Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

England boss Gareth Southgate says he twice talked defender Kyle Walker out of international retirement. The Manchester City defender, 33, considered ending his England career after Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup but was persuaded to carry on. Walker scored his first England goal on his 77th appearance in Saturday’s European qualifying draw with Ukraine. “I’ve talked him out of [international] retirement twice, after the Euros and after the World Cup” said Southgate. “I think he loves being here and he’s wanted to keep going and now he’s thinking about how many caps can he get. “He’s critical to us. If…

Luis Rubiales has announced he has resigned as Spanish football federation president following the controversy over him kissing Jenni Hermoso. Rubiales kissed the player on the lips during the trophy presentation after Spain’s victory over England in last month’s World Cup final, but Hermoso said the kiss was not consensual. FIFA suspended Rubiales pending an investigation into his behaviour, and Hermoso submitted a complaint to the national prosecutor’s office earlier this week which is now with Spain’s high court. In a statement on his unverified X account on Sunday evening, Rubiales said he had informed Pedro Rocha, who has been…

The Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualification hopes are all but over after the Netherlands came from a goal down to edge an entertaining qualifier in Dublin. Adam Idah gave the Republic a dream start with a fourth-minute penalty after Virgil van Dijk’s handball. But the Dutch hit back with a spot-kick of their own through Cody Gakpo. Substitute Wout Weghorst’s winner then condemned the Republic to a fourth defeat in five qualifiers. It leaves manager Stephen Kenny’s side six points adrift of the second-placed Dutch having played a game more, with a home match against Greece and a trip…

Nigeria thumped Sao Tome and Principe 6-0 on Sunday evening to further stamp authority as giants of Africa. Despite the rain at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria, Napoli star Victor Osimhen began the party in the 14th minute when he scored from an Ademola Lookman assist. Lookman then went on to get on to the score sheet himself some 14 minutes later as Wilfred Ndidi came through with the assist. Nottingham Forest striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, made sure that the Super Eagles continued where they left off in the second half as he found the back of the net…

Hansi Flick has been sacked as Germany manager following Saturday’s 4-1 friendly defeat by Japan in Wolfsburg. He becomes the first Germany boss to be sacked since the role was created in 1926. Germany have lost four of their past five games, with Flick overseeing just 12 wins in his 25 matches since replacing Joachim Low in August 2021. Rudi Voller, who managed the team from 2000 to 2004, takes temporary charge for Tuesday’s friendly with France. Germany host the men’s European Championship next year but have been in disarray. Flick, 58, had been Low’s assistant manager with Germany from…

Manchester United winger Antony has agreed to delay his return to the club “to address allegations” of assault made against him. The 23-year-old was due back to training on Monday after being dropped from Brazil’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru. But United say it has been agreed with the player that he will delay his return until further notice in order to address the matter. Antony denies all the allegations. A police investigation has been opened following allegations of domestic abuse against his former girlfriend. He is also facing further allegations of assault made by…

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Pestana CR7 in Marrakech, Morocco has become a refuge site for victims of Friday’s earthquake, reports Spanish newspaper, Marca. The 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the mountainous High Atlas region of the North African nation leaving at least 1,305 people dead and several wounded according to multiple reports. Amidst the tragedy, a number of Marrakech-based organisations and businesses have offered assistance to those affected by the quake. One of them is, a hotel owned by Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo. Reports suggest that the luxury hotel is providing shelter to those who have lost their homes. Graded at four stars, just below…

Italy were held to a 1-1 draw with North Macedonia in Luciano Spelletti’s first match in charge, with Enis Bardhi’s late free kick cancelling out a Ciro Immobile goal. Sandro Tonali came the closest of anyone to scoring in a goalless first half, but struck the near post after going through on-on-one with the goalkeeper. Bojan Miovski had North Macedonia’s best chance of the that period, but headed wide after brilliant work from Ezgjan Alioski to win the ball, drive forward and then cross for the Aberdeen striker. Just two minutes after the break Italy got their breakthrough, with Immobile…

England’s winning run in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign came to a halt as they were held to a draw by Ukraine in Wroclaw. Ukraine were backed by 40,000 fans in the Tarczynski Arena, giving the game the fervent feel of a home fixture despite the hosts being unable to play in their own country because of the war with Russia. The magnificently noisy backing in Poland turned to a deafening roar when Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko put Ukraine ahead after 26 minutes, turning in a cross from Yukhym Konoplya. England had plenty of possession but lacked creativity and it needed…

Arsenal suffered a shock exit in the qualifying stages of the Women’s Champions League as they were beaten on penalties by French side Paris FC. The Gunners, who reached the semi-finals of the competition last season, came from 2-0 and 3-2 behind to force a shootout after extra time. However, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie saved from Arsenal’s England striker Alessia Russo and Frida Maanum as the underdogs won 4-2 on spot-kicks. Mathilde Bourdieu scored twice in two minutes early in the second half to put Paris firmly in control but Russo’s first Arsenal goal pulled one back before Jen…

Carlos Alcaraz will not participate in the group stage of the Davis Cup finals. The Spanish Tennis Federation confirmed that the world No. 1 is no longer part of the squad to face the Czech Republic, Serbia and South Korea. Alcaraz has been replaced in the team by 35-year-old Albert Ramos. Alcaraz’s omission ends the possibility of another potential match-up with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from Spain’s Davis Cup team after his US Open semi-final defeat to Daniil Medvedev on Friday. It is a further hit to their preparations for the group stages of the finals, with Spain…

Sao Tome and Principe head coach, Adriano Eusebio, says his side will fight hard to avoid another heavy defeat against the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The True Patriots were pummelled 10-0 when they hosted the Super Eagles in the reverse fixture last June. Both teams will clash again in their final qualifying fixture for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Sunday. Eusebio insisted that his team would give their best against the Super Eagles. “We are here to fight and not lose heavily again. We can’t repeat the same mistakes we made…