Barcelona ‘convinced’ FIFA will reduce Suarez’s ban

by Mark Bassey Barcelona are seeking to have Luis Suarez’s ban reduced and the La Liga giants are “convinced” it will happen. Suarez, who completed his move from Liverpool this week, has been banned by FIFA for four months and nine international games, after he bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. The Uruguayan striker has already... Read More

barcelona, epl, fifa, la liga, liverpool, luis suarez, Uruguay

July 12, 2014

Nwachukwu Emmanuel: Nigeria and FIFA in yet another dance of shame (Y! FrontPage)

by Emmanuel Nwachukwu While FIFA forbids interference from government and it’s organs, it does not reject funding from those bodies. Isn’t that hypocritical some would ask? When a child consistently fails and repeats a class, it’s either the teacher isn’t doing a good job of teaching the child, or the child can’t or don’t want... Read More

corruption, Emmanuel Nwachukwu, fifa, football, nigeria, opinion, Organization, ynaija

July 10, 2014

Birds of a feather? Mike Tyson defends Luis ‘vampire’ Suarez

by Kolapo Olapoju Former heavyweight champion of the world, Mike Tyson has come to the defence of Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan striker was booted out of the world cup due to his bite on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini. Suarez was suspended from the tournament and subsequently handed a four-month worldwide ban by Fifa as punishment... Read More

brazil, fifa, Giorgio Chiellini, Italy, luis suarez, Mike Tyson, reddit, Uruguay, World Cup 2014

July 10, 2014

“FIFA cannot intimidate Nigeria with this suspension” – Onigbinde

by Mark Bassey Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, who is a former FIFA Advisor and member of FIFA Study Group, has said that the world football governing body cannot intimidate Nigeria. FIFA on Wednesday, suspended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for government interference in football matters, after Alhaji Aminu Maigari was sacked by a court last week.... Read More

Aminu Maigari, Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, fifa, nff, nigeria, sports, super eagles, Suspension

July 9, 2014

Just In: FIFA suspends NFF with immediate effect

by Mark Bassey The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has been suspended by the world football governing body FIFA, for government interference. A statement published on FIFA’s website on Wednesday, confirmed that its Emergency Committee reached the verdict because of a breach of its Statutes, as it concerns a member association independently running their affairs. The... Read More

fifa, maigari, nff, nigeria, super eagles

July 5, 2014

Japheth Omojuwa: The Super Eagles and their allowances – Before you shoot at them (Y! FrontPage)

by Japheth Omojuwa Indicting players when issues of allowances come up with the national team will never solve the problem. The reaction of the players is only the result of a deeper issue. Players of the Greek national team raised patriotism a notch when they decided to donate their earnings from the World Cup into... Read More

#WorldCup, allowances, brazil, fifa, football, honourarium, japheth omojuwa, nff, nigeria, Reuben Agboola, world cup, Y! Frontpage, ynaija

June 26, 2014

Opinion: Dear FIFA, please do not ban Luis Suarez

by Ogunsanwo Babajide Suarez’s brand marketing team knows that a ban from FIFA is on the way. This seems to be in line with their game plan. A band from FIFA would only make the name ‘Suarez’ more popular. Yes, maybe Suarez does not eat before coming to field. Some say its innate madness; others... Read More

ban, bite, chiellinin, fifa, Luiz Suarez, marketing team, opinion, Sport, Uruguay, ynaija

June 18, 2014

Where will you be watching the rest of the 2014 FIFA World Cup matches?

by Akintomiwa Agbaje No soccer game compels as much attention and accolades as the World Cup. But, the question is, ‘where would you like to watch the rest of this year’s World Cup’ matches? A number of us have been watching with friends at our favourite viewing centres while others have been enjoying... Read More

April 13, 2014

Hello Nigeria, this is the hairstyle that’ll win us the World Cup (LOOK)

by Akan Ido As the FIFA World Cup in Brazil draws nearer Nigeria’s Super Eagles have started garnering all forms of support from Nigerians and lovers of Nigeria. One of such support is an unusual hairstyle on Olaboludele Simoyan, the author of a two in one book ‘8th wonder of the world Made in Nigeria’. Simoyan... Read More

brazil, fifa, football, mikel obi, nigeria, Olaboludele Simoyan, stephen keshi, Vincent Enyeama, world cup

