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is also the NPP’s flagbearer, not to jeopardise his chances by ignoring the grievances of the people.
Drawing attention to the disconnect between the leadership and the grassroots, Asare-Bediako emphasised the urgency of addressing the issue.
“Sometimes when we speak, our leaders argue that when issues arise, we need to take our time. We are also on the ground and hear about things that are going on.
“I witnessed this on Saturday and the way people are angry. For the new charges, if President Akufo-Addo himself were to make an announcement, I would expect Dr. Bawumia to also issue a counter-announcement.
“What crime have Ghanaians committed? People struggled greatly to register for this Ghana Card, and perhaps by mistake, some have misplaced it. And yet, you’re discussing such high charges. What kind of madness is this?
“Nobody can defend this rubbish. Forgive me for using harsh words, but these are the realities. Nobody can defend this rubbish, and if you guys go ahead to do this, kiss 2024 goodbye. Why?” he said on a panel discussion on Wontumi radio on April 22, 2024.
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced its intention to increase fees for registration services, starting from Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
This decision aligns with the regulations outlined in the ‘Fees and Charges’ (Miscellaneous Provision Regulations, 2023) L.I. 2481.
The fee adjustment, as outlined by the authority, will affect individuals applying for national identification cards, also known as Ghana Cards, as well as those wishing to update their existing information.
National Organiser of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, asserted during an interview on Okay FM’s Ade Akye Abia morning show on Monday, April 22, 2024, that the driver responsible for the accident involving a newly acquired train during a test run is affiliated with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Nana B maintained that the incident was a deliberate act of sabotage orchestrated by the opposition to tarnish the government’s reputation.
“So Kwame, won’t you talk about the new train which was being tested that had an accident because an NDC person parked a car on the tracks?” he questioned the host.
The host in response, probed whether Nana B had any evidence to prove his claim, to which he insisted that the driver who has since been convicted for his action is an NDC member.
“I am telling you that he is NDC, we also have people there, he is a true NDC member with a party card in that constituency… If you look at the way the car was parked, it was very deliberate. Do you think it is okay for the NDC to do that? Such evil mindset, that a new train has arrived and for the government to receive praise you would cause its destruction.
“The NDC is typically full of evil mindset. You listen to how happy they sound on social media. Even former President John Dramani Mahama, who is supposed to condemn such conduct, was saying he would be asking questions if he were to be president. He is not concerned about the person who caused the incident,” he submitted.
Last week, a court sentenced Abel Dzidotor, the individual responsible for the accident involving the newly imported train on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line, to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour.
Dzidotor confessed to three of the four charges brought against him, which included inconsiderate driving, unauthorised stopping, and causing unlawful damage.
The fourth charge, failure to produce a driver’s license, was disputed by Dzidotor, who asserted that his license was inside the damaged vehicle.
He has been directed to present the licence to the court by May 9, 2024, to avoid potential repercussions.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the police revealed that Dzidotor left the Hyundai truck with registration number GS 9018–20 unattended on the railway line, resulting in a collision with the train.
The accident reportedly transpired when Abel Dzidotor went to deliver cement blocks, but the truck became stuck on the rail upon his return.
Ghanaian weightlifter Winnifred Ntumi who participated in the just ended African Games has disclosed that she has not received bonuses owed to her by the Sports Ministry.
Ntumi highlighted that she is among several athletes awaiting their bonuses, including all those who secured medals at the 2023 African Games.
Speaking on Happy FM, she expressed frustration over the Sports Ministry’s lack of communication and refusal to address the issue of outstanding bonuses with the affected athletes.
“I’ve not received the money yet. We (all the disciplines) have not heard from them up until now. Sometimes, when I call, they don’t even pick up. It is with the minister (Mustapha Ussif) and we’ve not heard from him,” he said.
He pointed out that, unlike the frustrating situation she is in now, she was fully paid after winning medals in the previous edition of the competition held in 2019.
“It is very heartbreaking because this is the first time I’ve experienced this. In Rabat (Morocco), I got the money immediately after I finished the competition. This is my home country.”
“I competed on the 10th of March, and today is the 18th of April. We don’t even need reasons, but let’s hear from you,” she added.
Winnifred Ntumi made history for Ghana at the 2023 African Games by securing three medals in the weightlifting competition held on Sunday, March 10, 2023.
Her remarkable performance took place at the GCB Hall, where she dominated the women’s 45kg and 49kg snatch events, earning one gold and two silver medals.
