Sports
Amaju Pinnick speaks about his FIFA board appointment
In an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, Pinnick, a former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, expressed humility and pride at the opportunity to serve in one of FIFA’s most strategic committees.
• Amaju Pinnick
The Deputy Chair of the FIFA Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, Amaju Pinnick, has described his appointment as a recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in global sports governance.
In an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, Pinnick, a former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, expressed humility and pride at the opportunity to serve in one of FIFA’s most strategic committees.
“The importance of this is a recognition of Nigeria, as well as global sports. First, I’m saying that I’m humbled by the opportunity for me.
The Committee for Competitions is the most important committee, because FIFA is all about competitions, organising competitions, which also includes the World Cup, the U-20 and the U-17, even up to the Club World Cup,” he said.
Explaining the committee’s mandate, Pinnick noted that it plays a central role in managing and supervising FIFA’s global tournaments and the participation of national teams.
It’s a committee that has a responsibility. It has to be seen with national teams, with national team players, to be allowed to play in any of those competitions,” he stated.
Pinnick also highlighted the calibre of individuals serving alongside him, noting that the committee reflects the international breadth of football administration.
“A lot of people in the committee, even Danny Jordaan from South Africa, is a member of the committee. Danny Jordaan was chairman of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. So, we are very, very happy,” he said.
Sports
Barcelona extends Christensen contract by two-years
Christensen has played 98 times for Barca, winning three La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey among other trophies.
FC Barcelona have extended Danish defender Andreas Christensen’s contract until June 2028, the Spanish champions said Wednesday.
The 30-year-old centre-back, whose previous deal expired at the end of June, has been frequently sidelined by injuries during his time at Camp Nou.
The defender has accepted a significant pay cut to stay at the club, according to Spanish reports.
The Denmark international played a key part in Barcelona’s La Liga triumph in his debut campaign at the club in 2022 after arriving from Chelsea.
Christensen has played 98 times for Barca, winning three La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey among other trophies.
Sports
Nigerian Emenalo steps down as Saudi Pro League football chief
Reflecting on his tenure in a statement to The Athletic, Emenalo described the league’s transformation as an “audacious ambition” that many initially believed was unattainable.
Former Super Eagles defender and Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo has stepped down as the Saudi Pro League’s chief football executive.
The Saudi Pro League confirmed on Tuesday that Emenalo, who also headed the league’s Player Acquisition Center of Excellence (PACE), will leave at the expiration of his contract after joining the organisation in 2023.
In a statement, the Saudi Pro League thanked Emenalo for his contributions and wished him success in his future endeavours.
Reflecting on his tenure in a statement to The Athletic, Emenalo described the league’s transformation as an “audacious ambition” that many initially believed was unattainable.
“When I joined SPL’s transformation journey in 2023, what struck me most was the audacity of its ambition. We set out to do something few believed possible, on a timeline fewer still thought realistic,” he said.
He added that his team had established the structures and standards needed to sustain the league’s long-term growth.
Sports
Two Dead In World Cup Celebrations In Mexico City
The celebrations came after Mexico beat Ecuador to record their first World Cup knockout win since 1986, sending the co-hosts into the round of 16.
• Mexican fans gather to watch the FIFA World Cup round of 32 football match between Mexico and Ecuador at the Fan Fest in Guadalajara, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on June 30, 2026. (Photo by Ulises RUIZ / AFP)
At least two people died on Wednesday during massive celebrations in Mexico City as the national team advanced to the next round at the World Cup
Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 to break a 40-year World Cup knockout on Tuesday, sending the co-hosts into the round of 16.
A 19-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man died of asphyxiation, according to the city’s health ministry.
Authorities have not confirmed the death of a third person, reported by local media.
More than a million people gathered in the streets of Mexico City, mainly around the Angel of Independence monument, according to estimates by the city government.
In a supercharged atmosphere, Julian Quinones gave Mexico a deserved lead midway through the first half with a thunderous strike and then turned provider for Raul Jimenez.
Mexico had not won a World Cup knockout game since 1986, when they last hosted the tournament.
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