Sports
146 Goals Scandal: Stakeholders Applaud Life Ban Of Perpetrators
Some stakeholders in football in Nigeria, have commended Nigeria Football Association (NFA) for its verdict on the four clubs involved in the scandalous matches in Bauchi.
They said that the decision would help to ensure sanity among those involved in soccer at all levels.
All four clubs, players and match officials involved in the match fixing at the Nigeria Nationwide League promotion play-off in Bauchi were banned for life by NFA.
In the matches, Plateau United Feeders of Plateau defeated Akurba of Nasarawa State, 79-0, while Police Machine of Adamawa defeated Bubayero of Gombe 67-0.
Abdullahi Abubakar, the FCT FA Secretary, said in Abuja that the verdict was “a bold and courageous step’’.
“It is a shame and an embarrassment as they colluded to carry out an act they knew full well was wrong.
“I am happy NFA took a decision on this as it will set as an example to others and in the future,’’ he said.
The secretary also blamed the situation on similar cases, which occurred in the past but were not punished.
Abubakar said this was not the first time such act happened, adding that it also happened in Zamfara and Calabar, where senior teams were involved but were not punished.
“If those teams were sanctioned, it could have deterred these junior teams from doing same,” he added.
Chairman Nigerian Coaches Association (NCA) FCT Chapter, Godwin Bamigboye, hailed NFA, saying that match-fixing was not a good thing and should not be encouraged.
“The sanction is a welcome development and I am happy with the decision. The punishment is nice approach in checking the practice,’’ Bamigboye said.
A football enthusiast, Chijioke Okoye also said the NFA decision was justified and the sanction well-deserved.
“This has brought nothing but shame to Nigerian football. Such a ban will act as a deterrent to people who may want to perpetrate such acts in future.
“The international community will also be aware that Nigeria has not condoned such acts of impunity in the game of football,’’ Okoye said.
An Abuja-based businessman, Faith Ajide, blamed the leadership of the clubs and said that NFA should have been lenient on the players as the decision had tarnished their future.
“NFA should consider the players, as some of them may be good and talented. A lighter punishment should have been given to them.
“The leaderships of the club are the ones that deserved the wrath of the NFA,’’ Ajide said.
Another football enthusiast, Adeyemo Feranmi also blamed the officials of the match for the scandalous score lines, stressing that the life ban on the players could not be justified.
“The match officials should be able to account for the score lines of the matches, so they should be held responsible for the outcome.
“Therefore, NFA should not have disciplined the players with so much severity,” Feranmi said.
An Abuja-based business woman, Jessy Kadiri, hailed the decision on the clubs but added that sanctioning the referees was wrong.
“It is not the duty of the referee to end a match because of the number of goals scored. If the goals scored were right, the referee had no reason to cancel the goals.
“The referee would have cancelled the goals if they came through foul-play. I think the referees did their job,” she said.
Sports
Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues
Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.
Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.
However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.
Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.
Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.
Sports
City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road
Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.
The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.
City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.
But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.
Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.
Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.
Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)
Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.
Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.
All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).
In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.
West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.
The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.
And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.
Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.
Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.
But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.
Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.
Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.
Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.
Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.
Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.
Sports
PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1
Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.
The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.
PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.
Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.
Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.
Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.
Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.
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