Head coach of the Black Stars, Chris Hughton, has made it clear that a potential move by Thomas Partey to the Saudi Arabia Pro League will not affect the player’s chances of being called up to the national team.
There have been speculations about Partey’s possible move to Saudi Arabia, although discussions about the transfer have recently quietened down.
According to Hughton, his primary criteria for selecting players for the Black Stars is based on their regular playing time, with the league they are competing in having minimal influence on his decision-making process.
“Thomas is an experienced player, he had a wonderful season at Arsenal. Firstly, is about playing. Players who are playing regularly so they can keep their level of fitness.
:And of course, is about the league that they are playing in and if you look at the Blck Stars they would be scattered around.
“Some play in the best league, and some also play in leagues that is not on the level but it’s about playing and playing regularly,” he told TalkSports.
At the moment, Thomas Partey is likely to continue at Arsenal despite the signing of Declan Rice who the Gunners deem as replacement for the Ghanaian.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, in a previous interview, confirmed that Partey is ‘super important’ to the team.
“I expect Thomas Partey to stay here. Every time I spoke to him and had a conversation with him he’s ready to stay with us. For me, there’s nothing there’s at all.”
Mubarak Wakaso, the Black Stars midfielder, is not only a dedicated footballer but also a responsible family man. He is married to a beautiful lady named Nabuza Wakaso, and they have been happily married for nearly a decade.
The couple has four children – three boys and one girl.
While Mubarak Wakaso is well-known in the public eye due to his football career, there is limited information available about Nabuza.
She prefers to stay away from the spotlight and is rarely seen in public or on social media.
Wakaso only shares occasional pictures of her, keeping their family life private and away from the public space.
The family resides in Spain, where Wakaso spent a significant portion of his football career.
Currently, the 32-year-old midfielder plays for Chinese Super League club Shenzhen, having returned to Asia after spending his off-season holidays in Ghana.
Despite their privacy, Mubarak Wakaso and Nabuza live an admirable life, ensuring their family remains grounded and protected from unnecessary attention.
Ghanaian football legend, Asamoah Gyan is expressing his support for Victor Osimhen to consider a move to Saudi Arabia after the Napoli striker was linked to Al-Hilal.
The Saudi Pro League club reportedly made a substantial offer of €140 million for the Nigerian forward, but Napoli turned down the bid.
Following the news of Al-Hilal’s interest in Osimhen, social media erupted with reactions and opinions.
Ghanaian sports journalist George Addo Junior, associated with the BBC, shared a report on Twitter, prompting a response from Gyan.
The former Black Stars striker, who has previous experience playing in the Middle East with Al Ain and Shaba Al Ahli, used a curious emoji that seemed to imply encouragement for Osimhen to consider a move to Saudi Arabia.
🇸🇦🇸🇦 €1m a week, resulting in a yearly wage of €52m!!
The former Ghana international left Sunderland at the peak of his career to play in in the United Arab Emirates.
Gyan announced his retirement from football recently after almost two decades with the national team of Ghana, as reported by the BBC. He holds the record of being the African player with the most goals at the FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, Osimhen is yet to decide on his future after a heroic campaign with Napoli last season.The Super Eagles forward led the Italian side to their first Serie A title in 33 years.
Al-Hilal interested in Osimhen
Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Saudi club, Al-Hilal reportedly offering Napoli €140 million (£120.3mil) for the signature of Osimhen.
Reports have suggested the Italian club want nothing less than €150mil before considering any negotiation with the 24-year-old striker.
It was estimated that Osimhen, a former forward with Lille in France, would earn a massive £1mil per week if the deal pulls through.
Africans who joined Saudi league Sports Brief also reported on the top 4 Africans joining the Saudi Pro League after reports that Sadio Mane would join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
The Portuguese veteran sparked a chain of signings and has helped attract other big-name players, such as reigning Ballon d’Or holder, Karim Benzema.
After taking charge of Leeds United towards the end of the 2022/23 season, Allardyce confidently claimed to reporters that he possessed the best football knowledge, surpassing even celebrated coaches like Guardiola and Klopp.
Robinson, who served as Allardyce’s assistant at Leeds, discussed the manager’s remarks and how he reacted to them during a conversation on the I Had Trials Once podcast. Robinson said, “We were having lunch, and he (Sam Allardyce) turns to me and says, ‘I need to do something here – I need to create a bit of a smokescreen, the players look nervous, they don’t look like they can deal with the pressure.”
This revelation offers insight into Allardyce’s tactical approach and mindset when handling the pressure and expectations that come with leading a high-profile football club like Leeds United.
“I told him to make something up and throw something out there, and he said, ‘I f*g will!’
“Later, I was in his office with Keano having a coffee, and he storms in with a massive smile on his face, and says, ‘I’ve only f*g said I’m better than Pep and Klopp [to the media], haven’t I?’ The press officer then walks in and he says, ‘let’s see how many bites you get on that one!’”
Allardyce, along with Robinson, took charge of Leeds United on May 3 at a time when the club were 17th in the league table and trying to avoid relegation.
The Whites thereafter managed to pick up just one point from four games playing under Allardyce and eventually went down, finishing 19th.
Allardyce departed Elland Road at the end of last season with Daniel Farke eventually named as his successor following a lengthy search process.
The perception of Cristiano Ronaldo as arrogant and self-centered has been a common criticism throughout his career. Even former FIFA president Sepp Blatter referred to him as ‘Commandant,’ suggesting his on-field behavior resembled that of a brutal military officer.
However, those who have had the opportunity to know him closely present a different side of the 38-year-old.
One of his former Real Madrid teammates, Marcelo, shares a strong bond with the Portuguese star.
They engaged in choreographed goal celebrations and shared genuine laughter on and off the pitch, showcasing Ronaldo’s camaraderie with his fellow players.
An old video from their days at Real Madrid surfaced on Twitter, capturing a heartwarming moment where CR7, currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, shared a warm embrace with the Brazilian defender at the club’s training base.
This gesture caught the attention of the rest of the squad, leading to a delightful scene of players like veteran midfielder Luka Modric, goalkeeper Keylor Navas, and midfield linchpin Casemiro all requesting hugs from Ronaldo.
The video showcases Ronaldo’s softer and more affectionate side, as he warmly interacts with his teammates, debunking the perception of him being solely arrogant and self-centered.
Fans react to Ronaldo’s hugs The video has since warmed the hearts of many online users, with many trooping to the comment section to drop heartwarming messages.
@MousamDas777 wrote: “Watched the video with a big fat smile and a teardrop in the corner of my eye when it ended.”
@VishaalWeshaall, on the other hand, was caught in a whirlwind of emotions: “I smiled yet cried a little.”
@ojedeji_praise believes the video underlines how Ronaldo was held in high esteem by his teammates: “He was adored.”
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is reportedly planning to reportReal Madrid to FIFA over their alleged illegal tapping of Kylian Mbappe.
The French international has made it clear that he will not be extending his stay at Parc des Princes, as the extension clause in his current contract expired on July 31. Mbappe is set to become a free agent in the summer of 2024.
There have been suggestions that Real Madrid has already reached an agreement with Mbappe, with the 24-year-old set to receive a €160 million (£137 million or $175 million) signing fee if he moves to Santiago Bernabeu.
Such agreements are banned by FIFA, as they involve approaching a player without seeking the approval of his current club first.
PSG’s patience is wearing thin, and they are reportedly preparing to take their case to FIFA, as reported by The Telegraph.
However, Real Madrid is aware of the risk of missing out on Mbappe if they do not make a move before the 2023 summer transfer window closes. Other clubs like Chelsea and Barcelona are also showing interest in the player.
Mbappe has already turned down a record-breaking offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, who were willing to pay a €300 million (£257 million or $329 million) transfer fee and a €700 million (£599 million or $768 million) salary.
In a masterful display, England secured their spot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout stages, propelled by the exceptional performance of Lauren James, as they triumphed with an impressive 6-1 victory over China.
“We showed our determination and skill, and it feels fantastic to be heading to the knockout stages,” said England coach Sarina Wiegman, expressing her delight at the team’s achievement of becoming the first nation in the tournament’s history to score in 16 consecutive matches.
Facing a resilient China side, who were eager to prove their mettle after a narrow victory over Haiti, England wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Just four minutes into the match, Alessia Russo capitalized on a clever assist from Lauren James to net her first goal of the tournament.
“China may have posed a challenge, but we knew what we had to do, and we did it well,” said James, highlighting the team’s determination to overcome any obstacles.
With just a point needed to secure their qualification to the knockout stages, England continued to control the game as the first half unfolded.
The midfield duo of Katie Zelem and Georgia Stanway shone brightly, orchestrating the play and injecting excitement with their new-look partnership.
A second goal came before the half-hour mark, as Millie Bright and Lauren James combined effectively, setting up Lauren Hemp to confidently finish past Yu Zhu and extend England’s lead.
China coach Shui Qingxia acknowledged England’s dominant display, admitting, “They were a formidable opponent, not an easy piece of cake for us,” as she praised the Lionesses’ performance.
