₦airaland Forum

shonepa:
It does bro, kindly look it up.

Especially when u in traffic for a long period, the engine works freely when on motion, there by consuming less fuel.

If u a Lagos based, u should notice.

ohh well with all the peeps on my mension quoting me wrong, I use a 4 cylinder 2021 corolla and to be specific my brother I see no difference with or without using AC even when I’m traveling to long distance.

Yes, yes and yes. AC has nothing to do with fuel consumptions. It’s uses gas when the engine is running. Make una stop that mentality abeg.

Chelsea have revealed their home kit for the 2023-24 season without a front-of-shirt sponsor.
A shirt deal with telecommunications company Three was not renewed when it expired at the end of last season.
The Premier League blocked a deal with streaming service Paramount+, because of concerns about upsetting its broadcast rights holders.
Chelsea decided against a shirt sponsorship agreement with an online gambling company.

The club's supporters' trust had spoken out against such a partnership, although it is understood Chelsea had already ruled a deal before that.
In April, the Premier League announced that gambling sponsors would be withdrawn from the front of shirts by the end of the 2025-26 season.
Chelsea say the shirt will go on sale on the website and in their shop on 16 August, three days after their opening Premier League game against Liverpool. It will go on wide sale on 23 August.

Chelsea do intend to have a front-of-shirt sponsor this season but it is now likely they will go on their pre-season tour of the United States without one - and that there won't be one on the first tranche of sales to supporters.

It is not the first time this has happened - Nottingham Forest did not have a sponsor on their shirts when they started last season. However, it does underline the complexities involved in these deals.
Chelsea's first option was Paramount+. However, the Premier League ruled that out on the basis that current broadcasters would be uneasy about a club signing up with a competitor - albeit not a direct rival.
Talks with alternatives continue but Chelsea felt it was important to release the kit to allow fans to buy them in August as the season begins.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66152580.amp

Earlier thread:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/06/fg-okays-re-opening-of-seme-border-for-vehicle-importation/amp/



Nigeria Customs Service has described some media reports that the Federal Government lifted the ban on vehicle importation through the Seme border as untrue.

Responding to an inquiry by our reporter on the earlier published reports, Hussaini Abdullahi, Customs Public Relations Officer described the report as untrue.

Abdullahi, a superintendent of customs, a proposal was written by some freight forwarders to the federal government following an advise from Prince Ademola Adegoroye, the then Minister of States for Transportation.

Abdullahi explained that the former minister had visited Seme Border sometime in February when the freight forwarders put up a complaint to him about how the ban has affected them.

He added that the minister had advised the freight forwarders and members of the border community to put their requests in writing.

The Customs spokesman said a recent visit by the Director of Road Transport in the Ministry of Transportation, Ibrahim Musa only confirmed that the letter by the freight forwarders has been received and acted upon by the ministry by forwarding it to higher authority

Speaking at the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, meeting, organised between officials of Nigeria and Benin, Musa said the development followed complaints by freight forwarders operating at the Seme border.

The director, who spoke at the ECOWAS Monitoring Team’s visit to the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, said: “I was here with the former Minister of State for Transportation when the Freight Forwarders pleaded that the border should be reactivated for the free movement of goods and services.

The director said the former minister facilitated that a memo be prepared to that effect and the memo was sent to the Buhari government, hoping it will be considered by the new administration.

Abdullahi also disclosed that the Seme Command of NCS has made donations to various stakeholders and groups at the border community to foster and strengthen their existing relationship with the service.

Specifically, he said Comptroller Dera Nnadi, Customs Area Controller of the command donated football kits to the Yoruba, Arewa and Egun communities at the border areas.

He said the gesture also aims at promoting sportsmanship, unity and cooperation between the various groups and the Nigeria Customs Service.

https://journalng.com/ban-on-vehicle-importation-through-seme-border-still-in-force-customs/

Valencia have been sanctioned with a partial stadium closure for five matches following the racist abuse of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr.

Spanish police have detained three people in connection with the abuse directed at the Brazilian at Mestalla Stadium on Sunday.

Valencia have also been fined 45,000 euros (£39,000).

Vinicius' late red card has been rescinded, meaning he will not have to serve a suspension.

