National Petroleum Authority (NPA)Dampare is Ghana’s finest IGP till date – Ahafo NPP Chairmanrecently held a three-day workshop on downstream compliance in Accra, with the aim of educating managers and supervisors from oil marketing companies (OMCs) on industry-related matters.
The primary objective of this workshop, organized by the NPA’s Business Development Department, was to enhance OMCs’ adherence to the regulatory requirements established by the authority, thereby helping them avoid potential sanctions.
Deputy Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mrs. Linda Asante, , inaugurated the workshop and emphasised the NPA’s commitment to providing industry players with the essential information necessary to meet operational standards.
Mrs. Linda Asante, Deputy Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA)
She assured participants that the NPA is always available to provide them with direct information and cautioned against involving third parties in such matters.
Mrs. Asante also encouraged OMCs to utilise the authority’s website as a valuable resource for accessing information.
Furthermore, Mrs. Asante acknowledged the challenges faced by the downstream sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, including fluctuations in exchange rates and rising petroleum product prices.
She highlighted the collaborative efforts between the NPA and industry stakeholders to make the sector more resilient and robust in response to these challenges.
Mr. Kwaku Agyemang-Duah, the Chief Executive Officer and Industry Coordinator of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies, emphasized the significance of compliance in ensuring the success and sustainability of businesses.
He commended theNPA for organising the workshop, recognizing it as an opportunity for industry players to exchange ideas and effectively address compliance-related challenges.
Spanish prosecutors have requested a restraining order to keep formerfootball chief Luis Rubiales (46) away from national team player Jenni Hermoso (33) as part of an investigation into sexual assault.
The alleged incident, in which Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips at the medal ceremony following Spain’s women’s team’s World Cup victory in Sydney, Australia, on August 20th, has sparked widespread outrage over sexism in Spanish sports and society, leading to protests reminiscent of the “Me Too” movement.
Rubiales claims the kiss was consensual, while Hermoso contends that it was forced upon her.
If granted, the restraining order would prohibit Rubiales from contacting Hermoso or approaching within 500 metres of her.
Rubiales, dressed in a black suit over a white shirt, left the High Court in Madrid accompanied by his lawyer, Olga Tubau, after a closed-door investigative hearing lasting approximately an hour.
He did not communicate with the media waiting outside.
During his testimony, Rubiales refuted the allegations, as per a statement from the prosecutor’s office.
After weeks of resisting calls from players, politicians, and women’s advocacy groups to step down as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Rubiales finally resigned on September 10th.
However, he remains unapologetic, asserting that his actions were consensual in a moment of celebration and joy.
Local media reported that women’s players, including the World Cup-winning squad, intended to continue their boycott of the national team until further changes were made within the federation.
State prosecutor Marta Durantez Gil subsequently filed a legal complaint, including a possible charge of coercion, as Hermoso claimed she and her family were pressured by Rubiales and his associates to state that she had approved of the incident.
🚨 | Spanish FA president captured kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips during ceremony. The player later said that she did not enjoy it. pic.twitter.com/Gh7NUWzZnU
Judge Francisco de Jorge is heading the inquiry, which is a necessary step preceding any formalcharges under Spanish law.
He will determine whether the case should proceed to trial, and if it does, the potential consequences for Rubiales could include a prison sentence ranging from one to four years.
He emphasised the importance of establishing malice or intentionality to classify a sexual action as assault.
De Jorge has instructed various media outlets, including state broadcaster TVE, to provide him with footage of the incident and subsequent videos.
One of these videos shows the players celebrating on a bus with Rubiales, making what seemed to be light-hearted references to the kiss. The investigation is expected to span several months.
This legal case will also serve as a public examination of the flagship “Solo sí es sí” (Only yes is yes) law of the leftist coalition government, which places consent at the core of sexual relationships.
Numerous players, sports organisations, and politicians have expressed their support for Hermoso through a campaign united under the hashtag #SeAcabó (It’s Over) on social media.
Over 80 of Spain’s leading female players, including the 23 world champions, have declined to participate in the national team until there are changes in the management and approach of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Despite Rubiales’ resignation and the appointment of assistant coach Montse Tome to replace team coach Jorge Vilda, the players informed the RFEF on Friday that they would maintain their boycott.
Spain’s male-dominated football establishment faced another setback on Thursday when police arrested three youth players from Real Madrid on suspicion of distributing a sexually explicit video involving a minor. The mother of a 16-year-old in the Canary Islands filed a complaint, alleging that the video had been recorded without her consent, according to police reports.
This young player made his first appearance for the Ligue 1 champions in December 2022, while he was still just 15 years old.
He featured in a friendly match against Paris FC at that time and was also part of PSG’s pre-season preparations for the 2023–24 season, playing in a 3-0 victory against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors during the club’s Asia tour.
Ethan and Mbappe
Now, Mbappe junior has been named in a Ligue 1 matchday squad as PSG prepares to face Nice at Parc des Princes on Friday.
He will be hoping for the opportunity to take the field if the circumstances allow during the match.
Ethan Mbappe joined PSG alongside his World Cup-winning brother in 2017, moving from AS Bondy.
In the summer of 2021, he signed a three-year contract with the club, and later that year, he made his debut for the France U21 national team.
He is, however, still inFrance and Ethan has previously said of working with his sibling: “A huge pride to be able to play with you, big brother.”
Ratings agency Fitch has stated that it does not anticipate the inclusion of Treasury bills in the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme in the foreseeable future.
The UK-based firm has pointed out that despite the attractive returns offered by these short-term securities, they are the government’s sole remaining financing option.
Consequently, incorporating them into the domestic debt restructuring plan would be highly detrimental.
This perspective was shared by Toby Illes, a Senior Director specialising in Emerging markets and African Sovereign Ratings at Fitch Ratings, during the Africa Webinar Series.
The Webinar series titled “Reform and New Challenges in Western Africa,” said the government will not restructure T-bills.
“We don’t expect T-bills to be restructured. Just given the need for that financing tool, we wouldn’t expect that to be included”.
“In Ghana’s case, it is generally very complicated to include that in domestic debt restructuring. I guess the main question is that domestic debt restructuring we would have now is about that the domestic debt restructuring is more about medium term when actually you move a lot of these maturities down the line”, he said
He, however, expressed worry about the huge domestic debt servicing expected in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
This complaint stems from an incident in which he allegedly kissed player Jenni Hermoso (33) on the lips without her consent. This incident has ignited a heated debate about sexism in Spanish sports and society.
The events of August 20th overshadowed the national women’s team’s World Cup victory in Sydney and sparked protests akin to the MeToo movement.
It encouraged other women to step forward with accounts of sexist mistreatment and assaults, sending shockwaves through Spain’s predominantly male-dominated football hierarchy.
Rubiales has consistently maintained that the kiss was mutual and consensual.
Despite resisting calls to resign as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for weeks, Rubiales, who was already suspended by FIFA, ultimately stepped down on September 10th.
However, he has not expressed remorse for his actions.
“I am a good person, that in a moment of maximum happiness, with consent, asking beforehand…In truth, there can be no other intention than the celebration and the joy itself,” he told British television interviewer Piers Morgan on Sunday.
He likened the celebratory atmosphere in Sydney to winning a lottery or seeing a war end, situations in which he said “people don’t ask permissions”.
Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz has called his actions “shameful” and said they showed that male chauvinism was still systemic in Spanish society.
This action followed Hermoso’s statement to prosecutors, in which she alleged that Rubiales kissed her on the mouth without her consent while firmly holding her head with both hands during the medal ceremony.
The prosecutor also introduced the possibility of a coercion charge, as Hermoso claimed that she and her family felt pressured by Rubiales and his associates to publicly state that she “justified and approved what happened.”
Judge Francisco de Jorge has been assigned to conduct an inquiry as mandated by Spanish law before any formal charges can be brought.
He will determine whether the case should proceed to trial. If it does, Rubiales could potentially face a prison sentence ranging from one to four years.
De Jorge has issued orders for several media outlets, including state broadcaster TVE, to provide him with footage of the incident and subsequent videos. One such video depicts players celebrating on a bus with Rubiales, making what appeared to be lighthearted references to the kiss. The investigative process is expected to span several months.
Friday’s hearing is behind closed doors.
The legal case will also serve as a public test for the flagship “Solo si es si” (Only yes is yes) law of the leftist coalition government, which places consent at the core of sexual relations.
