NGO’s letter to ICC also asks if it would be prepared to recognise the Afghanistan women’s national team in exile, allowing it to train, compete and receive ICC financial support

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Mar-20252:01

Firooza Amiri: If Afghan women can play sports, they can study as well

Human Rights Watch has called on the ICC to suspend Afghanistan’s membership and ban the Taliban-run nation from competing in international cricket.The request came via an email addressed to ICC chair Jay Shah, dated February 3 and made public on March 7, with the subject line: “Suspending the Afghanistan Cricket Board and Implementing a Human Rights Policy”.Human Rights Watch describes itself as an independent, international, non-governmental organisation that conducts research and advocacy on human rights abuses by states and non-state actors around the world.”We are writing at this time to urge the International Cricket Council (ICC) to suspend Taliban-run Afghanistan from ICC membership, and from participating in international cricket, until women and girls can once again participate in education and sport in the country,” the email said.Related

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“We also urge the ICC to implement a human rights policy based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.”We note that you have pledged ‘to allocate more resources to women’s cricket’ during your tenure at the helm of global cricket and ‘champion the ICC’s mission further by allocating more resources and attention to women’s cricket’.”However, since retaking power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed a long and growing list of rules and policies that bars women and girls from exercising their fundamental rights, including to freedom of expression and movement, many forms of employment, and education beyond sixth grade. These affect virtually all their rights, including to life, livelihood, shelter, health care, food, and water.”The email went on to say that the ICC’s anti-discrimination policy for international cricket states that it is committed to ensuring that wherever cricket is played, it can be enjoyed by all participants regardless of their respective backgrounds. It pointed out that the policy also strives to ensure all participants can enjoy sport without being subjected to intimidating conduct on the basis of – among other factors – sex, gender, marital status and/or maternity status.The email also argued that while payments to Afghanistan’s Women’s team were suspended in 2021, the country’s men’s team continues to receive financial and logistical support, apparently in contravention of the ICC’s own anti-discrimination rules.Nahida Sapan and Firooza Amiri speak to the media ahead of the Cricket Without Borders match in Melbourne in January•Getty Images”By not allowing women and girls to play cricket, and not allowing a national team for women and girls to compete internationally, the Afghanistan Cricket Board is failing to abide by this Anti-Discrimination Policy,” Human Rights Watch said.”We note that cricket has been included as a sport in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, and yet the Taliban’s ban on women and girls participating in the sport is a severe violation of the Olympic Charter’s guarantee that ‘the practice of sport is a human right’.”Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, women have been forced to adhere to an increasingly restrictive range of laws barring them from most areas of public life, including sport. Shortly before that, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) had agreed to contract 25 women’s players, most of whom now live in exile in Australia.In July last year, former members of the Afghanistan women’s national team, no longer recognised as such by the country’s Taliban rulers, wrote to the ICC asking to be recognised as a refugee team.Several of those players united in an Afghanistan Women’s XI for an exhibition match against a Cricket Without Borders XI at Melbourne’s Junction Oval in January.A protest outside Lord’s on the eve of the Afghanistan-England Champions Trophy match in Lahore in February•PA Photos/Getty ImagesAround that time, the ECB came under pressure from a group of British MPs to boycott their recent Champions Trophy fixture against Afghanistan – who knocked England out of the competition – while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the ICC to “deliver on their own rules”.England and Australia have opted not to play Afghanistan in bilateral games, while agreeing to face them at ICC events, with ECB chief executive Richard Gould calling for a “co-ordinated, ICC-led, response” rather than unilateral action from individual countries.The issues of banning or boycotting the men’s team is complex, with some of the formerly contracted Afghanistan women’s players telling ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast that they didn’t want to see their male counterparts prevented from playing because they offered hope, but they did want them to do more for the women and girls who were being denied the same rights.Afghanistan fans settle down to watch their team play England in Lahore•Getty ImagesHuman Rights Watch asked for a timely response from the ICC to a number of questions, including what steps the governing body is taking towards developing a human rights policy, why it hasn’t suspended the ACB from playing international cricket until women and girls have access to education and sport and, would it be prepared to recognise the Afghanistan women’s national team in exile, allowing it to train, compete and receive ICC financial support.It also asks what steps the ICC has taken or plans to take to “pressure the Afghanistan Cricket Board to include women and girl players in their competitions” and what funding or other support has been or will be provided to the Afghanistan Cricket Board.”The International Cricket Council should follow in the steps of other sport governing bodies, such as the International Olympic Committee, by calling on the Taliban to include Afghan women and girls in sport, and committing to a human rights frame work,” the email concluded.The ICC has been contacted for comment.

