Sports
Algeria’s Zidane, Belghali Banned Over Nigeria AFCON Scuffle
Algerian players Luca Zidane and Rafik Belghali have been banned for two and four matches, respectively, for their part in ugly scenes following a quarter-final defeat to Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations.
The news was announced on Wednesday by the Algerian football federation (FAF), which was fined $100,000 for security lapses and improper conduct by players, officials, and supporters.
Goalkeeper Zidane and defender Belghali will serve their suspensions during qualifying for the 2027 tournament.
The FAF said it was lodging an appeal to challenge the sanctions.
Algeria were denied a penalty with the game locked at 0-0 before they eventually lost 2-0 to Nigeria thanks to second-half goals by Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams.
After the final whistle, a scuffle broke out between both sets of players and staff.
The FAF said the fines included charges for fans attempting to invade the pitch and displaying banknotes towards match officials.
Super Eagles booked their place in the semi-finals after a commanding victory over Algeria at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.
The Desert Foxes, who had conceded just one goal throughout the tournament before the quarter-final, were undone by Nigeria’s relentless pressure and clinical second-half finishing.
Alex Iwobi split the Algerian defence with a delightful outside-of-the-boot pass, Osimhen selflessly squared the ball across goal, and Adams calmly rounded goalkeeper Luca Zidane before slotting into an empty net.
Algeria struggled to impose itself and failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match, despite second-half changes that included the introduction of Baghdad Bounedjah.
The Eagles, who lost to hosts Morocco in the semi-final, however, won the third-place match against Egypt.
This gave Nigeria their ninth third-place finish at the continental showpiece.
Tottenham Hotspur have parted ways with manager Thomas Frank after a disappointing run of results left the club hovering just five points above the relegation zone.
Frank’s departure comes after Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United, which saw the team slide to 16th place in the Premier League table with 29 points from 26 matches.
The decision to sack Frank was made due to the team’s poor performance, which saw them win just twice in their last 17 league games.
Despite being given time and support since his appointment in June 2025, Frank struggled to replicate his success at Brentford, where he consistently over-performed with limited resources.
Recall that Frank was appointed as the new Tottenham head coach in June 2025, succeeding Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked despite winning the Europa League.
Frank’s tenure was marked by inconsistent results and setbacks, including a notable incident where he was seen drinking from a coffee cup bearing the badge of rivals Arsenal.
Frank won just 13 of his 38 games in charge, with a Premier League win percentage of 26.9%, the lowest of any Tottenham manager in the Premier League era.
The team’s fans had been vocal about their discontent with Frank, booing him and chanting for his sacking during Tuesday’s defeat.
The club thanked Frank for his contribution and wished him well in the future.
With Frank’s departure, Tottenham are now searching for itheir sixth permanent manager in seven years, with potential candidates including Roberto De Zerbi, who recently left Marseille.
The team faces a tough challenge in the coming weeks, including a Premier League match against Arsenal on February 22.
Rivers United suffered a 4-1 defeat to defending champions Pyramids FC in their penultimate CAF Champions League group game in Uyo on Sunday.
Stephen Manyo gave Rivers United the lead in the 33rd minute.
Finidi George’s side created more chances afterward but failed to double their advantage.
Pyramids FC took control of the game after the break, scoring four times.
Mostafa Fathi equalised for the visitors in the 52nd minute.
Marwan Hamdi, Odeh Al Fakhouri, and Nasser Maher also scored for the Egyptians.
Manchester City came from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield to stay in the Premier League title race, but the finale was dominated by some controversial decisions.
Manchester City beat Liverpool at Anfield to stay in the Premier League title race – but only after a dramatic finale provided by VAR.
City came from behind to win 2-1 and complete a league double over their rivals in chaotic and confusing fashion.
Dominik Szoboszlai smashed Liverpool ahead with a stunning long-range free-kick yet ended the game with a red card in astonishing fashion.
Bernardo Silva fired City level from Erling Haaland’s knock-down before Alisson clattered Matheus Nunes to hand City a penalty late on. Haaland converted the spot-kick to put City 2-1 up in the 93rd minute.
But more was to come, with Alisson heading up to the other end of the pitch as Liverpool desperately chased an equaliser. That left the goal open on the counter-attack and City thought they had gone 3-1 up in the closing stages as Rayan Cherki’s effort dribbled over the line.
Szoboszlai and Haaland raced back after the ball and pulled each others’ shirts, only for the ball to roll over the goaline untouched. However, VAR cancelled the goal, awarding City a free-kick outside the area while sending off Szoboszlai for the denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Szoboszlai trudged off and City managed to see out the remaining minutes to close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League to six points. After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Manchester City.
Official Craig Pawson said: “After review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland, that pulls the shirt of Dominic Szoboszlai. Prior to that, Szoboszlai commits a holding offence that denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity. The final decision is a direct free kick to Manchester City and a red card.”
It was a chaotic and confusing end to the match, which had Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville fuming at referee Craig Pawson.
“You live to watch games like this. I am a fan of VAR but it has just killed the joy,” Neville said. “The reason fans watch football matches is for entertainment and for moments like that.”
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