A substantial number of players, sports organisations, and politicians have thrown their support behind Hermoso in a campaign centred around the hashtag #SeAcabó (It’s Over) on social media. This reflects the nation’s growing intolerance towards abuse.
In a significant show of solidarity, Spain’s top 87 female players, including the 23 world champions, have opted not to represent the national team until there are changes in the management and approach of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
As a response to this pressure, the RFEF has dismissed women’s team coach Jorge Vilda (42) and appointed his assistant Montse Tome (41) as the first woman to lead the team.
Left-back Olga Carmona (23) stated this week that the players have yet to determine if these changes are sufficient to prompt their return to the team.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has raised questions about the Blues’ staggering £1 billion ($1.2bn) spending spree, expressing his unfamiliarity with some of their recent signings.
Since Todd Boehly’s takeover of the club in the summer of 2022, the Premier League giants have made substantial investments.
They have splurged eye-popping amounts of money on a roster that includes Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, Enzo Fernandez, Malo Gusto, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Cole Palmer.
Begovic, who spent two seasons at Stamford Bridge between 2015 and 2017, has told The Byline podcast of business in west London: “If you’re spending £115 million on Caicedo, surely you spend £120 million on Declan Rice? I don’t know Declan personally, I’m not saying he doesn’t want to play for Arsenal, but hand on heart, I think he’d have wanted to go to Chelsea.
You look at some of these players and think, ‘How is Declan Rice going somewhere else?’ Players like this, they would go to Chelsea in the past; players in their prime, and Declan Rice is in his prime.
“I watch football like a mad man and I’m not familiar with half these players! For me, it’s odd; the whole thing is very odd. I don’t see the construction of the team; this whole rebuilding transition phase is a bit of an excuse to me.
“I’m not saying I don’t like Enzo Fernandez, but if we’re going to spend £230 million on him and Caicedo, thenI’d prefer Declan Rice over any of those players if I can get him. Get the best players through the door, please.”
Asmir Begovic
Ex-Bosnia international Begovic, who took in 33 appearances for the Blues and is now on the books at Queens Park Rangers, added: “Honestly, I mean, in the last 12 months… what has happened at Chelsea football club? It just beggars belief. I mean, with the squad of players at Mauricio Pochettino’s disposal, the amount of money spent is 12th in the league—it’s mid-table! It is literally mid-table. If they were any higher, you would be working miracles. You have a bit of bad luck with Christopher Nkunku, I get it; he’s a top player. Cole Palmer has only just come in.
“But what is going on with the recruitment of these players? Why is Chelsea’s football club rebuilding? Why is Chelsea Football Club in a transition? This is one of the best. I mean, I’ve been there. I’m proud to have been there. It’s one of the best locations to play football in the world.
“I remember being with players in the dressing room, world class, world class, world class. Buying from Barcelona, buying from Real Madrid, and buying from Bayern Munich It’s like we’re buying from Brighton, potential players. And I get you need a part of that, but where is the top world-class players?”
Jude Bellingham has had a remarkable beginning to his journey in Spain, finding the net five times in just four games. He’s now back in training following the international break.
The English midfielder’s outstanding performance extended from his fantastic start at Madrid to the England national team, where he played a pivotal role in a 3-1 victory over Scotland.
Bellingham was all smiles in training alongside Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelian Tchouameni.
Jude B story
Bellingham’s La Liga scoring record at the start of his career has only been surpassed by Radamel Falcao’s incredible start with Atletico Madrid, where the Colombian striker scored six goals in his first four games.
The 21-year-old forward made his move to Spain after being informed that he was not part of Manchester United’s immediate plans.
Although he remains under contract with United until 2025, he hasn’t played for the Premier League club since January 2022.
This absence was due to an ongoing internal investigation following his arrest on charges of attempted rape, assault, and coercive control.
However, these charges were dropped in February 2023, allowing Greenwood to refocus on his professional career.
He is now on a season-long loan with La Liga’s Getafe.
According to the Daily Mail, within a week of his arrival, more shirts with ‘Greenwood 12’ on the back were sold than for any other player in the club’s history.
His unveiling drew a crowd of 4,000 supporters, and there’s a possibility he might make his debut against Osasuna on Sunday.
Greenwood has also had the opportunity to meet with Getafe’s president, and Manchester United is covering the expenses for his accommodation in Spain, providing a 24/7 translator, and arranging regular visits from his friends and family.
As for his long-term future, no decisions have been made yet beyond the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, and Manchester United continues to cover the majority of his salary.
There are reports that the players of Asante Kotoko, who clinched the 2020/21Ghana Premier League title, have not received any financial compensation despite promises made by the Board and Management.
This has been the case for two years since their championship win.
Sources within the club report that the Board had pledged to provide each player with $5,000, while the Management had assured the players of a special package. However, none of these promises have been fulfilled.
“The Board promised to give each player $5000 after we had won the title but Management did not make any promises. They only said there is a special package for us but to date, no player has received any of the above. I dare any player to come out and say otherwise. It caused most of the players to leave”, the source disclosed.
The source mentioned that, after months of travelling the length and breadth of Ghana to win Kotoko their 24th title, they have been treated poorly despite making loads of sacrifices for the club.
“After we won the league, we have not received a penny. We went to the residence of former President John Agyekum Kuffour and he offered us some cash. We had to share the money with the management at that same place. Each player got 600 cedis, which most of us used as transportation back to our homes”, the source added.
Explaining the unfair treatment by the club, the source disclosed, “When we came home after the season had ended, they still had salary arrears of two months. They called us to report for pre-season but we all declined and asked them to pay us.
“We went through hell before they deposited ouraccounts with our money. It was one of the seasons most of us left because the treatment was bad. They look good in the sight of many but they don’t treat players fairly”, the source further stated.
Manchester United has taken disciplinary action by suspending English winger Jadon Sancho from the first team due to behavioural issues.
In an official statement released on Thursday, September 14, 2023, the club announced that the player has been placed on a ‘personal training programme.’
“Jadon Sancho will remain on a personal training programme away from the first-team group, pending resolution of a squad discipline issue.”
Jadon Sancho’s suspension is a consequence of his public response to Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag’s justification for omitting him from the team’s lineup against Arsenal on Saturday, September 3, 2023.
Erik Ten Haag had explained that Sancho was excluded due to subpar performance in training sessions.
Sancho, in his reaction to Ten Haag’s explanation, claimed that he was being unfairly singled out as a “scapegoat.”
He now becomes the second player to face suspension, following Antony, who is currently under investigation for allegations of domestic violence.
Barcelona has initiated contact with Nico Williams’ agent as the Athletic Bilbao forward’s contract is set to expire next summer, as reported by Diario Sport.
At just 21 years old, Williams has had an impressive start to the LaLiga season with Athletic and showcased his abilities during the international break while playing for Spain, contributing to three goals in victories against Georgia and Cyprus.
Given their financial constraints, Barcelona is actively seeking free-agent options for the upcoming summer, and Williams is considered one of the top prospects on their radar.
Nico Williams
Athletic is eager to extend Williams’ contract, which has prompted Barcelona to inform the player’s agent, Felix Tainta, of their interest should he opt not to renew his current contract.
Williams, who is versatile enough to play on either the left or right side of a front three, happens to be the brother of hisAthletic teammate, Iñaki.
Osimhen secured his spot on the shortlist following his outstanding performance with Napoli in the previous season.
The 24-year-old netted an impressive 26 goals in Serie A, a significant contribution to Napoli’s first Serie A title in 33 years. He not only claimed the top scorer title but also set a record as the highest-scoring African player in the Italian top flight.
Osimhen’s remarkable season extended into the UEFA Champions League, where he scored five goals and played a pivotal role in guiding Napoli to their best-ever finish in the competition, reaching the quarterfinals.
Among the other nominees for this prestigious award are football stars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Declan Rice, Erling Haaland, Rodrigo (Manchester City), Julian Alvarez, Marcelo Brozovic, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Bernardo Silva.
The Organizing Committee for the2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) , scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast from Saturday, January 13 to Sunday, February 2024, has plans to offer transportation services to accommodate fans and tourists attending the tournament.
This upcoming AFCON will mark the 34th edition of the competition, and it will be hosted in five cities: Abidjan, Bouake, Korhogo, Yamoussoukro, and San Pedro.
A Facebook post, as noted by GhanaWeb, indicates that various transportation options will be available, including branded buses, taxis, gbakas (local minibusses), and boat buses.
The2023 AFCON will feature 24 nations competing for the championship when the continental tournament commences next year. Notable countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Algeria, Egypt, and others will be contending for the coveted trophy.
The Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has stepped in to assist Legon Cities goalkeeper William Essu, who has been battling a severe illness for several weeks.
Essu has been fighting for his life during this challenging period of illness.
It was reported that the goalkeeper had sent an email to Ghana’s U23 head coach, Ibrahim Tanko, in which he requested the release of their qualification bonus to use it for his medical treatment.
In a display of solidarity, PFAG’s Vice President, Tetteh Zutah, and General Secretary, Anthony Baffoe, visited William Essu to offer their support and words of encouragement during this difficult time.
William Essu
The visit from Tetteh Zutah and Anthony Baffoe deeply moved the goalkeeper, known for his outstanding goalkeeping skills.
Read the official statement from the PFAG below
As a Union dedicated to the welfare and well-being of professional footballers in Ghana, the PFAG reaffirms its commitment to providing support to Essu throughout his recovery journey.
The PFAG believes that the strength of the Union lies in its ability to stand by its members in times of need. We conveyed the importance of staying strong and persevering through difficulties, both in football and in life.
This demonstration of solidarity reflects the broader commitment of the PFAG to stand by its members in times of need.
Our visit also serves as a poignant reminder that, beyond the game, these footballers are human beings who can lean on one another for support and inspiration during life’s challenges.
Cerezo noted that Carrasco is now earning wages that are “10 times” higher and stated that he would have made the same decision himself.
Winger Carrasco, aged 30, completed his transfer to Al Shabab on September 5, after the Spanish transfer window had already closed, leaving Atletico unable to find a replacement.
“He’s done well to leave,” Cerezo told COPE radio on Wednesday. “The contract they offered him was 10 times bigger. I would have done the same.”
This marked the second occasion that Carrasco had left Atletico in pursuit of a lucrative contract. He initially made a move to the Chinese club Dalian Professional in 2018 before eventually making his return to LaLiga.
Midfielder Saul Niguez acknowledged on Wednesday that Carrasco, a significant contributor to the Atletico team that secured LaLiga victory in 2021, would be a notable absence.
“The [Saudi] Arabia issue is simple for me, they offered him a lot of years, financially better and in the end you have to assess everything and see what’s best for him,” Saul said, speaking at a LaLiga event.
“He’s a special player because he had different characteristics to the rest, that made him different, it’s a tough departure.
“But thanks to the transfer market and the seasons last year of Roro [Riquelme], Samuel Lino and Javi Galan, the position is well covered.”
Last month, the Ghanaian international suffered a groin injury just before the international break, causing him to miss Arsenal’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Manchester United and Ghana’s matches against the Central African Republic (CAR) and Liberia.
Despite his absence, Ghana secured a spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), to be held in Ivory Coast next year, with a 2-1 win over CAR at the Baba Yara Stadium.
In an international friendly, Ghana also triumphed 3-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium under the guidance of Chris Hughton.
Partey remains optimistic about returning to play in October, but Arsenal will closely monitor his progress and won’t rush his comeback.
For the current season, Barcelona’s new wage cap stands at €270 million, a substantial decrease from the previous €648 million cap set back in February. This cap applies for the first five months and is subject to review after the January transfer window.
Real Madrid’s budget for the 2023–24 La Liga season is €727 million, with Atletico Madrid slightly surpassing Barcelona at €296 million.
The top five in terms of budget are rounded out by Sevilla (€168 million) and Villarreal (€143 million).
The spending cap is primarily determined by the gap between a team’s earnings and non-sporting expenses, as well as debt repayments.
Barcelona’s decrease in the spending cap is partly due to the declining impact of “palancas,” which are assets sold to improve short-term finances.
One such asset sale, Barca Studios (now Barca Vision), did not yield the expected funds in 2022, leading to its resale during the summer.
However, these funds still did not arrive by the close of the transfer window, prompting President Joan Laporta and the board to provide a €20 million guarantee to complete all summer business with La Liga.
During the summer, Barcelona made limited signings, including Oriol Romeu (€3.5 million), Ilkay Gundogan, and Inigo Martinez.
They also secured season-long loans for Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo. To balance their finances, high earners such as Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba departed, and transfer fees were received for Ousmane Dembele and Franck Kessie.
Additional departures included Abde Ezzalzouli, Samuel Umtiti, and Nico Gonzalez, while Ansu Fati, Clement Lenglet, and Sergiño Dest were sent on loan.
Barcelona managed to reduce their annual sporting costs from €560 million to approximately €400 million, but these still exceed the league’s imposed cap.
Consequently, they will face restrictions when the transfer window reopens in January, especially with regards to spending on other teams like the B team, women’s team, and basketball team.
President Joan Laporta and the club’s leadership will once again need to take cost-cutting measures or explore alternative means to raise funds if they intend to continue with their current roster of players.
Nigeria has experienced extensive power cuts due to a “total system collapse,” as reported by electricity distribution companies.
Early on Thursday, power generation levels plummeted to zero megawatts. Although some supply has been restored, it remains significantly below the usual consumption levels in Africa’s most populous nation.
Nigeria frequently grapples with unreliable power supplies, despite being a major producer of oil and gas. This represents the most severe outage in a year, with the country’s grid collapsing at least four times in 2022, typically attributed to technical issues by authorities.
Access to a consistent power supply is available to less than half of Nigeria’s population, with many relying on alternative sources such as generators and inverters.
Most homes and businesses use a combination of these sources in addition to the national grid.
In theory, Nigeria has the capacity to generate up to 12,500 MW of power, but in practise, it typically produces only a quarter of that capacity, according to Reuters.
Around 10:30 local time on Thursday (09:30 GMT), power levels increased from zero to 273 MW, which still falls significantly short of the daily average of 4,100 MW, as indicated by data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu, who has been in office for just over 100 days, has pledged to enhance the power supply bypermitting state governments to establish their own power plants.
Vinai Venkatesham, who has been with thePremier League club for over a decade, will be leaving his position in the summer of 2024.
Arsenal has officially confirmed that Venkatesham will step down at the conclusion of the ongoing season.
He initially joined the club in 2010 as the head of global partnerships and gradually worked his way up within the Premier League club. Venkatesham assumed the role of CEO in 2018 but has now decided to conclude his tenure with the Gunners.
“This was a tough decision, but it is time to pursue another challenge,” he told the club’s official website. “Now is not the time for goodbyes, as I remain focused until my last day and support a seamless transition.”
Arsenal has expressed gratitude to Venkatesham for his dedicated service to the club and will now turn its attention to the process of finding his replacement at the Emirates Stadium.
“The Board is fully supportive of Vinai’s desire to pursue his next challenge. While it is business as usual with everyone focused on the season ahead, we’d like to take this moment to thank him for his contribution and long service. Vinai will always be part of the Arsenal family and always be welcome back at Emirates Stadium,” said co-chair Josh Kroenke.
“Change and succession is something the club is well prepared for. The Board remains committed to our strategy and will address leadership change as we continue to drive the club forward.”
Last week, Sancho expressed his frustration towardsManchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, after Ten Hag mentioned that he was omitted from the squad for the Arsenal game due to his training performance.
However, according to The Athletic, United had been growing increasingly concerned with Sancho’s issues related to punctuality.
In response, they implemented a schedule that was set one hour ahead of the regular timing, which initially had some success before Sancho reverted to his previous habits.
The report also highlighted Ten Hag’s exasperation with Sancho’s punctuality and what he perceived as a lack of enthusiasm during training sessions.
Additionally, it noted that several of Sancho’s United teammates had also become frustrated with his performance, as he has not lived up to expectations since his £74 million ($92 million) transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2021.
During the international break, Sancho took a holiday to New York.
However, in a positive sign, he deleted his earlier social media post in which he criticised Ten Hag.
This deletion is seen as an indication of his willingness to mend his relationship with the manager.
Chelsea’s defender Thiago Silva has expressed his dissatisfaction with his EAFC 24 rating, implying that the game developers might have been watching matches with their eyes closed.
Despite still performing at a high level at the age of 38, the Brazilian international defender has observed a decrease in his overall rating in the upcoming game release by EA Sports, scheduled for September 29.
His commanding presence has earned him an 84-rated base card. Silva’s overall rating has dropped by two points, placing him on par with his teammate Reece James and two points behind Chelsea’s new signing, Christopher Nkunku.
