Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has taken over as the Head Coach of the Black Galaxies, succeeding Annor Walker. As the Assistant Coach of the Black Stars, Didi Dramani is set to guide the team during the qualifiers for the upcoming Championship of African Nations (CHAN) Tournament.
In addition to his role at Right To Dream Academy, Didi Dramani boasts a track record of success, having led Ghana to a Bronze medal at the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan. He also achieved domestic success by securing the Premier League and FA Cup double with Asante Kotoko in 2014.
In his earlier years, Didi Dramani played for Bolgatanga Soccer Masters, Real Tamale United, and Cape Coast Mysterious Ebusua Dwarfs before retiring from his playing career in 2000.
Assisting Didi Dramani in his coaching role will be Baba Nuhu and Samuel Boadu.
Ghana’s objective is to secure a place in theCHAN tournament once again, following their quarterfinal exit in the previous edition held in Algeria earlier this year.
Former Ghanaian midfielder, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, has issued a warning to the Black Stars ahead of their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Central African Republic on Thursday, September 7 in Kumasi.
Ghana must secure a victory in this match to secure a place in next year’s tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
The ex-Udinese midfielder has offered advice to the team, emphasising the importance of maintaining focus and avoiding any sense of complacency when facing their opponents.
“The most important thing is that we need to concentrate on theAFCON qualifier and build a formidable squad that can compete on the world stage”, he said on Radio Gold Sports.
“The most important thing is we have a promising squad and we just need to build on them, have one or two come and add up to them. Those who are willing to play and those who the coach thinks he needs on board and with this promising squad and the young chaps we have, I think we can go far”.
Ghana leads group E with nine points, two better than the visitors from five games, and needs a draw or a win to progress to the delayed edition of the tournament next year.
Despite reports suggesting that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) might consider firing him, Chris Hughton, the current Head Coach of the Black Stars, enjoys the full support of the GFA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, according to Mark Addo, the Vice President of the GFA.
This affirmation of support comes ahead of Ghana’s crucial fixture against the Central African Republic, marking the final game of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers. The match is scheduled to take place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
To secure qualification for the 2024 AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast, Ghana needs either all three points or a single point from the upcoming match.
With the national team’s ambition to secure a place in the continental challenge next year, Mark Addo expressed confidence in Chris Hughton’s leadership and stated that the GFA and Sports Ministry have no intentions of dismissing him.
They are committed to providing the necessary resources to support the coach in achieving success.
Chris Hughton initially served as the Technical Advisor during Ghana’s 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar under former Coach Otto Addo.
However, he assumed the role of Head Coach in March 2023 after Otto Addo’s departure.
In his first three games in charge, the former Brighton and Hove Albion manager has recorded two draws and one win.
Chelsea is reportedly planning to make another addition to its squad by targeting Brentford forward Ivan Toney in the upcoming January transfer window.
In the current season, Chelsea has already secured the services of Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal and Cole Palmer from Manchester City, while Christopher Nkunku completed his move from RB Leipzig.
Despite these signings, the club continues to struggle to score goals in the 2023/24 season.
Palmer’s arrival at Chelsea occurred on deadline day, and Nkunku suffered an injury shortly before the season began, ruling him out of action until November of this year.
Nicolas Jackson has started in all four Premier League matches but has only managed to find the net once.
With just five goals from their first four league matches, manager Mauricio Pochettino is contemplating adding another attacking option. According to the Evening Standard, Pochettino is interested in securing the services of Ivan Toney from Brentford in the January transfer window.
It’s worth noting thatToney is currently serving an eight-month ban from playing after admitting to 232 breaches of FA betting rules in May.
Neymar‘s six-year tenure at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) didn’t unfold as expected, a sentiment shared not only by fans but also by the Brazilian forward himself.
In a recent reflection on his time with the French giants, Neymar acknowledged the challenges he faced.
After his high-profile transfer from Barcelona in the summer of 2017, PSG fans had lofty expectations for their record signing.
Unfortunately, Neymar’s time at the Ligue 1 club was plagued by recurring injuries.
Despite these setbacks, PSG strengthened their attack by bringing in Lionel Messi, fostering hopes of a formidable partnership among Messi, Neymar, and star forward Kylian Mbappe that could lead them to the coveted UEFA Champions League title.
Neymar holds the record as football’s most expensive player. Image: AFP.
Source: Getty Images
However, the trio’s union was marred by consecutive rounds of 16 exits in the UCL.
In response to their prolonged failure, the club made the decision to part ways with some of their high-profile stars, including Neymar and Messi.
Neymar expressed his feelings about the treatment he and Messi received at the French club, describing it as ‘hell’ in a recent interview with Brazilian outlet Globo.
Neymar’s remarks did not go unnoticed, and PSG’s current manager, Luis Enrique, who inadvertently oversees the club’s departures, has responded.
Luis Enrique reacts to Neymar’s claim The Spanish manager, speaking after his team’s 4-0 win at league rivals Lyon, as quoted by PSGHub, said:
“Neymar’s statements that he and Messi’s time here were like ‘hell’?
These are personal experiences, I don’t want to get into that. I can tell you about my experience. I’m absolutely delighted, I feel like I’m in charge of a rather unique team with a club that trusts me 100%.”
The French club also reacted to the remarks made by their former superstar, as reported by L’Equipe:
“We don’t make any comments. “We have a certain elegance. Curiously, both players wanted to stay at PSG.”
Neymar isn’t the only individual to have taken a swipe at the Parisian club, with the agent of midfield outcast previously labelling the club as a ‘prison’.
Marco Verratti’s agent blasts PSG Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Verratti’s former agent tearing into PSG and how the club is run, comparing the Ligue 1 champions to a prison and even claiming they ‘blackmail’ players to stay.
In an explosive revelation, Donato Di Campli also alleged the Ligue 1 champions blocked his ex-client from joining Barcelona years earlier, and his livelihood as a football agent was also threatened.
Veteran former Spain defender Sergio Ramos said Monday he was returning to his hometown clubSevilla after 18 years away.
“It’s a very special day, returning home is always a tremendous joy, now we have to do the medical,” Ramos, 37, told the media.
“Happy to return and try to contribute as soon as possible, which is the important thing.”
Sevilla sit bottom of La Liga without a point after three matches but as Europa League champions, they have qualified for the Champions League group stage.
They start their campaign on September 20.
Ramos left Sevilla at the age of 19 to join Real Madrid for a then record fee for a Spanish defender.
In 2021, Ramos signed for Paris Saint-Germain but had been without a club since his contract with the French champions ran out in June.
According to the local press, Ramos had a good offer from Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
“I was eager to return home. It made no sense to go anywhere else without passing through here,” said Ramos, who was born on the outskirts of Seville.
In 16 seasons at the Bernabeu, Ramos won La Liga five times, the Champions League four times and the Europa League four times.
He played 180 games for Spain, scoring 23 goals, and was part of the team that won the European Championship twice (2008 and 2012) and the 2010World Cup in South Africa.
Koeman unveiled his lineup for the forthcoming Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Greece and Ireland but notably omitted the 22-year-old, despite his impressive performances for Leverkusen.
When questioned about the decision on Monday, Koeman confirmed that it was a consequence of Frimpong’s failure to respond to a call-up for Under-21 duty, as per the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) guidelines.
Koeman said at a press conference: “We’re not happy with him pulling out of the Under-21s; we think he should always be available. But in the KNVB, we have said that he is not available for this period. That is your duty as a player: to play for any team… You can see it as a kind of punishment.”
Frimpong is yet to make his debut for the Oranje senior team and has not been called up to the squad since late last year. The ex-Celtic andManchester City player has featured six times for Jong Oranje, but was not part of the team for their last six matches.
Their aim is to persuade Liverpool into agreeing to a potential £200 million deal for the Egyptian talisman.
