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Legal Threat Hangs On FIFA Over Calendar

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World governing body, FIFA is facing the threat of legal action from world players’ union, FIFPro and the World Leagues Association, which includes the Premier League, if it continues with plans to host a 32-team Club World Cup at the end of next season.
They say the global football calendar is “now beyond saturation, to the point that national leagues are unable to properly organise their competitions” while “players are being pushed beyond their limits, with significant injury risks and impacts on their welfare”.
It was reported in December that the PFA was taking legal advice over the lack of consultation over an increasingly congested calendar and the impact that was likely to have on its members.
PFA chief executive Maheta Molango has been part of a series of high-level discussions over the intervening period, including the European Leagues general assembly last month, when Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the calendar was at tipping point.
Next season, all three European club competitions will be expanded to 36 teams. The Champions League and Europa League will have eight first phase games compared to the current six. It is possible a club would have to play 17 matches to win either competition.
Manchester City and Chelsea are among the 12 European representatives at the expanded Club World Cup, to be held in the United States in June and July next year.
In a letter addressed to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and general secretary Mattias Grafstrom, seen by Tidesports source, FIFPro and the World Leagues Association say if FIFA extends its own competitions then it should alter others.
It adds that “imposing the burden of adaptation on national leagues and players is inherently abusive” and is “jeopardising national leagues and affecting the health and wellbeing of players”.
However, it is understood that FIFA believes it has taken into account player welfare with their scheduling programme.
It argues that, in a country that has an 18-team league with one cup competition – like Germany – the Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup would only account for 2.3per cent of matches played at club level over the course of the season.
It also believes the influential European Clubs’ Association backed the Club World Cup plans in a statement in December.
FIFPro and the World Leagues Association believe they have already provided FIFA with ample opportunity to address their concerns.
However, in their letter they state clearly that if FIFA “refuses to formally commit to resolving the issues” at its council meeting in Bangkok on 17 May, members will be advised “on the options available to them”.
“These options included legal action against FIFA,” they said.
The FIFA council meeting in Thailand will see all 211 member associations get together, with a vote on the host nation or nations of the 2027 Women’s World Cup set to take place.
The threat of legal action against FIFA comes against a backdrop of Premier League clubs announcing lucrative post and pre-season tours.
Yesterday, West Ham, Wolves and Crystal Palace announced a three-team pre-season tour of the United States, while Newcastle and Tottenham will play one another in Melbourne, Australia just three days after the end of the Premier League season.
Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Bournemouth will all tour the United States next summer.

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FG Lauds Ogun State’s Commitment To Hosting a World Class NSF

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The Federal Government has commended Ogun State for its continuous commitment to hosting a world-class National Sports Festival as the event draws closer.
The Organizing Committee (LOC) with the firm support of the NSC officially unveiled Premium Trust Bank as the lead sponsor of the festival on Wednesday in Abeokuta, in record breaking deal.
Speaking on this feat, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, lauded Ogun State’s dedication to ensuring a seamless and memorable festival, emphasizing the importance of corporate and private sector support in shaping the future of Nigerian sports in line with vision  of the NSC.
“The unveiling of Premium Trust Bank as the lead sponsor for the 2024 National Sports Festival is a testament to the rising confidence of the private sector in Nigerian sports. Ogun State has demonstrated an extraordinary level of commitment, and this partnership is a step toward elevating the festival to execeptional standards,” Dikko said.
He further underscored the economic and social benefits of the festival, noting its potential to boost tourism, generate employment, and stimulate the local economy.
“Beyond the thrill of competition, the Gateway Games 2024 will drive economic growth, create opportunities for young athletes, and showcase Ogun State as a hub for sports excellence as well as its economic potentials. The National Sports Commission stands fully behind this vision and will provide every necessary support to ensure its success and the legacy of the hosting the games to the state is enduring,” he added.
“This festival is more than just a sporting event, it is a celebration of talent, resilience, and the boundless potential of Nigerian sports. With Ogun State’s level of preparation and the commitment of all stakeholders, I have no doubt that the Gateway Games 2024 will be the most remarkable edition yet,” Dikko stated.
The NSC will indeed continue to collaborate with the hosting state to provides all the enablers to ensure a successful games.
The National Sports Festival ( often tagged the Nigerian Olympics ) is owned by the National Sports Commission, and it is expected to feature over 20,000 participants across the 36 states plus the FCT, with the introduction of Invited Junior Athletes ( IJA ) as the 38th State.
The competition will run from the 16th of May to the 30th of May 2025.

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NSC Commends NSSF, NCF Others On Impressive Performance 

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The National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko has commended the successful hosting of the inaugural National School Board Games, describing it as a significant step in the advancement of school sports in Nigeria.
The event, which featured chess in its pilot phase, was organized by the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF) in collaboration with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Nigeria Chess Federation. With over 300 students from all six geopolitical zones competing in the U-9, U-12, U-15, and U-18 categories, the tournament provided a platform for young athletes to develop critical thinking, discipline, and competitive excellence.
Mallam Dikko, was represented at the event by Mr. Lanre Ogunjobi (Technical Assistant, Strategy & Research) and Barrister Uche George Egbe (Technical Assistant,Legal and Compliance) as well as Mrs Ada Nwachukwu, Zonal Head of the NSC Lagos office
Also in attendance were the Lagos State Commissioner of Education, Mr. Jumiu Alli-Balogun, and the Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, Prince Adeyinka Adewole, both of whom expressed strong support for the initiative.
Delivering the Chairman’s message, Mr. Ogunjobi reiterated the NSC’s commitment to school sports development as a key pillar of Nigeria’s overall sports growth strategy.
His words, “The National Sports Commission remains dedicated to fostering both intellectual and physical sports as part of our broader vision for national sports development. The successful hosting of the inaugural National School Board Games is a testament to our resolve to ensure that every aspect of sports receives the attention and investment required for sustained growth.”

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NPFL: Eguma Decries Over Red Card

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Enyimba International’s head coach, Stanley Eguma, has pointed to a red card issued to one of his players as the primary reason for their 1-0 loss to Bendel Insurance, .
The match, which took place in Benin on Wednesday, saw Enyimba lose after Innocent Gabriel was sent off for a reckless challenge on Kayode Oke of Bendel Insurance.
Eguma acknowledged that both teams played well but noted that being a man down significantly impacted his team’s performance.
”It was a good game, but being a man down made things difficult for us,” he said.
Enyimba will look to bounce back when they face Rivers United this weekend.

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