With this spectacular victory, England showcased their prowess on the World Cup stage, and their fans can look forward to more thrilling performances as they progress further in the tournament.
Armed with a two-goal advantage, the Lionesses showed no signs of slowing down before HT, and their positive approach was rewarded when James swept in a brilliant third from the edge of the box, giving England a commanding lead at the interval.
That goal looked to have put China on the brink of elimination, but the Steel Roses were handed a lifeline early in the second half when Lucy Bronze was adjudged to have handled in the box, allowing Wang Shuang to step up and convert from the spot.
Determined to reassert their control in the contest, England quickly restored their three-goal cushion as Jess Carer found James at the back post, who guided a sublime first-time volley into the far corner.
A statement performance from the European champions continued to deliver right up until the final whistle, with Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly adding late gloss to the scoreline, as theLionesses finished top of Group D with three wins from three, setting up a last-16 clash with Nigeria.
Sadio Mane has openly expressed his true feelings as he gets closer to finalizing his move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
During his time with Bayern Munich, the former Liverpool forward managed 12 goals in 38 appearances, but only one of those goals came after he suffered a leg injury in November, which also ruled him out of the World Cup.
Despite having two years left on his contract with Bayern, both Mane and the Bundesliga champions have mutually agreed to part ways after a disappointing and injury-ridden first season together.
Now, the 31-year-old has completed successful medical examinations and is on the brink of joining Cristiano Ronaldo at the Riyadh-based club, Al-Nassr.
“Leaving Bayern hurts me. I would have wished for a different ending,” he told Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg as quoted by Fabrizio Romano on Twitter.
“I know that I could have helped the team this season. Nevertheless, I only wish the club and the fans the best for the future.”
Upon joining Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, Mane’s earnings will reach an astonishing £650,000 per week, resulting in an annual salary of £34 million, per 90 Min.
He is set to become the club’s fourth major signing this summer after completing deals for Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles and Seko Fofana.
Kimmich reveals Why Mane failed Joshua Kimmich has revealed that Sadio Mane’s struggles in his first and only season in the Bundesliga were not the Senegal forward’s fault, Sports Brief reported.
Mane has been heavily criticised in the media after he failed to have the impact he had at Liverpool with the Bundesliga giants after his highly publicised transfer from the Reds last summer.
Kimmich has now come to Mane’s defence, insisting the Senegal forward had to battle too many obstacles, which must have contributed to his low impact at Bayern.
Bayern accept Al-Nassr bid for Mane
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Sadio Mane is just a medical away from joining Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr after Bayern Munich accepted a verbal proposal for the Senegalese forward.
Al Nassr has been in intense negotiations with the Bundesliga champions for Mane, who struggled to adapt to the Bundesliga after his switch from Liverpool last summer.
Lionel Messi will have the opportunity to play for Barcelona again before he retires for good, as confirmed by Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who enjoyed a highly successful 17-year stint at the Catalan club, winning multiple trophies, including four UEFA Champions League titles, left the club in 2021 without a proper farewell to the fans.
According to SB Media, Mas has disclosed that Messi will make a return to Camp Nou for a special farewell game that will be organized at some point in the future.
This will allow the Argentine superstar to bid a proper goodbye to the Barcelona faithful who have supported him throughout his illustrious career with the club.
“I don’t know if it’s some type of friendly or farewell game. They have this Gamper Trophy they play for in the summer.
“But there will be something where, hopefully, when the new Camp Nou is open, because their stadium there they will not be playing in for the next year and a half, hopefully, Lionel Messi can say his proper goodbye.”
Messi, who has scored 672 goals for Barcelona overall, declined the chance to rejoin the Catalan club this summer in favour of signing with Inter Miami.
According to Goal, former Arsenal forward Carlos Vela has advised Lionel Messi to put in more effort on the pitch following his move to Inter Miami in the MLS.
Vela emphasized that in the MLS, players need to work harder than in the elite European leagues, where attackers often receive exceptional service.
He encouraged Messi to enjoy his game while also adjusting his performance to meet the demands of the MLS, as it requires a different level of effort from players.
Messi opted for themove to Inter Miami, rejecting lucrative offers from Al-Hilal and Barcelona, to embark on a new chapter in his football career.
Lionel Messi mobbed by fans Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Lionel Messi has taken Miami by storm, and his supporters can’t get enough of him.
The Argentine star got mobbed by his loyal fans once again on Friday, this time when he was leaving a store on Lincoln Road.
One fan recorded the incredible scene, with Messi needing security to move through a crowd as he was departing a local pedestrian mall.
Former English International, Gabriel Agbonlahor, has shared his opinion on the incident where Manchester United goalkeeperAndre Onana screamed at Harry Maguire during their friendly against Borussia Dortmund.
According to Agbonlahor, Onana’s reaction towards Maguire was unjustified, as Maguire was not responsible for the mistake that occurred.
Agbonlahor expressed his disapproval of Onana’s actions, suggesting that Maguire was targeted unfairly.
He further questioned whether Onana would behave similarly towards Lisandro Martinez, indicating that such behavior was uncalled for on the football pitch.
“First of all, Harry Maguire did do anything wrong. He played the ball to a midfielder and the midfielder gave it away. And I feel like he is the easy target and I don’t like that from Onana. Are you going to do that to Martinez?
Are you going to rush to him like that? I think Maguire is an easy target and I didn’t like the look of that. I would understand it if it was a big mistake and caused a goal or it was Harry Maguire’s fault then fair enough.
“But I want to see the same energy for every player from him,” he told TalkSports.
Agbonlahor, who feels Onana was picking on Maguire, demanded that the Cameroonian does the same to every player.
“As long as he is doing it to everyone. If Martinez does the same thing he is quite one of the leaders there who do it to everyone. Don’t just see Maguire as he has gone through that phase of life that Man United fans on social media are like leave, leave, leave.
“He is not going to react to that, I think we know Harry Maguire is thinking, keep a low profile and fight for my place. So I didn’t like it and it wasn’t a mistake by Harry Maguire,” he added.
Maguire dropped a pass during the buildup, and Dortmund nearly capitalised. However, Onana stopped Dortmund’s initial shot, and the rebound from Youssoufa Moukoko sailed out for a goal kick.
As soon as the ball was out, Onana ran over to Harry Maguire and yelled at him for giving it away, which almost resulted in a goal.
“I try to talk to them a lot because I know he’s a good player, he is one of the captains of the team. That’s big and he is good with the ball, so I would demand [from] him a lot and he’s a good, great guy,” Onana explained his actions after the game.
Manchester United eventually lost 3-2 in the pre-season game on July 21, 2023, at Allegiant Stadium in USA.
He issued a stark warning to his players ahead of the upcoming season, emphasizing that they cannot lead a luxurious lifestyle if they want to endure the rigorous demands of elite football.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Ten Hag said, “For all the players,
you have to live the right life. Professional football is tough, so in general, our players can’t match the sensational life playing top football.”
“Top football is tough nowadays: 60 games a year in club football, 10 international games.
“So 70 games means that every third or fourth day you have to match the highest physical levels. When you’re not living the right life, you get killed.
“What is important? Sleep, recovery, nutrition. Three key areas and when you don’t do this right, you have a problem. You can’t perform.” So when you ask me about [Marcus] Rashford, the same counts for Raphael Varane and every player. You will not reach the levels when you don’t do the things right.”
The Dutchman explained that he was surprised at the squad’s customs when he took over as United manager last year and had to overhaul their habits. He added: “So I think in general when I came in at Man United, the standards were not righ’t.
That’s true. I demand the highest standards in sleep, recovery and nutrition because that makes the difference if you can perform every third or fourth day. We had to improve.
“That is the demand for every top football player,so at Man United we aredemanding the highest standards.”
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is nearing the signing ofOusmane Dembele, who was part of a three-player offer from Barcelona in their attempt to secure Kylian Mbappe’s transfer.
Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi is on the verge of fulfilling his promise to bring the French international, Dembele, to PSG as a potential replacement for the outgoing Mbappe.
According to Le Parisien, the deal for Dembele was facilitated through the initial three-player swap offer made by Barcelona, which included Gavi, Raphinha, and Dembele in exchange for Mbappe, who has been the subject of intense transfer interest.
However, when Mbappe rejected the chance to move to Camp Nou, Al-Khelaifi seized the opportunity and used the contact with Dembele’s representatives to negotiate a deal for the former Borussia Dortmund winger.
He reportedly warned Dembele about Barcelona’s attempt to offload him, leading to the imminent transfer to PSG.
It’s claimed Dembele asked to leave when he found out and became keen on the PSG move. The Ligue 1 side are set to activate a €50 million (£43m/$54m) release clause to sign him.
Dembele has come close to leaving Barca in the past, having been heavily linked with Manchester United in 2020 and Chelsea in 2022.
But he’s also been a long-time PSG target and is expected to sign a five-year deal with the French champions.