Previously, Liverpool had turned down a £150 million ($189 million) offer from Al-Ittihad.
Although the chances of Salah transferring to the Middle East this week seemed slim, The Daily Mail now reveals that negotiations are set to continue as the Saudi delegation arrived in England on Saturday.
Liverpool have made it clear that they have no intention of selling Salah. Jurgen Klopp said on Sunday that Salah is “our player and wants to play here” and insisted last week that the player is “super committed” to Liverpool.
Meanwhile, midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai said that the forward “wants to stay” at Anfield.
The Saudi Pro League team is poised to challenge Liverpool’s determination by potentially making a groundbreaking offer of approximately £200 million ($252 million) for the talented attacker.
The Saudi delegation is set to engage in discussions withLiverpool regarding this potential deal before the Saudi transfer window closes on Thursday.
In a recent interview with blogger Nkonkonsagh, Lil Win revealed that he is planning to contest the parliamentary seat in his constituency, Afigya Kwabre, in the Ashanti Region. He said he will run as an independent candidate in the next general election in 2024.
Lil Win said he was inspired by his latest movie, Mr President, in which he plays the role of a president who transforms Ghana with his unconventional style of leadership. He said he wants to bring the same change and development to his constituency.
“I want to thank all Ghanaians for their support. It won’t be long. Afigya Kwabre, watch out for my artwork. I am coming as an independent MP. My campaign manager is Kwame Nkrumah Atikese3 of Okay FM,” he said with a big smile.
He also urged his fans and well-wishers to support his campaign by reaching out to the Okay FM presenter. “If you want to support me, you can contact him. Come and join me so I can stand for my people. This year, it will be all about the showdown,” he added.
When asked if he was serious about his political aspirations, Lil Win responded with a resounding yes. He said he believes anything is possible with God and the people’s backing. “It is possible. Where there is no hope is where hope will come from,” he said.
However, some people have doubts about Lil Win’s ability to perform as a parliamentarian, especially when it comes to speaking English. The blogger asked him how he would communicate in parliament, since many believe he does not speak good English.
Lil Win replied that wisdom is more important than English, and that he can speak his native language, Twi, and have it translated for others to understand. He said language should not be a barrier to serving the nation.
“Sorry to say, wisdom is bigger than English. It’s home wisdom and wisdom to speak English that make sense. Without English, our local language is also a language.
“So if I speak, and they don’t understand, there will be an interpreter who will explain it for all to understand. Because if the Chinese president visits Ghana, he will speak Chinese, and there will be a translator who will interpret it for all. So I will also speak Twi and have it translated for all,” he explained.
Erik ten Hag is maintaining his stance on Jadon Sancho’s exclusion from the Manchester United squad, as per sources cited by ESPN. This comes despite the forward’s strong reaction to his manager’s remarks.
Sancho was omitted from the squad for the 3-1 loss to Arsenal on Sunday, with Ten Hag stating afterward that “on his performance in training we didn’t select him.”
But within an hour, Sancho hit back by insisting Ten Hag’s remarks were “completely untrue.”
In a statement posted on X, Sancho added: “Please don’t believe everything you read! I have conducted myself in training very well this week.
“I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t get into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time, which isn’t fair!”
Ten Hag was made aware of Sancho’s response on the journey back to Manchester from London on Sunday evening but decided against issuing a clarification to his postmatch comments.
According to sources, he believes he was clear on his reasons for dropping Sancho and is standing by the view that he did not deserve a place in the squad because of his performances in training.
Jadon Sancho was not selected for Manchester United’s Premier League defeat at Arsenal.
The 23-year-old, who moved to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund in a £73 million ($92m) deal in 2021, has made three substitute appearances so far this season.
Sancho has risked disciplinary action over his social media posts.
Ten Hag has acted quickly to stamp out perceived indiscipline at United in the past.
When Cristiano Ronaldo said in an interview in November 2022 that he “didn’t respect” Ten Hag, the Portugal forward had his contract cancelled by mutual consent before sealing amove to Al Nassr.
In December, Marcus Rashford was dropped to the bench for a game at Wolves after arriving late for a team meeting.
Sources have told ESPN that United are hoping to use extended transfer windows in Turkey and Saudi Arabia to offload Eric Bailly and Donny van de Beek.
The European window closed on Friday with the pair — both out of favour — still at Old Trafford.
Bailly was not part of the squad for the summer tour of the United States and has been training with the reserves.
Brazilian forward Neymar has expressed that he and former teammate Lionel Messi “lived through hell” during their time together at Paris Saint-Germain.
However, both players have since departed PSG, with Messi joining Inter Miami CF as a free agent and Neymar completing a €90 million ($98.6 million) transfer to the Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.
Asked how he felt about seeing his good friend Messi lift the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, Neymar told Globo’s Esporte Espetacular in an interview given in June that aired on Sunday: “I was very happy for the year he had, but at the same time very sad, because he lived both sides of the coin.
“He went to heaven with the Argentina team, won everything in recent years, and with Paris he lived hell, we lived through hell, both he and I.”
Messi and Neymar, who had previously played together at Barcelona, won league titles at PSG but failed to bring Champions League success to the club.
Messi found it difficult to adapt to Paris and admitted in June that there was a “fracture with a significant group of the PSG fans” during his two seasons at the club.
Both players were booed and jeered by PSG fans following the team’s exits from the Champions League over the past two years.
Messi, who scored 21 goals and set up 20 more in all competitions last season, was also targeted by a section of the crowd in his final PSG home game.
Neymar said he believes the criticism he and Messi were subjected to was uncalled for.
“We get upset, because we’re not there for nothing, we’re there to do our best, [to] be champions, and try to make history,” said Neymar, who missed the second half of last season with an ankle injury.
As part of an inquiry into a suspected assault, 42-year-old Roy Keane has been taken into custody.
This incident occurred following Arsenal’s 3-1 victory overManchester United on Sunday, and video footage revealed an altercation involving Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane and Micah Richards with another individual.
It is believed that Roy Keane, a former Manchester United midfielder who is 52, was the target of the assault.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “On Monday, September 4, a 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault (ABH).
The man has been taken into police custody. Enquiries are ongoing. Arsenal said in a statement: “We are aware of an incident that took place during our match against Manchester United on Sunday.”
“The Metropolitan Police is conducting an investigation into the matter and we are fully cooperating with their inquiries.”
Arsenal came from behind to win 3-1 against Manchester United on Sunday, thanks to two stoppage goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus.
The Saudi Pro League has officially announced that its transfer window will close on September 7, while Liverpool appears determined to ward off any further bids for Mohamed Salah.
Earlier, ESPN reported that Liverpool had turned down a substantial offer of up to £150 million ($190 million) from Al Ittihad for the Egyptian international.
Al Ittihad, the Saudi Arabian club, initiated their move on Friday, offering an initial sum of £100 million for Salah with additional incentives that could have potentially reached £150 million for Liverpool.
However, insider sources have confirmed that Liverpool has rejected the offer for Salah, and the club has firmly closed the matter. A Liverpool source emphasised to ESPN, “The player is not available not for sale.”
A statement from the Saudi Arabia Football Association on Monday read: “As communicated to clubs in Saudi Arabia on Friday, June 30, the summer registration for player transfers for the Roshn Saudi League [Saudi Pro League] closes on Thursday, Sept. 7.”
Salah scored in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday and Klopp said that the forward is fully committed to staying at Anfield this season.
“He didn’t tell me [if he wants to stay], but he didn’t have to,” Klopp told reporters after the game, “He speaks with his training and performances and behaviour. We had meetings this week, and the meetings were not about what we did in the past, it was about what we will do in the future.
“Mo was with the players’ [leadership] committee and had his moments where he was talking and it was nothing like, ‘by the way, this is only until next week’ or whatever.”
