Manchester City and Arsenal are locked in a Premier League title race battle and both teams face some important fixtures across the next couple of weeks
Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter and Kieran King Football Writer
18:38, 22 Feb 2026Updated 18:38, 22 Feb 2026
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Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes were dealt a huge blow on Sunday, as Arsenal restored their five-point lead by beating Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby.
City had reduced the gap with a 2-1 win against Newcastle United on Saturday and that put the pressure back on the Gunners to respond as they made the short trip to arch rivals Spurs.
But, despite a mini-scare in the first-half, Mikel Arteta’s side responded in brutal fashion. Eberechi Eze opened the scoring for the Gunners 31 minutes into the outing, before Randal Kolo Muani issued an instant response to level matters.
Viktor Gyokeres then gave Arsenal the lead once more as the second-half resumed, with Kolo Muani once again finding the back of David Raya’s net. However, the Frenchman’s second strike was ultimately ruled out due to a foul on Gabriel in the build-up.
Eze bagged his second of the afternoon 61 minutes into the match, before Gyokeres secured a brace of his own in the game’s final stages. As a result of the 4-1 win, Arsenal now sit five points clear of City in the Premier League standings, albeit, Pep Guardiola’s Sky Blues have a game in hand on the Gunners to help close the gap once more.
With that in mind, here are Arsenal’s next five fixtures compared to Manchester City’s…
Leeds United (A) – Saturday, February 28 (5:30pm) – Premier League
Nottingham Forest (H) – Wednesday, March 4 (7:30pm) – Premier League
Newcastle United (A) – Saturday, March 7 (8pm) – FA Cup
West Ham (A) – Saturday, March 14 (12:30pm) – Premier League
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Arsenal (A) – Sunday, March 22 (4:30pm) – Carabao Cup
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The Philadelphia Eagles made an interesting trade to bring in a backup for starting quarterback Jalen Hurts.
The Eagles acquired veteran quarterback Andy Dalton from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick, according to multiple reports.
The 38-year-old signal-caller spent the past three seasons with the Panthers, where he mostly served as a backup to Bryce Young, the first overall selection of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton throws against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium.(Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
But he did take over in 2024 as the team’s starter after first-year head coach Dave Canales didn’t like what he saw out of Young to start the year. Dalton started five games for the Panthers, going 1-4 in that stretch before Young’s return.
Dalton was a starter for nine seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, going 70-61-2 over that span with four straight playoff berths from 2011-14. Unfortunately for Dalton and the Bengals, they were never able to pick up a postseason victory.
After the 2019 season, the Bengals shifted away from Dalton after they drafted Joe Burrow first overall during the 2020 NFL Draft. Dalton was in and out of a starting role in Dallas and with the Chicago Bears in the 2021 season.
He assumed the role full-time with the New Orleans Saints in 2022, going 6-8 over 14 starts before ultimately joining Carolina.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium.(Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images)
It’s an interesting move for the Eagles considering Tanner McKee, who has played well during the preseason, was Hurts’ backup all last season. While this could be competition for McKee entering training camp, Dalton continues to play with the idea of being on a roster full-time, even if he’s not the starter.
The Panthers signed Kenny Pickett, a former Eagles quarterback, this offseason. As a result, Dalton was expendable.
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The Eagles head into the 2026 season with the obvious hope that Hurts is healthy enough for a full 17-game slate and then some. However, he didn’t have the best season under offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, who caught flak from the rabid fan base as the team struggled.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton before a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)
Philadelphia finished 11-6 before losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round at home. Patullo was fired days later, and the Eagles hired ex-Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion to take over the role.
While a UFC title shot has eluded him so far, Movsar Evloev is widely regarded as one of the best talents at featherweight. He is 9-0 in the promotion with wins over the likes of Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen, and Diego Lopes, among others.
The 32-year-old will next be seen against Lerone Murphy this weekend, in what many believe to be a title eliminator, with the victor likely earning a shot at the reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Evloev is primarily a grappler and has outwrestled every opponent he has faced inside the octagon. Fueling that domination is an exceptional gas tank, and while his work ethic is undeniable, many believe his heritage also plays a significant role.
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What is Movsar Evloev’s ethnicity?
Movsar Evloev comes from the Caucasus region of Ingushetia, Russia. The UFC fighter belongs to the Ingush ethnic group.
