Pep Guardiola has told Manchester City fans to be on their best behaviour and also take the right amount of beer at Wembley stadium on Saturday, June 3, when the club faces Manchester United in the FA Cup final for the first time. There is heightened tension because United have a chance to stop City from securing a treble to match their 1999 record. There were 34 arrests when the teams met in the semi-finals at Wembley in 2011 and authorities will be hoping to avoid a repeat. Pep Guardiola poses for photos after winning the Premier League. Source: Getty Kick-off was moved forward to 3 pm at the Metropolitan police’s request because of the high-risk nature of the fixture. Victory for City would leave them just one game (next weekend’s Champions League final against Inter Milan) away from only the second-ever treble in English football history. Speaking to Manchester City fans ahead of the match, Guardiola said; “I will ask our fans to behave properly first and, secondly, go there to enjoy an incredible event. The players will give everything to beat Man United. The consequences and the result, who knows? I don’t know. Erik ten Hag doesn’t know it, so it’s going to be a football game. Enjoy the moment. When the people travel – unfortunately with the train strikes – enjoy [the occasion] and enjoy next week to prepare the [Champions League] final, dream to see the team. It’s the best way. Guardiola thanking fans at the end of a match. Source: Getty “It’s a football game, everything can happen. We will do everything to beat United. I understand completely that City fans were in the shadow [of United] for decades, behind United, playing the first time in the history of the FA Cup a final against them. Try to do the best game possible. Have fun, enjoy the right portion of beers before the game and that’s all.” City has not won the FA Cup since 2019 when they thrashed Watford in the final. Another winner’s medal would be an 11th major trophy for Guardiola at City.
PSG confirms Sergio Ramos will leave after final game of the season today
Former Spain captain, Sergio Ramos has announced his decision to leave Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the end of the season. The legendary defender will make his last appearance for PSG in their last Ligue 1 game against Clermont Foot on Saturday, June 3, at Le Parc des Princes. Sergio Ramos at a match for PSG. Source: Getty It would also be the last time PSG fans will see Argentine football legend Lionel Messi play in Red and Blue colors. Ramos signed for the club in 2021 and has made 57 appearances in the PSG shirt. While Ramos was seen as perhaps one of the final pieces of the puzzle to help the Parisian club win the Champions League, he is wrapping up his time in France with two Ligue 1 titles and one French Super Cup title. Announcing his decision to leave after the last match of the season today, Sergio Ramos tweeted; “Tomorrow is a special day, tomorrow I will say goodbye to another stage of my life, goodbye to Paris Saint-Germain. I don’t know in how many places one can feel at home, but without a doubt PSG, the fans, and Paris were one of them for me. “Thank you for two special years in which I was able play in every tournament and give my all. I will face new challenges, I will wear other colours, but first, and for the last time: ¡#AllezParis.” Tomorrow is a special day, tomorrow I will say goodbye to another stage of my life, goodbye to @PSG_inside. I don’t know in how many places one can feel at home, but without a doubt PSG, the fans, and Paris were one of them for me. — Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) June 2, 2023 PSG chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi also confirmed the Spaniard’s exit from the club in a statement released on Friday, June 2. He said; “We would like to express our immense gratitude to Sergio Ramos for the two years he has spent with us. “Sergio’s leadership, team spirit and professionalism, combined with his experience at the highest level, make him a true football legend, and it was an honour to have him in Paris. Everyone at the club wishes him all the best.” After a successful 16-year stint with Real Madrid, where he made 671 appearances and scored 101 goals, Ramos joined PSG on a free transfer ahead of the 2021/22 season. He missed the majority of the first season due to injury and fitness issues. But made a sensational comeback this season with 30 starts in Ligue 1 and featured in every minute of PSG’s Champions League campaign. Sergio Ramos benched during a Ligue 1 match. Source: Getty PSG have already lined up Ramos’ replacement as they secured Inter Milan’s defender Milan Skriniar on a free transfer. Ramos on the other hand, has been linked with several clubs from Saudi Pro League, including Al-Nassr, where his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Rolando captains the team.
Brentford defeat Manchester City on final day of Premier League, but miss out on Europa
Premier League champion Manchester City lost their final game of the season on Sunday, May 28, as Ethan Pinnock’s late goal earned Brentford a 1-0 win and a home-and-away double over Pep Guardiola’s team. Pinnock, who signed a new four-year contract with the club on Saturday, May 27, sent a low drive into the bottom corner after Kevin Schade’s teasing cross was headed into his path by Bryan Mbeumo.