In a ratings reveal on the Premier League’s YouTube channel, Silva said when being made aware of his score: “They’re not watching football; they’re watching the games like this [with their eyes closed].”
While questioning his card, Silva did say, when asked if he would change any of his attribute ratings: “Not really. I think that obviously, offensively, I can improve because I didn’t get a single goal last year. This year I think I can improve my attacking because defensively I’m good.”
Chelsea are counting the cost of their 12th-place finish in the Premier League last season, with Raheem Sterling also seeing his ratings dip from 86 to 83.
The Blues have only seven players with ratings of 80 or over: Sterling, Silva, Nkunku, James, Enzo Fernandez, Ben Chilwell and Moises Caicedo – with summer recruits Romeo Lavia (73) and Cole Palmer (66) having to settle for silver cards.
Former Black Stars goalkeeper George Owu is urging Ghanaians to refrain from criticising Andre Ayew’s inclusion in the Ghana squads, even though he has faced inconsistency in club engagements lately.
The Ghana captain is presently without a club, having parted ways with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at the conclusion of the previous season.
Nonetheless, he was named in Chris Hughton’s recent squad for Ghana’s matches against the Central African Republic (CAR) in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers and an international friendly against Liberia.
Ayew came off the bench to contribute to Ghana’s 3-1 victory in the friendly.
Despite the concerns raised by many Ghanaians regarding the 33-year-old’s inclusion, George Owu supports Hughton’s reasoning, emphasising the importance of experience as a key factor in Ayew’s selection.
The former Hasaacas goalkeeper believes that, at this stage, the team requires Ayew’s presence for stability since the current players are not yet fully seasoned.
“It is a new team with just a few experienced players. Andre Ayew and Jordan are the only experienced players. The likes of Kudus are now finding their feet,” George Owu told Onua Sports.
André Ayew has made significant contributions to Ghanaian football, including winning the U-20 World Cup in 2009. However, he appears discontented whenever he represents Ghana, primarily due to the treatment he receives from fans.
“We need to be patient with him [Andre Ayew]. There will definitely be a time when he will willingly announce his retirement but at this moment he is still needed.
“There are players who lack motivation to play for fear of criticism and it would takepeople like Ayew to elevate their morale.
“The insults and criticisms are needless and it won’t help the new player settling in,” he added.
Following negotiations with players’ unions regarding a new minimum wage, female players inSpain’s top-flight league (Liga F) have decided to end their strike.
The players’ initial request was to increase the current minimum yearly salary of €16,000 (£13.7k or $17.2k). They sought a minimum wage of €25,000 (£21.5k/$26.8k) for the current season and €30,000 (£25.8k/$32.1k) for the following season.
A new minimum wage structure has now been agreed upon, with €21,000 (£18k/$22.5k) set for the current season, €22,500 (£19.3k/$24.1k) for the 2024–25 season, and €23,500 (£20.2k/$25.2k) for the 2025–26 season.
These amounts will increase by €2,500, €2,500, and €4,500, respectively, based on revenue generated from commercial activities. This new arrangement replaces the previous wage structure, which was in place prior to the complete professionalisation of Liga F in 2020.
“This step is the beginning and only part of the agreement,” FUTPRO, the association of Spanish professional female players, said in a statement. “Now it is time to work to advance in such important points as maternity, harassment protocol, compensation list and others that we consider equally important for thecorrect development of the activity of our football players.”
Liga F said in a statement: “The commitment and repeated efforts of the clubs during the negotiation process have fundamentally contributed to achieving the much-needed peace scenario without losing sight of the sustainability of the competition. A scenario that we hope will show the way to the rest of the institutions that are part of Spanish sport and allow the project of women’s professional football to be promoted.”
Before the recent agreement, Liga F had suggested an initial increase to €18,000 (£15.4k/$19.3k), with subsequent gradual raises that would ultimately reach €25,000 (£21.5k/$26.8k) within three seasons. Furthermore, the deal included additional benefits such as childcare support for players’ children during training, dedicated nursing facilities, and educational grants.
The five unions representing Spain’s female players had a meeting with Liga F just prior to the strike announcement. During this meeting, another proposal was discussed, involving a €20,000 (£17.2k or $21.4k) minimum wage. It was also agreed that if the league generated more than €8 million in commercial profits this season, the minimum wage would be reviewed and increased to €23,000 (£19.7k/$24.6k).
This comes after the 21-year-old goalkeeper called on Coach Ibrahim Tanko, the entire Management of the Black Meteors, and the Ghana Football Association to come to his aid.
In an interview with Angel FM, Enu said the sickness began while Essu was with Ghana U-23 and has kept him on the sick bed for about five months.
Adding that “The CEO called this morning and told us to send him to 37 (the military hospital) in Accra,”
“When they called us, we told them that we tried several hospitals but he could not feel any better, so we are considering using other means.
“They asked how much we would need to fund it and we told them that we can’t quote an amount. Therefore, they should send what they are willing to offer or pay his three months salary so we will use it.”
The keeper’s brother continued that, and the club agreed to the family’s suggestion of seeking spiritual aid to better his brother’s health, hence sending an undisclosed amount to help fund the player’s health care.
“But for five months we’ve been going to the hospital and have not gotten any better outcomes, so we believe that his sickness is beyond the hospital.
“When it started, he texted them but they didn’t mind him. He also called them; they didn’t mind him.So if not for their goalkeeper (Silverster Sackey), who died, probably they wouldn’t have known that he was sick,” Enu said.
“They sent us some money, which will help,” he said.
Essu’s health condition became topical after his pictures as well as his letter to the Ghana Football Association seeking the release of bonuses due him to fund his health care went viral.
He said his brother failed to travel with the team to Morocco after feeling unfit at the airport.
“It started about five months ago. He felt sick at the airport while about to travel with the U-23 team to Morocco so he came home because of the condition.
“We sent him to the hospital and the number of drips he has had will surprise you. He has done lab tests and so many things. They checked him multiple times but couldn’t find anything.”
The images of Essu gained widespread attention as numerous local football fans voiced their dissatisfaction with his club, Legon Cities, for not giving enough consideration to the well-being of their players.
He revealed his need for another medical examination, but regrettably, he is unable to cover the expenses as he has already depleted his savings on medical treatment, with no positive outcome.
His unfortunate circumstances came to light online a day after Legon Cities officially announced the passing of their first-choice goalkeeper, Sylvester Sackey, due to a brief illness, in a statement released on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
Cristiano Ronaldo is expanding his business interests by undertaking a substantial project in Oeiras, Portugal, involving the construction of a massive padel complex featuring 17 courts.
The renowned five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been granted the contract for this new ‘City of Padel’ by the Portuguese Padel Federation.
The venue, located in Oeiras, a coastal town just outside Lisbon, has been chosen for its suitability to host international padel competitions.
Ronaldo’s company, ‘CR7,’ is planning to invest €5 million (£4.3 million or $5.4 million) in this endeavour.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a known enthusiast of this fast-paced sport, which has experienced a significant surge in popularity in recent years.
Padel, a racket sport that employs a scoring system similar to tennis, distinguishes itself by being exclusively played in doubles within enclosed courts, using smaller rackets without strings.
The president of the Portuguese Padel Federation, Ricardo Oliveira, was delighted with the agreement. “It’s a dream come true,” he said. “We couldn’t have better partners.
“A great businessman and the best sportsman in the world. We can say, with total certainty that the facilities will be unparalleled. This will consolidate Portugal as an international padel power”.
The draw for the 2023 FIFA U17 World Cup, set to be hosted in Indonesia, is set for September 15 in Zurich, Switzerland and former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah, appointed by FIFA, will represent Ghana at the draw ceremony.
Notably, Ghana did not qualify for the tournament’s final rounds.
Appiah brings valuable experience, having previously won the FIFA U17 World Cup with Ghana back in 1995, when it was held in Ecuador.
The African representation in the tournament will come from the U17 champions, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Morocco.
These teams will be joined by 20 other nations: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Indonesia, IR Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, Mexico, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Panama, Poland, Spain, USA, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela.
The 24 participating nations will be drawn into six groups, each consisting of four teams. Each group will receive one team from each of the four pots.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Indonesia from November 10 to December 2, 2023.
This event marks Indonesia’s inaugural hosting of a FIFA tournament and the first time the FIFA U17 World Cup will be held in Southeast Asia.
Additionally, it represents the firstFIFA tournament in the region since the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup, hosted in Thailand.
