Category: Entertainment

Manchester City have firmly denied the existence of any release clause in Erling Haaland’s contract that would allow him to join Real Madrid this summer. The Premier League champions issued a strong statement refuting claims from Spain about the striker’s future.

The controversy began when Enrique Riquelme, a candidate in Real Madrid’s presidential election, announced plans to sign both Haaland and Rodri if he wins. Riquelme specifically mentioned a release clause in Haaland’s current deal, prompting City to react.

In an official statement, Manchester City said: “The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are false. There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it.” The club also warned that they are considering legal action over the unauthorized use of Haaland’s image in this context.

City’s response leaves no room for ambiguity: Haaland is not for sale, and there is no exit clause in his contract that Madrid could exploit. The Norwegian international has been a key figure for City since joining, and the club appears determined to keep him at the Etihad Stadium.

Patrice Evra, the legendary Manchester United defender, has taken another swipe at Arsenal following their heartbreaking Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners fell short in a penalty shootout, losing 4-3 after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

In a social media post, Evra shared a video of himself dancing to MC Hammer’s iconic track ‘U Can’t Touch This’, implying that Arsenal cannot get their hands on the prestigious trophy. He taunted that while the North London club may have secured the Premier League title, they will not win the Champions League for at least another five decades.

This is not the first time Evra has targeted Arsenal. Last season, after their semifinal exit to PSG, he posted a video expressing sympathy but also criticizing the fans. He stated, ‘I feel for Arsenal, but people are too harsh on them. I love Arteta; he’s a close friend. The problem isn’t the players; it’s the fans who believe everything. I’m not sure I’d do business with an Arsenal fan because they make empty promises. All in good fun—I don’t hate Arsenal; you can’t hate your own kids.’

Evra’s career record against Arsenal is formidable: in 21 encounters, he won 13, lost only 4, scored once, and provided an assist—all in the Premier League.

Chelsea is set to undergo a major squad overhaul this summer, with the club placing four players on the transfer list. Among them is Alejandro Garnacho, who failed to make an impact at Stamford Bridge after his move from Manchester United.

The Argentine winger, once seen as a bright prospect at Old Trafford, struggled for game time in west London. Despite a £40 million fee paid last year, Garnacho managed only 14 Premier League starts and scored just once. His long-term contract runs until 2032, but the Blues are now open to offers.

New manager Xabi Alonso, who takes over in July, wants two or three established signings to strengthen the squad. To fund these moves, Chelsea must trim their bloated roster. The Daily Mail reports that Garnacho, goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, defender Axel Disasi, and one of Liam Delap, Marc Guiu, or Nicolas Jackson are candidates for departure.

Jorgensen, signed for £20m in 2024, spent most of last season as backup to Robert Sanchez, featuring in only six league matches. Disasi, a £38.5m acquisition three years ago, is also available, but he won’t return to West Ham after their relegation.

Meanwhile, Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella have been linked with moves away, but Chelsea is not actively pushing them out. Fernandez wants to leave for Manchester City or Real Madrid, but the club demands £120m for the midfielder. Cucurella, valued at £60m, has interest from City, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea has also decided to sell a striker. Jackson, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, failed to trigger a permanent move. He wants assurances from Alonso about playing time to stay. Delap, signed from Ipswich, scored only two goals last season, while Guiu’s future is uncertain.

On the other hand, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Estevao Willian, Moises Caicedo, and Josh Acheampong are not for sale. Decisions on Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, Andrey Santos, Mamadou Sarr, and Tosin Adarabioyo will be made after Alonso’s arrival.

The Blues finished 10th in the Premier League last season, and Alonso is tasked with improving the team. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder will officially start his role on July 1.

Nigerian gospel singer Yinka Alaseyori has issued a public apology following backlash over her earlier statements about the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State. The incident, which occurred on May 15, 2026, at Community High School in Ahoro-Esinele, Oriire Local Government Area, saw bandits kidnap seven teachers and several students.

Shortly after the attack, a disturbing video surfaced online showing the assailants beheading one of the abducted educators, sparking widespread outrage and fear across the nation. The tragedy has intensified calls for better security measures in schools.

In response to the growing protests by labour unions, parents, and citizens frustrated by the government’s slow response, Alaseyori initially urged Nigerians to pray for President Bola Tinubu and security forces. However, her comments were met with criticism, with many accusing her of being out of touch and urging practical action over prayer.

Facing a storm of criticism from social media users and fellow celebrities, the singer recorded a second video on Wednesday to apologize. She explained that her earlier message was intended to comfort grieving families and support the military, but acknowledged that some felt their concerns were dismissed.

In the apology, Alaseyori said she never meant to cause pain and pleaded with mothers not to be angry, emphasizing her empathy for those affected. She clarified that the trending clip was taken out of context from a longer video she had made. The full apology video is available on her social media.

Newcastle United have entered the contest to secure the services of AIK’s promising Nigerian winger, Zadok Yohanna, according to sources. The Magpies have lodged a €24 million offer for the 18-year-old, edging out Brighton & Hove Albion’s earlier bid of €23 million.

Brighton had initially emerged as frontrunners after submitting their proposal last weekend. However, Newcastle’s intervention has intensified the competition, with AIK now engaged in negotiations with both Premier League clubs.

Yohanna has made a significant impression in the Swedish top flight this season, netting two goals and providing three assists in seven league appearances. The winger joined AIK from Nigeria’s Ikon Allah Football Academy last year and has quickly broken into the senior team, showcasing his potential on a bigger stage.