Pakistan’s Champions Trophy title defence got off to an inauspicious start, as Fakhar Zaman was forced off the field after two deliveries of their opening game against New Zealand in Karachi.New Zealand opener Will Young drove Shaheen Afridi through the covers to beat the infield, with Zaman setting off in pursuit. He cut it off before palming the ball to Babar Azam to throw it back to the keeper, but immediately appeared to feel discomfort in his lower back or side. He signalled that he needed to be replaced, and went off the field with the physio, though he walked unaided back to the dressing room.”Fakhar Zaman is being assessed and examined for a muscular sprain and further updates will be provided in due course,” the PCB said in a statement shortly after.Fakhar came back on the field after spending a little more than two hours off it, which prevented him from opening Pakistan’s chase of 321. Saud Shakeel opened with Babar Azar and Fakhar only came in at the fall of Mohammed Rizwan in the tenth over. He had been deprived of any batting time with the fielding restrictions in place, when his reputation for power hitting could have come in handy for Pakistan.Almost from the outset, though, it was apparent he would be unable to make that sort of contribution. He was unsteady on his feet and visibly struggling with running between the wickets. On more than one occasion, he slumped to his knees between overs, with the team doctor and physio coming on with painkillers. While he attempted to play the attacking strokes the match situation required with the asking rate ever-rising, it was something of a tortured knock. He managed 24 off 41 before he tried to sweep Michael Bracewell – a shot he a deployed throughout the innings – only to miss completely and see his stumps shattered.Pakistan had been hampered by an injury to Saim Ayub in similar circumstances, one that ultimately kept him out of the Champions Trophy. In a Test against South Africa, he set off in pursuit of a ball to the boundary and ended up twisting his ankle. It resulted in a fracture that will keep him out until at least the middle of March. Fakhar, who until then wasn’t part of Pakistan’s ODI plans, came back into the side as Ayub’s replacement, and made an impressive return, scoring 84 off 69 and 41 off 28 in his first two matches back in the side.Pakistan did, however, get a fitness-related boost before the game with Haris Rauf fit enough to start. He had pulled up with a side strain in the opening game of the triangular series these two sides took part in over the last fortnight along with South Africa. That day had also seen a New Zealand player struck down with injury, when Rachin Ravindra lost the trajectory of a hit while fielding at the boundary, which ended up hitting him flush on the forehead. He needed stitches, and though he trained yesterday and New Zealand have said that he showed no signs of delayed concussion, he did not play against Pakistan. He was seen running drinks to New Zealand’s batters, though.The game marked the return of ICC tournament cricket to Pakistan after 1996, with huge crowds building up outside the National Stadium in Karachi in the hours before the start. The opening ceremony was attended by Pakistan’s president Asif Ali Zardari and had an air force fly-past parade after the toss, which Pakistan won and asked New Zealand to bat.

MatériaMais Notícias

Existem dias que é melhor não sair de casa. Para o zagueiro Arboleda, esse dia foi justamente este domingo (11). Graças à duas falhas individuais do equatoriano na saída de bola, o Palmeiras conseguiu marcar os gols que lhe garantiram a vitória por 2 a 0 no clássico contra o São Paulo, no Morumbi, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.

Em uma tarde completamente infeliz, Arboleda errou no primeiro tempo. Melhor para Gabriel Menino, que marcou o primeiro tento palmeirense. Na etapa final, voltou a errar. E aí foi Endrick quem se valeu para deixar a sua marca no clássico.