Valencia called the decision to partially close their stadium "disproportionate, unjust and unprecedented" and said they intend to appeal against that part of the sanction.

"Valencia have collaborated from the first minute with the police and all relevant authorities to clarify the events that occurred," a statement from the club read.

"In addition, we have applied the maximum possible sanction with the ban for life from our stadium for racist behaviour of the fans identified by police."

The closure will apply to the Mestalla Stadium's south stand, an area a clearly angry and emotional Vinicius was seen pointing to during Sunday's second half before reporting the issue to the referee.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) also said Vinicius, 22, will not be suspended after being sent off in the 97th minute of the 1-0 defeat and is available for Wednesday's game against Real Vallecano.

Vinicius was sent off following a video assistant referee (VAR) check for pushing Valencia forward Hugo Duro to the floor. However, the footage the VAR showed the on-field referee did not include the part where Duro grabbed the Brazilian around the neck before the incident, which is also a red card offence.

The RFEF said in a statement that the referee's decision to dismiss Vinicius was due to him being "deprived of a decisive part of the facts", adding that it was "impossible for him to properly assess what happened".

Explaining the partial stadium closure, the RFEF added: "It is considered proven that, as reflected by the referee in his minutes, there were racist shouts at Vinicius, altering the normal course of the match and considering the infractions very serious."

The match was paused in the second half as an incensed Vinicius reported opposition fans to the referee.

Real has reported the abuse towards Vinicius to the Spanish prosecutor's office as a hate crime.

A number of Brazilians protested outside the Spanish consulate on Tuesday. Spanish government spokeswoman Isabel Rodriguez said: "Spain is fighting this behaviour. We condemn it and we are working to eradicate it."

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said Brazilian Vinicius is "very sad" but overwhelmed by the support he has received and believes he will stay in Spain despite the abuse.

"I don't think [he will leave Spain], because he loves football and he loves Real Madrid," said Ancelotti.

"His love for the club is very big and he wants to make his career here."

Vinicius has been the target of racist abuse multiple times this season and, following the latest incident, has received support from the footballing world.

And there has been widespread condemnation of how the incident has been handled, including from the Brazilian government.

Before Tuesday night's games between Real Valladolid and Barcelona, and Celta Vigo and Girona, players and match officials stood behind banners which read "Racism, out of football".

Barcelona winger Raphinha revealed a message of support for his compatriot in the second half when he was substituted.

The daughter of Brazil legend Pele also urged football's governing bodies to take tougher measures against racism.

"Spain should be ashamed. La Liga should be ashamed. Real Madrid should be ashamed that they're not putting their foot down and standing up for him," Kelly Cristina Nascimento wrote on Instagram."How much more powerful if my father's legacy was not a stadium, but a movement, a law, a tangible action that fights racism, that makes it so a Vini Junior today does not have to go through what my father went through in 1958."

La Liga has said it will request "more sanctioning powers" so it can punish incidents of racism, after the Spanish league's handling of the incident at Valencia received widespread condemnation.

After the match, Vinicius and La Liga president Javier Tebas were involved in a row on Twitter, after the Brazilian said La Liga "belongs to racists" and "in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists".

Tebas responded by saying Vinicius twice did not turn up for a meeting to discuss what it "can do in cases of racism", adding: "Before you criticise and slander La Liga, you need to inform yourself properly."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football

vastolord4:
She tried but men, there are bukas that don't sleep in this lagos especially in oshodi, mushin n agege.. you constantly perceived aroma of different stews, soups nd rice.. cos drivers, night watch securities, uniformed men even armed robbers eat before operating... she was just lucky enough to be chosen.

lols😄this guy, true but it’s only at night, Dey don’t do it all through the day you knw?

CNN
—
Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey has become a national sensation after cooking nonstop for 100 hours, in an attempt to set a world record.

The chef, known on social media as Hilda Baci, started cooking on Thursday and continued until Monday – creating more than 55 recipes and over 100 meals designed to showcase the best of Nigerian cuisine in the marathon kitchen session.

The Guinness world record committee still has to confirm that all their criteria have been met and whether Bassey will become the record holder.

