Executives from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) have chosen the name TKO for their newly merged publicly traded company as a nod to their expertise in fighting, signifying a broader vision beyond combat sports ownership. TKO commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange, marking the culmination of a merger between two live-entertainment giants announced in April. Endeavor Group Holdings, owning 51% and encompassing assets like UFC and talent agency WME, partnered with WWE shareholders, who own the remaining 49%. Shares experienced a 2.8% increase in midday trading. In the initial 18 months, TKO’s focus is…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Barcelona’s manager, Xavi Hernandez, has emphatically stated that he has no intention of stepping down from his current position. According to him, the team is “halfway to creating a great team.” Xavi took on the role of manager for his former club in November 2021 and achieved success by securing the LaLiga title last season and the Supercopa de Espana. Despite Barcelona extending his contract until 2025 in September, the team has faced challenges in returning to top form. While they have advanced to the knockout stages of the Champions League, Barcelona has experienced setbacks, losing four of their last…
FIFA, the global governing body for football, has recognized Chiamaka Nnadozie’s exceptional performance in Paris FC’s triumph against Real Madrid. Nnadozie played a pivotal role in guiding Paris FC to their inaugural victory in this season’s Women’s UEFA Champions League, securing a 2-1 win against Madrid in Group D on Thursday night. A standout moment in the match occurred when the Super Falcons’ first-choice goalkeeper thwarted a 28th-minute penalty attempt by Olga Carmona, the 2023 Women’s World Cup winner from Spain. FIFA acknowledged Nnadozie’s prowess by sharing a photo of her on their Women’s World Cup handle, stating, “Safe hands,…
Ashleigh Plumptre claimed yet another match ball following an eight-goal thriller between Al Ittihad and Al Ahly in Saudi Arabia. The Nigerian Super Falcons star, Ashleigh Plumptre, is relishing her time in Saudi Arabia, leading Al Ittihad to a resounding victory against Al Ahly in the Women’s League. Plumptre showcased her goal-scoring prowess by securing an impressive hat-trick during Ittihad’s dominant 6-2 triumph over Ahly. In a stellar performance, the 25-year-old achieved a hat-trick for the second time this season, continuing to shine in the Saudi Women’s Premier League, particularly in the Jeddah derby. This marked Plumptre’s second three-goal performance…
The prospect of Lionel Messi clinching the 2023 FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year award has stirred debate among football enthusiasts. However, a critical question arises: does the Argentine truly merit the nomination? FIFA, the global football governing body, recently unveiled the final trio of nominees for the prestigious accolade, featuring Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi. While the first two nominations resonate well with most fans, Messi’s inclusion as a top-three contender has sparked controversy. Messi, the current holder of the FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year and the 2023 Ballon d’Or, garnered acclaim…
The 22-year-old striker has garnered global attention with his outstanding performances for Bundesliga powerhouse Bayer Leverkusen this season. Victor Boniface, a rising star for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, has notched up an impressive record, scoring 14 goals and providing eight assists for Xabi Alonso’s team. He has received the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month accolade for four consecutive months since August. Reports from Football Italia suggest that Juventus has entered the race to secure the talented Nigerian forward, viewing him as a prime candidate to replace Dusan Vlahovic. Cristiano Giuntoli, the sporting director of the Serie A club, is reportedly a…
Arsenal’s standout player, Jorginho, has recently proposed to his girlfriend, Catherine Harding, in a romantic gesture. The 31-year-old former Chelsea midfielder went down on one knee, surrounded by red roses and candles, accompanied by the melodies of a violinist. The couple, who initiated their relationship in 2020, has a three-year-old son named Jax together. Jorginho’s proposal featured a heartwarming neon sign that read ‘Will you marry me?’ beneath a large heart crafted from flowers, with the floor adorned with affectionate photographs of the couple. During the proposal, Jorginho, born Jorge Luiz Frello Filho Cavaliere OMRI, donned a stylish black suit,…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta anticipates the involvement of Gabriel Martinelli in Sunday’s Premier League encounter against Brighton & Hove Albion. The Gunners aim to reclaim the top spot at the Emirates Stadium, but their position might be challenged if Liverpool prevails over Manchester United in the weekend’s late fixture. Although Martinelli played 69 minutes in Arsenal’s recent 1-0 loss to Aston Villa, he was absent in the midweek clash against PSV Eindhoven. Arteta addressed concerns about Martinelli’s well-being during a pre-match press conference, confidently assuring Arsenal supporters of his availability. “He’s feeling good. He’ll be in contention,” remarked Arteta when…
Tottenham Hotspur increased the pressure on Steve Cooper with a 2-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest on Friday night. Despite Spurs dominating possession, the match at the City Ground proved challenging, with Ange Postecoglou’s team resiliently securing three crucial points. Cooper’s Forest have now suffered five defeats in their last six matches, inching dangerously close to the relegation zone, with a precarious five-point cushion above the bottom three. In the early stages, Tottenham nearly took the lead when Dejan Kulusevski’s pass found Son Heung-min, whose close-range attempt was thwarted by Matt Turner’s leg just three minutes into the game. Forest opted…
Casemiro is set to depart from Manchester United in January, having acknowledged that his future lies away from Old Trafford, according to sources from 90min. The 31-year-old made a high-profile arrival in August 2022, securing a four-year contract with United in a deal valued at up to £60 million from Real Madrid. Initially, Casemiro showcased promising performances at Old Trafford, notably organizing the team’s midfield and contributing crucial late-winning goals. In January, manager Erik ten Hag praised Casemiro, describing him as “magnificent” for his defensive prowess and ability to distribute the ball effectively. Casemiro’s standout moment came with the opening…
