Sports
Coach Xavi Hernandez Announces Departure From Barcelona
In a dramatic twist for Barcelona, Coach Xavi Hernandez has made the tough call to part ways with the club following a disappointing season.
The revelation was brought to light by renowned sports and transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano on Saturday.
This choice follows Barcelona’s significant loss, conceding five goals to 14th-place Villareal on the night.
In a statement, Xavi was quoted saying, “I will leave Barcelona in June. We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change. As a Culé, I think that it’s time to leave.
“I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June.”
Xavi boasts an illustrious history with Barcelona, having dedicated 17 years to the club as a player.
His remarkable legacy includes an impressive 767 games played and an impressive collection of 25 trophies, featuring eight league crowns and four Champions League triumphs.
In a strategic move in November 2021, Barcelona appointed the iconic former midfielder and captain as the first-team coach.
This decision came in the aftermath of the dismissal of Ronald Koeman, with Xavi signing a coaching contract set to run until 2024.
Barcelona secured Xavi’s managerial prowess by fulfilling the terms of his contract release from Qatari side Al-Sadd.
In his inaugural full season as the club’s manager, Xavi achieved success by capturing both the 2022–23 Supercopa de España and the 2022–23 La Liga title.
Nevertheless, the current season has proven to be underwhelming for Barca, marking a stark contrast to Xavi’s initial managerial triumphs.
Barcelona faced a setback on Wednesday as they were ousted from the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, succumbing to a 4-2 extra-time defeat against Athletic Bilbao.
Following the Villareal match, Xavi openly conveyed his disappointment with the criticism he has encountered during his tenure at the club.
In a candid statement to reporters, he addressed the comparisons to legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, asserting, “You asked me many times if I’d be the Sir Alex Ferguson of Barça… the truth is that it will NEVER happen here.”
“You guys won’t allow it. Being Barça coach is so difficult. You see how they kill you, they criticise you, it affects you. This club needs a change of dynamic.
“I’m the most responsible one, so the players will finally feel free now. The club will improve with this decision,” he declared.
Sports
Carlos Queiroz Parts Ways With Ghana Again After AFCON Qualifying Setbacks
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.
Sports
Yayi Backs Abeokuta 10km Race
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
Sports
Chairman NSC Secures FIFA Committee Backing for Nigeria Football Reforms
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.