Zoe has posted a heartfelt statement on social media condemning the treatment of the Manchester United player. During England’s recent friendly against Scotland at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Maguire was brought on as a substitute when Marc Guehi suffered an injury.
Regrettably, Maguire then unintentionally scored an own goal in the 67th minute by inadvertently redirecting a Scotland cross into his team’s net.
She wrote: “As a mum seeing the level of negative and abusive comments which my son is receiving from some fans, pundits and the media is disgraceful and totally unacceptable to any walk of life, never mind someone who works his socks off for club and country.”
“I was there in the stand as usual, It’s not acceptable what’s been created over nothing. I understand that in the football world there are ups and downs, positives and negatives but what Harry receives has gone far beyond ‘football’.”
“For me, seeing him go through what he’s going through is not okay. I would hate to have to see any other parents or players go through this in the future, especially the young boys and girls breaking through the ranks today.
“Harry has a massive heart and it’s a good job he’s mentally strong and can handle it, as others may not be able to. I wish this sort of abuse on nobody.”
Following the game, England manager Gareth Southgate expressed his frustration at the treatment Harry Maguire received, describing it as “a joke”.
Southgate also implied that this unfair treatment was a consequence of an unjust narrative that has developed around Maguire over the past few years.
During the summer, there were rumours linking Maguire to a potential move to West Ham, but the transfer did not materialise.
As a result, the former Manchester United captain has continued to struggle for playing time under Erik ten Hag.
Despite facing taunts from the fans, Maguire has affirmed his ability to handle the pressure and remains confident about getting playing opportunities at Old Trafford this season, even though he has fallen down the pecking order.
Pogba’s injury troubles have limited his club football appearances this season to just 52 minutes, and he now faces the possibility of a four-year ban if it is determined that he intentionally used the banned substance.
Initially, he is suspended for two years, which could lead to the termination of his contract with Juventus.
According to reports from La Repubblica, Juventus is already exploring potential replacements for Pogba.
Arsenal’s midfielder, Thomas Partey, has long been on their radar, and they inquired about his availability during the summer.
Although Arsenal is hesitant to sell, given the presence of Declan Rice in their squad for the holding midfield role, their stance might change if the right offer is presented.
Partey, a Ghanaian international, is currently recovering from a hamstring injury but has already made appearances in three Premier League games forArsenal in the 2023–24 season.
Former midfielder Jesse Lingard, who played for Manchester United and West Ham, has posted a mysterious message on social media, leaving his future uncertain.
Lingard shared this enigmatic message on his Instagram stories following his release by Nottingham Forest when his contract expired during the summer.
“Shoutout to the young people out there who are grinding on a dream that no one thinks is possible. The critics are wrong. You’ll make it happen if you never quit,” he wrote on his Instagram stories.
Nottingham Forest suffered relegation during the summer after spending a year in the Premier League.
Jesse Lingard, who signed a one-year contract with Forest, played a pivotal role in their journey to the Carabao Cup semi-finals last season, contributing two goals.
Nevertheless, he, along with five other players, was released during the summer.
The former West Ham United midfielder is currently without a club and is a free agent, training with David Moyes’ team as he continues his search for his next club.
Barcelona is facing additional financial challenges as a crucial investor has failed to provide the necessary funds to complete an important deal, leaving President Joan Laporta in a precarious position.
Last month, Barcelona reached an agreement with Libero, a football finance company listed in Frankfurt, to acquire a 9.8 percent stake in Barca Vision.
However, according to The Telegraph, Libero has been unable to secure the funds required to finalise the transaction.
This development puts President Laporta in a difficult situation because he personally guaranteed €20 million (£17.2 million or $21.5 million) as part of the arrangement, which played a pivotal role in obtaining La Liga’s licence for Barcelona to participate in the current season.
The transaction was part of a series of “palancas” or leveraged deals, that had provided crucial short-term funding in exchange for shares of future income or the sale of club subsidiaries.
Up until now, this strategy had been considered successful, with Barcelona’s rejuvenated playing squad performing well on the field and the ongoing redevelopment of Camp Nou.
However, Liberia’s failure of Libero to deliver the required funding now jeopardizes a vital component of this strategy.
Barcelona will regroup after the international break and prepare for a challenging schedule of three games in seven days at their temporary home, the Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys.
In particular, President Laporta and the club’s financial team will be eager for a smooth start toBarcelona’s Champions League campaign, as they aim to avoid a repeat of two consecutive group-stage exits.
Manchester United have chosen to include Antony in their Premier League squad, despite the serious assault allegations made against him by three women.
Premier League clubs were required to submit their squad selections for the first half of the season by September 13th, with a maximum of 25 senior players allowed to be named.
Despite previously announcing that the Brazilian winger was taking a leave of absence “until further notice” to address the allegations, Antony’s name remains on United’s squad list.
He was dropped from the recent Brazil squad after being accused of physical assault by his ex-girlfriend, Gabriela Cavallin.
Both Greater Manchester Police and authorities in Sao Paolo are now investigating these allegations.
Antony vehemently denied the accusations in an interview with Brazilian TV channel SBT.
However, United, mindful of previous criticism over their handling of Mason Greenwood’s situation, jointly decided with the player that he should take time away while the allegations are being investigated.
Nevertheless, Antony’s name remains on the 25-man squad list for the first half of the Premier League season, with changes not permitted until January.
After Juventus’ match against Udinese on August 20, Pogba tested positively for testosterone.
He sat on Juve’s bench but did not participate in the Serie A game.
The anti-doping organisation Nado Italia said that Pogba has been suspended temporarily with immediate effect.
He runs the risk of a four-year suspension while his case is tried and a backup B sample is tested.
According to a source who spoke to ESPN’s Julien Laurens, the food supplements were given to him by a friend of his who works as a doctor in Miami; nevertheless, Italy does not sell those specific food supplements.
Pogba has a three-year contract with Juventus and is paid a large salary of €8 million a year plus €2 million in bonuses. While the lawsuit is still pending, his pay has already been cut to just €2,000 per month.
He joined the team again last year on a free transfer fromManchester United, but due to a number of fitness difficulties, he has only played in seven Serie A games.
Member of Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Nyamah,lamented the country’s high level of corruption.
On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, Nyamah claimed that practically every Ghanaian engages in corrupt behaviour to escape challenging circumstances.
The majority of people moan about corruption, but you see them bribing police officers and other government officials when they run into problems.
“99.9% of the people of Ghana are corrupt in our hearts, in our minds, and in our souls. What we are good at doing is sitting and pointing fingers and telling people how bad they are doing.
“I have fought it (corruption) physically, I have fought it spiritually, and I have prayed. I’ve done all this and I’m saying that internally, something needs to change in our mental thinking process.
“You take even the cultural makeup and the environment; it is all encouraging corruption. What we like to do is that Oh, this one is corrupt, and we sit down and talk about the person.
“You turn next and you are the worst. You are bribing the policeman or you are doing something – we all do it to get out of a situation,” he said.
The aspiring parliamentarian indicated that he has taken the decision not to criticise corrupt practises until something drastic is done to liberate the minds of Ghanaians from corruption.
“… it has taken me that lonely fight to realise thatI’m not different from all these people I’ve been accusing of corruption and so it’s time to just call it quits until something dramatic happens—maybe some external force drops on our heads and our minds change.”
He added that the state agencies that are in charge of fighting corruption, including the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), know that the fight is lost and are merely engaging in pretence.
“You ask them one on one in their rooms and you finish and go into your room and cry… They know what they’re doing is window dressing. The problem is bigger than that. This country is a mess.”
Manchester United have informed Mary Earps that they will not permit her to leave the team before Thursday’s Women’s Super League (WSL) transfer deadline, according to reports.
Rob Dawson of ESPN has confirmed this.
Sources within the club claim that Earps, who has been strongly linked to Arsenal, will remain this season despite United having already rejected one offer this summer that was reportedly a record amount for a female custodian.
The 30-year-old, who was a key performer for England during their journey to the World Cup final, has one year left on her contract, and United is still hopeful of reaching a longer-term agreement.
Earps was named FIFA’s best women’s goalkeeper in 2022 and was also named to the PFA WSL team of the year for the 2022-23 campaign.
She saved a penalty in theWorld Cup final as England were beaten 1-0 by Spain and took home the Golden Glove after keeping three clean sheets in the finals.
IGP George Akuffo Dampare was mentioned in a leaked audio recording, and Samuel Atta Akyea, a member of parliament for Abuakwa South and the head of the parliamentary committee looking into the matter, has questioned the veracity of the tape.
