If Nigeria ends up losing the gold medal, the outing in Birmingham will no longer be the country’s best-ever as widely celebrated.

There are strong indications that Nigeria may be stripped of one of the gold medals won at the recently held Commonwealth Games n Birmingham, England.

The gold medal won in the 4x100m Women’s event is now under threat after the failed dope test of one of the athletes in the winning quartet of Tobi Amusan, Favour Ofili, Rose Chukwuma and Grace Nwokocha.

The quartet had se a new games record of 42.10s to win what was Nigeria’s 11th gold medal in Birmingham and it was a historic moment for the country at the Games.

However, with the latest developments, the fanfare and excitement that came with that gold medal and the African record will amount to nothing owing to the doping rules.

The doping rule nullifies any performance in its entirety, even if just a member of the team is guilty of the doping infraction.

The fact that it is only the relay gold that Nigeria risks losing suggests the culprit is not Tobi Amusan who also won the 100m Women’s hurdles gold.

Though the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN is yet to make a public statement on the identity of the erring athlete, an official in the AFN board confirmed how devastated they are by the sad turn of events.
“I cannot talk to you yet on the issue. Just wait for the official statement that would be released, but this is very sad. Just when we thought we were making some headway, this has really brought us back,” the AFN official told PREMIUM TIMES.

The Athletics Integrity Unit, the body in charge of global doping cases, is also yet to make a public statement on the matter since the result of the ‘B’ sample, which is often the same as ‘A’ is still being awaited.

Incidentally, the AIU in the build-up to the Commonwealth Games had praised Nigeria for its improved effort at combating doping.

Unlike the Tokyo Olympics, where Nigeria had 10 of its athletes barred from competing for failing to do the required number of out-of-competition tests, the case was different in Oregon at the World Championship where Nigeria had a clean bill of health.

“While Nigeria did a paltry 26 tests in 2021, it has already conducted 157 this term, and the quantum improvement has been hailed even though it is admitted that even more can still be done to totally get rid of cheats in the sports.

“It is accepted now in our sport that National Federations must play their part in supporting anti-doping efforts,” David Howman, Chair of the AIU Board said in a statement issued about two weeks before the commencement of the Commonwealth Games.

If Nigeria ends up losing the relay medal, the outing in Birmingham will no longer be the country’s best-ever at the Commonwealth Games as widely celebrated.

The Head of safety and Security for Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Christian Emeruwa, has said that he was eligible to run as the head of the country’s football body.

Speaking on his eligibility for the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Lagos yesterday, Emeruwa revealed that the provisions in the NFF Electoral Act made it possible for him to run despite spurious claims by others eyeing the leadership of Sunday Dankaro house that the seasoned sports administrator was not qualified to run.

Emeruwa said he was more than competent to contest for the election, adding it would be

 a turnaround time’ for Nigerian football since his vision and strategy would be in tandem with international best practices.

Emeruwa, quoting from the NFF Electoral Act, said inter alia : “For the election of the President, two-third of the votes recorded as valid should be necessary in the first ballot. In a second or any other requisite ballot, an absolute majority of votes recorded, 50 percent or more is sufficient if there are more than two candidates.

“Only members of the NFF may propose candidates for the office of the President of NFF. Members shall notify the general secretariat in writing on the name of the candidate for the president of the NFF at least two months before the date of the General Assembly.”

He continued:” The statutes did not say only members can become president, it states only members can propose candidates for the president. Members include state associations, referee associations, coaches associations, leagues and players unions.

“I am from Abia state and I am being proposed (to run) by my state football association because my state association is a member of the Nigeria Football Federation.

“Let nobody deceive us, the statues are clear on how the candidates for President should be proposed. The statues never said you must be a member and when you go further and read the electoral guidelines: ‘Eligibility; the person shall be to contest election into the executive committee if; 1: he is a citizen of Nigeria in accordance with the provision Subsection 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’, I am not a Nigerian?” he queried.