Salah’s former teammates Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mané, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino completed deals with Saudi clubs this summer.
Police are conducting an inquiry into a reported assault on TV pundit Roy Keane that occurred during Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Video footage circulating on social media captures a confrontation involving Sky Sports pundits Micah Richards and Roy Keane and another individual.
It is believed that Roy Keane, the former Manchester United captain, was the alleged target of a headbutt, although this specific incident was not depicted in the video.
Sky confirmed Richards, a former Manchester City and England international, was “acting to defuse a situation.”
In a statement, Sky said: “We understand the police are investigating an alleged assault by a member of the public immediately preceding the footage circulating on social media. In the footage seen, Micah Richards was acting to defuse a situation.”
A Metropolitan Police statement read: “Police are investigating following an assault that is alleged to have occurred at the Emirates Stadium during an Arsenal v Manchester United match on Sunday, September 3..
Saudi Pro League clubs are set to travel to Iran for the Asian Champions League matches, marking a significant change in the competition format.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Monday that games between teams from Saudi Arabia and Iran would now be played on a home-and-away basis, a departure from the neutral territory arrangement that had been in place since 2016.
This development means that Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr will commence their Asian Champions League campaign at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on September 19, where they will face Persepolis.
Additionally, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad will also make trips to Iran during the group stage.
The AFC said it “welcomes the historic move” as it reflects the commitment of Saudi Arabia and Iran “towards fostering closer ties between their respective footballing communities”.
It allows “clubs to host matches on their home turf while visiting the respective away stadiums, creating a more engaging and exciting experience for the fans and players alike”.
In addition to Al Nassr’s upcoming visit to Tehran in Group E later this month, Al Hilal, the club that recently acquired Brazil winger Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain, is slated to travel to Tehran to face Nassaji Mazandaran in Group D on October 3.
The Saudi champions, Al Ittihad, which includes former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, have been drawn to compete against Isfahan-based Sepahan in Group C.
These two teams are scheduled to clash in Iran on October 2.
Saudi Pro League teams have a rich history of success in the Asian club competition, with Al-Hilal securing the title four times and Al Ittihad claiming the championship in 2004 and 2005.
On the other side, Iran’s Persepolis enjoys immense support and has played in front of crowds exceeding 100,000 at the Azadi Stadium, notably during the second leg of the 2018 Asian Champions League final when they faced Japan’s Kashima Antlers.
The group stage is set to commence on September 18 and will run until December 13, with the knockout rounds beginning on February 12. The two-legged final is scheduled for May 11 and 18.
His suspension by the Cameroon Football Federation resulted in his exclusion from the World Cup in Qatar last November.
Onana has not been part of the national team since his disagreement with manager Rigobert Song. However, he was recently included in the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi, as revealed last Tuesday.
Cameroon is set to host Burundi on September 12, and they require at least a draw in this match to secure their place at the Nations Cup in Ivory Coast, scheduled for January.
“I answer the call of my nation with an unshakeable certainty, aware that my return is not only to honour my dream, but also to meet the expectation and support of Cameroonians, who deserve a national team determined to shine,” the keeper said in the statement posted on the social media site X.
Manchester United’s new signing from Inter Milan, who has made 34 appearances for Cameroon, also referenced unspecified problems before confirming his return.
“In the world of football, as in life, decisive moments arise that require crucial choices to be made,” he added.
“In recent months, I have been confronted with trials marked by injustice and manipulation. Yet my unshakable love and attachment to my homeland, Cameroon, remain intact.”
Qualification could see Onana miss a number of United’s fixtures if he is included in Cameroon’s squad for the finals.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) has released the ticket prices for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Ghana and the Central African Republic, scheduled for Thursday, September 7, 2023.
As per the official MOYS Twitter account, the VIP section tickets are priced at GH₵150, while VIP wing tickets will be available for GH₵70 each.
For those seeking seats along the Centre Line, tickets are priced at GH₵70, and fans on a tighter budget can opt for the popular stand tickets, which are available for just GH₵30.
Additionally, for the convenience of e-ticketing, fans can purchase their tickets online by dialling *711#.
The Black Stars of Ghana are set to face the Central African Republic in their final African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
Ghana currently leads Group E with nine points, and a victory in this match will secure their spot in the 2024 AFCON, scheduled to be held in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
Before the game on Thursday, September 7, eleven players have already arrived at theBlack Stars camp in preparation for the clash.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta commended his team’s mental fortitude following their dramatic 3-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday.
However, he emphasised the need for his team to secure wins earlier in matches rather than relying on late “magic moments.”
The win was sealed with Declan Rice’s goal in the 96th minute, and Gabriel Jesus added a third in the closing seconds, following Captain Martin Odegaard’s equaliser after Marcus Rashford’s opening goal.
“I love the mentality of the team—the determination, the eagerness to win,” Arteta said. “The team was very dominant and deserved to win the game, but the margins with this team are so small and it could have gone in a different way.”
Arsenal were held by Fulham the previous week after beating Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace by one-goal margins. They return to action on September 17 against Everton.
“The margins that we have in the later stages of the games are not big enough,” he added. “That’s something that we have to improve because you notice a lot of anxiety and you have to wait for a magic moment at the end. We don’t want to rely on that.”
Midfielder Rice, who joined from West Ham United for a club record 105 million pounds, scored his first Arsenal goal and said he felt no added pressure because of his transfer fee.
“I can’t control the price,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ve been playing well at West Ham for a few years and I gave everything there. Since then, I’ve tried to block it out and do what I do best.
The match started frantically, as Frenkie de Jong fired wide with a close-range shot on the rebound before Pablo Ibanez had his effort blocked down the other end.
Teenage starlet Lamine Yamal then weaved his way into the area and teed up a chance up for Ilkay Gundogan, who missed the target.
Cheered on by a partisan crowd in Pamplona, Osasuna caused their more illustrious opponents problems as Jose Manuel Arnaiz tested Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a shot that took a hefty deflection off Jules Kounde.
Ter Stegen was called into action again as the Barca defence was sliced open by Jesus Areso’s cut-back, but the resulting strike from Aimar Oroz was parried to safety by the German.
Ultimately, though, the visitors went into the break ahead thanks to Koundé, who brilliantly headed home from Gündogan’s cross in stoppage time.
Xavi reshuffled his pack with the withdrawals of Yamal and Sergi Roberto, as Ferran Torres and Joao Cancelo, who was making his debut following his loan move from Manchester City, entered the fray in their place.
Cancelo nearly made an immediate impact with a sublime cross towardsRobert Lewandowski at the far post, but the Portugal international was in an offside position when doing so.
Los Rojillos were politely knocking on the Barcelona door without hammering it down, as typified by some promising build-up play before Chimy Ávila’s strike, which sailed wide of the target.
However, the hosts had their equaliser when the Argentine blasted in a fantastic long-range strike that clipped in off the post.
That joy was short-lived, though, as, in the 85th minute, Alejandro Catena was penalised and subsequently sent off for pulling down Robert Lewandowski inside the box.
He proceeded to dust himself down and convert the resulting spot-kick to restore the champions’ lead.
As the match approached its climax, Osasuna manager Jagoba Arrasate was incandescent on the touchline when Iñigo Martínez appeared to bring down Ante Budimir right on the edge of the box, and, instead of blowing his whistle, referee Miguel Ortiz waved play on.
Ultimately, though, Xavi’s men got the job done, and they now move up to third with 10 points from four games. Meanwhile, this defeat for Osasuna means they have now lost their opening two matches at El Sadar for the first time since the 2013/14 season, when the Pamplona outfit were relegated.
The former girlfriend of Antony, Gabriela Cavallin, has alleged that the Man Utd winger became extremely jealous after she liked posts featuring Neymar.
She has made a series of accusations, including claims of physical and emotional abuse by the Brazilian footballer.