As per the promise made by the Sports Ministry, the value assigned to each medal was $3,000 for gold, $2,000 for silver, and $1,000 for bronze.
Therefore, Ntumi is owed a total of $7,000 for her outstanding achievements, comprising two silver and one gold medal.
Former manager of Manchester United, José Mourinho,has lamented the lack of support he received during his tenure at the club, suggesting that better results could have been achieved with greater trust and backing, similar to what Erik ten Hag is currently experiencing.
Mourinho, who led United from 2016 to 2018 and secured Europa League and Carabao Cup victories during his tenure, expressed his sentiments in an interview with The Telegraph.
He attributed the challenges he faced in achieving results to his strained relationship with then-chief executive Ed Woodward.
“My relationship with [former chief executive] Ed Woodward was good. Good as in the personal point of view,” Mourinho said. “Even now, we send an SMS. But from a professional point of view, it was not the best. I am who I am. I am a football man. Ed comes from a different background and what Ten Hag had in his time at Manchester United, I didn’t have.
“I didn’t have that level of support. I didn’t have that level of trust. So I left sad, because I felt I was at the beginning of the process. In some moments, I felt if they trusted me and believed in my experience, things could be different.”
Mourinho added that there are members of United’s squad now that he wanted to get rid of during his tenure owing to their lack of professionalism.
“There are still a couple of players still there that I didn’t want five or six years ago,” he said. “I think they represent a little bit of what I consider not the best professional profile for a club of a certain dimension.
But I did my job there. Time always tells the truth. I would love Manchester United to succeed.”
During his tenure at United, Mourinho experienced conflicts with key players like Paul Pogba and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Schweinsteiger recently revealed that Mourinho unjustly ostracised him from the dressing room. In an interview with The Telegraph, Mourinho shared his empathy for Pogba’s predicament regarding a four-year suspension for a doping violation.
“I am not enjoying Paul’s situation at all,” he said. “The only thing I say is that it happens to almost everybody in some moments of your career: you lose a little bit of the sense of who you are and what you have to be.
“The season after France won the World Cup, I think Paul came back different. The World Cup brought him into a dimension where football was not the most important thing for him.”
Ten Hag’s position at United is uncertain after Jim Ratcliffe’s investment and the club’s subsequent restructuring.
Despite reaching theFA Cup final forthe second consecutive season, their victory over Coventry City required penalties after squandering a 3-0 lead against the lower-tier team.
A University of Ghana (UG)final-year student’s request for a staggering GHS 50,000 monthly salary to work as a full-stack developer for a tech company has sparked reactions on social media.
The discussion ensued after screenshots of WhatsApp conversations between the applicant and the employers were shared by @CheEsquire on X (formerly Twitter).
The screenshots revealed the student’s confirmation of the salary demand upon inquiry by the employers.
However, the employers, unable to meet the exorbitant demand, promptly bid farewell to the student and indicated they would consider other applicants for the position.
Initially proposing GHS 50,000, the student eventually lowered the figure to GHS 20,000, stating, “if this also gets me off the list, that is fine.”
A tech solutions company seeking to recruit a Ghanaian Full Stack Developer asked me to post their requisition on twitter and a number of candidates applied. This is one engagement between their recruiter and one applicant. 🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/UVia8SxWFj
The student’s posture has garneredmixed reactions, with others appreciating him knowing his worth, while others have slammed him for missing a good opportunity to land a job when he is yet to graduate from the university.
See some reactions below:
1. Your first job 2. Mention some decent figure (even if it's a little bit below the going rate) 3. Get employed and get some serious experience under your belt 4. Re-negotiate your salary. 5. Leverage your experience for a higher pay in a different company if (4) fails.
Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchelis leaning towards a return to the Premier League this summer, despite interest from Barcelona, according to a source.
Tuchel, who is set to depart Bayern at the end of the season, has guided the team to the Champions League semifinals. Barcelona has identified him as a potential replacement for outgoing coach Xavi Hernandez.
However, Tuchel, who previously managed Chelsea, prefers a job in England.
While he hasn’t ruled out Barcelona, Tuchel is concerned about the club’s stability and limited transfer funds. Barcelona is also considering Rafael Márquez and Hansi Flick.
Tuchel is open to discussions with Manchester United if Erik ten Hag departs.
Ten Hag’s future at United is uncertain following a string of disappointing results, including a dramatic FA Cup semifinal win over Coventry City.
