Sports
FIFA Suspends Seven Players Over Forged Documents
FIFA on Friday suspended seven Malaysia national team players for 12 months and fined the country’s football association 350,000 Swiss francs ($440,000) over forged documents used for an Asia Cup qualifier.
World football’s disciplinary committee imposed the sanctions after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) doctored documentation to be able to field the players in a 4-0 win over Vietnam in June, it said in a statement.
FIFA acted after it received a complaint regarding the eligibility of a number of players who featured in the match.
As a result, Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano were all fined 2,000 Swiss francs.
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They were also banned from any football-related activity for 12 months.
Reacting to the suspension, the FAM said it would appeal the decision.
The body said it would “use all available legal channels and procedures to ensure that the interests of the players and the Malaysian national team are always protected”.
“FAM would like to emphasise that the players involved, and FAM itself, have acted in good faith and with full transparency throughout this process,” the association said in a statement issued in Kuala Lumpur.
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The FAM maintained that documentation and procedures were managed transparently and along FIFA guidelines.
“In fact, FIFA has previously reviewed the qualifications of the players and provided official confirmation that they are eligible to play for Malaysia,” the FAM said.
Malaysia currently top their 2027 Asia Cup qualifying group with six points from two matches, pending any further FIFA sanctions.
Sports
AFCON: Osimhen Threatens To Dump Super Eagles, Return To Galatasaray
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.
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.
He was then pacified by senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
Sports
NPFL Announces Resumption Date For Second Stanza
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.
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.
Rivers United occupy top position on the NPFL table with 37 points from 19 matches.
Sports
Chelsea Coach Hails 3 Players For Keeping Team Together After Maresca’s Departure
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.
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.”
Chelsea’s next Premier League tie is against Fulham on Wednesday.
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