Arsenal paid 72 million pounds to sign Pepe from French club Lille in 2019 but will get nothing for his departure, with the Ivory Coast international reportedly set to sign for Turkish side Trabzonspor.
Arsenal has decided to terminate the contract of Nicolas Pepe, their former club-record signing, allowing the winger to depart on a free transfer.
Arsenal originally paid £72 million ($90 million) to acquire Pepe from the French club Lille in 2019.
However, they will receive no compensation for his exit, as the Ivory Coast international is reportedly poised to join Turkish side Trabzonspor.
Pepe initially had a promising start at Arsenal under former manager Unai Emery.
However, he encountered difficulties adapting to the team’s style under Mikel Arteta and hasn’t started a Premier League match since October 2021.
He was loaned to Nice for the previous season.
Although he still had one year left on his contract, Arsenal opted to release him rather than keep him as a backup to Bukayo Saka at the Emirates Stadium.
The 30-year-old moved to Les Parisiens from Pescara in 2012 but has not played for the Ligue 1 champions at all this term. He has played a total of 416 matches across all competitions in his PSG career, recording 11 goals and 61 assists.
An agreement was reached between PSG and Al Arabi 10 days ago on a deal worth around €45 million.
Al Arabi have already completed the signing of Verratti’s PSG teammate Abdou Diallo this transfer window, as well as bringing in Simo Keddari and Mohamed Taabouni from Espanyol and Feyenoord, respectively.
Verratti was not involved in Italy’s disappointing 1-1 draw against North Macedonia in qualifying for Euro 2005.
Qatari side Al Arabi now hope to get Marco Verratti deal sealed by next week. Verratti was not in Doha this week yet, still waiting to plan for travel 🇮🇹🇶🇦 #AlArabi
Agreement reached with PSG 10 days ago for fee close to €45/50m, final details to be clarified on player side. pic.twitter.com/oOMpPBC3Aa
The Premier League team Sheffield United is reportedly considering the acquisitionof Andre Ayew, the captain of the Ghana national football team, according to information from Footballghana.com.
The 33-year-old player has been without a club since his release from Nottingham Forest at the end of the previous season.
Ayew had joined Forest after departing from Qatari club Al Sadd but didn’t meet expectations during his 13 appearances.
Manager Steve Cooper decided not to extend his contract, allowing the prolific striker, who has scored 152 goals, to become a free agent.
Footballghana.com has confirmed that Sheffield United has initiated talks to sign the former Olympique Marseille forward.
The team, which has garnered only one point in four matches since its return to the Premier League, is led by manager Paul Heckingbottom.
They secured their single point in a 2-2 draw against Everton in their last outing.
Despite their efforts, Sheffield United appears to lack the necessary quality and experience required to thrive in the Premier League.
Consequently, they are considering offering the veteran striker a short-term contract to assess if he can contribute to their bid for Premier League survival at Bramall Lane.
Andre Ayew, who boasts 114 caps for the Ghanaian national team, has extensive experience in the Premier League from his previous stints with Swansea City and West Ham United.
Being a free agent, Ayew is not bound by transfer window restrictions, and clubs from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Major League Soccer (MLS) are also vying for the signature of theU-20 World Cup winner.
He took a moment to express his gratitude to the people of Ghana for their unwavering support during this challenging time.
In the face of his disappointment, Seth Gyimah admitted to feeling devastated by the loss. Nevertheless, he remains resolute and optimistic about making a comeback and returning to his winning ways.
I am very devastated by today defeat but nevertheless I always take positive thing from a negative situation. I will bounce back, I will be back stronger. It is not over yet. I would like to sincerely thank Ghanaians for their support and my team mates as well. Love you all pic.twitter.com/ecSRevSPTC
“I am very devastated by today’s defeat but nevertheless I always take positive things from a negative situation. I will bounce back I will be back stronger. It is not over yet.
The UK-based Ghanaian boxer lost on his amateur debut to Seydou Konate of Senegal and so failed to advance in the qualifiers in his quest to secure an automatic spot at the Olympics. He has another opportunity to qualify through the Asia and Europe play-offs in 2024.
Freezy Macbones was the second Ghanaian boxer to step into the ring among the seven Ghanaian boxers slated to compete in the qualifiers.
Other boxers who will hope to secure a ticket for the Olympics include Alfred Kotey, David Bawah, Asarah Apew, Theophilus Allotey, and Abdul Wahab.
Ronaldo received a yellow card during Portugal’s 1-0 victory over Slovakia on Friday, which means he will be unavailable for their upcoming match againstLuxembourg on Monday.
The Portugal captain was somewhat fortunate not to face more severe consequences when he accidentally struck former Manchester United teammate Martin Dubravka in the face with his boot.
Nevertheless, referee Glenn Nyberg opted to issue only a yellow card, and Ronaldo survived a VAR review.
The suspension comes as a result of Ronaldo accumulating his third yellow card in the European Championship qualifying campaign.
Monday’s match against Luxembourg will mark the end of his streak of 10 consecutive international appearances.
The last time he missed a game for his country was in November 2022 when he was sidelined due to illness, causing him to miss a 4-0 friendly victory over Nigeria.
He’ll have to watch on from the stands as his side take on Luxembourg, knowing a win would all but see his side through to next summer’s Euros as they look to replicate the heroics of 2016.
Erling Haaland has expressed his happiness over his former Borussia Dortmund teammate, Jude Bellingham, making an impressive start at Real Madrid. Haaland and Bellingham shared the pitch at Dortmund for a couple of seasons.
Dortmund signed Bellingham in the summer of 2020 after securing Haaland from Red Bull Salzburg in the previous January.
Both players have now ascended to the top echelons of European football, with Haaland at Manchester City and Bellingham at Real Madrid.
Following Bellingham’s remarkable debut season last year, the Norwegian striker has commended his ex-teammate for his own impressive beginning.
Speaking in an interview with L’Equipe, the striker said: “By the way, I saw the incredible debut of Jude at Real Madrid, and that makes me very happy for him.”
During their time at Dortmund, the duo shared the field in a total of 63 matches and combined effectively on seven occasions. One notable instance was their performance against Bayern Munich in a 3-2 loss to the Bavarians in December 2021.
There is speculation about the possibility of their reunion in Madrid, as Real Madrid’s interest in Haaland remains strong, but only time will reveal what the future holds.
Both Bellingham and Haaland are currently away on international duty, shifting their focus from domestic leagues.
Bellingham is expected to feature in England’s match against Ukraine on Saturday, while Haaland is likely to be part of Norway’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia on Tuesday.
In a video circulating on social media, the bus, adorned with Kennedy Agyapong’s messages and images, was seen stationed at Circle.
A gathering of supporters, dressed in Kennedy Agyapong’s T-shirts, was seen inviting passengers to take advantage of the free ride and show their support for the MP.
The video captures the supporters calling out, “This is Honourable Kennedy Agyapong’s handiwork, Accra free, come and pick the car and vote for him, showdown man.”
Some passengers seemed enthusiastic about the offer, as they could be seen boarding the bus.
Watch the video below:
Is this one of the showdown strategies? Kennedy Agyepong is playing the game🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/NwxKzFxjPK
Samuel Koku Anyidoho??????? (@KokuAnyidoho) September 8, 2023 Is this one of the showdown strategies? Kennedy Agyepong is playing the game ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/NwxKzFxjPK
— General Marcus! (@marcusadampah) September 8, 2023 The Member of Parliament for Assin Central and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful will contest for the flagbearership slot along with three other contenders, includingVice President Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Afriyie Akoto and Addai-Nimoh.
On November 4, 2023, the NPP will elect a new party leader to succeed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Afia Pokua, widely known as ‘Vim Lady,’ has expressed her view that Mr. Alan Kyerematen bears partial responsibility for his frustrations and perceived lack of popularity within his party.
Mr. Kyerematen cited various reasons for his decision to withdraw from the NPP flagbearership race, including what he perceived as a deliberate structure favouring another candidate.