United’s owners are reportedly considering Tuchel as a potential replacement.
Despite his success in Europe with Bayern, Tuchel’s domestic campaign has been underwhelming, leading to his decision to leave the club at the end of the season.
Attempts to lureJulian Nagelsmann back to Bayern have been unsuccessful, as he recently extended his contract with the German national team.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has called for a potential replay of Sunday’s Clásico against Real Madrid if it is confirmed that a VAR error resulted in Lamine Yamal’s disallowed goal at the Bernabéu.
Yamal’s shot, which occurred at 1-1 in the first half, was cleared off the line by Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. However, without goal-line technology in LaLiga, VAR determined that the ball did not fully cross the line.
Despite Barcelona’s appeals, Madrid ultimately secured a 3-2 victory, extending their lead to 11 points over Barça in the league standings with only six matches remaining.
“There were several debatable incidents in the match, but amongst all of them, there is one that is crucial and can change the result of the game,” Laporta said in a statement on Monday.
“I am referring to the ‘phantom goal’ by Lamine Yamal. As a club, we want to be sure about what happened. For that reason we will make an immediate request for a comprehensive collection of footage and audio from the incident.
“If once this documentation has been analysed, the club understands that an error was made in the revision of the incident, we will take all available measures to reverse the situation, without discounting, obviously, any necessary legal action.
“If it is confirmed that it was a legal goal, we will move ahead and request that the game be replayed, just as has happened in another game in Europe due to a VAR error.”
Earlier this season, a match between Anderlecht and Genk in the top tier of Belgian football was replayed in its entirety due to a VAR error, which resulted in a misapplication of the laws of the game.
However, this incident involved encroachment before a penalty kick was taken, rather than a disputed goal.
Similarly, in Spain, a judge ruled last year that VAR failed to provide the referee with all available images of a goal awarded to Atlético Madrid in their 3-3 draw against Espanyol.
Despite the goal being allowed to stand, additional footage suggesting that the ball did not cross the line was not presented to the match official.
This decision had significant consequences for Espanyol, who were ultimately relegated from the league.
Laporta also said there were “various other incidents” during the game that Barça disagreed with and “could have been reviewed by VAR.”
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen expressed their dismay at the absence of goal-line technology in Spain, labelling it “embarrassing” following their team’s defeat.
Xavi further remarked that since the beginning of the season, particularly in their away match against Getafe, he has noticed a pattern of significant decisions going against Barcelona.
As their LaLiga title hopes dwindle, these sentiments underscore the frustration felt within the club.
Laporta took a similar view, adding: “We are forced into [this action] after having suffered various incidents on the pitch that have damaged us and others that have benefited our rival.
“Added together, those incidents reflect the difference in points that there is at the top of the table in La Liga.“
Laporta’s statement has been met with “astonishment” and “surprise” by Madrid, according to a source, who adds that Los Blancos believe the Barça president is just going on the attack to appease supporters.
Frenkie de Jong will be sidelined for the remainder of Barca’s season due to another ankle injury sustained during Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid,a source confirmed to ESPN.
The 26-year-old midfielder was substituted just before halftime following a challenge with Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde.
De Jong’s absence means he will miss Barcelona’s final six games of the season.
However, sources indicated to ESPN that he is expected to recover in time for the European Championship in Germany this summer.
The Netherlands, with De Jong in their squad, will commence their tournament campaign against Poland on June 16, followed by matches against France and Austria in the group stage.
This marks the third instance this season that De Jong has encountered an ankle injury.
He missed 10 games between September and November after spraining his ankle against Celta Vigo and another four matches in March with a similar problem.
“The injuries have been a bit unlucky,” De Jong told ESPN before the Clásico on Friday.
“The first one, someone fell on my ankle, which left me with a syndesmosis thing, which is a tough injury and then I had an injury on the same ankle again [in March], which was a tough blow.”
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Barcelona’s defeat over the weekend widened the gap between them and La Liga leaders Madrid to 11 points, with only 11 games left in the season.
This loss came after their elimination from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the week.
Having already been ousted from the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey, Barcelona’s chances of securing any silverware this season seem slim.
They are poised to surrender the La Liga title they claimed last year to Madrid.
However, Barcelona’s focus now shifts to securing a second-place finish to ensure their participation in next season’s Super Cup. They currently hold a slender lead over Girona, who are just two points behind in third place.
