Sports
NPFL fines Heartland N1m over pitch encroachment by club officials
The board of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed a fine of N1 million on Heartland FC over the pitch encroachment of the club’s players and officials during their match against Rivers United.
According to a tweet on the league’s official X account, Heartland FC officials and players invaded the pitch in protest of a decision made by the match officials in their matchday six fixture, which finished 1-1 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Wednesday.
The Nazi Millionaires were charged for breaching the framework and rules of the NPFL.
The league body said Heartland 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 also added that the club’s next home game at the Dan Anyiam stadium would be played behind closed doors.
The sanction comes a few weeks after NPFL issued Heartland a “stern warning” over the behaviour of the club’s fans in holding the players and officials “hostage” at the stadium after matchday four home draw against Katsina United.
Heartland was further warned to implement an effective matchday security arrangement to avoid any recurrence leading to severe sanctions.
Sports
Everton sack Sean Dyche, name club captain as interim player-manager
Everton have sacked Sean Dyche as the club’s manager.
The Merseyside club announced the dismissal of the 53-year-old English manager in a statement on Thursday.
Everton also dismissed Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer — members of Dyche’s crew.
The club said Seamus Coleman, the team’s captain, will temporarily take charge of first-team affairs alongside Leighton Baines, Everton’s U-18 head coach.
“The process to appoint a new manager is under way and an update will be provided in due course,” the statement reads.
Dyche leaves his post a few hours before Everton played Peterborough in the third round of the FA Cup.
On Saturday, Everton suffered their eighth league defeat of the season following a 1-0 league loss to Bournemouth. The result left the Toffees in 16th position, just one point from relegation places as Everton fights against the drop in consecutive seasons.
Sports
Roberto Carlos refutes claims of his homelessness amid split from wife
Roberto Carlos, former Real Madrid defender, has refuted reports claiming he is homeless following an acrimonious split with his estranged wife.
Recently, there were reports that Carlos, now Real Madrid’s director of institutional relations, has moved into the club’s training ground at Valdebabas after leaving his private residence in Spain, where he had lived since retiring from football in 2016.
The reports claimed that the 51-year-old is sleeping at the club facility following a complicated divorce settlement between him and Mariana Lucon, his wife of 15 years.
The rumours added that the wife has staked a claim at the couple’s matrimonial residence, while her family occupies Carlos’ second property.
However, in a tweet on Wednesday, Carlos dismissed the reports as “false and damaging” and “baseless rumours” which were “designated to generate clicks”.
The Brazilian added that he lives “in a private residence, supported by members of my family”.
“In recent days, I have become aware of false and damaging stories circulating about me and my family.
“While I value privacy, I feel compelled to address the baseless rumours about my living situation. These fabricated stories are entirely false and seem designated to generate clicks.
“I remain in a private residence, supported by members of my family.
“My legal team is reviewing these claims and will take appropriate action.
The 2022 World Cup winner then asked that his privacy be respected “during this time”.
Carlos and Lucon married in June 2009 and have two daughters – Manuela and Mariana.
Sports
West Ham appoints ex-Chelsea boss, Graham Potter, head coach
English Premier League club, West Ham, has confirmed the appointment of former Chelsea boss, Graham Potter as its new head coach.
“West Ham United is delighted to welcome Graham Potter as the club’s new head coach. The 49-year-old joins the Hammers on a two-and-a-half-year contract and will take charge of his new team for the first time when the Irons travel to Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday evening.
“A highly-respected and sought-after coach, Potter has been awaiting the right opportunity after leaving his last role at Chelsea in April 2023 and was the Board’s unanimous choice to take the club forward in line with its objectives and ambitions.
“Potter, whose progressive style and flexible tactical approach previously impressed at Swedish club Östersund, Swansea City and Brighton & Hove Albion, has a passion for a return to Premier League management and is relishing the opportunity to work with West Ham United’s talented squad of international players,” the club statement read on Thursday.
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