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Arteta labels Arsenal loss a big disgrace after VAR controversy

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Mikel Arteta branded Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle “a disgrace” after Anthony Gordon’s winner was controversially allowed to stand by VAR.

Gordon handed Arsenal their first Premier League loss this term when he slotted home from close-range in the second half at St James’ Park.

But Arsenal were incensed by the goal, claiming it should have been disallowed for Joelinton’s challenge on Gabriel.

Joelinton appeared to push Arsenal defender Gabriel in the back while the pair contested Joe Willock’s cross, with the ball running for Gordon to net from virtually on the goal line.

After a lengthy VAR check, it was ruled there was no foul, while Arsenal’s appeal that the ball went out of play before Willock crossed it was also ignored, as were claims that Gordon was offside.

“The result should not be what it is. Embarrassing what happened, how this goal stands, in the Premier League, this league we say is the best in the world,” Arteta said.

“I’ve been 20 years in this country and now I feel ashamed. It’s a disgrace and there’s too much at stake here.”

Arsenal’s second loss this week was a huge blow to their title bid, ending a dismal few days after they were also knocked out of the League Cup by West Ham on Wednesday.

But the debatable manner of the defeat left a bitter taste for Arteta.

“We are trying to do incredible things and be at the highest level each week. We didn’t deserve to lose the match. We lost because of the clear and obvious decisions,” Arteta said after Arsenal failed to score for the first time in all competitions this season.

“There’s so much at stake, we put so many hours. The margins are so small. It’s a disgrace. That’s how I feel and how everyone feels in that dressing room.

“You cannot imagine the amount of messages I got saying this cannot continue. I have to be here now to say it is not acceptable.”

Arsenal are now three points behind leaders Manchester City after a result that could have major implications for their title hopes.

“I don’t know how to feel. I am wasting my time. We are wasting our time. I don’t want to be in the hands of people,” Arteta said.

“It’s difficult enough to compete against this team. It cannot continue. There’s too much at stake. The consequences are too big.”

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Sporting Lagos get N1m fine over fans unruliness during NPFL game

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The board of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed a fine of N1 million on Sporting Lagos FC over the unruliness of the club’s fans during their match against Heartland FC.

According to a tweet on the league’s official X account, Sporting Lagos fans threw objects on the pitch during the team’s matchday nine fixture, which finished 1-1 at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, on Sunday.

The league body charged the Noisy Lagosians with breaching the framework and rules of the NPFL “for failing to provide adequate security”.

Sporting Lagos must pay the fine within 14 days, or failure to comply within the stipulated time would be considered a continuous breach of the league’s framework and rules.

NPFL then ordered the Lagos club to implement an effective matchday security arrangement and organise a re-orientation programme for its fans.

The league body warned the club that any recurrence would lead to severe sanctions.

Sporting Lagos are playing their first-ever season in the NPFL. The team is sitting eighth on the league table after garnering an equal number of wins, draws and losses from 12 games.

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No money to pay off Peseiro if we sack him, says NFF board member

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Nse Essien, a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), says Jose Peseiro, Super Eagles head coach, has not been sacked because the federation cannot afford the severance payment.

Essien spoke with journalists after the Eagles’ 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in their second game of the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.

The result left Nigeria winless in the qualifiers, having previously drawn Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio stadium last week.

The performances have generated a lot of criticism for Peseiro, while some social media users called for his sack.

Addressing the situation, Essien said the top brass at the NFF are also “not happy” with the Portuguese and his latest streak of results with the Eagles.

He claimed Peseiro was employed by the sports ministry and not the NFF, and “not paid a dime” have been paid to the Portuguese.

“If you check the internet, almost everyone is asking for the sack of the head coach. It is unfortunate that out of six points, we have just two, and we have found ourselves in a precarious situation,” the NFF board member said.

“When you say NFF should sack the head coach, we didn’t employ him. This regime didn’t employ him when you come to look at it; it was the Sports Ministry that employed him.

“Up till now, we were supposed to have paid their salaries, but up till now, they have not paid a dime.

“When you now sack him, who pays for compensation? That is the situation we find ourselves in. Not a dime has been paid to this coach, who earns about $70,000 every month.

“We have to respect his [Jose Peseiro’s] contract. If we had the money to give to him [pay him off], why wouldn’t we relieve him? We are not happy.”

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‘The money increased with each rejection’ — Osimhen speaks on declining Al-Hilal bid

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Victor Osimhen, Super Eagles striker, said he refused to join Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal FC earlier this year because he had to “make a decision that is good for my career.”

In July, the Saudi Pro League side reportedly tabled a €140 million (£120.3m) offer to sign Osimhen from Napoli.

The 24-year-old was billed to earn wages in the region of £1 million per week if the Italian club accepted the offer.

However, the move fell through, with Osimhen opting to stay with the Parthenopeans for at least another season.

Speaking on the exorbitant bid in a chat with John Obi Mikel on the “Obi One Podcast” on Monday, the Napoli striker admitted that the Al-Hilal offer was hard to refuse and “would have changed my life amazingly”.

He added that the Saudi club never relented, and “the more I said no, the more they increased the financial offer”.

“When the offer came from Saudi Arabia, a huge offer, it was hard to refuse,” Osimhen said.

“It was a really huge decision for me to take.

“The more I said no, the more they increased the financial offer. I was like, wow! This is for real.

“I spoke to Napoli and decided to stay. But they [Al-Hilal] never gave up until the end of their transfer window.

“The transfer would have changed my life amazingly, but I just have to make a decision that is good for my career. As much as we play football for money, there is also honour that comes with it.”

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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