Category: Entertainment

As Pep Guardiola prepares to leave Manchester City after his final match against Aston Villa, he has publicly expressed his unwavering faith in the club’s leadership concerning the ongoing investigation into 115 alleged financial breaches. The Spanish tactician, who departs before a verdict is announced, reiterated his belief that City’s hierarchy acted properly throughout the period in question.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s fixture, Guardiola acknowledged that the charges date back to between 2009 and 2018, overlapping with his tenure at the Etihad. Despite this, he emphasized that neither he nor the current playing and coaching staff were involved in the matters under scrutiny. “I trust them completely because I have spoken with them and I know how they operate,” Guardiola stated.

The 55-year-old manager has consistently maintained the club’s innocence and has even agreed to take on an ambassadorial role post-departure. He remains confident that the process will reach a fair resolution, distancing himself and the team from the alleged infractions. “It was a long time ago, and none of us here were responsible,” he added.

Guardiola’s exit marks the end of an era for City, with the club now facing an uncertain summer as the Premier League’s disciplinary case looms large. His comments aim to reassure supporters that the club’s integrity is intact, even as he hands over the reins.

Wayne Rooney, the former Manchester United striker, has shared his thoughts on the England squad selection for the upcoming World Cup 2026. According to Rooney, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer deserves a spot ahead of Noni Madueke, who currently plays for Arsenal.

During his appearance on The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC, the Manchester United legend argued that Palmer would be a more effective backup for Bukayo Saka than Madueke. Rooney believes Madueke has not been performing at a level that warrants his inclusion in the squad this season.

Rooney stated, “Cole Palmer has outperformed both Saka and Madueke in the 2025/26 season. I would have picked him, but that’s a decision the manager made. Looking at it, Arsenal haven’t done badly this season with Saka and Madueke as options, but Palmer should have been there.”

Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, explained his decision to exclude Palmer, citing a lack of individual form. Tuchel mentioned that Palmer has not been as influential as in previous seasons and has not made a significant impact when called up for national duty.

Tuchel said, “I believe Palmer suffered from a dip in form at Chelsea. He wasn’t as decisive or influential this season. Additionally, he wasn’t particularly effective when with us. His performance record with the national team was not enough to guarantee a spot. He had to withdraw multiple times due to injury, and when he was in camp, he didn’t deliver the impact we wanted.”

Since Tuchel took over in 2025, Palmer has failed to score in any of his three appearances and has missed a large portion of the World Cup qualifiers because of injuries.

Finidi George, the technical adviser of Rivers United, has expressed his hope that Ikorodu City can play a pivotal role in the outcome of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title race. The tactician is relying on the Lagos-based club to secure a favorable result when they face Rangers on the final day of the season at Mobolaji Johnson Arena this Sunday.

The Pride of Rivers find themselves in a must-win scenario as they prepare to host Katsina United in Port Harcourt. A victory is mandatory for Finidi’s men to keep their championship aspirations alive, but they also require Ikorodu City to at least avoid defeat against the league leaders. The coach emphasized that his squad is fully focused on delivering a win in their own match, while keeping a close eye on events unfolding in Lagos.

“We will concentrate on our game and see how the result in Lagos will be favorable,” Finidi stated during a media interaction with the club’s official channels. He acknowledged that Ikorodu City also have their own incentives to chase victory, which could work to Rivers United’s advantage. “Ikorodu City also want a win which is a plus for us as they also have something to play for. We have to win our own game too and hopefully the result will favor us,” he added.

Entering the final matchday, Rivers United are acutely aware that their fate is not entirely in their own hands. They must secure all three points against Katsina United and then hope that Ikorodu City can either hold Rangers to a draw or defeat them outright. The combination of results would catapult Rivers United to the top of the standings and hand them the coveted NPFL crown.

Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner Josephina Otabor, better known as Phyna, has expressed deep regret over how she handled the prize money from the show. She admitted that instead of investing the funds, she used them to support family members, a decision she now considers a major mistake.

During a recent live stream, the reality TV star opened up about her financial missteps. She confessed that her youth and inexperience led her to mismanage the money. Phyna also criticized her relatives for failing to provide sound financial guidance when she needed it most.

According to Phyna, her family members were constantly making demands for financial assistance rather than encouraging her to invest wisely. She recounted providing boreholes for several relatives, but as soon as she began refusing requests, conflicts arose. They would complain publicly and even tarnish her name in the media whenever she could not meet their expectations. Now that the money is gone, she faces the consequences alone.

The star lamented, “The biggest error was using my BBNaija winnings to help relatives instead of investing. I thought I was being helpful by clearing their debts and being generous. Not one older family member advised me on managing or investing the money. Everyone just kept asking for more. The moment I said ‘No,’ my problems with them began. Now that the cash is exhausted, I am left to deal with reality by myself.”

Phyna won the N100 million grand prize for the seventh season of Big Brother Naija in 2022. The prize included N50 million in cash and another N50 million worth of gifts from sponsors. The former housemate now wishes she had used the opportunity to secure her financial future rather than pleasing others.

Yoruba film star Omoshalewa Yusuf, popularly called Basira Beere, has bravely shared the harrowing story of her broken marriage. In a recent interview on the Talk to B podcast, she revealed that her ex-husband subjected her to severe physical violence, leading to the loss of four pregnancies. She disclosed that she financed about 70% of their wedding, believing she was uplifting her partner.

According to Beere, the turmoil began just two days after the ceremony. A male friend sent a congratulatory message, and when she replied with ‘dear,’ it sparked intense jealousy and aggression. The beatings became so brutal that even their landlord attempted to intervene. Despite the abuse, she stayed in the marriage because her parents constantly advised patience and endurance. Only her siblings, who lived with her, witnessed the full extent of her suffering.

She recounted that the violence escalated over trivial matters, resulting in four miscarriages. During their final confrontation, she was covered in blood—an incident that was anonymously reported to gossip blog Gistlover. Beere emphasized that the abuse was relentless, and she is now speaking out to raise awareness about domestic violence.

The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, has begun gathering in London for the upcoming 2026 Unity Cup. According to reports, thirteen players have already checked into the team’s camp, marking the start of their preparations for the invitational tournament.

Head coach Éric Chelle led a contingent of eight locally-based players and support staff to the United Kingdom on Friday. Among the foreign-based professionals who have joined the camp are Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Philip Otele, as confirmed by SCORENigeria.

The remaining fourteen members of the squad are anticipated to arrive by Saturday night at the latest. The Super Eagles are scheduled to hold their first training session ahead of their semi-final match against Zimbabwe, which is set to take place at the Valley next Tuesday.

Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, has been honored as the Premier League’s top player for the season. This marks a significant milestone in his career, as he secures the award for the first time.

Throughout the campaign, the Portuguese midfielder netted eight goals and matched a historic record by providing 20 assists, a feat previously achieved only by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. His playmaking ability was a key factor in United’s successful push for a Champions League spot.

By winning this accolade, Fernandes becomes the first Manchester United player to claim the award since Nemanja Matic did so in the 2010/11 season. He also joins an elite group of United legends who have received the honor, including Peter Schmeichel, Dwight Yorke, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Wayne Rooney.

Earlier, Fernandes had already been named the FWA Footballer of the Year, adding this Premier League award to his collection. His outstanding performances have been instrumental in guiding Manchester United back to the Champions League, capping off a remarkable season for the 31-year-old.

Galatasaray’s chairman, Dursun Özbek, has firmly stated that the club has no plans to part ways with striker Victor Osimhen during the upcoming summer transfer window. The Nigerian forward, who was initially acquired on a temporary deal from Napoli, played a pivotal role in securing the Turkish Süper Lig title for the Istanbul giants.

Özbek praised Osimhen’s contributions, noting that his performances on the pitch were nothing short of outstanding. He emphasized the player’s deep affection for both Galatasaray and Turkey, revealing that Osimhen expressed a strong desire to remain with the club. This led to direct talks with Napoli regarding his future.

When questioned about a potential price tag, Özbek dismissed the idea, saying that assigning a value to a player they have no intention of selling is illogical. He compared it to dressing a footballer before birth. Despite widespread interest from European powerhouses like Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, Osimhen is reportedly valued at around €150 million.

The president’s stance underscores Galatasaray’s commitment to keeping their star asset, as they look to build on their recent success.

Real Madrid have officially confirmed that David Alaba and Dani Carvajal will leave the club when their contracts expire this summer. The departures are part of a squad overhaul as Jose Mourinho prepares to take over in June.

Alaba, the Austrian defender, will bid farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu after the final home game against Athletic Club, where a special ceremony is planned. Club captain Carvajal is also set to depart as a free agent, ending his long association with the Spanish giants.

The decision to let both players go is aimed at freeing up salary space, especially after the club made significant investments in Alvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen last year. Mourinho’s arrival signals a new chapter for Los Blancos, and the squad refresh is already underway.

Fans will have the chance to thank Alaba and Carvajal in person this weekend during the emotional farewell at the Bernabeu.

Outspoken broadcaster Piers Morgan has strongly criticized the decision to award Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes the Premier League Player of the Season, insisting Arsenal’s Declan Rice was far more deserving. Morgan took to social media to voice his frustration, labeling the choice as ‘ridiculous’ and a ‘travesty’. He argued that Rice’s exceptional performances throughout the season were instrumental in Arsenal’s title triumph, while Fernandes’ team never seriously competed for the championship.

According to Morgan, the fact that Fernandes equaled the record for most assists in a Premier League season (20) should not overshadow Rice’s consistent brilliance. He emphasized that a player whose team didn’t challenge for the title should not win the individual award over someone who drove his side to the league crown. The Arsenal supporter expressed his disbelief that Fernandes was selected ahead of the England international, who he believes was the true standout performer.

Fernandes’ assist tally matched the all-time Premier League record, a remarkable achievement. However, Morgan remains unconvinced, asserting that individual stats cannot compensate for the lack of team success. He concluded that Rice’s impact on Arsenal’s campaign was far more significant and that the voting panel made a grave error in judgment.