Inspiration 92.3 FM

August 25, 2023

August 25, 2023 Inspiration 92.3 FM

Aymeric Laporte leaves Manchester City for Al Nassr in £23.6m move

Spain defender Aymeric Laporte has left Manchester City to join Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in a deal worth 27.5m euros (£23.6m).

The 29-year-old joined City from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018 for a then club record £57m.
Spain defender Aymeric Laporte has left Manchester City to join Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in a deal worth 27.5m euros (£23.6m).

The 29-year-old joined City from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018 for a then club record £57m.
He helped City win 12 major honours but made just 24 appearances as the Blues won the Treble last season.
In a goodbye message on social media, Laporte thanked fans and team-mates for an “unforgettable” time at the club.
“It has lasted five-and-a-half unforgettable years. Plenty of memories that I will keep forever close to my heart,” said Laporte.
“From trophies to setbacks, victories to injuries, it’s all been part of my journey, and I’m grateful for absolutely every moment that shaped me into who I am today.

“It was an honour and a pleasure to wear these colours and I hope you will remember me in a good way. I will always be a City fan and I look forward to seeing you all again.”
Laporte made 180 appearances for City in total, scoring 12 goals, but he found opportunities limited last season.
Coach Pep Guardiola opted to use defenders Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake more often, and City spent £77m to bring in Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol earlier this month.

Laporte switched his international allegiance from France to Spain in May 2021 and already has 22 caps, helping them win the Uefa Nations League final in June.
He is the latest high profile player to move to Al Nassr, joining Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles and Seko Fofana at the club.

August 25, 2023

August 25, 2023 Inspiration 92.3 FM

Manchester City sign Belgium winger from Rennes for £55.4m on a five-year contract

Manchester City have completed the signing of Belgium winger Jeremy Doku from Rennes for £55.4m.

Last season’s Treble winners have agree a five-year contract with the 21-year-old, who scored 10 goals in 75 Ligue 1 appearances across three seasons.

Doku, who has 16 caps for Belgium, has taken the number 11 shirt.

“This is a great day for me, both personally and professionally. City are the best team in world football, so joining them is special,” Doku said.

Doku becomes Pep Guardiola’s third summer signing after midfielder Mateo Kovacic arrived for £25m from Chelsea and defender former RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol joined for £77m.

West Ham, Tottenham and Chelsea had also been interested in signing Doku, who scored seven goals in 35 games last season.

Doku had two years left on the five-year deal he signed when Rennes paid 26m euros (£22.3m) to sign him from Anderlecht in October 2020, shortly after he made his international debut as a teenager.

Doku cited the opportunity to work under City boss Guardiola as a key factor in his decision to join the Premier League champions.

“I am a young player with so much learning and improving to do,” added the Antwerp-born winger.

“Working with Pep and his staff, and playing alongside these world-class players, will make me a much better player. I feel sure of that.

“Watching City last season was amazing. To win the Treble is the hardest thing in football and they did it. You cannot imagine how exciting it is to be joining this team. I cannot wait to get started. Hopefully I can make the fans happy.”

City’s director of Football Txiki Begiristain has tipped Doku to develop into a “world class” attacking player under Guardiola’s guidance.

More Blog for Shows: Premier League Zone, Rep Your Club, Sports Edge, Sports Waka, Weekend Sports Cruise

August 18, 2023

August 18, 2023 IFMSPORTS

Infantino Backs FIFA’s Decision To Expand The Women’s World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino responded to critics of the decision to expand the Women’s World Cup to 32 teams on Friday, stating, “I’m sorry, but FIFA was right.”

England and Spain will face off in the final on Sunday in Sydney, capping off a month-long competition that will feature 32 teams for the first time, up from 24 in 2019.

There were concerns that the increased number of participants might result in some inferior teams and, as a result, lopsided scorelines.

However, some of the higher-ranked teams were eliminated early in the World Cup, as Jamaica, Morocco, and South Africa all advanced to the knockout stage for the first time.

Infantino declared 2017 Women’s World Cup the “biggest and best ever” during a FIFA conference on women’s football in Sydney.

“They were saying: it’s not going to work, the levels are too different, you’ll have 15-0 scores, it will be bad for women’s football and its image,” he said of FIFA’s decision to extend the competition to 32 teams.

“But I’m sorry, FIFA was correct, FIFA was correct. “Many countries around the world believed they now had a chance to participate.

“Everyone now believes there is a chance for them to shine on the global stage.”

Infantino stated that football’s governing body had committed $1 billion in women’s football and claimed that “full equality” with men’s football had been achieved.

“This World Cup generated over $570 million in revenue, and so we broke even,” he explained.

“We didn’t lose any money, and we generated the second-highest income of any sport on a global scale — aside from, of course, the men’s World Cup.”

“This shows our strategy wasn’t too bad,” he added, “but of course, we still have a long way to go. “However, we are on the correct track.”

August 9, 2023

August 9, 2023 IFMSPORTS

Ighalo and Osimhen Team Up with FIFPRO to Demand Unpaid Bonuses for Super Falcons

A collective voice from football stakeholders, including current and former Super Eagles players, has arisen, urging the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to promptly address the outstanding allowances owed to Super Falcons team members.

In tandem with a solidarity statement by FIFPRO, the global player union, shared on Instagram by Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala, these stakeholders have amplified the call for resolving the backlog.

Voicing their support, Napoli forward Victor Osimhen directly appealed: "Pay them NFF."
Victor Anichebe, the former Everton striker, emphasized: "NFF pay them! They did us all proud! And even if they didn't. Pay them what they are owed!!!"
Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo remarked, "NFF never stop these things."

The ongoing issue revolves around unpaid salaries and bonuses, which has led Randy Waldrum and the Super Falcons team to clash with the football administration. The situation escalated to the brink of a potential boycott during the Women's World Cup.

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Tag: football

Infantino Backs FIFA’s Decision To Expand The Women’s World Cup

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