The situation is an embarrassing one for Barca, having been unable to lure Mbappe – who is still expected to join their fierce rivals Real Madrid – and now losing Dembele to a Champions League rival club.
Barcelona is facing the possibility of losing one of their top talents, Ousmane Dembele, this summer, as the forward has rejected their latest contract offer.
With just one year remaining on his current contract, Dembele seems inclined to leave the Catalan club, and there are reports indicating that he has verbally agreed to a contract with French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Despite Barcelona’s desire to retain Dembele’s services and convince him to sign a renewal, a contract standoff persists between the two parties.
According to RAC1, Dembele is seeking an annual salary increase of around €6-7 million.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Fabrizio Romano had previously reported about Dembele’s verbal agreement with PSG, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his future with Barcelona.
Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning French champions, are actively seeking to strengthen their attack in the aftermath of a challenging 2022/23 season. With Lionel Messi’s departure, PSG has identified Ousmane Dembele as a suitable candidate to bolster their offensive lineup.
The situation is further complicated by the potential exit of star forward Kylian Mbappe.
PSG has officially communicated with Barcelona, informing them of their agreement with Dembele and their interest in signing him.
According to reports from Marca, Dembele’s current contract includes a €50 million release clause, which is set to increase to over €100 million starting from 1st August.
This makes the French forward an appealing target for other clubs, with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain already expressing interest.
Barcelona is not pleased with this development and is prepared to take action by approaching UEFA toensure PSG’s compliance with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
They are keen to retain Dembele’s services for several more seasons, given his contract is set to expire at the end of the 2024 season.
The relatively low release clause provides other teams with the opportunity to sign Dembele without having to negotiate with Barcelona directly, adding to the complexity of the situation for the Spanish club.
The Saudi Pro League has become the center of attention this summer as more than 15 top players have made the surprising decision to leave the top European leagues and move to the Middle East.
It all started with Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr in January, which triggered a chain reaction, attracting other big-name players like the Ballon d’Or holder, Karim Benzema, among others.
Pep Guardiola, the head coach of Manchester City, has issued a warning about the attractive deals offered to players in the oil-rich country, making it challenging for other clubs to compete.
Now, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is the latest player linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, with reports indicating that Al-Hilal has offered him a staggering salary of €1 million per week.
Several top African players have already made the switch to the Saudi Pro League:
Sadio Mane
The quality forward moved from Bayern Munich to explore new opportunities in the Middle East.
Regarded as one of Africa’s best players in recent years, Mahrez accepted Al-Ahli’s offer after his successful stint with Manchester City.
Edouard Mendy
The talented goalkeeper helped Chelsea win the Champions League and the Africa Cup of Nations for Senegal before joining Al-Ahli.
Seko Fofana
The 28-year-old Ivorian surprised many by joining Al-Nassr until 2026 after an impressive season with Lens in Ligue 1.
With the transfer window still open, there could be more African players making their way to the Saudi top flight.
Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech’s move might also be revived, as the club looks to offload him. The allure of the Saudi Pro League seems to be attracting top talents from across the globe.
Comparing Mane’s wages to Ronaldo’s Sports Brief also reported on Mane set to undergo his medicals to finalise a move to Saudi Arabia, where he would automatically become one of the top earners.
Mane will earn a whopping £650,000a week at Al-Nassr, culminating in an annual salary of £34 milliion per year when he joins the Saudi Pro League outfit.
However, the Senegalese forward will earn way less than his new teammate, Ronaldo, who rakes in a massive £177mil each year from his basic club salary.
During a thought leadership event organized by Joy Sports, Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, enthusiastically asserted that Ghanaian football fans have not lost their interest in theGhana Premier League.
Despite the declining attendance numbers in recent seasons, Ussif passionately emphasized that this does not indicate a decrease in the nation’s love for the sport.
To support his claim, Ussif highlighted the significant turnouts witnessed during matches between Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics just two years ago, showcasing the fervor and passion for football among Ghanaians, which he believes remain as vibrant as ever.
“I refuse to believe that Ghanaians have suddenly lost interest in football. No, the passion is still alive and vibrant.
“We must, therefore, delve deeper into the underlying factors responsible for this decline and take decisive actions to revive our beloved league,” declared Ussif.
“Two years ago, the fierce rivalry betweenHearts of Oak and Great Olympics drew an overwhelming crowd. Yet, we find ourselves grappling with a disheartening decline in attendance at recent fixtures.”
The schedule for the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League (GPL) has been revealed, sparking enthusiasm among football fans all over the country.
The league will kick off from September 15 to 18, with matches taking place at various venues nationwide.
One of the most anticipated fixtures will be the clash between arch-rivals Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko, set to take place in Accra, adding to the excitement of the competition.
The current champions, Medeama SC, will begin their title defense at home against Accra Lions FC, while Aduana FC will face FC Samartex in their opening match.
Newly promoted teams will start their journey with away matches, with Heart of Lions FC renewing their rivalry against Asante Kotoko SC at the Baba Yara Stadium, promising an enthralling encounter for football enthusiasts.
The first round of the season will conclude on December 29, 2023, followed by a one-month break to accommodate the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire, taking place from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
The Ministry of Sports has released a detailed breakdown of the payments made to former Black Stars manager, Charles Kwablan Akonnor, after his contract as coach of the senior national team was terminated.
According to reports, there have been four payments made to Akonnor between October 2021 and July 2023, totaling US$238,108.
However, it is mentioned that there is still an outstanding payment of US$200,000 to be settled based on the terms of termination.
Here is the breakdown of the four payments:
On 22nd October 2021, following the termination of Coach Akonnor’s contract, he received an amount of GH¢318,378.41, which is equivalent to US$54,054.06 at a conversion rate of 5.89.
On 10th February 2022, he was paid an amount of GH¢335,675.71, equivalent to US$54,054.06 at a rate of 6.21.
On 12th January 2023, an amount of GH¢860,000.00, equal to US$100,000, was disbursed at a rate of 8.60.
On 27th July 2023, a payment of $30,000.00 was made by cheque, but Akonnor declined it and requested a Bank transfer instead. The bank transfer was successfully executed on Monday, 31st July 2023.
These figures provide transparency on the payments made to Charles Kwablan Akonnor after his time as the coach of the Black Stars came to an end.
Akonnor vs. Ministry, GFA
The former Black Stars captain in a recent interview denied being paid $100,000 as an exit package after his dismissal from the national team role in September 2021.
Akonnor’s clarification was is in reaction to Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif’s assertion that theformer Asante Kotoko coach did not walk empty-handed and that he was paid $100,000 as his exit package.
”I never received the kind of money the minister mentioned. I don’t want to put out how much they paid me but it was not $100,000 as the minister said,” Akonnor told Graphic Sports.
”My contract is still with the FA and if he likes he can go and check the agreement we had and see before making the claim and he will know that he is wrong,” Akonnor stated.
According to Graphic Sports, the former Ashanti Gold manager also noted that he was paid in cedis and not dollars.
The Minister made his assertions during a press briefing on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, when he admitted that the government still Akonnor and ex-Ghana coach, Milovan Rajevac.
”Both C.K and Milovan, once their contracts were terminated, we sat with them and negotiated their exit and C.K. was paid $100,000 immediately after the negotiation, same as Milovan.
”We still owe both of them and we have a payment schedule which I admit we have not followed because of constraint of funds. As and when we get funds we will pay the two coaches,” he assured.
Napoli’s striker, Victor Osimhen, has made a bold decision by rejecting a staggering €1 million per week offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.
The Nigerian forward had the chance to earn a jaw-dropping €52 million annually if he had accepted the move to the Saudi Pro League team.
Al Hilal’s relentless pursuit of Osimhen is evident as they recently had their second bid of €140 million for the player rejected.
Initially, they offered €130 million, which Napoli also turned down, according to reports from the Italian newspaper Il Mattino.
However, Napoli seems determined to capitalize on Osimhen’s market value and is holding out for a staggering €150 million.
The interest in Osimhen comes after Al Hilal’s unsuccessful attempt to secure the services of Paris Saint-Germain’s superstar, Kylian Mbappe.
Osimhen’s remarkable performance during the last Serie A season, where he finished as the top scorer with 26 goals in 32 games, has earned him attention from several European giants, including Bayern Munich.
It remains to be seen how this transfer saga will unfold as the parties involved continue negotiations.
Manchester City’s pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid in Seoul faced a half-hour delay due to torrential rain.
Heavy rain in the South Korean capital caused the match to be postponed for at least 30 minutes, with images on social media revealing the pitch at the Seoul World Cup stadium submerged in water.
Today's match against Atletico Madrid has been delayed due to adverse weather conditions.
Pep Guardiola fielded a full-strength starting line-up for the match against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, with Ederson in goal and Erling Haaland leading the attack.
This match marked the third and final game of City’s tour of Asia, having previously secured a 5-3 victory against Yokohama F Marinos in Tokyo and a 3-1 win over Bayern Munich in the Japanese capital before arriving in South Korea.
