Sports
FIFA bans Argentina goalkeeper Martinez

Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been banned for two matches by FIFA for “offensive behaviour”, the Argentine Football Association announced on Saturday.
The 32-year-old Aston Villa star was also found guilty of “violating principles of fair play” in two separate episodes.
Martinez was found to have violated FIFA’s code of conduct when holding a replica of the Copa America trophy to his groin after the World Cup qualifier win over Chile on September 5.
It is not the first time Martinez has performed such an action, having also done it with the Golden Glove trophy for best goalkeeper after Argentina beat France on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final.
FIFA also sanctioned him for hitting a TV cameraman’s camera with his gloves after their 2-1 defeat to Colombia on September 10.
The AFA expressed their dissatisfaction with the FIFA ruling.
“It should be noted that the Argentine Football Association expresses its absolute disagreement with the decision taken by the FIFA disciplinary committee,” they said in a statement.
As a result of the decision, Martinez – also a key member of the Argentina side that won the Copa America in July, as well as the 2021 edition – will miss the World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela on October 10 and Bolivia on October 15.
Argentina are top of the South American qualifying table with 18 points after eight matches. Colombia are just two points behind.
Sports
Boniface debunks rumour of breakup with Norwegian partner over prenup

Victor Boniface, the Super Eagles striker, has dismissed rumours that he is no longer with his Norwegian partner Rikke Hermine.
The rumours emerged on social media, claiming that Boniface had ended their four-year relationship due to a dispute over a prenuptial agreement.
An X user shared a post claiming that Hermine had requested a legal marriage without a prenup, which Boniface allegedly rejected to protect his financial future.
“Nigerian footballer, Victor Boniface has reportedly ended his 4 years relationship with his Norwegian girlfriend, Rikke Herminem,” the post reads.
“According to reports, she insisted on a legal marriage without a prenup (A prenup is a contract protecting assets and finances of both parties in case of divorce or death). Boniface is now focused on safeguarding his financial future and avoiding potential pitfalls.”
Nigerian footballer, Victor Boniface has reportedly ended his 4 years relationship with his Norwegian girlfriend, Rikke Hermine.
— African Hub (@AfricanHub_) January 22, 2025
According to reports, she insisted on a legal marriage without a prenup (A prenup is a contract protecting assets and finances of both parties in case… pic.twitter.com/dkW1KgHqzu
Boniface denied the reports, describing them as “fake news and lies”.
In now-deleted posts, the Super Eagles striker stated that the reports were “unverified and unfounded”.


“Stop posting fake shit you guys know nothing about….. Una go just carry phone without knowing Wetinx Dey sup just post,” he wrote in pidgin English.
“No be everybody be like una sister. So respect urself. Everything you guys say about her are all lies.”
Sports
Haaland signs new 10-year deal with City — longest contract extension in EPL

Erling Haaland has agreed to a new 10-year deal as a Manchester City player.
The club announced the deal in a statement on its website on Friday.
“Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year Manchester City contract, keeping him at the Club until the summer of 2034,” the statement reads.
The length of the 24-year-old’s new deal is the longest contract extension in the English Premier League (EPL), surpassing Cole Palmer’s nine-year agreement with Chelsea.
Haaland moved to the Etihad in 2022 from Borussia Dortmund. The Norwegian scored 52 goals in all competitions in his debut season, including 36 in the EPL to win the league’s Golden Boot prize. He also broke the league record of goals scored by a player in a single season.
His goals led Man City to an impressive treble of trophies: EPL, FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
The striker has scored 111 goals in 126 games in his two-and-a-half season at the club.
Sports
Benue audits Lobi’s finances, asks three former vice-chairmen to refund N2.4bn

The Benue state government has asked three former Lobi Stars vice-chairmen to return N2.4 billion into the club’s coffer.
In a statement on Friday, Tersoo Kula, the press secretary to Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, said the revelation was included in a white paper report of a forensic audit investigation into Lobi’s finances inaugurated by the state government.
Alia launched a probe into the club’s funds in October 2024. The investigative committee studied the handover notes submitted by the outgoing board of the club and Lobi’s income.
The investigation report covers Lobi’s financial details from January 2020 to September 2024.
Kula said the audit report, released to the state government in November 2024, revealed that Lobi Stars generated N3,759,820,269 during the period under review.
However, he added that only N1,314,807,672 of the generated sum could be accounted for.
The statement then demanded the three immediate past vice-chairmen of Lobi Stars refund the deficit to the club’s account.
“The breakdown indicates that Mr Mike Idoko and others who worked with him are to refund the sum of two hundred and forty-three million, nine hundred and fifty-five thousand, and eighty-one naira, forty-four kobo (₦243,955,081.44) for the period of 2020-2021,” the statement reads.
“Mr. Emmanuel Taman and others who worked under him are to refund four hundred and thirty-four million, three hundred and eighteen thousand, nine hundred and sixty-four naira, twelve kobo (₦434,318,964.12) for 2021-2022.
“Mr. Dominic Iorfa and others are to refund the sum of six hundred and ninety-two million, four hundred and fifty-three thousand, nine hundred and twenty-seven naira, sixty kobo (₦692,453,927.60) for 2022-2023, and seven hundred and two million, eight hundred and seventy-five thousand naira (₦702,875,000) for 2023-2024, as well as three hundred and seventy-one million, four hundred and nine thousand, six hundred and twenty-three naira, seventy-six kobo (₦371,409,623.76) for 2024-2025.”
The committee also recommended that Lobi Stars be registered as a revenue-generating company and that funds from the club’s sponsors be deposited directly into the club’s account.
The panel also advocated for the club’s independence, stating that Benue’s sports ministry should no longer control or interfere in its day-to-day operations.