Category sport-news

The UK government’s leadership was holding urgent discussions on Friday to overturn a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending a game at Aston Villa, which Israel’s government characterized as “shameful.”

Villa of Birmingham claimed the club had been informed that no away fans would be permitted at the Europa League game on November 6 due to the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which is responsible for issuing game certificates.

“Awful choice!” Gideon Saar, the foreign minister of Israel, posted on X in support of this dishonest decision.

As Starmer and the European governing body UEFA’s criticism of the ban mounted, a UK police commissioner requested local officials review the decision.

Starmer, a devoted football fan, described the choice as “wrong.”

“We won’t tolerate antisemitism on our streets,” he declared. Without resorting to intimidation or violence, the police have the responsibility to make sure all football fans can enjoy the game, according to Starmer in X.

Conversations are “happening at a pace across government and with all the relevant groups to find a way to resolve this,” according to a prime minister’s spokesman on Friday.

Lisa Nandy, the British culture secretary, had scheduled meetings with representatives from the interior ministry and other interested parties.

The clubs and authorities were asked to “agree on the implementation of appropriate measures necessary to allow” Maccabi fans to attend, according to UEFA, the organization that runs the Europa League.

The West Midlands area’s police and crime commissioner, Simon Foster, requested that SAG and the police “conduct an immediate review” to determine whether the ban is “appropriate” and “necessary.”

However, a number of independent, left-wing politicians in the UK supported the ban, with some calling for the boycott of international competitions by Israeli teams due to the conflict in Gaza, similar to the apartheid sport in South Africa.

Also read:  Yamil Sets To Return As Wounded Barca Start Clasico Countdown

concerns about public safety

West Midlands Police informed the SAG that they had “public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night,” according to Villa in a statement on Thursday.

Following a “thorough assessment,” police claimed to have determined the fixture to be “high risk.”

A spokesperson for the West Midlands force said the decision was based on “current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crimes that occurred during the 2024 UEFA Europa League game between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam.”

Two days of violent clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli fans took place in the match between Dutch side Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in November.

Hit-and-run assaults targeted Israeli team supporters in Amsterdam.

The skirmishes that Maccabi fans chanted anti-Arab songs, vandalized a taxi, and pulled down a Palestinian flag were the climax of.

Emily Damari, a British-Israeli who was held captive for more than a year after being abducted on October 7, 2023, claimed the ban would prevent her from seeing Maccabi, the team she supports.

Despite people’s religion, race, or religion, football is a way to unite people, and this dreadful decision does the opposite, she said in a statement.

Tamir Nahson, a wine importer in Israel and a Maccabi fan, described the situation as “missing opportunity.”

“It’s very painful that [the nation] has turned into the UK for anti-Semitism. It’s very painful, unpleasant for us, and disappointing for Aston Villa fans as well.

The team had traveled to other nations, according to Maccabi Tel Aviv CEO Jack Angelides, who claimed the sentiment was “not so kind toward Israeli teams” but that there had been no incidents.

According to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, the war has claimed the lives of at least 67 out of 967 people in Gaza. The figures are reliable, according to the UN.

1, 221 people died as a result of Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7 based on official Israeli figures, according to an AFP tally.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday that captain Martin Odegaard could be missing until after the November international break due to the Norwegian’s latest injury setback.

Odegaard set an unwanted record by becoming the first player in Premier League history to be substituted before half-time in three consecutive starts when he came off with a knee injury against West Ham on October 3.

The 26-year-old had previously struggled with a recurring shoulder problem this season.

READ ALSO: Liverpool Seek Mojo Against Man Utd, Postecoglou Hunts First Win

“It will be weeks. No definite date for his return, but he’s evolving well. Very unlucky, what’s happening with him and his injuries this season,” Arteta said ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Fulham on Saturday.

“It could be (after the next international break), but we’ll have to see how he progresses, how the knee’s healing, how he manages after the next steps in his rehab, so too early to give an answer,” he added.

Despite Odegaard’s disrupted start to the season and other injuries to Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, William Saliba and Noni Madueke, Arsenal have stormed to the top of the Premier League.

The Gunners lead title rivals Liverpool by one point after seven games as they seek to go one better after finishing third for three consecutive seasons.

Viktor Gyokeres was signed to end Arsenal’s need for a prolific striker.

The Swede, though, has so far scored just three times in 10 appearances and has not netted in his last eight matches for club and country.

Arteta backed the 27-year-old to come good and claimed to have been pleased with Gyokeres’ all-round performances so far.

“He brings so much to the team and watching the games back, I’m very pleased with what he’s given to the team,” added Arteta.

“I told him before the first meeting, ‘the nine that I want is a nine that when he doesn’t score for six or eight games, he can handle that. If not, you have to go somewhere else because the pressure, the expectation is going to be there.’

“If you put the number nine shirt on for Arsenal, you have to be able to say: ‘six games I don’t score, am I different player? Do I act in a different way?’

Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu has called up 21 players including skipper Rasheedat Ajibade, and Esther Okoronkwo, for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against Benin Republic. 

Nigeria’s team is made up of 21 players made up of three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders and six forwards.

Ajibade was the Player of the Tournament at the 2024 WAFCON where she led Nigeria to a record-extending 10th continental title in Morocco. The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star will be joined by Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto. 

Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie (Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year for two years running) is also on the list. Others include regulars like defender Michelle Alozie and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Jennifer Echegini and Deborah Abiodun, and forwards Asisat Oshoala, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Folashade Ijamilusi.

Veteran Mexico-based defender Osinachi Ohale, and midfielder Christy Ucheibe are also part of the squad.

READ ALSO: Yamal Set To Return As Wounded Barca Start Clasico Countdown

The game between the West African countries is the final qualifying fixture for the 2026 WAFCON to be hosted by Morocco.

The first leg is scheduled for the Stade Kegue, Lome, Togo on Saturday, 25 October while the return fixture will be played at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. 

That tournament will also serve as Africa’s qualifying competition for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals to be hosted by Brazil.

Nigeria are the defending champions of the WAFCON, beating hosts Morocco to land the record-extending title. 

Full List of Players for Super Falcons Vs Benin Republic WAFCON Qualifier

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons) 

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Abia Angels) 

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France); Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal) 

Liverpool will be desperate to recapture their spark against bitter rivals Manchester United this weekend but Ruben Amorim’s men will harbour hopes of pinching a rare win at Anfield.

The champions have lost just one of their past 14 Premier League meetings against United but have suffered three straight defeats in all competitions, with Arsenal now top of the pile.

Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou survived the international break but remains under intense pressure after failing to record a win in his first seven matches.

AFP Sport looks at three key talking points ahead of the weekend action:

When Liverpool started this season with five straight Premier League wins, it appeared they were on track for a record 21st English top-flight title — which would take them one clear of United.

But problems they had papered over with a flurry of late goals finally caught up with them in defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea, either side of a Champions League loss at Galatasary.

Liverpool, one point behind leaders Arsenal, trolled United on social media this week, reminding them of the 7-0 drubbing they dished out in March 2023.

Mohamed Salah scored twice that day and has an eye-catching record against United, netting in 10 of the past 11 matches between the clubs in all competitions.

But the Egypt forward will go into the fixture searching for form while new signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak are struggling to make an impact. Arne Slot’s men are also shaky at the back.

United, without a win at Anfield since 2016, have come away with creditable draws from their past two visits.

Ruben Amorim’s men, wallowing in mid-table, will not scare Liverpool but they will likely have chances to exploit chinks in the home side’s armour.

READ ALSO: Yamal Set To Return As Wounded Barca Start Clasico Countdown

Postecoglou still winless

Ange Postecoglou does not appear to be over-concerned about his position at Nottingham Forest despite a winless start to his reign at the City Ground.

The club, just one place above the relegation zone, host Chelsea in the early kick-off on Saturday.

It is a rapid fall from grace for Forest, who finished seventh last season under the now-departed Nuno Espirito Santo to secure European football.

But it continues a troubling pattern for Postecoglou, who endured a nightmare league campaign last season with Tottenham, which cost him his job despite Europa League glory.