April 11, 2014

Cheta Nwanze: Citizen Yusuf doesn’t deserve a spell on the naughty step

by Cheta Nwanze Sadly, it appears that for all of his service, Ciaxon has been missing from social media for just over a week now, and yesterday night… a known rabble-rouser alleged that Ciaxon was in fact singing hymns at DSS Central. On the morning of Sunday, March 30, a fire-fight took place within a few feet of... Read More

November 18, 2013

Paul Bassey: Take a bow Super Eagles!

by Paul Bassey Four hours into the journey, there was an announcement. “ This is your captain speaking. For those of you who are interested in the football match, Nigeria is leading 2-0, but the match is not yet over…….” YES…I screamed. YES….Brazil here we come. The Ethiopian Airlines flight that was to take me... Read More

a man whose interest in our sports especially football has yielded so much dividends. GOOD LUCK all the way., Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi, brazil, captain, Ethopia, fifa, opinion, paul bassey, Paul Bassey: Take a bow Super Eagles!, sports, sports minister, super eagles, the Oga himself, the Presidency, ynaija

November 9, 2013

Poetry: Echoes from Abu Dhabi – Yes, we can!

by Soyombo Ayomikun That we are not useless spirits without lofty dreams Though with their education being suffocated by corruption Still they screamed ‘Yes!’ to their dreams As the FIFA tune played I smiled With honour & dignity as one just crowned To the loud shouts of ‘YES!’ I danced Rhythms pouring forth from... Read More

Abu Dhabi, echoes, fifa, footbll, opinion, Soyombo Ayomikun, ynaija

October 12, 2013

Opinion: Super Eagles’ 180 minute journey to Brazil

by Victor Oladapo-Ariyo Ever since Stephen Keshi took the Super Eagles job, we all can testify that things have been quite different, especially after the AFCON 2013 in South Africa in February which they won against all odds after starting slowly. The international break is here again and most national teams around the world are... Read More

addis ababa, AFCON, angola, brazil, Ethipia, fifa, football, nigeria, stephen keshi, super eagles

October 4, 2013

Onochie Anibeze: World Cup 2022 – Qatar should shame them

by Onochie Anibeze If those bellyaching that a small country won the hosting rights can prove allegations of corruption we will all support them. But if not, they should realise that we are talking about the World Cup and not European Cup or England Cup if there’s anything like that. The world has been fed... Read More

africa, America, campaign, construction work, england, europe, fifa, heat, Onochie Anibeze, world cup 2022

May 25, 2013

‘The owner of the ball decides who plays’ – 10 football rules that will put even FIFA to shame (READ)

by Isi Esene Whoever came up with these kid football rules certainly is a veteran. It is so easy to relate to many, if not all, these kid football rules. You never had a vibrant footballing childhood if you can’t identify with at-least seven of these. Do you agree? Let’s have your say guys. ... Read More

ball, childhood, fifa, football, usain bolt

May 6, 2013

Cheta Nwanze: Why we need the Nigeria Governor’s Forum (Y! FrontPage)

The problem with the NGF, however, is the manner in which they go about their business. While on the one hand, the NGA in America is bipartisan and open; our NGF seems to hold their meetings only in the dead of night! Not a few people are of the opinion that Rivers state governor, Rotimi... Read More

Akwa Ibom, Bukola Saraki Kwara, Cheta Nwanze, fifa, NGF, Nigerian Governors' Forum, Rotimi Amaechi, Zamfara

March 11, 2013

No, we didn’t: NFF denies ‘lesbian ban’

The Nigerian Football federation says lesbians have not been banned from playing in the West Africa country. It had been reported that football’s world governing body Fifa had written to the NFF, seeking clarification over the situation. NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire told BBC Sport: “Unfortunately, a section of the media has blown petty speculation out... Read More

Demola Olajire, Dilichukwu Onyedinma, Eucharia Uche, fifa, homosexuals, Nigeria Football Federation, same sex, Super Falcons

January 29, 2013

Analysis: The monetisation of Nigerian sports and its effect on development

by Awenlimobor Sylvester But how long can we sustain this attitude of doling out monies to players at tournaments? By encouraging it are we not further endangering the future of our sports? There was a time when it was an honour just playing for the Nigerian National team, when all a football player ever wanted... Read More

caf, denmark, fifa, Haruna Ilerika, Mohammed Kawo, Peter Fregene, Rotimi Amaechi, Supersports, ThisDay

