Jones seals progress for depleted Liverpool with win over Ajax

Uruguayans perplexed by English FA investigation into Cavani

MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) – The English Football Association’s investigation into Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani’s use of the word ‘negrito’ has generated surprise and irritation in his homeland Uruguay. Cavani wrote the word, which is a diminutive version of ‘black’ and is often used affectionately in parts of Latin America to describe a person with dark...

Klopp says Liverpool don’t have enough players to rotate

LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) – Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp says his mounting injury list ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Ajax Amsterdam means he does not have enough fit players to rotate his squad. The latest player to be sidelined at Anfield is utility man James Milner who suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 1-1...

Jimenez-Luiz clash raises calls for concussion substitutes

LONDON (Reuters) – A sickening clash of heads between Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Raul Jimenez and Arsenal defender David Luiz which left the Mexican striker with a fractured skull has prompted calls for clubs to be able to make “concussion substitutions”. Jimenez was knocked unconscious after an accidental collision with Brazilian Luiz who rather surprisingly played on...

Frappart to become first female referee to officiate men’s Champions League game

(Reuters) – France’s Stephanie Frappart will become the first female official to take charge of a men’s Champions League game when Juventus host Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday. Frappart, who turns 37 next month, was the first female referee to officiate in a major UEFA competition match when Liverpool played Chelsea in the Super Cup in...

Fiji FACT: Semis and final to continue in Labasa this weekend

The Fiji Football Association has confirmed the Fiji FACT finals this weekend will be held at Subrail Park in Labasa. This has been confirmed by Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf in a press statement. Yusuf said that the rumours stating the tournament would be taken away to other venues were false. He said...

Broncos’ emergency QB gets rough introduction to NFL

(Reuters) – With COVID-19 related issues leaving the Denver Broncos without a quarterback for Sunday’s game against New Orleans, practice squad receiver Kendall Hinton was thrust into the starting role and got a quick lesson on just how tough the position can be. Hinton played quarterback in college but his first NFL start went pretty...

Lawyer: Procedures were not followed in drug tests

The lawyer for suspended football players Saula Waqa and Manasa Nawakula told the Civil High Court in Suva that procedures were not followed when drug tests were conducted on them. The two were suspended after testing positive for prohibited substance during the Battle of Giants tournament this year. The matter was called before judge Justice...

Argentine prosecutors investigate death of soccer star Maradona

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentine justice officials on Sunday seized medical files from the doctor of Diego Maradona as part of their investigation into the recent death of the soccer star. Maradona died at age 60 on Wednesday after a heart attack. The search order was requested by prosecutors in the affluent Buenos Aires suburb...

2020 Fiji FACT: Savusavu wins inaugural Presidents Cup

The Savusavu football side has won the inaugural Presidents Cup defeating Nadogo 5-4 on penalties after both teams were tied 1-all after full time. After a scoreless first spell, Sailasa Vosaicake put Seaqqa into the lead with a well time run which the Savusavu keeper miss time. Savusavu, led by Maciu Dunadamu upfront, applied pressure...

2020 Fiji FACT: Finals postponed to this weekend

The Vodafone Fiji FACT semi-finals and final have been postponed to this weekend. Fiji Football Association President Rajesh Patel made the announcement in Labasa yesterday morning. “It is unfortunate due to weather conditions and ground condition we have come to the conclusion the Vodafone Fiji FACT won’t be played this weekend. We will notify by...

2020 Fiji FACT: Players try to violate Anti-Doping tests

The Fiji Football Association will come down hard on players who violate the Anti-Doping Drug tests. Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf said this after two payers, from a team in the senior division, tried to violate the rules at the Presidents Cup yesterday. The two players, who are look a likes, changed jersey’s...

2020 Fiji FACT: Rewa-Nadi match details to be confirmed tomorrow

A decision on the Rewa-Nadi semi-final will be made tomorrow. This has been confirmed by Fiji Football Association Competitions Manager Amitesh Pal. Pal said fans can expect a decision by midday tomorrow. Nadi was leading by a goal to nil when the match was postponed last Saturday at Labasa’s Subrail Park. The match was to...

2020 Fiji FACT: Fiji FA to confirm finals venue later this week

The Fiji Football Association will confirm the venue for the Vodafone Fiji FACT final later this week. Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel said the weather in Labasa has improved but they will keep monitoring before making a decision. ” The weather is fine in Labasa right now but we will have to wait until Wednesday...

2020 Fiji FACT: Games postponed to next weekend

The semi-finals of the Vodafone Fiji FACT have been postponed. In a press conference this morning, Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel said the remainder of the tournament will now be played next weekend. Patel added venue will be Subrail Park unless the weather conditions detoriate which will force them to take the tournament to Viti...