The record to beat – 87 hours and 45 minutes – was set in 2019 by Indian chef Lata Tondon who posted a message of support to Bassey during her attempt.

Bassey told CNN that she was motivated to attempt the record because she wants to put Nigerian food on the map.


“Nigerian cuisine is the best out there,” she said. “The more recipes are propagated, the more people will be willing to try it. Nigerian food is such comfort food,” she added.

Despite the lack of sleep throughout her cooking spree in Lagos, Bassey remained in high spirits and could be spotted dancing and waving at her fans turned out in droves to support her.

One man, Uduak Obong, told CNN he took a bus journey through the night, traveling hundreds of kilometers to arrive at the venue in Lagos.

“I drove 12 hours to be right here to support my sister, my friend. She’s just amazing,” he said.

Enioluwa Adeoluwa, a media personality, who also doubled as MC for the cookathon, told CNN: “When a Nigerian is doing something we all come out to show support… We are super excited. She’s doing such an amazing job.”

She’s opening the door to the African food market and showing all the youth out here that if you can dream it, you can achieve it,” actor and Nollywood star Damilola Ogunsi said.

Celebrities including musician Tiwa Savage and local politicians visited Bassey during the cooking challenge.

Bassey told CNN that she nearly gave up on the first day, but after surpassing the previous record, she decided to aim for 100 hours.

“The first day was the most difficult. I was ready to give up 6 hours in. I feel like a miracle happened and somehow I got to this. The support has been incredible,” she said.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/15/africa/hilda-bassey-cook-world-record-intl/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twCNN&utm_content=2023-05-16T12%3A38%3A02&utm_term=video

The masses felt the hardship while the politician get the allowance. This life no ballance at all🤨🤨

Enemyofpeace:
Mynd44 sorry o. Chelsea will rice again.

no be only rice, na beans and plantain

Pelé, the nickname of the late football legend, has officially become synonymous with "exceptional, incomparable, unique".
The Portuguese-language Michaelis dictionary, one of the most popular in Brazil, added "pelé" as a new adjective to its online edition.
The inclusion came after a campaign by the Pelé Foundation to honour the football star gathered more than 125,000 signatures.
Pelé died in December aged 82.
The only player to have won the World Cup three times, he is widely considered to be the best footballer in history.
During his playing career spanning two decades, he scored a record 1,281 goals with Brazilian club Santos, Brazil's national team, and the New York Cosmos.

Since his death from complications from colon cancer, his former club, Santos, sports channel SporTV and the Pelé Foundation had been pressing for the football star's name to be recognised with its own entry in the dictionary.
On Wednesday, the publishers behind Michaelis dictionaries announced the word would be included in the digital edition of their Portuguese-language dictionary immediately and in the printed version once the next edition was published.
The entry reads: "pe.lé adj. That or someone who is out of the ordinary, who or who by virtue of their quality, value or superiority cannot be equalled to anything or anyone, just like Pelé, nickname of Edson Arantes do Nascimento (1940-2022), who is considered the greatest athlete of all time; exceptional, incomparable, unique."
The Pelé Foundation, a charitable organisation created to preserve the player's legacy, said it was a fitting tribute to "the king".
"The expression already used to refer to someone who is the best at what they do has been [made eternal] on the pages of the dictionary!" it tweeted.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-65410049

seunny4lif:
Ah
I thought most celebrities always have at least 4 armed police guarding them


That's what Yoruba people always said your main enemies are those very close to you

good one here, bro it’s was just a quarrel between her and her driver so the driver decided to alert neighbors to come for his rescue that’s all. They want to trend by all means.

Tuesday's Premier League matches will briefly be paused for Muslim players who have been fasting during Ramadan.

If clubs have requested a stoppage before the game, the referee will signal for a break, allowing Muslim players to eat and drink at pitchside.


Everton's game against Tottenham was stopped in the 26th minute to allow players that had been fasting during the day to take on energy supplements.

Three Muslim players were in action for Sean Dyche's side at Goodison Park.

Although sunset was before kick-off, allowing players to break their fast, a drinks break was pre-agreed with the referee when both teams - including Toffees trio Abdoulaye Doucoure, Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye - came to the side of the pitch to take on fluids.

