The Enugu Rangers International FC has three players in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) Under-17 team preparing to fly Nigeria’s flag against their La Liga counterparts during a playing tour of Spain.

Biztellers reports that they include, teenage attacking sensation, Chimobi Igwilo, goalkeeper, Chikee Chinedu and striker, Chibuike Umeh.

The fast paced attacking sensation who has been listed in five of the thirteen match days of the coach Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored side is optimistic of making a great representation for the country at the tournament.

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Recall that Igwilo was the youngest player registered by the ‘Flying Antelopes’ in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2024/2025 season said ahead of the camping, “I thank God for giving me the opportunity to showcase my God given talent as we prepare to defend the flag of Nigeria in the NPFL/La-Liga tournament. I am optimistic and hope to be a godd ambassador for my club, Rangers International F.C.”

The invitation of the trio increases the number of players from the reigning NPFL champions that have been called up to defend the flag of the country after left-back, Kenneth Igboke distinguished himself with the national U-20 team at the WAFU-B tournament recently in Togo just as the trio of Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Kazeem Ogunleye and Isaac Saviour were also invited to the CHAN Eagles team preparing for the qualifiers ahead Kenya/Uganda/Tanzania CHAN tournament scheduled for February 2025.

Referee, David Coote has been suspended as the Football Association (FA) and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) launch investigations into new allegations of misconduct.

The latest claims, reported by The Sun newspaper, accuse Coote of discussing the issuing of a yellow card with a fan before a 2019 Championship match between Leeds United and West Brom.

The yellow card, which was given to Leeds’ Ezgjan Alioski, is believed to have been issued correctly, with no financial gain suggested in the report.

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Coote, 42, has denied the allegations, labeling them as “false and defamatory.”

In a statement, he said, “I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations. Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life they have never affected my decision-making on the field. I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability.”

The new claims come amid an ongoing investigation into Coote’s conduct.

The referee was initially suspended by PGMOL on November 11 following a video that appeared to show him making disparaging remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

The FA began investigating that incident the following day. On November 13, further photos emerged from The Sun alleging Coote was seen sniffing a white powder during the European Championship this summer, which he was officiating.

These images, along with the video, have not been independently verified by the BBC.

The FA has stated that it is investigating the allegations as a matter of urgency. “These are very serious allegations and we are investigating as a matter of urgency,” an FA spokesperson said. PGMOL reiterated its “zero-tolerance approach” to breaches of conduct, adding, “The facts need to be established in light of these very serious allegations.”

Leeds United, the club involved in the yellow card incident, has acknowledged the allegations but refrained from making further comments.

“We respect and have full confidence in the FA, EFL and PGMOL regulations and processes,” said the club. “We will be making no further comment at this time.”

Coote remains suspended as both the FA and PGMOL continue their investigations into these serious claims.

Real Madrid forward, Vinicius Junior has been ruled out for nearly a month due to a hamstring injury in his left leg, the club confirmed in a statement on Monday.

The injury, which was revealed following tests by the club’s medical team, means the Leaderboard Brazilian will miss vital fixtures, including the upcoming Champions League clash at Atalanta on December 10 and Wednesday’s match against Liverpool at Anfield.

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Vinicius, who played the full 90 minutes in Madrid’s 3-0 La Liga victory over Leganes on Sunday, had provided the assist for Kylian Mbappe’s opening goal.

He took to social media to express his frustration with the congested football schedule, writing, “The crazy calendar… now to recover.”

The injury comes at a time when Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has been outspoken about the strain of an increasingly packed football calendar.

Perez criticized both UEFA and FIFA for expanding their match schedules, with the Champions League now featuring eight group-stage games instead of six, along with an additional round that some teams may face if they finish outside the top eight.

Perez lamented the growing number of fixtures, saying, “This season we could play 82 matches—63 percent more matches organized by UEFA and FIFA, from 22 to 36.

There have already been nine cruciate ruptures this season in La Liga alone, the same number as all of last season. Specialists point to fatigue as the cause.”

Vinicius has been one of Real Madrid’s standout players this season, shining alongside summer arrival Mbappe.

The forward has scored four goals in the Champions League and eight in La Liga, making him a key contributor to the team’s attack.

However, Madrid’s European campaign has been underwhelming, with two losses in their first four group-stage matches, including a 3-1 defeat to AC Milan, leaving them 18th in the expanded group table.

Meanwhile, Liverpool, managed by new coach Arne Slot, leads both the Premier League and the Champions League group stage, further intensifying the pressure on Madrid.