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Derrota mais do que dolorosa para um São Paulo que passou a maior parte do tempo pressionando um Palmeiras que, com a vantagem adquirida cedo no placar, soube administrar o jogo e ditar o seu ritmo de jogo. Quando o Tricolor parecia melhor no jogo, veio a definição do jovem camisa 9 alviverde para impedir de vez qualquer chance para os mandantes em um clássico visivelmente nervoso, com Abel Ferreira batendo boca com Calleri e depois David e Artur se estranhando .

A vitória leva o Verdão aos 22 pontos, na segunda colocação, a dois do líder Botafogo. Já o São Paulo caiu para a oitava posição, com 15.

NÍCIO FULMINANTE? BEM, NÃO…

Empurrado pela multidão que lotou o Morumbi, o São Paulo começou buscando ocupar espaços e pressionar o Palmeiras. A tática parecia que ia render frutos. Aos 2′, Luciano pegou sobra de bola dentro da área e chutou. A bola desviou em Mayke e Raphael Claus anotou o pênalti inicialmente, mas voltou atrás após o lance ser revisto no VAR.

Foi só para o Tricolor. Nem todo o apoio da galera conseguiu impedir o que se seguiu. Aos 10′, o São Paulo tentou sair jogando com bola rasteira de seu campo de defesa. Não conseguia encontrar espaços até que Arboleda, em lance infeliz, perde o lance para Gabriel Menino, que driblou seco Gabriel Neves na entrada da área antes de bater no ângulo para abrir o placar aos visitantes.

RETRANCA, SUOR E SANGUE

Com a vantagem a seu favor, o Palmeiras fez o que sabe fazer melhor: cozinhar o jogo e ditar o ritmo das ações. Começou logo aos 14′, em lance estranho. Calleri disputou bola com Mayke e acabou empurrando o rival. Abel Ferreira, à beira do gramado, comprou as dores e foi tirar satisfações de maneira efusiva com o argentino são-paulino. Levou amarelo.

Jogo de cena ou não do português para pilhar o adversário, a toada que se seguiu. O Palmeiras teve uma chance com Artur, defendida por Rafael. Mas a maior parte do tempo foi de um São Paulo que ganhou a posse de bola sem conseguir aproveitar para furar a retranca alviverde.

Tanto foi assim que chance de perigo, mesmo, só aos 46′, quando Luciano, com liberdade, chutou de fora da área e exigiu boa defesa em dois tempos de Weverton.

CLÁSSICO MELHORA

As emoções do jogo, de fato, ficaram reservadas para o segundo tempo. Logo aos 2′ o Palmeiras resolveu ir ao ataque. E quase fez. Zé Rafael aproveitou uma sobra de bola na entrada da área e experimentou a bomba, para grande defesa de Rafael.

Dois minutos depois, contudo, o Tricolor mostrou que estava disposto a não deixar o rival crescer. Luciano recebeu passe na entrada da área e experimentou o chute rasteiro, para Weverton desviar.

Aos 13′, Luciano mostrou que trocou a postura ‘fominha’ da etapa inicial para ser mais colaborativo (e perigoso). Achou Nestor, que rolou de primeira para Juan, que tabelou com Calleri e, enfim, a finalização para mais uma boa defesa de Weverton.

CLÁSSICO MELHORA

As emoções do jogo, de fato, ficaram reservadas para o segundo tempo. Logo aos 2′ o Palmeiras resolveu ir ao ataque. E quase fez. Zé Rafael aproveitou uma sobra de bola na entrada da área e experimentou a bomba, para grande defesa de Rafael.

Dois minutos depois, contudo, o Tricolor mostrou que estava disposto a não deixar o rival crescer. Luciano recebeu passe na entrada da área e experimentou o chute rasteiro, para Wevertomn desviar.

Aos 13′, Luciano mostrou que trocou a postura ‘fominha’ da etapa inicial para ser mais colaborativo (e perigoso). Achou Nestor, que rolou de primeira para Juan, que tabelou com Calleri e, enfim, a finalização para mais uma boa defesa de Weverton.

O FATOR ARBOLEDA

O dia tinha um protagonista: Arboleda. Aos 14′, o equatoriano desviou cobrança de escanteio e acertou o travessão palmeirense no que seria o empate.