2020 Fiji FACT: Matches postponed due to unplayable condition

The semifinals of the Vodafone Fiji FACT have been postponed due to unplayable conditions at Subrail Park. The first semifinal between Rewa and Nadi was called off at half when Nadi was leading by a goal to nil. Vuniuci Tikomaimereke scored the goal in the fifth minute. The second half will resume at 12pm at...

2020 Fiji FACT: Heavy downpour as semi-finals set for kick off

The semi-finals of the 2020 Vodafone Fiji FACT will be played under heavy underfoot conditions as rain has been experienced in Labasa from mid day today. The first semi final kicks off at 3pm between Nadi and Rewa Rewa while the second semifinal between Suva and Labasa starts at 5pm.

Final hurdle – Ray of sunshine for Fiji FACT semi-finals in Labasa

The 2020 Vodafone Fiji FACT semi-finals are set to roll at Labasa’s Subrail Park today. There were fears that the tournament may be postponed after heavy rain in Labasa on Wednesday, but all speculations were cancelled as there was sunshine from Thursday. Fiji Football Association chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf said the ground was expected...

Delta Tigers claw way into semi-finals

The Rewa football side has secured a spot in the last four finishers of the 2020 Vodafone Fiji FACT. They did it in style as well thumping Nasinu 7-nil in their last pool match. Nasinu which was already out of the competition coming into this match, started slow and Rewa captain Setareki Hughes took full...

First round impresses national coach

The Vodafone national football team’s head coach was impressed with the first round of pool matches during the 2020 Vodafone Fiji Football Association Cup Tournament (FACT) held last weekend in Lautoka and Suva. Flemming Serritslev said it was a great start to the last local football tournament, judging from the results. “There were a couple...

Champ stands firm – Nadi on track to reclaim Fiji FACT silverware

Defending champion Nadi is through to the semi-finals of the 2020 Vodafone Fiji FACT after beating Navua 4-1 in their last Group B match at Subrail Park in Labasa yesterday. Navua scored first through Seveci Rokotakala in the 25th minute, but the Jetsetters levelled scores in the 33rd minute through a Avinesh Warran Suwamy penalty....

Yusuf reminds fans

The Fiji Football Association has reminded football fans watching the 30th version of the Fiji Football Association Cup Tournament (Fiji FACT) at Subrail Park in Labasa to be mindful of the health and hygiene measures in place. “The patrons are advised to strictly adhere to the social distancing measures that are in place,” Fiji FA...

2020 Fiji FACT: Rewa thumps Nasinu to book semi-final spot

The Rewa football side thumped Nasinu 7-nil at the Vodafone Fiji FACT today to seal top position in Group A. Bruce Hughes scored a brace while brother Setareki and France Catarogo added a goal each as Rewa led 4-nil at half time. Substitutes Simione Tamanisau, Sailosi Rayaqona and Shavnil Prasad added second half goals for...

2020 Fiji FACT: Nadi beats Navua

The Nadi football side beat Navua 4-1 at the Vodafone Fiji FACT underway at Subrail Park in Labasa. Navua took an early lead with a goal from Seveci Rokotakala. However Avinesh Waran Swamy equalized from the penalty spot as the teams rested tied 1-all. Sakaraia Naisua, Rusiate Matererega and Swamy added a goal each in...

Sport stars pay tribute to Argentina football legend Diego Maradona

Brazilian football great Pelé has paid tribute to Argentina football legend Diego Maradona, who died aged 60. “What sad news,” Pelé said on Twitter. “I lost a great friend and the world lost a legend.” Maradona died from a heart attack after having brain surgery two weeks ago. He was among the best players ever and...

Soccer great, Maradona dies aged 60

Diego Maradona, widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time before drug and alcohol addiction marred his career, died on Wednesday at his home in Argentina after suffering a heart attack, his lawyer said. He was 60. Beloved in his homeland after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 and...

2020 Fiji FACT: Weather improves, tournament to go ahead as scheduled

The 2020 Vodafone Fiji FACT will go ahead as scheduled at Labasa’s Subrail Park. This has been confirmed by Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf. Yusuf said the Labasa Town Council workers were deployed last night to work on the ground. Meanwhile, rain has cleared in the Babasiga Town this morning. Four matches will...

FIFA to stage 22-team Arab Cup in Qatar

(Reuters) – FIFA has confirmed that Qatar will host an Arab Cup tournament in December next year which will feature 22 teams from around the region and act as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup in the Gulf State the following year. The global soccer body said that Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq,...

Top choice

National football team head coach Flemming Serritslev has rated southern rivals and neighbours Suva and Rewa as the teams to beat at the 2020 Vodafone Fiji FACT which continues at Subrail Park in Labasa today. Serritslev said it was an excellent start by both the teams in the first round of games played last week...

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