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UEFA president says Super League “rebels have paralysed themselves”

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UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says Juventus, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have “paralysed themselves” with their commitment to European Super League (ESL) plans.

Nine of the 12 rebel clubs who signed up to the breakaway competition, announced in April, have withdrawn from the proposals amid a huge external backlash.

Juventus, Real Madrid and Barca alone continue to pursue the idea, insisting football is facing an “inevitable downfall” without reform.

UEFA launched disciplinary proceedings against those three clubs last week after previously agreeing “reintegration measures” with the other nine, who apologised for their part in the plot.

Refuting the suggestion that the ongoing power struggle could cripple the European game, Ceferin said: “They [the three rebel clubs] paralysed themselves with the approach they took.

“It’s strange to read press releases that the three clubs out of thousands of clubs think their idea will save football and nobody else likes it.”

Ceferin could offer no update on the disciplinary case as the committee involved is an independent body.

But he also questioned why Juve, Real Madrid and Barca would commit to next season’s UEFA Champions League even while persisting with plans for an alternative competition.

“For me what is strange is that you publish you are still part of the Super League and then you send a letter applying to play in the UEFA Champions League.

“So, you are in Super League but play UEFA Champions League. It’s quite hard to understand what they mean,” Ceferin said.

“They should call us, send us a letter, ask for a meeting. They just sent some press releases saying they want to have a dialogue. It’s quite a strange approach.

“It’s really hard to understand what they want. If they say Super League exists —— and nobody prevents them from playing European Super League, the three of you can play your Super League.

“But they say they want to play UEFA Champions League as well at the same time.

“We are not afraid of those things. If the courts decide one way or another we have to be honest and work for football, which those clubs are not.” (dpa/NAN)

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Tinubu Gifts Flamingos Players ₦100m Each After Historic World Cup Triumph

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President Bola Tinubu has rewarded each member of Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, with a ₦100 million savings certificate following their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The reward was announced by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who represented the President at a special reception for the victorious team at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Abuja.

Under the reward package, the head coach will receive ₦100 million in cash, while each member of the technical crew is to get ₦50 million.

The First Lady commended the players for their remarkable achievement, particularly their six consecutive victories, describing their humility, discipline and sportsmanship as qualities worthy of emulation.

She said the historic triumph would inspire young Nigerian girls to pursue their dreams and demonstrate that they could compete and succeed at the highest level of international sports.

She also acknowledged the contributions of the coaching crew, technical and medical personnel, football administrators, parents and supporters towards the team’s success.

The Flamingos secured Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final on November 7, with Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scoring the decisive goals.

Despite losing their opening match 2-1 to Poland, the Nigerian girls bounced back impressively, defeating defending champions North Korea, Puerto Rico and Mexico before overcoming Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final to book their first-ever place in the final.

President Tinubu had earlier congratulated the team, describing the victory as a proud moment for Nigeria and a landmark achievement for African women’s football.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President said he received news of the triumph upon returning from campaign engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.

The Senate has also pledged ₦100 million to reward the players following a motion moved by the Chairman of its Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi, who praised the team’s outstanding performance and commended the Nigeria Football Federation for its contribution to the historic success.

The Flamingos’ achievement adds to Nigeria’s recent dominance in women’s sports, coming less than two years after the Super Falcons clinched their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco.

It also follows the historic 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket triumph by Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress.

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Akpabio, Okpebholo Hail Flamingos After Historic U-17 World Cup Victory

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President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, have congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.

Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final to emerge champions for the first time, becoming the first African nation to win the competition.

In separate congratulatory messages, the two leaders described the achievement as a landmark moment for Nigerian football and a source of immense national pride.

Akpabio, in a statement issued by his media office and signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Anietie Ekong, described the players as “Nigeria’s Golden Girls” for their outstanding performance and historic accomplishment.

He said the triumph had not only elevated Nigeria’s status in global women’s football but also brought pride to the African continent.

The Senate President praised the players for their talent, determination, resilience and teamwork, noting that their achievement demonstrated the rewards of hard work, discipline and self-belief.

He added that the Flamingos had inspired millions of Nigerians, particularly young girls, to pursue their dreams and aspire to greatness.

Akpabio also congratulated the coaching crew, technical team and other support staff for their contributions to the historic success, declaring that the world had heard Nigeria’s victory song.

Similarly, Governor Okpebholo described the victory as a remarkable milestone, commending the Flamingos for their courage, discipline, teamwork and impressive performances throughout the tournament.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Akhere Ebojele, the governor said the team had demonstrated the resilience and winning mentality associated with the Nigerian spirit.

He also praised the technical crew, coaches and support staff for their dedication, noting that the triumph underscored the growing potential of women’s football in Nigeria.

According to Okpebholo, the Flamingos had written their names in Nigeria’s football history and demonstrated the ability of the country’s young talents to compete and excel on the global stage.

He urged the players to sustain their winning mentality and remain worthy ambassadors of Nigeria, while assuring them of the continued support and goodwill of the people of Edo State.

“The Flamingos have made Nigeria proud, and their victory is a triumph for the nation,” the governor said.

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Infantino Hails Flamingos’ Historic U-17 World Cup Triumph

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.

Infantino described the triumph as a landmark achievement for Nigerian and African football, noting that Nigeria had become the first African country to win the prestigious competition.

In his congratulatory message after the final, the FIFA president commended the Flamingos for their impressive performance, describing their victory as well deserved.

“Congratulations to Nigeria, world champions of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup here in Rabat. First African team ever to win a Women’s Under-17 World Cup. So many congratulations to Nigeria, well deserved in the final,” he said.

Infantino also congratulated Japan for claiming the silver medal and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPR Korea) for finishing third in the competition.

He equally praised Morocco for successfully hosting the tournament, describing the competition and facilities in Rabat as beautiful, fantastic and wonderful.

The Flamingos’ historic achievement represents a major breakthrough for African women’s football, as Nigeria becomes the first nation from the continent to lift the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.

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