Sports
Explainer: The Controversy Around European Super League
By Adedapo Adesanya
Late on Sunday, 12 teams confirmed they intend to join the European Super League as founders. The Premier League’s Big Six; Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Manchester United and Tottenham and will be joined by Spanish giants Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid, with Italian heavyweights, Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan, will all found the new competition.
The new format has been put forward as a rival to the UEFA Champions League, not as a replacement to domestic leagues, but there are fears it could have wider ramifications.
Criticisms
The Union of European Football Association (UEFA), in a joint statement with the Football Associations of the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and Italian Serie A, blasted the plans and did not rule out taking legal action over the proposals, insisting players involved would be banned from all other competitions at domestic, European or world level and could be prevented from representing their national teams.
The proposal also met fierce criticism from the worlds of sport and politics. British Prime Minister, Mr Boris Johnson, said “I think it’s wrong, I think it’s something that’s going in the wrong direction for football – for great English and British clubs – and it’s going in the wrong direction for fans,” he said.
“I can’t think that it’s the right way forward.”
He added: “Oliver Dowden, the secretary of state, is going to be making a statement a bit later on today about some of the things we could consider to try and encourage people to think of another approach.
“People in this country are committed to the success of their local clubs. I don’t think you want to deracinate it (club football) and create this European Super League, which would basically take a lot of the cash away from clubs that really need it.”
Other political figures who have raised an issue include the London Mayor, Mr Sadiq Khan and President of France, Mr Emmanuel Macron, who all condemned the plans before the proposals were confirmed.
Former Manchester United captain, Gary Neville, also l called for his former club, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool to be relegated as punishment for their involvement. Others including Mesut Ozil, Luis Figo, Ander Herrera among many have also lambasted the decision.
European Super League Format
The Super League’s founding clubs plan to start the competition from the 2022-23 season. Here is what they hope it will look like.
The annual competition will be composed of 20 clubs each season. That number will be made up of 15 “Founding Clubs”, 12 of which were confirmed last night with three additional to join. It has been rumoured that Bayern Munich and Paris St. Germain (PSG) will also join but are bidding their time.
Plans include one-off payments of up to £303 million to the 15 founder members, although only six will receive the full amount.
Five places will be open to clubs who qualify annually based on achievements in the prior season.
The Super League will start in August, with two groups of 10 clubs playing home and away.
The top three from either group all progress to the quarter-finals, with clubs fourth and fifth in either group taking part in a two-legged playoff for the final places in the last eight.
The knockout stages will replicate the current Champions League format, with two-legged ties leading up to a final held at a neutral venue.
All matches will be played midweek possibly with the exception of the final with the founders planning to continue participating in their own domestic leagues, which the founding clubs insist “remains at the heart of the club game”.
Clubs involved would play between 18 and 23 Super League matches per season.
Clubs Renounce ECA Membership
Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal resigned from the European Club Association (ECA) with Manchester United Chairman, Mr Ed Woodward, stepping down from his role with UEFA following the fallout. This means that Mr Woodward will no longer hold his UEFA role.
Arsenal’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Vinai Venkatesham, also resigned from his position on the ECA board while Chelsea today confirmed its resignation.
What is the ECA?
The European Club Association is a body representing the interests of professional association football clubs in UEFA. It is the sole such body recognised by UEFA and has member clubs in each UEFA member association.
Fresh Development and Expectations
As the plot continues to thicken, Serie A clubs will meet today to talk about the Super League situation but Juventus, Inter and AC Milan will not attend the meeting.
Spanish clubs are planning for a meeting on Thursday to discuss Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid position after joining the competition.
UEFA’s President, Mr Alexander Ceferin, confirmed that: “The players that will play in the Super League will be banned from playing in the World Cup and Euros. They will not be allowed to play for their national teams.
“These are so-called big clubs, it is clear that the big clubs of today were not always big clubs. Juventus were in Serie B, Man United before Sir Alex Ferguson was I don’t know where.
“We will do the sanctions we can do within the law, of course.”
They are also a likelihood that punishment will also be given to the clubs if talks fail in the coming days.
Business Post will continue to monitor the situation.
Sports
Golf Training, Tournament Hold March 8 in Warri North
By Henry Ovie
A one-day golf training and tournament specifically for girls has been fixed for Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Koko, in the Warri North of Delta State.