Mas a sua presença em campo não era para ser algo positivo, necessariamente. Aos 32′, o zagueiro se atrapalhou mais uma vez em uma saída de bola e entregou de presente a bola para Breno Lopes, que deu o passe de cabeçla para Endrick, livre, marcar o segundo tento palmeirense e sacramentar a vitória.

BARCO FURADO

O gol acabou de vez com o sonho são-paulino. Até houveram chances, como aos 37′, quando Pablo Maia experimentou o chute de fora da área, e aos 40′, com Caio também arriscando uma fianlização para outra defesa de Weverton.

Mas era pouco, muito pouco para reverter o quadro ante um adversário que não perde clássico hpa um ano. No final, ainda teve tempo de Pablo Maia ser expulso e tornar a tarde ainda mais azeda para o Tricolor.

PRÓXIMOS JOGOS

São Paulo e Palmeiras voltarão a campo apenas no próximo dia 21, no retorno do futebol brasileiro após a pausa para a Data Fifa. O Tricolor recebe o Athletico no Morumbi, às 19h (de Brasília). O Verdão vai a Salvador (BA) medir forças com o Bahia, às 21h30 (de Brasília). As duas equipes voltarão a se enfrentar na série válida pelas quartas de final da Copa do Brasil, em duelos cujas datas ainda serão definidas pela CBF.

FICHA TÉCNICA
SÃO PAULO 0 x 2 PALMEIRAS
CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO – DÉCIMA RODADA

Data e horário: 10/6/2023 (domingo), às 16h (de Brasília)
Local: Estádio do Morumbi, em São Paulo (SP)
Árbitro: Raphael Claus (Fifa-SP)
Auxiliares: Alex Ang Ribeiro (Fifa) e Marcelo Carvalho van Gasse (ambos de SP)
VAR: Wagner Reway (Fifa-PB)
Público e renda: 56.871 torcedores/R$ 3.392.338

Cartões amarelos: David, Rodriguinho e Pablo Maia (São Paulo); Artur e Abel Ferreira (Palmeiras)
Cartão vermelho: Pablo Maia (São Paulo) aos 48min do 2ºT

GOLS
Gabriel Menino aos 10min do 1ºT (0-1) e Endrick aos 32min do 2ºT (0-2)

SÃO PAULO
Rafael; Rafinha (Marcos Paulo, 41/2), Arboleda, Beraldo e Caio; Pablo Maia, Gabriel Neves (Nestor, intervalo) e Michel Araujo (Rodriguinho, 33/2); Alisson (Juan, intervalo), Luciano (David, 41/2) e Calleri
Técnico: Dorival Júnior

PALMEIRAS
Weverton; Mayke, Naves (Jailson, 12/2), Luan e Piquerez; Zé Rafael, Gabriel Menino (Richard Ríos, 22/2) e Raphael Veiga; Artur, Dudu (Breno Lopes, 22/2) e Rony (Endrick, 21/2)
Técnico: Abel Ferreira

Players will be paid match fees of PKR 10,000, a fall from the last edition, where players were paid PKR 40,000 per match

Danyal Rasool12-Mar-2025

The PCB has slashed match fees for players participating in the upcoming National T20 Cup. Players in the tournament will be paid match fees of PKR 10,000 (US$ 35 approx.), a 75% fall from the last edition of the tournament, where players were paid match fees of PKR 40,000.It is an even bigger cut when compared to 2022, when players were paid PKR 60,000 as match fees for the tournament. Reserve players in the squad in this edition will be paid PKR 5000 (approx. US$ 17.50) per match.The cut in match fees feels more drastic when looking at the high spends at the PCB under current chairman Mohsin Naqvi.Last year, shortly after becoming chair, he said the money in PCB’s accounts was not meant to be “locked away” and would be spent on the players and in the service of Pakistan cricket.Related