He placed third in the party’s special delegates conference held on August 26 and cited intimidation and sabotage as factors contributing to his exit.
However, when analysing the situation, Afia Pokua suggests that Mr. Alan Kyerematen’s campaign strategy lacked the necessary aggressiveness and radical approach.
The prominent broadcaster noted that although Alan faced internal challenges within his party, he did not embark on a vigorous campaign after his unsuccessful bid for the same position back in 2007.
“As much as Gabby and co. plotted mafia against Alan, Alan himself is to blame for his woes. Alan failed to cultivate the party members. From 2007 onwards, you were the favourite; why are you now an underdog? When you couldn’t secure the presidential slot in 2007, you relaxed. Instead of continuing your campaign.
He re-strategized and resorted to Atta Mills’ formula of door-to-door, room-to-room, and won the 2016 elections. You can’t win an election in Africa with the Dadabee campaign.
“Come down to the level of the people. If they’re eating kenkey, eat with them. I sympathise with Alan but part of the reason why he failed, his frustration was from him. How much did he influence the special voting?” she stated during her show on OkayFM.
She said Alan started politics long before Bawumia, adding that, realistically, the latter isn’t supposed to have an advantage over him.
“Alan, you were in the game long before Bawumia. You started politics in 1992; there is no reason why Bawumia should even have an edge over you. But you are laid back; you are not aggressive,” she added.
Moroccan internationalsSofyan Amrabat and Hakim Ziyech have sent messages of support following the devastating earthquake in the country.
At 11:11 p.m. local time on Friday night, a 6.8-magnitude tremor hit the Ighil area of Morocco, around 40 miles south of Marrakech. It’s one of the most powerful earthquakes to ever hit the country and the death toll has risen exponentially since the time of impact.
At the time of writing, at least 820 people have been killed and 672 injured, 205 of whom have been deemed to be “seriously hurt”, according to Morocco’s interior ministry.
Tributes and prayers have flooded in from across the globe, with high-profile sporting names also offering their support.
It’s not only renowned footballers from the nation who have expressed their prayers thus far. Two of the most prominent football clubs in Europe, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, have both issued statements.
Real Madrid’s reads: “Real Madrid C.F., its president and its Board of Directors express their deepest concern and solidarity with the victims of the earthquake in Morocco in recent hours. Our club extends its condolences to the families of the deceased and all the Moroccan people. Likewise, we wish the injured a speedy recovery and we transmit all of our strength and affection.”
Meanwhile, PSG – where Morocco international Achraf Hakimi plies his trade – posted their statement on their official Twitter account: “The entire Paris Saint-Germain family is with our Moroccan friends in the wake of the terrible earthquake. We send our condolences to those who have lost their loved ones, our thoughts are with you.”
President of the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA), Gideon Osei, has come out in support of the recent deduction of twenty-five Ghana cedis (GH¢25) from the accounts of NSS personnel.
During an interview on Radio Univers on September 6, 2023, Osei emphasised that the deduction policy had been overdue for a while and was not instigated by the current administration.
He further clarified that this deduction would exclusively impact personnel employed in government organisations.
“It is important to note that this deduction will exclusively impact personnel working in government organisations, sparing those employed in private firms.”
The announcement of the deduction generated some controversy among the personnel, but Osei sought to provide context for the decision.
He outlined the association’s plans to utilise the deducted funds to support annual programs aimed at enhancing rural communities that lack essential amenities, including access to clean water, schools and social opportunities.
The NASPA president reiterated the association’s commitment to upholding its regulations and principles while working towards the betterment of communities in need.
The decision to fund rural development initiatives through the deduction reflectsNASPA’s dedication to its mission of contributing to the welfare and development of underserved areas across Ghana.
The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) organised its third annual CEO’s Breakfast Meeting exclusively tailored for the members of the Ghana Club 100.
This gathering convened the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Ghana’s top 100 companies, as recognized by the 2022 Ghana Club 100 Awards, along with industry leaders, for discussions related to business and the economy.
Under the theme “Public-Private Partnerships: Bridging the Gap for Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Development,” the event served as an effective platform for these CEOs to network, exchange insights, and collaborate on strategies aimed at enhancing Ghana’s economic growth through harnessing the potential of the private sector.
The program featured significant presentations, including a keynote address delivered by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, and an interactive panel session dedicated to examining current business trends and addressing the challenges encountered by businesses in their operations.
In his opening remarks, Yofi Grant, the CEO of the GIPC, emphasised the pivotal role of the private sector in fostering a more robust business ecosystem in Ghana.
He said, “The private sector generates revenue, creates jobs, and propels economic growth and it is investments that drive the private sector.”
Additionally, he assured attendees that the GIPC is diligently working to eliminate barriers in the nation’s investment code to support business growth in Ghana.
In his speech, the Minister of Finance acknowledged the current economic challenges facing Ghana, but he assured the CEOs that the government is working to resolve them.
He outlined ongoing efforts to meet the necessary requirements for the release of the second tranche of funding from the International Monetary Fund and secure additional funding from the World Bank, with a goal to receive approximately one billion dollars by year-end to assist the Bank of Ghana with its balance of payment issues.
He also expressed his optimism that investors will continue to see Ghana as a good place to do business.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Edward Boateng, Director General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), shared insights into how ongoing Public-Private Partnerships were contributing to the revival of dormant state entities.
He also revealed that more such partnerships were in progress through collaboration with the GIPC to attract private investors and revitalise additional state entities.
Notable attendees at the meeting included Dr. Afua Asabea Asare, CEO of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority; Madam Nora Bannerman, a board member of the GIPC; and Kwaku Agyemang-Duah, Chairman of the Private Enterprise Federation and a Board Member of the GIPC.
Electrochem Ghana Limited Songor Salt Project is expected to create employment opportunities for over 7,000 young Ghanaians by the year 2024, when it reaches full operational capacity.
In the initial phase of the project, 3,000 individuals have already been employed, with plans to engage an additional 4,000 workers when the salt concession reaches full operation in 2024.
These details were disclosed by Dr. Daniel Mckorley, the CEO of the McDan Group, during the official commissioning of the Electrochem Salt Mine and Processing Plant in Ada, located within the Greater Accra Region.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo presided over the commissioning, marking a significant step towards making Electrochem the leading hub for salt production in Africa.
Electrochem, a subsidiary of the McDan Group, was granted a 15-year lease to revitalise the Ada Songor salt concession, which had been previously neglected due to mismanagement.
This concession, with a history of over 54 years, was previously managed by local communities.
However, as part of the government’s 2020 diversification agenda, which aimed to utilise natural resources and leverage public-private partnerships to transform the economy, Electrochem was entrusted with its development.
Dr. Daniel McKorley emphasised that they successfully transformed the concession within a two-year period and are committed to providing employment opportunities for the local population, ultimately contributing to economic growth.
Presently, the project is producing 650,000 metric tonnes of salt, with plans to increase production to one million metric tonnes next year and reach two million metric tonnes by 2025.
“This is only the first phase of the project and by the time we are done with the refinery and other sections, we could lead the industrialisation drive of the country, by providing jobs and boosting the economy,” he stated.
He said a chemical university to drive industrialization in Ghana would also be built after the final phase.
President Nana Akufo-Addo commendedDr. McKorley and Electrochemfor harnessing the full potential of the Songor Lagoon.
“This is the first time in the history of Ghana that an indigenous Ghanaian businessman owns one of the biggest salt refineries in Africa,” he stated.
Additionally, he pointed out that Ghana has the potential to serve as a salt supplier to Nigeria and various global regions, potentially eliminating the need for salt imports from Europe.
“Nigeria currently is importing two billion worth of salt from Brazil annually and gradually Ghana could be able to provide the neighbouring country and other countries with salt.
“Producing two million metric tonnes of salt a year will be the biggest salt concession in Africa and the government is committed to supporting the company to succeed,” he added.
Dr. Daniel McKorley expressed his gratitude to the Paramount Chief of Ada, Nene Abram Akuaku III, and the local community for their support and encouraged them to actively participate in the project as stakeholders.