Next on the agenda for Barcelona is a clash against Valencia on April 29, followed by fixtures against Girona, Real Sociedad, Almería, Rayo Vallecano, and Sevilla to close out the campaign.
John Terry and Andrew Cole were honoured with induction into thePremier League Hall of Fame on Monday, marking their status as the 23rd and 24th former players to receive this prestigious recognition.
Both players boast remarkable achievements, having clinched the Premier League title on five occasions.
Cole secured three consecutive titles with Manchester United from 1999 to 2001, in addition to triumphs in 1996 and 1997.
Meanwhile, Terry achieved back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006, with additional victories in 2010, 2015, and 2017.
Cole’s prolific goal-scoring prowess is evident, as he ranks as the fourth-highest goal scorer in Premier League history, netting an impressive 187 goals in 414 appearances.
His standout performance earned him the Golden Boot accolade during the 1993–94 season while playing for Newcastle.
“I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved in football, which is thanks to my family, my coaches and my team-mates, and being inducted into the Hall of Fame makes me very proud,” Cole said.
“Football is a game of ups and downs, but I enjoyed every single minute of my career. My dad wanted me to play cricket, but I said, ‘No, dad, I think I’m good at football.’ Looking back at my career always fills me with great pride and puts a smile on my face.”
John Terry, Chelsea’s most successful captain, also boasts the record for the most clean sheets as a defender. Additionally, he holds the distinction of being the Premier League’s all-time top-scoring defender, having netted an impressive 41 goals throughout his illustrious career.
“I’m very grateful to have been voted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. I’m a player who certainly gave my all whenever I stepped out on the pitch and to be recognised in this way makes me really proud.
“It’s great to have joined my former team-mates who have already been inducted and to be inducted in the same year as Ashley Cole, who was an incredible player and a close friend.
“I was lucky to share a dressing room with so many top players. To captain a club like Chelsea and achieve what we did as a team is so special to me.
The Premier League is the best league in the world, which every player hopes to play in, and I’m very proud to have won it five times.”
Chelsea could be without top scorer Cole Palmer for Tuesday’s clash against Premier League leaders Arsenal, with the forward struggling to recover from illness, manager Mauricio Pochettino said on Monday.
“Today, no [he cannot play],” Pochettino told a news conference. “We will see tomorrow morning. Today, I don’t believe he can be involved.
“Even if he is good tomorrow, maybe he is not in a condition to play. We hope he can recover from this situation and be involved with the team.”
The 21-year-old player, who participated in Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup semifinal loss to Manchester City, has been a standout performer amid a challenging debut season under Pochettino.
Palmer has emerged as one of the top scorers in the Premier League this season, tallying 20 goals, a feat he shares with City’s Erling Haaland.
His potential absence would pose a setback for Chelsea as they strive to maintain their aspirations of securing a spot in European competition.
Conversely, it could provide a significant advantage for Arsenal as they pursue their first league title in two decades.
Additionally, doubts surround defenders Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell ahead of the upcoming derby at the Emirates, as confirmed by Pochettino.
With 47 points from 31 matches,Chelsea currently occupyninth place in the league standings, trailing seventh-placed Manchester United by three points but holding a game in hand.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández is yet to finalise his decision on his future and is scheduled to meet with the club’s leadership in the coming days.
Sources close to the situation have informed ESPN about the ongoing efforts by the club to persuade Xavi to extend his tenure for the next season.
Xavi, aged 44, had announced his intention to step down at the end of the current season back in January. However, there has been increasing pressure in recent weeks for him to reconsider his decision.
President Joan Laporta, vice president Rafa Yuste, and sporting director Deco have all expressed their desire for Xavi to continue leading the team.
Despite facing the possibility of a trophy-less season after recent defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, Barça’s stance remains unchanged.
The club values Xavi’s contributions since taking over in 2021 and is eager for him to stay on.
Plans are underway for a meeting either this week or the next, with Xavi’s camp understanding the club’s need to plan for the upcoming season.
Xavi may reconsider his decision if certain assurances are provided regarding squad planning and transfers for the 2024–25 season.
While Xavi has previously affirmed the correctness of his decision to step down, he remains open to hearing the club’s perspective.
During his tenure, Xavi led Barça to their first La Liga title since 2019 and has nurtured young talents from the academy.
Barça’s financial constraints have impacted their search for a replacement coach. Rafael Márquez, currently managing Barça’s B team, has emerged as a potential candidate due to his low-cost appeal and ties to the club.