He said his administration if elected, would ‘want to remodel the existing foundation of Nigerian football and build a new foundation whose pillars will be enshrined on administrative competence, credibility, transparence, accountability and above all, integrity’ and insisted that he will have zero tolerance for corruption

“My strategy and vision is to rebuild the NFF as a world class, innovative organisation , inspiring a whole nation and every boy and girl to be part of the Nigerian football family,” he noted.

Emeruwa’s declaration in Lagos was attended by former Secretary General of Nigeria football, Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba who described him fit for the exalted position.

Paris Saint-Germain must pay 10 million euros ($10 million) for breaking UEFA financial rules, with seven other clubs also punished for overspending since 2018.

UEFA said its club finance investigators ordered prize money from European competitions totaling 26 million euros to be withheld from the eight clubs sanctioned under Financial Fair Play rules.

A further 146 million euros in total punishments could be imposed if the clubs fail to meet financial targets in the next three to four years they have agreed to in settlement deals, UEFA said.

PSG will have the biggest amount deducted. A group of Italian clubs were next in line: Roma must forfeit prize money of 5 million euros, Inter Milan 4 million euros, Juventus 3.5 million euros and AC Milan 2 million euros.

French champion PSG declined to comment on the case, which covered the 2021-22 season when it added Lionel Messi to a super forward line that already featured Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

AC Milan said in a statement, “We will continue with confidence on the virtuous path towards financial sustainability.” The Italian champion was bought this week by American investors RedBird Capital Partners in a 1.2-billion euros deal that included the New York Yankees as a minority partner.

The other deductions imposed by UEFA were 600,000 euros from Besiktas and 300,000 euros each from Marseille and Monaco.

Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi (left) against Kyle Walker at Etihad Stadium in Britain on Aug 31, 2022. 

Nottingham Forest returned to the Premier League  following a 23-year absence and, judging by their summer shopping spree, they look determined to stay in the top flight after bringing in an English record 21 players in a single transfer window.

On Thursday’s (Sept 1) transfer deadline day, the newly promoted side completed deals for Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back Willy Boly, Blackpool winger Josh Bowler – who was loaned to Greek side Olympiakos – and defender Loic Bade on loan from Rennes.

The previous English record for the most signings in one transfer window was Crystal Palace’s 17 in the summer of 2013, according to specialist website Transfermarkt.

Forest, who earned promotion through the Championship play-offs, have spent close to £150 million (S$243 million) rebuilding a team ravaged by the departures of five players on free transfers as well as five on-loan players.

The East Midlands club smashed their transfer record to sign midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White for a reported initial fee of £25 million, while also spending big to sign striker Taiwo Awoniyi and defender Neco Williams for £18 million each.

Among other high-profile arrivals are England international Jesse Lingard, who joined on a free transfer, with goalkeeper Dean Henderson and left-back Renan Lodi arriving on loan from Manchester United and Atletico Madrid, respectively.

Under manager Steve Cooper, Forest have taken four points from their opening five games and sit 15th in the league standings ahead of Saturday’s trip to Everton.

S. Open – Flushing Meadows, New York, United States – September 2, 2022 Serena Williams of the U.S. shake hands with Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic after losing their third round match

Ajla Tomljanovic admitted to feeling “a little bit like the villain” after she beat her idol Serena Williams on Friday at the U.S Open in what was likely the 23-time Grand Slam champion’s final match.

The Australian overcame a Serena-crazed sold-out crowd and an in-form Williams to emerge with a hard-fought 7-5 6-7(4) 6-1 third-round victory under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It was probably the most conflicted I’ve ever felt after a win,” she told reporters.

“During the match I was so eager to win. I wanted to win as much as the next person because I didn’t look at her like, Oh, Serena, her last tournament.

“But then when it ended, it almost didn’t feel right. When she started talking about her family and everything, I got emotional because I can relate to having a strong bond with your family.”

A tearful Williams, who is considered by many to be the greatest of all time, thanked her family and fans for what she called “an incredible journey” over her 27-year career in an on-court interview before an adoring crowd.