The commissioning event saw the presence of notable figures, including Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources; Henry Quartey, the Greater Accra Minister; K.T. Hammond, the Minister of Trade and Industry; and executives from organisations such as the Ghana Association of Industries, the Chamber of Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Ecobank.
Kylian Mbappe appeared somewhat puzzled as he and his fellow teammates observed France’s victory over New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup opener held in Paris.
Fresh from his involvement in France’s 2-0 triumph against Ireland, the Paris Saint-Germain superstar forward decided to witness some rugby action as the World Cup kicked off on Friday night.
The tournament hosts, France, commenced with a victorious performance, defeating New Zealand 27-13, while the Stade de France was filled with enthusiastic spectators.
In the audience, Mbappe was accompanied by his international colleagues, including Antoine Griezmann, Dayot Upamecano, and Ousmane Dembele.
His relatively delayed reactions to certain points scored were captured on camera, suggesting his limited familiarity with the sport.
It’s well-known that the 24-year-old dedicates almost every waking moment to football, leaving little time to familiarise himself with other sports, especially one as intricate as rugby, which can be perplexing to newcomers.
Following his brief rugby experience on Friday, Mbappe’s focus will now shift back to football, as France is set to face Germany on September 12th.
Mount, who had dedicated 18 years to Chelsea, made a high-profile move to United in the summer for a reported fee of £60 million ($75 million).
This decision to join their rivals has not been well received by Chelsea’s fanbase.
However, Terry, who accumulated 492 appearances for the Blues during his impressive 19-year tenure from 1998 to 2017, has staunchly defended Mount’s choice to depart.
Speaking at an event on Friday, as quoted by Simon Phillips, Terry said: “Mase is proper Chels through and through. There’s always two sides to a story and I know the other side.
“I’m not going to air that tonight but there’s another side to the story. Let’s not be too harsh on Mason when he comes back [to Stamford Bridge with Manchester United].”
Mount has faced a challenging beginning to his time at Old Trafford. His displays alongsideBruno Fernandes in United’s midfield have faced intense scrutiny, and to compound matters, Mount is currently dealing with an injury.
However, there is optimism that he will return to action following the international break. His goal is to regain full match fitness in time for United’s upcoming Premier League match at home against Brighton next Saturday.
Director of Football for the Pro League, Michael Emenalo, has dismissed the notion that Saudi clubs might seek aChampions League spot down the line.
Recent reports suggested that officials from the Saudi Pro League were considering making an unusual request to UEFA, suggesting that the league champions be granted entry into Europe’s premier club competition as a ‘wild card’ entry.
However, Emenalo, formerly associated with Chelsea as their Director of Football, has rejected these claims.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Emenalo said, “I don’t know where that’s come from. I think that’s someone taking a dreamy leap into a far-fetched future.
“I think our goal is to take quality baby steps and the first step is to stabilise our league, make it very entertaining for our fans and getting fans across the world to pay attention to what we’re doing.”
Despite what Emenalo said, there’s little doubt the footballing world has been put on notice by the transfer dealings of Saudi sides this summer.
Big-name players including Neymar, Riyad Mahrez and Jordan Henderson all swapped Europe for Saudi Arabia as the league looks to grow rapidly.
With their summer transfer window having slammed shut on Thursday, clubs can put away their chequebooks and concentrate on football, with the next round of games set to get underway on September 14.
Footballers in Uruguay’s top two men’s divisions have voted unanimously to abstain from participating in this weekend’s matches as part of an ongoing dispute over their collective agreement, according to the global players union FIFPRO, which announced the decision on Friday.
The Uruguayan Professional Footballers’ Union (MUFP) made the decision on Thursday to refrain from participating in the matches.
Their goal is to secure an updated and ratified collective agreement to replace the existing one signed in 2007.
It’s important to note that the boycott permits players to continue with their training activities.
“We have been in collective bargaining for 22 months and, to date, we are still waiting for a response from the clubs,” Mitchell Duarte, general secretary of MUFP, told FIFPRO.
“We understand that we have gone down the necessary road at the necessary time. We need to take this kind of action to focus attention and to achieve a defined outcome.”
The MUFP has been trying to negotiate for several months with the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) and the Professional Football Council, which is made up of the 16 First Division and 14 Second Division clubs.
Duarte said wages, particularly in the second division, are “quite low”.
“The biggest difficulties we have encountered are in the salary increase in the Second Division,” Duarte said. “That has been the central focus of much of the discussion, but the strike covers all professional divisions.”
The AUF did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
“There has been no real wage increase since 2007, and we have remained in this situation for a long time,” he added.
“Despite the updates through theFIFA regulations and statutes, we still have a collective agreement that dates back sixteen years, and we are quite behind in a lot of aspects – this is something that concerns us.”
Duarte said that until the issue is rectified, it will be “difficult for the activity to return.”
According to a statement issued by the Association, Dr. Anderson violated their constitution by appointing his sister, who is a non-executive member, to collect dues on their behalf.
The statement further noted that all attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful.
“We bring to the attention of the entire university community and the public that the President of USAG, Dr. Christian Ntsiful Anderson, is alleged to have been involved in financial improprieties, including the unlawful collection of funds, the unauthorised disbursement of the funds, the hoarding of association funds and absconding with these funds.
“To add salt to injury, the President unlawfully instructed his sister (a relative who is not an executive) to collect dues and capitation paid by member institutions at Congress grounds.
“This is a breach of Article 33, Clause 2(a). The flippant disregard for the USAG constitution by the president is extremely alarming,” the statement said.
The statement also said that the president has failed to meet with the executive body to give it an account.
“Furthermore, the President, Dr. Christian Ntsiful Anderson, has not been forthcoming with the entire executive body concerning the finances of the entire administration and the just ended Congress in any official meeting whatsoever.
“Efforts to reach the president have proven futile, as he has deliberately refused to respond to calls. He has eluded meeting with the entire executive body since after Congress ended,” the release said.
A Borussia Dortmund executive has raised concerns about whether the spending spree in the Saudi Pro League has had an impact on financial fair play regulations.
According to a report by The Athletic, Dortmund’s chief financial officer, Thomas Tress, surprised attendees at a meeting of the European Club Association in Berlin by suggesting that Saudi clubs’ lavish spending might have provided an escape route for some teams facing financial fair play challenges.
Tress cited Neymar’s £80 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Al-Hilal as an example.
While Dortmund and PSG maintain a friendly relationship, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was reportedly upset upon hearing Tress’s comments and confronted him afterward.
Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke later reached out to Al-Khelaifi to offer apologies.
Interestingly, Dortmund and PSG are set to face each other in the Champions League, along withNewcastle United and AC Milan, which adds an element of intrigue to their upcoming meeting in the Parc des Princes boardroom.
Leeds United supporter, identified as David Derbyshire, aged 35 and residing on Marley Street in Beeston, has reportedly been sentenced to a 12-week prison term and received a six-year football banning order by Leeds Magistrates Court for assaultingNewcastle United manager Eddie Howe during a Premier League match in May.
The incident occurred during a match on May 13 between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road.
In the 93rd minute of the game, Derbyshire left his seat in the stands and entered the pitch-side technical area, where he engaged in a verbal altercation with Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe.
The situation escalated when Derbyshire pushed Howe’s left shoulder.
Security staff promptly intervened, removing Derbyshire from the area, and he was subsequently arrested by West Yorkshire Police. The assault was broadcast live on television and garnered significant public attention.
Following this incident, Leeds United have imposed a lifetime ban on Derbyshire, underscoring their zero-tolerance stance towards such misconduct.
Derbyshire entered a guilty plea to the charges on July 21.
Howe was shocked after the incident and he told BT Sport after the match: “That was a real surprise. I was concentrating on the game. It was the last thing you think could happen.”
“I can’t repeat what he said but it makes you think, What if?’. It was personal to me. I can’t remember if he pushed me or not; it was such a strange thing to happen. Moments like that make you think.”