On September 13, 2023, In Accra, Ghana, Atta Akyea expressed his opinion during a press briefing.
Atta Akyea claims that the leaked recording, which has been making the rounds on social media, seems to be a shortened version of a longer conversation. He mentioned that Daniel Bugri Naabu, the former Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, had provided a newer, more comprehensive tape to the committee.
“It seems to be the case because the second tape is a long conversation,” citinewsroom quoted Atta Akyea as having said.
The leaked tape in question has been a topic of extensive discussion and debate.Bugri Naabu had previously affirmed the tape’s authenticity during his testimony before the committee.
The leaked audio features a conversation between Bugri Naabu and three high-ranking police officers—COP Alex Mensah, Superintendent George Asare, and Superintendent Emmanuel Eric Gyebi—discussing a plot to remove the IGP with the alleged intention of aiding the NPP in rigging the 2024 elections.
During his appearance before the committee on Tuesday, IGP Dampare vehemently denied the allegations made against him by the implicated police officers.
He emphasized that these accusations had caused significant distress to his family. Furthermore, Dampare refuted claims that he was involved in secretly recording the conversations of the three officers.
Also, the IGP denied claims that he had regular contact with John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer for the opposition party, calling the claims upsetting to his family.
Albert Kan Dapaah, the minister of national security, and Kwame Gyan, the attorney for the inspector general of police, met behind closed doors on Wednesday with the parliamentary committee in charge of looking into the audio that was released.
Together with their solicitors, the three senior police officers who were mentioned in the covert recording attended this hearing behind closed doors.
Goalkeeper for both the Black Meteors and Legon Cities, William Essu, has appealed to the Ghana Football Association to release their U-23 AFCON winning bonuses from their victory over Algeria in March 2023.
This request comes as Essu’s deteriorating health condition, which was shared on the internet on September 12, 2023, has garnered sympathy and attention.
Reports suggest that Essu has been grappling with a serious illness for several months, and he feels neglected by his club, Legon Cities.
Consequently, he has decided to publicly call out the Football Association to address this outstanding debt.
In a Twitter post , the 21-year-old goalkeeper reached out to Coach Ibrahim Tanko, the entire Black Meteors management team, and the Ghana Football Association for assistance.
He has emphasised his urgent need for another health check-up but lamented that he lacks the financial means to cover the expenses, as he has already depleted his savings by seeking treatment without success.
Tragically, on the same day, September 12, 2023, Sylvester Sackey, another goalkeeper from Legon Cities, was confirmed to have passed away following a brief illness.
On deadline day, Palmer, who was a member of the England squad that won the European Under-21 Championship in the summer, signed a £42.5 million deal to join Stamford Bridge.
In September 2020, the 21-year-old earned his first-team debut after spending his whole youth career at City.
The attacker had a strong start to the season for City, scoring in both the UEFA Super Cup triumph against Sevilla and the Community Shield loss to Arsenal.
However, he had made one substitution in City’s opening three Premier League games this season.
“I’m not saying I shied away from the competition [for places at City], because I’ve never done that,” Palmer told the Daily Mail. “I’d been [around the first team] for a few years and wanted more of an opportunity to play in my position and to have more of an impact.
“‘Chelsea explained the project, and I liked the project. I feel like I can have an impact. I’ve only been there for two days; I trained the Friday and played on Saturday so I don’t know what it’s like yet. I’llget more of a feel for it.“
The Presidential Elections Committee recently conducted a productive interactive session with the four individuals competing in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries, scheduled for November 4, 2023.
During this session, they reached an agreement on the rules and procedures that will govern the upcoming election.
Under the oversight of officials from the Electoral Commission of Ghana, the Elections Committee conducted a drawing process to determine the order in which the contestants’ names will appear on the ballot.
The party has now released the results of this drawing in a statement, setting the stage for the highly anticipated NPP flagbearer race.
The order in which the candidates will be listed on the ballot is as follows:
Ken Ohene Agyapong
Mahamudu Bawumia
Owusu Afriyie Akoto
Francis Addai-Nimoh
The NPP is gearing up to select its flagbearer for the 2024 elections on November 4. Apart from Dr. Bawumia, the other three contenders in the race include Kennedy Agyapong, the Assin Central MP; Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the former Minister for Agriculture; and Francis Addai-Nimoh.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has received the unequivocal support of Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Mavis Hawa Koomson as the ideal candidate to halt the country’s protracted 8-year cycle of power alternation.
Bawumia is the only person qualified to describe the achievements of the administration and explain why the New Patriotic Party (NPP) merits re-election in 2024, according to Hawa Koomson.
“Dr. Bawumia is the very one who can break the ‘8.’
“He has worked with President Akufo-Addo for the past eight years. He knows where we started from and where we are now. So he has a story to tell.Apart from Dr. Bawumia, nobody can tell the story of the government, and that is why we are all supporting him.”
Addressing the perception that Bawumia lacks decision-making authority in the government, Hawa Koomson countered, noting that while he serves as Vice President, he is not a mere rubber stamp and can exercise independent decision-making when in charge.
She clarified that, “If you say he’s part of the government, yes, but he’s only a vice, he’s supporting the president. He has no say. When the president is not there, Dr. Bawumia cannot chair cabinet meetings or sign any documents unless the president asks him to do it on his behalf. So when he’s in charge, he can make decisions on his own,” citinewsroom.com quoted the Minister.
Hawa Koomson confidently predicted that Bawumia would secure a resounding victory in the NPP’s presidential primaries scheduled for November, citing his immense popularity, experience, and grassroots support as the key factors in his favor.
The NPP is set to elect its flagbearer for the 2024 elections on November 4. Apart from Dr. Bawumia, the other three contenders in the race include Kennedy Agyapong, the Assin Central MP;Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the former Minister for Agriculture; and Francis Addai-Nimoh.
Luis Rubiales has refused to apologise and is adamant that the “truth will come out” after kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s World Cup victory.
Following weeks of rising criticism and requests for his resignation, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) resigned on Sunday and gave an explanation for his decision in an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored.
Following the kiss incident, which Spanish forward Hermoso said was not consensual, Rubiales acknowledged he was unable to continue his work following the nation’s 1-0 victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final on August 20.
However, in the full interview on TalkTV, the 46-year-old insisted the kiss was “mutual” and said he was not concerned about potentially facing criminal charges, with the ex-RFEF president being summoned to appear before a court in Spain after prosecutors opened a case against him for “the crimes of sexual assault and coercion”.
When asked if he would personally apologise to Hermoso, Rubiales said: “So what happened is bad for everyone. We had Jenni lifting me.
“We had the fleeting kiss of two tenths of a second, but what was created from that is crazy. So what’s left for me is to defend my dignity. So it’s not about that, Piers; it’s about humility.”
When asked three more times if he would apologise to Hermoso, he continued: “So what we had is a spontaneous act, a mutual act, an act that both consented to, which was driven by the emotion of the moment, the happiness, so I maintain that that is the truth of what happened.”
Rubiales was seen kissing a number of Spain’s World Cup winning side on the cheek when they collected their winners’ medals and lifting some up in the air, too.
“He also put Athenea del Castillo on his shoulders before carrying her, holding the back of her thighs.
When asked if he would have acted the same way towards the men’s team, Rubiales replied: “No doubt about it, 100 percent… When I was a player, there were many moments where we avoided relegation or we got promotion, where we gave what we call pecks on the lips.”
Rubiales will have to testify as a defendant on Friday as part of the lawsuit against him, however, he struck a confident and relaxed tone when asked about the situation.
He said: “I am a lawyer; I am a Spanish citizen; I have been through many processes, criminal as well, and nothing has ever stuck. Again, I have full faith that the truth will come out and everything will be fine. Take a look at my face, I am a good guy. Look at my face, look at me in the eyes.”
In a video circulating on social media, Bugri Naabu, who is a witness for today’s hearing, can be seen being assisted into a wheelchair right after he got out of his vehicle at the premises of parliament.
In the 59-second video making the rounds, the former Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP looked like he couldn’t take further steps from his car as he inquired about the welfare of a nurse and aides who flanked him.
IGP Dampare, who is at the centre of the leaked recording, was invited by the parliamentary committee established by the Speaker of Parliament yesterday, September 12, to respond to some of the outrageous accusations made against him by COP Alex Mensah and Supt. George Asare.