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Since then, the PCB has embarked upon expensive but necessary stadium upgrades, and hired – and soon let go of – foreign coaches on expensive contracts, as well as five mentors on PKR 5 million a month each. It has also hosted a domestic one-day tournament that increased the prize money to participants tenfold.A PCB official told ESPNcricinfo that the decision to cut match fees for the National T20 Cup was not an outcome of financial concerns. Instead, the PCB feels the players’ earning opportunities over the season have risen with more tournaments in the domestic calendar, including the Champions T20 Cup, which took place in December 2024 (but with only five teams).The Champions Cup format of five elite teams of players is replicated in both a 50-over and first-class tournament. With a number of players also employed by a department (for tournaments such as the President’s Trophy) which pays them a monthly salary, the board believes the drop in match fees did not amount to an overall drop in earnings.The National T20 Cup starts on March 14, with 39 matches across three cities: Faisalabad, Lahore and Multan. The final will take place in Faisalabad on March 27. Several leading Pakistan international cricketers will be unable to feature, with the national side having left for New Zealand for five T20Is and three ODIs.

Only two more sleeps are left for Sunderland supporters until the drama of the Premier League starts.

It’s been a long but exciting summer to be a follower of the Black Cats, with a mega £132m now spent on 11 brand new signings following the latest capture of Omar Alderete from Getafe, with the aim to give the Wearside outfit the best fighting chance at immediate survival.

Preparations are well underway for their opening clash against West Ham United at the Stadium of Light, with the dream outcome, of course, being a confidence-boosting victory in front of their adoring home masses.

It might not play out like that, however, with the Black Cats not done entirely with their all rampant business either, as more tweaks are potentially made to try and get the best out of a new-look side in the long-term.

Latest on Sunderland's transfer search

Le Bris will have to utilise his full squad across the 38-game marathon of a season to come.

That could result in even more purchases being signed off on, following the £10m addition of Alderete. Dominic Calvert-Lewin had reportedly been on the Sunderland radar as another body up top, before Leeds United then won his services.

Sunderland might be luckier with their advances in defence, with former Newcastle United centre-back Lloyd Kelly now on the Black Cats’ shopping list at around the £17m price range.

There is also a rising star defensively catching the newly promoted side’s eye in the form of 19-year-old Fiorentina sensation Eddy Koudiao.

Reports from Italian outlet La Nazione – via La Viola – are suggesting that the teenage centre-back is being monitored by Le Bris and Co. after impressing in pre-season for the Serie A side, with contests against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United seeing Kouadio stand out at the back.

The Frenchman might well believe he can work his magic on yet another youngster if the Italy U19 international were to relocate to Wearside shortly, with Kouadio – who was linked with a move earlier this year – becoming his next Chris Rigg-style project subsequently.

How Kouadio can become Le Bris' next Rigg

Much like Kouadio has generated plenty of hype in Florence for some time now, Rigg has been shouted about regularly among those with Stadium of Light connections as a youngster ready to burst into life at the very top.

Le Bris would get the maximum out of the versatile 18-year-old last season as promotion was triumphantly secured, with the ex-Lorient manager – who has been dubbed a “specialist” in working with the next generation according to Sky Sports’ Don Goodman – handing Rigg a weighty 47 senior opportunities.

The exciting number 11 would repay his manager’s unwavering faith by smashing home four goals and collecting one assist, with football commentator Ian Darke even declaring that he is “obviously going to play in the Premier League” mid-way through these promising exploits.

Darke has been proven right with his comments, with Rigg thankfully staying put this summer despite previous Manchester United speculation. Kouadio will be hopeful that he can receive similar glowing praise if he’s thrust into the senior spotlight at Sunderland, having shot up the age brackets at Fiorentina with ease, much like his 18-year-old counterpart at his boyhood employers.

CB

71

2 + 2

RB

11

0 + 1

Indeed, the Fiorentina U19 regular has now accumulated a mammoth 82 appearances for the Serie A giants at youth level, with his ability to play in the right-back slot, away from just being comfortable centrally, making him even more similar to Rigg, who can line up across various midfield positions if needed.

Further, Le Bris will feel somewhat more confident about chucking his new recruit into senior action when assessing how he dealt with those pre-season tests against the Red Devils and the Tricky Trees.

