Football - DTOWNCRIER

FIFA Sanctions NFF, DR Congo FA Over Playoff Incident; Silent on Eligibility Protest

March 17, 2026March 17, 2026Obianuju Nicole0

World football governing body FIFA has sanctioned both the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Congolese Football Association following disciplinary incidents during the African playoff final for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, FIFA did not address Nigeria’s protest against DR Congo national football team over allegations of fielding ineligible players during the match. According to FIFA’s disciplinary report, both football bodies were found […]

UEFA Cancels Spain vs Argentina Finalissima Due to Middle East Conflict

March 17, 2026March 17, 2026Obianuju Nicole0

The planned Finalissima between Spain national football team and Argentina national football team has been cancelled after organisers could not agree on a new date and venue. Originally scheduled for March 27 in Qatar, UEFA confirmed on Sunday that the match would no longer take place, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as making the location unworkable. […]

Barcelona Explore Fresh Loan Deal to Keep Marcus Rashford Amid Financial Constraints

March 17, 2026March 17, 2026Obianuju Nicole0

FC Barcelona are considering a creative solution to retain Marcus Rashford as they struggle to trigger the €30 million permanent transfer clause agreed with Manchester United. Rashford, who joined the Catalan club on loan, is reportedly keen to remain in Spain after rediscovering his form under manager Hansi Flick. The 28-year-old forward is said to have made it clear to […]

Mikel Urges NFF Leadership to Resign Over Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup Failure

March 14, 2026March 14, 2026Obianuju Nicole0

Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has called on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to step down following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Mikel also urged the Federal Government to investigate Nigeria’s inability to win its World Cup qualifying group, which included Rwanda, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Benin […]

Iranian Women’s Football Team Faces Possible Harsh Repercussions After Asian Cup Exit

March 9, 2026March 9, 2026Obianuju Nicole0

Members of the Iranian women’s national football team may face severe consequences after their 2-0 defeat to the Philippines on Sunday, March 8, which ended their Women’s Asian Cup campaign. The situation has raised concerns about the players’ safety under Iran’s strict political climate. The tournament was already fraught with controversy, as the team reportedly […]

UEFA Fines Real Madrid Over Fan’s Alleged Nazi Salute, Orders Suspended Bernabéu Closure

March 9, 2026March 9, 2026Obianuju Nicole0

UEFA has fined Real Madrid and ordered a suspended partial closure of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium after a supporter inside the stadium was filmed appearing to make a Nazi salute. The European football governing body announced that the club must pay a fine of €15,000 (£13,000/$17,400) for what it described as the “racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters.” In […]

Nigeria Misses Out as FIFA Confirms DR Congo for 2026 World Cup Play-Offs

March 9, 2026March 9, 2026Obianuju Nicole0

Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the FIFA World Cup have suffered a major setback after FIFA officially confirmed the Democratic Republic of the Congo as Africa’s representative in the upcoming inter-confederation play-off tournament. In an accreditation notice circulated to media covering the event, FIFA outlined the tournament structure and listed the six nations set to compete for […]

Francis Uzoho Reinstated as Super Eagles First-Choice Goalkeeper

March 4, 2026March 4, 2026Obianuju Nicole0

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has confirmed Francis Uzoho as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, following the current inactivity of Stanley Nwabali. Uzoho, who plays for Cypriot First Division side Omonia, had previously served as second-choice during the last Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria secured a third-place finish. Nwabali, meanwhile, is currently without a club […]