Following their Asian tour, Manchester City will take on Arsenal in the Community Shield on August 6, and their Premier League title defense will begin with an away fixture against Burnley on August 11.
Tanzanian club Young Africans has officially unveiled Ghanaian forward Hafiz Konkoni after successfully completing the transfer.
In a well-crafted video shared on Twitter on July 29, 2023, Yanga announced the signing of the talented striker, prompting a warm welcome from their fans in the comments section.
The young and promising forward has signed a two-year contract with the Yellow and Greens, which will keep him at the club until 2025.
Konkoni’s impressive performance in the Ghana Premier League last season caught the attention of many, and he has now made the move from Bechem United to Young Africans.
Several other Ghanaian clubs, including Accra Hearts of Oak, were rumored to be interested in acquiring the striker’s services, but it was Young Africans who secured his signature.
Having earned his debut call-up to the Ghanaian national team, the Black Stars, in May for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar, Hafiz Konkoni’s talent and potential have been recognized on both domestic and international levels.
With his impressive track record of scoring 15 goals in the league last season, Yanga hopes that Konkoni will be the solution to their striker difficulties as they begin their journey with him in the squad.
Following Barcelona’s impressive 3-0 victory against Real Madrid in a pre-season friendly in Dallas, manager Xavi Hernandez called for more signings to bolster the squad.
Despite the resounding win, Xavi emphasized the need to strengthen the first-team and fill any gaps in the team with new players.
He expressed the possibility of Barcelona making additional signings to further reinforce the squad.
Speaking to reporters after El Clasico win, Xavi said, “The market closes on the 31st of August. A lot can happen. Hopefully, we can strengthen more.
“We are missing some players. The sports management knows it and the President knows it. Despite the result and the euphoria, we need something more.”
TheBarcelona manager is aware of the challenges the club face in the transfer market due to financial constraints. Despite this, he remains determined to find suitable additions to the squad.
While the team cannot afford all of their primary targets due to Financial Fair Play restrictions, Xavi remains optimistic that more players will be acquired.
He also emphasized the significance of nurturing talent from the club’s La Masia academy, suggesting that home-grown players could play a crucial role in strengthening the team.
The reigning La Liga champions will play their final pre-season friendly game againstAC Milan on August 2 in Las Vegas.
Ghana’s Youth and Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, has officially requested the Office of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to consider the utilization of the $9 million earned from the country’s participation in the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar.
The Minister aims to establish a “precedent” for determining how these funds should be allocated, with a focus on funding preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 2023 and rehabilitating sports infrastructure at Prampram.
Mustapha Ussif highlighted the need for executive approval from President Akufo-Addo before proceeding with the planned allocation.
During a press conference, he expressed the ministry’s intentions, stating, “We are just about going to AFCON. We also want to develop some sports infrastructure.
“The FA has written that they want to improve the infrastructure at Prampram. It’s something we need to get executive approval for.”
To ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the funds, the ministry is seeking the necessary approvals from higher authorities before announcing their decisions to the public.
The main objective is to invest in sports development and infrastructure to enhance the performance of the national teams on the international stage.
Despite an early exit from the 2022 World Cup, where the Black Stars faced tough competition in a challenging group, the country remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing footballing potential and improving sports facilities for future success.
The highly anticipated deal has drawn significant attention from fans and pundits alike, as it represents a major move for both clubs.
Salisu’s arrival is expected to strengthen Monaco’s defense and could potentially impact the dynamics of the upcoming season in a positive way.
Football enthusiasts are eagerly looking forward to Salisu’s debut in the iconic red and white jersey, as the 24-year-old Black Stars defender prepares to make his mark in Ligue 1.
In the summer transfer window of 2020, Salisu joined Southampton from Real Valladolid and quickly became a crucial player for the team.
He made his debut for Southampton on 11th February 2021, playing the full 90 minutes and keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 FA Cup away victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
His performance, along with goals from Danny Ings and Stuart Armstrong, helpedSouthampton progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.
During the last season, Salisu made 22 appearances in the Premier League and provided one assist, showcasing his talent and potential on the field.
Member of Parliament for Suame and Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has urged for the implementation of legislation that would require individuals to keep certain amounts of money in the bank.
He made this statement in response to recent events involving a former minister who allegedly lost significant sums of money at her private residence, as two housemaids absconded with local and foreign currency, amounting to about US$1.4 million.
Former minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has since become a subject of public discussion, with repeated calls for an investigation into the source of the said funds.
In an interview on Accra-based Hello FM, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated, “I don’t subscribe to it (keeping such sums at home), but if we look closely, there is no specific law that mandates you to put your monies in the bank, there is no such law.”
He emphasized the need to introduce such a law, as it would be crucial for safeguarding people’s money. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu further added, “It is important to enact such a law. If these monies were in the bank, it would have been protected.”
Cecilia Abena Dapaah, now the former sanitation minister had reported to the police that she had lost monies amounting to a million dollars, 300,000 euros and 350,000 Ghana cedis to thieving house maids.
The two have been arrested by the police are currently facing charges of stealing along with three other beneficiaries before an Accra Circuit Court.
The minister has since resigned her ministerial position and has been arrested and released on bail by the Special Prosecutor.
Meanwhile, police have submitted the docket of the case of theft as reported by the minister and her husband to the Attorney-General for advice.
The minister, who also serves as the MP for Adansi Asokwa, defended his comments, stating that he does not consider them to be contemptuous and is prepared to uphold his stance.
He made these statements in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM.
“I am clear in my mind that I haven’t committed any contemptuous sin. I made a remark, the remark was in the context of precedence of decisions that have been made by the Supreme Court… And I don’t understand why anyone would want to take me to court except for the fact I am KT Hammond,” he said.
The High Court in Accra last week gave KT Hammond 31 days to justify comments he made.
According to a news report by myjoyoline.com, the court on Friday, July 28, 2023, ordered the lawyers of the embattled Assin North legislator to also file their statement within the stated deadline, August 31, 2023.
The report indicated that the presiding judge for the case, Justice Mary Anzu, opted not to listen to oral arguments and ordered the parties to address her through written arguments after which she would give her ruling.
James Quayson, through his lawyer, filed a lawsuit citing KT Hammond for contempt in relation to alleged comments he made on Oyerepa TV regarding the former’s ongoing criminal trial at the High Court.
The writ states that the Trade and Industry Minister has stated in the said interview that, ‘Gyakye Quayson will go to prison’, which was subsequently published on GhanaWeb.
Quoting Article 19(1) of the 1992 Constitution, the writ contends that until proven guilty, an individual is considered innocent, therefore, K.T Hammond’s comment is a violation of the accused’s right to a fair trial, and it is argued that his words impede the proper functioning of the court, hence the suit seeking legal consequences, including imprisonment, if he is found guilty of contempt.
Gyakye Quayson is currently facing charges of perjury and forgery related to his Canadian citizenship status at the time of filing his nomination forms for the 2020 parliamentary election.
The legal proceedings against Gyakye Quayson arose following a Supreme Court ruling that deemed the Electoral Commission’s decision to allow him to contest the 2020 polls without proof of renouncing his Canadian citizenship unconstitutional.
The apex court instructedParliament to expunge Gyakye Quayson’s name from its records, nullifying his election and declaring it to be of no effect. Furthermore, his swearing-in was deemed unconstitutional.
During an event held to honor the 11th anniversary of the passing of John Evans Atta Mills, John Dramani Mahama spoke in glowing terms about his late boss.
He highlighted Mills’ remarkable integrity, humility, and modesty, emphasizing the values that Mills passionately upheld.
In his address to the gathering commemorating the June 24th anniversary of Mills’ passing, Mahama cited examples of significant sums of money kept at home to illustrate just how humble and unassuming Mills was.
“Atta Mills was a man of integrity and all of us can vouch for his integrity, he was a modest man and didn’t need millions of dollars in his house to survive,” he stated to laughter in the crowd.
The topic of a million dollars has been widely discussed in the past two weeks due to a reported incident of theft at the home of a minister.
The former sanitation minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, informed the police that she had lost a significant amount of money, including one million dollars, 300,000 euros, and 350,000 Ghana cedis, allegedly stolen by housemaids.
The two housemaids involved in the theft were apprehended by the police, and they, along with three others who were suspected to be beneficiaries of the stolen money, are facing charges before an Accra Circuit Court.
In the wake of this incident, the minister decided to resign from her ministerial position. She was subsequently arrested but later released on bail by the Special Prosecutor.
The police have completed their investigation and submitted the case docket, which includes details of the reported theft by the minister and her husband, to the Attorney-General for further advice.
In a historic moment at theWomen’s World Cup, Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab while playing, as Morocco secured their first-ever victory in a Group H match against South Korea in Adelaide.
Ibtissam Jraidi’s early header proved to be the decisive goal, granting the North African side a remarkable win, while South Korea’s chances of advancing in the tournament were severely diminished with one match still to play.
Previously, FIFA had banned religious head coverings in its sanctioned games citing “health and safety reasons,” but this restriction was overturned in 2014 following advocacy from activists, athletes, and soccer officials.
