Sports
Rooney slams CAF over AFCON 2025 verdict
Former England captain, Wayne Rooney has criticised the Confederation of African Football’s decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to Morocco.
CAF’s Appeal Board overturned Senegal’s 1–0 victory, ruling that their walk-off in protest of a stoppage-time penalty violated Articles 82 and 84. The match was subsequently recorded as a 3–0 forfeit in favour of Morocco.
Reacting to the ruling, the former Manchester United star expressed disbelief, insisting that Senegal had rightfully won the match on the pitch.
“It’s crazy. If I were a Moroccan player, I wouldn’t accept it. Senegal beat them fair and square,” Rooney said.
“The Senegal team beat them fairly.”
Meanwhile, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) has condemned the decision, describing it as unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable.
The federation also confirmed plans to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid have qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League.
This follows the completion of the quarter-final second legs on Tuesday.
In the first game, PSG travelled to Liverpool with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg.
Although there were no goals in the first half, Ousmane Dembele netted twice after the break as the holders progressed into the final four.
At the Wanda Metropolitano, Atletico qualified for the semi-final despite losing 2-1.
Diego Simeone’s men had won 2-0 at the Nou Camp and at home, Ademola Lookman’s goal proved crucial after Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres levelled the tie on aggregate/
PSG will face the winner of Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid, while Atletico Madrid await the winner of Arsenal vs Sporting.
Midfielder Enzo Fernández is set to return to the Chelsea FC squad this week after resolving internal issues with the club.
According to manager Liam Rosenior, the Argentine international has held discussions with the coaching staff, the leadership group, and his teammates following a recent incident that led to his absence.
“Enzo has spoken with me, the leadership group and all of the players, and so now we look forward to welcoming him back,” Rosenior said.
He added that Fernández personally requested the meetings as part of efforts to address the situation and move forward with the team.
“He wanted to have a conversation with the leadership group, and he wanted to speak to the players,” the manager explained.
Senior officials at Arsenal have reportedly identified Como head coach and former club captain, Cesc Fabregas, as the ideal candidate to replace Mikel Arteta, amid growing uncertainty over the Spaniard’s future at the Emirates.
According to reports by Mundo Deportivo, Arteta could be in his final days as Arsenal manager if the club’s season ends without major silverware.
The Gunners began 2026 on a great note and in the running for four trophies.
But Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and lost to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Arteta’s men had the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points on Saturday, but ended up losing 2-1 to Bournemouth at home.
The result saw a lot of supporters walk out of the stadium before the full-time whistle, as the fanbase becomes apprehensive of the team bottling the title again.
The poor run of form is also being discussed in the boardroom and the hierarchy believes there might be need to change the manager if the team fails to win any silverware.
Former Arsenal captain, Fabregas, who is leading Como’s charge to qualify for Europe, is a heavy favourite for the role if Arteta leaves.
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