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Why we lost to Spain – France coach Deschamps

” Is the referee at the level required to officiate a World Cup semi-final?“And I’m not saying this just because we lost today. There were quite a few situations. There were some favourable calls, too,” he said, without elaborating.

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•France coach Didier Deschamps\ AFP

France coach Didier Deschamps said his players were left “devastated” by their World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain on Tuesday before aiming a barb at match referee Ivan Barton from El Salvador.

Deschamps’ free-flowing French team had dazzled the competition en route to the last four, rattling in 16 goals in six games to earn comparisons to some of the greatest teams in World Cup history.

But France’s dreams of a third World Cup title were left in tatters after a dominant Spanish performance that left Deschamps, who is stepping down after the tournament, struggling for answers.

” Of course, there is a lot of disappointment,” Deschamps said immediately after the defeat at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“The players are devastated because we had a lot of ambition, even though we also have to be realistic and acknowledge that today we were a notch below on the technical level against a team that controlled the game well.

“But first of all, it’s our fault, I don’t want to blame anyone.”

Deschamps though could not resist firing a shot at referee Barton, who had awarded Spain an early penalty after Lucas Digne kicked Lamine Yamal in the first half.

I’ll ask a loaded question and I won’t answer it,” Deschamps said.

“Is the referee at the level required to officiate a World Cup semi-final?“And I’m not saying this just because we lost today. There were quite a few situations. There were some favourable calls, too,” he said, without elaborating.

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Lagos declares readiness to host 2026 CAF Awards

Hosting an event of this scale means every single detail counts and our team is working hard behind the scenes to make sure we get it right,” the governor said in an X post on Monday.

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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured that the state is ready to host this year’s CAF Awards.

Nigeria has previously hosted the CAF Awards on four occasions, with Lagos staging the most recent edition in January 2015.

The CAF team arrived in Nigeria last Thursday for an inspection of facilities being put forward by the country to host the organisation’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly and annual CAF Awards ceremony.

A five-man team from the Confederation of African Football inspected the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, popularly known as the National Theatre, the designated venue for the ceremony.

The team is led by former NFF presidential aspirant and CAF’s Head of Safety and Security, Dr Christian Emeruwa.

Officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation and the Confederation of African Football during the inspection of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Iganmu, Lagos, ahead of this year’s CAF Awards. Photo: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The delegation also included Mohammed Bakeer (Technology), Inas Ahmed (Travel and Accommodation), Salah Mostafa (Transport) and Hervé Dassoundo (Branding).

They were received by officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission, led by Director-General Lekan Fatodu, as they inspected the National Theatre on Monday.

Sanwo-Olu said the state was committed to ensuring that Lagos delivers a successful event.

“We guided them through the venue and gathered their feedback. Hosting an event of this scale means every single detail counts and our team is working hard behind the scenes to make sure we get it right,” the governor said in an X post on Monday.

” Lagos is ready and we look forward to putting on a brilliant show for African football.”

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UEFA Considers World Cup Boycott Over FIFA’s $20bn Investment Proposal

UEFA strongly opposed the proposal, insisting football “isn’t FIFA’s to sell” and criticising the lack of transparency surrounding the plan.

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UEFA is preparing an emergency meeting of its 55 member associations to discuss FIFA’s proposed $20 billion private investment plan, with a potential World Cup boycott among the options being considered.

The proposal, unveiled by FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, would create the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new subsidiary responsible for the commercial and event operations of FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.

FIFA said the venture would seek minority investment while retaining full control of football governance, with funds intended to expand development programmes for its 211 member associations.

UEFA strongly opposed the proposal, insisting football “isn’t FIFA’s to sell” and criticising the lack of transparency surrounding the plan.

Sources told ESPN there is significant resistance within the European governing body.

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Idi Amin’s grandson disqualified from Commonwealth boxing bout

He was jeered out of the ring after a tempestuous bout against England’s Damar Thomas in the super-heavyweight division.

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•Aziz Abdul, Idi Amin’s boxer grandson

The grandson of former Ugandan president Idi Amin saw his bid for Commonwealth boxing gold end in disgrace as Aziz Abdul was disqualified for a headbutt in his quarter-final on Wednesday.

Amin famously declared himself the “King of Scotland” in 1976, having developed a fascination with the country with his remark inspiring an Oscar-winning film, “The Last King Of Scotland”.

Aziz arrived in Glasgow declaring his dream of becoming “the new king of Scotland.

But he was jeered out of the ring after a tempestuous bout against England’s Damar Thomas in the super-heavyweight division.

Despite landing three sweeping left hooks in the opening round, a short, stabbing left by Thomas earned a plainly displeased Aziz a standing count.

Aziz swung wildly throughout the second and was deducted his second point for persistently punching Thomas in the face as they exited a clinch.

AFP

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