Italian FA bans players from wearing number 88 jersey

Italian FA bans players from wearing number 88 jersey

The Italian Football Association (FA) has banned players from wearing the number 88 as part of an initiative aimed at fighting anti-Semitism in football across the country. No. 88 is a numerical code for “Heil Hitler”; H is the eighth letter of the alphabet. Italian FA bans players from wearing number 88 jersey Lazio’s Toma Basic, in a number 88 shirt, celebrates scoring a goal. Source: Getty The initiative, which is being coordinated between the Italian government and the Italian football federation (FIGC), includes the addition of a code of ethics in accordance with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. The initiative also calls for games to be suspended in case of antisemitic chants or acts, similar to the way cases of racism are supposed to be handled. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi who spoke at Tuesday’s ceremony where the letter of intent to implement the measures was signed said; “It is an adequate and effective response to an intolerable prejudice that still too often manifests itself in our stadiums. “Anti-Semitism must be strongly fought, together with everything that excludes, despises, and discriminates against every human being, every social group, every minority. “The declaration of intent signed is only the first step of a broader strategy that will result in a new document on preventing and combating all forms of racism and discrimination in sport.”

Italian FA bans players from wearing number 88 jersey

Atalanta’s Mario Pasalic celebrates a goal with his teammates. Source: Getty FIGC President Gabriele Gravina said; “The world of football is united in the fight against antisemitism and all forms of discrimination.” Following the ban on jerseys with number 88 by the Italian FA, two popular Serie A players will now need to look for a new number. Atalanta’s Mario Pasalic and Toma Basic of Lazio are the players in question. Each player will now be assigned a new shirt number for the upcoming season. There have been several racist and antisemitic incidents in Italian football stadiums in recent years, including fans booing or shouting abuse at Black players, using the word “Jew” as an insult, and displaying Nazi or fascist symbols. One of the most prominent came in March, during Lazio’s 1-0 win over AS Roma in the Rome derby. A Lazio supporter wore a jersey with the name “Hitlerson” and the number 88 on the back, while two other fans performed “Roman salutes,” which are associated with fascism. Lazio later announced that it had banned all three fans from its stadium for life. There have been cases of Italian players wearing number 88 including legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who did so for a short time with Parma during the 2000-2001 season. Following complaints from Italy’s Jewish community, Buffon, who said he didn’t know the significance of the number, agreed to change it.

Mac Allister rejected No. 8 jersey at Liverpool because of Gerrard

Mac Allister rejected No. 8 jersey at Liverpool because of Gerrard

New Liverpool signing Alexis Mac Allister has revealed that he turned down the chance to wear the iconic No.8 jersey out of respect for Steven Gerrard. Gerrard enjoyed ten years wearing the number 8 at Anfield and, following his departure in 2015, the shirt actually went vacant until Naby Keita joined the club in 2018. Mac Allister rejected No. 8 jersey at Liverpool because of GerrardMac Allister committing his future with Liverpool. Naby Keita failed to live up to expectations when he inherited Gerrard’s shirt following his £53 million arrival from RB Leipzig in 2018 and his contract was not renewed. With Keita leaving on a free transfer this summer, Mac Allister was offered the chance to take the No. 8 shirt, the same number he wore in Argentina with Boca Juniors, but the new signing turned it down in favour of keeping the 10 from his Brighton days. The 10 was famously worn by both Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane at Anfield and was left vacant by the latter’s move to Bayern Munich last summer. Mac Allister who revealed that he turned down wearing the Number 8 jersey out of respect for Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard during an interview with the Mirror, said;

Mac Allister rejected No. 8 jersey at Liverpool because of Gerrard

Mac Allister unveiled as a Liverpool player. Source: Club Website “One day, I was talking to my dad when he asked me what number I would wear for Liverpool. I knew there were several numbers available – including 10 and 8. The No 8 shirt is a very important number in that club because of Gerrard, so I hesitated a bit. I ended up choosing the 10, but 8 is a number that I like a lot and has a history at the club.” Mac Allister also opened up on behind-the-scenes talks with Jurgen Klopp that persuaded him to tie his long-term future to the club over rivals such as Manchester United and Chelsea. He added; “After the season ended, I had the chance to talk to Klopp and he told me about the club, the city, and what he wanted. The main thing was that from the first moment, they communicated with my family and with me, they wanted me to be there. “When I was able to speak with the coach, it was made even clearer. It’s the small details that made me choose Liverpool. I feel that it is the right step in my career.