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Robert Sanchez will be unavailable for the upcoming match against Sheffield United. The Spanish goalkeeper sustained a knee injury during Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park, leading to his substitution after 83 minutes. Djordje Petrovic, a summer signing, made his Premier League debut as a replacement for Sanchez. Pochettino expressed the severity of Sanchez’s injury, ruling him out for the Sheffield United clash. Despite Sheffield United securing their first win under Chris Wilder in the previous game, they currently occupy the bottom position in the Premier League. Pochettino shared his thoughts…
The Premier League faces the risk of losing an additional Champions League spot for the upcoming season, following the premature exits of Manchester United and Newcastle United in the current campaign. Both teams concluded at the bottom of their respective groups, leading to their exclusion from European competition altogether. Starting from the next season, the Champions League will expand to 36 teams, with two European leagues receiving extra slots. This means that the fifth-placed team in the Premier League for this season could secure an automatic qualification to the Champions League. However, UEFA determines the allocation of these additional places…
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has disclosed that he considers French stars N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba as his football idols. Caicedo expressed the significance of the shirts worn by Pogba and Kante, describing them as particularly special to him. In an interview with Sky Sports leading up to Chelsea’s Premier League home match against Sheffield United, Caicedo expressed his admiration for the duo. He shared, “N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba were my idols in football. I loved watching them.” Recalling his early experiences playing in his neighborhood, Caicedo mentioned learning a great deal from playing with his older brother’s friends.…
Ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 fixtures, here are the current leading goal scorers in the competition. Erling Haaland from Manchester City, Rasmus Højlund from Manchester United, and Atletico Madrid’s duo Antoine Griezmann and Álvaro Morata are at the forefront of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League top scorers chart following the conclusion of the group stage on Thursday night. Among the quartet, Griezmann was the only one to find the net on Matchday 6, scoring a goal in Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 home victory against Lazio, bringing his tally to five goals. 2023/24 Champions League top scorers: -…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been exonerated of a Football Association charge regarding his comments after the team’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle United last month. Arteta expressed strong discontent when Anthony Gordon’s 64th-minute goal was upheld, despite three separate VAR checks for potential out-of-play incidents, a foul, and an offside in the build-up. “It’s a disgrace. It’s embarrassing. That’s how I feel and that’s how everybody feels in that [dressing] room,” Arteta stated at the time. The FA initially charged Arteta with a breach of Rule E3.1. However, an independent commission, following an investigation that included Arteta attending a personal…
Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe are set to contend for this year’s FIFA Best Men’s Player Award, as disclosed by FIFA on Thursday. This mirrors the same trio that claimed the top spots in the Ballon d’Or voting. The Women’s Best Player shortlist features Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí and Jenni Hermoso, along with Linda Caicedo from Colombia. Haaland played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s triumphant season, securing the treble with victories in the Champions League, English Premier League, and FA Cup. Messi and Mbappe clinched the Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain, although their Champions League journey concluded…
Former Tottenham Hotspur player Darren Bent has asserted that Manchester United is too large a club for manager Erik ten Hag and has encouraged the Dutchman to step down from his position at Old Trafford. Bent’s remarks follow Manchester United’s recent 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. The team’s elimination from the Champions League saw them finish at the bottom of Group A, accumulating four points from six games, with one win, one draw, and four losses in the group stage. Expressing his opinion on Ten Hag, Bent stated on talkSPORT: “He’s not up…
Rebecca Welch is set to make history as the first woman to officiate a Premier League match, having been appointed as the referee for the clash between Fulham and Burnley on Saturday, December 23. The 40-year-old previously achieved a landmark in EFL history by refereeing a game in April 2021 and subsequently took charge of a men’s FA Cup fixture nine months later. Additionally, Welch served as the fourth official during Manchester United’s 1-0 victory over Fulham in November, marking the first instance of a woman assuming this role. Welch’s upcoming role in the Fulham vs. Burnley match at Craven…
Graham Potter is set to make a managerial comeback, following his departure from the role of Chelsea head coach eight months ago, as reported by 90min. Despite signing a five-year contract last September to replace Thomas Tuchel, Potter was let go in April after a disappointing record of only 12 wins out of 31 games. Since leaving Chelsea, Potter has reportedly turned down opportunities from Lyon and Leicester, and dismissed links to Championship side Stoke City. However, the latest information suggests that he is now gearing up for a return to management in 2024. Recent reports have linked Potter to…
Eddie Howe conceded that the Champions League exit left Newcastle United “absolutely devastated.” The team aimed to secure a spot in the knockout stages with a victory over AC Milan at St James’ Park, contingent on Paris Saint-Germain failing to win against Borussia Dortmund. PSG drew 1-1 in Germany, leaving the door open for Newcastle to qualify alongside Dortmund. Despite Joelinton’s first-half goal igniting hope, Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze’s efforts secured a 2-1 win for Milan, breaking Newcastle hearts. Speaking to TNT Sports post-game, Howe reflected, “I thought there were some really good bits; we were dominant at times…