A statement from the organisers of the event, Canaan Land Golf Training and Tournament, disclosed that about 50 girls would be accommodated.
Tagged The Biggest Giving Day of the Year, the programme, according to the chief executive of Akogate Group, Mr Felix Aganbi, will entrench the attitude of excellence and develop young, highly quality golfers in terms of their golf quality and personal character.
He urged parents in Nigeria and abroad to allow their daughters to attend the event, saying it will build their confidence.
“The golf training and tournament will introduce girls to golf in a social and engaging environment. It will also help them build confidence, learn vital skills, and connect with others in a friendly community,” he was quoted as saying in the statement on Thursday.
The programme, which will take place at the Canaanland Golf and Country Club, celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political accomplishments of women as well as raises awareness for accelerated gender parity
“Open to girls in years 8-16, the training and tournament provide high-quality coaching to assist the girl child in pursuing excellence in the sport of golf,” Mr Aganbi noted, listing technical skill development, comprehensive fitness and mental conditioning as key features of the training.
“The girls will learn the basics of golf grip, stance, posture alignment, golf rules and etiquette. They will also be taken for an 18-hole playing lesson.
“The training and tournament will broaden opportunities for girls in Nigeria to realise their potential through education.
“Canaanland Country Club shall continue to encourage the education of females, improve the economic position of women and enhance their participation in matters relating to both the family and the society.
“It is also to join hands with the government in making our state a better place to live, campaign for the dismantling of systemic barriers and push for the power of reciprocity and abundant giving,” he disclosed.
Driven by Sir Alfred and Mrs Warami Temile, Mr Aganbi said the “club would continue to provide necessary assistance for the general development of people, especially those who live in the rural areas.”
In a related development, Mr Aganbi said the Oluremi Tinubu Golf Classic would take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Canaanland Golf and Country Club, Koko.
“The tournament will attract international talent, create opportunities for emerging players and motivate the next generation to see what is possible in the women’s game,” he stated, adding that over 75 women are expected to participate.
The event is another important step in strengthening the women’s game in Nigeria, delivering significant benefits to the Niger Delta, drawing women, officials and fans to Warri North and boosting tourism and hospitality industries in Delta State.
Sports
Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Top 10 Finishers Share N10m from Aquafina
Aquafina took centre stage at the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on 14 February 2026, rewarding the first ten groups to complete the 10-kilometre race with N1 million each. The initiative highlights the brand’s continued investment in fitness, wellness, and the spirit of collective achievement within Nigeria’s growing running community.
Under its campaign theme, “Run am with your Padi of Life,” Aquafina encouraged runners to participate alongside friends, teammates, and running crews, celebrating the role of support systems in pushing limits and sustaining performance.
Throughout the race, Aquafina ensured strong on-course visibility while providing hydration support to help participants maintain energy levels. Its on-ground activations added excitement for both runners and spectators, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of the event.
By rewarding groups rather than individual runners, Aquafina spotlighted the value of shared goals and mutual accountability. The N1 million prize elevated the competitive energy of the 10km race while reinforcing the importance of collaboration within Nigeria’s evolving fitness culture.
Widely regarded as one of West Africa’s most prestigious road races, the marathon once again attracted elite athletes, recreational runners, corporate teams, and fitness enthusiasts from across the country and beyond. Within this high-energy environment, Aquafina positioned itself as a trusted hydration partner supporting endurance and peak performance.
Speaking after the race, Funso Elubeku, Assistant General Manager at Seven-Up Bottling Company (SBC), said:
“The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon represents resilience, discipline, and the power of community. Through Aquafina, we ensured participants remained hydrated while celebrating the teamwork and support that helped runners push beyond their limits. Rewarding the first ten finishers underscores our commitment to recognising dedication, performance, and personal achievement.”
Aquafina’s presence at the marathon underscores its broader mission to promote active lifestyles and support platforms that inspire healthier living, strengthening its connection with Nigeria’s fitness community through meaningful engagement.
Sports
Mourinho’s Return to Madrid, a Battle Between Ligue 1 Giants and more: Bet on the Key Champions League Matches!
On February 24 and 25, the knockout phase return legs of Europe’s most prestigious club tournament will take place. The best sports betting site 1xBet offers a wide selection of markets and the highest odds for these games. Place your bets responsibly via this link and win big!