From 72 minutes of action combined across the two friendlies, the 19-year-old would throw himself about into duels without fear, culminating in 50% of his duels being won from four attempts, as per Sofascore.

He would only misplace two of his passes against Forest, too, with there clearly being a lot of promise in the way Kouadio conducts himself.

It will all rest on whether the Italian defender can blossom into Sunderland’s next much-talked-about starlet, away from mere hype, with the hope that he can become the club’s next Rigg down the line, as Le Bris’ expertise in this area works wonders again.

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ByKelan Sarson Aug 13, 2025

It’s been a frustrating few weeks for Brendan Rodgers and matters have now only been made worse by the recent update on an injured Celtic player that he risked playing against Rangers before the international break.

Celtic sign Kelechi Iheanacho

Much of Rodgers’ frustration has surrounded Celtic’s transfer business. Their 0-0 draw against Old Firm rivals Rangers summed up the attacking problems that they still needed to address and, as such, Kelechi Iheanacho has since arrived. Joining back up with Rodgers for the first time since their Leicester City days, the forward desperately needs this move to go well.

The Nigerian was a free agent when Celtic turned his way, having been released after a disappointing spell at Sevilla. Now, at 28 years old, the Bhoys have handed him one final opportunity to get his career back on track.

Speaking to the club website after welcoming Iheanacho to his side, Rodgers told Celtic’s official website: “I know Kelechi so well and what he can bring to the team. He is such a talented player, with great ability, athleticism and work-rate.

“I am sure he will love being at Celtic and I believe our fans will love what he brings. He has great experience and he is right in his peak years so he can be a great signing for us. I am sure he will make a big contribution to the team.”

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Hoops supporters are not in great spirits.

Posts 5 ByHenry Jackson Sep 4, 2025

The debate is ongoing as to whether the forward’s arrival will hand Celtic the boost that they were looking for, but whilst that rumbles on, the Scottish champions have been handed an undeniable blow on the injury front.

Anthony Ralston injury update after Rodgers risked him

After dropping out of the Scotland squad alongside Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston is now an early doubt to face Kilmarnock. The defender was thrown in the deep end and risked against Rangers despite appearing to take a knock just days before in Celtic’s Champions League tie against Kairat Almaty and Rodgers has since suffered the consequences of that decision.

Given that Alistair Johnston is already sidelined with a hamstring tear, Celtic now have themselves a mini injury crisis in the right-back spot. It begs the question as to why Rodgers would risk Ralston against Rangers in the first place.

The manager is certainly a fan of the defender, having told reporters at the end of last season: “Guys like Tony are really pivotal to the culture of this club. He doesn’t play every single game, but he is probably one of our most important players here because of his history at the club.”

Celtic now have just 10 days to get Ralston back fit and ready for the Kilmarnock game as they look to return to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership.

Manchester United are probing the market for new signings and now have the opportunity to bring in some much-needed funds to continue their recruitment drive amid recent developments.

Manchester United continue to chase Carlos Baleba

Ruben Amorim has went all out this summer despite the Red Devils missing out on Champions League football last term, bringing in four high-calibre signings in the form of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon.

Having only one game a week for the most part will aid the Red Devils’ Premier League prospects, though it is clear that further squad depth is needed if they are to recover from a dismal 2024/25 campaign.

Taking that into account, Manchester United’s exciting pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba may prove to be the final piece of that jigsaw, albeit the Seagulls’ demand of over £100 million has provoked complications at Old Trafford.

The Cameroon international is a wanted man, and there is no sign of Amorim stopping his quest to land the deep-lying midfielder. However, player sales may be crucial to forcing a deal over the line.

Alejandro Garnacho could be on his way to Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur also hold a vested interest in the Argentinian winger, who could free up funds to put the finishing touches on an improved bid for Baleba.

Baleba alternative: Man Utd now eyeing "complete" new Bundesliga midfielder

The Red Devils have options…

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 15, 2025

Intriguingly, Axel Disasi could be included in a Garnacho swap deal after falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge, which would enable the Red Devils to strengthen their backline into the bargain while receiving a transfer fee.