This progressive move paved the way for Nouhaila Benzina to make history with her hijab on the field.
Morocco’s triumph is a significant milestone for the team at the Women’s World Cup.
Despite being 55 ranks below South Korea in the women’s rankings, the African side made an early breakthrough with Ibtissam Jraidi’s remarkable header, securing their first-ever World Cup goal.
Although South Korea’s Eun-Sun Park came close to equalizing with a diving header, her effort narrowly missed the target.
Throughout the game, Morocco’s goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi was hardly tested by the South Korean team, who struggled to create chances and failed to register a shot on target.
Nouhaila Benzina showcased her defensive prowess with crucial interventions during the match and even came close to scoring herself from a set-piece, volleying a snapshot just over the bar.
In the late stages of the game, South Korea’s Casey Phair had an opportunity to level the score, but the 16-year-old, who had already made history as the youngest player to appear in a Women’s World Cup match during their previous defeat to Colombia, missed the target, leaving her team at the bottom of the group.
Collin Bell, the South Korea manager, said: “I can’t believe it, to be honest. We saved the worst two performances in my tenure for the World Cup. I didn’t recognise my own team.
“The reality is we were not good enough in both games. Why that was, we have to analyse in detail. I’m not going to let my emotions take over now and obviously we’re all very disappointed.
“The players are much better than they’ve shown in both matches and it really is almost unbelievable that we’ve performed like we have.”
Morocco’s tally of three points moves them level with Germany and Colombia in Group H, although those two sides meet later on Sunday.
Multiple online reports suggest, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, theMember of Parliament for Juaboso, was involved in a near-fatal road crash.
Images and videos shared online depict two severely damaged vehicles that were allegedly part of the accident.
The incident occurred while the MP was en route to Kumasi, located in the Ashanti Region.
Several reports indicate that both the MP and other injured individuals have been promptly taken to a hospital for medical attention.
“A few minutes ago, an accident has occurred at Nhyinahini in the Atwima Mponua District involving the member of parliament for Juaboso constituency, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh’s vehicle and a sprinter.
“The MP’s vehicle was heading to Kumasi with that of the sprinter from Kumasi to Sefwi.
“The MP has been sent to the hospital together with other injured persons,” a post by Nana Kwame Afriyie, sourced to DJ Philip on Hardball, Fox 97.9fm, said.
Another video post by Power 979fm said that, “The Member of Parliament for Juaboso and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Health Committee, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh was involved in a fatal accident this evening near Nyinahin in the Ashanti Region.
“He’s responding to treatment at the moment.”
There has, however, not been any official statement from theGhana National Fire Service, or the Ghana Police Service on the matter.
The Juaboso MP, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, is also yet to put out any information on the reported road crash and his involvement in it.
The talented player was notably absent from the squad during Atalanta’s pre-season friendly against Bournemouth, signaling the impending deal.
The agreed-upon deal stands at an initial £64 million with an additional £8 million in potential add-ons. Atalanta initially sought a guaranteed sum of £77 million before negotiations settled.
Sky Sports News had previously reported that Hojlund’s preferred destination was Old Trafford, alleviating any worries about interest from PSG in the Danish international. Personal terms were effortlessly finalized, as Hojlund committed to a five-year contract with the option to extend for another 12 months.
Manchester United received a boost when Atalanta secured the signing of Almeria forward El Bilal Toure, further clearing the path for Hojlund’s move.
United’s incoming transfers are nearly complete, and any further arrivals will likely depend on potential departures. Notably, there is interest from other clubs in players like Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Fred, and Donny van de Beek.
Should any of these players leave, Manchester United is prepared to enter the market to find suitable replacements. The club continues to show strong interest in Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.
“United are conscious that Hojlund is more potential than the finished article, but believe Erik ten Hag’s coaching could help mould him into an elite player.
“Marcus Rashford may need to play some games as United’s focal point while the 20-year-old adjusts and gains experience. Long-term he is seen as a talent that has the potential to become world class under Ten Hag.
United have now solved the three core squad issues the manager identified: a goalkeeper, forward and dynamic midfielder. This has been done within the budget the club set themselves, which was conditioned by Financial Fair Play regulations.
“Hojlund had made it very clear Old Trafford was his destination of choice, so even though PSG had registered their interest with a take-it-or-leave-it bid, there was no worry or concern at United’s end because they knew the player wanted to join them, they knew they had done a lot of homework on this deal and they have still stayed within their budget.
“United have talked Atalanta down from what they initially wanted. The last asking price was £77m guaranteed. We know that United have gone for £64m guaranteed, so they feel that is a win. We have to stress this is a 20-year-old who is still very inexperienced, so it is quite a hefty price for United to pay.
“But they believe he has got such a high ceiling and that he can progress and become world class under Erik ten Hag, so it’s basically backing their manager’s coaching ability and what the scouts have seen in Hojlund.
“We’re told it wasn’t because of PSG coming into the race that United have elevated their price point; it’s simply because, to get the deal done in time for the player to have enough training sessions with the squad to be ready for the start of the season, they wanted to get an agreement in place.
They feel a compromise has been reached, even though they’ve gone higher than they probably would have liked to.”
A significant number of worried customers fromConsolidated Bank of Ghana (CBG) are preparing for a large-scale demonstration to call for the urgent removal of Thairu Ndungu, a Kenyan national, from his position as Deputy Managing Director of Operations at the bank.
These concerned customers cannot idly stand by and watch CBG face potential collapse, especially after the bank’s past struggles and the establishment that followed the collapse of another bank, which led to the formation of Consolidated Bank of Ghana.
The decision to organize this demonstration was triggered by Mr. Isaac Adongo, the NDC MP for Bolgatanga Central, who also serves as the Deputy Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Finance.
In a recent interview with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Mr. Adongo expressed serious concerns about the appointment of a Kenyan national who is reportedly receiving an expatriate salary.
He believes that there are many equally qualified Ghanaians who could have been chosen for the same position at the bank.
While the identities of the concerned customers have not been disclosed at this time, they are collectively demanding the immediate removal of Mr. Thairu Ndungu and the appointment of a Ghanaian candidate to take over the role.
“We’re given the government a 10-day ultimatum to act or face our anger”.
The Bolgatanga Central MP’s interview which has gone viral has sparked serious tension and fears among the customers of CBG.
The MP described CBG as a national disgrace and a symbol of National embarrassment.
The concerned customers stated emphatically that they were not against a foreign holding such a high position but worried about the circumstances that led to the appointment of the Deputy Managing Director of Operations which according to them has the potency of collapsing the bank.
This they added is an insult and embarrassment to other well-qualified Ghanaian Bankers especially those who are currently unemployed as a result of the collapsed banks.
Allan Saint-Maximin has announced his departure from Newcastle as he prepares for a likely move to the wealthySaudi Pro League.
The French winger, who has been strongly linked with a £30 million ($38.5 million) transfer to Al-Ahli, bid farewell to the Premier League club in a heartfelt message posted on his Instagram account.
In his message, he expressed his love for the club and reminisced about their journey from battling relegation to achieving an impressive fourth-placed finish last season.
Under the management of Eddie Howe, Newcastle has been making significant investments since the club’s takeover by Saudi-backed owners in October 2021.
Saint-Maximin, 26, said: “I fell for Newcastle, I had great opportunities to leave during dark days, but that was too late. I was already in love, I wanted, I needed, I had to stay for helping my team to save the club from Premier League relegation because it meant the world for me.
“Of course during those dark days some may have had their doubts, but I always believed in this club and look where we are today, it’s just so beautiful.
I’m leaving Newcastle as it should always have been and that’s my greatest trophy because I was a part of it.” Saint-Maximin has made 124 appearances for the club and scored 13 goals since joining from Nice in 2019.
Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy have already signed for Al-Ahli, while Karim Benzema, Jordan Henderson and N’Golo Kante have also joined Pro League clubs in recent weeks.
Bayern Munich has officially announced that Sadio Mane is currently in discussions regarding his departure from the club, and a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr is close to being finalized.
The 31-year-old is set to leave the Allianz Arena after spending just one season with Bayern.
As a result of inconsistent form, injury troubles, and a well-known dressing room altercation with teammate Leroy Sane, Mane’s time at Bayern turned into a nightmare campaign.
To facilitate his potential move to Al-Nassr, Mane was not included in Bayern’s squad for the friendly match against Kawasaki Frontale in Japan.
In a tweet with including their line-up for the friendly against Kawasaki Frontale, Bayern wrote: “Sadio Mans is in contract talks about a change of club and is therefore not in the squad today.”
The attacker is now set for a medical with theSaudi Pro League club after a deal was agreed between the two clubs, and the transfer will likely be announced in due course.
AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli expressed his optimism about the partnership between former Chelsea stars Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic, stating that he believes it will improve over time.
Pioli is delighted with the performance of both players since their arrival at AC Milan and is hopeful that they will develop a special connection on the field.
He particularly praised Pulisic’s versatility, acknowledging his ability to excel in various attacking positions.