Play does not stop while matches are in mid-flow, but at the earliest convenient moment during a goal-kick, free-kick or throw-in.

Teams and match officials will discuss beforehand whether a pause is required and an approximate time for the stoppage will be agreed.

With the 19:45 BST kick-offs on Tuesday coming close to sunset, an agreement might be reached to delay the start by a couple of minutes to allow players to break their fast, which was the case in Friday's Championship game between Burnley and Sunderland


In the evening games, Nampalys Mendy could come up against Boubacar Kamara when Leicester host Aston Villa, while Muslim players may also be involved in the Bournemouth v Brighton and Leeds v Nottingham Forest matches.

Chelsea's game against Liverpool in London kicks off at 20:00, shortly after sunset on Tuesday.

Evening matches between Leeds and Liverpool on 17 April and Arsenal against Southampton four days later are the only other top-flight matches that kick off at 20:00 BST this Ramadan.

The Islamic calendar follows the lunar calendar, which means Ramadan starts about 10 days earlier each year. With the holy month now approaching the winter, breaks in play for fasting players will be a regular occurrence in the coming years.

Last month, Toffees midfielder Doucoure told BBC Sport he always "loves" Ramadan, adding: "I fast every day. I don't miss any days.

"Sometimes playing football has been hard because Ramadan has been in the summer and during pre-season.

"But I have always been lucky to practise Ramadan and there have never been problems with my physical condition - I am grateful for that."

Nantes player misses game because of fasting

Meanwhile, France's football federation (FFF) has told referees they must not pause matches to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan.

"Football does not take into account the political, religious, ideological, or syndical [trade unions] considerations of its actors," read an email to officials.

"It is up to all of the parties involved to make sure it is respected."

Nantes defender Jaouen Hadjam was absent for his side's 3-0 Ligue 1 defeat by Reims on Sunday because he did not want to break the Ramadan fast.

Nantes have six Muslim players observing Ramadan but 20-year-old Algeria international Hadjam is the only one to fast on matchdays.

"It's his choice, I respect it," said coach Antoine Kombouare. "But on matchday, you don't have to fast. It's very intense, you have to be ready. Those who fast aren't in the group - I don't want them to injure themselves.

"In the week, there are no worries for those who fast. I'm ready to support them."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65028657

Erling Haaland became Manchester City's highest goalscorer in a single season on another record-breaking night for the striker.

The Norwegian scored five times, including a first-half hat-trick, as City thrashed RB Leipzig 7-0 to reach the last eight of the Champions League.

Since joining City last summer Haaland has amassed 39 goals in 36 games.

He has broken Tommy Johnson's 94-year record for most goals for City in a single season. And it is only March.

"My super strength is scoring goals," Haaland told BT Sport.

"A lot of it is being quick in the mind and trying to put it where the goalkeeper is not.

"I was so tired after my celebrations."

His tally of five against Leipzig equalled the record for the most goals in a Champions League game alongside Lionel Messi for Barcelona against Bayer Leverkusen in 2012, and Luiz Adriano for Shakhtar Donetsk against BATE Borisov in 2014.

Haaland now has 33 goals in 25 Champions League games, becoming the youngest player to cross the 30-goal mark at 22 years and 236 days old, 116 days younger than previous recorder holder Kylian Mbappe.

Haaland has 10 in the competition this season, more than any City player has previously managed in a single campaign in the Champions League.

The former Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund striker has scored more goals in Europe's premier competition than Wayne Rooney, Kaka and Samuel Eto'o.

Haaland opened the scoring at a boisterous Etihad Stadium with a clinical penalty into the bottom right corner.

His next four finishes were about being in the right place at the right time, latching on to rebounds to score five goals in the space of 35 minutes wither side of half-time.

Haaland, who was substituted in the 63rd minute, also recorded his fifth hat-trick of the season in a blistering first-half display.

"I told him [manager Pep Guardiola] I would love to score a double hat-trick but what can I do?" he said.