Either way, further departures are expected at the club this summer, and Manchester United could now have a decision to make on one of their high earners.

Manchester United receive official offer for Jadon Sancho

Per BBC Sport, Roma have submitted a £20 million bid for Jadon Sancho, who Manchester United and their manager are determined to sell before the transfer window comes to a close.

The England international may be permitted to leave on loan if a permanent deal cannot be reached, given he has been excluded from partaking in first-team training alongside Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.

Earning approximately £250,000 per week at Old Trafford, Sancho spent last season on loan at Chelsea and registered five goals and ten assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.

Juventus have also been known as keen admirers of the ex-Borussia Dortmund man, though Roma could be set to leapfrog their Serie A rivals as Sancho runs into the last year of his deal.

£20 million may feel like a low fee for someone of Sancho’s ilk, but context is needed. Ultimately, it has been made clear that he won’t be a first-team contributor moving forward, so it makes sense to cut your losses rather than allow his value to dwindle further.

Phil Parkinson has heaped praise upon Issa Kabore after the Manchester City loanee impressed for the Red Dragons again as they continued their steady start to life in the Championship with a 1-1 draw with Derby County. The Wrexham boss was pleased with the way his new signings have settled into his squad and is beginning to see a level of consistency in their performances.

Points shared as Brereton Diaz stuns the Stok Cae Ras

Parkinson has taken heart from the way in which his Wrexham side are starting to demonstrate what they are capable of in the Championship. The Red Dragons have won two, drawn two and lost three of their first seven games in the league, picking up eight points and sitting 15th in the table.

Against Derby, the Red Dragons went ahead through a header from Lewis O’Brien in the 59th minute, before Chilean forward Ben Brereton Diaz scored a superb effort to level the game. While Parkinson would have hoped to take all three points, particularly at home at the Stok Cae Ras, he is proud of the way his side played and believes they are starting to show signs of improvement.

On his side’s recent performances, Parkison told the : "If you look at the run we've had, the Preston win, the Millwall win, we lost to QPR then we've won at Norwich and on Tuesday (against Reading) and drawn today, we're definitely seeing some consistency in our play.

"We're definitely learning as a team. The lads who have come up with us are learning about the demands of the Championship. We're all so disappointed we haven't won because the crowd were brilliant for us today.

"I've got to thank them for that because that atmosphere today was where we need it to make it an intimidating place for the opposition to play. I thought the crowd really played their part and I'd have loved to have rewarded them with a win."

AdvertisementGetty/GOALNew wing-back playing with real heart

Parkinson highlighted the display of Kabore as an example of one of many “great signings” made by the club’s Hollywood ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with the Burkina Faso international “brilliant again” and a star both going forward and in defence.

"It's his quality, but he fights for every ball, he gets back quickly, he's a good defender and that was a goal that will be up there with the contenders for one of the best goals in the Championship today,” Parkinson said. "He plays with a real heart and commitment. When we watched him, I really liked that about him. He runs back as quick as he goes forward. He's tenacious, he wants to win and he's a great signing for us."

Mechelen to Manchester, Marseille and Wales

Kabore, on loan from City, is yet to truly find a club to settle at. The 24-year-old began his professional career at Belgian Pro League club Mechelen, playing just five times for the first team before being snapped up by City and loaned back.

After a full season in Belgium, Kabore moved to City Football Group side Troyes where he then attracted the interest of Marseille, who he joined on loan for the 2022/23 season. After this spell in France, Kabore made his first appearance in the Premier League and was a bright spark in a Luton side that was eventually relegated.

Loans to Benfica and Werder Bremen followed, but the full-back only made 12 appearances in total across the whole season. In dire need of a fresh start, Kabore opted to move to Wrexham in the summer, hoping that Parkinson’s wing-back system would benefit his development the most. A decision which, so far, had paid off.

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Getty/GOALBuilding towards the top flight

Kabore is still yet to make an appearance for Manchester City and he may look to make a permanent move away from the club in the summer, should prospects of game time remain scarce. Wrexham may end up being the home the wing-back needs in order to kick-start his career.