Many Ghanaians have been thinking about the way the leaked recording of police personnel and a politician discussing overthrowing the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has developed thus far with several accusations.
IGP Dampare is anticipated to resume his evidence together with the Minister of National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah, Bugri Naabu, COP George Alex Mensah, Superintendent George Asare, and Superintendent Emmanuel Gyebi today, Wednesday, September 13.
Background:
In the leaked audio at the centre of a parliamentary probe, a Police Commissioner, who described himself as Mensa, was heard with Bugri Naabu, plotting the removal of IGP, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, over fears he would be too firm in the 2024 elections.
The Police Commissioner, who is said to be retiring, is heard telling the politician that the IGP is too firm and will not allow machinations in next year’s polls if he is not removed.
“This IGP won’t help us. He won’t, he wants everything to be done fairly and we don’t win elections that way. If we don’t remove him, we can’t break the 8, in politics we need machinations and this IGP won’t allow that,” the Police Commissioner is heard saying.
In light of his recent struggles for both Tottenham and Brazil, Richarlison has claimed he will seek “psychological help” upon returning to Tottenham.
The 26-year-old was so distraught after being replaced during his country’s 5-1 victory over Bolivia on Saturday.
The Tottenham player was substituted in the second half of Tuesday’s 1-0 triumph for Brazil over Peru after he missed a crucial opportunity before being removed.
He concluded the international break without scoring.
After the match, the former Everton star said he has been struggling with off-field matters and that people with an eye on his money have “walked away” from him.
He told the Brazilian newspaper Globo: “I went through a turbulent time in the last five months off the field. Now things are right at home. People who only had an eye on my money walked away from me.
Now that things will start to flow, I’m sure I’ll get a good run at Tottenham and make things happen again.
“That sad moment wasn’t even because I played poorly [against Bolivia]. In my opinion, I didn’t play a bad game in Belem, it was more of an outburst about the things that were happening off the field, which got out of control not on my part but on the part of people who were close to me.
“I’m going to go back to England to seek psychological help from a psychologist, to work on my mind. That’s it; come back stronger. I believe I will be in the next squad, and I will work for that. It’s about getting a good streak at Tottenham. This week I’m going to sit down and talk to them; I need a good streak. Get the rhythm of the game.”
Richarlison has scored just four goals in 40 games for Spurs since his £50 million ($60 million) move from Everton in July 2022 and hasn’t found the net for Brazil since the 2022 World Cup.
With record scorerHarry Kane joining Bayern Munich this summer, the Brazilian is one of many who needs to chip in with goals for Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham side. If he fails to do so, his days at the north London outfit could be numbered.
Richarlison, who has scored in the Carabao Cup this season but is yet to score in the Premier League, will hope to be back in action on Saturday when Spurs come up against newly-promoted Sheffield United.
Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has issued a demand for enhanced security measures and the provision of risk allowances for its members in light of the recent attacks at the Tamale District Court.
JUSAG asserts that its members bear the critical responsibility of safeguarding and nurturing the justice system, which plays a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s future by upholding the principles of justice and the rule of law.
However, they require adequate protection in order to fulfill this duty.
On August 28, a group of community members stormed the Tamale District Court to ensure the prosecution of a drug peddler, who was believed to be negatively impacting the lives of Tamale’s youth. This led to a violent altercation, involving gunfire.
These incidents in Tamale, along with recent reported assaults on Court Bailiffs, have prompted JUSAG to call for improved security protection and the introduction of risk allowances for its members.
Mr. Samuel Afotey Otu, President of JUSAG, made this plea during the 2023 Judicial Service Staff Durbar and Open Forum held in Cape Coast, emphasizing that these incidents serve as a wake-up call for the consideration of risk allowances for JUSAG members.
“As members of the judicial service, it is our solemn duty to nurture and protect the justice system. We have the immense responsibility of shaping the future of our nation by upholding the principles of justice and the rule of law.
“As we do this and more, let us enhance security in our Courts to protect and safeguard staff, judges and magistrates, and our clients.
“The recent incident of attack at the Tamale District Court is a wake-up call on the service to relook at our security protocols. It also sends a signal that all employees of the service are at risk.
“And with this inherent risk, provision of risk allowance should not be seen as too much for staff,” Mr Afotey Otu charges.
Human resources, pillars of justice
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Afotey Otu said, the durbar was a major forum to interact with staff of the Judicial Service and the Judiciary.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Building The Pillars Of Justice In The Ghanaian Justice System,” he said, “It best suits our circumstance and the times because a solid foundation of justice has been laid and it is incumbent on each and every one of us to build the pillars to a successful future.”
He said for employees of the Judicial Service, the pillars of the justice system in modern era are built on infrastructure, technology, the laws (including the rules of our court, practice guidelines, policies, and values), and the human resource development.
“We have witnessed significant upspring of court infrastructure. The e-justice services are progressing steadily with virtual court hearings, and there can be said to be abundant laws, rules, and procedures to guide our operations.
“When these are put in place, the pillars of justice will not be built unless the most important part is well taken care of – that is the human resource management,” the JUSAG President stated.
He thanked the Chief Justice, her immediate predecessor, and the Judicial Secretary for their various roles in approving and implementing the new salary structure for the service staff.
He said that the negotiations of the salary and related allowances were challenging every two years.
He said that the delay in finalizing and implementing the salary reviews caused a lot of distress for the staff.
“These can largely be attributed to the inability of the Service to comply with Article 158(2), 159, and 161, and the recommendation of the Supreme Court in the case of JUSAG vs. The Attorney General & 2 Ors. (2016) to make a regulation by constitutional instrument (CI) to clearly define the terms and conditions of service of staff of the service.
“We are reassured by the pledge of My Lady Chief Justice to see to the immediate passage of the draft regulation into a CI.
“It is our fervent hope and prayer that the content of the draft will reflect key components of the 2012 Conditions of Service,” he stated.
Co-equal arm of govt
He said, the Judiciary “as a co-equal arm of government to Parliament, it is our further prayer that, the Parliamentary Service Regulation, 2014 (CI 118) as well as the Legal Service Regulation will be given due consideration in the Judicial Service Regulation.
“My Lady, justice is the bedrock upon which our society stands, and the judicial system plays a pivotal role in maintaining our governance architecture, and safeguarding the security of our dear nation.
“In the spirit of our vision which is to deliver equal access to quality justice, we must adopt the principle of inclusiveness, participation, high ethical standards, equity, high integrity, professionalism, discipline, and fair play.
“These principles are not mere ideals; they are the very foundation upon which quality justice can be achieved for all,” Mr. Afotey Otu stated.
He said, “It is crucial to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background, is given equal access to quality justice.
“As court officials, we must strive to eliminate all forms of discrimination, bias, or prejudice, and embrace inclusiveness in an environment where everyone feels heard, respected, and well-represented.
“Our mantra of ‘justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done’ is something we must all be mindful of. For JUSAG, our motto is justice and fair play and that must be at the core of our judicial system,” the President of JUSAG stated.
This he said is “the surest way to foster trust and confidence in the judicial service, and ultimately lead to a stronger and more effective judicial system.”
Retirement – a living cemetery
While extending the felicitations of JUSAG to our forebearers who have served this noble institution and have now retired, he said they deserved rewarding.
“To the awardees, you deserved it and the Good Lord shall continue to be with you in your retirement. Retirement is like a living cemetery. We shall all join you one day,” he acknowledged.
This, he said, “is why JUSAG has created the Retired Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (REJUSAG) to cater for the welfare of all retired employees of the service.”
He charged members to take the opportunity to continue to get involved in JUSAG activities through REJUSAG.
“Retirement income is of prime importance to JUSAG. For this reason, JUSAG, in 2018 at the Wa Conference passed a resolution to establish the Judicial Service Provident Fund (Tier 3) which was launched by Her Ladyship Justice Sophia Akuffo (former Chief Justice).
“The Tier 3 is now operational and in due course, circulars will be sent to registries and units for members to sign up,” he enumerated.
JUSCOFund
In addition to Tier 3, he said provision of flexible, affordable, and tailor-made financial services to all employees is dear to JUSAG.
To this, he said, JUSAG created the Judicial Service Staff Co-operative Fund also known as (JUSCOFund) which was launched by His Lordship, Justice Anin Yeboah (former Chief Justice) on the 31st of January 2023.
“The Bye-Laws of JUSCOFund qualifies all employees of the judicial services, all judges, all magistrates, and employees of institutions concerned with justice administration such as CHRAJ, NCCE, Attorney General Department, etc. to join the JUSCOFund.