Among these allegations is the assertion that Antony sent Gabriela 13 insulting messages within just one minute.
Additionally, he reportedly reacted with anger when she engaged with social media posts from Neymar’s close friend Gil Cebola, which also involved the Brazilian national team player.
Gabriela is pursuing her case through the appropriate authorities, and Brazilian publication UOL has obtained access to photos, screenshots from mobile phones, and the allegations made against Antony.
When it comes to the Neymar saga, it is claimed that Antony said: “What I don’t understand is that everything Gil Cebola posted about Neymar you liked. Even though it’s an old photo. There’s even a commented photo.”
Gabriela has claimed that Antony said in a series of messages that were sent across the space of just one minute: “I never want to see you in front of me again in my life. Ridiculous. Males can’t see. You’re disgusting. You still leave WhatsApp. Who’s there? What girls? Answer. Synic (sic). Destroyer of lives.”
Antony is said to have posted on another occasion: “It was already you and me. I hope you die, f*ck you. You even left WhatsApp, how disgusting are you really?”
Subsequently, it came to light that Antony attempted to contact Gabriela, although she did not respond.
Audio recordings that have now surfaced purportedly capture Antony apologising for his previous instances of erratic conduct and seeking forgiveness.
However, there are allegations that Antony damaged Gabriela’s phone on two distinct occasions, with witnesses providing evidence to corroborate these claims.
Back in June, Antony issued a statement refuting the allegations made against him after a complaint was filed with the police in Sao Paulo.
Manchester United fans find themselves in a split over whom to support as Jadon Sancho responds to Coach Erik Ten Hag’s explanation for omitting him from the match-day squad against Arsenal.
In the aftermath of Manchester United’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal in their league fixture, Ten Hag, clearly disheartened by his team’s performance, shared his thoughts on Jadon Sancho.
He justified his decision to exclude the winger from the squad by pointing to Sancho’s subpar performance during training sessions.
“On his performance on training, we didn’t select him,” Ten Hag said when asked about Sancho’s absence from the travelling squad.
“You have to reach that level every day at Manchester United. You can make choices in the front line, so in this game, he wasn’t selected,” the coach said.
However, in a sharp response on social media, Jadon Sancho denied the claims made by his coach.
“Please don’t believe everything you read! I will not allow people to say things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week. I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time, which isn’t fair!
“All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team. I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and am grateful to do so, which I know every week is a challenge. I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what!”
While some believe that Ten Hag was wrong in giving out his player, others defend the coach, claiming that Sancho has not proven himself in matches since joining the Red Devils.
— KWESI PLUG ????????✌️???? (@Kwesi_Plug) September 4, 2023 Scapegoat? We all know your performances are poor, what scapegoat?
— Lατιf (@iLatif_) September 3, 2023 I like this from Sancho but it’s quiet concerning from the manager and player to be having a go at each other through media/social media
— Aidan Walsh ???? (@AidanWalshMUFC) September 3, 2023 Ten Hag might be the problem
— Mod (@CFCMod_) September 3, 2023
Disrespected Cristiano Ronaldo and slandered his name.
Disrespected De Gea and replaced him with a downgrade in the form of Onana.
Tried to use Maguire as an escape goat but failed.
Now disrespecting Jadon Sancho and telling lies about him.
TEN HAG is a FRAUD.
— ???????????? Ä????????????????™️ ???? (@Lil_Aziiz) September 3, 2023 Erik ten Hag is always looking for a scapegoat every season. Too bad he had to make those silly comments to the press.
— Uncle Wilson. (@iam_wilsons) September 3, 2023 We dey behind you ❤️
Wrexham’s ambitious plans to secure a club-record transfer on deadline day hit a roadblock when the transfer window closed before they could complete the deal.
The League Two club, famously owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, had successfully negotiated terms to acquire the services of 27-year-old striker Luke Armstrong from Harrogate Town.
In a surprising turn of events, Harrogate Town even officially announced Armstrong’s transfer to Wrexham, mentioning an undisclosed fee.
Wrexham reported that they had promptly submitted all the necessary paperwork to the English Football League to finalise the transfer.
However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the deal failed to materialise before the 11 p.m. BST deadline, leavingArmstrong to remain with Harrogate.
A video circulating on social media today depicts a truckload of sacks, purportedly containing rice, intended for distribution to someNew Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates in the Ashanti Region.
The video, recorded by an individual identifying himself as “Akufo-Addo,” shows at least two fully loaded trucks carrying bags of rice. Several individuals introduced as supporters of Kennedy Agyapong are also seen scattered across a compound.
“Akufo-Addo” can be heard saying, “Ashanti region, this belongs to us. The three cars are ours. All of this is rice. We are offloading these items at Hon. Kennedy Agyapong’s party office in the Ashanti Region.
“Speaking for myself, many call me Akufo-Addo of Kwabre-East. We have come to remove the items. As for the cars, there are plenty of them.
“Everyone is helping. Kennedy all the way! Do you see the driver? He is very serious. He says he wouldn’t have come if it weren’t for Kennedy Agyapong. But for Kennedy Agyapong, you wouldn’t see some of these things. We have created pressure for you; you will rest.”
While the video shows the trucks parked near a large campaign sign with the inscription “Kennedy Ohene Agyapong for President, 2024,” and the individuals on the ground wearing T-shirts with the same inscription accompanied by his image, there has been no official statement from the presidential aspirant’s camp confirming the claims made in the video or the identities of the people involved.
This new development in the NPP flagbearer race has reignited discussions on vote buying and the previous and ongoing allegations that some candidates have made against their rivals during the recently concluded Super Delegates Conference on August 26, 2023.
A member of the camp of former Trades Minister and NPP presidential aspirant, Alan Kyerematen, made a candid but startling revelation to the effect that Mr Kyerematen’s camp engaged in vote buying in the just-ended Super Delegates Conference in his attempt to accuse his opponents of influencing voters with money and gifts.
“Ask the delegates whether they received money or not. I’m saying that nobody will deny the fact that when you’re contesting in an election, you don’t pay money,” he said in response to a question posed by one of the journalists.
Asked by another journalist if the Alan camp also paid some money, he noted that: “If I sit here and I say no, I’m a hypocrite. How can you believe someone who says he’s contesting an election and did not give a dime? We have something small that we give to them for T&T,” he said.
US President Joe Biden , Prince Harry, along with a host of top celebrities, attended the Inter Miami match led by Lionel Messi against Los Angeles FC at the MO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Among the notable celebrities present were musicians Selena Gomez and Tyga, as well as Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Holland, James Harden, and more.
Videos circulating online captured Selena Gomez’s excitement while watching Messi, and she appeared visibly shocked when the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner missed a significant opportunity.
Rapper Tyga, seated next to Gomez, was equally amazed by Messi’s skills.
In another clip, President Biden and Prince Harry were seen sharing a laugh as they watched the extraordinary Argentine icon in action.
Messi played a pivotal role in Miami’s 3-1 victory over LA FC, contributing two assists. He set up Jordi Alba for the second goal and orchestrated Leo Campana’s goal to secure the win.
With these two assists, Messi has now tallied five assists and eleven goals in ten games.
Although the win boosted Inter Miami’s standings, placing them eight points behind the championship playoff position with two games in hand, they currently occupy second-to-last place on theEastern Conference table with 25 points.
Kyle Walker has disclosed that he came very “close” to leaving Manchester City for Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window.
However, he has now decided to remain at the Etihad Stadium after receiving a new contract offer from City.
The 33-year-old defender is on the verge of signing an extension that will tie him to the club until 2026.
Following City’s 5-1 victory over Fulham on Saturday, Walker was asked about how close he had come to making the move to Bayern.
“It was close,” the England international said. “It was close but in football, things can happen. Decisions can be made. Things can turn around.
“It wasn’t meant to be.
