FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

May

2024

IOC bans former senior Olympic member Sheikh Ahmad for 15 years

KUWAIT'S Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah has been banned for 15 years from all positions within the International Olympic Committee over ethics breaches, the Olympic ruling body has decided. In a letter seen by Reuters, IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper informed all IOC members of the Executive Board's decision to sanction the once-powerful Sheikh Ahmad over a court case in Switzerland. "The IOC Executive Board decided to confirm the seriousness of the breaches of ethical principles by Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah, including a betrayal of his IOC Member’s oath, as well as the seriousness of the damage to the IOC’s reputation,…

May

2024

By The African Mirror

Newcastle rout sends Burnley close to the drop

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ALEXANDER Isak scored his 20th Premier League goal of the season as Newcastle United moved into sixth place in the standings with a comprehensive 4-1 victory at Burnley which left the hosts on the brink of relegation. Newcastle, on 56 points from 35 games, kept alive their hopes of playing European football next season as Callum Wilson, Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes also got on the scoresheet, the day soured only slightly by Isak's missed penalty. Burnley scored a late consolation through Dara O'Shea but are five points from safety with two games left and could have their relegation confirmed…

May

2024

By The African Mirror

Dortmund crush Augsburg 5-1 ahead of Champions League semi-final

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BORUSSIA Dortmund demolished Augsburg 5-1 in the Bundesliga in a perfect dress rehearsal ahead of next week's Champions League semi-final return leg at Paris St Germain. Dortmund, who face PSG on Tuesday after their 1-0 first-leg win in Germany earlier this week, enjoyed a whirlwind start with three goals in the first 29 minutes. Youssoufa Moukoko struck either side of Doneyll Malen's 20th-minute goal to quickly put the game to bed. Augsburg cut the deficit in the 32nd minute with Ruben Vargas but the visitors restored their three-goal cushion with Marco Reus, who will leave the club after 12 years…

May

2024

By The African Mirror

Atletico Madrid hit with two-match partial stand closure after racist abuse

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ATLETICO Madrid have been ordered to partially close their south stand for two matches by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after Athletic Bilbao player Nico Williams suffered racist abuse in Saturday's LaLiga game. Referee Juan Martinez Munuera stopped the match in the 36th minute as part of LaLiga's protocol against racism after he heard racist abuse directed at the 21-year-old Spain international, who was born in Pamplona to Ghanaian parents. Atletico, who did not immediately respond when contacted by Reuters for comment, has also been fined 20,000 euros ($21,360). They have 10 days to appeal. The RFEF said in a statement…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Nigeria name Finidi George as manager

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NIGERIA have appointed their former winger Finidi George as head coach, officials said, elevating the 53-year-old from his previous role as assistant. George worked under former coach Jose Peseiro and took over after the latter's contract was not renewed despite leading Nigeria to the final of this year's Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast where they lost to the hosts. George was interim coach for two friendlies in March, a 2-1 victory over Ghana and a 2-0 defeat by Mali, and now has the job on a permanent basis. His immediate task will be to get Nigeria’s 2026…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Premier League talking points

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TALKING points from the latest round of Premier League games. POROUS TOTTENHAM JOIN 50 CLUB AS DEFENCES STRUGGLE Tottenham Hotspur's concession of three goals before halftime against Arsenal meant they became the 16th club to let in 50 in the top flight this season. That is the most in a top-flight season consisting of 20 clubs since the 1909-10 season when 17 clubs reached that landmark and there could be more yet with Everton having shipped 48 with three games left. The reasons are complex, however, with VAR, teams playing out from the back and a glut of top-quality strikers…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Talking points from European soccer

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TALKING points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: ITALY ATALANTA FOCUS ON EUROPEAN GLORY Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta are having a great season, with the Bergamo club chasing a top-four finish in Serie A, and looking to win the Europa League and Coppa Italia. However, the 66-year-old coach is clear about where his priorities lie as they prepare to face Olympique de Marseille on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. "Right now, the Europa League is the target we care about most, but we must be careful because Marseille are a strong side," Gasperini said.…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Manchester City keep pressure on Arsenal with 2-0 win over Forest

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MANCHESTER City took another step in their bid to win a fourth consecutive Premier League title with a 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, with Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland on target. Pep Guardiola's men kept the pressure on leaders Arsenal, pulling to within a point of the Gunners -- who held on to win 3-2 at Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the day -- in the table with a game in hand. "I think the most important thing is to not think (about the title race), especially these moments, but take it day by day," Haaland told Sky Sports. "Honestly…

Apr

2024

By KEN FERRIS

Arsenal must keep feet on the ground after Spurs win says Arteta

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ARSENAL must not get carried away with their Premier League title chances after edging local rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in a hard-fought London derby, manager Mikel Arteta said on Sunday. The Gunners raced into a three-goal lead by halftime but Spurs battled back with two goals and left the visitors holding on for the points after a storming late comeback. "Don't get carried away with yourself. Just understand we have to be better, we want to be better. There's a margin for improvement and we go again against Bournemouth," said Arteta. League leaders Arsenal host the Cherries on Saturday before…

Apr

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Disputed cup tie awarded to Moroccan side after kit confiscated

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MOROCCAN club Renaissance Berkane have been awarded a 3-0 win over hosts USM Alger (USMA) in the first leg of their African Confederation Cup semi-final despite refusing to play when their kit was confiscated by Algerian customs. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Thursday that Sunday's second leg in Morocco would go ahead as scheduled. CAF added that USMA, who are the defending champions, would face further sanctions. Berkane went to the stadium in Algiers last Sunday for the first leg but did not leave the changing rooms at kick off time after their kit had been confiscated by Algerian…