Other options like Hansi Flick andThomas Tuchel are not ruled out,but their appointments would be more challenging given the club’s financial limitations.
Stéphane Roudet, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission Chief for Ghana, has expressed optimism about Ghana’s economic recovery, stating that the country has likely reached its lowest point and is now poised for full recovery.
Roudet emphasised that this positive outlook hinges on the government’s continued adherence to the IMF program, as it has been executed over the past year.
He underscored the importance of maintaining the current trajectory of the program for sustain Ghana’s economic improvement.
Responding to concerns about potential economic challenges stemming from global developments, Roudet dismissed the notion that Ghana’s current recovery might be short-lived. He stressed that maintaining macroeconomic stability depends on the strict implementation of the ongoing program by the government.
Ghana’s performance under the programme
The Mission Chief For Ghana, Stéphane Roudet, also revealed that “Ghana is overperforming under the IMF programme and that is good.”
“Ghana’s programme is delivering on its promises and in fact, it is overdelivering,” the Mission Chief added.
“Growth is also doing better than what we have forecasted and that is also influencing our decision to review our forecast,” he noted.
He said the development is going to prompt them to even review the growth forecast for Ghana for 2024, saying inflation ended last year better than what they had projected.
“We are also surprised as to how growth has performed under Ghana’s programme,” the Mission Chief added.
He said this was never evident, at the beginning of Ghana’s programme.
“The required revenue is being raised, and the Bank of Ghana is also doing its part to ensure that inflation is brought under control, and that is good for the programme,” he noted.
The Mission Chief for Ghana also added that “the external position has also been doing very well; fiscal position is also adjusting in line with the programme working and delivering on its promises.”
“Everything is moving in the right direction and this is something that was not considered at the beginning of the IMF programme.”
Mr. Roudet emphasized that Ghana’s positive economic performance has been bolstered by the country’s unwavering commitment and dedication to implementing the IMF program.
In terms of restoring confidence in Ghana’s economy, Roudet highlighted the importance of various stakeholders, including rating agencies and development partners, viewing the country’s economic trajectory favourably. He stressed that achieving this goal relies heavily on the continued and thorough implementation of the IMF program in the future.
“If the macroeconomic development unfolds as we planned in the IMF programme, then definitely we should expect them to respond as well as all agencies,” the Mission Chief added.
“We are not only looking at the rating agencies responding, Ghanaians as well, domestic stakeholders will realise that, and that will boost confidence in the economy.”
On growth and other projections captured in reports released during the IMF/World Bank spring meetings, Stéphane Roudet noted that those were based on “old assumptions.”
He therefore said the country should expect new numbers when they launch the Regional Economic Outlook.
“We believe that the economy will perform better than had been projected,” Ghana Stephan Roude reiterated.
He added, “Ghana has a growth potential average of 5 per cent going forward in the medium term.”
“Gradually, Ghana will be able to get back to its growth potential going forward,” the Head of Mission concluded.
Commuters who ply the N1-Lapaz road had to deal with huge traffic over the weekend due to the huge crown pulled by Dulcie Boateng’s (also known as Queen of Snapchat) Porial’s Pitch.
The event, which was primarily aimed at connecting clients with vendors of body-enhancing products, also became a hunting ground for the police and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to crackdown on some vendors of unregistered products.
In a tweet by user @OleleSalvador on April 20, he asserted that the organiser of the event, Dulcie, was picked up by the police with some other organisers, however, she escaped from the bus in which they had been put in after the police left to pick up some other culprits.
He said, “Although a resounding success for a maiden edition, Dulcie Boateng’s Porials Pitch event led to arrests over unregistered products, according to
🚨ICYMI🇬🇭🏷️👮🏿♂️: Although a resounding success for a maiden edition, Dulcie Boateng's Porials Pitch event led to arrests over unregistered products, according to @TheGhanaWeb.
@TheGhanaWeb. Unregistered products including boric acid suppository, bootyzone butt enlargement, weight gain syrups, flat tummy potion, and soaps were seized by the police; a dozen of the organisers were equally picked up as well in collaboration with the Pharmacy Council of Ghana and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA)”.
These organisers and vendors who were apprehended are set to be arraigned before court and prosecuted for the sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products according to the statutes of the constitution, Olele mentioned.
