Sports
Former Bayern Munich player, 18, left ‘brain dead’ after head to knee collision during a match in Spain
A teenage Chinese player, who was previously part of Bayern Munich’s World Squad, has reportedly been diagnosed with ‘brain death’ following a match in Spain.
Guo Jiaxuan, an 18-year-old defender, was reportedly struck in the face by a knee during training camp last Thursday.
He had been playing in a training match against Spanish side RC Alcobendas at a camp organised by the Beijing Football Association.
His brother revealed on social media that Guo had suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage – a form of stroke caused by bleeding on the brain – following the accidental collision.
Doctors in Madrid have diagnosed Guo with ‘brain death’, according to his brother.
‘During training [last Thursday], he was rushed to [hospital] after being hit in the head by another player’s knee,’ Guo’s brother wrote on social media.
From the interpreter, I learned that the doctor at the hospital said my brother had too much bleeding in his head and that there was little hope of survival… the hospital was going to remove his [life support] tubes.’
Guo’s father had reportedly refused the doctor’s suggestion to turn off his son’s life support and perform an autopsy, and has instead sought for him to be repatriated to China for further treatment.
The South China Morning Post reported that Guo’s family have accused the Beijing Football Association and his club Beijing Guoan of failing to cover his medical bills.
The family claimed the Beijing FA had failed to buy insurance for the trip.
The organisation has reportedly now reached an agreement to transport Guo to China and will support his continued treatment.
Guo had previously represented the Chinese national team at under-17 level and had been invited to train with Bayern Munich in 2023.
He had become part of Bayern Munich’s World Squad, an international project by the German giants aimed at developing promising players from around the world.
Following the match last week, Spanish side RC Alcobendas offered a message of support for Guo and his family.
‘From RC Alcobendas we want to express our deep concern for the player from the Beijing Football Association delegation who suffered an accident during the friendly match played this morning against our first team,’ the club wrote last week.
Sports
Nigeria petitions ITTF over Romania visa denial
Nigeria had qualified to represent Africa in the boys’ U-19 and U-15 team events after emerging as continental champions at the African Youth Championships in Lagos.
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has formally petitioned the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) after its players were denied entry visas to compete at the ongoing 2025 World Youth Championships in Romania.
In a letter signed by NTTF President Adesoji Tayo, the federation condemned the visa refusal, calling it a violation of the principles of international sportsmanship, inclusivity, and fair participation that the ITTF and its partners uphold.
“As an official representative of Nigeria and Africa in this prestigious global event, I firmly believe that the reasons provided for the visa refusal are unjust, discriminatory, and contrary to the spirit of unity which international sports is designed to foster,” Tayo stated.
Despite weeks of rigorous training by players and coaches, the visa denial has dampened the contingent’s morale and resulted in financial losses for the federation.
Nigeria had qualified to represent Africa in the boys’ U-19 and U-15 team events after emerging as continental champions at the African Youth Championships in Lagos.
Sports
FIFA president Infantino to receive Lebanese citizenship
Infantino, 55, is a Swiss-Italian national married to a Lebanese woman, Leena al-Ashqar, who used to work for the LFA.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun informed FIFA President Gianni Infantino of his approval to grant him Lebanese citizenship on Tuesday, the head of the Lebanese Football Association told AFP.“
The President informed (Infantino) of the decree and the requirements of the file in order to complete its implementation,” Hashem Haidar, head of the Lebanese Football Association (LFA), said.
“The decree granting citizenship to Infantino came as he is a public figure who provides services to Lebanon.”
Infantino, 55, is a Swiss-Italian national married to a Lebanese woman, Leena al-Ashqar, who used to work for the LFA.
“I don’t have it yet, but soon. I feel very good and very proud, I feel very happy,” Infantino told Lebanese channel LBCI.
“I am Lebanese since many many years already, so it’s good that we formalise this as well.”
Sports
CAF Awards: Super Falcons win 2025 women’s team of the year
This marks the team’s seventh CAF Women’s National Team of the Year award, having previously won in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and consecutively in 2023, 2024, and now 2025.
Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, the Super Falcons, have been named the Women’s National Team of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards held on Wednesday, November 19, in Rabat, Morocco.
The Super Falcons, Africa’s most successful women’s national team, claimed the honour after a remarkable year in which they secured a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.
Nigeria defeated hosts Morocco 3–2 in a dramatic final, showcasing their pedigree, depth, and resilience.
This marks the team’s seventh CAF Women’s National Team of the Year award, having previously won in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and consecutively in 2023, 2024, and now 2025.
The Super Falcons beat strong contenders, Ghana’s Black Queens and Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, to clinch the award.The award further reaffirms the Super Falcons’ dominance on the continent.
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