Pinnock celebrates his goal against Manchester City. Source: Getty It was a goal that Brentford deserved after dominating the chances all afternoon, as City lost for the first time since their defeat to Tottenham on February 5. Manchester City (89 points – 1st place) opted for a largely rotated side, with seven non-regular starters getting the nod. Guardiola rested some of his big hitters ahead of next weekend’s FA Cup final. City will also play the Champions League final seven days later.
Though Brentford won the game, they narrowly missed out on securing a place in the Europa League next season as Tottenham and Aston Villa were both victorious today. Brentford are just the third outfit to do the Premier League double over Manchester City in a season in which they were crowned champions, after Chelsea in 2013-14 and Tottenham last season. It also ended Manchester City’s 25-match unbeaten run.
Carjackers stab UNICAL final year student to death
A final year student of the University of Calabar, Francis Atabi, met a grim fate as he was fatally attacked by suspected carjackers at Mary Slessor roundabout on Friday, May 26, 2023. The 25-year-old student, who also worked part-time as a Bolt driver, fell victim to a shocking act of violence while on duty.
UNICAL final year student stabbed to death. Photo Credit: @lindaikejisblog Source: Linda ikeji According to reports from Punch, Atabi had offered a ride to two individuals around 8pm that fateful evening. However, during the course of the journey, the suspects attempted to snatch his Toyota Corolla vehicle. Displaying immense bravery, the Education and Political Science student resisted the carjacking, which only served to enrage the assailants further. In a vicious attack, Atabi was repeatedly stabbed and a rope was tied around his neck. The situation quickly escalated as Atabi, in a struggle to defend himself, lost control of the vehicle and collided with a security personnel at the scene. Sadly, the security man also lost his life after being rushed to a hospital in Calabar. SP Irene Ugbo, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, confirmed the tragic incident and assured the public that an investigation is underway. In a statement released on Sunday, SP Ugbo expressed determination in bringing the perpetrators to justice. “We shall do everything possible to ensure the assailants are arrested. No stone will be left unturned in this matter. We are launching a manhunt, and we shall get them and bring them to book,” stated SP Ugbo. “This is a further wake-up call to Cross Riverians. The killers will be made to face the full wrath of the law when apprehended,” she added. See below;
Final year student dies at Benson Idahosa University due to alleged negligence
A 21-years-old final year student, Chigozie, of Benson Idahosa University has reportedly died due to alleged negligence.Advertisement The student, Bruno Chigozie Ezeonye, lost his life due to alleged negligence on the part of the school authorities.
Bruno Chigozie Ezeonye, Benson Idahosa University student. Photo credit: Twitter. Source: Twitter The student reportedly slumped while playing football on the school field on Tuesday, May 23, and was rushed to the school clinic. Reports say that the final-year student who was rushed to the school clinic was unattended to for several hours due to the unavailability of equipment. Some colleagues reportedly tried to rush their friend to the hospital but the school ambulance did not have fuel, hence the student gave up the ghost due to the delay. Following his death, students at the school staged a protest and reportedly vandalized the school clinic and security post. Read Also: IMSU Takes Action Against Lecturer Who Slapped Female Student For Wearing Mufti To Class “She is our product”- Madonna University awards Chef Hilda Baci scholarship until PhD Netizens react as secondary school student buys Lexus car (Video) Manchester City makes history after reaching FA Cup final “Nothing will happen” — Security man accused of molesting 4-yr-old in Lekki school brags 100-level student slumps, dies during lecture in Ilorin TagsBenson Idahosa University
Man Utd through to the final after tense penalty shoot-out win against Brighton
Manchester United booked a place in the FA Cup final after Penalty shoot-out victory against Brighton at Wembley in the semi-final. Manchester United advance to the FA Cup final to take on Manchester City on June 3 by beating Brighton and Hove Albion 7-6 on penalties after the game finished 0-0 after extra-time. Neither side could take their chances in 120 minutes of action before the contest went to penalties. The opening 12 spot-kicks were all successful, but Solly March was the unfortunate man to miss as he blazed his strike over the bar. Victor Lindelof was on point with his effort to send the Red Devils through to their second domestic final of the season. Both clubs return to Premier League action next week. Brighton are on the road to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, while United travel to face Tottenham on Thursday.
