Sports

11, July 2025

Indomitable Lions falls to 51st in FIFA World Rankings ⁰

Cameroon has dropped to 51st place in the latest FIFA World Ranking, moving down one spot from 50th. The Indomitable Lions now rank eighth among African teams.

The team’s slip comes after two mixed friendly results in June in Morocco. On June 5, coach Marc Brys’s squad beat Uganda 3-0 in Marrakech. Three days later, Cameroon drew 1-1 against Equatorial Guinea, missing a chance to impress.

Cameroon gained 1.25 points in the FIFA system. However, Slovenia surpassed them by collecting 7.1 points with two straight wins over Luxembourg (1-0) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-1). Slovenia reclaimed the 50th spot, pushing Cameroon down.

At the top of the global ranking, Argentina holds first place, with France and Spain following. On the African continent, Morocco remains the top team, a position strengthened by its strong 2022 World Cup performance. Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Tunisia follow Morocco in the African rankings.

Ivory Coast, the current African champion, fell four places globally to 45th and dropped to sixth in Africa.

Source: Sbbc

5, July 2025

Footballer Thomas Partey charged with rape ⁰

Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The offences are reported to have taken place between 2021-2022, the Metropolitan Police said.

The charges involve three women, with two counts of rape relating to one woman, three counts of rape in connection to a second woman and one count of sexual assault linked to a third woman.

The Ghanaian international denies the charges and “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name”, his lawyer said.

The charges follow an investigation by detectives, which started in February 2022 after police first received a report of rape.

The 32-year-old’s contract with Arsenal ended on Monday after playing with the team since 2020.

An Arsenal spokesman said: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.”

The Football Association and the Premier League declined to comment.

Det Supt Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.

“We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team. You can contact detectives about this investigation by emailing CIT@met.police.uk”

Mr Partey, of Hertfordshire, is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 5 August.

In a statement, his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said: “Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him.

“He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation.

“He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.

“Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further.”

Mr Partey joined Arsenal for £45.3m from Atletico Madrid in October 2020, made 35 top-flight appearances last season and scored four goals as the London club finished second in the Premier League.

He also played 12 times in the Champions League as the Gunners reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by eventual winners Paris St-Germain.

Overall, he made 130 Premier League appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side, scoring nine goals.

Mr Partey has also made more than 50 appearances for Ghana’s national team, and most recently played at World Cup qualification matches in March.

Source: BBC

3, July 2025

Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai is dead ⁰

According to Radio Nigeria, Nigerian goalkeeping legend, Peter Rufai, is dead. While the family is yet to issue an official statement, the news of his death has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian football community and beyond, as tributes begin to pour in for the iconic goalkeeper who stood tall between the posts for the Super Eagles.

Rufai was a central figure in Nigeria’s golden football era. He was the first-choice goalkeeper during the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph and represented Nigeria at two FIFA World Cups—USA ’94 and France ’98. Renowned for his leadership, reflexes, and charisma, Rufai earned over 60 caps for the national team and remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated goalkeepers.

Beyond his national team heroics, he had a successful club career across Europe, playing for clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. After retirement, he remained active in football development and youth mentoring through his Staruf Academy in Lagos.

Nicknamed Dodomayana—a nod to his regal heritage as the son of a traditional ruler—Rufai was admired for his discipline, professionalism, and advocacy for education among aspiring athletes.

More details on funeral arrangements are expected from the family in due course.

Source: Sportsvillagesquare

3, July 2025

Football: Liverpool forward Diogo Jota dies in car crash ⁰

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain.

The car left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking another car, local police say.

His brother, Andre Silva, also died in the crash.

Jota, 28, married his partner last month – the couple had three children together.

The Portuguese international was a key part of the Liverpool side that won the Premier League last season, and earlier played for Wolves and Porto.

Liverpool FC say they are “devastated” by what they call an “unimaginable loss”, while Cristiano Ronaldo says “it doesn’t make sense.”

The national federation says Jota was “not only a fantastic player” but “an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents.”

Source: BBC

29, June 2025

Football: Pogba signs two-year Monaco deal ⁰

Paul Pogba has signed a two-year deal with Ligue 1 side Monaco to return to football after a near two-year absence, the club announced on Saturday.

The 2018 World Cup winner has made only 12 appearances across the last three seasons due to injuries, an 18-month doping ban and an extortion case in which he was the victim.

Pogba failed a drugs test in August 2023 after a match for Juventus and has been free to return to football since March, although his contract at the Italian giants had been terminated last year.

The midfielder will now play club football in Ligue 1 for the first time in his professional career.

“I am determined to get back on the pitch, mentally ready, physically ready, it’s just a matter of time,” the 32-year-old told French television last weekend.

Pogba played in the Le Havre youth team before signing for Manchester United in 2009.

He made only a handful of first-team appearances for the three-time European champions before signing for Juventus in 2012.

Pogba won four consecutive Serie A titles in Turin before rejoining United for a then-world record 105 million euros ($123 million).

He moved back to Juventus three years ago but struggled with a series of injuries.

