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AFCON 2023: Don’t Underestimate Any Opponent

AFCON 2023: Don’t Underestimate Any Opponent, #Fans Warn Super #Eagles

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AFCON 2023: Don’t Underestimate Any Opponent, #Fans Warn Super #Eagles—-Some football fans  have urged warned the Super Eagles against  underrating their opponent,  going forward at the ongoing 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cote d`Ivoire.

They gave the warning in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi, Keffi  Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Wednesday.

Umar Muhammed, Financial Secretary, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Nasarawa state chapter, said that every team that qualified for the quarter finals of the tournament is a potential threat that must be taken seriously.

He urged the Eagles not to look down or take Angola and other teams in the tournament for granted.

“On paper and in the Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) recent rankings, Nigeria is rated higher than the remaining seven teams.

“In the game of football you never can tell the outcome until the blast of the final whistle. So Eagles should not rely on the ranking by CAF.

“From this stage going forward, more work needs to be done. Eagles must not underrate any opposition they come across beginning with Angola. If they do, they will pay dearly,” he said.

Richard Ajegena said that the 2023 AFCON was bedeviled with ‘giant killers’, adding that the Super Eagles should not be a victim like Morocco, Egypt, Algeria among others.

“This AFCON edition is filled with intrigues and surprises. So the Super Eagles need to be really careful. All eyes are on them.

“Before the tournament, some teams were categorised as minnows but after the first and second rounds, we have now realised that there are no minnows in African football any longer.

“Nigeria needs to put in extra effort more than what they even played against Cote d`Ivoire in the group stage and Cameroon in the round of 16 to avoid any upset from Angola,” he said.

Suleiman Musa, a football fan urged the Eagles not to be complacent going forward, because they performed so well and have one of the best defences in the tournament.

“They should handle Angola and every other opponent with all sense of responsibility, with vigor and renewed energy.

“It’s a tournament of surprises in favour of the so called small teams. So we need to be alert and cautious with whoever we play,” he said.

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Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Financial Charges as Sanctions Remain Undecided

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Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Financial Charges as Sanctions Remain Undecided—-An independent commission has reportedly ruled against Manchester City on all but one of the Premier League’s financial charges, but sanctions are yet to be decided as the club prepares to appeal.

Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty on 114 of the 115 financial charges brought against them by the Premier League, according to reports from The Athletic and The Times, in a major development that could have significant consequences for English football.

The verdict comes more than three years after the Premier League formally charged Manchester City following a lengthy investigation into the club’s finances.

An independent commission is understood to have reached its decisions on the allegations, which cover several seasons dating back to the 2009-10 campaign. City have consistently denied wrongdoing throughout the case.

However, no sanction has yet been decided.

Reports indicate that Manchester City are expected to appeal the findings, meaning the long-running case is now moving into another stage. Sky Sports reports that the process is moving towards an appeal, while the Premier League has declined to comment because the proceedings remain private and confidential.

What Were Manchester City Accused Of?

The Premier League’s original case against City included allegations that the club failed to provide accurate financial information over a nine-year period.

The charges included alleged failures to accurately report revenue, operating costs and sponsorship income, as well as allegations concerning payments made to players and managers.

The Premier League also accused City of breaches relating to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations and its own Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

A separate set of allegations concerned the club’s alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation.

The case was formally referred to an independent commission in February 2023 after a Premier League investigation that lasted several years.

City Maintain Their Position

Manchester City have repeatedly rejected the allegations and continue to maintain their position that the process has not yet been completed.

Following reports of the verdict, a City spokesperson said the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality. The club also reiterated its previous position from February 2023.

The Premier League has also refused to publicly confirm the reported findings.

A league spokesperson told Reuters: “It’s a confidential process, we’re not commenting at all.”

Sanctions Yet to Be Decided

Despite the reported guilty findings, Manchester City have not been punished at this stage.

The exact sanctions, if any, will depend on the next stage of the proceedings. Possible punishments discussed during the case have included financial penalties and sporting sanctions, but no specific punishment has been confirmed.

That means there is currently no confirmed points deduction, relegation, expulsion or stripping of previous titles.

Any such outcome would have to come through the formal disciplinary process and could also be affected by City’s expected appeal.

Appeal Could Extend the Case

The reported verdict is therefore not necessarily the final word on the matter.

Manchester City are expected to challenge the findings, with Sky Sports reporting that the inquiry is moving towards the appeal stage.

The original hearing lasted 12 weeks, concluding in December 2024, after which the independent commission spent considerable time considering the extensive evidence.

The case has become one of the most significant financial disputes in Premier League history, with the outcome potentially affecting the club’s sporting and financial standing.

For now, the key development is the reported 114 guilty findings from 115 charges.

But with sanctions still undecided, the verdict not publicly released by the Premier League and an appeal expected, Manchester City’s lengthy financial case is far from over.

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JUST IN: Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Premier League Financial Charges

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JUST IN: Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Premier League Financial Charges—-Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of all but one of the 115 alleged Premier League financial breaches, with sanctions yet to be determined and the club expected to appeal.

Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 of the 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations, bringing a major development to one of the longest-running financial cases in English football.

The reported verdict was delivered by an independent commission following a lengthy hearing into allegations dating back to the 2009-10 season. The Premier League originally charged City in February 2023 following a four-year investigation into the club’s financial affairs.

According to reports from The Athletic and The Times, the independent commission ruled against Manchester City on all but one of the 115 charges.

The allegations covered several areas, including claims that City failed to provide accurate financial information, failed to properly disclose payments to players and coaches, breached UEFA financial regulations and the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules, and failed to cooperate with the league’s investigation.

Verdict Yet to Be Publicly Released

Despite the reported outcome, the Premier League has not formally published the commission’s verdict.

A Premier League spokesperson told Reuters that the matter remains confidential and the league would not comment on the reported findings. Manchester City also indicated that the process is not yet complete.

City have consistently denied wrongdoing since the charges were brought and are expected to appeal the reported findings.

The club said the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality.

What Were Manchester City Charged With?

The 115 charges relate primarily to alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018, while separate allegations concerned the club’s alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League investigation.

Reports indicate that 54 of the charges relate to alleged failures to provide accurate financial information, while another 35 concern alleged failures to cooperate with the investigation.

Further allegations involved the reporting of player and manager compensation as well as alleged breaches of UEFA financial regulations and the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules.

The hearing before the three-person independent commission lasted around 12 weeks and concluded in December 2024. The verdict was then delayed for a prolonged period because of the complexity of the case.

Punishment Has Not Been Decided

Manchester City have not yet been handed a punishment.

The sanctions that could potentially be considered under Premier League rules include financial penalties and sporting sanctions, although the eventual punishment will depend on the commission’s findings and the next stages of the process.

The club’s expected appeal could further prolong the case.

For now, the reported verdict represents a dramatic development in a case that has followed Manchester City for more than three years and covers a period in which the club established itself as one of the dominant forces in English football.

Manchester City maintain their position that they have acted properly and have consistently defended themselves against the allegations.

With the verdict reportedly going against the club on 114 of the 115 charges, attention will now turn to the official publication of the commission’s decision, the sanctions, and Manchester City’s expected appeal.

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