“The arrested persons, who were released later after statements were taken, are likely to face charges for selling unapproved soaps and flat-tummy potions, breaching Health Professionals Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013, and FDA regulations on advertisement of unregistered products,” he added.
Man Utd fans areincreasingly vocal about their desire to see Erik ten Hag sacked following a narrow victory over Coventry City in the FA Cup on penalties.
Despite securing a three-goal lead within the first hour, the Red Devils were unable to maintain their advantage as the Championship side fought back to level the score to 3-3 by the end of regular time.
The match ultimately went to penalties, with United prevailing 4-2 in the shootout.
Nevertheless, many supporters are becoming disillusioned with the direction of the team under the Dutch manager. There is a growing sentiment among fans that Ten Hag, the former Ajax boss, may not be the right person to lead the club forward.
Kobbie Mainoo fans tweeted: “Manchester United were this close of getting knocked out by Coventry despite being 3 nil up in 70 min. Sack ten Hag tonight.”
Sam Pilger wrote: “Erik ten Hag cannot survive this embarrassment. An implosion at 3-0 up and should have lost to a Championship side. It’s over.”
One X user commented: “Fire Erik ten Hag TODAY. It’s over. It’s finished,” and Ste added: “There’s never been a more stonewall excuse to sack a manager in United history before. It wasn’t this embarrassing under Moyes. Ten Hag and the squad he assembled have made a mockery of the badge.”
Finally, Alex put: “Do you reckon there are people out there who think Ten Hag is a great coach and if you just get rid of all the ‘bad individuals’ then they’ll suddenly become a really good, functional football team?”
Manchester United have secured a spot in the FA Cup final for the second consecutive season, setting up a showdown against Manchester City. However, their performance in the semi-final victory was far from convincing.
The uncertain future of managerErik ten Hag at Old Traffordis increasingly apparent, and it appears that his tenure with the club may be nearing its end this summer.
Before facing Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley next month, United will first host relegation-threatened Sheffield United and Burnley in their upcoming Premier League fixtures. This will be followed by a trip to Crystal Palace at the beginning of May.
Several prominent European clubs from countries like France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Croatia, and Norway have expressed keen interest in collaborating with the Kenpong Football Academy.
This development follows a comprehensive European tour led by Mr. Kennedy Agyepong (Kenpong), the Chief Executive Officer of the Academy and a renowned business figure.
During this tour, negotiations were finalised with various clubs and individuals aimed at fostering cooperation in player development and facility enhancement at the state-of-the-art Academy located in Winneba.
In a recent telephone interview, Kenpong disclosed that three top European clubs have already finalised agreements and are scheduled to visit Ghana in the upcoming weeks.
One of the notable partnerships secured is with French club Bastia, which has committed to providing materials for the construction of a modern astroturf pitch at the Academy premises.
Additionally, Bastia will offer significant financial support for the project.
In return, Kenpong Academy will facilitate the transfer of promising talents to Bastia and other European clubs.
The visible manifestation of Bastia’s partnership will include their promotional materials and marketing insignia being prominently displayed at the Kenpong Academy.
Furthermore, Bastia will actively contribute to the technical development of the academy by assigning a top-class coach to lead its coaching department.
“It has been a fruitful tour, very engaging, hectic, having travelled extensively, but it has been worthwhile,” said Kenpong.
He added, “I met with the clubs’ CEOs and they are ready to partner with us. They were impressed by the energy and determination of Kenpong and also by the fact that he had single-handedly developed a project like the Academy in Winneba.
“They are ready to travel far with us and that has urged me on to go the extra mile. They accorded me preferential treatment, including VIP seating at the Strasbourg Stadium, and I was humbled by their show of respect. I am indeed grateful for their warm gesture.”
Kenpong had profuse gratitude for S. C. Bastia President Claude Ferrandi and Technical Director Eric Descombes for the exceptional manner in which they received him, opening the club’s offices to him and referring to him as one of their own.
“I am really grateful for the professional manner in which they handled my visit. It warmed my heart greatly.”
In the latter part of 2023, Kenpong, accompanied byformer Black Stars Coach andcaptain Kwasi Appiah, embarked on a tour of several clubs in Spain and France.
During this tour, top officials from Spanish powerhouse Barcelona visited the Kenpong Football Academy in Winneba. Following their visit to the academy, the Barcelona delegation also paid a courtesy call to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Yussif.