Inter Milan vs Bodø/Glimt, February 24
The runners-up of last season’s Champions League are in danger of being knocked out of the competition in the knockout phase play-offs. In Bodø, Cristian Chivu’s team lost 1-3 on artificial turf, which Inter aren’t used to playing on. According to the Nerazzurri coach, the poor condition of the pitch was to blame.
Inter are in a difficult situation. However, the team has scored 11 goals in their last 3 home games and is quite capable of making a comeback. The bad news is that Lautaro Martínez will miss the match due to an injury sustained in Norway.
Bodø/Glimt are certainly not in a state of euphoria. After the match, head coach Kjetil Knutsen said that his team had delivered an average performance. If the Norwegians manage to maintain their lead in the return leg, this story will one day be made into a TV series.
W1 – 1.302, X – 6.96, W2 – 9.65
Paris Saint-Germain vs AS Monaco, February 25
0-2, a missed penalty and an injury to the team’s leader by the middle of the first half – it’s difficult to get back into the game after such a start, but not for Paris Saint-Germain, an official partner of 1xBet. In the first match against Monaco, the Parisians equalized before the half-time break and snatched victory in the second half.
Monaco showed that they can surprise any opponent, but in the 2nd leg, the home side will take to the pitch with maximum concentration from the very first minutes. The statistics don’t favor the Monégasques: they’ve only managed to win at PSG’s home ground once in the last 9 years.
Luis Enrique’s team is the clear favorite in the 2nd leg and will try to take another step towards defending its title.
W1 – 1.29, X – 6.55, W2 – 11.4
Real Madrid vs Benfica, February 25
José Mourinho returns to Madrid, but we won’t see him in the technical area. The Portuguese manager got a red card in the emotional match in Lisbon, but even that didn’t make him the star of the show. The glory went to Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian scored a spectacular goal in the second half, danced provocatively around the corner flag with the Benfica crest, got insulted, and in the end, these events were discussed more than the game itself.
Despite the victory, Real Madrid didn’t look significantly stronger than their opponents. Every now and then, the Eagles took control of the ball and forced Thibaut Courtois to make some incredible saves.
Before the 1st leg, José Mourinho said he wanted the score in the first match to allow his team to fight for a spot in the next stage in Madrid. He got what he wanted, but there’s a feeling that most of his football magic went into Anatoliy Trubin’s goal in the league phase.
W1 – 1.494, X – 5.08, W2 – 6.7
Juventus vs Galatasaray, February 25
Luciano Spalletti had said that his team was going to Istanbul to win, but the final score of 2-5 leaves them with almost no chance of advancing to the round of 16. Barış Yılmaz utterly destroyed the opposition’s left wing, which is where most of the threats to Juventus’s goal came from.
Galatasaray won’t have a fiery support of the stands in Turin. However, the team is in excellent form: in their first 5 matches in February, the Lions have scored 20 goals.
Many believe that Juventus advancing to the next stage would be a miracle. However, in this Champions League campaign, Galatasaray have already lost 1-5 to Eintracht Frankfurt, who are far from being the strongest team, and the Bianconeri must have faith in their abilities.
W1 – 1.564, X – 4.925, W2 – 5.78
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SMM
🏆⚽ Bet on the Champions League knockout phase 2nd legs!
📅 The fate of the tickets to the round of 16 will be decided on February 24 and 25. We’ve compiled a list of the most interesting matches for you:
❓ Inter vs Bodø/Glimt: can last season’s runners-up come back from a 1-3 defeat in the 1st leg?
W1 – 1.302, X – 6.96, W2 – 9.65
🚀 Paris Saint-Germain vs Monaco: in the 1st leg, the Parisians came back from 0-2 down and are looking to take another step towards defending their title.
W1 – 1.29, X – 6.55, W2 – 11.4
🧤 Real Madrid vs Benfica: the Meringues won by a narrow margin in Lisbon, but their opponents cannot be underestimated – even the goalkeeper can score for José Mourinho’s team.
W1 – 1.494, X – 5.08, W2 – 6.7
🔮 Juventus vs Galatasaray: can Luciano Spalletti’s team pull off a miracle after a 2-5 defeat in Istanbul?
W1 – 1.564, X – 4.925, W2 – 5.78
💰 Bet and win with 1xBet!
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