Sports
JUST IN: FIFA Fines Nigeria N63.9m Over Abuja Stadium Violence

World football body, FIFA, on Monday fined Nigeria CHF150,000 (N63.9m) following violence that occurred at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on March 29, after the country’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
FIFA also ordered the country to play their next international match behind closed doors.
FIFA, however, gave room for appeal.
Hundreds of fans encroached the pitch, destroying the technical area and pelting the VIP section of the stadium after Nigeria played out a 1-1 draw against Ghana, which saw the Super Eagles crash out of their final playoffs for the 2022 World Cup on the away goal rule.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, in their summary jurisdiction over incidents that occurred during the World Cup qualifiers, delivered the sanctions in a letter updated on April 28.
READ ALSO: Nigeria Vs Ghana: Confusion As CAF Doctor Collapses, Dies After Fans Invaded MKO Abiola Stadium
According to FIFA, Nigeria’s fines were a result of failure to implement “Order and security at matches (failure to implement existing safety rules and failure to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium, invasion of the field of play and throwing of objects).”
The violence, according to FIFA, breached Article 16 of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
A total of 49 countries were either fined or warned by FIFA for misconduct during the qualifiers.
Sports
Ballon d’Or 2025: Full List Of Winners

In a night of celebration and surprises at the Théâtre du Châtelet, the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony crowned new champions in men’s and women’s football. PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé emerged as the men’s winner, capping off a stellar season that saw him lead his club to Champions League triumph.
Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí made history by securing the women’s award for the third consecutive year. Here’s the complete rundown of all the major awards from football’s most prestigious gala.
Men’s Ballon d’Or
• Winner: Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
The 28-year-old French star beat out fierce competition from Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. Dembélé’s pivotal role in PSG’s European success, including key goals and assists, propelled him to the top. This marks his first Ballon d’Or and continues a trend where winners since 2013 have been 28 or older.
READ ALSO:Ballon d’Or: 2025 Women’s Club Of The Year Emerge
Top 5 Rankings:
1 Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
2 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
3 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Women’s Ballon d’Or
• Winner: Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona)
Bonmatí became the first player to win three in a row, despite Barcelona’s loss in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final to Arsenal and Spain’s defeat to England in the Euro 2025 final. Her standout performances as the best player in both the Euros and Champions League sealed the deal, edging out Arsenal’s Alessia Russo and Barcelona’s Mariona Caldentey.
Other Major Awards
• Kopa Trophy (Best Young Player, Under 21): Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
The 18-year-old wunderkind took home this award without contest, with speculation swirling about his potential for the senior Ballon d’Or in future years. Yamal’s speech humbly acknowledged the bigger prize ahead.
READ ALSO:Ballon d’Or: PSG Win Best Team Of The Year
• Yashin Trophy (Donnaruma): Now in Manchester City, however the Italian shotstopper was pivotal during PSG’s quest for its first European glory.
• Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
Honoring their dominant 2024-25 campaign, including Champions League victory. The Paris crowd erupted as DJ Snake presented the award amid chants.
• Women’s Club of the Year: Arsenal
Recognized for their undefeated run in the Champions League and overall excellence.
• Coach of the Year: Luis Enrique
Highlights and reactions
The evening was a mix of glamour and minor gaffes—think awkward dance breaks and a quirky DJ presentation—but the focus remained on the stars. Dembélé’s win has sparked debates on X and beyond, with fans crediting his team’s support while others lament Salah’s perennial near-miss. “What does Mo Salah have to do?” one BBC commenter quipped.
Bonmatí’s third win cements her as a legend at just 27, though some voices argued for Russo’s dual Euros and Champions League heroics. Real Madrid’s boycott drama from 2024 was absent this year, with their stars like Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior attending gracefully despite missing the podium.
Sports
Ballon d’Or: 2025 Women’s Club Of The Year Emerge

Arsenal Women have been named the 2025 Women’s Club of the Year at the Ballon d’Or ceremony held in Paris on Monday night.
The award comes after a historic season for the Gunners, who lifted the UEFA Women’s Champions League, defeating Barcelona 1-0 in the final in Lisbon. Stina Blackstenius scored the decisive goal to hand Arsenal their second European crown.
Beyond their European success, the North London side also impressed domestically, finishin second in the Women’s Super League and reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup..
READ ALSO:JUST IN: PSG Player Wins 2025 Ballon d’Or
The Women’s Club of the Year award recognises not only on-field success but also the club’s wider contribution to the growth of the women’s game.
Arsenal’s strong development structure, international recognition, and fan engagement were also factors behind their recognition.
Sports
Ballon d’Or: PSG Win Best Team Of The Year

Paris Saint-Germain have been crowned the Best Team of 2025 at the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Paris on Monday night.
The French champions, who enjoyed a remarkable season both domestically and in Europe, were recognised for their consistency and dominance across competitions.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: PSG Player Wins 2025 Ballon d’Or
The French giants enjoyed an extraordinary 2024-25 season, capturing four major trophies: the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, the UEFA Champions League, and the Trophée des Champions.
They also reached the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, underlining their quality and ability to compete with the very best across continents.
The Best Team award at the Ballon d’Or gala highlights the Parisians’ evolution from domestic dominance to genuine European and global contenders.
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