Mac Allister rejected No. 8 jersey at Liverpool because of Gerrard

Mac Allister admiring his new Liverpool jersey. Source: Club Website “We all know that Klopp likes to play a lot on the counterattack, but in recent years there has been a change in his way of playing. He explained to me that he needed players to play between the lines and with a winning mentality. “I’ve always had that mentality – but even more so after the World Cup. I want to win titles – that’s the goal that the club and I have. “Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in Europe and the world. Its history makes it like this. “The fans demonstrate in each match in the way they show up. But as well as history, there is a team with great players and a great coach. From the first moment, they showed me a lot of desire for me to be there.”

Rema visits Barcelona stars during training, gets customised jersey

Rema visits Barcelona stars during training, gets customised jersey

Nigerian music sensation Divine Ikubor, professionally known as Rema, recently made headlines as he paid a special visit to the renowned football club FC Barcelona. The “Calm Down” crooner took to his Twitter page to share his exciting experience, revealing that he showed up at the club’s training session.

Rema pays visit to FC Barcelona, receives warm welcome from players

Rema pays visit to FC Barcelona, receives warm welcome from players. Photo Credit: @heisrema Source: Twitter Rema’s visit to FC Barcelona was met with a warm reception from the players and staff. During his time at the training ground, the talented singer had the opportunity to interact with the footballers, including Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati, whom he affectionately referred to as his “brothers.” Rema pays visit to FC Barcelona, receives warm welcome from playersRema pays visit to FC Barcelona, receives warm welcome from players. Photo Credit: @heisrema Source: Twitter Expressing his enthusiasm, Rema shared photos on social media capturing moments with the Barca players. In one of the images, the Nigerian artist is seen posing alongside Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati, showcasing their camaraderie and shared passion for their respective crafts. To commemorate his visit, FC Barcelona presented Rema with a customized team jersey. The special jersey bore his name on the back, although it was noted that it did not feature a specific number. Taking to his Twitter account, Rema captioned the post, saying, “Pulled up to see my brothers in training 👊🏾⚽️ @FCBarcelona_es.” His words conveyed his excitement and appreciation for the warm welcome he received from the club. As news of Rema’s visit continues to circulate, fans and followers eagerly await further updates from the singer and anticipate the positive impact of such collaborations between the music and sports worlds. See below; Pulled up to see my brothers in training 👊🏾⚽️ @FCBarcelona_es pic.twitter.com/oatRs7OPVl — REMA (@heisrema) June 1, 2023 In other news, exceptionally talented football star, Cristiano Ronaldo has made Nigerians gasp in surprise as he plays the hit song of popular Afrobeats singer, Rema. The Portuguese player who recently moved to a Saudi club, Al-Nassr, decided to relax over a good Nigerian song. He shared a video of his kids dancing and shaking their body to the beats of Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ on his Insta story

“Make we jam for Naija!” – White man enthuses as he jets off to Nigeria wearing country jersey; netizens react

"Make we jam for Naija!" – White man enthuses as he jets off to Nigeria wearing country jersey; netizens react

A Caucasian man has expressed great excitement as he announces his coming to Nigeria. The man identified on the micro blogging site as Ray Youssef, took to the platform to reveal that he’s jetting to Nigeria wearing his Nigeria football jersey.

He shared a picture of himself wearing a white Nigeria soccer Jersey, smiling excitedly while clutching tightly his diary. “Wearing my Nigeria jersey ! Make we jam for Naija 🇳🇬😅💯,” he wrote.

See how Nigerians reacted to the new below: @investor_mj wrote: “I’m hoping you will taste naija jollof rice” Ray Youssef replied: “Been on it bro and the egusi soup! Massive protein load” @Fishfml wrote: “Oya nah show, make we jam for corner” @Szacksnola wrote: “Abeg gerrara here. You dey oyinbo land dey tweet say u be nigeria boy. If u wan relevant, com obalende or ijora badia. Rent one room apartment dia make we all deey jump danfo go work every morning. ⚡Thunder fire🔥 anybody wey drag me!”

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