Sports
Premier League Rejects Super League Despite EU Court Verdict
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
The Premier League said Thursday it “continues to reject” the concept of a European Super League after promoters announced plans for a new breakaway competition.
It comes after the European Court of Justice ruled that European football’s governing body UEFA had used illegal tactics to stifle the previous project.
“The ruling does not endorse the so-called ‘European Super League’ and the Premier League continues to reject any such concept,” the English top flight said in a statement.
“Supporters are of vital importance to the game and they have time and again made clear their opposition to a ‘breakaway’ competition that severs the link between domestic and European football.
READ ALSO; UEFA, FIFA Can’t Block Super League – EU’s Top Court Rules
“The Premier League reiterates its commitment to the clear principles of open competition that underpin the success of domestic and international club competitions.”
Under the original Super League plan, which collapsed soon after it was announced in 2021, the founder members would have been exempt from relegation.
The Premier League stressed the importance of the traditional football model.
“Football thrives on the competitiveness created by promotion and relegation, the annual merit-based qualification from domestic leagues and cups to international club competitions and the longstanding rivalries and rituals that come with weekends being reserved for domestic football,” it added.
READ ALSO: Algeria ‘Keeper, Assistant Coach Killed In Club Bus Crash
The UK government earlier this year published plans to create an independent football regulator with powers to block clubs from joining breakaway leagues.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, whose brief includes sport, said on Thursday that ministers were on the side of supporters.
“The government stood with fans when a number of clubs attempted to join a breakaway competition in 2021,” she said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“We stand by that decision & in 2024 we’re bringing forward legislation for a football regulator that can stop any similar attempts to do this in the future & protect the game.”
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Nigeria sprinter, Favour Ofili, has confirmed she is switching allegiance to Turkey, bringing an end to her long-running fued with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, according to The PUNCH.
Reflecting on the move in a post via her Instagram page on Monday, Ofili said her decision followed months of reflection after a turbulent cycle in which she felt let down by the Nigerian federation.
She explained that while she was proud of her career in Nigerian colours, repeated disappointments had left her with little choice.
“Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Nigeria’s Favour Ofili Breaks 150-metre World Record
“As some of you have heard, I’m also starting a new chapter representing Turkey.
“I am proud to have represented Nigeria for many years in a highly successful way, having won six gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals in championship meets and reaching the Olympic 200 metres final,” she said.
Ofili added that neglect from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Olympic Committee, particularly during the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games, had contributed to her decision.
She stressed, however, that her switch was not financially motivated.
“While that means sitting out this year’s championships in Tokyo, this change comes from the heart, not from financial motives.
READ ALSO:FG Panel Indicts AFN In Ofili’s Paris Olympics Omission
“I’m truly grateful to have discovered a new home in Turkey, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.
“I also appreciate the support I got from my coach, agent, sponsor and loved ones during this difficult time,” she said.
Her announcement comes after the president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Tonobok Okowa, admitted the federation was struggling to prevent the exodus of elite athletes due to poor funding.
He confirmed Ofili’s switch during the National Athletics Championships in Lagos, warning that more athletes could follow suit unless urgent financial support arrived.
READ ALSO:FG Panel Indicts AFN In Ofili’s Paris Olympics Omission
Okowa said countries like Turkey had stepped up efforts to recruit foreign talent, offering substantial incentives.
“The kind of money they put on the table to get her is not something many athletes would refuse.
“That is why we are pleading with Nigeria as a nation and our government to come out and support us, so we don’t keep losing our athletes,” he said.
Ofili’s decision mirrors previous high-profile departures, including Francis Obikwelu, Gloria Alozie and Femi Ogunode, who also left Nigeria to represent other nations.
Ofili will sit out the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo as she completes the switch, before beginning the next phase of her career in Turkish colours.
Sports
Liverpool Vs Arsenal: Gunners Seek 1st EPL Win At Anfield Since 2012
Published
1 day agoon
August 31, 2025By
Editor
Arsenal head to Anfield this Sunday—seeking a first Premier League win there since 2012—a victory will bolster their title pursuit.
Currently unbeaten in two league matches, Arsenal boast of the division’s best defensive record; Liverpool, the defending champions, have conceded goals early this season.
Liverpool, unbeaten at home in August since 2015, have scored in 36 successive league matches—a potential new record.
Arsenal’s injury list is mounting– Saka, Havertz, Odegaard and Jesus are either out or doubtful.