With City potentially playing 19 more games this campaign, who knows what further records he will scoop up in his devastating debut season in Manchester.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64960074

BeanX:
If you are not an Arsenal fan, you are missing. 😎😎
COYG!!!! 🛑🛑

I’m telling you 🔥🔥🔥

Holluwhakemmy:
After work now by 5pm

PSG vs BERYERN if you knw you knw.

The employed ones are the real deal here. Show love to who ever you can at your work place, the reason for the season is not about couples. Show love to anyone who deserves it shikena.

Why e be say na only women dey go extreme after broken relationship? It’s either Dey commit sucide or Dey come on social media to rant.

👍👍👍👍

okpaire2005:

The only thing Liverpool will raise this season is their hands

come still walk alone join

aycapri:
Toks, No
Naija use, Yes

even naija used sef, it cant.

hisexcellency34:
Title that Arsenal has won already. Take it or leave it, Arsenal is the best team in the world right now

I been want give you like before, but the pics of baba blu you used make me hold back my like

noble71:

Thanks for this information



Meanwhile sell your Pi to us at good rate.

how much?

Controversial referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz has reportedly been sent home following a tempestuous World Cup game that he officiated. Lahoz was in charge of the Argentina clash vs the Netherlands on December 9th and was on the spot for making dubious decisions.

The Spanish referee handed out a total of 15 yellow cards in a game that was constantly punctuated by rising flares from both teams.

Despite Argentina sealing progression to the semifinals, Lionel Messi was uncharacteristically critical of him after the game.

https://sportsbrief.com/football/30126-antonio-mateu-lahoz-referee-home-messis-outburst/

Lalasticlala come and see England going home with a Cat instead of Cup

the cat is coming home

It turns out England won't be returning home from the World Cup empty-handed after all after making a new furry friend.

The Three Lions suffered a devastating loss to France in the World Cup quarter-final over the weekend, but fortunately it wasn't all doom and gloom for some of the England players.

The players were packing to return back home, but this time a new 'mascot' will be coming home with them.

Defenders Kyle Walker and John Stones first encountered a cat they named Dave while training at the Al Wakrah hotel base.

During their four week stay, the cat would follow the players and wait around for food every night.

Walker told the FA’s official media channel during England’s World Cup campaign, as per the Express: “He was just there one day so we’ve just adopted him, me and Stonesy.

“Dave is welcome to the table...Some people really don’t like the cat, but I love him," he said.

Leading up to the team’s clash with France, the stray also got into a scuffle with another cat. Perhaps the other stray was punting on France?

Before the quarter-final match, Stones was asked about Dave following the catfight.

“Dave is fine,” he said. “He had a little scrap with another cat the other night. I think they are fighting over territory and the food. But he’s doing well.

“Hopefully I can stick to my promise that he will come home with us if we were to win the World Cup. Dave’s fine, thank you for asking.”

Dave left Al Wakrah two hours after the squad. He will head to a local veterinary clinic for blood tests and vaccinations before heading into quarantine for four months.

Presumably, either Walker or Stones will adopt Dave, according to The Guardian.

However, Dave isn’t the only cat to steal the spotlight during the tournament.

The New York Post reported that during Brazil’s press conference before the match against Croatia, a media official left journalists stunned when he allowed a cat on the podium.

As Vinicius Jr was asking a question from a reporter, he struggled to keep his composure as the cat took a seat next to him.

As the forward began bursting into fits of laughter, the media official grabbed the cat and tossed it to the ground, which audibly had journalists gasping.

https://www.sportbible.com/football/england-players-adopt-stray-cat-they-found-at-qatar-hotel-164414-20221212

For 100 minutes, Friday's World Cup quarter-final between the Netherlands and Argentina looked as though it would be remembered for another couple of magic Lionel Messi moments.

Then, it appeared Wout Weghorst had stolen the thunder by scoring a dramatic equaliser from a brilliantly clever free-kick deep into injury time.

However, once the dust settled on Argentina's victory by penalty shootout - 4-3, after a 2-2 draw - one number will remain indelibly linked with this game: 18.

That was the number of yellow cards shown - a record for a World Cup match.

Historians will argue that other matches in World Cup history were dirtier. Think 'The Battle of Santiago' in 1962, in which Chile and Italy brawled throughout and which the BBC's David Coleman described as "the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football in the history of the game".