The Caucasus regions of Russia, particularly Dagestan and Chechnya, are renowned for producing world-class combat sports athletes and wrestlers, including UFC greats like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and Khamzat Chimaev.
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Evloev holds a takedown accuracy of 48%, a takedown defense of 61%, and averages 4.67 takedowns per 15 minutes. He trains out of the American Top Team, home to MMA elites including Dustin Poirier, Kayla Harrison, and Arman Tsarukyan, among others.
His nationality appears to have posed a major hurdle for him in the lead-up to his fight against Lerone Murphy in Manchester, England. Evloev was reportedly facing visa issues. However, those hurdles appear to have been sorted out, and the undefeated fighter is now in the U.K. ahead of the event.
During an interview with MMA Junkie in the lead-up to the event, he detailed the ordeal:
“I was very quiet for the past couple of weeks. I was busy with all of those different distractions. What was important for me was that I sleep well, I eat well, I prepare well, and with all of those things, trying to stay focused and maintaining all of this composure. I literally had time for nothing else than just to figure out the bureaucracy, figure out the documents, and stay in shape and work, so I can come out here and show my best at the best level.” [7:58 mark of the interview]
Aug 3, 2023; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and owner Ziggy Wilf talk at training camp at TCO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
Free agency is about ebbs and flows as teams lose and add key players. We’re now in the second week of free agency, which signals the start of Phase 2 in the free agency cycle.
The big bucks early signings have taken place involving highly sought players such as center Tyler Linderbaum, DE Trey Hendrickson, WRs Mike Evans and Alec Pierce, and Edges Jaelan Phillips and Odafe Oweh. Daniel Jones was re-signed in Indy on a two-year deal that could reach $100 million with incentives.
Kyler Murray’s signing by the Vikings was in Phase 1, and he is certainly a significant addition. It was a bargain deal for the Purple at only $1.3 million (the league minimum) this year, while the Cardinals pay Murray $36.8 million, guaranteed for 2026. That was a big free agency win for the Vikings since he’s the likely 2026 starter over J.J. McCarthy if Murray stays healthy. The re-signing of LB Eric Wilson last week was also a win for the team.
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What Phase 2 of Free Agency Means for the Vikings’ Roster Plan
A potentially significant loss would be the departure of third WR Jalen Nailor to the Raiders (three years, $35 million) if the Vikings don’t find a capable replacement via free agency, the draft, or significant Year 2 improvement from 2025 third-rounder Tai Felton.
The Vikings launched Phase 2 with the signing of a new punter, which looks like a negative development in the long run. Six-time All-Pro Johnny Hekker signed a contract that is surely less in guaranteed money than departing Ryan Wright’s $8 million guaranteed in his four-year, $3.5 million per year deal with the Saints.
Hekker is 36 years old, 11 years older than Wright, who is coming off a fine season with better stats than Hekker (who still had a respectable 46.8 gross average with 22 punts inside the 20 in Tennessee, but Wright was at 49.0 for gross average with 25 inside the 20). Both Hekker and Wright are fine holders in the kicking game.
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Oct 29, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers place kicker Eddy Pineiro (4) celebrates with punter Johnny Hekker (10) and tight end Tommy Tremble (82) after the game winning field goal in the last seconds of the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Wright’s 2026 cap hit is only $1.875 million, so it seems like the Vikings could have stepped up to get a much younger player in Wright signed to keep the same three successful specialists in the kicking game — Wright (as the punter and holder), kicker Will Reichard, and snapper Andrew DePaola (who did re-sign).
They may well have tried hard to keep Wright and lost him in part because Wright had a New Orleans connection from playing college football at Tulane.
Another Vikings signing this week that could turn out positive involves Bills offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark, who is a restricted free agent. He was tendered by Buffalo, which means they can retain Van Demark by matching the Vikings’ offer in the next five days of a one-year deal for $4.25 million.
The Vikings are hoping Van Demark will be a better backup tackle than Justin Skule was last year, and Van Demark is more highly regarded. It’s an important spot for the Vikings, given the recent injury histories of starting tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill (Skule started 9 games last season).
It’s somewhat disappointing that the Vikings have not yet signed a new center to replace the retired Ryan Kelly. They could be pointing to the draft or this Phase 2 of free agency to address this critical position.
