Sports

Juventus Fined 10-point Deduction Over Accounting Breach

Juventus have been handed a 10-point deduction following a year-long investigation of improper transfer dealings.

The appeal court ruling, handed on Monday evening, sees Juventus, previously second with 69 points, drop to seventh on the Serie A table with 59 points.

The Turin-based giants were earlier handed a 15-point deduction for alleged financial irregularities and false accounting.

While the ban was temporarily lifted pending an appeal, the latest ruling places Juventus out of spots for the UEFA Champions League (UCL).

In a club statement released after the ruling, Juventus said it will appeal the verdict at the country’s national olympic committee (CONI), a body saddled with the responsibility to consider disciplinary decisions in sports.

“Juventus Football Club takes note of what was decided by the FIGC Court of Appeal and reserves the right to read the reasons to evaluate a possible appeal to the Guarantee Board at CONI,” the statement reads.

“What was established by the fifth instance of judgment in this matter, which began more than a year ago, arouses great bitterness in the club and in its millions of supporters who, in the absence of clear rules, find themselves extremely penalised with the application of sanctions that seem to take into account the principle of proportionality.

“While not ignoring the need for urgency, which Juventus has never shied away from during the proceedings, it is emphasised that these are facts that still have to be evaluated by a judge.”

Juventus have won the Italian Seria A on 36 occasions.

Sports

Eguavoen unveils Super Eagles squad for Libya clash

Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has announced a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Libya.

Captain William Ekong, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and 20 other players have been called up for the home-and-away battles. The team includes:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, and Amas Obasogie

Defenders: William Ekong, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, and Benjamin Tanimu

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, and Alex Iwobi

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze, Chidera Ejuke, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, and Taiwo Awoniyi

Notably absent due to injury is Victor Osimhen, while Olisa Ndah also misses out. Bright Osayi-Samuel returns after missing the previous matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

The Super Eagles will host Libya at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on October 11 and travel to Benghazi for the return leg on October 15. Players are expected to report in Uyo on October 7.

Sports

AFCON 2025 Qualifyer: We will approach Libya game like World cup final – Eguavoen

Eguavoen admits it’s tough coaching football nation like Nigeria

Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen says the team will approach the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Libya like a “World Cup” final.

The three-time African champions will face the Mediterranean Knights in a matchday three encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo next week Friday.

The West Africans will battle with the North Africans in away territory four days later.

“We play against Libya back-to-back, it will be the same approach that we had for the previous games, but it’s a game at a time, so game 3 (vs Libya) is a World Cup final,” Eguavoen told Brila FM.

“No game will be easy, but we will do everything possible to put smiles on the face of Nigerians

“We need the fans to be patient and they should support the team with all our hearts.

“We hope to have the full complement of the team, let the boys stay injury-free, we have the players who can rule the world.”

Sports

Why I rejected Super Eagles job – French coach, Hervé Renard reveals

French coach, Hervé Renard, has revealed why he rejected an offer to become the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

Renard, who has enjoyed stints at Ivory Coast and Zambia, disclosed that he was approached by the Nigeria Football Federation after the exit of Finidi George in May.

According to Renard, the NFF’s offer was the most lucrative he had received, but after much deliberation, he decided to decline.

“I almost went to Nigeria. I weighed the pros and cons for a few days, even weeks, before eventually turning it down. It was the best offer I’ve had so far, but it didn’t suit me in the end,” Renard told French outlet L’Équipe, as reported by Brila FM.

Augustine Eguavoen, who was first made interim coach last month, has since been appointed as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles.