Category sport-news

Kenya will receive another fine over crowd safety and security breaches, a football governing body said Wednesday, with officials promising to prevent chaotic scenes outside stadiums with extra security.

It is the first time three east African countries — Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda — have hosted the ongoing African Nations Championship, but the historic moment has been overshadowed by long delays over the stadiums’ readiness and now unruly spectators.

Crowds have stormed Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium without tickets at previous matches involving Kenya, with videos on social media showing people chaotically streaming into the facility being shared — and condemned — widely online.

The continent has a deadly history of football crowds losing control, with 140 people dying in a stampede outside a Guinean stadium last year.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has already fined Kenya — imposing a $17,500 fine on Monday — and limited the crowd size ahead of their match against Zambia on Sunday.

READ ALSO: Romero Replaces Son As Spurs Captain

CAF’s disciplinary board said there had been “multiple safety and security breaches” at the Kasarani Stadium, stating that it had “found Kenya guilty and imposed a fine of $50,000”.

In a statement online, CAF warned Kenya must meet safety and security requirements — advising additional security at matches — otherwise the country’s games may be relocated “to an alternative venue”.

Sports minister Salim Mvurya said that they had assured CAF they would comply with international standards.

“We have taken a senior security meeting this morning with the senior ranks in our police service, and we have agreed that we will put extra measures to ensure we secure Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums,” he told reporters.

Mvurya said there would also be increased checkpoints on the roads approaching the stadium.

He also acknowledged many Kenyan football fans would not be able to access the stadium, announcing the establishment of six “fan zones” across the capital.

Fan violence and stadium stampedes across Africa have led to the deaths of hundreds of supporters over the last decade, including in 2020 when seven fans died in a stampede in Kenya.

Cristian Romero has been named as Tottenham’s new captain after the departure of club legend Son Heung-min.

Son, who had worn the armband for the last two seasons and lifted the Europa League in May as Spurs ended their 17-year wait for a trophy, joined LAFC earlier this month.

Romero had acted as vice-captain for the previous two years and started the Europa League final win over Manchester United as skipper before Son came off the bench in the second half.

The 27-year-old Argentine will lead his side out when Tottenham take on European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

“I had a good conversation with Cuti Romero and he’s going to be our captain,” new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank told the official club website.

“He was very honoured and very happy about it. It’s a big thing and should be to lead this wonderful club out on the pitch, not just for this Super Cup, but also throughout the season.

“I think he has all the right qualities. He leads from his behaviour on the pitch, driving the team forward in every way and outside the pitch he’s always pushing the team.”

Romero, who joined Spurs from Atalanta four years ago, was part of the Argentina side that won the 2022 World Cup.

Marcus Rashford decried Manchester United’s lack of strategy as leaving the English giants in “no man’s land” after joining Barcelona on loan.

The 27-year-old, who played 426 times for United after coming through the club’s academy, left Old Trafford in January for a loan spell at Aston Villa after falling out of favour with new manager Ruben Amorim.

United went on to have their worst season since being relegated in 1973/74 as they finished 15th in the Premier League and failed to qualify for European competition.

Rashford believes the root of United’s problems is in the instability caused by appointing six different managers since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

“We have been way below where we deem United to be but then if you take a step back, which I’ve been able to do, especially over these last six months, what do you expect?” Rashford told the Rest Is Football podcast.

“When Liverpool went through this, they got (Jurgen) Klopp, they stuck with him. They didn’t win in the beginning. People only remember his final few years when he was competing with (Manchester) City and winning the biggest trophies.

“To start a transition, you have to make a plan and stick to it. It’s not easy to do. But this is where I speak about being realistic with what your situation is.

“We’ve had that many different managers, different ideas and different strategies to win that you end up in no man’s land.”

READ ALSO: Rashford Joins Barca On Loan From Man United

United have failed to even contend for the Premier League title or the Champions League since Ferguson’s departure.

Rashford is one of the few success stories for the Red Devils in that time.

After breaking into the team as an 18-year-old in 2016, he went on to score 138 goals for the club, winning two FA Cups and two League Cups.

However, he believes the winning culture embedded during Ferguson’s 27-year tenure has been worn away.

“When Ferguson was in charge, not only were there principles for the first team but they were for the whole academy,” Rashford added.

“Any team that has been successful over a period of time, they have principles that mean that any coach or player that comes in has to align to or add to the principles.

“At times, United were hungry to win… but it was reactionary. If your direction is always changing, you can’t expect to win the league.”

Rashford appears to have played his last game for United with his move to Spanish champions Barca containing an option to buy for a reported 35 million euros (£30 million, $41 million).

Manchester City winger Jack Grealish joined Everton on loan for the 2025-26 season on Tuesday in a bid to salvage his troubled career.

Grealish fell out of favour with City boss Pep Guardiola last season and made just seven starts in the Premier League.

The 29-year-old was left out of City’s squad for the Club World Cup in the United States in a clear indication that he was no longer wanted by Guardiola.

