Sports

Chelsea Have Mental Problem – Sarri

Published

7 years ago

February 15, 2019

Eric

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri admits his team have a ‘mental problem’ but insists he is comfortable with his relationship with the owner Roman Abramovich, reports Daily Mail.

Sarri revealed that he and his beleaguered team held one hour of crisis talks on Monday morning after the 6-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Sarri is under-fire after his side slumped to sixth in the Premier League table following three consecutive away defeats in which his team have conceded 12 goals and failed to score. Marcos Alonso, who was hooked in the second-half against City, has been left at home despite being fit.

Arriving in Sweden on Wednesday evening ahead of the Europa League knockout tie against Malmo, Sarri was further under the microscope as chairman Bruce Buck took a seat beside journalists in the press conference to observe proceedings. Buck has attended press conferences before but in the current context it felt significant.

Sarri moved to clarify comments he was reported to have made to Italian media after the defeat at City, in which he was alleged to have said that he ‘never’ hears from Abramovich.

“‘I never said never. Not very often, but not never,” Sarri said.

Asked if he has spoken to Abramovich this season, Sarri said, “Yes of course. Not in this week. Not in the last three weeks. I’d like to speak to somebody at the club, not necessarily with the owner. I usually speak with Marina Granovskaia (club director), and that is enough.”

“We talked all together for one hour the day after the match. We arrived at the match with the right level of motivation. After the first goal, we were not able to react or do anything. So the problem is different. But it’s always a mind problem, a mental problem, so we need to solve them.”

Sports

Tinubu Hails Rangers Int’l After 9th NPFL Title Win

Published

2 weeks ago

May 26, 2026

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Rangers International FC on winning the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, describing the club’s triumph as a remarkable achievement and a testament to its enduring football legacy.

Rangers secured the league crown for a record ninth time after finishing the season with 68 points from 38 matches, ahead of closest rivals Rivers United.

In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu congratulated the management, players and supporters of the Enugu-based side for their successful campaign.

The President recalled the club’s dominance in Nigerian football during the 1970s and 1980s, highlighting its historic exploits on the continental stage.

He specifically referenced Rangers’ run to the final of the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1975 and their triumph in the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977.

President Tinubu also commended Governor Peter Mbah for supporting youth and sports development in the State, saying the club’s success reflected the impact of such investments.

“I must also congratulate Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State on the victory of Rangers International FC. This victory is an obvious fruit of his administration’s investments in youth and sports in the state. I commend him,” the President said.

He further noted that Rangers, as one of Nigeria’s oldest football clubs, has produced several players who brought honour to the country on the global stage.

The President equally commended Rivers United for their impressive performance throughout the season and for displaying sportsmanship during the competition.

Tinubu wished both Rangers International FC and Rivers United success as they prepare to represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Champions League.

Sports

Ronaldo Celebrates Saudi Pro League Win with Al-Nassr

Published

3 weeks ago

May 22, 2026

Eric

Al Nassr captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has finally won the Saudi Pro League title.

They were confirmed champions on Thursday, thanks to a 4-2 drubbing of relegation battlers, Damac.

The title race had gone down to the final day after Al-Nassr dramatically dropped points against Al-Hilal the previous week.

Jorge Jesus’ side knew there could be no mistakes against a Damac side fighting for survival at the other end of the table.

Ronaldo was on the scoresheet, as his brace helped Al Nassr secure the title ahead of rivals Al Hilal.

Sports

FIFA Lists Six Females Among 52 Referees for 2026 World Cup

Published

2 months ago

April 10, 2026

Eric

FIFA on Thursday unveiled its list of match officials for the June 11-July 19 World Cup, including 52 referees, six of whom are women.

Football’s governing body will also take 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials, who hail from all six confederations and 50 member associations.

“The selected match officials are the very best in the world,” said Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s chief refereeing officer.

“They were part of a wider pool of officials that was identified and monitored over the past three years. They have attended seminars and officiated at FIFA tournaments.

“In addition, their performances in domestic and international matches were regularly assessed.”

The World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be the biggest in history, with a 48-team line-up and 104 matches to be played.

There are 41 more match officials than at Qatar four years ago, where 32 teams played 64 matches.

“The fact that six women match officials have been selected continues a trend that was started four years ago in Qatar as we aim to further develop women’s refereeing,” Collina said, with six women having already refereed in 2022.

AFP