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NFF Announces Fines for Clubs, Sanctions Gombe United, Wikki Tourist and Kwara United

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The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that clubs that fail to honour matches in the national preliminaries of the President Federation Cup will be fined N1 million.

The directive was made known by the NFF Director of Competitions, Ruth David, in a statement released on Monday.

According to the statement, the state preliminary matches of the competition will take place between March 22 and April 26, 2026. Clubs that fail to appear for a match after completing registration at the state level will be fined N500,000.

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The NFF also said the final matches of the state competitions must be played on April 25 or April 26, after which each state Football Association and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will submit two representatives for the national stage of the competition.

Meanwhile, the NFF Disciplinary Committee has announced several decisions following protests from clubs in the Nigeria National League and the Nigeria Premier Football League.

In the case involving Gombe United and Jigawa Golden Stars, the committee found that Gombe United fans entered the field during the match and pressured the referee to change a goal kick decision to a penalty.

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As a result, Gombe United were fined N1 million for pitch encroachment. The centre referee, Terwase Chia, was suspended for the rest of the season for professional misconduct. Jigawa Golden Stars were also fined N500,000 for refusing to continue the match in protest. The match result was confirmed as 0–0.

In another case, the committee ruled on a protest involving Wikki Tourist and Katsina United.

The committee found that Wikki Tourist failed to provide adequate security, which allowed unauthorised persons into restricted areas. Supporters of the club were also found to have thrown dangerous objects onto the pitch.

Wikki Tourist were fined N2 million for poor security, N1 million for unsporting conduct, and another N1 million for throwing dangerous objects. The club was also ordered to play five home matches away from Bauchi as part of the punishment.

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In a separate decision involving Kwara United and Rivers United, the committee ruled that Kwara United failed to control their supporters, which led to harassment and injuries to match officials and players.

The club was fined N2 million for failing to provide proper security, N1 million for the behaviour of their supporters, and N2 million as compensation for damages and treatment of injured officials.

The committee also deducted three points and three goals from Kwara United’s total and ordered the club to play five home matches away from Ilorin.

The NFF stated that all the decisions are subject to the right of appeal.

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FA Cup draw IN FULL as Man City face Liverpool in blockbuster quarter-final

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Manchester City will find out their FA Cup quarter final opponents in Monday night’s draw with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea among the potential opponents

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Why Lionel Messi Did Not Return to Barcelona – Xavi Speaks Out

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Former FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has revealed why Lionel Messi did not return to the Spanish club, saying club president Joan Laporta blocked the move despite an agreement.

In an interview with La Vanguardia, Xavi claimed that plans were already in place for Messi to rejoin Barcelona after the forward won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina national football team.

According to Xavi, he began discussions with Messi in January 2023 and the player was excited about the idea of returning to the club where he became a legend.

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“We talked for months and everything was ready. I saw it as a good move from a football perspective,” Xavi said.

However, the former midfielder alleged that Laporta later stopped the deal. Xavi claimed the Barcelona president told him that allowing Messi to return could create serious problems at the club.

Xavi also accused the club leadership of launching a media campaign against him before his exit and claimed that people within the club spoke to players suggesting he wanted to sell them.

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The Barcelona legend, who has already declared support for presidential candidate Víctor Font ahead of the club’s upcoming elections, said he does not expect to return to Barcelona again after serving the club as both a player and coach.

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Report: Phillies sign Luzardo to five-year extension

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The 28-year-old is coming off his best campaign in the majors, recording a 3.92 ERA with 216 strikeouts and 57 walks in 183.2 innings pitched spread across 32 starts.

In his first season with the two-time defending NL East division-winning Phillies, Luzardo featured prominently as the team’s No. 2 starter.

He first arrived in Philadelphia in a trade in December, 2024, after spending about three-and-a-half seasons with the Miami Marlins.

Luzardo was set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

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‘I was facing a lot of difficulties personally’: Hardik Pandya opens up on tough phase | Cricket News

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'I was facing a lot of difficulties personally': Hardik Pandya opens up on tough phase
Hardik Pandya (ICC Photo)

NEW DELHI: Hardik Pandya reflected on his journey from battling personal struggles to lifting back-to-back T20 World Cup trophies for India. The star all-rounder said winning the 2026 title in Ahmedabad was a validation of a promise he made to himself — to play every tournament with the aim of winning trophies for India.Pandya had earlier spoken about seeking redemption during the 2024 T20 World Cup, when he staged a strong comeback and helped India end a 17-year wait for the title.