“Would I have enjoyed the experience? Of course I would have done so. But this club is a great club and you can’t underestimate what this club has done in thelast six or seven years.”
Liverpool faces a significant decision regarding the future of Mohamed Salah as Saudi Arabian giants Al Ittihad express their interest.
According to the Daily Express, Al Ittihad submitted a £150 million offer for the 31-year-old last Friday, but reports from Sky suggest that they are preparing an increased bid of £200 million as the Saudi transfer window’s September 7 deadline approaches.
After Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, during which Salah scored his 188th goal for the club, manager Jurgen Klopp expressed confidence that the Egyptian forward would continue to stay at Anfield.
However, behind the scenes, the club is considering PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko as a potential replacement.
The 20-year-old Belgian international had offers from Burnley and Brentford rejected during the summer transfer window, but PSV might be open to letting him go in January for a fee of around £45 million.
While Haaland couldn’t be present in person, his gift packages were distributed to every football club in the Time municipality in Norway, which is the same place where the striker spent his formative years.
Each child received a package containing a football, a T-shirt, shorts, a football bag, and an Aquafigure drinking bottle—a brand that Haaland not only endorses but also has invested in.
The total value of each package is 1500 NOK (£111).
The Norwegian sensation has continued his impressive form from last season, already netting six goals in just four Premier League appearances, which included a remarkable hat-trick against Fulham over the weekend.
Erling Haaland thanks fans for support in a tweet
The 23-year-old striker’s upcoming matches will see him representing his national team, Norway.
They are scheduled to play a friendly against Jordan on September 7, followed by a Euro 2024 qualifying gameagainst Georgia on September 12.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta anticipates that Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey will be sidelined for a “couple of weeks” due to a groin injury he sustained during training.
Arteta, however, expressed concern about the severity of the injury.
As a result of this injury, the 30-year-old was unable to participate in Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Additionally, he is expected to miss Ghana’s crucial final 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Central African Republic.
Although Thomas Partey was present in Arsenal’s recent training images, reports from England suggested that he could be sidelined for several months.
However, speaking before Arsenal’s match against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta clarified that the midfielder would likely need only a few weeks to recover.
“It doesn’t look good. We need a few more tests but he felt something in training and I think he will be out for a couple of weeks.
“He had the capacity to play in various positions and today was a game for him to play in a different position but he is not available.”
On Thursday, September 7, 2023, Ghana is set to host the Central African Republic in their ultimate Group E match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Chris Hughton’s squad currently topsGroup E with nine points, holding a one-point lead over Angola and a two-point advantage over the Central African Republic. Madagascar occupies the bottom spot in the group with two points.
The Black Stars require just one point from this match to secure their qualification for the tournament scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast next January.
Contrary to earlier reports suggesting a three-month absence, it now appears that Thomas Partey’s injury might keep him out for just six weeks, with Arsenal expecting him to return after the October international break.
The Ghanaian midfielder suffered an upper leg muscular issue during training, prompting further tests that revealed groin damage.
Initial speculation indicated a potential three-month recovery period, but new information from England, as reported by the Mail Sports on September 4, 2023, suggests that Partey could be back in action after six weeks.
Thomas Partey had been a starter in Arsenal’s first three matches of the 2023/2024 season but missed their 3-1 victory over Manchester United.
In his absence, Declan Rice performed exceptionally well, earning the Man of the Match award and scoring a goal.
The match saw a familiar scenario reminiscent of the 2022/2023 season, with Marcus Rashford scoring for United in a splendid counter-attack.
Arsenal quickly responded, as Martin Odegaard netted a goal after an assist from Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli.
The real drama unfolded during eight minutes of injury time when Declan Rice scored from close range after a failed corner clearance.
Gabriel Jesus sealed the victory with his first goal of the season, capitalising on a break as United pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Meanwhile, Thomas Partey’s legal representative, Gabby Otchere-Darko, tweeted on September 4, 2023, that Partey is in recovery and will soon return to the field.
Brentford, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, and Roma have all reportedly turned down the opportunity to takeMason Greenwood on loan from Manchester United.
Manchester United recently announced, following an extensive internal investigation, that they would be parting ways with the 21-year-old forward during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Greenwood was given the green light to continue his professional career after the charges of attempted rape, controlling behaviour, and assault against him were dropped in February 2023.
He has been inactive in competitive matches since January 2022, but remains under contract with Old Trafford until 2025.
Manchester United have made the decision to part ways with Mason Greenwood, and they encouraged interested clubs to come forward before the latest transfer deadline on September 1.
After reaching out to several European clubs, a season-long loan deal was eventually agreed upon with La Liga side Getafe.
According to reports from The Athletic, Premier League club Brentford declined the opportunity to secure a deal, as did Bundesliga giants Dortmund.
Roma, where former United manager Jose Mourinho was considering a reunion with Greenwood in Italy, were also linked with interest, but both Roma and Serie A rivals AC Milan decided that a deal did not align with their best interests.
Lazio attempted to arrange a loan package but missed the Italian transfer window deadline, resulting in Greenwood heading to Spain.
Manchester United is reportedly covering at least £50,000 of his £75,000-a-week salary, in addition to providing a six-bedroom villa for the one-time England international and a private translator.
The Athletic reports that Getafe’s deal forGreenwood includes a break clause that can be triggered in January if all parties decide that the switch has not worked out as planned.
That is standard practice when it comes to loans, with it yet to be determined when Greenwood will be back in action or how he will fare outside of English football.
Last month, Manchester United officially confirmed Greenwood’s departure from Old Trafford, following an extensive internal investigation involving the forward.
In 2022, Greenwood faced charges of attempted rape, domestic violence, and controlling behavior, but these legal proceedings were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service due to the lack of a realistic chance of conviction.
Various clubs from Germany, Italy, Spain, and Turkey have recently expressed interest in Greenwood.
Manchester United were also believed to have offered the player to Lazio, with manager Maurizio Sarri reportedly having the final say on whether the Serie A club would sign the striker.
However, according to Gianluca Di Marzio’s report, Lazio has decided against offering him a contract. It appears that the two clubs couldn’t reach an agreement before the close of the transfer window.
With a move to Italy no longer on the table,Greenwood’s options are dwindling. There’s still a possibility of a transfer to Saudi Arabia before September 7, although sources in the Saudi Pro League have ruled out such a deal.
Turkey remains another option, as Super League clubs have until September 15 to complete transfers. Besiktas has recently been linked with a potential move for Greenwood.
FIFPRO has released a statement in support of Jennifer Hermoso, who was subjected to a non-consensual kiss by the President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales.
The players’ union has taken to social media to express their stance, emphasising that governing bodies worldwide are failing female players.
Despite FIFA launching an investigation into Rubiales’ conduct, he has repeatedly maintained his innocence and appears to have received support from the Spanish Football Federation.
At one point during this ongoing situation, the RFEF (Spanish Football Federation) even requested UEFA exclude them from European competitions, citing government interference.
UEFA, however, rejected this appeal.
FIFPRO has delivered a resolute statement, asserting that Jennifer Hermoso and all female players deserve better treatment and respect.
They wrote: “Contigo, Jenni. Your struggle is my struggle. Her struggle is our struggle. And we have had enough. We, the players, are stronger, more united, and more determined than ever. We demand change. We demand better.”
“The systems are failing us. Governance is failing us. Accountability is failing. Discrimination runs deep and occurs at every level. Football must respond and rise to this critical moment, not only in Spain, but around the world.”
“Football, without us, is nothing. And we are watching. Together.
Coach of Norway, Hege Riise set to step down from her position, as announced by the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF). She becomes the latest manager to depart following the recent Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand.
This trend of managerial changes has seen Brazil part ways with Swede Pia Sundhage earlier in the week, and Ireland choose not to renew the contract of coach Vera Pauw, despite her guiding the team to their first major women’s tournament finals.
Since the conclusion of the tournament, 10 out of the 32 participating nations have made changes to their coaching staff. Additionally, players from Spain, the World Cup champions, have declared their refusal to play under coach Jorge Vilda again due to a controversy involving a kiss scandal with their federation chief, Luis Rubiales.
Norway faced an unexpected 1-0 defeat to co-hosts New Zealand in their opening match, and Riise also decided to bench star winger Caroline Graham Hansen in their second group game, which ended in a goalless draw with Switzerland.
Graham Hansen’s outspoken remarks following that match garnered significant attention in Norway. Although she was reinstated for the final group game against the Philippines, which they won, Norway faced a comprehensive defeat to Japan in the Round of 16.
Following a review of Norway’s performance, Riise, who is arguably the country’s most prominent female player and a World Cup winner in 1995, has transitioned into a new role within the NFF, one that focuses on advancing the women’s game.
“Through the evaluation work and in conversations with Hege Riise, we have seen that we have differing views on the role of the national team coach for this team,” NFF president Lise Klaveness – herself a former international – said in a statement.
Once a superpower in the women’s game, Norway now face the prospect of finding a new coach in an ultra-competitive market, and the new Nations League is looming at the end of September.
“The federation board is working to put in place a temporary solution for the autumn games in the Nations League. The solution will be presented as soon as it is ready,” the NFF said in a statement.
TAD conducted an investigation into Rubiales’ behaviour during the Women’s World Cup final, where he forcefully embraced and kissed Hermoso. According to Marca, a verdict has been delivered, categorising Rubiales’ actions as “serious” but not “very serious.”
FIFA had previously imposed a 90-day suspension on Rubiales, but TAD’s decision now raises the possibility of his return to his previous position as president of the Football Federation in Spain once his ban concludes.
However, it’s worth noting that TAD’s classification of the offence as “serious” could still result in a two-year suspension for Rubiales.
The investigation was conducted based on the old Law of Sport, which was established in 1990. Had the updated rules from 2022 been applied, Rubiales’ actions might have been categorised as “very serious.”
Currently, Rubiales is still under scrutiny by both FIFA and the Spanish government, and it’s uncertain whether additional measures will be taken.
It’s noteworthy that the entire staff of the Spain national team, which won theWorld Cup, has resigned, with the exception of head coach Jorge Vilda.
His mother was also hospitalised over her refusal to eat in protest of the accusations against him and he has even had his character questioned by his uncle, who labelled him a “cowardly man”.
Manchester United’s recent signings, Rasmus Hojlund (20) and Sergio Reguilon (26), are likely to make their debuts for the club in the upcoming match against Arsenal this weekend, Erik ten Hag has confirmed.
Denmark striker Hojlund, who joined Old Trafford from Atalanta for a reported fee of £64 million ($82 million) in August, had been sidelined due to a back injury.
However, Ten Hag confirmed that Hojlund is now fit to participate in the match against Arsenal on Sunday. Additionally, the new goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir, and the left-back, Reguilon (on loan from Tottenham), will also be eligible for selection in that game.
“Yes (Hojlund will be available),” Ten Hag said Friday. “He had a good training week so tomorrow we have the final training. But he is doing well, responding well, so, yeah, he will be available for Sunday’s game.
“(Bayindir) will be in the squad as well, Altay, so happy.
“Now we have the keeper group fully there. We covered every position so I think we have a very good keeper group with the arrival of Altay.”
United had not officially confirmed Reguilon’s signing when Ten Hag faced the media, but the Dutchman, asked if the defender would feature at the Emirates Stadium, replied: “He is here, he trained. Yes (he will also be available for Sunday).
“He’s a very experienced player, played for big clubs, played already a lot of games in La Liga, Premier League, so, yes, I think very good background.” Ten Hag moved for Reguilon after injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, followed by a failed attempt to sign Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella on loan.
“We have seen he can play very intense football, so we are happy while we had a problem with Luke Shaw injured, Tyrell Malacia injured, therefore long-term out. So I think we responded very well on that emergency situation,” he added.
United, having already made deadline-day moves for Bayindir and Reguilon, are also reportedly in talks with Fiorentina for Sofyan Amrabat.
“There are so many rumours but it’s nice, eh?,” Ten Hag said when asked about the Morocco midfielder.
“I think we have done good business, we constructed a strong squad and we are ready to go in to the fight.”
“If you see the schedule, it’s tough, it’s really condensed,” Ten Hag said.
“When you see last season the World Cup, crazy season, the season takes longer, two weeks longer. We played FA Cup final one week longer.
“We had a short break, we had a really condensed pre-season again, so we need numbers. But also we need not only numbers, the numbers have to be quality.
“I think, yeah, with this squad we have depth and we have quality players and we can be in a variety of systems and we are happy with it.
Arsenal have completed transfers for Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and Declan Rice during this transfer window.
Furthermore, three players have departed the club this week.
As a result, manager Mikel Arteta does not anticipate any further new arrivals. Notably, Folarin Balogun, Kieran Tierney, and Nuno Tavares have all recently left Arsenal.
Even with Timber sidelined due to injury, it seems that Arsenal’s incoming transfer activities have concluded.
“I don’t expect anybody to come in,” Arteta told reporters on Friday.
“We’ve done quite a lot and we had a lot of uncertainty with a lot of players so we have to be very cautious. Sometimes it’s not possible and we have to adapt.
“We cannot go and buy another three players. It’s not possible.” The manager explained the reasons for allowing forward Balogun to leave to join Monaco.
“We didn’t have now space for him to give him the minutes that he needs. He did really well last year during his loan period. He wanted to continue developing his career.”
Arsenal drew 2-2 with Fulham last weekend, but the manager is pleased with their performances so far this season.
“Really happy, I said against Fulham, and I have watched the game twice, then we played ten times better, six or ten, but we definitely played much better, but it’s all about the results,” Arteta said.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino said new signing Cole Palmer (21) fits perfectly into the Blues’ “project” to invest heavily in young players after joining from Manchester City on Friday in a deal worth an initial £40 million ($50 million).
Palmer has agreed a seven-year contract with Chelsea, who have a club option of a further 12-month extension, and could pay City an extra £2.5 million in add-on clauses.
City were keen to keep Palmer, but the size of Chelsea’s offer eventually persuaded them to cash in on a rising star who was keen for more regular first-team opportunities.
His arrival takes Chelsea’s spending on players to over £1 billion in a little over a year since a consortium fronted by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly took control of the club.
Much of that has been spent on tying down highly-rated prospects to lengthy contracts as Boehly bets on beating the market in the long run.
“I think he’s a fit for the project,” said Pochettino. “He’s a young, talented player. He decided to come because he expects to play maybe more and be important here.
“But that’s not the most important thing. The most important is that he sees Chelsea as a project for him, and to improve his game, and to be more involved in every single game.
“The quality is there, there is great potential. Now he needs to settle here and prove and show that he’s better than his teammates and that he deserves to play. He has to fight for his place.”
‘Do something special’ Palmer found the net in both the Community Shield andUEFA Super Cup matches last month. It seemed like Riyad Mahrez’s departure from Manchester City might grant him more opportunities in Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup.
However, the winger expressed his belief that Chelsea would offer him a better platform for his development.
“I’m excited to get started and it feels great to sign,” said Palmer, who could make his debut at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
“I’ve joined Chelsea because the project here sounds good and because of the platform, I will have to try to showcase my talents. It is a young and hungry squad and, hopefully, we can do something special here.”
Palmer is the 12th player to be signed by Chelsea since the end of last season, with his arrival coming after Pochettino stated he was keen to sign another forward.
A graduate of the City academy, he established himself as a regular in Guardiola’s squad last season, making 25 appearances in all competitions as City won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
He also experienced triumph alongside his fellow Chelsea teammates, Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke, when England secured victory in the Under-21 European Championship earlier this year.
“Cole arrives with the experience of winning the Premier League and Champions League and adds further quality and versatility to our attacking unit,” Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said.
“He has showcased his talent and potential in the most challenging environments and delivered on the international stage for England at the European Under-21 Championships.
Al-Ittihad is prepared to make a remarkable offer of £200 million ($252 million) for Liverpool’s forward, Mohamed Salah, potentially setting a new world record for a transfer fee.
The Saudi Pro League team had previously made a bid of £150 million ($189 million) for Salah, which was rejected by Liverpool. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp remained tight-lipped when asked about the rumours on Friday.
Nevertheless, according to The Daily Mail, Al-Ittihad is planning to test Liverpool’s determination with an even more substantial second offer.
Reports suggest that Saudi officials have been engaged in discussions with Liverpool for some time regarding the transfer.
They have set up a base in southern France during these negotiations. Despite these efforts, Liverpool is resolute in its desire to retain Salah.
Nevertheless, Liverpool reportedly made efforts to identify potential replacements for the prolific winger in the past two days.
This proved challenging given the imminent closure of thePremier League summer transfer window on Friday evening.
Kwasi Appiah is part of the Interim Management Committee appointed to steer the affairs of the club by Patron Otumfuo Osei Tutu II following the dissolution of the Board and Management in July.
Sunday, who played and managed the record holders of the Ghana Premier League holders believes Kwasi Appiah has a lot to offer the Porcupine Warriors.
“It’s very good news because he has the experience as a technical man. Just that they have to listen to him and if they do I think the way will be clear and successful for them”, he told Radio Gold Sports.
Kwasi Appiah has a deep history with the two-time continental champions, having played for them from 1983 to 1993.
From 1992 to 1995, Appiah took on the role of assistant coach at his former club, Asante Kotoko, working under Malik Jabir during that period.
He was later promoted to head coach, serving in that capacity from 1995 to 1996. Additionally, he contributed to the technical team of Fred Osam-Duodu during Osam-Duodu’s tenure as Head Coach of the Ghana national team from 2000 to 2001.
Kwasi Appiah’s most recent coaching assignment was in 2021, when he had a brief spell with the Division One league side, Kenpong Football Academy.
In January 2023, he was rumoured to be in contention for the managerial position at Tanzanian club Simba SC, but the deal ultimately did not materialise.
Asante Kotoko has officially revealed a kit sponsorship agreement with The Hope Brand (THB), a Ghanaian-owned manufacturer based in Germany.
In a statement published on their website, Kotoko confirmed that they have entered into a one-year contract with THB, which includes an option to extend for an additional year.
“THE HOPE BRAND [THB], a Ghanaian-owned and German-based apparel company, as our official kit supplier for the 2023-2024 League Season with an option of a one-year extension,” part of the statement read.
Kotoko, in their statement, noted that THB will produce the club with first-team kits, training kits, and replica jerseys.
“As the official supplier, THB will supply Asante Kotoko with playing, training, travel wears, and replica kits for the club and its support base.
“The kits which are crafted from tradition, forged in passion and inspired by innovations with our supporters as an integral component of our community, will be sold at an affordable price in retail shops to be communicated later.
The club counts on our teeming fans to help make this season a colourful one with our carefully and stylishly designed kits.”
THB is taking over from the well-known Italian kit manufacturer Errea, which had sponsored the club for a duration of three seasons, spanning from 2020 to 2023.
Arsenal’s defender, Rob Holding, is scheduled to undergo a medical examination today as he inches closer to a permanent transfer to Crystal Palace.
The 27-year-old center-back is poised to complete the move to the south London club for a reported fee of approximately £4 million ($5 million) and is expected to sign a three-year contract, as reported by The Athletic.
In a press conference earlier today, Roy Hodgson, the head coach of Palace, expressed Holding’s keen interest in joining the team.
Holding originally joined Arsenal from Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 2016 and has since made 162 appearances for the club based in north London.
During his time at Arsenal, he secured two FA Cup victories and three Community Shields. The two clubs have already reached an agreement for Holding’s transfer, pending the successful completion of his medical examination.
Personal terms between Palace and the player’s representatives have already been agreed upon.
As the transfer deadline looms, Crystal Palace are in the final stages of completing the deal. It’s worth noting that Holding will not be available to play for the club until after the international break.
Owner and bankroller of Skyy FC, Wilson Arthur, has described his club as the best team in the Division One League.
His comments come on the back of Skyy FC’s qualification to the Division One Super Cup final after defeating Hearts of Lions in the semi-final.
Skyy FC will now face Bofoakwa Tano in the final; Boafoakwa were also 1-0 winners over Nations FC in the other semi-final of the competition.
“We have been the best team in Division One League in Ghana for the past two seasons, I have always said. I have always claimed it and nobody believed us until we went to Madina in the maiden edition of the Super Cup and we won. We were clearly the best team,” he told Citi Sports.
“Beyond that, last season we were clearly the best Division One team; we went as far as the semi-final of the MTN FA Cup and you saw our performance. Anytime we meet the other zone teams, we prove we are better. So yes, we are. It’s not like we are moulding ourselves to become we are the best Division 1 team,” he added.
The Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Abrankese will host the 2023 Division One Super League championship game on Friday, September 1, 2023.
Skyy FC came close to earning a spot in the Ghana Premier League, but Nation FC’s appeal resulted in a point deduction.
The Spanish full-back’s arrival at United has been confirmed, and he will be on a season-long loan deal.
This move comes as a response to injuries suffered by both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, making Reguilon a valuable addition to provide cover for the rest of the season.
Reguilon was initially signed by Spurs in 2020 and went on to make 67 appearances for the club.
He also had a 12-game loan spell at Atletico last season.
Additionally, the left-back has earned six caps while representing the Spanish national team.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Reguilon said: “In life you have to be ready for everything and the chance to represent this great club with such an illustrious history is one that I could not turn down. “Having spoken to the manager, I know what he needs from me, and I am ready to play my part in helping the team to achieve success.
“I know that I can contribute to Manchester United this season; I am ready to fight for this group and show everyone my qualities.” United play Arsenal this weekend, and Reguilon could make his debut against Spurs’ north London rivals.
Ghana’s rising star, Ernest Nuamah, has revealed that he did not seek advice from former Black Stars player, Michael Essien when making his transfer to Olympique Lyonnais.
Nuamah, who has recently become a part of Lyon, clarified that although he holds great respect for Essien, the choice to join the French club was primarily a decision made by himself and his management team.
During his debut interview with Lyon, the former FC Nordjaesland player acknowledged Essien’s previous association with the club but emphasised that he did not consult Essien in the process.
“I didn’t really talk to him much about it but I know he played here, and he is also a legend from Ghana. He didn’t really play much part in it. The decision was from me and my team,” Nuamah stated.
Nuamah’s track record this season with Danish sideFC Nordsjaelland has seen him score four goals with an assist in six appearances across various competitions.
In the 2023-24 season, Luton Town made a remarkable return to the upper echelons of English football, marking the end of a 31-year absence. Their captivating journey through the Championship play-offs has captured the hearts of Premier League enthusiasts.
Kenilworth Road, their home stadium, stands out from the typical Premier League venues, with the away section, in particular, gaining fame for its distinctive entrance.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about Luton Town’s stadium, Kenilworth Road and answers the question: Do away fans really have to walk through people’s homes to get in?
Kenilworth Road Stadium is a football ground in Luton and the home of Luton Town. First built in 1905, it is now a 10,356-capacity all-seater stadium after its renovation in 2023.
With a capacity of just over 10,000, ‘The Kenny’, as it is affectionately known to the Luton faithful, is one of the smallest stadiums in Premier League history and certainly one of the most peculiar.