In 2024, his brother Mathias was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for his role in a plot to extort 13 million euros from Pogba in 2022.

Pogba has scored 11 goals in 91 appearances for the France national team, playing a starring role and scoring in their World Cup final victory over Croatia seven years ago.

His new club Monaco will play in the Champions League next season after finishing third in Ligue 1 last term.

Source: AFP

27, June 2025

Football: Mbappé files harassment complaint against PSG ⁰

Kylian Mbappé has accused Paris Saint-Germain of moral harassment in a legal filing, the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed on Thursday.

The Real Madrid star is at odds with his former club, arguing PSG owes him 55 million euros ($61 million) in unpaid wages.

Mbappé is also unhappy with the way he was treated by the Ligue 1 club when the France captain was sidelined before the 2023-24 season, following his decision not to extend his club contract.

The prosecutor’s office said Mbappé is “denouncing the ‘lofting’ he claimed to have been subjected to at Paris Saint-Germain.” The word lofting is used in France to describe a practice that involves isolating a player from the main squad for sporting, administrative, or disciplinary reasons.

Mbappé joined Real Madrid last summer on a free transfer after scoring a club-record 256 goals in seven years at PSG, which won the Champions League without him this year.

Mbappé’s relationship with PSG ended amid deep tensions, and some fans booed him in his last home game at Parc des Princes. PSG felt let down by Mbappé after offering him the most lucrative contract in club history when he signed a new contract in 2022.

But Mbappé was frustrated because he felt promises to sign key players were not kept. When he signed that deal, he was paraded in front of fans holding up a jersey with 2025 on it. Mbappé was reportedly annoyed because the contract was until 2024 – with a player’s option for an extra season.

Mbappé stunned PSG in June 2023 by informing the club he would not take the option for an extra year. With his contract effectively into its final year, it put PSG in the position of needing to sell Mbappé to avoid losing him for nothing when the contract expired.

His PSG career could have ended that summer amid a tense transfer standoff.

After telling the club he would not extend, Mbappé was left off a preseason tour to Japan and South Korea and forced to train with fringe players. PSG said it would rather sell him than let the player leave for free in 2024, but he rejected a 300 million euros move to Saudi Arabia team Al-Hilal.

PSG left Mbappé out of the opening league game of that season but he soon returned to the lineup following talks.

Mbappé’s legal team said in April it would start an action against PSG for harassment because of the way he was treated at the time.

Source: AP

22, June 2025

Premier League Football Gossips ⁰

Marc Guehi is ready to see out the final year of his contract at Crystal Palace, while Marcus Rashford remains hopeful of joining Barcelona.

Liverpool-target Marc Guehi, 24, is prepared to see out the final year of his contract at Crystal Palace if the centre-back does not get the right offer for his career, despite the Eagles being keen to cash in on the England defender. (Guardian), external

Italian champions Napoli have joined Inter Milan in the race to sign 22-year-old Manchester United Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund, who is open to being sold by Ruben Amorim. (Gazzetta Dello Sport – in Italian), external

Arsenal’s move for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, 24, has hit a stumbling block because of the Brazilian’s wage demands of £10.2m-a-year. (AS – in Spanish), external

Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal made an enquiry for Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay, 28, but the Serie A side did not even discuss a deal as they have no intention of selling the Scotland international. (Football Italia), external

Chelsea are open to the sale of Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, 24, with Italian clubs Juventus and Napoli both interested. (Gianluca Di Marzio – in Italian), external

Arsenal’s desire to bolster their midfield could result in the Gunners making a move for Brentford’s 31-year-old Denmark midfielder Christian Norgaard. (Mirror), external

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, 29, wants to stay and fight for his place with the Cameroon international subject to interest from Monaco. (Guardian), external

Bayern Munich still hold out hope of signing Spain winger Nico Williams, 22, from Athletic Bilbao, despite an agreement having already being reached between the player and Barcelona. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish), external

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 27, has not given up hope of a move to Barcelona despite the Catalans being on the brink of signing Williams. (Times), external

Paris St-Germain have resumed talks to sign 22-year-old Ukraine defender Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth. (L’Equipe – in French), external

Manchester United and England winger Jadon Sancho, 25, is prioritising a move to Napoli over fellow Serie A side Juventus. (Sky Sports Italia – in Italian)

Source: BBC

17, June 2025

Indomitable Lions: Marc Brys heading to Saudi club Al-Nassr ⁰

Following the near-certain departure of Stefano Pioli from Al-Nassr, the Saudi club is actively searching for a new head coach. Unexpectedly, the spotlight has turned to the national team manager.

Pioli, who replaced Luís Castro last autumn, failed to achieve any notable success with Al-Nassr: no trophies were lifted, and the team did not qualify for the AFC Champions League.

Belgian coach Marc Brys, 62, has been leading the Cameroon national side since last year, according to Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws. Brys previously coached in Saudi Arabia between 2013 and 2015, managing Al-Raed and Najran SC — a factor that has caught the attention of Al-Nassr’s management.