In his own words to reporters, Pioli stated, “His (Christian Pulisic) physical condition is improving, we’ve only been working for two weeks.
“He can play on the right, left or on the frontline, he’s intelligent and has quality.”
“He (Ruben Loftus-Cheek) and Pulisic have been teaming up for only a few days, but they have features that fit together well. I’m happy with how they are moving, they need time to adjust.
“They are mature players who, however, change opponents, league and teammates. Of course, there are many things we can do better.”
The USMNT star’s transfer from Chelsea this summer for £17 million ($22m) is proving to be a success commercially for the Italian giants who have seen a massive increase in shirt sales in the United States.
Pioli’s side will be next seen in action on August 1 when they faceBarcelona in a pre-season friendly.
Italian Serie A champions Napoli are reportedly close to securing the signing of Ghanaian defender Kevin Danso from French Ligue 1 side RC Lens.
Napoli is in the market for a strong and high-quality defender to fill the void left by South Korean international Kim Min-Jae, who joinedBayern Munich this summer.
According to Footmercato, Napoli has already contacted the Austrian international of Ghanaian descent and reached an agreement on personal terms with the player. However, the finalization of the move is still pending, as RC Lens has turned down Napoli’s initial offer of 22 million Euros.
The French club is demanding a fee of at least 30 million Euros for the highly sought-after defender.
Napoli sees Kevin Danso as the ideal center-back with the right credentials to replace Kim Min-Jae ahead of the new season. Danso had an impressive season with RC Lens, making 34 appearances, scoring one goal, and providing two assists as his team finished second in the French Ligue 1 table.
If the deal goes through, Danso’s departure will be a significant blow to RC Lens, especially as they prepare to feature in the upcomingChampions League campaign.
Victor Osimhen is on the verge of signing a new contract with Napoli, which will likely dash the hopes of Manchester United, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain in acquiring the striker.
According to Sky Italia, Napoli and Osimhen, represented by his agent Roberto Calenda, have made significant progress in finalizing the new contract.
However, negotiations have revolved around the release clause, with the club seeking around €200 million (£171m/$219m) while Osimhen’s representatives are pushing for a lower fee, possibly around €150 million (£128m/$164m).
The Nigerian forward’s current contract with Napoli is set to expire in 2025, and it’s believed that he will commit to at least one more season under the current deal.
Talks primarily focused on his wages and the release clause during discussions with Calenda, leading to increased optimism that Osimhen will soon sign the contract extension.
If the extension indeed materializes, it would mean Manchester United, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain will have to explore alternative options as Napoli seems determined to keep hold of their prized striker.
Earlier, Calenda had dispelled reports of potential contract issues, and Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has consistently expressed confidence in retaining Osimhen despite interest from other top European clubs.
The striker was instrumental in their quest for the Scudetto last season as the 24-year-old scored 26 goals and provided four assists during the campaign.
It is undoubtedly a huge boost to their Serie A title-defence ambitions which they secured after an excruciating wait of 33 years.
UEFA has taken disciplinary actions against both Juventus and Chelsea for breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
Juventus has been expelled from this season’s Europa Conference League and fined £17.14m.
However, they will only need to pay half of the fine if they comply with financial regulations over the next three years.
Similarly, Chelsea has been fined £8.57m for breaching FFP rules due to “submitting incomplete financial information.”
The fine is related to transactions that occurred between 2012 and 2019. Chelsea has already agreed to pay the settlement figure.
Notably, Chelsea’s significant spending on new players, totaling around £600m for 19 signings since Todd Boehly assumed ownership in May 2022, is not the reason behind their fine.
The financial breach pertains to a seven-year period when Roman Abramovich was in control of the club.
Uefa said: “Following the club’s sale in May 2022, the new ownership identified, and proactively reported to Uefa, instances of potentially incomplete financial reporting under the club’s previous ownership.”
It is likely to be Fiorentina, who were beaten by West Ham in last year’s final after they finished eighth in Serie A.
The case against Juventus follows a 718,000 euro (£620,000) fine as part of a settlement agreement with Italian football authorities over a case concerning the payment of player salaries.
Juventus had also been docked 10 Serie A points last season following a hearing into the club’s past transfer dealings.
They were initially handed a 15-point penalty in January but Italy’s highest sporting court overturned that decision in April and ordered the case to be re-examined.
They would have finished fourth and qualified for next season’s Champions League had they not been sanctioned.
In response to the charge, Juventus said they accept Uefa’s decision and will not be lodging an appeal.
Club president Gianluca Ferrero said: “We regret the decision of the Uefa. We do not share the interpretation that has been given of our defence, and we remain firmly convinced of the legitimacy of our actions and the validity of our arguments.
“However, we have decided not to appeal this judgment
“Lodging an appeal, possibly to other levels of judgement, with uncertain outcomes and timing, would increase the uncertainty with respect to our eventual participation in the 2024/25 Uefa Champions League.”
Manchester United has confirmed that midfielder Kobbie Mainoo suffered an ankle injury during the Tour 2023 match against Real Madrid.
As a result of the injury, he is expected to miss the early part of the 2023/24 season.
Mainoo has returned home to the UK from the tour for further assessment of his injury, and a medical decision on the next course of action will be made.
The unfortunate incident occurred during his fourth start in the pre-season match against Real Madrid, when Brazilian forward Rodrygo landed on his leg after a tackle from United midfielder Casemiro.
As a result of the injury, the 18-year-old Academy graduate had to be withdrawn from the game.
Following the incident, Kobbie Mainoo shared an update on his Instagram account.
“I’ll be back stronger and in no time,” he wrote. “Thanks for your messages of support.”
Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United in action (Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
United team-mates such as fellow Academy graduate Alejandro Garnacho and club captain Bruno Fernandes commented on Mainoo’s post with well wishes.
Mainoo entered 2023/24 on the back of his senior Reds debut last term, handed to him by Erik ten Hag, and having been named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year.
The youngster continued to impress during pre-season, with Ten Hag showing his faith in him by selecting the midfielder to start against Arsenal and Real Madrid.
Eddie Howe expressed admiration for his Newcastle players after they secured a 2-1 victory over Brighton in the Premier League Summer Series.
The Magpies had been intensifying their pre-season preparations, following a 1-1 draw against Chelsea earlier.
Against their domestic rivals, they managed to clinch a win.
Elliot Anderson’s quick-fire two goals in just six minutes stunned the Seagulls, and Howe was pleased with how his team executed everything he had asked of them during the match.
He said: “It was a really tough game today, we always know that when we play Brighton.
“I felt defensively we were excellent, it was more in possession that we really struggled.
“We had a couple of players playing out of position and that is always difficult but I was really pleased with the commitment and attitude of the players to deliver what we asked them to do. “I don’t think they had an amazing amount of chances, I thought we were a threat in the game all the way through and delighted to win in the end.”
Anderson has been a standout performer for the Tyneside club during the summer and is looking to take his game to the next level during the upcoming campaign.
The former Bristol Rovers loanee found himself in the right positions for both of his goals and struck superbly to beat Bart Verbruggen.
On the 20-year-old, Howe added: “He was running right until the end, he came back as the fittest player in all of our tests and it’s no surprise that he is the one who got the winning goal.
“He has always been a goalscorer and creator. He has started to show with his endurance levels and physicality the quality that he has.”
Anderson made 23 appearances in the Premier League last season with most of them coming from the bench, but he could be in line for a starting spot in 2023-24.
Reflecting on last night’s match, he said: “You always want more and I could have more, I just need to tidy a few things up.
“There were a few goals I set out before coming over to America which was to score more goals.”
Ashantigold SC head coach, Thomas Duah, expressed his frustration with the Ghana Football Association’s handling of the match-fixing scandal involving Inter Allies.
After being handed various sanctions following their involvement in the 7-0 match against Inter Allies in the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League, which was ruled as a match of convenience by the GFA DC, Duah believes that the GFA wasted their lives for nothing with those sanctions.
Both Ashantigold SC and Inter Allies were expelled from the Ghana Premier League and demoted to the Division Two League, while some players faced bans of different durations.
However, the bans on the players were later overturned by CAS.
In response to the CAS verdict, Duah revealed that he had not seen the ruling document yet and, therefore, had not decided whether to appeal the decision or not.
“What the GFA and their Secretary have done to us is very painful. If I were Isaac Opoku Agyemang who was on the verge of moving to Europe prior to the verdict, I would have cursed the FA and the Secretary,” he told Akoma FM.
“I actually don’t know theFA Secretary personally. But he is the one who has been at the forefront of our issue. They have wasted our lives for nothing.
“I never received any verdict or document about the issue so I didn’t even know how to seek redress regarding the verdict on me.”
Meanwhile, Italy, despite a lively start, couldn’t maintain their momentum and will enter their last group match against South Africa with three points.
South Africa and Argentina both have one point each in the group standings.
Sweden’s attacking prowess came to the fore as they created numerous chances and found the net on multiple occasions.
