Despite numerous questions, the England FA decided to support Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup after receiving answers to those questions from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation [SAFF] during a meeting last month, according to chair Debbie Hewitt. The governing body of world football, FIFA, handed the responsibility of hosting the tournament to the Kingdom on Wednesday, with the sole bid for the showpiece confirmed by acclamation. A number of rights organisations heavily came down on FIFA after the official announcement, highlight the Saudi’s human rights record. The Saudis have strongly invested in sport over the past…
Author: Somto Isaac
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has pointed at the amount of games leading to injuries that has plagued his side this season and caused their poor form, adding that he needs a squad of 45 or 50 players to aid the situation. The Spaniard added that his team are currently in survival mode with just three defenders available when they host Manchester United in Sunday’s derby at Etihad Stadium. The reigning champions sit fourth on the table and have recorded just one win in their last 10 games across all competitions. “The soul and the spirit of this team is…
Resuming as new head coach of Manchester United just less than a month ago, Ruben Amorim has admitted the club is “not in the best situation” currently. Following the exit of sporting director Dan Ashworth just 159 days after he assumed the role, the Red Devils announced on Sunday that he would be leaving. The 53-year-old, who came in from Newcastle, was expected to lead an overhaul of the United squad alongside new coach Amorim, who replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag in November. However, Ashworth’s exit stirs fresh concerns about United’s direction under co-owner Jim Ratcliffe. Following a home…
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed he is questioning himself after his side fell to their seventh defeat in their last 10 games in all competitions. The English giants lost 2-0 at Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, extending their bad run in their past games with just one win in their last 10 in all competitions. The result puts the Cityzens’ chances of qualifying for the last 16 at risk and when asked by newsmen if he has started questioning his management, Guardiola admitted so. “Yeah, of course. “Of course I question myself in the good moments…
Mikel Arteta had immense words of praise for Bukayo Saka and his “incredible talent” after the Arsenal attacker netted a brace in the 3-0 win over Monaco which moved his side closer to the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday. The 23-year-old netted in the latter stages of both halves before Kai Havertz secured the points for Arsenal’s fourth win in six games in the new-look league phase of Europe’s premiere competition. Arteta’s side sit third on the log with two games against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona to come in January, as they chase automatic qualification to the last…
The Tottenham Hotspur board should be blamed and held responsible for the poor progress of the club after a streak of one win in their last seven games. Speaking to Spanish broadcaster, Telemundo, after the 4-3 defeat to rivals Chelsea left them 11th on the Premier League standings, Spurs defender Cristian Romero insisted fingers should be directed at the hierarchy of the North London outfit. “Manchester City competes every year, you see how Liverpool strengthens its squad, Chelsea strengthens their squad, doesn’t do well, strengthens again, and now they’re seeing results. Those are the things to imitate,” said the Argentine…
Real Madrid have endured several injuries this campaign with a number of key players missing, including Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, who are out for the rest of the season with ACL tears. Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti is hopeful that Kylian Mbappe will not be on the sidelines for a long period after the France star netted in the 3-2 Champions League win against Atalanta on Tuesday but was forced off with an injury a few minutes scoring the opening goal. “Mbappe has suffered an overload, an ischial [lower pelvis] discomfort,” Ancelotti told Movistar Plus. “It doesn’t seem serious,…
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca expressed delight with his side’s display as they came from two goals down after 11 minutes to triumph against rivals Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 and sit second on the Premier League standings. The Blues were in an uncomfortable position after two slips from Marc Cucurella led to Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski finding the back of the net for Spurs, but they responded emphatically. Cole Palmer buried two penalties, the second a beautifully executed Panenka chip, while Jadon Sancho and Enzo Fernandez were also on the scoresheet as Chelsea reduced Liverpool’s lead at the top to…
Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool contract has been a hot topic even as the Reds try to mount a challenge for the Premier League title — and now it is being reported that talks have begun as the Merseyside club have made a contract offer to their star man. The 32-year-old has been vocal about questions about his future, as his current deal is set to run up at the end of this campaign. Speaking to the media, just last month, Salah had said: “We are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay with the club. “I’m…
Fans of the Premier League and followers alike were in shock when worrying news filtered in on Saturday. West Ham United have said forward Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture following a serious car accident. The 34-year-old was also transferred to a central London hospital where he will continue to be monitored. “West Ham United can confirm Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture following a road traffic accident on Saturday afternoon,” the London outfit said. West Ham issued two updates on Antonio’s condition on Saturday, stating he was conscious and communicating, after…