FollowingAsante Kotoko’s narrow victory over Samartex on Sunday, April 21, 2024, some local football enthusiasts expressed their dissatisfaction with a penalty awarded to Kotoko during the match.
The controversy arose when Emmanuel Kotei delivered a cross into the Samartex box, where Peter Aminu attempted to make a connection but collided with a Samartex defender.
The referee swiftly awarded Asante Kotoko a penalty, prompting protests from the Samartex team, who argued they were the victims of a foul.
Enoch Morrison successfully converted the penalty in the second half, securing a 1-0 win for Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
However, the decision to award the penalty sparked debate among fans, with some criticising the call and labelling the officiating as ‘disgusting’.
Reactions on X (formerly Twitter) varied, with some questioning the referee’s judgement while others expressed frustration with what they perceived as unfair officiating.
Check out some reactions regarding the penalty awarded toAsante Kotoko.
Was it the player who was attacking Cloetey don do the penelty or the one our player butt him at the 18 line I personally don't get it some one explain it to me
— Ababio-Owusu Ebenezer Me kotoko number AK-0012219 (@Owusu0242802047) April 21, 2024
Paying referees , players and coach ?! Y3 team yi asei
— Prince Milan Bugatti 🇬🇭🇮🇹🇺🇸 (@princemilanbuga) April 22, 2024
Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan,has shed light on the circumstances surrounding his removal as captain ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations under then-coach Kwasi Appiah.
In an interview with Atinka FM, Gyan revealed that Kwasi Appiah was not the mastermind behind his dismissal as captain; rather, he was merely the messenger delivering the news.
While Gyan refrained from naming those responsible for his ousting, he hinted that it might have been a decision orchestrated by the Normalization Committee overseeing Ghana football at the time.
Despite the upheaval, Gyan maintained that he harbours no ill will towards Kwasi Appiah or those involved in the decision-making process. He even suggested that Appiah himself regrets having to deliver the news to him.
“The explanation wasn’t from the coach. I don’t want to go into details but it didn’t come from the coach. It was the period of Normalization Committee so I know it wasn’t coming from him. Kwasi Appiah will insist that it was his decision but I know it wasn’t his decision and he regrets doing it,” Gyan said.
Asamoah Gyan further shared insights into his conversation with Kwasi Appiah regarding the captaincy change.
Gyan revealed that Appiah faced difficulties persuading him about the responsibilities of the new role.
In response to Appiah’s challenges, Gyan stated that he proposed retiring from the team.
“I told him I did not understand the meaning of the role of ‘General Captain’. I asked what it was about and he outlined my duties which were to support him and support the players. I then reminded him that it is the same role as a captain so what did he want with the ‘general’ tag?
“I made the job simple for him by asking if I was being stripped of the captaincy or if I wasn’t part of his plans. His explanation wasn’t going well so I made it simple for him by offering to retire from the team.
I did not want my presence to create any form of tension in the camp so I offered to retire.
I had a change of mind after speaking to the president. After speaking to the president, I went there wholeheartedly with no negative mindset,” he said.
Barely a month beforethe 2019 AFCON, KwasiAppiah rocked his own boat by naming Andre Dede Ayew as the captain of the Black Stars, as a replacement for Asamoah Gyan, who was still in the team.
Asamoah Gyan, who was compensated with the General Captain position, felt disrespected and retired from the team, a decision the legendary striker rescinded upon the intervention of President Akufo-Addo.
Bekwai Police in the Ashanti Region have apprehended two individuals fortheir involvement in anattempted smuggling operation of 253 bags of cocoa beans, according to a report by Mynewsgh.com.
The police seized a Kia truck, registered under GT 2826-Z, which was utilized in transporting the cocoa beans.
Authorities received intelligence on Saturday, April 20, 2024, indicating that the truck was transporting suspected cocoa beans from the Fomena area towards Bekwai.
Upon receiving this information, law enforcement officials mobilised to the area.
initially unable to locate the specified truck, patrols in the Asanso region, moving towards Aputuogya, resulted in the interception of the truck.
The vehicle was occupied by Davis Inkoom and Eric Osom.
A thorough search of the truck uncovered 253 bags of cocoa beans, confirmed by officials from the Cocoa Quality Control Unit in Bekwai, affirming that the goods were indeed being smuggled.
Subsequently, Eric Osom and Davis Inkoom were arrested and are currently in the custody of the Bekwai police,assisting with ongoing investigations.
The truck remains impounded as part of the investigation process.