“Criminal behaviour of this kind is completely unacceptable, particularly where club staff or players are targeted during a large-scale sports event such as this. I know that fans of the sport, regardless of their club affiliations, will join us in condemning anyone who acts in this way.
”We will always treat incidents like this very seriously and we work closely with Leeds United and visiting clubs to fully investigate any offences and take robust action against those responsible, including seeking football banning orders against them.”
Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans has voiced his dissatisfaction with his limited playing opportunities under the new coach, Unai Emery.
Despite joining the club as a free agent this summer following a successful five-year stint with Leicester City, the Belgian midfielder has yet to secure a starting position in a Premier League match.
While Tielemans has made appearances as a substitute in all four games, he has conveyed his desire to be included in the starting lineup to Emery.
“This situation is not pleasant,” said Tielemans in a press conference ahead of the Red Devils’ qualifier against Azerbaijan. “I told the coach [Emery] that I came to Villa to play. He understands me, but at the moment he prefers to play with his two midfielders from last season.
“He told me that soon the games will come one after the other and I’ll get more playing time. I know this answer doesn’t get me anywhere, but what am I supposed to do? As soon as I get an opportunity, I want to seize it. So far, I’ve started once, in the Conference League.”
Unai Emery has consistently relied on Boubacar Kamara and Douglas Luiz as his preferred midfield duo, complemented by John McGinn in the starting lineup.
Given Emery’s penchant for squad rotation, especially with European competitions on the horizon, it appears that it’s just a matter of time before Tielemans receives the playing time he desires.
In the meantime, the 26-year-old midfielder can temporarily put aside his club frustrations as he joins Belgium in their upcoming matches against Azerbaijan on Saturday and Estonia on Tuesday, as they strive to secure qualification for Euro 2024.
An Accra Circuit Court has lifted the bench warrant it previously issued for the arrest of Prince Tagoe,a former Ghanaian Black Stars player, who is facing an alleged auto fraud case.
On August 30, 2023, Prince Tagoe did not appear in court, leading to the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.
However, on Wednesday, September 6, Prince Tagoe, accompanied by his lawyer, Kwesi Kwakye, appeared before the court and made a payment of GH¢71,000 in connection with the case.
Kwakye informed the court that he had been informed about the bench warrant issued for his client’s arrest and requested that the court withdraw the warrant.
“Bench warrant issued for the arrest of the accused person is to be revoked and GH¢71,000 paid by the accused person be given to the complainant,” Bright Samuel Acquah said.
The case has been adjourned until September 27.
Prince Tagoe is facing charges of defrauding Black Stars Assistant Coach George Boateng of $40,000. He is accused of taking the money under the pretence of importing a Lexus sports utility vehicle for the Assistant Coach.
Tagoe has denied the offense but has made payments of GH¢20,000, GH¢70,000, and GH¢71,000, respectively.
The court has granted him bail in the amount of GH¢100,000 with three sureties, one of whom must be a civil servant. Additionally, one of the sureties may provide a land property as collateral.
George Antwi Boateng, a former player, is the complainant in the case.
According toDetective Chief Inspector Agartha Abena Asantewaa, the prosecutor, George Antwi Boateng, who resides in Germany, and Prince Tagoe, who was once under Boateng’s management in Germany, met in Ghana in 2020. Boateng informed Tagoe of his need to purchase a vehicle.
Tagoe agreed to import a vehicle for Boateng at a cost of $40,000, equivalent to GH¢265,200. On January 8, 2021, $40,000 was deposited into Tagoe’s bank account, and he acknowledged receipt with a phone call to Boateng.
Tagoe promised to deliver the vehicle to Boateng on March 30, 2021, but failed to do so. He requested an additional two weeks, which Boateng agreed to.
However, Tagoe was unable to import the vehicle as promised. Boateng traveled to Ghana on April 27, 2021, to collect the vehicle, but was unsuccessful.
When Boateng inquired about the vehicle, Tagoe allegedly stated that he could not import it because he had used the money for more urgent matters.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk (32) will miss his side’s next Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers after being suspended for an extra game following his reaction to being sent off against Newcastle United last month.
The Dutch defender was also fined 100,000 pounds after admitting he acted in an improper manner, the Football Association said in a statement.
Van Dijk was sent off for fouling Alexander Isak during the first half and appeared to remonstrate with referee John Brooks before walking off the pitch.
“The defender admitted that he acted in an improper manner and used abusive and insulting words towards a match official after being sent off in the 29th minute, and the sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent regulatory commission,” said an FA statement.
Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho, aged 31, has completed a season-long loan move to Qatar Stars League champions Al-Duhail from Aston Villa, as confirmed by the Premier League club on Friday.
Coutinho joined Villa on a permanent deal in 2022 but struggled to make a significant impact last season, managing just one league goal in 20 appearances.
This transfer to Al-Duhail comes after Coutinho’s previous stints with clubs like Liverpool, Inter Milan, and Barcelona. He had been signed by Barcelona for approximately £142 million in 2018, marking the third most expensive transfer in soccer history.
Coutinho, with 21 goals in 68 international appearances, has not represented Brazil since scoring in a 5-1 victory against South Korea in June of the previous year.
Al-Duhail, under the management of 48-year-old Argentine Hernan Crespo, currently occupy the third position in the Qatar Stars League, trailing league leaders Al-Rayyan by just two points.
They managed to secure only one point in their group, with a loss to Morocco in their opening match, followed by a draw against Gabon, and ultimately suffering defeat against the Comoros.
“First and foremost, my experiences so far indicate that the level of African football has increased and if I am not mistaken, we actually finished top of our group.
“I think that is something to be proud of. It is always about development when you look at the squad; even when I came in ten new players had been introduced to the squad,” he said at the post-match.
The Black Stars beat C.A.R. 2-1 to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the Baba Sports Stadium on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
Ghana came back from a goal down to secure the qualification, squeezing the vital result on a bad day.
The Black Stars ended the qualifiers unbeaten, amassing 12 points and finishing as winners of Group E. Addressing reporters in the press room at the Baba Yara Stadium, Savoy left a warning, stating, “Your next AFCON will be like the last one.”
In the previous AFCON held in Cameroon, the Black Stars, under the management of Milovan Rajevac, were eliminated in the group stage.
They secured just one point in their group, suffering a loss to Morocco in their opening match followed by a draw against Gabon, and ultimately falling to a defeat against the Comoros.
Following the2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Raoul Savoy, the Head Coach of the Central African Republic, raised concerns about Ghana’s performance and anticipated challenges for the Black Stars in the upcoming tournament.
Ghana secured their place in the competition, scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast, with a 2-1 victory over CAR at the Baba Yara Stadium on Thursday.
A crucial equaliser by Mohammed Kudus just before halftime set the stage for a closely contested match. However, it was Antoine Semenyo and Ernest Nuamah who ultimately secured the win for the Black Stars.
Unfortunately for CAR, this defeat means they will have to wait for another opportunity to participate in the continental showpiece, as they finished third in Group E.
Reflecting on the match, Savoy expressed his belief that the Black Stars received favorable treatment from the referee and were granted numerous privileges by the officials.
He cautioned that if Ghana replicates the performance displayed on Thursday in Ivory Coast, they could encounter further difficulties.
Addressing reporters in the press room at the Baba Yara Stadium, Savoy left a warning, stating, “Your next AFCON will be like the last one.”
In the previous AFCON held in Cameroon,the Black Stars, under the management of Milovan Rajevac, were eliminated in the group stage.
They secured just one point in their group, suffering a loss to Morocco in their opening match, followed by a draw against Gabon, and ultimately falling to a defeat against Comoros.
Reports suggest that Real Madrid Castilla coach Raul has been granted permission by his club to enter negotiations with Villarreal.
Villarreal is actively seeking a new manager following the dismissal of Quique Setien just four games into the season. Raul is among the four potential candidates being considered by Villarreal as a replacement for Setien.