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After signing Aaron Jones to a reduced contract, it appears the team will look to the draft for a young, explosive back to go with Jones, Jordan Mason, and Zavier Scott as the running back corps.
Also on the to-do list: after releasing vet DTs Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, the team needs to add a veteran defensive lineman or draft one in the early rounds (from the four picks in the first three rounds) to play alongside a young star in Jalen Redmond and two promising recent draftees — Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.
Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (DL19) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Safety remains an area of concern and a likely target in the first couple of rounds of next month’s draft, along with a talented young corner and more quality O-line depth in the late rounds.
There’s also an apparent contract issue with Jonathan Greenard, who is rumored to be seeking a big extension on his current $19 million-per-year deal, signed in 2024 and with two years remaining. With the league’s top pass rushers in the $40 million-plus range, Greenard obviously is seeking a substantial raise.
Will the Vikings trade him, keep him and risk a holdout, or renegotiate with a player who had shoulder surgery late in the season and missed five games last season while having his sack total drop from 12 in 2024 to three in 2025?
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I think they should keep Greenard this season and sweeten his current deal with some major sack incentives while asking him to wait until next year for an extension. He’s an elite pass rusher when he’s healthy, and perhaps the best approach for the team is to wait until next year to either extend or trade him, while they see how this coming season plays out for him and the team.
By then, Dallas Turner will be another year into his career, having made big strides last season. I’d like to see Greenard, Turner, and Andrew Van Ginkel play together in passing situations as one of the league’s top trios (and I’m sure Brian Flores would concur with that scenario).
Around the NFL Free Agency/Trade Observations
As usual, there’s a lot of media chatter on winners and losers in early free agency. The reality is we have to wait and see how things play out over a couple of years before making accurate assessments of how teams have done in free agency, trades, and the draft.
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Topping my list of teams appearing to have done well are the Rams after their trade with the Chiefs for All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie and the further addition of corner Jaylen Watson in a free agent signing to solidify the weakest position on their roster.
Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) catches a pass as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) defends during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images.
The Kenneth Walker III signing by the Chiefs to add an impactful running back to the offense also could be a difference maker in a wide-open AFC.
Miami is on the other end of the spectrum and appears to be pointing to 2027 rather than this coming season with their moves under new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and new head coach Jeff Hafley.
The Dolphins are absorbing over $100 million in dead money hits to their salary cap this year after releasing QB Tua Tagovailoa and WR Tyreek Hill and trading WR Jaylen Waddle. They also lost their leading pass rusher, Bradley Chubb, to division-rival Buffalo in free agency.
The signing of QB Malik Willis is not enough to excite the Dolphins fan base, and Willis will have to play great (with a suspect receiving corps as of now after the departures of Hill and Waddle), or the Dolphins will likely pick a first-round QB next year from a highly rated draft class.
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Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was selected NFL Executive of the Year … More about Jeff Diamond
Sanju Samson, front centre, being congratulated by head coach Gautam Gambhir (PTI Photo)
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has long been an admirer of Sanju Samson, who recently earned the Player of the Tournament award as India clinched a record third T20 World Cup title. Reflecting on the wicketkeeper-batter’s rise, Tharoor recalled telling a young Samson that he could become the next MS Dhoni.“I feel tremendous pride. I first met him when he was 14, a young club cricketer with a big smile and immense talent, already excelling in both wicketkeeping and batting. I had told him, somewhat patronisingly, that he would be the next Dhoni,” Tharoor said.
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Gautam Gambhir reflects on India’s World Cup win and backing Sanju Samson in the tournament
However, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir later advised Tharoor that Samson did not need to emulate anyone else and would instead forge his own path. Gambhir, even before becoming India’s head coach, had consistently backed Samson. In 2020, he had called him “not just the best wicketkeeper-batsman in India, but the best young batsman in India.”“Years later, Gambhir corrected me, saying he does not need to be the next Dhoni; he will be the one and only Sanju Samson — and that is exactly what he has become,” Tharoor added.Dhoni remains the benchmark for wicketkeeper-batters, arriving at the international stage as a big-hitting top-order batter before becoming one of India’s finest middle-order finishers and captains, winning all three major ICC white-ball trophies.Samson, meanwhile, had struggled with form in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup and was even benched before returning for the crucial Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe. He then followed that performance with three consecutive half-centuries: 97* against West Indies, 89 against England, and 89 against New Zealand in the final, consistently anchoring India’s innings and guiding them to defend the title.“He has been a terrific success — quiet, modest, unpretentious, and an effective leader,” Tharoor said. “He has led Rajasthan Royals very well for years and brought stability to India’s top order. Even during his difficult phases, I always felt that if he composed himself, his core talent would shine through.”Recalling Samson’s semi-final and final displays, Tharoor added, “In both matches, he reached 89 before being dismissed while selflessly playing big shots for the team. He could have played conservatively, but he chose to accelerate, showing the selfless, talented, and dedicated nature of Sanju Samson.”