Think Portugal's last-16 win over the Netherlands in 2006, featuring 16 cards, including four sendings off.

Think the 2010 World Cup final, in which Spain beat the Netherlands, and English referee Howard Webb showed 14 cards, including a red for Johnny Heitinga, and might have shown more.

There are other matches that could be cited too. But none of those matches had as many cards flourished as there were in the Battle of Lusail on Friday.

The 18 yellows included eight for Dutch footballers, eight for Argentine players, and one each for Albiceste manager Lionel Scaloni and coach Walter Samuel.

Remarkably the only man to collect two yellows and be sent off was Denzel Dumfries, and that was after Lautaro Martinez has scored the winning shootout spot-kick.

Dumfries had launched himself at the celebrating Argentina players, who in turn had taunted the Dutch players following the winning strike.

The abiding image of Messi from the game will not be his sensational no-look pass to set up Nahuel Molina for the Argentina opener. It was instead him cutting off from an Argentine TV interview after the match to tell a person off-screen: "What you looking at, idiot?"

In total, 15 players on the field received a card - a new World Cup record.

Paredes sparks ugly scenes

This match continues the Dutch tradition of being involved in some of the World Cup's feistiest matches and dirtiest moments, from Frank Rijkaard's clash with Rudi Voller in 1990 to Nigel De Jong's 2010 final kung-fu kick.

Argentina, meanwhile, were hardly passive victims in this game. This was no repeat of 1990's opening match against Cameroon, in which Benjamin Massing was sent off for an incredible assault of Claudio Canaggia.

Leandro Paredes should have seen red as the protagonist for the flashpoint that turned this game from irritable to incandescent with rage. After he fouled Nathan Ake in the 89th minute, he smacked the ball straight into the Dutch dugout.

It hit nothing but a padded seat, but saw an orange wave rush the field to shove and push and point and swear.

The foul on Ake was itself worthy of a yellow. The aftermath should have seen Paredes in an early bath.

Multiple melees pockmarked the match, including at full-time as Argentina responded furiously, their last-four spot seemingly stripped away. Nicolas Otamendi was booked in the chaos.

Ultimately, the match stayed 11 against 11, even as the atmosphere boiled through extra time.

By the conclusion, Netherlands defender Jurien Timber had conceded the highest number of fouls at this World Cup - 17 in total across five games.

Second in the standings is Dumfries with 16, including five in this game alone. How he survived without being sent off until the post-game brawl can be attributed to one man - the referee.

Spanish official Antonio Lahoz did not help matters, to be kind. To be unkind, he had an absolute shocker - brandishing his yellow card with abandon ratcheted up tensions considerably, and by the time he finally showed red to Dumfries, he had long since lost all control.

Messi, for one, was not impressed. "I don't want to talk about the referee because they sanction you for being honest," he said afterwards.

"I think people saw what it was. Fifa cannot put such a referee who is not up to the task for a game of this level.

Van Gaal needs to keep his mouth shut!'

What is remarkable is how unremarkable this match was for so long. There was no shot on goal in the opening 33 minutes.

Netherlands had not had a shot of any description for more than 45 minutes before Weghorst's first goal, which was their first effort on target.

But that goal caused Argentina to panic, which may have played a role in Paredes' ill-advised lash into the dugout.

It caused them to give away a silly free-kick on the edge of the area in the 10th minute of injury time, from which Weghorst produced a moment of magic alien to anyone who watched him at Burnley last season.

That moment of magic led to extra time, and penalties. Emiliano Martinez made two superb saves, and Argentina could celebrate - and gloat, causing Dumfries to snap.

"There was needle out there," Rio Ferdinand said on BBC One post-match. "There have been so many different things that played in this game that made it a fantastic spectacle."

Martinez also brought the needle after the game, telling BeIn Sport: "Hopefully we don't have that ref anymore, he's useless!

"Van Gaal said they have an advantage if it goes to penalties. He needs to keep his mouth shut."

Was it the beautiful game? Other than a couple of flashes, far from it. Was it dramatic, enthralling and ruthlessly entertaining? Absolutely.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63920253

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has stepped down as Belgium's manager on the back of the country's woeful group-stage exit at the World Cup.

Martinez guided Belgium to third place at World Cup 2018 but after a shock defeat to Morocco and a draw with Croatia, his side was eliminated in Qatar without reaching the knockout stages.

Despite the country's poor performance the Belgian FA, in announcing Martinez's departure, said his decision had already been made before the tournament.

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has announced he is stepping down from his role on the back of a woeful group-stage exit at the World Cup.

Martinez guided Belgium to third place at the World Cup in Russia in 2018, in what was considered a golden generation for the country.


https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12098/12759682/roberto-martinez-leaves-role-as-belgium-manager-after-world-cup-group-stage-exit

WibusJaga:
.

No problems,provided they are not endowed.

lols, from the picture above you can see that she’s endowed by CR7 already.

An all-female refereeing team will take charge of a men's World Cup game for the first time in Thursday's group-stage game between Costa Rica and Germany.

Stephanie Frappart will be the first woman to referee at a men's World Cup.

The Frenchwoman became the first female official at the tournament when she was named as the fourth official for Mexico and Poland's game last Tuesday.

"We know the pressure," Frappart told BBC Sport before the tournament.

"But I think we will not change ourselves. Be calm, focused, concentrate, and don't think too much about the media and everything, just be focused on the field."

Frappart will be joined by Brazil's Neuza Back and Mexican Karen Diaz Medina at Al Bayt Stadium on Thursday.

Asked if she ever has comments from players, managers or fans due to being a woman, Frappart said: "Since I started I was always supported by teams, clubs and players. I was always welcome in the stadium so I feel like another referee inside the pitch. I was always welcome, so I think I will be welcome as before."

She became the first woman to referee a men's Champions League game in 2020.

The 38-year-old was also the first woman to take charge of a match in a major men's Uefa competition when Liverpool and Chelsea met in the 2019 European Super Cup.

Three women - Frappart, Rwanda's Salima Mukansanga and Japan's Yoshimi Yamashita - are among the 36 officials selected to take charge of games in Qatar.


https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63801583

openmine:
How is that offside?

me self come dey wonder, I used pvr decoder I have to rewind it several time to be sure, but I no see anything

The Premier League takes an unprecedented six-week break in the middle of the season as the World Cup in Qatar takes centre stage.

With this weekend's action finished now, the Premier League does not return until 26 December.

The World Cup starts on Sunday, 20 November with the final on Sunday, 18 December.

So how does the English top flight look now, who has the most players going to Qatar and who needs this break?

Arsenal are leaders by five points from Manchester City, the first time they will be top at Christmas since the 2007-08 season.

Their 37 points from 14 games marks their best-ever start. All seven teams to win 12 of their first 14 games have won the Premier League title.

Another good omen for the Gunners is the team that topped the table on Christmas Day have been champions in 10 of the last 13 seasons.

The bad omen for Mikel Arteta's side is the last five times they have been top on 25 December they have failed to stay there come the end of the campaign.

You have to go back to 1947-48 for the last time they were top on both days.

Gunners legend Ian Wright said on BBC Match of the Day: "They have been in control of most of the games they have played this season, very confident. The aim was top four."

Of course, teams will have played fewer games on Christmas Day than usual, so City will still fancy their chances of making up the deficit on the Gunners in the remaining 24 games.

Newcastle are in unfamiliar territory - sitting third, seven points behind Arsenal.

This is the first time since 2001-02 that they have occupied one of the Champions League spots on Christmas Day. They were top that season but finished fourth.

Magpies icon Alan Shearer said: "They are so organised and there is an understanding as a team of each other's jobs - when to press, when to sit off, and their reaction when they lose the ball.

"What a job Eddie Howe is doing at Newcastle. Great times, they go into the break in third position and another really impressive performance."

However, Shearer said his old side will not win the title this season.

Tottenham, one point behind Howe's side, complete the top four. Manchester United are fifth, with Liverpool sixth on 22 points.

Graham Potter's Chelsea have not won in five Premier League games and have dropped to eighth. They will probably relish the chance to have a break and go again.

Wright added: "Chelsea fans' main worry is the constant changing of the formation. Seventeen goals in 14 games is not good, no team in the top half have scored fewer.