Ahmedabad erupts as Team India arrive at hotel after T20 World Cup win

“When we won the T20 World Cup in 2024, I was facing a lot of difficulties personally. Many things had happened before that tournament, and things were not going my way. Before the 2024 World Cup started, I had made up my mind that I was going for redemption. I wanted to make a dominating comeback. I did that and helped my team win the trophy after 17 years. Coming to this T20 World Cup victory in Ahmedabad, this is something I have always lived for. I play cricket to do well for my country and win trophies. I want to win all the trophies for India,” Hardik Pandya said on JioStar.“After the win in Barbados, I promised myself that whichever tournament I play, I will play to win, and I will lift the trophy. This win against New Zealand in Ahmedabad is a validation that the promise I made to myself has become a reality. And this is just the start,” he added.India defeated the Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand national cricket team by a massive 96-run margin to successfully defend their T20 World Cup title. With the victory, India became the first team to win the T20 World Cup on home soil, the first to win it back-to-back after triumphing in the 2024 edition, and the first team to lift the trophy three times — in 2007, 2024 and 2026.Pandya enjoyed an impressive campaign in the 2026 tournament. The 32-year-old scored 217 runs in nine innings at an average of 27.12 and a strike rate of 160.74, including two half-centuries. He also contributed with the ball, picking up nine wickets in nine matches, with best figures of 2/16.

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Use DraftKings promo code to get $200 bonus bets instantly by picking Thunder-Nuggets, Clippers-Knicks Monday

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Nuggets vs. Thunder at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday is a top option for using the all-new DraftKings promo code, which gives new users $200 in bonus bets instantly after placing a $5 bet. The Thunder and Nuggets have the two shortest NBA odds at DraftKings to win the Western Conference, and instead of backing a side in this one, the SportsLine Projection model has Over 232.5 points as one of its Monday NBA best bets at DraftKings Sportsbook. The Over is 6-3 over the last nine Nuggets games, although the last four Thunder games have failed to reach the point total. 

The model is also projecting another high-scoring affair, taking Over 220.5 points in Knicks vs. Clippers for Monday NBA best bets at DraftKings. The over has hit in three straight Clippers games. One of SportsLine’s top experts has locked in a college basketball best bet on Northern Kentucky vs. Wright State in a Horizon League semifinal at 7 p.m. ET. Claim the latest DraftKings promo code, where new users get $200 in bonus bets instantly with a $5 wager

Check out our DraftKings promo code review for full details.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model entered Week 21 on a sizzling 42-19 roll on top-rated NBA spread picks dating back to last season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.

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Monday best bets at DraftKings Sportsbook

  • Nuggets vs. Thunder: Over 232.5 total points (-105)
  • Knicks vs. Clippers: Over 220.5 total points (-110)
  • Wright State (+1.5) vs. Northern Kentucky (-115)

Combining the three picks into a Monday parlay at DraftKings would result in a payout of +567 (risk $100 to win $567, odds subject to change). Bet it at DraftKings here:

Nuggets vs. Thunder: Over 232.5 total points (-105)

The Over has hit in each of Denver’s last eight road games, heading into their return to Oklahoma City after a 127-121 overtime loss on Feb. 27, which sailed past the 235.5 total for the contest. It’s also hit in six of Denver’s last nine games overall. The Over is 24-10 for Denver road games this season, largely due to Denver’s No. 1 scoring offense at 120.2 points per game combined with a defensive scoring average barely in the top 20 (116.5 ppg, 19th). Meanwhile, the Over has hit in two of the last three Thunder home games, as OKC has the No. 4 scoring offense at 118.6 ppg. Both sides are filled with offensive starpower, leading the model to project the Over to hit in 58.1% of simulations. Back the Over to cover at DraftKings here:

Knicks vs. Clippers: Over 220.5 total points (-110)

The Knicks are coming off a rough offensive showing in a 110-97 loss to the Lakers on Sunday, but two days before then, New York scored 142 points on the road in Denver. The Knicks aren’t a one-trick pony when it comes to offensive production, as shown with OG Anunoby’s 34 points against the Nuggets. Jalen Brunson, who is a top-10 scorer in the NBA at 26.2 points per game, scored just nine points but had 15 assists in the win. The Knicks are ninth in the league in scoring at 117.0 ppg. Meanwhile, the Over has hit in three straight Clippers games, and is 7-2 over their last nine contest. Kawhi Leonard has scored at least 28 points in three straight games, playing some of his best basketball of the season. For this, the model projects the Over to hit in 68.7% of simulations. Back the Over at DraftKings here:

Wright State (+1.5) vs. Northern Kentucky

“Wright State swept the regular-season meetings, 88-80 at home and 92-91 on the road,” SportsLine expert Larry Hartstein said. “That was the regular-season finale, a thriller the Raiders won on a tip-in at the buzzer after trailing by 18 at half. This game should be a pick-’em. Wright State leads the Horizon in shooting percentage (48.9), ranks third in 3-point shooting percentage (36.2) and ranks second in opponent 3-point shooting percentage (32.7).” Back Wright State to cover at DraftKings here:

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Want more NBA and college basketball picks on Monday?

You’ve seen some of the model’s Monday best bets. Now, get against the spread, total and money-line picks for all games, including the NBA, college basketball, NHL, and more, all from the model that’s simulated every game 10,000 times. 

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Colt Beadman heads to The Galaxy in 2026

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Named after the esteemed Hall of Fame jockey, sprinter Beadman is steadily building his credentials.

With his recent resilient first-up success in the Listed $200,000 Fireball Stakes (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday, trainer Peter Snowden sees strong potential to chase bigger targets with Beadman.

The finish was dramatic as Beadman ($2.30 favourite), partnered by James McDonald, fended off Inkaruna’s ($3.50) late bid to win narrowly by a short head, the early frontrunner Hidden Motive ($9) a short neck adrift in third.

Snowden’s lofty view of the colt leads him to advocate for a shot at the Group 1 $1 million The Galaxy (1100m) on March 21 at Rosehill Gardens.

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“It was good to see him do that, he ran smart time, too,” Snowden said.

“He did get a bit keen mid-race and I’m still working him out but he definitely has the talent.

“I think this win might get him into The Galaxy now. I know that is a big aim but that is the belief I have in this horse.”

From seven starts, Snitzel-sired colt Beadman has three wins and three placings to his credit.

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Syndicate owner Henry Field from Newgate Farm, including top owners and breeders, is enthusiastic about challenging the three-year-old in Group 1 against older rivals next outing.

“The Galaxy has always been the plan,” Field said.

“He’s a big, gross colt and whatever he did today the expectation is he has a lot of improvement to come.

“James made the comment when he got to the front he started ‘floating’ so he will be better again in The Galaxy.”They always go hard in that race so the tempo will be good for him.”

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Sufficiently eye-catching was Beadman’s run to compress into $6 second favouritehip trailing Briasa ($4.50) for The Galaxy.

Snowden shared a jovial remark aimed at the colt’s namesake, Darren Beadman the Hall of Fame jockey, prior to restating his high hopes for the advancing young talent.

“Beadman has always shown me a lot of ability but everything takes time and he is still learning,” Snowden said.

“His race-craft has to get a bit better and I’m sure it will.

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“He has all the natural attributes, he’s got the talent, he has a very good demeanour – he has a name that might hold him back a little bit – but he’s very promising.”

Discover racing betting markets for The Galaxy among leading betting sites at betting sites.

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Blue Jays training camp

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Blue Jays training camp

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Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah lead four Indians in ICC T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament | Cricket News

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Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah lead four Indians in ICC T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament
India’s Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson (ANI Photo)

Four members of the title-winning India national cricket team — Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah — have been selected in the official Team of the Tournament for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after India secured a record third title.Leading the Indian contingent is Player of the Tournament Samson, who enjoyed a remarkable campaign at the top of the order. The wicketkeeper-batter amassed 321 runs in just five innings. Despite not starting the tournament in India’s playing XI, Samson made an immediate impact once introduced, producing Player of the Match performances against the West Indies national cricket team and the England national cricket team.