Marcelo Gallardo and Julen Lopetegui are reported to have declined the position. Other contenders for the role include former Getafe coach Quique Sanchez Flores, ex-Valladolid manager Pacheta, and Rodolfo Martin Arruabarrena, who recently managed the United Arab Emirates national team.
Notably, Raul, aged 46, lacks experience coaching top-flight teams, having primarily managed Real Madrid’s youth teams and reserves.
Villarreal has encountered a mixed start to the season, winning one and losing three of their initial four league matches.
FIFA has confirmed that this summer saw an unprecedented $7.36 billion spent by clubs on international transfer fees, with the Saudi Pro League coming in second only to the Premier League in terms of spending.
According to a statement from the world football governing body, English clubs led the way in terms of the costliest arrivals from abroad, with a total expenditure of $1.98 billion across 449 transfers.
The Saudi Pro League closely followed with a combined spending of $875 million.
Notably, the Saudi Pro League’s figure, boosted by Neymar’s $96 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, could have been even higher if Al Ittihad had succeeded in their $187 million bid for Mohamed Salah on the September 1 deadline day.
“European football continues to be the benchmark for the game globally, and the Saudi investment in the game will divert its focus towards the infrastructure, to elevate the level of Asian football,” Deloitte Sports Business Group Izzy Wray said on Friday.
Luka Modric has acknowledged that it feels “strange feeling” not to be a consistent starter for Real Madrid in the current season. However, the 37-year-old midfielder, who recently extended his contract with Madrid for another year, is determined to earn his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield through hard work.
Modric has only been in the starting lineup for one of Real Madrid’s four LaLiga matches this season, specifically in last weekend’s 2-1 victory against Getafe.
In the other three matches, he has entered the game as a substitute.
“Nobody is happy when they don’t play. After the career I’ve had, it’s an especially strange feeling for me,” Modric told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti. “But the coach decided that, for his own reasons.
“My only condition for staying was to be treated as a competitive player, and not to be kept in the squad on the basis of past merits… I am completely calm. I’m aware that I have to work hard and sooner or later everything will fall into place.”
Modric now faces competition for his place from youngsters Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde andJude Bellingham.
“These young guys are top players, that’s why they’re at Real,” Modric said. “We veterans must help them progress and gradually take over the starting roles at the level that this club is looking for.”
The Ghana Police Service has offered an explanation for its decision to reverse the suspension imposed on COP George Mensah, Supt. George Asare, and Supt. Emmanuel Gyebi.
In a statement released on Thursday, September 7, 2023, and signed by ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, the police clarified that they intend to pursue disciplinary measures against the three officers following an investigation into the leaked audio by the seven-member parliamentary committee.
The Ghana Police Service states that this decision is aimed at preventing any prejudice against the eventual ruling of the parliamentary committee.
“In order not to prejudice the ongoing probe, the police administration has suspended their interdiction,” part of the police statement reads.
In the previous month, a leaked audio recording surfaced, featuring several senior police officers seeking the support of Bugri Naabu to remove the current Inspector-General of Police from his position.
These officers, who identified themselves as supporters of the ruling New Patriotic Party, expressed concerns that Dr. Dampare’s presence in office posed a threat to the party’s chances of winning the 2024 election.
Bugri Naabu, when questioned by a parliamentary committee investigating the leaked recording, acknowledged recording his conversations with the police officers. He explained that he did so to provide President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo with evidence of the alleged plot.
The Spanish prosecutor has officially filed alawsuit against Luis Rubiales, alleging charges of sexual assault and coercion following his forced kiss on Jenni Hermoso.
Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Association (FA), has become embroiled in a significant sports and political scandal as a result of his actions during the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.
During the medal ceremony that followed Spain’s historic 1-0 victory over England, Rubiales made physical advances towards the triumphant players. He also embraced Jenni Hermoso and forcibly kissed her on the lips.
In response to this incident, Hermoso filed a formal complaint with the prosecutor’s office on Wednesday, potentially exposing Rubiales to criminal charges.
Additionally, Rubiales is currently under investigation by Spain’s highest sports court for “serious misconduct” and has been suspended from all football-related activities by FIFA since August 27th.
Rubiales – who is also a vice-president at UEFA – has refused to resign from his prominent posts and claims to have become the subject of a “witch hunt” from “false feminists”.
He has consistently asserted that his embrace with Hermoso was “consensual” and a spontaneous expression of celebration.
However, critics have come together in opposition to him, with all 23 members of Spain’s victorious World Cup squad declaring their refusal to represent the national team until Rubiales is removed from his position.
Jorge Vilda also witnessed 11 members of his coaching staff resign before ultimately being dismissed himself, a decision he has refused to acknowledge.
In the event that formal charges are brought, Spanish law stipulates that sexual assault carries a potential prison sentence ranging from one to four years.
Associate Dean of Business Administration and Communication Arts at Academic City University College, Prof. Enoch Opoku Antwi, has provided an explanation for Alan’s significant loss in his supposed stronghold, the Ashanti Region.
This comes after delegates from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who participated in the party’s Special Delegate Conference in the Ashanti Region are facing allegations of betraying former presidential hopeful Alan Kyerematen by not casting their votes in his favor.
During an interview on XYZ TV on Thursday, September 7, 2023, Prof. Opoku Antwi pointed out that Alan had overlooked many of his supporters in the Ashanti Region who had been denied positions in the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He explained that these individuals had shifted their allegiance to the Akufo-Addo camp because they were not receiving any assurances from Alan.
“When Akufo-Addo won, all those he knew were Alan supporters were not given positions… and the mistake Alan made was that he did not reach out to those people. If, because of Alan, they did not get any positions in government, he (Alan) was supposed to reach out to them and promise them positions when he comes to power; that did not happen.
“Some of these guys waited on the peripheral, waiting for Alan to come and tell them something. It never happened and eventually, they were roped into Akufo-Addo’s government. Now they began to walk away from Akufo-Addo and he never saw it,” he said.
The scholar pointed out that the outcome of the Special Delegate Congress in the Ashanti Region, where Alan experienced a significant defeat to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, indicated that he had lost his primary support base.
He proposed that the result in the Ashanti Region was among the factors that led Alan to decid
“If you look at what happened at the supper delegates … the Ashanti people failed Alan and that is his stronghold… They took the leader off his feet. And when you have people like Osei-Kyei-Mensah and the others coming to say that people should not contest, they should give it to Bawumia.
“It means that the people you were expecting to support you at your stronghold have failed you. In the Ashanti Region, Bawumia had almost 80% of the vote, more than any other region and it meant a lot to Alan that he didn’t have that kind of base. And if you don’t have a base, you can’t have a pace,” he added.
The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has highlighted the necessity for a change in the landscape of political competition.
He has underscored the importance of political parties shifting their focus towards the pursuit of excellence, with Ghana reaping the ultimate rewards.
In a conversation with Broadcast Journalist Kojo Yankson on Twitter, the General Secretary said: “The competition must remain, but it should not merely remain a competition that sees the NDC striving to beat the NPP, but one that sees the NDC doing what will make Ghana great and happy.”
Furthering the conversation on how to be more competitive, he suggested that “when Ghana becomes very happy with our performance, then our competitiveness vis-à-vis the opponent becomes a higher version of competition.”
Fifi Kwetey encouraged the NDC to rise above the common practise of comparing track records and start striving for excellence rather than simply using the abysmal track record of the NPP as the barometer because Ghana deserves better.
Touching on the dashed hopes of the youth, he attributed the frustration to the lack of trustworthiness, particularly exhibited by the NPP and the continued failure of leadership across Africa, which has led to the recent wave of coups.
Fifi Kwetey also touched on the need for institutions to be allowed to operate independently, notably the Judiciary and the Electoral Commission.
He also explained his new project, dubbed Arise for Ghana “, a thought-provoking online episodic short broadcast aimed at addressing critical issues relating to leadership, governance, values, attitudes and actions that shape national development.
Prominent African scholar Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba has expressed his full support for the recent military takeovers that have occurred across the African continent.