Manchester City makes history after reaching FA Cup final
Manchester City made history on Saturday night after reaching the FA Cup final with a 3-0 win over Championship hopefuls Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium. Riyad Mahrez was in a ruthless mood as he upstaged Erling Haaland with a dominant attacking performance. It paid off as he grabbed a hat-trick in a 3-0 win for Manchester City against Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-final. Manchester City’s victory means they are now the first team to reach an FA Cup final without conceding a goal for the first time in 57 years. Everton were the first to do it in 1966. It was Pep Guardiola’s 29th FA Cup victory as manager.
Mahrez also became the first player since 1958 to score a hat-trick in an FA Cup semi-final and the only Man City player to bag a treble at Wembley. The club will now face Manchester United or Brighton in the FA Cup final. Manchester United and Brighton will be playing their semi-final match on Sunday, April 23.
Final moments of Italian-Nigerian Volleyball star Julia Ituma who fell from 6th floor (Video)
CCTV footage captures the final moments of Julia Ituma, an Italian-Nigerian volleyball star who died after falling from a 6th-floor hotel window in Turkey.
The incident occurred a few hours after her team, Igor Gorgonzola Novara, was eliminated from the Champions League semi-finals in Turkey. Ituma was found dead outside her hotel in Istanbul, Turkey on Thursday morning, April 13. In the CCTV footage, Ituma is seen walking slowly in the hotel hallway while using her phone, then sitting outside her room door for almost an hour in a “pensive and thoughtful” manner before entering her room for the last time.
Julia Ituma had been playing for her team in their second-leg knockout match against Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul, where she had earned two points despite their defeat. The cause of her death has not been determined, and her remains were sent for forensic analysis. Local police have launched an investigation into the incident. Watch the video below …
Kolo Muani says he’s still haunted by miss during World Cup final between France and Argentina
French footballer, Randal Kolo Muani has said that he might never get over the opportunity he missed to put France ahead during the last minutes of the World Cup final loss to Argentina in December 2022. With the two teams tied at 3-3 and the second half of extra time nearing its end, Kolo Muani got an opportunity to give France a big win during the thrilling encounter, but his effort was knocked off by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The Eintracht Frankfurt star who sat for an interview with beIN Sports, said; “I still watch it, I know it off by heart. In my head, I said to myself: ‘Randal, you have to shoot now’. I tried to shoot towards the near post but the goalkeeper made a very good save. But there were other options. “I could have lobbed him, or find Kylian Mbappe [to the left]. But in the moment, I didn’t see him. It’s only when you watch back that you discover the other options. It’s too late. It still sticks in my throat and it’ll be there for life.” Martinez’s save ensured the final went on to a penalty shootout, which Argentina won. Although Kolo Muani converted his spot kick, it was not enough to keep France in contention as the South American side went on to win 4-2.
Penalty rules changed after Emiliano Martinez’s irksome performance at World Cup final
New penalty rules are set to be enforced in international football after Argentina goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez’s antics during the World Cup final with France in December 2022.
Recall that Martinez had defended his mind games after the final which Argentina won. He said at the time; “It’s a moment that I always have to give to my teammates, they scored three goals against me and it hurt, but then I did everything right. It was a game of suffering, just two efforts against us and they drew level with us. “It is in this moment that I have to give my teammates peace of mind. I could have stopped it [Mbappe’s penalty] too, I dived badly. But then I did everything right. I have no words for it. “I was calm during the penalty shootout and everything went as we wanted. All that I have dreamed of has been achieved. To my family, I came from a very humble place, I left when I was very young to England and I want to dedicate it to them.”
Martinez’s antics also attracted criticism from Arsenal legend, Ian Wright. He alleged that the goalkeeper “crossed the line”. Speaking to Ringer’s FC podcast three days after the final, Wright said; “I look at Emi Martinez, remember the s***housery with Auba [Martinez tried to put off Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when he stepped up to take a penalty against Aston Villa in October 2021] and all that stuff he was doing at Arsenal. “I was thinking this guy is going to go to another level of s***housery if this final goes to penalties. And he did. I like Emi but what he did in the penalty shootout crossed the line, in respect of sportsmanship. He crossed the line.” Football lawmakers are now set to ban goalkeepers from distracting penalty-takers. According to The Sun, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) is set to introduce new rules to ban keepers from acting in a way that puts off opponents from the spot.
IFAB’s new rules may also stop goalkeepers from dancing or making amusing gestures on the goal line as that is also seen as a distraction. The new penalty rules will be ratified at IFAB’s annual general meeting in March before they are officially introduced into the laws of the game.