FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Oct

15

2023

Morocco hires Vilda as new women’s team coach

FOOTBALL

WOMEN'S World Cup winner and former Spain coach Jorge Vilda was appointed as the new manager of the Morocco women's team, succeeding Frenchman Reynald Pedros. Vilda, who won the Women's World Cup with Spain in August, was sacked 10 days after FIFA suspended former Spanish FA (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales for giving a non-consensual kiss to striker Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony in Sydney. The 42-year-old coach, who considered his dismissal "unfair", was widely criticised for repeatedly applauding Rubiales during an emergency RFEF assembly in which the latter railed against "false feminism" and vowed not to resign. Vilda is…

Oct

15

2023

By The African Mirror

FIFA president Infantino offers condolences in letter to Israel and Palestine FAs

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino wrote to the Israel and Palestine Football Associations, offering his condolences over the "horrendous violence" in the past week in a conflict that has taken over 2,700 lives so far. Hamas militants killed more than 1,300 Israelis in their attack on Saturday. In response, Israeli air strikes have killed more than 1,400 people in Gaza so far, authorities there said. "I would like to express... our deepest condolences to the Israel Football Association and the Palestine Football Association, in light of the horrendous violence that has been occurring over the past days," Infantino wrote. "It is as…

Oct

13

2023

By The African Mirror

No Israeli, Palestinian flags allowed at Wembley for England games – FA

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FLAGS and shirts showing support for victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will not be allowed for England's games against Australia and Italy at Wembley, the FA said. England host Australia in a friendly on Friday before taking on Italy in a European Championship qualifier on Tuesday. "On Friday evening, we will remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine," the FA said in a statement. "We will only permit flags, replica kits and other representations of nationality for the competing nations inside Wembley Stadium for the upcoming matches against Australia and Italy." England and Australia players will…

Oct

12

2023

By The African Mirror

Morocco not trying to lure Yamal – federation statement

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MOROCCO are not still trying to persuade Barcelona's Lamine Yamal to play for them and they respect his decision to represent Spain, the Moroccan football federation said on Tuesday. Yamal, who has a Moroccan father, was born and raised in Spain and has become a key part of Barca's forward line and made his senior debut for Spain last month. Spanish newspaper AS reported on Tuesday that Morocco, who will stage the 2030 World Cup along with Spain and Portugal, are trying to convince Yamal to switch allegiance. The report said he had previously rejected a financial offer to play…

Oct

12

2023

By The African Mirror

Steps taken to avoid repeat of Liverpool VAR error, Webb says

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REFEREES chief Howard Webb said steps have been taken to ensure there is no repeat of the VAR error that saw a legitimate Liverpool goal against Tottenham Hotspur disallowed. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) admitted that VAR got the offside decision wrong when Luis Diaz scored what should have been the opening goal in a 2-1 loss for the Anfield side. Diaz was onside but PGMOL said the goal was chalked off as VAR had "lost sight of the on-field decision" and incorrectly communicated "check complete". "Having seen what happened in Spurs vs Liverpool we analysed the situation, we had…

Oct

10

2023

By The African Mirror

Premier League talking points

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TALKING points from the eighth round of the Premier League season: ARSENAL ENDS MAN CITY HOODOO TO SEND TITLE MESSAGE Eight years without beating an opponent is a long time in competitive soccer, as is 12 defeats in a row to the same rivals. For Arsenal fans, ending that long barren run against Manchester City was worth the wait as Gabriel Martinelli fired a last-gasp winner to earn the Gunners a 1-0 win over the champions on Sunday and send the Emirates Stadium into delirium. Given the way Arsenal fell away in the Premier League title race last season, they…

Oct

09

2023

By The African Mirror

Ex-FIFA boss Blatter slams decision for World Cup in six countries, SonntagsBlick reports

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FORMER FIFA President Sepp Blatter has criticised the decision by world soccer's governing body to hold the World Cup in six countries across three continents. Morocco, Spain and Portugal were named hosts of the 2030 tournament, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will also host the opening matches to mark the tournament's centenary, FIFA said in a surprise announcement on Wednesday. The decision was criticised by Sepp Blatter, who was FIFA President from 1998 to 2015, before being forced out after a corruption investigation. "It is absurd to tear the tournament apart in this way," Blatter told Swiss newspaper SonntagsBlick. "The World…

Oct

08

2023

By PETER HALL

McTominay rescues Man United as Tottenham go top

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MANCHESTER United needed two stoppage-time goals from Scott McTominay to secure a dramatic 2-1 win over Brentford as Tottenham Hotspur went top of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory at Luton Town on Saturday. Chelsea claimed back-to-back league wins for the first time since March after thrashing Burnley at Turf Moor and Everton climbed to 15th with their second victory of the season at home to Bournemouth. Boos rang around Old Trafford at halftime as United went into the break trailing Brentford, staring down the barrel of a seventh defeat this season in all competitions. Defensive frailties were exposed…

Oct

08

2023

By PETER HALL

Sterling stars as Chelsea secure back-to-back league wins

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CHELSEA secured back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since March after coming from behind to thrash Burnley 4-1. Looking to end a run of four successive home defeats on their return to the top flight this season, promoted Burnley raced into a 15th-minute lead, Wilson Odobert scoring his first goal in English football to stun the visitors. Chelsea offered little in response until Ameen Al Dakhil put through his own net in the most unfortunate circumstances three minutes before the break to get Mauricio Pochettino's team back level. Having failed to win in their last 19 matches when…

Oct

07

2023

By The African Mirror

Pogba’s second sample tests positive in counter-analysis – report

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JUVENTUS midfielder Paul Pogba's positive doping test has been confirmed in a counter-analysis on a second sample, Sky Sports and ANSA news agency reported, a month after he was provisionally suspended. Pogba was suspended after a test conducted by Italy's national anti-doping organisation (NADO Italia) detected testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes' endurance. The test was performed after Juve's 3-0 Serie A season-opening victory at Udinese on August 20. His agent Rafaela Pimenta said at the time that Pogba had never intended to break the rules. Reuters has contacted Pimenta, who was not immediately available for comment. NADO Italia refused to comment…