Sports
Egypt Boss Denies Rift With Salah As Striker Leaves AFCON Camp
Egypt manager Hossam Hassan has moved to shut down speculation of a rift with captain Mohamed Salah after the Trabzonspor forward left the national team camp ahead of their second AFCON 2027 qualifier.
Salah was substituted during Egypt’s draw with Angola before departing the squad, raising questions over his relationship with Hassan.
The manager, however, insists the decision had been agreed in advance and was made solely to protect the veteran forward from the risks of playing on an artificial surface.
Salah’s absence from Egypt’s upcoming meeting with South Sudan had fuelled speculation of unrest inside the squad, particularly after he was taken off in the 61st minute against Angola.
Hassan has now dismissed those suggestions, stressing that Salah remains central to his plans and that the decision was made with the player’s health in mind.
“I respect all players, led by Mohamed Salah. He is an important, influential and essential player for the team and one of the most important players in the world but we preferred to rest him because of the artificial turf,” Hassan told reporters.
The manager also revealed that Salah had raised the issue before the Angola match, meaning his departure was part of a pre-agreed plan rather than a reaction to events during the game.
“He had spoken with me about the matter before the Angola match, and we agreed on it. We need him in the upcoming matches and the safety of any player is my top priority, and my trust in all the players is immense,” Hassan explained.
Egypt will now face South Sudan without their captain as they continue their campaign to qualify for AFCON 2027.
Salah remains one of the most influential figures in the Egyptian squad, but Hassan has made clear that avoiding an unnecessary injury takes priority at this stage of the qualifying campaign.
The decision also comes amid a busy period for Salah at club level following his move to Trabzonspor, with Egypt keen to ensure their star forward remains available for the more demanding fixtures ahead.
Sports
Bruno Fernandes Rejects Man United Contract Amid Galatasaray Interest- Report
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has reportedly thrown his future at Old Trafford into doubt by rejecting the club’s latest contract renewal offer.
According to a new report, the 32-year-old playmaker has halted extension discussions with the Manchester United hierarchy.
According to report, Galatasaray are actively monitoring the contract standoff and are considering launching an ambitious January transfer bid for the Portuguese international.
Fernandes last committed his future to Manchester United in August 2024, signing a massive deal designed to keep him in Manchester until the summer of 2027.
While his current contract provides the club with short-term security, the reported refusal to engage in new extension talks represents a massive red flag for the INEOS-led sporting department.
The timing of the rejection is particularly damaging, as Fernandes remains the undeniable creative engine of the squad.
He finished the 2025/26 campaign dominating the domestic statistics, officially recording the most assists in a single Premier League season.
However, his individual brilliance has failed to mask the deep-rooted systemic issues currently plaguing the club under manager Michael Carrick.
The report specifically notes that Fernandes’ reluctance to sign a new deal stems directly from his growing frustration with United’s sporting direction and lack of competitive squad depth.
This sentiment appears to be rapidly spreading throughout the Old Trafford dressing room.
The contract rejection report arrives just days after Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez delivered an explosive post-match interview, brutally tearing into the club’s leadership structure.
Following a bitterly disappointing UEFA Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid on October 13, the Argentine centre-back publicly stated that the players “expect more from the top,” explicitly targeting technical director Jason Wilcox.
With key players like Martínez publicly airing their grievances and the club captain now reportedly stalling on contract talks, the pressure on the Manchester United boardroom is reaching breaking point.
Galatasaray circle the situation
Sensing the mounting internal chaos at Old Trafford, Galatasaray are reportedly ready to capitalise on the uncertainty.
Galatasaray executive Abdullah Kavukcu is personally driving the operation to lure Fernandes to the Turkish Süper Lig, according to the report.
The Istanbul-based giants previously tested the waters during the summer transfer window but are now reportedly viewing the January window as a realistic opportunity to secure one of their biggest signings in recent history.
Sports
Semenyo Out For Two Months With Knee Injury
Antoine Semenyo is injured and faces an eight-week absence for Manchester City, Enzo Maresca confirmed.
Erling Haaland, who suffered a knock at the weekend against Ipswich Town, is in the mix to play AEK Athens on Tuesday in the Champions League.
Semenyo sustained a knee injury in City’s 3-2 Premier League win over Ipswich, after he came off the bench in the 76th minute, as reported by ESPN.
“After the scan we feel much better because it’s not as bad as we expected,” Maresca said about the Ghana winger.
“It could be eight weeks, so now the most important thing is for him to recover.”
Haaland was also limping after City beat Ipswich but Maresca was hopeful of an immediate return for him.
“He can be available,” Maresca said. “We have a session now and we’ll see.”
Sports
NPFL: Doma United Gets ₦5.25m Fine, Three-Match Stadium Ban
The Nigeria Premier Football League ,NPFL, has fined Doma United ₦5.25m for failing to provide adequate and effective security during their Matchday Nine encounter against Kun Khalifat FC.
The match, played at the Pantami Stadium last Saturday, ended in a 1-1 draw, but was marred by misconduct from home supporters after the final whistle.
According to reports, Doma United supporters attacked Kun Khalifat FC technical adviser, Obinna Uzoho, and engaged in hostile conduct towards match officials and members of the visiting team, actions deemed capable of bringing the game into disrepute.
As part of the sanctions, the Savannah Scorpions have been ordered to play their next three home matches behind closed doors following repeated security breaches.
Meanwhile, the match commissioner has been recommended for demotion to the lower league over alleged dereliction of duty, inadequate supervision and insufficient match reporting.
The NPFL has also warned Doma United to strengthen their security measures and educate their supporters on acceptable conduct, cautioning that any future breach of the league’s rules and regulations could attract more severe sanctions.
Doma United have 48 hours from the date of notification to appeal the sanctions.
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