Sports

PSG Boost Security After Protests Target Neymar, Messi

Published

3 years ago

May 4, 2023

Paris Saint-Germain have ordered extra security at the club’s training ground and at the homes of Lionel Messi and Neymar after protests by fans angry over recent results at the Ligue 1 leaders.

Several hundred PSG supporters gathered outside club headquarters on Wednesday evening where they set off smoke flares and sang hostile chants about underperforming stars Messi, Neymar and Italian midfielder Marco Verratti.

Some of them, dressed in black, then travelled to Neymar’s home in a wealthy suburb west of Paris where they chanted “Neymar, get lost”.

“Paris Saint-Germain condemns in the strongest possible terms the unacceptable and insulting actions of a small group of individuals,” a club statement said on Wednesday evening.

“Whatever the differences of opinion, nothing justifies such behaviour.”

Neymar, who has been plagued by injuries at PSG and is out until the end of the season, reacted by writing on Instagram: “Don’t let people put you in their storm. Put them in your peace.”

The club decided to boost security at its training ground and outside the homes of the players singled out during the protests, two sources told AFP, asking not to be named.

Some of the fans had indicated “they wanted to do the same thing every evening,” one of the sources said.

The protesters left “calmly, several minutes after their arrival” without any clashes with police, the source added.

Messi’s future at PSG was plunged into doubt on Wednesday after he was suspended for two weeks for travelling to Saudi Arabia to fulfil a commercial role without the club’s permission.

The 35-year-old World Cup-winning Argentinian is out of contract at the end of the season, with a host of clubs including Barcelona reportedly keen to sign him.

Messi played the whole game in PSG’s 3-1 home defeat by Lorient in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

He was recently jeered by a section of the PSG support, who see him as a symbol of all the club — owned by Qatar Sports Investments, a subsidiary of the Gulf country’s sovereign wealth fund — have done wrong in focusing on superstar signings while failing to build a genuinely competitive team.

Messi has scored 20 goals in all competitions this season and is the leading assist provider in Ligue 1, with 15.

However, his form since leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar has declined along with that of most of the PSG team.

PSG’s insipid performance against Lorient was a sixth defeat in 17 Ligue 1 matches in 2023.

But they remain five points clear of Marseille at the top of the table with five games remaining.
VANGUARD

Sports

EPL: Why Arsenal Could Win The Title This Season – Guardiola

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2025

Editor

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has admitted Arsenal could be “difficult to catch” in the Premier League title race if they extend their lead at the top of the table.

City will have the chance to cut the Gunners’ lead to one point when they travel to Newcastle United in Saturday’s late kick-off.

Ahead of the game, Guardiola has warned his players that they have to keep pace with Arsenal, who will host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

“Arsenal are an impeccable team,” Guardiola said.

“If they manage to take some distance in points, it will be difficult to catch up.

“Just like how it went with Liverpool last season.”

Liverpool finished 10 points ahead of Arsenal last season.

Sports

Ikpoba-Okha Trade Tackles With Ovia N-East As Benin Unity Cup Kicks Off

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2025

Editor

Ikpoba-Okha LG traded tackles with Ovia North-East LG at the opening match of the maiden edition of the Benin Unity Cup held at the Crescent Sports Club in Irhirhi, Benin City, on Thursday evening.

The seven local government councils in Edo South Senatorial District are expected to participate in the tourney sponsored by Neda Imasuen, the Senator representing the district at the National Assembly.

The match between the two LGs saw the players from both sides showcasing tactical organization, intensity, and individual brilliance, but neither team could find the breakthrough despite promising chances.

The draw sets the tone for what promises to be a competitive and talent-rich tournament, with scouts already keeping close watch on standout performers.

Both sides played out a cagey 0–0 draw, setting the tone for what promises to be a competitive and talents-reach tourney.

‎In his remarks earlier, the tournament sponsor, and vision bearer Senator Imasuen, appreciated participating teams and officials for embracing the initiative.

He explained that the Unity Cup was designed to discover, nurture, and create pathways for grassroots footballers across Edo South, revealing that scouts from other parts of Nigeria — and possibly abroad — will attend live matches during the tournament.

READ ALSO:Senator Imasuen Kicks Off Benin Unity Cup To Foster Unity
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‎Imasuen encouraged all players to give their best, emphasizing discipline, fair play, and sportsmanship as the core values of the competition.

Imasuen, who promised to make the football tournament an annual event, assured to consider other sports including boxing, cycling, tennis ,and basketball in the nearest future.
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‎ Addressing the crowd at the opening ceremony, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, applauded Senator Imasuen for investing in grassroots football, describing the competition as a timely platform for youth development in Edo State.

‎He appealed to Senator Neda Imasuen, individuals and corporate bodies to extend similar support to other sporting disciplines, stressing that Edo State is home to many gifted athletes outside football who are yet to be discovered.

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Sports

EPL: He Has No Replacement – Alan Smith Names Arsenal’s Most Important Player

Published

3 days ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

Former Arsenal striker, Alan Smith has suggested that Declan Rice is Arsenal’s most important player this season under manager Mikel Arteta.

Smith insisted that Rice has no replacement in Arteta’s squad, adding that it would be a big loss if he got injured.

Asked how Arsenal will cope with any injury blows in their bid to become Premier League champions this season, Smith told Metro UK: “We have seen Arsenal lose a couple of key players, haven’t we?

“Martin Odegaard was perhaps the main one, but [Eberechi] Eze came in and we have not really seen a drop-off.

“Declan Rice would be a big loss if he got injured because you would lose that drive in midfield and his set-piece ability which has become so important. They have not really got anybody to replace Rice.

“The defence has been superb but even at the back, [Cristhian] Mosquera has come in at times and they have got [Piero] Hincapie as well, so Rice would be the biggest loss for me.”