December 20, 2012

Super Eagles is 10th best team in Africa – FIFA rankings

by Rachel Ogbu The Super Eagles have emerged the 10th best team in Africa and 52nd in the world according to FIFA rankings on Wednesday. It put the country in a celebratory mood as Nigeria climbed back up to the 10th spot in November but despite gaining 28 points and moving up five places in... Read More

fifa, international games, super eagles, top10 football teams, world rankings

November 19, 2012

Like father, like son: Amos Adamu’s son implicated in FIFA $1m bribe by The Times of London

A former sports administrator, Dr. Amos Adamu, and his son, Samson, have been accused of financial impropriety in the bidding for Qatar 2022 World Cup. The accusation was contained in a detailed report by The Sunday Times of London, which called on FIFA to probe the alleged $1 million bribery offer. Based on this, FIFA,... Read More

Amos Adamu, bribe, fifa, Samson Adamu, The Sunday Times

October 4, 2012

TICKER: New FIFA ranking is Nigeria’s worst in 10 years – Click for details

The Super Eagles of Nigeria has dropped five places to 63rd in the world in the latest FIFA Rankings released by the world football governing body. This is Nigeria’s worst ranking in a decade to show the decline of the team in world football. This ranking is coming as the Super Eagles are preparing for... Read More

fifa, football, nigeria, rank

July 24, 2012

Not fair: Worldwide transfer spending drops due to Financial Fair Play regulations

by ‘Ifreke Inyang The impact of the impending UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations, is slowly having a stranglehold on transfer dealings. FIFA’s mid-year review of the international market has been revealed that worldwide transfer spending fell by more than one-third in the first half of 2012. This has seen transactions between clubs for permanent and... Read More

brazil, england, fifa, permanent and loan deals, Russia, transfer market

July 12, 2012

Havelange collected bribes as FIFA president

by Isi Esene Swiss prosecutors have revealed that Joao Havelange, the former FIFA president had received at least 1.5m Swiss francs (£986,000) and executive committee member Ricardo Teixeira at least 12.74m SFr (£8.4m). The report states: “The finding that FiFA had knowledge of the bribery payments to persons within its organs is not questioned. “This... Read More

bribes, fifa, International Olympic Committe, IOC, ISL, Joao Havelange, sepp blatter

July 9, 2012

#InCaseYouMissedIt: FIFA lifts ban on Islamic headscarves used by female footballers

by Chi Ibe The use of the Islamic headscarf, or hijab, for female Muslim football playerswas previously banned due to safety concerns and because it was not recognized in the laws of the game but recently FIFA lifted embargo. After studying reports from FIFA’s medical officer, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) unanimously overturned the... Read More

female footballers, fifa, hijab, Islamic headscarves

July 6, 2012

Here at last: Premier League might adopt goal-line technology in 2012-13

by Chi Ibe It can be revealed that the Premier League might introduce Goal-line technology midway through the 2012-13 season after it was approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Zurich, the BBC reports. Two systems – Hawk-Eye and GoalRef – have passed Fifa’s criteria for use. The technology set to be launched... Read More

fifa, football, Goal-line technology, GoalRef, Hawk-Eye, premier league

July 5, 2012

OPINION: Nigeria and the science of soccer

by Martin Udogie NOT far, I’m afraid. And no Nigerian coach can either, under the present football environment. Soccer has gone scientific. In 2003, Real Madrid sold Claude Makelele to Chelsea for $27 million. It seemed an outrageous overpayment for a 30 year-old inconspicuous midfielder. “We will not miss Makelele,” said Madrid’s President Florentino Perez.... Read More

fifa, football, football clubs, nigeria, soccer

February 26, 2012

Stephen Keshi “not bothered” that Super Eagles are out of FIFA Top 50

By Lekan Olanrewaju Coach of the Nigerian national football team has stated that he is “not bothered” by the country’s dip in the latest FIFA World Rankings. In an exclusive interview with All Africa, Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi said “I am not bothered about the Super Eagles’ rankings; my goal is to win all... Read More

fifa, football, stephen keshi, super eagles

November 22, 2011

Genevieve Nnaji says thanks, Jay Z's (not) judging and Blatter has a foot in his mouth in this week's Soundbites!

Compiled by ‘Ifreke Inyang Who said what last week? “I would deny it. There is no racism… We are in a game, and at the end of the game, we shake hands… On the field of play sometimes you say something that is not very correct, but then at the end of the... Read More

fifa, Genevieve Nnaji, Goodluck Jonathan, Jay-z, john terry, mfr, national awards, Oprah Winfrey, sepp blatter