Ilestedt’s partnership with Jonna Andersson during corner kicks proved particularly fruitful for the Swedish team.
By scoring her third goal in the tournament, she now shares the position of top-scorer with Brazil’s Ary Borges.
The game saw Sweden’s cohesive play and clinical finishing, as they capitalized on their opportunities throughout the match.
Blackstenius, though missing a chance to score her second goal, was part of the Swedish domination alongside her teammates.
Finally, Blomqvist’s late goal added to the convincing scoreline asSweden emerged victorious in style.
On Thursday, July 27, 2023, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) delivered a favorable ruling in theAshantiGold SC and Inter Allies FC match-fixing cases, upholding the appeals of the players involved.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) expressed its satisfaction with the CAS Arbitral Award, which overturned the GFA Appeals Committee’s decision issued on July 13, 2022.
The Arbitral Award granted the appeals of 22 listed players, including Alex Aso and Richard Lamptey, resulting in the nullification of the sanctions previously imposed on them by the GFA.
Consequently, these players were allowed to participate in the 2022–23 football season, thanks to a provisional measure (STAY) granted by CAS, which facilitated their registration for clubs of their choice.
To cover legal fees and related expenses incurred during the CAS proceedings, the GFA was ordered to contribute CHF300 each to the 21 players (1st Applicants) and CHF 3,000 to Richard Lamptey (2nd Applicant).
While the Arbitral Award dismissed all other claims filed by the players, the GFA fully complies with the decision regarding the 22 players.
The GFA encourages all members and participants in the sport to utilize the processes outlined in the Statutes and remains committed to adhering to all decisions.
With the CAS ruling in their favor, the 22 players can now fully engage in football activities with their respective clubs.
The full list of the 22 players who appealed the decision are:
Alex Aso Richard Lamptey Felix Abuska Mohammed Zakari Saibu Taufiq Fard Ibrahim Richard Acquaah Eric Esso Amos Kofi Nkrumah Stephen Owusu Banahene Kwame Moses Empem Dacosta Frank Akoto Isaac Opoku Agyemang Solomon Afriyie Mohammed Bailou Emmanuel Owusu Samed Mohammed Paul Asare de Vries Amos Addai Abdul Kadir Mohammed Isah Ali
It seems that PSG has come to terms with the likelihood of parting ways with Kylian Mbappe in the near future.
The French club is eager to offload the forward during this summer transfer window to prevent losing him without any transfer fee in the summer of 2024.
As PSG actively seeks to sell their prized asset, rumors have surfaced regarding a possible replacement for the French captain.
PSG eyes Barcelona star
Despite completing the signing of the Spanish La Liga duo – Kang-in Lee and Marco Asensio, the Parisiens have their sight set on another La Liga star.
This time it’s Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele.
According to reports from Marca, the French forward has a €50 million release clause in his current contract – a figure the French giant would not hesitate to activate, given their current dilemma.
The French club want to finalise a deal quickly as Dembele’s release clause is set to double from next week. As reported by SPORT.
PSG’s new coach Luis Enrique is believed to be eager to sign Dembele the forward.
The France international signed for Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017 for a fee in the region of €130 million.
Dembele has featured 185 times forBarcelona and has found the back of the net 40 times while providing 43 assists.
Barcelona who are in a critical situation may be tempted by the offer as a €50 million addition would do good to the Catalan club’s finance.
Former Asante Kotoko forward, Mark Adu Amofah, emphasized the importance of footballers seeking legal advice before, during, and after signing their contracts.
The former Black Satellites and Meteors player believes that understanding the legal aspects of contracts is crucial for a smooth transition from amateur to professional level.
He highlighted that many footballers focus solely on signing the contract and the signing-on fee they will receive, without paying adequate attention to the legal obligations within the agreement.
Adu Amofah pointed out that this lack of attention to legalities can lead to contract terminations before their due dates or even result in players resorting to the Court of Arbitration (CAS) to resolve disputes.
As a veteran player based in the United States, he advised footballers to involve individuals with expertise in legal matters or hire a lawyer who can guide them and explain the legal terms involved in their contracts.
This proactive approach will help footballers protect their interests and ensure a smoother and more informed contractual journey throughout their careers.
“Most footballers are only focused on the signing on fee and earning their wages but do not pay attention to the legal clauses that the club could stand on and terminate your contract without you earning a penny.
“These clubs have lawyers who add legal clauses in contracts to favour them should the club decide to terminate your contract and leave you with nothing. Also, players should take on the club if they also fail to honour their part of the contract”
“I will advise every footballer to seek the help of an attorney or lawyer. You don’t wait until you get to play at the professional level. Guiding the young one’s about what and how to sign a contract broadens the scope of understanding the implications of signing a contract with clauses that shape their careers ‘, he added.
Adu Amofah played forAsante Kotoko from 2006 to 2007 where he featured in the CAF Champions League and also played for Ghana’s U20 and U23 teams.
He is the founder of Unique Sports Talent Worldwide and AA Sports International, a non-profit organization.
Top officials from Bayern Munich are planning to meet with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy again next week to discuss a potential deal for Harry Kane.
Their initial visit to London was reportedly cancelled due to leaked information.
Despite this setback, Bayern Munich remains optimistic about reaching an agreement for the England captain, who recently turned 30.
Harry Kane is interested in discussing a move to Bayern Munich and has not shown any indication of signing a new contract with Tottenham, where he has just one year left on his current deal.
Levy has rejected all previous offers for Kane, holding out for a fee exceeding £100 million for their all-time top scorer.
If no agreement is reached with Bayern Munich, Tottenham risks losing Kane for free, as he would be eligible to engage in pre-contract talks with overseas clubs starting from January.
To avoid this situation, Tottenham’s billionaire owner Joe Lewis has urged Levy to sell Kane if he does not commit to a new contract.
In an attempt to keep the striker at the club, Tottenham has offered him a lucrative deal worth £400,000 per week.
Bayern Munich has already seen two offers of £60 million and £70 million turned down by Tottenham.
Furthermore, Paris Saint-Germain has entered the race for Kane’s signature, adding a new dimension of competition for his potential destination.
Diogo Dalot is determined to play a crucial role in helping Manchester United achieve success as they bear the responsibility of being a successful club.
It has been a decade since the Red Devils won their 20th league title, and the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era has been marked by ups and downs with limited silverware.
Since joining United from Porto in 2018, Dalot has experienced five different managers, either on a permanent or interim basis.
However, under the guidance of Erik ten Hag, the club’s recent performances show promise, suggesting they are moving in the right direction.
The meticulous Dutchman has implemented a change in style and mindset, and United, eager to build on their third-placed Premier League finish and Carabao Cup triumph, are now focused on moving forward with renewed determination.
“(Last season) brings us momentum, energy as well, to look back on what we did last year,” Dalot told the PA news agency.
“It has to bring us energy to build even more, to raise the bar a little bit higher.
“I think we have all the conditions to give a little bit more and plus, so we can even get better from what we did last year.
“It doesn’t fully (reflect) on the entire success that this football club works for and deserves.
“Like our manager said, we see it as progress, a little step forward.
“Obviously playing two finals, winning a trophy, being up there competing for the Premier League, that’s where we want to aim.
“We know that it’s difficult, we have a lot of teams to compete (against), but we are Man United, so we have to look (at) that not as a motivation but as a responsibility to fulfil the objectives of this club.”
Improving on last season will be a challenge given treble-winning rivals Manchester City’s quality and the improvements made by the Premier League’s other top clubs.
But Dalot is in no doubt that United are back on the up and that he is in the right place to succeed, having recently signed a new deal until 2028 with an option for a further season.
“I think it’s a combination of me and the club, the connection that we have,” the Portugal international said of that deal. “The project that the club believe that I can be a part of.
“Obviously the manager, the important role that he had since he came here to help me to develop even more, so I think this is the perfect combination for me.
“I didn’t have any doubts on keeping here at this club and fighting for even more.”
Dalot made a mightily impressive start to last season, with rejuvenated Aaron Wan-Bissaka flourishing towards the end of the campaign.
The United right-backs offer different attributes and their performances have meant that, unlike recent years, there has been little to no talk of the need to improve the position this summer.
“If you want to play for this club, you have to be able to compete – not just as a team, but as individual as well,” Dalot said.
“Every position we have at least now two players that can play and they can start a game for this club, so this is something that I’ve always said, and I’ve always kept on my mind that I like it.
“I like to have this type of competition and I think I have a good team-mate to do that, which makes me even more motivated to raise the level and fight for the position.”
Not only do United have depth in different positions but an improved number of leaders.
Harry Maguire has worn the captain’s armband in recent seasons and Ten Hag recently named Bruno Fernandes skipper.
“To be honest, knowing him as I know him, he’s not going to change the behaviour that he had since he came here,” Dalot said of his compatriot.
“When he arrived, he always tried to get this natural leadership that he has inside of him.
“He is always a player that you can rely on. Obviously, being there every single game brings you even more confidence to have a team-mate like him, who gives you everything for the team.