The Australian said he relished a challenge after his team’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle on October 5, just days after home fans at the City Ground called for his sacking.

“I’ve fought for things my whole life, so it’s just another fight that I love to be in the middle of,” said the 60-year-old.

Time will tell whether the international break will help Postecoglou or has merely delayed the inevitable, with former Burnley and Everton manager Sean Dyche reportedly in the frame to replace him.

Antoine Semenyo is arguably the most in-form player in the Premier League, the main man in a Bournemouth team who are flying high.

The London-born Ghana winger has scored six times and provided three assists in the league for Andoni Iraola’s side, who are fourth in the table after their best start to a Premier League campaign.

Semenyo has been involved in nearly 82 percent of his team’s goals — by far the highest proportion for any player in the league.

“He is incredible,” said teammate Justin Kluivert. “He shows it every game now. He is just world-class.”

Iraola’s Bournemouth are riding high despite selling around £200-million ($269-million) worth of talent in the summer transfer window.

Now they a tough challenge against a Crystal Palace team determined to prove a point after the end of their 19-match unbeaten run across all competitions.

Premier League Fixtures This Weekend

Saturday (1400 GMT unless stated)

Nottingham Forest v Chelsea (1130), Brighton v Newcastle, Burnley v Leeds, Crystal Palace v Bournemouth, Manchester City v Everton, Sunderland v Wolves, Fulham v Arsenal (1630)

Sunday

Tottenham v Aston Villa (1300), Liverpool v Manchester United (1530)

Monday

West Ham v Brentford (1900)

Cole Palmer has been ruled out of action for six more weeks, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said on Friday.

The England midfielder has not played since Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on September 20 — when he came off midway through the first half.

Maresca initially said he hoped Palmer, 23, would be back after this month’s international break.

“I was wrong. Unfortunately, he needs to be out probably six more weeks. So, yes, this is the update,” he said.

The Italian said he was confident that the forward would not require surgery.

READ ALSO: Yamal Set To Return As Wounded Barca Start Clasico Countdown

“We try just to protect Cole as much as we can and the most important thing is that when he comes back he’s fully recovered,” he added.

Maresca, whose team face Nottingham Forest on Saturday, said replacing “one of the best players in the Premier League” was difficult.

“For sure, we need to find a different solution, we need to find different skills, because we don’t have another player like Cole,” he said. “Because Cole is unique.”

The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has confirmed that the second phase of the 2025 Ardova Handball Premier League will take place in Lagos from November 26 to December 6, 2025.

According to a statement signed by the HFN General Secretary, Monica Otumala, on Friday, the top-tier league—proudly sponsored by Ardova PLC—will be staged at two venues: the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Institute of Sports, Surulere, and the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba.

Teams are expected to arrive in Lagos on Tuesday, November 25, with a crucial Technical Meeting scheduled for the same day. Matches will kick off on Wednesday, November 26, and run through to Saturday, December 6, when the season’s champions will be crowned. Teams will depart on Sunday, December 7, 2025.

Otumala urged all participating clubs to begin preparations early and ensure completion of all documentary registrations ahead of the competition.

READ ALSO: Yamal Set To Return As Wounded Barca Start Clasico Countdown

“The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) is pleased to inform you that the 2nd phase of the 2025 Ardova Handball Premier League will take place from November 25 to December 7, 2025, in Lagos State,” she said.

“Participating teams must make all necessary arrangements to plan their arrival and departure within the stated period, and all documentary registrations of players must be completed on or before November 10, 2025,” Otumala added.

The Safety Shooters and Safety Babes, both owned by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), currently lead the men’s and women’s divisions respectively after the first phase of the league, which was held in Benin City, Edo State, in July.

In the men’s category, Safety Shooters sit atop the table with 28 points and a +97 goal difference, narrowly ahead of COAS Shooters, who also have 28 points but a lesser +50 goal difference. Rima Strikers of Sokoto occupy third place with 25 points, while defending champions Tojemarine Handball Club follow in fourth with 24 points.