He contends that these coups were deemed necessary because the leaders in the affected nations were resorting to various unlawful methods to cling to power.
Prof. Lumumba made these remarks during an interview on Onua TV in Accra on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. He believes that these coups present an opportunity for the affected countries to start anew and reevaluate their governance systems for the betterment of their citizens.
Furthermore, he argued that these coups could potentially free the African nations involved from the influence of their former colonial rulers, particularly France.
“Yes, I do (support the military interventions) … you remember the Malabo Declaration of 2022 by African Heads of State in Equatorial Guinea against terrorism and unconstitutional changes of power.
I strongly support the recent military intervention in some African countries. – Prof. Lumumba discusses the reasons for the unexpected rise in coups in Africa.#OnuaFM#OnuaMaakyepic.twitter.com/jpDe4wozMi
“But when you look at the regimes that we are talking about, in the countries in question, they come to power through sham elections; elections that are choreographed from France, elections that are own through rigging and bribery. So, even their occupation of power itself is illegitimate.
He added “And some of them own allegiance to Paris rather than to their people, to the extent that their people cannot guarantee a change of government. What is wrong if our men and women in military intervene for a short time for the purposes of preparing us to go into a different face where we can improve governance”.
The academic also called for the re-examination of democracy as the system of governance for African countries because it appears not to be working for the good of the citizenry.
“I feel very reluctant to use the word democracy; because it has been abused. Democracy is a word that has been handed over to us by Europe and America… and in their minds, it means periodic elections which they come and monitor and tell us that you have done a good job,” he noted.
The African Continent has been hit by 10 military overtakes from 2020 to date with the latest victim being the Central African country; Gabon.
There have been seven coups in West African countries, including two in Burkina Faso, one in Guinea, two in Mali, one in Niger and one in Chad.
Two coups in Central Africa, all in Gabon, and one in North Africa, Tunisia.
Tottenham explored the possibility of bringing Jordi Cruyff on board for a sporting director role at the club.
However, according to Diario Sport, Cruyff, aged 49, expressed a preference for returning to a managerial position.
Cruyff had previously held a similar role at Barcelona for two years, alongside Mateu Alemany, before departing earlier in the year.
Tottenham was in the process of restructuring their behind-the-scenes setup following the departure of their director of football, Fabio Paratici, in April.
However, it appears unlikely that Cruyff will be a solution for the London club, as he is actively pursuing a coaching role.
His post-playing career has involved a mix of managerial and backroom positions, and after his stint as Barcelona’s sporting director, he is eager to return to coaching.
Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew has confidently expressed his desire to accumulate more caps for the Black Stars, emphasizing that he considers himself still youthful in his career.
Leading Ghana to a 2-1 victory over the Central African Republic in their final 2023 AFCON qualifier at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday, September 7, the Crystal Palace forward demonstrated his commitment to the national team.
Having recently been voted Crystal Palace’s Player of the Month for August, Ayew completed the full match, earning his 91st cap for the Black Stars since making his debut in 2010.
He acknowledged that reaching this milestone at the age of 30 was unexpected, but he firmly believes that he has more games to contribute to Ghana, underscoring his determination and commitment to the team.
“I’m surprised because I did not even know. It is a proud moment and achievement and I’m still young. I want to keep going and even at club level because I feel fit and strong and I know I still have more years to come”, he said in a post-match interview.
“It is best to start the national team very early and I still have more years. It is very positive and I want to thank all the managers who were here in the past and now for the confidence and I need to keep going”, he added.
Jordan has 19 goals for the Black Stars and has gone on to represent the nation in two FIFA World Cups (2014 and 2022), as well as five Africa Cup of Nations (2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021), helping them finish runners-up in 2015.
At club level,Jordan is yet to find the back of the net for The Eagles but has contributed two assists in four games in the 2023/24 season.
Barcelona is determined do “whatever it takes” to keep Alexia Putellas at the club as she enters the last year of her contract, as stated by the club’s director of professional sports, Xavier Budo.
He revealed to Mundo Deportivo that negotiations with Putellas’ agent have been in progress for two months, with the aim of securing a new contract for her.
“She is a reference as a player and a leader, but her influence on the project goes far beyond that,” Budo said when asked about Putellas’ future at Barça. “Because of this, and this has been discussed with the president and the board, the executives are clear that we have to do whatever it takes to keep her.
“We have been negotiating a renewal with her agent for two months and Alexia has told us she wants to stay. The club wants to do whatever it takes to keep her.”
Putellas is one of several players whose deals expire in 2024. Sandra Paños, Mapi Leon, Patri Guijarro, Lucy Bronze and Mariona Caldentey are also out of contract next summer, as is coach Jonatan Giráldez.
Manchester United’s forward Jadon Sancho is set to have discussions with the club’s coaching staff after a last-minute move to Saudi Arabia fell through, as reported by Sky Sports.
Despite Saudi Pro League clubs making significant signings this summer, Al Ettifaq’s attempt to secure a late loan deal for the English international hit a roadblock due to their insistence on a £50 million obligation to make the transfer permanent.
While the Saudi transfer window has closed, Sancho’s future at Manchester United has become uncertain following a public dispute with manager Erik ten Hag.
Sources suggest that Sancho now faces a challenge regaining the support of his teammates.
Following his exclusion by Ten Hag for the game against Arsenal, the manager cited Sancho’s poor training performances as the reason. In response, Sancho expressed his discontent with Ten Hag’s comments, stating that he had been a “scapegoat for a long time.”
Nonetheless, Sky reports that Sancho intends to engage with the coaching staff at Old Trafford during the international break to work on resolving the situation.
Since his £73 million transfer fromBorussia Dortmund in 2021, the England international has struggled for consistent form and endured a period without playing from October 22nd to February 1st last season.
He ended the campaign with seven goals and three assists.
President of Fluminense, Mario Bittencourt, has officially stated to ESPN Brasil that he rejected an offer from Liverpool for midfielder Andre during the recent transfer window.
Liverpool aimed to bolster their midfield after the departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia and saw Andre as a potential reinforcement before the September 1st deadline.
“Liverpool’s Chief Executive [Billy Hogan] contacted me directly,” Bittencourt told ESPN Brasil in an exclusive interview. “I replied to him: ‘My friend, I don’t sell players now and I don’t deliver them now. If you want to buy now and only get the player in January, we can start talking… Or if you want to wait until December, we can talk in December.”
Fluminense are reluctant to let Andre leave before the end of the season, with the team in contention for the Copa Libertadores.
The Rio de Janeiro-based club has reached the semifinals of South America’s elite club competition and takes on fellow Brazilian outfit Internacional next month.
“There is an agreement between us, with the player and agent, that he would stay until the [Andre] end of the year,” Bittencourt said. “They [player and agent] have complied fully and with the utmost peace of mind. Every interest that comes in, they communicate with Fluminense.”
Andre, a 22-year-old talent, has earned his place in Brazil’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Currently under contract with Fluminense until December 2026, Andre holds a pivotal role in coach Fernando Diniz’s plans.
This season, Andre has already participated in an impressive 43 games, making him a standout performer who has consequently drawn interest from numerous clubs.
Reportedly, Fulham had a €20 million ($21.4 million) bid for Andre turned down earlier this year, underscoring his value and potential in the football market.
Former Ghanaian international Asamoah Gyan has showered praise on Mohammed Kudus for his exceptional performance in the Black Stars’ 2-1 victory over the Central African Republic in the final AFCON Group E clash, which took place on Thursday, September 7 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Kudus delighted Ghanaians when he delivered a skillful free-kick from just outside the penalty box in the 43rd minute, equalising the game shortly after the Central Africans had taken the lead in the 25th minute through Luois Moufat.
Gyan, who retired from professional football in June 2023 after a successful 20-year career at the club level, lauded Kudus as the standout player in the current Black Stars team.
In a post cited by GhanaWeb on Twitter, Ghana’s all-time top scorer said, “I loved how Kudus played. He was more composed and realised the ball at the right time. For me, he is the Star man on this Black Stars team at the moment. More room for improvement”, he tweeted.