"They do need to give Graham Potter time - [Liverpool's Jurgen] Klopp had time, we've seen what Arteta is doing with time. So hopefully he will get that time."

Probably any team below Chelsea can consider themselves to be in the relegation equation.

There are just six points separating Fulham in ninth and Nottingham Forest in 18th.

Wolves are bottom - four points adrift of safety - so what are their odds of survival?

Only six teams have ever been bottom at Christmas and stayed up - with half of those in the first three Premier League campaigns.

Leicester City, in 2014-15, were the last team to avoid relegation from that position - before winning the title the following season.

But as the in-form Foxes showed just before this break came, a few good weeks can take you up to mid-table as they now stand in 13th place.

What could change over the break?

Two teams have made managerial changes just before the break - but could more happen before 26 December?

Julen Lopetegui takes over from Steve Davis as manager of Wolves on Monday - so these next few weeks will be effectively like his pre-season.

Southampton, who are second from bottom, also have a new manager, with Nathan Jones taking charge of their final game before the break, a 3-1 loss at Liverpool.

The bookmakers' favourite to lose their job next is Everton boss Frank Lampard. The Toffees have lost their last three games to sit one point above the relegation zone.

Police were forced to intervene on Saturday after the 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth to calm some fans as the players went over to the away section at the final whistle.

"As good as the fans are for us, with the welcomes they gave us last year and the plaudits they gave us after the Crystal Palace game, you have to accept that they have a right to voice their opinion. And they have travelled down to Bournemouth to do that," Lampard told BBC Sport.

The other boss under pressure is David Moyes at West Ham, who are only above Everton on goal difference.

Moyes admitted fans had the right to leave early and boo in Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Leicester. Of the pressure on Moyes, captain Declan Rice said: "It's nonsense. If you look at what he's done for this club, how he's brought us back from where we've been."

A few weeks ago Brendan Rodgers at Leicester and Leeds' Jesse Marsch were under immense pressure, but good form means neither should be worried now.

Former Premier League goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer expects the Premier League to have a different feel on Boxing Day.

Citing Unai Emery's recent arrival as Aston Villa boss, where he has picked up successive league wins, Schwarzer told BBC Radio 5 Live: "There will be a number of clubs who will be looking at the situation of having pretty much a month off and having the ability then to do that mini pre-season, getting to know players.

"If they want to bring in a new manager, I could see one or two clubs probably looking at the possibility of doing that."

Which teams will be worst affected by World Cup?


Champions Manchester City have the most players going to the World Cup with 16 - and 10 of the starting 11 for their 2-1 defeat by Brentford on Saturday will head to Qatar.

The only one who is not... is the Premier League's top scorer Erling Haaland as Norway did not qualify. He could take real advantage of tired legs or back-up defenders come late December.

Manchester United will have 15 players heading to Qatar, should Hannibal Mejbri make the Tunisia squad as expected, with 12 for Chelsea and 11 for Tottenham.

Leaders Arsenal will have 10 players at the tournament.

But of the team that beat Wolves on Saturday, Gabriel, Oleksandr Zinchenko and captain Martin Odegaard are staying home.

If Newcastle are indeed in the title race, they could benefit from any World Cup fatigue as they only have five players going away.

Liverpool, in sixth, may also be fresher than many with seven players going to Qatar including only three of their 10 goalscorers this season. Top scorer Mohamed Salah's Egypt did not qualify.

The teams with the fewest players going are Southampton - Germany's Armel Bella-Kotchap and Ghana’s Mohammed Salisu - and Bournemouth, who have Chris Mepham and Kieffer Moore in the Wales squad. Leeds are next with three.

When are Premier League teams next in action?

OK so we said the Premier League is back on 26 December. But some top-flight teams could actually have competitive games just a day or two after the World Cup final.

The Carabao Cup fourth round takes place on the week of 19 December - the day after the Sunday final in Qatar.

Traditionally, most of those games end up on the Tuesday or Wednesday, although Manchester City will host Liverpool on Thursday, 22 December.

Wolves, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Manchester United, Leicester and Brighton are also in action in that round.


https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63609801

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