READ ALSO:Liverpool Confirm Nunez’s £46.2M Move To Al-Hilal
New 68 million pound signing, Eberechi Eze, may debut.
Mikel Arteta praised Eze’s “special aura” at training; he is expected to spark creativity amid absentee worries.
Liverpool offer positive fitness news; Mac Allister is training again; no new concerns reported by manager Arne Slot.
Arteta says the fixture is “defining” for perception as much as league position; he urges belief through adversity.
READ ALSO:Why I’ll Never Advise My Son To Visit Nigeria – Taribo West
Slot admits Arsenal pose a serious threat—particularly from set-pieces—but insists his side is fully prepared.
The Anfield record speaks volumes: League meetings have ended in draws lately.
Arsenal are winless there in 12 league trips—and have not won since 2012.
Head-to-head balance remains tight; in 244 meetings, Liverpool lead 95–83 in wins; 66 ended level.
READ ALSO:Liverpool ‘Devastated’ By Diogo Jota’s Death
Recent league matches at Anfield have mostly ended in stalemates, including a 2‑2 draw in May 2025 when Arsenal came from two down.
A draw may be respectable; a loss, predictable under circumstances; a win, however, will irreversibly shift the narrative in Arsenal’s favour.
As the players emerge onto that famed Anfield turf, this fixture transcends tactics; it will come down to mindset, belief—and perhaps a debut that sparks hope.
Game day may well redefine Arsenal’s season.
(NAN)
Sports
Chelsea Vs Barcelona, Arsenal Vs Bayern — UEFA Releases Fixture Date, Time
Published
2 days agoon
August 30, 2025By
Editor
Chelsea vs Barcelona, Arsenal vs Bayern — UEFA releases fixture date, time
UEFA has officially released the full fixtures, dates, and kick-off times for the 2025/26 Champions League league phase, setting the stage for blockbuster matches involving Europe’s biggest clubs.
The schedule follows the draw held on Thursday, 28 August 2025, which determined the opponents for all 36 participating clubs under the new league-phase format.
According to the schedule, Chelsea will host Barcelona on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, in one of the standout ties of Matchday Five, with kick-off set for 21:00 CET. Arsenal, on the other hand, will face German giants Bayern Munich on the same matchday, also on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, at 21:00 CET.
READ ALSO:Full List: UEFA Fine Chelsea, Barcelona, Three Others For Breaking Financial Rules
In Matchday 1, Bayern Munich will host Chelsea at the Allianz Arena in a repeat of the 2012 Champions League final, where the Blues won 4-3 on penalties. On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Barcelona will welcome PSG in the standout fixture for MatchDay 2.
Matchday 4 features another high-profile fixture as Paris Saint-Germain host Bayern Munich on Wednesday, 5 November. On the same night, Liverpool renew their fierce rivalry with Real Madrid at Anfield, with kick-off time set for 21:00 CET.
Now in its second year running, the Champions League is being played under UEFA’s new “league phase” format, which replaced the traditional group stage. Instead of eight groups of four, all 36 participating teams are placed in a single league table, each playing eight different opponents, four at home and four away.
The top eight sides qualify automatically for the round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th will contest a play-off round to secure their spot in the knockouts.
READ ALSO:UEFA To Mull Penalty Rule Rethink After Alvarez Controversy
Opening Champions League fixtures (1900 GMT unless stated)
Tuesday, September 16
Athletic Bilbao (ESP) v Arsenal (ENG) (1645 GMT)
PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) (1645 GMT)
Juventus (ITA) v Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Real Madrid (ESP) v Marseille (FRA)
Benfica (POR) v Qarabag (AZE)
Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) v Villarreal (ESP)
Wednesday, September 17
Olympiacos (GRE) v Pafos (CYP) (1645 GMT)
READ ALSO: UEFA Champions League: Bayern Hopeful Kane Fit For Celtic Clash
Slavia Prague (CZE) v Bodo/Glimt (NOR) (1645 GMT)
Ajax (NED) v Inter Milan (ITA)
Bayern Munich (GER) v Chelsea (ENG)
Liverpool (ENG) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) v Atalanta (ITA)
Thursday, September 18
Club Brugge (BEL) v Monaco (FRA) (1645 GMT)
FC Copenhagen (DEN) v Bayer Leverkusen (GER) (1645 GMT)
Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) v Galatasaray (TUR)
Manchester City (ENG) v Napoli (ITA)
Newcastle United (ENG) v Barcelona (ESP)
Sporting (POR) v Kairat Almaty (KAZ)
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