Tomljanovic, 29, said the journey that Serena and her older sister Venus have been on has served as a lifelong inspiration to her.

“Growing up I didn’t really have idols, but Serena and Venus were just so good that I looked up to them the most,” she said.

To beat Serena, Tomljanovic said she took a page out of the six-time U.S. Open champion’s book.

“Serena one time said she only thinks about the next point,” she said. “If I’m playing her, I might use her tactic.”

Asked how it feels to be the answer to a possible future tennis trivia question about who beat Serena Williams in her last match, Tomljanovic said it would be “cool” to be part of tennis history.

“No one’s going to pronounce my name right,” she said with a laugh. “That’s going to suck.”

Liverpool’s Alisson in action

Liverpool dropped more points as a feisty Merseyside derby ended 0-0 at winless Everton on Saturday but Tottenham Hotspur maintained their fast start to the Premier League season with Harry Kane sealing a 2-1 victory over Fulham.

Liverpool had 23 goal attempts but could find no way through at Goodison Park where both sides hit the woodwork and Everton were denied a winner by a VAR decision.

Juergen Klopp’s side have nine points from a possible 18 and with champions Manchester City in action later on Saturday against Aston villa they are alarmingly off the pace.

Leaders Arsenal, who have a maximum 15 points from five games, are at resurgent Manchester United on Sunday.

“Rule number one: if you cannot win the derby, don’t lose it. We could have won it today but we could have lost it in a few moments as well,” Klopp said.

Chelsea hit back to beat West Ham United 2-1 at Stamford Bridge with goals from substitutes Ben Chilwell and Kai Havertz cancelling out Michail Antonio’s opener.

But West Ham were left seething when an equaliser by Maxwel Cornet in the dying moments was ruled out after a VAR check ruled that Jarrod Bowen had fouled Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy.

Newcastle United also felt aggrieved as they had a goal chalked off following a VAR decision in a 0-0 home stalemate with Crystal Palace, their fourth draw in six games.

Ivan Toney scored a stunning hat-trick for Brentford in a 5-2 mauling of Leeds United.

Wolverhampton Wanderers claimed their first win of the season as they beat Southampton 1-0 with Daniel Podence on target just before halftime.

Nottingham Forest, who signed 21 new players in the transfer window for a combined 145 million pounds ($167 million), including several on deadline day, squandered a 2-0 lead at home to Bournemouth to eventually lose 3-2 and fall into the bottom three.

CRACKING DERBY

After back-to-back home wins, Liverpool’s season appeared to be back on track and they welcomed back new signing Darwin Nunez on Saturday after his three-game ban.

Nunez was denied by the woodwork in the second half as was Luiz Diaz although Everton’s Tom Davies also struck an upright in the opening half of a derby that somehow remained goalless.

Everton keeper Jordan Pickford made several fine saves to frustrate Liverpool but the hosts thought they had grabbed the lead when Conor Coady tapped in at the far post.

With pandemonium ensuing at Goodison, the goal was ruled out for offside after a long VAR review. A cracking derby then ended with Mohamed Salah firing against the post in stoppage time.

Everton’s 12-year wait for a win over Liverpool at Goodison goes on but manager Frank Lampard took plenty of positives from the draw. “I thought we were brilliant. It’s one of the best 0-0s you’re likely to see,” said the former England midfielder.

Tottenham are enjoying their joint-best start to a Premier League campaign and maintained the pace at home to Fulham.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg gave Tottenham a 40th minute lead after a wave of attacks from the hosts in which Son Heung-min was denied his first goal of the season by the crossbar.

Kane doubled Tottenham’s lead in the 75th minute with a tap-in from Ryan Sessegnon’s pass — his 188th Premier League goal taking him past Andy Cole into third place on the all-time scoring list in the competition.

Aleksandar Mitrovic curled a superb reply for Fulham — his sixth goal of the season — after Richarlison was denied his first for Tottenham by the inside of a post.

“We are going to score many goals with these strikers,” Tottenham manager Antonio Conte, who started with Richarlison, Kane and Son combined for the first time, said.

New signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not afraid of the supposed curse of the No. 9 shirt at Chelsea and manager Thomas Tuchel said on Friday he expects the Gabon striker to bring a host of qualities to the squad.

Chelsea signed Aubameyang from Barcelona on Thursday’s transfer deadline day as the 33-year-old sealed his return to the Premier League seven months after leaving Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal

Aubameyang will be Chelsea’s newest No. 9, taking over from Romelu Lukaku who rejoined Inter Milan after a lacklustre season at Stamford Bridge.

Several forwards who wore the No. 9 shirt — including Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao, and Alvaro Morata — failed to leave a mark at Chelsea despite arriving with high expectations, but Tuchel has confidence in Aubameyang.

“If he is brave enough to take the nine (no. 9 shirt), he takes the nine,” Tuchel told reporters ahead of Saturday’s league game at home to West Ham United.

“It’s on us to prove it, for me to find a position, to create enough support for him and on him to finish our attacks. He is not afraid of the past and what a number means. He is ready to write his own history.

“Auba is happy to fight for challenges so if he wants to take the No. 9 shirt or he wants to show people in London he is better than they think, then all the better.”

Tuchel, who previously managed Aubameyang at Borussia Dortmund, said he had no concerns over Aubameyang’s discipline and that the striker has a positive attitude.

“He delivers goals and speed and work rate against the ball so it’s a big package he can bring to our group,” Tuchel said, adding that Aubameyang cannot train until next week due to a jaw injury he suffered in an armed robbery at his home in Barcelona.

With Chelsea languishing in 10th in the league after losing to Southampton in their last game, Tuchel urged his team to toughen up ahead of Saturday’s game against West Ham, who are 14th.

“We will show a reaction. It’s proven we can do it with this group so we need to find the right spirit and attitude in all of the matches,” Tuchel said.

Newly signed midfielder Denis Zakaria will not be in the squad for Saturday with the club still working on his work permit, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Reece James will return from injuries. N’Golo Kante remains sidelined.

Manuel Obafemi Akanji has Swiss mother and a Nigerian father

Manchester City’s recent injury problems at the heart of their defence and a hectic schedule prompted them to seal a transfer deadline day deal for Swiss international centre back Manuel Akanji, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.

City signed the 27-year-old from Borussia Dortmund on a five-year contract for a fee of around 15 million pounds ($17.32 million), making him their fifth signing of the transfer window which closed on Thursday.

Guardiola’s side will be without Aymeric Laporte for another month as he recovers from knee surgery while his fellow defender Nathan Ake is fit again after overcoming a muscle injury.

“We had four incredible centre backs… Aymeric had a tough injury, he’s getting better but still one month or half… Nathan had some concerns,” Guardiola told reporters before Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa.

Sept 2 (Reuters) – Manchester City’s recent injury problems at the heart of their defence and a hectic schedule prompted them to seal a transfer deadline day deal for Swiss international centre back Manuel Akanji, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.

City signed the 27-year-old from Borussia Dortmund on a five-year contract for a fee of around 15 million pounds ($17.32 million), making him their fifth signing of the transfer window which closed on Thursday.

Guardiola’s side will be without Aymeric Laporte for another month as he recovers from knee surgery while his fellow defender Nathan Ake is fit again after overcoming a muscle injury.

“We had four incredible centre backs… Aymeric had a tough injury, he’s getting better but still one month or half… Nathan had some concerns,” Guardiola told reporters before Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa.

“We couldn’t live with just two centre backs with this schedule. We had an opportunity to bring a player with one year left on his contract, incredibly experienced.

“He is perfect for what we need… good in the build-up. We felt it versus Dortmund. (We are) pleased he’s here.”

Guardiola said he will not force Laporte into action before the next international break later this month.

“One month ago we said September or October. Early October. He’ll be ready after the international break,” the Spaniard said.

“We won’t force it. Knee is a tough injury.”

City are second in the table with 13 points from five games, two points behind Arsenal who have made a perfect start.