Sanju Samson’s record-breaking T20 World Cup 2026 campaign
Sanju Samson’s stellar campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026 has rewritten the record books. In just five innings, he scored 321 runs, breaking Virat Kohli’s long-standing record of 319 runs in the 2014 T20 World Cup for the most runs by an Indian in a T20 World Cup, and set a new benchmark for the most sixes in a single World Cup with 24.Samson also broke multiple other records, including the most runs for India in consecutive innings, the most runs in T20 World Cup knockout matches, and the highest score for India in a T20 World Cup final and in a chase. His blend of power-hitting, composure under pressure, and match-winning instincts made him the standout performer of the tournament. With these feats, Samson not only helped India clinch their third T20 World Cup title but also elevated himself into the elite echelon of T20 cricket legends.
PSG and Liverpool will face each other in the Champions League for the second consecutive year, this time in the quarter-finals. After being defeated 1-0 by Galatasaray in the first leg, the Reds completely turned the situation around in the return leg, winning 4-0. This gives them the chance to take revenge on the French side, who knocked them out on penalties last year in the round of 16.
In other results of the evening, Barcelona crushed Newcastle 7-2 to secure their spot in the quarter-finals, while Bayern Munich, once again victorious over Atalanta, will meet Real Madrid in the next round.
Stripped of their African champion title by the CAF on Tuesday, Senegal say they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Meanwhile, outrage is spreading across the country.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi scored his 900th career goal, another milestone for the 38-year-old legend.
Tom Charlton, a competing trainer, yields that if Autumn Glow rocks up to Rosehill in excellent order, the George Ryder Stakes will likely boil down to chasing the supporting positions.
He’s far less certain about a repeat in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) were the glamour mare to target it subsequent to Saturday.
Both Linebacker and Yorkshire, under Charlton’s guidance, face the Group 1 this coming weekend carrying 2kg more than Autumn Glow on the weight-for-age conditions.
Charlton points out this setup favors the Chris Waller superstar heavily as she chases win number 11 in a row, with her standard performances possibly relegating rivals to a battle for the minors.
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“I can’t be definitive with that, but if she’s on her normal game, it probably is,” Charlton said.
“As we know with horses, that’s not always the case, but we’re realistic about the challenge at set weights. “Perhaps if we meet her in the Doncaster we might have more favourable conditions to give us our best chance of beating her.”
For the Doncaster Mile (1600m) in a month’s time, Linebacker and Yorkshire weigh in at 53kg against Autumn Glow’s allotted 56.5kg, delivering a substantial 6.5kg benefit.
The marquee race represents the primary path ahead for both runners, as Charlton hopes Linebacker repeats his near-miss, beaten 1-1/2 lengths by Joliestar when resuming over 1300m in the Canterbury Stakes.
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“He didn’t jump as well as he can. He ended up a bit further back in what was a dash home,” Charlton said.
“But all-in-all, it was a very good run. A run with a lot of merit and if he’d got the first hundred metres a bit more clinical, he would have been right in the finish. “We want to see a similar run second-up. Top three would be great.”
Yorkshire shaped nicely too with fifth place in that sprint, tracking the pace effectively amid recovery from a preseason knockback that delayed his seasonal bow by a week.
“To see him put in that effort and only be beaten a couple of lengths was really creditable,” Charlton said.
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“Again, we want to see another strong performance and then third-up into the Doncaster.”
Entries list Linebacker and Yorkshire under Charlton’s sole name Saturday, subsequent to John O’Shea’s four-month ban imposed Tuesday by Racing NSW for misconduct with vets after the disputed removal of Bev’s Nine at Rosehill last month.