Kuldeep Yadav delighted for Sanju Samson | From Under-12 days to World Cup glory

He capped his tournament in style by smashing 89 in the final against the New Zealand national cricket team — the highest individual score in a men’s T20 World Cup final.Kishan was another key performer in India’s batting line-up. The left-hander scored 317 runs, the fourth-highest tally in the tournament, while maintaining a striking rate of 193.29. Batting at the top of the order, Kishan delivered a standout 77 against the Pakistan national cricket team before shifting to number three later in the competition. He also played crucial innings against England and New Zealand, including a half-century in the final.All-rounder Pandya earned his place for contributions with both bat and ball. He struck two fifties during the tournament, highlighted by a blistering 52 off 28 balls against the Namibia national cricket team. With the ball, Pandya claimed nine wickets, often delivering breakthroughs at key moments.Bumrah, who was named Player of the Match in the final, completed India’s representation in the XI. The pace spearhead ended the tournament as the joint-leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets from eight matches and maintained an impressive economy rate of 6.21. His best performance came in the final where he produced figures of four for 15.The team’s opening slot is occupied by Sahibzada Farhan of the Pakistan national team, who finished as the leading run-scorer in the competition with 383 runs at an average of 76.60. His tournament featured two centuries, including knocks against the Sri Lanka national cricket team and Namibia.South Africa’s Aiden Markram has been named captain of the side, which also includes England’s Will Jacks, West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder, South African pacer Lungi Ngidi, England spinner Adil Rashid and Zimbabwe quick Blessing Muzarabani.Namibia’s Shadley van Schalkwyk has been named as the 12th player in the squad.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament:

Sahibzada Farhan, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Aiden Markram (c), Hardik Pandya, Will Jacks, Jason Holder, Jasprit Bumrah, Lungi Ngidi, Adil Rashid, Blessing Muzarabani12th player: Shadley van Schalkwyk.

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How to watch FA Cup quarter-final draw and Manchester City's ball number

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The FA Cup quarter-final draw takes place on Monday, with ball numbers confirmed for each of the eight remaining teams, including Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea

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Man pleads guilty to bribing NCAA players $10K-$30K per game to fix outcomes

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One of the 26 people charged in an alleged bribery and point-shaving scheme to fix NCAA Division I men’s basketball games and Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) games has pleaded guilty, United States Attorney David Metcalf announced.

Jalen Smith, a 30-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Court Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro on Monday in connection with the scheme, as well as charges related to an unlawful possession of a firearm. 

Smith pleaded guilty to bribery in sporting contests, and aiding and abetting, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and possession of a firearm by a felon. 

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FILE - The NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis is shown in this Thursday, March 12, 2020. The NCAA on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, set the stage for a dramatic restructuring of college sports that will give each of its three divisions the power to govern itself.

The NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis is shown on Thursday, March 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

An unsealed indictment back in January noted Smith was engaged in the scheme to influence or fix NCAA and CBA men’s basketball games from at least “in or about September 2022 through at least in or about February 2025.”

Co-conspirators enlisted Smith as a “fixer,” where they would work together with others to recruit and bribe NCAA Division I men’s basketball players to underperform and ensure their team failed to cover spreads during games from the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.

“Through various sportsbooks, Smith helped to arrange for large wagers to be placed on those games, betting against the team whose player or players they had bribed to engage in this point-shaving scheme,” the United States Attorney’s Office said in a press release.

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NCAA PRESIDENT RESPONDS TO INTEGRITY CONCERNS AFTER ALLEGED POINT-SHAVING SCHEME LEADS TO DOZENS OF ARRESTS

“Smith and other fixers approached and communicated with the players, in person and through social media, text message communications, and cellular telephone calls, offering the players bribe payment, usually ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.”

With today’s college athletes being paid via name, image and likeness (NIL) brand deals, Smith and other fixers “specifically targeted college players for whom the bribe payments would meaningfully supplement.”

Basketball on empty court

A generic view of a basketball on a court. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

It was found that more than 39 players on more than 17 different NCAA Division I men’s basketball teams were involved in the bribery and point-shaving scheme, with fixing or attempted fixing on more than 29 NCAA games. 

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The fixers were making “wagers totaling millions of dollars,” with players who were involved collectively receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribe payments. 

Smith faces a maximum sentence of five years in jail, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for the bribery in sporting contests charge, up to 20 years for each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and a maximum 15 years for the firearms charge. 

NCAA president Charlie Baker responded to the point-shaving scheme in January. 

Charlie Baker is interviewed

NCAA president and former Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker is interviewed by Boston Globe Sports writer Chris Gasper at the Globe Summit 2023.  (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

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“Protecting competition integrity is of the utmost importance for the NCAA. We are thankful for law enforcement agencies working to detect and combat integrity issues and match manipulation in college sports,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said in a statement.

Baker said the indictments were “not entirely new information to the NCAA,” as it had conducted “integrity investigations into approximately 40 student-athletes from 20 schools over the past year.”

Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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