If Parkinson is to be believed and Wrexham are showing signs of genuine progress, then maybe Kabore would be tempted to remain in north Wales. The defender has 53 caps for Burkina Faso and experience of playing in Premier League, making him an ideal long-term option for the ambitious Wrexham. While promotion to the top flight of English football this season seems a little far off, adding more ‘great signings’ like Kabore to a strong squad may bring that dream even closer.

انتهت مباراة منتخب تونس أمام نظيره ساو تومي وبرينسيب، التي جمعتهما اليوم الجمعة، ضمن التصفيات المؤهلة إلى بطولة كأس العالم 2026.

وحقق منتخب تونس الفوز على ساوت وني وبرينسيب، بسداسية نظيفة على ملعب “حمادي العقربي” برادس، ضمن منافسات الجولة التاسعة من التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026.

طالع.. قائمة منتخب تونس لمباراتي ساو تومي وناميبيا في تصفيات كأس العالم ولا تعد نتيجة اللقاء مؤثرة على مشوار منتخب تونس في التصفيات حيث خطف بطاقة التأهل إلى كأس العالم 2026 في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وكندا والمكسيك منذ الجولة الماضية.

ورفع نسور قرطاج رصيده إلى 25 نقطة بعد مرور 9 جولات، بينما يقبع منتخب ساو تومي وبرينسيب في ذيل الترتيب بدون أي نقاط، بعد خسارته جميع مبارياته السابقة.

ويقع منتخب تونس في المجموعة التاسعة رفقة نامبيا وليبيريا ومالاوي وغينيا الاستوائية وساو تومي وبرينسيب. ترتيب مجموعة تونس

1 – تونس 25 نقطة

2- نامبيبيا 15 نقطة

3- ليبيريا 14 نقطة

4- مالاوي 10 نقاط

5- غينيا الاستوائية 10 نقاط

6- ساو تومي وبرينسيب 0 نقاط

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is still looking to bolster Spurs’ attacking ranks before the transfer deadline in four days’ time, and given their previous luck this window, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them scrambling till the eleventh hour.

Thomas Frank watched on as his side failed to secure the signings of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, both in spectacular fashion.

Gibbs-White saw his once-advanced move to N17 blocked by Nottingham Forest, who wrote a letter to Spurs threatening legal action, as weeks of back and forth between the clubs ensued before the 25-year-old signed a new contract regardless.

Meanwhile, Tottenham were convinced they’d land Eze at one stage – having agreed personal terms with the player and the finances of a deal with Crystal Palace – only for Arsenal to swoop in and hijack the transfer.

Their need for a number 10 is glaring, having lost both Dejan Kulusevski to a knee injury earlier this year and James Maddison to an ACL rupture in pre-season.

At one point, Frank was planning to head into 25/26 with a fully fit Maddison and Gibbs-White, only to now have neither. In an ideal world, it’s been reported that the Dane would like two new playmakers (Gary Jacob), but that scenario looks near-impossible barring a last-gasp miracle.

In terms of who they could bring in, Spurs are in the market for a new centre-back, number 10 and a winger.

One of the playmakers on their radar is West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta, and the Hammers are reportedly open to selling, if their asking price is met, and they can source a replacement (Paul O’Keefe).

The Brazil international would be Spurs’ second signing of the window from their London rivals after a £55m deal for Mohammed Kudus, which also ended an unofficial transfer embargo between the two clubs spanning 14 years.

Tottenham offered Yves Bissouma in swap deal for Lucas Paqueta

According to TBR Football and journalist Graeme Bailey, Levy and the Spurs recruitment team actually made a unique proposal for Paqueta recently, involving Galatasaray-linked Yves Bissouma.

Bailey reports that Tottenham offered Bissouma in a direct swap deal for the Brazil international, and the talks centered around Paqueta going the other way on a straight loan.

Bissouma also would’ve departed for the London Stadium on a dry temporary deal, but it is believed that negotiations didn’t progress to the final details and the Mali international has now agreed to join Galatasaray instead.

According to other reports, West Ham want £60 million to part company with Paqueta, so Spurs will need to head back to the negotiating table.