Scores of people have been arrested in France for attempting to disrupt the Olympic Games, according to Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin on Monday. Darmanin reported that 50 individuals were detained by security forces. They had planned “sabotage actions or radical protests” during the initial Olympic competitions, but authorities successfully prevented these efforts. The newspaper *Le Parisien* noted that 45 members of the radical environmental group Extinction Rebellion were among those arrested. They intended to protest the social and ecological impacts of the Games. Additionally, *Le Figaro* reported the arrest of an ultra-left-wing activist on Sunday in Oissel, about 121 kilometers…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Nigeria’s D’Tigress achieved a remarkable 75-62 victory over world number three Australia in their opening game of the women’s basketball event at the 2024 Olympic Games. This win marks their first Olympic victory in 20 years. Ezinne Kalu was Nigeria’s standout player, contributing 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Despite trailing by eight points in the first quarter, the D’Tigress rallied to lead 41-28 at halftime. Australia made a strong comeback, closing the gap to just four points by the end of the third quarter. However, D’Tigress held firm and secured the impressive 75-62 win.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has praised the club’s Turkish international, Arda Güler, highlighting his exceptional talent. Kroos emphasized that Güler’s goal against Georgia at Euro 2024 was a testament to his skill, not mere luck. Speaking at the launch of The Icon League, Kroos lauded Güler, noting, “When Arda played more towards the end of the season, he scored consistently. His finishing is unreal. His goal at the Euros was not just luck.” Kroos had previously spoken highly of Güler, stating via Managing Madrid, “He has immense talent for his age and a remarkably fine left foot. He…
Australia forward Alanna Smith admitted that the Opals struggled against D’Tigress’s physicality in their 75-62 loss during their Group B match at the 2024 Olympic Games. Smith acknowledged that excessive turnovers were a major issue. “Turning the ball over was the crux of the game,” she said. “We turned the ball over far too much and weren’t prepared to handle the physicality.” In their next game, Australia will face Canada, while Nigeria will compete against host France.
Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has expressed confidence that his club can secure both the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles this season. Ibrahimovic, who made his return to the squad in Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Newcastle, believes that under Jose Mourinho, United can close the gap on league leaders Manchester City. Currently, Manchester United is in second place, trailing City by 8 points. In the Champions League, United have won all four of their group stage matches and need just one point from their remaining two games to advance to the knockout stage. Their next fixture is…
On Monday, Donald Trump criticized the Paris Olympics opening ceremony as a “disgrace,” following backlash over elements of the show. Trump told Fox News, “I’m very open-minded, but I thought what they did was a disgrace.” The ceremony faced condemnation from Catholic groups and French bishops due to a segment featuring dancers, drag queens, and a DJ in poses reminiscent of the Last Supper, despite the creators’ claims that it was not intended to depict the religious scene. This sequence sparked international criticism from Christian groups and far-right politicians on social media. When asked by Laura Ingraham about his plans…
Arsenal have been eyeing a new striker for several months, and their pursuit could intensify as the Premier League season draws near. Recently, the Gunners sent scouts to evaluate Viktor Gyökeres of Sporting Lisbon. They are also monitoring Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, whose situation remains under review. Paris Saint-Germain have been in discussions to acquire Osimhen, but negotiations with Napoli, who are demanding over £84 million, have yet to be finalized. Amid these developments, Arsenal has reportedly renewed their interest in Osimhen and sought additional information about him. Despite this, Corriere dello Sport indicates that the Gunners are currently placing…
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has discussed the final details of a potential transfer to Napoli, with the Serie A club eager to sign the Belgian as a replacement for star player Victor Osimhen, according to CaughtOffside. Napoli have shown interest in Lukaku for some time, with manager Antonio Conte, who previously worked with him at Inter Milan, actively trying to persuade the 31-year-old to choose Napoli over other options such as AC Milan, Roma, and clubs in the Saudi Pro League. Sources at Napoli have confirmed that they are close to reaching a verbal agreement on personal terms with Lukaku.…
Real Madrid forward, Kylian Mbappe has bought a French professional football club, Caen. Mbappe, who is the current highest earner at Real aMadrid, will become majority owner of Caen at the age of just 25 after striking a deal for the club. Le Parisien reports that the France captain will pay just under €20 million to purchase most of the shares in Caen. Pierre-Antin Capton will hold the remainder of the shares at the club worth €5million. Caen currently participates in the French Ligue 2
Atlético Madrid and Chelsea are currently engaged in discussions to transfer midfielder Conor Gallagher to Atlético under the management of Diego Simeone. This information was shared by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on his X account on Tuesday. Romano noted that Gallagher is a top target for Atlético Madrid this summer. “Negotiations are ongoing for a deal worth approximately €35-40 million, including add-ons, as requested by Chelsea. Gallagher, who has been a top target for Atlético since May, is now nearing a move,” Romano tweeted.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expressed disappointment over the early exits of Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund due to injuries during the match against Arsenal. Yoro was forced off after suffering an injury in the latter part of the game, while Hojlund, who had earlier scored with a powerful shot, was substituted with a suspected hamstring issue. Gabriel Jesus equalized for Arsenal in the first half, and Ten Hag later claimed Jesus’s goal was offside. Yoro’s injury occurred during a drinks break, leading to his immediate substitution. Post-match, Ten Hag shared his frustration, particularly regarding Yoro’s injury. “It’s too…