Luton won’t be there for long, either. Plans are in motion for the construction of a new stadium for the club at Power Court, with the ground forecast to be opened in 2026 – so you’ll have to get planning your visit to Kenilworth Road soon.
Away fans’ entrance – Oak Road stand
Kenilworth Road Oak Road stand viewGetty
In the 2023-24 season, Kenilworth Road welcomes 19 sets of supporters from other Premier League clubs and many of them are in for a shock when they arrive at the away stand on Oak Road
Situated within a tightly packed residential area, the entrance to the away stand is almost hidden on a terraced row of beautiful old red brick houses.
When you make your way into the covered stand, you’ll traverse a number of steps and, if you pause for a moment, you’ll notice that you’re sandwiched between a load of back gardens.
Kenilworth Road Stadium, general view Oak Road stands in Luton TownGoogle Maps
It should be noted that these are most certainly not twee props – they are people’s actual back gardens and homes, so fans are asked to treat residents with respect when visiting the stadium.
As with any Premier League or Football League game in a heavily populated area, however, there is usually a strong police presence in order to maintain public order during matches.
Did Luton Town have a plastic pitch?
Luton Town gained notoriety for using an artificial pitch at Kenilworth Road for a significant period of time.
This synthetic surface was initially installed in 1985 but was met with widespread criticism. Players expressed dissatisfaction with its performance, and fans sarcastically referred to it as the ‘plastic pitch.’
Despite facing opposition from both visiting teams and their supporters, Luton continued with the artificial turf for six years. Eventually, in 1991, they switched back to natural grass as the Football League prohibited the use of synthetic pitches by First and Second Division clubs.
At the time, it was a sore topic for Luton Town, with then-chairman Brian Cole suggesting that other clubs had conspired to force the ban on artificial pitches. “We think that the First and Second Division Chairmen have got together to remove this pitch,” Cole told the BBC in 1989. “Because they see, in their minds, that it is an unfair advantage.”
Liverpool will take on LASK, Union Saint-Gilloise and Toulouse in the Europa League group stage, while debutants Brighton will face Ajax and Marseille following the draw on Friday.
The Merseyside club, which has lifted the trophy on three occasions, will be hot favourites to qualify top of Group E.
Brighton face a tough task in their bid to progress past the group stage on their debut in European competition.
Along with former champions Ajax and three-time finalists Marseille, Brighton’s third opponents in a strong Group B are Greek champions AEK Athens.
Europa Conference League champions West Ham United were drawn with Olympiacos, Freiburg and TSC Backa Topola in Group A.
Last season’s runners-up Roma meet Slavia Prague, Sheriff Tiraspol, and Servette in Group G, while 1988 winners Bayer Leverkusen of Germany face Qarabag, Molde FK and BK Hacken in Group H.
The group stage begins on Sept. 21.
The winners of each group advance directly to the round of 16 that will take place from February onward.
Group runners-up will progress to the knockout stage of the playoff round, where they will meet one of eight teams that have finished third in their groups in the top-tier Champions League.
Third-placed teams in the Europa League groups will drop to the third-tier Europa Conference League, where they will play the group runners-up from that competition in the knockout round playoffs.
Former Spanish international and ex-Barcelona teammate ofLionel Messi, Jordi Alba, has officially retired from international football. This decision comes in the wake of his move to Inter Miami during the summer transfer window.
The esteemed left-back has chosen to step away from representing La Roja, concluding an international career that saw him make 93 appearances and score nine goals.
His leadership was instrumental in Spain’s UEFA Nations League triumph earlier in 2023, and he was a vital part of the squad that clinched the European Championship in 2012, notably scoring in the final against Italy.
Following in the footsteps of Messi, Alba made the transition to Inter Miami during the summer, where he now shares the field with another former Barcelona captain, Sergio Busquets.
Alba has quickly become a pivotal figure in the squad, and after securing the League Cup, he’s on the cusp of winning the US Open Cup as The Herons have already secured their place in the final.
“At 34 years old, Jordi Alba puts an end to this great international career. From the Royal Spanish Football Federation, eternal gratitude for this brilliant path. Thanks, Jordi,” the Spanish football federation said in a statement.
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) September 1, 2023
Alba retires as a true Spain legend after having represented his country at threeWorld Cups, three European Championships, the London Olympic Games and a Confederations Cup.
Sterling’s absence from the national team has been a subject of speculation since his last appearance during the World Cup. He left the tournament in Qatar to attend to a family emergency after a burglary in England resulted in the theft of valuable items.
This was followed by a missed opportunity to represent his country during the March international break due to an injury sustained in a UEFA Champions League round of 16 match against Borussia Dortmund.
Unfortunately, his hopes of returning to the national team were dashed once again during the end-of-season fixtures.
Despite these setbacks, Sterling has been displaying exceptional form while wearing the Chelsea jersey. He recently showcased his skills by netting two goals in Chelsea’s impressive 3-0 victory over newly-promoted Luton Town.
Sterling breaks silence after England’s snub The 28-year-old has shown no signs of sulking as he resumed training with Mauricio Pochettino’s team ahead of the weekend’s game against Nottingham Forest.
He took to his Twitter page and shared photos from training, one with Pochettino and the other showing him spotting a new hairstyle.
Sports Brief reported that Sterling revealed the secret of his form after becoming one of Pochettino’s most important players this season under a new era at the club.
The Jamaican-born Sterling revealed that he has returned to being obsessed with football, and that nothing else matters to him. He added that he worked on his diet, which has helped his body become better.
Barcelona’s President Joan Laporta and the club’s board of directors have taken a significant step by offering a guarantee based on future earnings to LaLiga.
This move is aimed at facilitating the signings of Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix, as reported by ESPN sources.
Earlier this summer, Barcelona announced the sale of a 29.5% stake in Barça Vision for €120 million.
However, the initial payment from this deal has not been received yet.
As a result, Barcelona has found itself with limited salary space within LaLiga’s imposed spending cap.
This financial constraint prevented the club from registering Iñigo Martinez, who was acquired from Athletic Club, and hindered any further transfer activity.
Sources have indicated that the guarantee presented by the club’s directors, which is backed by the pending funds from the sale of Barça Vision, should enable the registration of Martinez and the signings of Cancelo and Felix.
Both Cancelo and Felix are expected to join on loan.
Cancelo, a right-back from Manchester City, will reinforce Barcelona’s defense, while Felix, an Atletico forward, will fill the void left by the departures of Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati.
Barcelona has also created some salary space through other moves, including the loans of Ansu Fati to Brighton & Hove Albion and Clement Lenglet to Aston Villa.
Additionally, negotiations are ongoing with Real Betis regarding forward Ez Abde.
LaLiga sources have refrained from providing specific comments on these deals, given the busy nature of the final day of the summer transfer window for most European leagues.
During the draw for the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League on August 31, English club Arsenal was placed in group B alongside French team RC Lens, Spanish outfit Sevilla, and PSV Eindhoven from the Netherlands, which will however, see the group stage clash between Arsenal and RC Lens feature two notable Ghanaian players, Thomas Partey from Arsenal and Abdul Salis Ahmed from RC Lens, making it a matchup to watch in the UEFA Champions League.
Partey, with previous Champions League experience during his time with Atletico Madrid, will bring his seasoned skills to the competition.
In contrast, it will be the inaugural Champions League campaign for Salis and RC Lens, who finished as runners-up in the 2022/23 French Ligue 1.
Partey, aged 30, made 33 appearances for Arsenal last season, scoring three goals, and has already participated in all three games for Mikel Arteta’s side in the current season.
Meanwhile, Salis, aged 23, appeared in 33 games for Lens last season and netted a goal.
Despite currently nursing an injury after featuring in three matches for Lens, Salis is expected to make a return ahead of theirChampions League clash, which is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.
