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World Cup 2022: Stephanie Frappart to become first female referee of tournament in Germany vs Costa Rica

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compiled by: Monilola Babatunde Arike published by: Adebiyi Yetunde Abimbola France's Stephanie Frappart will become the first woman to referee a match at the men's World Cup after being selected to take charge of Thursday's clash between Germany and Costa Rica. The 38-year-old will lead an all-female on-field team for the Group E match at Al Bayt Stadium, with Brazil's Neuza Back and Mexican Karen Diaz Medina chosen as her assistants. Frappart has already made history at the tournament, having become the first female official for a men's World Cup match when she was fourth official for the goalless draw between Mexico and Poland last Tuesday. FIFA named three female referees on its list of 36 for the competition, with Rwanda's Salima Mukansanga and Yoshimi Yamashita of Japan also in Qatar. The French official has already written her name into the history books. In March 2021, she became the first female referee to take charge of a men's World Cu...

England name Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, Marcus Rashford in line-up to face Wales in final World Cup group game

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compiled by: Babatunde Monilola Arike Phil Foden has been handed his first start of the World Cup alongside Kyle Walker, Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson in a refreshed England line-up to face Wales. Having stuck with the same starting XI in his first two games, Gareth Southgate has rung the changes, making four alterations, on the back of England's below-par draw with the USA on Friday, with qualification for the last 16 still not assured. Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Kieran Trippier and Mason Mount drop to the bench. Foden's absence during the USA stalemate was widely criticised, but the Manchester City man will now get his chance from kick-off against Wales in Al-Rayyan. Walker arrived at the World Cup still recovering from a groin injury which ruled him out of the final few weeks of Manchester City's domestic season ahead of the tournament. He was only deemed fit enough for a place on the bench in England's first two games, and will play...

Cody Gakpo: Man Utd closing on PSV and Netherlands forward?

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compiled by: Babatunde Monilola Arike Manchester United are reportedly in talks with Cody Gakpo's agents as they look to swoop for the PSV star. Cristiano Ronaldo has been dealt a major blow in his search for his new club after leaving Manchester United, with Bayern Munich ruling out the prospect of signing him. Chris Wilder has thrown his hat into the ring for the vacant Queens Park Rangers job. Chelsea boss Graham Potter and owner Todd Boehly are considering a move for a No 1 goalkeeper in the summer, placing the futures of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy in doubt. The departure of Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli from the club is being seen as a serious blow to attempts to revive the European Super League. Danny Kerry, who only joined Eddie Jones' staff as a training coordinator last month to try and improve the culture in England's dressing room, is already considering his position. The RFU's plans for a 20-team competition involving teams from the P...

Rugby League World Cup: Penrith Panthers duo Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary vie for glory as Samoa face Australia

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  Byline: Akande Barakat Omobolanle    Editor: Israel Oluwafemi    Penrith's star half-back combination will be on opposing teams when reigning champions Australia face a Samoa team seeking to make history in Saturday's Rugby League World Cup final at Old Trafford (kick-off 4pm). Thursday 17 November 2022    Australia's Nathan Cleary and Samoa's Jarome Luai have guided Penrith to the last two NRL titles Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary. The Lennon and McCartney of the NRL. The heartbeat of a Penrith Panthers team which has thrown of the tag of being the competition’s nearly men to become back-to-back Grand Final winners. But now, for Saturday afternoon only, rivals. Because the Panthers' half-back duo will be on opposing teams aiming for the sport's biggest prize as Australia and Samoa go head to head at Old Trafford in this year's Rugby League World Cup final. Not since his junior days playing fo

Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United)

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  By:Aremu lukmon Lisandro Martinez has only been in the Premier League for a matter of months, but his redemption arc is already complete. After a sloppy display on his debut against Brighton, the pundits were quick to stick the knife in, with Jamie Carragher infamously quipping that short kings like him would never make it in England. 'The Butcher' did not let this negativity affect him though, and has since gone on to calm things down at the heart of the Manchester United defence. He may not have been perfect since joining from Ajax, but the bouncebackability he's shown deserves massive credit.

Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)

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By: Aremu lukmon Another example of Newcastle's smart recruitment since their takeover, Kieran Trippier just edges out the imperious Ben White for GOAL's Team of the Season so far. The right-back has bounced back strongly from the metatarsal injury that saw him miss a decent portion of the previous campaign, notching goals and assists at a very impressive rate for a defender. More than that, his experience and leadership have been vital in helping the Magpies see out several mightily-impressive results this season. He has also been handed the role of de-facto captain in the absence of Jamaal Lascelles.

William Saliba (Arsenal)

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  By: Aremu lukmon Arsenal fans have had to wait an eternity to see William Saliba pull on the red shirt, and he has not hesitated in making up for lost time. It is no exaggeration to say that the Frenchman has been the best defender in the league so far, combining near-perfection on the ball with a reading of the game the defies his relatively-tender years. He's even chipped in with some goals, nodding home to make the breakthrough against Brentford and also adding some gloss to the scoreline in the Gunners' victory over Bournemouth. Still only 21, the sky's the limit for Saliba, who is seeing his patience rewarded this season. And to think, there's was even talk of Arsenal parting ways with him in the not-so-distant past...