O’Shea aims to fight the decision and secure an interim suspension lift.
Visit online bookmakers to find the best betting markets for the race in the George Ryder Stakes.
Head Coach Eric Chelle has included captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman in a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s international friendly matches against Iran national football team and Jordan national football team.
The matches, originally planned for Amman in Jordan, will now be played in Antalya, Turkey due to security concerns in the Middle East.
Nigeria will face Iran on March 27 before taking on Jordan on March 31, both in Antalya.
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Chelle has also invited goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defender Semi Ajayi, midfielder Frank Onyeka, and forwards Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Paul Onuachu.
There are first-time call-ups for defender Emmanuel Fernandez and forwards Philip Otele and Yira Collins Sor, while goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye returns to the squad.
Full Squad:
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Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye; Adebayo Adeleye; Francis Uzoho
The upcoming Ranvet Stakes is shaping as a direct confrontation featuring Aeliana versus Sir Delius, whose handler Adrian Bott is optimistic the three-week turnaround will peak him perfectly.
Last season’s ATC Australian Derby hero leads the market for the Saturday 2000m showdown, yet Sir Delius holds firm at $3.30 as the outright next-best and only authentic rival in sight.
Favourite for spring majors like the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup, the Tulloch Lodge gelding endured a divisive withdrawal from Victorian spring riches due to botched compulsory veterinary clearance.
Breaking a near five-month absence with third behind Autumn Glow and Aeliana in February 28’s Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m), Bott confirmed marked progress post that effort.
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“Three weeks, it has been that real sweet spot to get him to where we need him to be stepping out to 2000,” Bott said.
“He is out to his right trip now, and he has shown the necessary improvement. I’m ready to see him bounce back.”
Bott appreciates the magnitude of Sir Delius’s assignment opposite Aeliana, who dazzled in both preparatory outings this preparation.
She placed second to Autumn Glow in the preceding Apollo Stakes (1400m) before Verry Elleegant and now looks to overturn a heartbreakingly close defeat to Broadsiding in the prior year’s Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
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Sir Delius demands a revival of his Group 1 Underwood and Turnbull Stakes conquests from spring to threaten Aeliana, according to Bott.
“The mare was very sharp last start, and she has been excellent this campaign,” he said.
“We’re going to need to recapture that spring form to be getting to that point of beating her, but I do feel he’s on his way there.”
With Campaldino earmarked for the Manion representation, Bott eyes the tight Ranvet peloton as prime for the mare’s Group 1 podium push and black-type boost.
“A smaller field at weight-for-age level, it might be a chance for her to try to improve her value with some black type, and she is very good around that 2000 metres,” he said.
It’s the offseason in the NFL, where speculation trickles down from the sky (or internet) and lands like so much wet, March snow, becoming frozen and as slippery a slope as any Purple prediction. It often means little and is gone in a trifling, yet sometimes that speculation holds and the Vikings get their guy.
Well, this offseason it did hold and Kyler Murray is a Viking—as nearly every podcaster with a microphone predicted. He was signed last week a one-year deal worth the league minimum (because he is getting paid $36 million by his former team, the Arizona Cardinals).
So, what does Murray’s contract mean—one season costing $1.3 million for a 7-year veteran quarterback? Is it a one-year prove it deal? Or is it a rent-a-quarterback until JJ McCarthy gets ready? Will there be a real competition at the position? Or, as some folks online have suggested, the Vikings should trade JJ and make Murray the QBOTF?
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All interesting questions that the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast—Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com, and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com—will ponder for you. Because we don’t have the answers yet; it’s the season of speculation. So, tune in and check out the latest prognostications. Skol!
Listen here or on your favorite podcast network.
Joe Oberle is a veteran sportswriter/editor/reporter and has covered the Vikings since 2008. The author of three books, he … More about Joe Oberle
Following the unprecedented decision to strip Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations title and hand it to Morocco, Mark Owen is pleased to welcome Eurosport’s Ruben Slagter. Not only is our guest troubled by the decision itself, but also the opacity of its timing and communication: the delayed ruling, coupled with its quiet release during a major European fixture, the Champion’s League, raises questions about institutional transparency and intent. According to Mr. Slagter, this situation reflects deeper structural issues within football governance.
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