Brys’s appointment in Cameroon sparked significant controversy, as he was selected by the Ministry of Sports without the consent of the Cameroon Football Federation, headed by Samuel Eto’o. This caused a serious rift between the two parties. However, Eto’o later apologized, and since then Brys has guided Cameroon to the final stages of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), remaining unbeaten with seven wins in 12 matches.

According to Walfoot.be, Al-Nassr’s leadership is impressed by how Brys handled the delicate situation. They are keen to appoint a coach capable of managing a star-studded squad featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović, and Aymeric Laporte. Despite this glittering lineup, the club has not lifted the Saudi league title in six seasons, with the last triumph coming under Rui Vitória.

Brys boasts over 20 years of coaching experience in Belgium. Before moving to Africa, he spent three and a half seasons in charge of Leuven.

Additionally, Brys has international experience from stints in Jordan with Al-Faisaly and in the Netherlands with Den Bosch and FC Eindhoven.

Source: Footboom

11, June 2025

Football: Senegal hands England stunning 3-1 defeat, casting doubt over Tuchel fit ⁰

England slumped to a 3-1 home friendly defeat by Senegal on Tuesday to ramp up the scrutiny on boss Thomas Tuchel one year out from the World Cup.

Goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly inflicted England’s first ever defeat against African opposition at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground after Harry Kane had given the hosts an early lead.

Tuchel was scathing in his criticism of his side’s dreary display in beating minnows Andorra just 1-0 in World Cup qualifying on Saturday.

The German, who was appointed with the task of ending England’s wait since 1966 for a major tournament win, has now suffered his first defeat in four games in charge.

‘The new Kaiser Chief’: Thomas Tuchel set to be England’s first German manager

“Not good enough. We had moments, but with and without the ball things aren’t clicking, we’re not finding the right tempo,” said England captain Kane.

“We’ve lost that aggressive nature that we had.”

Tuchel responded by making 10 changes, with Kane the only player to retain his place.

It took just seven minutes for the Bayern Munich striker to maintain his record of scoring in every game since Tuchel took charge.

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy should have done better when he could only parry Anthony Gordon’s shot into the path of Kane, who tapped in his 73rd international goal.

Dean Henderson was given a rare chance to impress in the England goal as Jordan Pickford was relegated to the bench.

The Crystal Palace stopper made impressive saves from his club team-mate Sarr and Idrissa Gana Gueye.

But he was helpless when Sarr made the most of a lack of concentration from Kyle Walker to meet Nicolas Jackson’s cross and fire into the bottom corner.

England had never lost to African opposition in 21 previous matches but Senegal had been beaten just once from open play since losing to the Three Lions at the 2022 World Cup.

Diarra was afforded acres of room to run in behind the England defence and slot between the legs of Henderson to put the visitors in front just after the hour mark.

Mendy made amends for his role in the opening goal with fine saves to deny Bukayo Saka and Morgan Gibbs-White a swift equaliser.

England thought they had levelled late on when Jude Bellingham smashed home from a corner.

But the goal was ruled out for a handball by Levi Colwill before the ball broke to the Real Madrid midfielder.

Senegal made the most of that reprieve to seal a famous win in stoppage time when Sabaly rounded off a slick counter-attack.

Boos rained down from the disgruntled home support to leave Tuchel with plenty to ponder before England are next in action in September.

Source: AFP

9, June 2025

Football: First black Premier League referee Rennie dies aged 65 ⁰

Uriah Rennie, the Premier League’s first black referee, has died aged 65.

Rennie officiated more than 300 games between 1997 and 2008, including 175 Premier League matches.

Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out said Rennie was “a trailblazer in every sense”, adding: “He will always be a Premier League legend by becoming its first black referee, providing leadership, talent and visibility that proved inspirational to many.

“Uriah played a massive role in shaping the game as we know it today. Football should always be grateful to him.”

The Premier League said: “Uriah was a pioneering trailblazer whose legacy will live on, continuing to inspire future generations.”

Rennie recently revealed he was learning to walk again after a rare condition left him paralysed from the waist down.

Born in Jamaica, he moved to Sheffield as a child and grew up in the Wybourn area of the city.

He started refereeing in local football in 1979 before making history in 1997 when he oversaw a top-flight match between Derby County and Wimbledon.

“Incredibly sad news about the passing of Uriah Rennie. A Black pioneering referee and leader in the game,” said Leon Mann, co-founder of the Football Black List.

“We owe so much to those who push open the doors. Uriah should never, ever be forgotten.”

Rennie had been a magistrate in Sheffield since 1996 and campaigned on issues including improving equality and inclusion in sport, mental health and tackling deprivation.

He had a master’s degree in business administration and law and, in November 2023, was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his distinguished contributions to sport and his work with South Yorkshire communities.

In May, Rennie was installed as the new chancellor of the university.

Sheffield & Hallamshire County Football Association, external described their former chair as a “trailblazing referee” who “broke down barriers, shaped our football community and inspired generations to come.”

Source: BBC