Sports
Man Utd To Be Barred From European Competition?
Manchester United could be barred from playing in European competition next season even if they qualify for the Champions League.
United are likely to be playing European football next season although it remains to be seen if they will be in the Champions League. They are currently sixth, nine points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, but there is the prospect of them also qualifying for either the Europa League or the Europa Conference League, but they are now facing up to the potential of UEFA barring them altogether.
According to sources, UEFA’s new regulations on multi-club ownership means that clubs owned by the same party cannot compete in the same European competition. New United co-owner, Ratcliffe also owns Ligue 1 club, Nice, and at the time of writing, both clubs are set to qualify for the Europa League, even if the Premier League gains an extra Champions League place.
Were they each to qualify for the same competition, precedence would be given to the team that finished highest in their domestic league, which is currently Nice. United may well need to win the FA Cup to ensure they are granted priority.
However, there remains a situation in which both teams qualify for the Europa Conference League, and Nice do so via a higher Ligue 1 finish than United’s Premier League ranking, and that would leave the Red Devils without any European football.
United have a game in hand on fourth-placed Villa and winning that would bring them within six points of Unai Emery’s men. They have a difficult run-in, though, in which they will play Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal before the conclusion of the campaign. They also have an FA Cup semi-final against Coventry coming up. United’s next encounter comes against Brentford when the Premier League resumes. The two teams ahead of them, Villa and Tottenham, play Wolves and Luton Town, respectively.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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