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Barcelona Reinstate Ter Stegen As Captain

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Barcelona on Friday reinstated goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen as captain after resolving a dispute over the German’s fitness.

The club had started disciplinary action on Tuesday and stripped Ter Stegen of the club captaincy on Thursday over a row concerning his fitness after he underwent back surgery at the end of July.

Local media reported that the 33-year-old had refused to cooperate and release his medical details so the club tried to have him classified by La Liga as a long-term injury, which would allow Barcelona to deduct part of his pay from their official wage bill.

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But in a late night statement Barcelona reported the player had signed the necessary paperwork.

READ ALSO:Guardiola Speaks On Returning To Barcelona

The disciplinary file is considered closed and the player regains the first team captaincy with immediate effect” Barca added.

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Earlier Friday Ter Stegen had taken to social media to defend himself.

In recent weeks, many things have been said about me – some of them entirely unfounded,” he wrote on Instagram. “Therefore, I feel it is necessary to express my version of events respectfully, yet clearly.”

I am fully willing to collaborate with the club’s management to resolve this matter and to provide the requested authorisation,” Ter Stegen wrote.

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READ ALSO:Full List: UEFA Fine Chelsea, Barcelona, Three Others For Breaking Financial Rules

With the new Liga season approaching, Barcelona are again struggling to satisfy Spanish financial fair play rules. If they cannot, they may not be able to register new players.

Ter Stegen said if the club was in a financial bind, it should not blame his back problems.

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I would also like to clarify that all of the club’s signings and contract renewals were completed prior to my surgery,” he wrote.

READ ALSO:Barcelona’s Clash With Osasuna Postponed

The decision to undergo surgery was fully approved by the club, and always with the intention of prioritising my health and long-term sporting career which of course are fully aligned with those of FCB to have myself available on the pitch as soon as possible to keep winning trophies.”

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He added that his new surgery should not interfere with the “registration of other colleagues whom I greatly respect and look forward to share locker room with for many seasons”.

My commitment to these colors remains absolute.”

Ter Stegen’s place is under threat from one of the summer signings, 24-year-old Joan Garcia, and 35-year-old Wojciech Szczesny, the Polish veteran who has been rewarded with a contract extension for taking over during last season’s Liga title-winning campaign.

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AFCON: Osimhen Threatens To Dump Super Eagles, Return To Galatasaray

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Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, reportedly threatened to quit the national team and return to Turkey.

According to Arise News, Osimhen was left fuming following his altercation with Ademola Lookman during the 4-0 win over Mozambique at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.

Having scored a brace thanks to assists from Lookman, the 27-year-old lashed out at his team-mate for failing to pass to him in the 64th minute.

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READ ALSO:VIDEO: I Handle Pressure With Calm, Focus, Says Osimhen

Osimhen then beckoned on the bench asking to be taken off, before he was replaced by Moses Simon.

At full time, Osimhen stormed out of the stadium and dropped his accreditation card, insisting he was “done” with the national team and wanted to fly back to Turkey.

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He was then pacified by senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

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NPFL Announces Resumption Date For Second Stanza

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The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has announced a date for the start of the second stanza of the 2025-26 season.

The second stanza will commence on Wednesday, 14 January, 2026.

The fixture will start with mid-week games across all the designated NPFL centers.

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READ ALSO:NPFL: Bendel Insurance Announce Departure Of 25 Players

The NPFL disclosed this in a letter addressed to all the clubs.

The league body urged clubs to expect fixtures congestion in the second stanza.

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Rivers United occupy top position on the NPFL table with 37 points from 19 matches.

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Chelsea Coach Hails 3 Players For Keeping Team Together After Maresca’s Departure

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Chelsea interim coach, Calum McFarlane has hailed three Blues players for keeping the team together after Enzo Maresca departed from the Premier League west London club.

Speaking after Chelsea’s recent Premier League 1-1 draw with Manchester City, McFarlane lauded Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Enzo Fernandez for their leadership and unifying influence in the Blues’ squad.

“I think it is a good moment to speak about the players. This is not an easy job,” McFarlane told reporters after the match.

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READ ALSO:EPL: Mikel Obi Reveals Why Chelsea Failed To Beat Arsenal in 1-1 Draw

There is a lot of change that has gone on. Enzo was incredibly successful with this group. Some of them were shocked by the decision to sack Maresca.

“The character that they have shown today. Reece is a big one. Reece, Tosin and Enzo have really dragged the group together.”

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Chelsea’s next Premier League tie is against Fulham on Wednesday.

 

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