Mikel Arteta praised 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri for his standout performance in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United. Nwaneri, who made history as the youngest Premier League player at 16, impressed at Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles. Starting the match, Nwaneri provided an assist for Gabriel Jesus’s goal. Arteta highlighted the teenager’s potential and suggested that if he maintains his current form, more playing time will follow. “It’s always up to the players to showcase their talent, ambition, and quality. If he continues to perform like this, he’ll definitely see minutes on Wednesday,” Arteta noted. The Arsenal manager also expressed satisfaction…
Manchester United’s pre-season friendly against Arsenal offered players a chance to prove their worth for the upcoming season. However, Antony and Jadon Sancho missed another opportunity to make an impact, as noted by the Daily Mail. With a combined transfer cost of £159 million, both players are under significant pressure to perform. Yet, their displays against Arsenal fell short, as neither created notable chances or threatened the opposition’s defense. Antony, making his pre-season debut on the right wing, and Sancho, featuring on the left in the second half, were both ineffective. Their lackluster performances raise concerns for Erik ten Hag,…
Organizers of the Paris Olympics issued an apology on Sunday for any offense caused by their bold and unconventional opening ceremony. They emphasized that there was no intention to disrespect any religious group despite criticisms from some Catholic groups and French bishops who saw elements of the ceremony as mocking Christianity. The controversy centered on a scene featuring dancers, drag queens, and a DJ, which some believed resembled the Last Supper. Paris 2024 spokeswoman Anne Descamps stressed that the ceremony was intended to promote inclusivity and was not meant to offend. “If people have taken any offense, we are truly…
After Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, Erik ten Hag’s primary concern will likely be the injury status of Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro rather than the result itself. Both players, expected to be vital for the season, were substituted in the first half due to injury. Ten Hag’s post-match comments were somewhat reassuring, but the severity of the injuries remains a significant concern. Hojlund, who left the field shortly after scoring due to what seemed to be a groin issue, briefly addressed the media after the game. When questioned about his injury, he offered a terse two-word response: “We’ll…
The decision of Spanish winger Nico Williams, currently with Athletic Club, is expected to be announced soon, potentially leading to disappointment for Barcelona fans. Williams has been deliberating between remaining at his boyhood club for another season or making a high-profile move to Barcelona, with Paris Saint-Germain also interested but reportedly lagging behind. According to Eleven Sports Poland’s Daniel Sobis, Williams is leaning towards staying at Athletic Club, though this has not been confirmed by the player or his representatives. This uncertainty has caused notable anxiety among all parties involved, as reported by journalists Toni Juanmarti and Victor Navarro. Williams’…
Manchester United youngster Toby Collyer has praised teammate Casemiro as one of the best midfielders ever. Collyer, reflecting on his experience after a preseason match against Arsenal, noted how much he has learned from the Brazilian midfielder. “It’s incredibly valuable to learn from him,” Collyer told MUTV. “He’s one of the best ever in that position. Watching him in training and having him next to me, offering guidance and support, is fantastic. He’s a real leader in the team.” In the preseason friendly, Arsenal defeated Manchester United 2-1, with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. Rasmus Hojlund initially put…
Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has expressed doubts about the club’s acquisition of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna. Yorke is skeptical about the £36.5 million deal for the Dutch forward, who joined Manchester United this summer. Although the 23-year-old Zirkzee had an impressive season with Bologna, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists, he only made two substitute appearances for the Netherlands in Euro 2024, where they lost 2-1 to England in the semi-final. Yorke views this as a ‘red flag,’ questioning why Zirkzee is not a regular starter for his national team. He commented to the Manchester Evening News,…
In a troubling development for Manchester United, new signing Leny Yoro was forced to leave the pitch just 30 minutes into his debut match, casting uncertainty over his immediate future with the club. The highly anticipated defender, who joined United from Lille earlier this summer, suffered what appeared to be a lower-leg injury during the first half of the team’s pre-season friendly against a local side. The 19-year-old was seen limping off the field after a seemingly minor challenge and required medical assistance. Initial assessments suggest a lower-leg injury, but further evaluations are needed to determine the full extent of…
In a closely contested match in Los Angeles, Manchester United fell 2-1 to Arsenal, with concerns emerging over possible injuries to key players Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro. The game started with United in control, putting pressure on Arsenal’s defense. Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Karl Hein, made two crucial saves early on. Rasmus Hojlund scored the opening goal for United, showcasing his precision and speed. However, Hojlund soon appeared to injure his groin and was substituted by Hannibal Mejbri. Arsenal capitalized on a counterattack, with Gabriel Jesus scoring an equalizer from close range. Although there was controversy over whether Jesus was offside,…