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Arne Slot Dismisses Contract Distractions Amid Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Criticism

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Liverpool Manager, Arne Slot has dismissed suggestions that contract issues surrounding key players, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, are affecting their performances.

Slot’s comments come in the wake of Alexander-Arnold’s underwhelming display during the 2-2 draw against Manchester United on Sunday, which saw him at fault for Lisandro Martinez’s opening goal.

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The 26-year-old right-back, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Reports have claimed that the Spanish giants made an approach to sign Alexander-Arnold, although Liverpool are said to have rejected the bid.

With his contract situation now in the public eye, Alexander-Arnold’s performance against United was heavily scrutinized.

Slot acknowledged the defender’s below-par performance but insisted that one bad game does not overshadow his long history of contributions to the team.

“He’s played so, so, so many games well for this club,” Slot stated. “Now it wasn’t his best, like for some others, it wasn’t the best game. And we just pick it up, start training again because these players know if you play 50, 60 games in the season, that once in a while you don’t have your best performance.”

In addition to Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and top scorer Mohamed Salah are also set to be out of contract at the end of the season, further fueling speculation over the futures of the club’s star players.

Despite the ongoing contract concerns, Slot expressed frustration at the narrative surrounding his players’ performances.

“If we drop points, if Mo (Salah) misses the penalty against Madrid, he’s distracted by his contract situation,” he remarked.

“If Trent has not his best performance, he’s distracted by the contract situation. If they play really well, nobody tells me, ‘Yeah, that’s because they have a contract situation.’”

Slot emphasized that his focus remains on the team and the upcoming challenges, including their League Cup semi-final against Tottenham.

“I’m not focused on social media posts or what has been said about us,” he said. “I talk to my players so if there is anything that worries them, then they share this with me. That has not happened until now.”

 

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Carlos Queiroz Parts Ways With Ghana Again After AFCON Qualifying Setbacks

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Carlos Queiroz has parted ways with Ghana for a second time after the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Portuguese coach mutually agreed to terminate his contract as head coach of the Black Stars.

The GFA announced the decision in a statement, saying the agreement followed discussions held in a spirit of mutual respect.

ALSO READ: Queiroz Makes Shock Return as Ghana Coach After World Cup Exit

According to the association, both parties agreed that ending the professional relationship was the most appropriate course of action under the present circumstances and in the best interests of Ghana, the Black Stars and Ghanaian football.

The GFA thanked Queiroz for his commitment, professionalism and dedication during his time with the national team.

The association also acknowledged his efforts in helping to build a stronger future for the Black Stars and supporting the development of Ghanaian talent since taking charge ahead of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The GFA also expressed appreciation to Queiroz’s technical staff for their support and contribution to the Black Stars project.

The football body wished Queiroz well in his future endeavours and said it would announce detailed technical arrangements and the next steps regarding the leadership of the Black Stars in due course.

Queiroz’s latest departure comes as Ghana continues its campaign in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.

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Yayi Backs Abeokuta 10km Race

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Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), representing Ogun West Senatorial District at the National Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, has thrown his weight behind the 2026 Abeokuta 10km Race, assuring that he will personally grace the October 3 event.

He gave the assurance when the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML), Yetunde Olopade, paid him a courtesy visit to formally invite him to the race, which is being held in his honour.

The Senator commended Olopade for taking over the leadership of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, expressing delight at the progress and achievements of the company under her watch.

He described the decision to honour him with the race as a gesture he deeply appreciates, assuring that despite his busy schedule, he would make every effort to be present at the event.

“Let me start by thanking you for taking up the mantle of leadership of the company. I was truly delighted when I learnt that you are the one in charge.

“As for the race, I want to sincerely thank you for organising it in my honour. You have honoured me, and I appreciate the gesture with every sense of responsibility.

“I will do everything humanly possible to be part of it, especially because it is a race held in my honour. I will also be glad to be there to honour you in return,” he assured.

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Olopade presented a running kit to the Senator during the visit, saying that Senator Adeola was being honoured in recognition of his contributions to youth and sports development in Ogun State.

“For everything you have done for youth and sports development, we have come to invite you to support the race. Of course, we also humbly request your presence on the 3rd of October.”

The 2026 Abeokuta 10KM Race is specifically designed for Nigerian athletes, with the organisers aiming to promote homegrown talent, while also creating a lasting legacy.

Registration for the race is still ongoing at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto, Abeokuta, while registered participants are scheduled to collect their race kits from September 30 to October 2 ahead of the October 3 race.

The Abeokuta 10KM Race remains one of the notable road-running events on Nigeria’s athletics calendar and is expected to bring together athletes, sports enthusiasts and other stakeholders for the fifth edition of the race.
Photo Caption: From Left Managing Director, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade and Senator Solomon Adeola

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Chairman NSC Secures FIFA Committee Backing for Nigeria Football Reforms

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Signals have emerged that the International Association Football Federation (FIFA) would back Nigeria’s plan to reform her football administration, in view of which the entire Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi threw in the towel recently.

Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, offered this insight in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday after meeting with FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) officials in Switzerland.

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He said the government presented its reform proposals to FIFA after the resignation created a leadership vacuum within the NFF.

“After the resignation of the entire board of the NFF and the General Secretary, naturally we have a lacuna, because there was no provision in the rulebook for situations like that, where we have nobody now to run the NFF legally within the rulebook.”

According to Dikko, the government wants to undertake a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s football structures, with the process involving consultations with stakeholders.

He said, “We told them, this is our position as a government. The government wants to undertake a comprehensive reform of the football structures in Nigeria, which is something that even FIFA knew has been on the cards for decades in Nigeria.

“So we discussed comprehensive proposals from the government, which are the issues that we think should be reformed, based on the concerns of the stakeholders, and we all agreed on that.”

Dikko said FIFA had endorsed both the resignation of the NFF board and the proposed reforms, while stressing that the process must follow the applicable rules.

“In short, FIFA endorsed the resignation, endorsed reform, agreed that the reform must happen, but it has to go through the proper process and the rulebooks, and they are ready to accommodate that,” he asserted.

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