Everton’s deal for Grealish, who earns a reported £300,000 ($402,000) per week, comes just before the new Premier League campaign starts for the Toffees at Leeds on August 18.

“I’m over the moon to have signed for Everton – it’s massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans,” Grealish said.

Grealish has chosen the number 18 shirt at Everton in tribute to Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, who wore it during their time with the club.

READ ALSO: Last Liverpool Goal Had Special Meaning For Jota

“My two favourite English players ever are Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne and I know they both wore number 18 here,” he said.

“I spoke to Wayne before I came here and I mentioned that to him – about the number 18 – so I hope he’s happy as well.”

Grealish joined City from Aston Villa in 2021 for a then British record fee of £100 million.

The England international has won three Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FA Cup with City, but his form had dipped significantly since he played a key role in the 2022-23 treble-winning campaign.

‘Only one place I wanted to go’

He was left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad, an omission that left him “heartbroken”.

Guardiola rarely picked Grealish last season despite City’s struggles and he was left on the bench for the shock FA Cup final defeat against Crystal Palace.

Amid concerns about his personal life after repeated reports of alcohol-fuelled late nights, Grealish will have a chance to revive his spluttering career at Everton and potentially earn a recall to the England squad ahead of next year’s World Cup.

“As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go,” Grealish said.

“On social media, I’ve been flooded with messages from Everton supporters, so there’s that side of it as well and that’s another reason why I chose Everton.

“I want to say thank you to the fans for all of the messages I’ve had already. Thank you for all of the love and support. I hope I can repay you now and I’m sure I will.”

Everton recently left Goodison Park to move into their new Hill Dickinson stadium ahead of the season, with Grealish set to take centre stage in the plush arena.

He ranks as Everton’s biggest signing since the end of last season after a quiet summer in the transfer market for boss David Moyes.

“We welcome Jack to Everton and we’re very pleased to have him on board,” Moyes said.

“I think we’re getting him at a good time because he’s experienced, he understands the Premier League and we’re all fully aware of the levels he’s capable of performing to.

“I know Jack’s ambition is to get back into the England squad, so hopefully we can help him achieve that over the course of the season.”

Diogo Jota revealed the emotional meaning behind his last Liverpool goal in a touching interview before his death in a car crash.

Jota and his brother Andre Silva died when their Lamborghini went off the road in the accident in northern Spain on July 3.

The Portugal forward was on his way back to England to start pre-season training after helping Liverpool win the Premier League title last term.

Jota’s final goal for Liverpool was the vital winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield in April.

Speaking in an interview just weeks before his death, Jota admitted he felt proud to be able to contribute to Arne Slot’s team by scoring in such an important game.

READ ALSO: PSG Sign Ukrainian Defender Illia Zabarnyi From Bournemouth

“It was a very tough season for me but I was always there fighting and I could help the team that day and I’m proud of what I could still do,” he said in the documentary titled “Champions 24-25: The Inside Story”.

“It’s hard to describe. That’s the feeling I look for when I play football, that’s why you put all your life and all your efforts to moments like that, moments where you can decide an important game.”

Jota, 28, spent five years with Liverpool after joining from Wolves in 2020.

He won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Anfield.

“It is something I could not even dream as a kid, I wanted to play in the Premier League but I could never imagine to win it,” Jota said in the documentary about his Liverpool success.

“Pictures that will be shown forever. It is a remarkable achievement for a small guy that came from Gondomar, where I had this dream.”

Liverpool have posthumously retired his number 20 shirt and the club have announced that Jota will be remembered with a permanent sculpture outside Anfield, while a mural of the star already adorns the wall of a building near the stadium.

European champions Paris Saint-Germain said on Tuesday they have signed Ukrainian centre-back Illia Zabarnyi from Premier League club Bournemouth.

British media reports said the deal was worth around £57 million ($76.7 million, 66 million euros).

“Paris Saint-Germain are excited to welcome Illia Zabarnyi,” PSG said in a statement, adding he would be the first Ukrainian ever to play for the club.

The arrival of Zabarnyi, 22, could jeopardise the place of Brazilian stalwart Marquinhos in the starting lineup.

Zabarnyi had an impressive 2024-2025 season in England when Bournemouth finished ninth and the club’s supporters voted him their player of the season in the previous campaign.

Bournemouth have now sold three of their first-choice defensive lineup from last season after Milos Kerkez moved to Premier League champions Liverpool and Dean Huijsen was transferred to Real Madrid.

Qatar-owned PSG, who thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 to win the Champions League for the first time in May, also signed highly-rated Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier last Saturday, a move that appears to herald the possible departure of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The Italian international ‘keeper has not been included in the squad for Wednesday’s European Super Cup final against Europa League winners Tottenham in Italy.

The absence of the 26-year-old, who was outstanding in PSG’s march to European glory, could ignite interest from the Premier League heavyweights.

Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly both interested.