“Even as banks interest rates are skyrocketing to about 45%, JUSCOFund offers loans to all employees at the most affordable rate of 15%. JUSCOFund also provides supplementary retirement income to members,” he urged them.
Mr. Afotey Otu said the Board of Directors of JUSCOFund and the National Executive Council of JUSAG will be glad to have the CJ enrolled in JUSCOFund.
“We are also humbled to make you a life patron of JUSCOFund,” since “JUSCOFund is your fund for life!”
The President of JUSAG therefore pledged his outfit’s commitment to “building the bridges of our justice system, as it is the bedrock on which our democracy, rule of law, and good governance thrive.”
“Let us all reunite to one body of judicial service staff association with constitutional representation at the judicial council and in all affairs of the judicial service. Together we stand, divided we fall.”
ThePresident of JUSAG said, with JUSAG formed in 1973 in Cape Coast, the climax of the JUSAG @ 50 anniversary would be held in Cape Coast.
National Democratic Congress (NDC) , the largest opposition party in Ghana, has called upon the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to intervene and take action regarding the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC).
The NDC alleges that the Electoral Commissioner, Jean Adukwei Mensah, is involved in voter suppression by conducting the current Limited Voter Registration Exercise solely at its District Offices across the nation.
During a press conference, Johnson Aseidu Nketiah, the National Chairman of the NDC, stressed the importance of ECOWAS taking proactive measures to protect Ghana’s democracy.
Additionally, he asserted that the ongoing limited voter registration exercise, which began on September 12, 2023, has been marred by numerous irregularities, particularly in areas where the NDC enjoys strong support.
“This irresponsible and unconscionable decision of the commission confirms the NDC’s long-held view that the Jean Mensah-led EC is determined to rig the 2024 elections through voter suppression. But she will fail because we are ready for them.
Aside from its potential to suppress registration and voting, the EC’s decision to restrict voter registration to its district offices can promote and facilitate gerrymandering as agents of political parties will find it difficult to challenge persons who may be bused from one constituency to another to register.
He continued: “Ladies and gentlemen, in addition to theNDC, there are four other political partiesthat are plaintiffs in the instant case at the Supreme Court. And as already indicated, the PNC has also thrown its weight behind the suit.”
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have acknowledged that Wrexham would have faced severe financial difficulties if they had not clinched the National League title last season.
Wrexham, with Hollywood support, finally secured promotion back to the Football League after a 15-year absence by winning the National League in late April.
Despite their impressive performance, which saw them top the table with a record-breaking 111 points, the pressure on the Welsh club to secure promotion was immense.
In the first episode of Season 2 of ‘Welcome to Wrexham,’ the co-owners and actors, Reynolds and McElhenney, openly admitted that they would have been in dire financial straits if they had not emerged victorious in the league.
On the show, which premiered in the United States on Tuesday night on FX before being released on Disney+ in the UK on Wednesday, Reynolds said: “We’re heavily invested in building this club and the stadium itself, and if we don’t get promoted this year, the club is completely, totally and wholly unsustainable.”
McElhenney added: “If our goal from the very beginning was not just to win, not just to help bring some hope and optimism to the town, but to build a sustainable business, something that can continue long after we’ve gone.
“For us to put them in a position where, if they don’t get promoted this year, they are no longer sustainable in any real way, is counter to what our original promises were.”
To which Reynolds chimed in: “So its really ratcheted up the pressure, not just for us but for the players on the field, the people in the community. This year we have to get promoted.”
Ultimately, Wrexham secured promotion to League Two, and Phil Parkinson’s team has begun the new season on a positive note. They currently occupy the seventh position in the standings, with only one defeat in their first seven matches.
However, the ultimate aspiration is to see Wrexham reach the Premier League in the future.
Despite currently competing in English football’s fourth tier, Wrexham is gaining a global following, largely attributed to the prominence of Reynolds and McElhenney. They are actively leveraging their influence to bolster the Dragons’ brand.
Wrexham are back in league action on Saturday when they take on Grimsby Town
Sydney FC’s recent acquisition, Brazilian import Fabio Gomes, is eager to make an instant contribution to the club’s fortunes in the A-League Men.
Sydney officially introduced Gomes, who joins on loan from Atletico Mineiro, during an event at Bondi Beach on Tuesday.
This signing comes as Sky Blues head coach Steve Corica finalises his squad.
Gomes has been brought in as a direct replacement for prolific striker Adam Le Fondre, who departed for Hibernian in Scotland during the offseason.
Additionally, the club is said to be in advanced talks to secure the services of a Brazilian center-back to fill the void left by Alex Wilkinson’s retirement
At 194cm tall, Gomes is expected to prove a handful for ALM defences.
“He gives us a different dimension; he’s very good in the air and he gives us that extra option,” Corica said. “He scores goals with his head and that’s something that will improve us from last year.
“We’ve taken our time to get the right players at the club; it’s a difficult time to get players in and we’ve got the man that we wanted.”
Gomes has spent time in his native Brazil, the USA and Japan and has scored 36 goals in 135 senior games.
The 26-year-old is keen to make an immediate impact at the club but Sunday’s Australia Cup quarterfinal against Western United may come a week too soon.
“I spoke to [former Sydney FC striker] Bobo and he said a lot of good things about Australian football, the country and I hope to do a great job here,” Gomes said, through an interpreter.
Former Black Stars goalkeeper George Owu has offered his evaluation of Kurt Okraku’s tenure as the head of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Owu expressed his positive opinion about Okraku’s performance, stating that the GFA leader has performed admirably since assuming his position.
During an interview with Onua FM, George Owu remarked that he would give Kurt Okraku a rating of 75 out of 100 for his contributions to Ghana’s football since taking on the role of GFA president.
“For me, what I can say is that I will give Kurt Okraku 75%.
He doing well and one thing is that he has started something. He has started something from the grassroots level with Catch Them Young Refereeing and it’s very good,” George Owus said.
Kurt Okraku’s four-year mandate is ending this year.
Already, he has been vetted and approved to contest the upcoming GFA Presidential election.
Pogba faced a provisional suspension from the Italian anti-doping authority due to a positive test for testosterone, a hormone known for enhancing athletes’ endurance.
If proven guilty, the 30-year-old could potentially face a football ban of up to four years following this random drug test. Reports from Italy suggest that Pogba has until the end of this week to provide a counter-analysis of the test result.
Despite these serious allegations, both French national team manager Deschamps and Bayern Munich star Coman have rallied behind their compatriot, Paul Pogba.
Deschamps, who has had a working relationship with Pogba since taking charge of Les Bleus in 2012, expressed his disbelief at the notion that Pogba could be involved in such an offense.
“I can’t imagine that, knowing him, with everything that is in his head. I still remember certain discussions with him on the vaccine and Covid… The substance is there, but afterwards, unless there is a second opinion…,” he said to reporters. “I don’t think he himself knows [why] unfortunately. It’s hard for him. I have always supported him.”
Bayern winger Coman, who has played alongside the Juve midfielder for France for years, protested Pogba’s innocence and weighed in with his support.
“We all support Paul; he’s a very close friend; he’s part of the family,” he told reporters. “We don’t really know more, we’ll have to look. But we know, Paul, we know that if something happened, it was surely unconsciously and without intention. We are with him wholeheartedly.”
Pogba’s second stint at Juventus, starting in 2022 after his return fromManchester United, has been marked by a challenging period. The 2018 World Cup champion faced significant setbacks, including extensive absences due to knee and hamstring injuries.
Additionally, he revealed that he contemplated leaving the sport entirely, citing alleged extortion by an organised crime group as a distressing factor in his decision-making.
Mundo Deportivo reports that both Bernardo Silva and Dani Olmo have contract clauses that favor Barcelona.
In the case of Silva, who renewed his contract with Manchester City during the summer, there is a €50 million release clause specified in the terms.
Barcelona has made attempts to acquire the Portuguese midfielder multiple times in recent years but has struggled to meet City’s asking price of approximately €80 million.
Nevertheless, the €50 million release clause could entice Barcelona to consider a move either in January or next summer, especially since coach Xavi Hernandez is keen on Silva.
As for Olmo, he recently extended his contract with RB Leipzig until 2027, and this extension reportedly includes a €60 million release clause.
Similar to Silva, the Spanish forward has frequently been linked with a return to Barcelona, where he initially developed in the academy before departing for Dinamo Zagreb at the age of 16.