The race for his signature remains open, with both clubs keen to secure his talents for the upcoming campaign.

Manchester City are currently engaged in discussions with Chelsea regarding the compensation fee for Enzo Maresca. The two clubs are working through the legal details, with lawyers from both sides involved in the negotiations. Maresca departed Chelsea with three and a half years remaining on his contract back in January.

City are optimistic about reaching an agreement this week as they aim to bring the Italian coach on board as Pep Guardiola’s successor. While the proposed three-year deal for Maresca is not yet finalized, a contract is anticipated to be completed in the coming days. The talks are focusing on the timeline of his appointment, the composition of his backroom staff, and other specific terms.

Chelsea were informed by Maresca last autumn about City’s interest in him as a potential replacement for Guardiola. Maresca previously served as Guardiola’s assistant coach during the 2022/23 season, when City secured the treble.

Kwara United midfielder Toyeeb Gidado has voiced his frustration after the team’s early departure from the 2026 President Federation Cup. The Harmony Boys suffered a 1-0 defeat against Sokoto United in the Round of 32 on Tuesday.

Gidado attributed the loss to their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. “It was an extremely difficult match; the opponent was well-organized and strong,” he told Raysports. “We created chances but failed to convert them, and we paid the price.”

The midfielder admitted the squad is deeply disappointed, especially after their triumph in last year’s competition in Lagos. “Our goal was to defend the title, so this result is very hard to accept,” he added.

The Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, are set to lock horns with Poland in a pre-2026 FIFA World Cup friendly scheduled for Wednesday night. This encounter marks only the second meeting between the two sides in history.

Fresh off retaining the Unity Cup, Eric Chelle’s squad arrived for the match after a flawless run against Zimbabwe and Jamaica. Meanwhile, Poland enters this fixture as part of their World Cup preparations, having previously secured a 2-0 victory over Ukraine in their first friendly.

Their lone previous clash was a March 2018 friendly, which Nigeria won 1-0. Below, we provide live updates as the action unfolds in Warsaw.

LINEUPS:

Poland XI: Kamil Grabara; Przemyslaw Wisniewski, Jan Bednarek, Kacper Potulski, Jakub Kaminski, Bartosz Slisz, Piotr Zielinski, Nicola Zalewski; Sebastian Szymanski, Robert Lewandowski, Karol Swiderski.

Nigeria XI: Maduka Okoye; Abdullahi Bewene, Igoh Ogbu, Emmanuel Fernandez, Onyemaechi Bruno; Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Tochukwu Nnadi, Moses Simon; Akor Adams, Terem Moffi.

LIVE UPDATES:

First Half: The Super Eagles strike first! A brilliant build-up culminates with Terem Moffi slotting home a low cross from Moses Simon. 1-0 Nigeria. Poland responds quickly as Kacper Potulski heads in from a corner to level the score. 1-1. The half ends with the teams tied.

Second Half: Nigeria regains the lead via a penalty. Paul Onuachu coolly converts from the spot to make it 2-1. However, Poland snatches a draw with the last kick of the game—Przemyslaw Wisniewski unleashes a long-range strike that beats Maduka Okoye. Final score: 2-2.

Full Time: A thrilling contest ends in a stalemate. For the full match report, see below.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially announced the pairings for the quarter-final stage of the 2026 Women’s President Federation Cup, setting the stage for intense battles among eight top Nigerian women’s football clubs.

In one of the standout fixtures, Rivers Angels will square off against Robo Queens in a highly anticipated South-South derby. Both teams have strong regional followings and will be eager to secure a spot in the semifinals.

Another thrilling encounter sees Heartland Queens take on Ibom Angels. Both sides have shown impressive form in the tournament so far, promising a closely fought contest.

Sunshine Queens and Confluence Queens will lock horns in the third quarter-final. This matchup pits two well-organized teams against each other, each aiming to advance further in the competition.

Completing the quarter-final lineup, Edo Queens will face Nasarawa Amazons. This clash is expected to be a test of tactical discipline and attacking prowess.

The Women’s President Federation Cup continues to showcase the growing depth of talent in Nigerian women’s football, with these fixtures highlighting the competitive nature of the league. The NFF is expected to announce the specific dates, venues, and kick-off times for these matches in the coming days, adding to the anticipation among fans and players alike.

Aliyu Zubair, the former coach of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, has pinpointed a critical issue that is preventing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs from advancing past the group stages in African tournaments. According to Zubair, the prevalent practice of short-term signings is a major obstacle.

Speaking on Kwara SWAN’s Sports Hard Talk programme on Wednesday, Zubair emphasized that NPFL teams need to move away from this temporary recruitment trend if they hope to be competitive on the continent. He argued that clubs should instead focus on retaining a stable core of players over several seasons.

Zubair noted that many other African clubs sign players for three to four years, allowing them to develop strong team chemistry and mutual understanding on the pitch. This long-term approach, he explained, gives them a distinct edge over Nigerian sides.

“As long as we continue with short-term contracts, we will struggle in continental competitions,” Zubair warned. “In other parts of Africa, clubs sign players for longer periods, enabling them to build cohesion that we lack.”

Looking ahead, Rivers United and Enugu Rangers have secured spots in next season’s CAF Champions League, while Shooting Stars and the 2026 President Federation Cup winner will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup. Zubair’s comments suggest that without a change in philosophy, these teams may face similar challenges as their predecessors.