“And then obviously, the personality that (he) has, that capacity to be a leader and we are happy that he’s one of the leaders of this team.”
Dalot hopes to help Fernandes drive standards at United having learned from arguably Portugal’s greatest ever player.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit fromOld Trafford last November was acrimonious but his impact over two spells at the club left an indelible mark on his United team-mates during those times.
Dalot remains close with the 38-year-old world star and said: “I mean, he helped me a lot outside of the pitch.
“Whether it’s the way he conducts himself every single day, I think the discipline that he has and he had through all his career brought me a lot.
“It was a joy for me to play with him and to be his team-mate. He helped me a lot.
“I will keep some things to myself but the general (thing) is that his discipline is what impressed me the most.
“Because you can be consistent, but you can be consistent in a bad way, and he was disciplined and consistent in a good way. That’s what I’ve learned the most from him.”
Chelsea has reached an agreement with UEFA to pay 10 million euros (£8.57 million) after admitting to “incomplete financial reporting” during the Roman Abramovich era.
In May of the previous year, a new ownership group, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, completed the takeover of the club from Abramovich.
The former owner faced sanctions due to his connections with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
The Boehly-led consortium proactively approached UEFA after taking over, and during their review, instances of partial financial information in historical transactions between 2012 and 2019 were detected.
These actions breached UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play regulations.
Additionally, Juventus has been banned from participating in the Europa Conference League this season due to financial irregularities.
A UEFA statement said: “Following its assessment, including the applicable statute of limitations, the CFCB (Club Financial Control Body) First Chamber entered into a settlement agreement with the club which has agreed to pay a financial contribution of 10million euros to fully resolve the reported matters.”
Being a footballer requires a great deal of responsibility and strict discipline to maintain peak physical condition for on-pitch performance.
Similarly, spending hours in the lab analyzing papers and conducting trials in the hope of obtaining valuable results is no easy task.
Combining both roles is a challenging burden that not many would willingly undertake.
However, this is the life of Nigeria Super Falcons player, Michelle Alozie, who has embraced a career as both a microbiologist and a footballer.
Alozie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Biology from Yale University and works as a microbiologist at Texas Children’s Hospital.
At the same time, she pursues her passion for football as a player for Huston Dash in the National Women’s Soccer League in the USA and represents the Nigerian national team.
Juggling two demanding careers inevitably means her daily schedule is packed, and one can only imagine the dedication and effort required to balance both roles in her life.
“I’ll probably be done with training around 1 pm,” she explained to FIFA.
“I’ll head straight to the children’s hospital, get there around 1.30 pm, probably have our team meetings, and then just go about my day until about 5 pm.”
All along, Alozie’s unending love for football and her passion for being in the lab finding cure for acute leukemia and children’s cancer has been her drive.
“It’s crazy to think about,” she explained.
“It’s not necessarily a field that I thought I was going to find myself in but it is so amazing to be able to have an impact on children’s lives. Childhood cancer isn’t something that’s researched that much. Being able to be a part of that and be a part of that research is just such a blessing.
“I have been playing soccer since I was four or something like that and, being Nigerian, soccer, or football, is really just in our blood,” she said, smiling. “But I just have this fascination with medicine and I know it’s a career path that I would love to be in when I can’t run on the field anymore.”
Undoubtedly, balancing the two in a long time comes with great challenges. However, Alozie is optimistic about seeing through both at the end.
“I think at first it was definitely a little bit difficult to balance the two,” she admitted. “But honestly, just growing up being an athlete, we learn to balance pretty young in life. It was kind of easy after a while.”
“In the next few years I’m not really sure – the role isn’t something you’re in for a long time – but I just know that I want to be in medicine and continue that career once I’m done with my soccer career.”
Holding a degree in medicine has earned her an unofficial doctorate title from her teammate who turns to her for services.
“I feel like any time something happens, if there’s a little injury, if someone gets knocked, if their stomach hurts, they come to me!” she laughed. “I’m like, ‘Guys, I’m not a doctor, I actually don’t know what’s going on internally with you!’”
Although she does not hold the title yet, the Houston Dash forward plans to become a doctor in the next few years.
“I’m definitely going to play soccer until I literally cannot run anymore! I know medical school will always be there and it will definitely be there when my bones are brittle,” she grinned.
“Hopefully in a few years, they can actually call me Dr Alozie. But now I just need to be Michelle.”
England manager Sarina Wiegman expressed her concern about midfielder Keira Walsh, who sustained an injury during the 1-0 World Cup victory over Denmark in Sydney.
Unfortunately, during the match against Denmark, Walsh suffered a knee injury, and she could be seen telling medical staff about it after sliding to collect the ball late in the first half.
The worrying incident overshadowed the joyous mood following Lauren James’ early goal, which marked her first-ever World Cup goal as a 21-year-old forward for Chelsea.
Wiegman, 53, said: “Of course I’m concerned because she couldn’t walk off the pitch, but we don’t know yet, so we can’t take any assumptions. Let’s just wait until we really have a diagnosis and then we can tell you.
“You saw what we did, [Georgia] Stanway dropped back and Laura [Coombs] came in. Yes, of course we had to find our feet a little bit.
“You saw different stages. We really dominated the first half. Then Keira went out and we had to adapt to the situation.
“In the second half, Denmark also had such a direct style of play. We also showed we can fight. The team showed real resilience. We kept it to 1-0 so it was really good and I’m really proud of the team.”
An update on Walsh is not expected until tomorrow at the earliest.
Keira Walsh came out for the second half on crutches
On James’ match-winning impact against Denmark, Wiegman added: “She has done really well but it is a team effort too and we were very careful with her.
“She is a very young, talented player. And yes, we were happy with the performance and she was ready today, so that was really good.
“Of course the approach of this game, we know thatDenmark was dropping a little deeper, that they have a very tight, defensive block and we really thought we needed to play it in the pockets.
“That’s where she came a lot together also with Stanway and [Ella] Toone, and that worked really well. They really struggled with that, and yes, she made indeed a very nice goal.”
The Emirates Stadium now boasts a bronze statue commemorating former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger lifting the Premier League trophy.
Wenger, who guided the Gunners from October 1996 to May 2018, achieved three top-flight titles and a remarkable seven FA Cup victories during his tenure.
Overseeing 1,235 matches, he played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s historic unbeaten run during their 2004 league triumph.
Pioneer. Visionary. Invincible.
We have today unveiled a statue of Arsène Wenger outside Emirates Stadium to celebrate his incredible impact at the club ❤️
Under Wenger’s management, Arsenal enjoyed an impressive streak of 20 consecutive seasons in the Champions League, even reaching the final in 2006, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to Barcelona.
On Friday morning, a magnificent 3.5-metre statue of the 73-year-old, skillfully crafted by the acclaimed sculptor Jim Guy, was unveiled outside the North Bank Stand.
Arsenal’s executive vice-chairman, Tim Lewis, expressed their delight in acknowledging and celebrating Arsene Wenger’s exceptional leadership and remarkable career at Arsenal Football Club.
“Arsene’s contribution to, and achievements with, the club mark him out as the club’s greatest manager.
“He treated the club and its supporters to many trophies and fantastic memories and brought a revolution in the running of the club, an unbeaten season and the move to Emirates Stadium.
“It is fitting, therefore, that as a mark of the club’s enduring respect and gratitude a magnificent statue of Arsene now stands outsideEmirates Stadium.”
Wenger is set to be the guest of honour for the Emirates Cup match against Monaco on Wednesday, and he is also scheduled to visit his statue in the upcoming days.
The newly unveiled statue of Arsene Wenger now stands alongside five others, honoring the legendary figures of Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp, Herbert Chapman, Ken Friar, and Thierry Henry, all adorning the podium around the Emirates Stadium.
Former Manchester United striker, Dwight Yorke has stated that the club’s new goalkeeper Andre Onana is not on the level of their former goalieDavid De Gea.
Yorke warned the club to ‘be careful what they wish for’ after failing to renew the contract of ‘high-profile’ David De Gea due to the signing of Onana.
“I hope this doesn’t come back to haunt #mufc now they’ve bought Andre Onana. Be careful what you wish for. De Gea is the Golden Glove winner, a high-profile player who has made mistakes, like the rest of us.
“In my opinion, Onana is not as good as De Gea and people need to watch him very carefully,” he said as quoted by Manchester Evening News.
Yorke now joins Rio Ferdinand as one of the former Manchester United players who have cautioned the club about the signing of the Cameroonian goalkeeper.
“If Onana is coming in, I think he’s a fantastic signing. A huge talent and a real modern-day goalkeeper. You see teams pressing him and he does not even panic.
He receives the ball, initiates the press, inviting opponents to come towards him, and then, cleverly identifies a free player elsewhere, often managing to find them with precision.
“I think there will be mistakes and playing that risky way, you do have mistakes and that happens. But it’s about staying true to your beliefs, finding a right balance and remaining confident throughout those periods.
“It’s interesting to see how this pans out, but I believe this is a deal that will be made at some point through this transfer window.”