I loved how Kudus played. He was more composed and realized the balls at the right time. For me, he is the Star man in this Black Stars team at the moment. More room for improvement 💪🏿💪🏿🔥
Kudus made a high-profile move to English Premier League side West Ham United in August 2023, signing a five-year deal worth £38 million after a successful stint with Dutch giants Ajax.
He became the third Ghanaian to play for The Hammers, following in the footsteps of John Paintsil and Andre Ayew.
He made his debut for West Ham on Saturday, September 1, coming on as a substitute in the 91st minute during their 2-1 away victory over Luton Town.
Kudus made his debut for the Black Stars in 2019 and has since scored seven goals in 27 appearances.
James Maddison initially had reservations about inheriting Tottenham’s No. 10 shirt from Harry Kane but has now come to terms with the situation.
The English playmaker completed a £40 million ($50 million) transfer from Leicester to Spurs during the summer of 2023.
He briefly shared the North London club with his Three Lions teammate Kane, who later made a high-profile move to Bayern Munich, one of the top clubs in the Bundesliga.
Maddison was initially assigned the No. 71 jersey during his early pre-season appearances, but he was not content with that choice.
Eventually, following Kane’s departure to Germany, the 26-year-old reluctantly accepted the No. 10 shirt as Tottenham aimed to maximise their revenue.
Madison has said of taking on an iconic jersey: “I didn’t want the number 10 shirt to become free, to be honest, because that meant one thing. So I was definitely not waiting for the number 10 shirt. We all got given pre-season numbers: me, Solomon Manor, the new signings, and Destiny Udogie. Then, when the time came—because there are ins and outs—it was changed. The club has to sell shirts.”
While Maddison did not actively pursue the No. 10 jersey at the Spurs, he is glad to once again wear it because he has the number tattooed on his arm and it holds a lot of significance for him.
He added: “I didn’t want Harry to leave but when he did leave and the number 10 shirt became free and the club asked me, then of course I wanted to wear it. It’s my favourite number. I’ve got it tattooed on me, I loved that number growing up as a kid so I was never going to say no.”
Maddison has wasted no time making his mark at Tottenham, contributing two goals and two assists in his first four Premier League outings, which have helped secure 10 points for the team.
He is also part of the England squad getting ready to take on Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier and a friendly match against neighbouring Scotland at Hampden Park.
A staunch West Ham fan who travelled all the way from London to Kumasi to watchMohammed Kudus play for Ghana’s Black Stars in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
Speaking exclusively to GhanaWeb, Ian, the West Ham fan, revealed that he was able to make the trip in time from London to Ghana just to watch the new West Ham player, Mohammed Kudus, in action.
“I am here to watch Mohammed Kudus, our new signing,” Ian said when asked which player he was coming to watch in the match.
“He is very skilled and strong. We love him,” the West Ham fan told GhanaWeb’s Joseph Adamafio at the Baba Yara Stadium.
He added, “West Ham are massive everywhere we go and I have come all the way from the UK to watch Mohammed Kudus and the Black Stars.”
Mohammed Kudus played a key role in Ghana’s match against the Central African Republic at Kumasi’s Baba Yara Stadium.
The dedicated West Ham fan’s journey to watch his favourite player proved fruitful as Kudus scored a crucial equalizer for Ghana with a free-kick after the opponents had initially taken the lead in the game.
Ultimately, Ghana emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, securing their qualification as group leaders for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, set to be hosted in Ivory Coast next year.
Kudus had garnered significant attention from European clubs following his impressive performances at the 2022 World Cup and his successful stint with Ajax Amsterdam. West Ham secured his signature a few weeks ago.
Although Kudus made his debut for West Ham shortly before the international break, with a brief appearance during their 2-1 victory over Luton Town, he had already gathered a passionate following in London.
Fans eagerly anticipate Kudus’s return to West Ham in the coming week, where he is sure to receive a warm welcome. His exceptional skills will be on display in an upcoming match againstManchester City at the London Stadium when the Premier League resumes.
Neymar has been reflecting on the significance of becoming Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, needing just one more goal to surpass Pele’s record.
Currently, the Al-Hilal forward is tied with his legendary compatriot, both having scored 77 goals for their country.
It seems inevitable that Neymar will soon score his 78th goal, surpassing Pele, who won the World Cup three times.
This historic achievement could potentially occur during a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia. Additionally, Brazil is scheduled to face Peru next Tuesday.
Neymar has said of potentially rewriting the record books: “It is hard to know what that record means, but it does mean a lot. No-one ever thought about overcoming that. It is something I will respond to after it is done.”
Neymar’s last outing for Brazil came in their 2022 World Cup quarterfinal defeat to Croatia, with the 31-year-old hinting after that penalty shootout setback that he could bow out with 124 caps to his name.
He has said of carrying on with the Selecao: “After a lot of pressure from family and friends [to return to the national team], you start giving value to everything you did.
“When you are with your people, your family, they put you in your place and make you see it is worth it to continue being happy by wearing Brazil’s shirt.”
Neymar’s debut for Brazil dates back to 2010.
The CBF is hesitant to overly celebrate his achievement of reaching 78 goals, as their records, which vary slightly from the official ones, indicate that Pele has scored 95 goals for the South American nation when considering all of his international appearances.
Arsenal’s forward, Kai Havertz (24), shared on Thursday that he remains composed despite the challenging beginning to his time in north London after his high-profile transfer from Chelsea.
Speaking during an international duty press conference in Wolfsburg before Germany’s friendly against Japan on Saturday, Havertz informed the media that he’s actively focused on the process of fitting in with his new team.
“I think so far in my career I had phases here and there where things were a little bumpy – and of course I know that you (media) after four matchdays will just point out the negatives, and a lot of bad stuff will be written,” he said.
“It’s not the first time I’ve come to a new club and so I know that it can take a bit longer and so I am relaxed about it.”
Kai Havertz, having not scored or provided any assists in his initial four Premier League matches for Arsenal, has faced criticism that led manager Mikel Arteta to offer his support.
Following his decision to substitute Havertz after 56 minutes during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Fulham in late August, Arteta acknowledged that the forward had already made positive contributions but conceded that the finishing touch was lacking.
“In a lot of situations, he should have scored a lot of goals already this season. That’s the thing that is missing there,” said Arteta.
Arsenal, who finished runners-up to Manchester City in the Premier League last season to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in six seasons, have three wins and a draw so far this season.
“It’s only my second month there, so that’s why I’m relatively relaxed,” added Havertz.
Despite facing injuries, COVID-19 challenges, and a less successful stint in Portuguese football, 22-year-old Australian Sammy Silvera has chosen to return to Europe after gaining valuable experience and confidence by winning the A-League championship with the Central Coast Mariners.
While Middlesbrough, currently struggling at the bottom of England’s second division, may not be the dream destination for every footballer, it has provided a unique opportunity for Silvera. He has received a call-up to Graham Arnold’s Australian squad, potentially paving the way for his international debut.
Silvera is aiming to represent the Socceroos when they take on Gold Cup winners Mexico in a friendly match in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday. This opportunity comes as Arnold prepares his squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
In his time at Middlesbrough, Silvera has been a starter in four of their five English Championship matches. He also shares the pitch with fellow Australians, midfielder Riley McGree, and goalkeeper Tom Glover, adding a sense of camaraderie to his experience at the Yorkshire-based club.
“At the Mariners, I found my love for football again and I really enjoyed being there,” Silvera told reporters on Thursday.
“Coming to Middlesbrough was that same feeling where it felt like a family, a really positive environment ever since I’ve set foot in the door.
“Knowing, Riley and Tom were going to be at the club was a massive help for sure. From day one, Riley knows the club inside and out pretty much so it just helps having that, it makes that transition a lot easier.
“With Tom, we’re both new so we just bounce off each other, we’re learning together.”
At the age of 19, Silvera departed from Australia to pursue a career with Pacos de Ferreira in Portugal’s top-tier football league. However, his journey abroad was marred by injuries, leading to loan spells with lower-division teams before eventually returning to his homeland.
Following a year on loan at the A-League’s Newcastle Jets, Silvera made his way back to the Central Coast Mariners, the club where he had begun his professional career as a teenager.
Under the guidance of coach Nick Montgomery, the Mariners, who operate with one of the A-League’s most budget-friendly rosters, secured their second championship with a resounding 6-1 victory over Melbourne City in the ‘Grand Final’ match held in June.
Silvera attributed his career resurgence to Montgomery and his coaching staff, acknowledging their role in getting his career back on track after the challenging experience in Portugal.
“The way they encouraged me on the pitch to just play and do what I love basically,” he said.
“He brought a young team together that got the biggest crowd to ever come to the stadium. It was fantastic to be a part of.”
Although the exact terms were not officially disclosed, reports from British media indicate that Steven Gerrard’s team agreed to a transfer fee of eight million pounds for Gray, who has inked a four-year contract with his new club.
Everton manager Sean Dyche criticised Gray this week saying he “didn’t want to train” and “didn’t want to be here,” after the player wrote on Instagram: “It’s so difficult to play for someone who doesn’t show you respect as a person”.
Demarai Gray, who hails from Birmingham, initially represented England at the youth level. However, this year, he decided to change his national allegiance to Jamaica and has earned five caps for the Jamaican national team.
During his time at Al Ettifaq under the leadership of former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, the club has made notable signings, including Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum, both of whom previously played for Liverpool, as well as Moussa Dembele from Olympique Lyonnais.
Reports from ESPN Argentina suggest that Angel Di Maria is considering retiring from international duty after the 2024 Copa America tournament.
The winger showcased outstanding form during the Qatar World Cup, playing a crucial role in Argentina’s victory and breaking a 36-year drought to claim their third global championship.
Di Maria even scored a crucial goal in the final against France and was a significant presence on the field throughout the intense 120 minutes of play.
Di Maria’s impact in the national team extends beyond the World Cup, as he also scored in the final of the 2021 Copa America against Brazil and once again in the 2022 Finalissima victory over Italy.
These achievements have solidified his legacy in the iconic Albiceleste jersey.
Cesar Luis Menotti, the manager who guided Argentina to their inaugural World Cup title in 1978, believes that Di Maria deserves to be mentioned in the same breath asfootball legends like Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Mario Kempes.
Having accumulated an impressive 132 caps and 29 goals since his debut in a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in 2008, Di Maria will be seen in action for the reigning world champions when they face Ecuador in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign this Thursday.
Germany midfielder Jamal Musiala (20) will miss his team’s next friendlies against Japan and France, the German FA said on Thursday, due to a back injury.
The statement said Musiala “would not be available for selection in the upcoming games with Japan and France due to back pain”, explaining “he didn’t travel to the team hotel today as planned.”
Musiala had been included in manager Hansi Flick’s 24-player squad for the September friendlies, despite nursing a thigh injury that had sidelined him for Bayern Munich’s last two matches.
However, Bayern Munich later confirmed that Musiala was dealing with a back injury, necessitating his withdrawal from both the Saturday clash against Japan and the Tuesday meeting with France.
In addition, on Wednesday, striker Niclas Fuellkrug left the training camp and returned to his club side, Borussia Dortmund, due to thigh problems.
In response to Fuellkrug’s absence, Flick summoned forward Thomas Muller, marking Muller’s return to the Germany national team for the first time since the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Germany, having secured qualification for Euro 2024 as the tournament hosts, will primarily engage in friendly matches during their preparations.
Ghana’s national boxing teams, the Black Bombers (male team) and the Hitters (female team), arrived in Dakar, Senegal, on Thursday, September 7, in preparation for the African Olympic Boxing Qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The teams consisted of seven male and five female boxers, along with accompanying officials, who departed from Ghana on Wednesday, September 6.
Before their departure, the team received support from Tribal Sports Wear & Kustom Looks, where they were provided with training kits. Kwab Asamoah, CEO of Tribal Sports Wear & Kustom Looks, presented the items, expressing his desire to contribute to sports development.
The training kits were accepted by Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the Director of Communications for the Ghana Olympics Committee (GOC), and Charles Jojo Ephson, the Communication Officer of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), who were among the team’s officials.
Bernard Quartey, President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), holds high hopes for a strong performance by the Black Bombers and the Black Hitters in the upcoming competition.
“They have trained very hard and will give their best team to make us proud as always. I want to thank the GOC President and the Sports Minister for their support towards this all-important qualification championship,” he told GBF Media.
Players participating in Liga F, Spain’s premier women’s football league, will go on strike for the first two weeks of the upcoming season due to the absence of an agreement with the league regarding a new minimum wage.
Liga F engaged in negotiations throughout the week with various players’ unions, primarily led by the Spanish Players’ Association [AFE], but announced on Wednesday that an agreement could not be reached.
The players have requested the introduction of a minimum salary of €25,000 for the upcoming season, with an increase to €30,000 for the 2024-25 campaign. Last season, in the league’s first year as a fully professional league, the minimum salary was set at €16,000.
In a statement, Liga F noted that it had incrementally improved its offer during the week, which also encompassed the elimination of part-time contracts and the provision of various additional benefits, such as childcare and support for parents.
“The unions [negotiating on behalf of the players] showed absolutely no willingness to negotiate their salary demands,” Liga F said.
“Despite their incomprehensible attitude, Liga F, in response to the request of the unions themselves, took new steps towards reaching an agreement and [on Wednesday] presented a new alternative agreement for a single season with a minimum salary of €20,000 — an increase of 25% on the current minimum salary — with the possibility of reaching €23,000 based on commercial benefits generated by the competition.
“The union response today was, once again, negative. The irresponsibility, lack of spirit and lack of vision of the unions has led players to a strike that is seriously damaging the image of Spanish women’s football at a time when all players should have understood the obvious potential for growth from which all parties could have benefited if the common interest of the project had prevailed over personal interests.
“The league, in order to avoid a strike, will not give in to pressure or accept proposals that would mean the economic collapse of the competition and, therefore, the failure of women’s professional football.”
The strike arrives at a crucial moment for women’s football in Spain, following the country’s victory in the Women’s World Cup for the first time this summer, with a triumph over England in the final in Sydney last month.
However, the celebrations have been marred by the controversy surrounding the conduct of Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), during the festivities. This includes his non-consensual kiss on the lips of forward Jenni Hermoso.
Rubiales has since been suspended byFIFA for 90 days, is the subject of an investigation for “serious misconduct” from Spain’s top sports court [TAD] and, on Wednesday, Hermoso filed a legal complaint for sexual assault against him.
In the midst of broader restructuring within the RFEF, World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda has also been dismissed from his position.
Last season, the start of Liga F was postponed due to a strike by referees who were seeking improved working conditions.
The league was scheduled to commence on Friday, featuring a match between Sevilla and Granadilla Tenerife. Additionally, reigning champions Barcelona, who have claimed the title in each of the past four seasons, were prepared to host Valencia on Sunday.
United States youth international (USYNT) Adrian Simon Gill is participating in training sessions with FC Barcelona’s first team, during theSeptember FIFA International break,
The 17-year-old Miami-born footballer, who has represented U.S. soccer at various youth levels, shared his experience on Instagram, where he was observed competing alongside Spanish internationals Marcos Alonso and Ferran Torres.
Gill initially joined the renowned La Masia academy in 2018 and in 2022, he extended his association with the Catalan giants by signing a new three-year contract.
His goal is to become the third American to earn a first-team appearance with Barcelona, following in the footsteps of Konrad De La Fuente and Sergino Dest.
Additionally, fellow USYNT international Diego Kochen was among the 27 players selected for Barcelona’s 2023/24 UEFA Champions League roster.
At just 17 years old, he aims to further establish himself this season and is striving for an opportunity to feature in the first team under the guidance ofhead coach Xavi.
