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.
The Super Bowl is far more than a football game. Each year, it becomes a global cultural moment, where sport, music, and social conversation collide. Super Bowl LX promises to be no exception. While fans anticipate the on-field clash between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, much of the world’s attention has shifted to the halftime stage airing on both ESPN and ESPN2 (DStv Channel 219), where three-time Grammy winner Bad Bunny will make history.
The Puerto Rican superstar, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is set to become the first non-English-speaking artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. His selection has sparked debate in the United States, particularly amid ongoing anti-ICE protests, but it also signals a broader recognition of his cultural impact. Known for pushing artistic boundaries and amplifying underrepresented voices, Bad Bunny brings a rare combination of commercial appeal and social consciousness to the NFL’s biggest stage.
The timing of his performance carries added weight. Just a week before the Super Bowl, Bad Bunny made history at the 2026 Grammy Awards, winning Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos (I Should Have Taken More Photos). He used his acceptance speech to address immigration and human dignity, declaring: “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say, ICE out,” and calling on audiences to respond to hate with love. That statement has heightened expectations that his halftime show will blend spectacle with message, marking a performance that is about identity as much as entertainment.
As anticipation builds, questions linger over how Bad Bunny will translate this cultural moment on the field. Will the show lean entirely into his chart-topping hits, or will it echo the themes of unity and resistance he spoke of at the Grammys? Either way, the performance is already being framed as a defining cultural moment of 2026, with viewers worldwide eager to witness history in the making.
For audiences in Nigeria, Super Bowl LX and Bad Bunny’s historic halftime performance will air live on both ESPN and ESPN2 (DStv Channel 219) on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 12:30 am WAT. Be sure to also take advantage of the ongoing We Got You offer, where you pay for your current package and DStv upgrades you to the next higher package at no extra cost. This offer runs till February 28, 2026.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the leading financial services groups in Africa, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc, is championing great experiences and heritage by being the main sponsor of NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament.
The competition is one of Africa’s oldest and most prestigious sporting events and for this year’s edition, it will bring together top local and international polo teams and spectators from across the continent and beyond.
The contest commenced on Tuesday, January 27 at the Lagos Polo Club in Ikoyi and will end on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
The 2026 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament will feature top‑tier teams competing for major prizes, including the Majekodunmi Cup, Independence Cup, Open Cup, Silver Cup and Low Cup, among others.
Guests can expect a fusion of thrilling equestrian action, polo-inspired lifestyle showcase, and curated hospitality experiences. The event will also be livestreamed, allowing audiences online to share in the excitement and spectacle.
Commenting on GTCO’s role as main sponsor of the Lagos International Polo Tournament, the chief executive of the firm, Mr Segun Agbaje, said, “This tournament, one of the oldest in Africa, celebrates not only the noble sport of polo but the values we hold dear as a brand: teamwork, discipline, fair play, and a commitment to excellence.
“Beyond the field, it showcases Nigeria and Africa to a global audience, reinforcing the continent’s place on the world stage. Our longstanding sponsorship of the NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament reflects our conviction that sport can amplify opportunity, foster connections, and deliver world-class experiences for all.”
The NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament has long been celebrated not only for its thrilling competition and equestrian excellence but also for its rich heritage and cultural resonance within Africa’s sporting tradition. GTCO’s sponsorship embodies the Group’s commitment to creating platforms that unite communities and drive social impact across diverse audiences.
If you’re looking for a fun, reliable, and exciting online betting experience in Nigeria, you’re in the right place. PariPesa Nigeria brings together casino entertainment, sports betting, and modern gaming options designed just for you. Let’s break it all down.
Casino Games
At PariPesa Nigeria, the casino lobby is brimming with exciting games. They are split into categories to help you navigate. You can search for titles using the search bar or narrow down the type of game you enjoy using the filter menu on the left-hand side of the page.
The filters on the left let you pick based on provider, feature, theme, and game types. If there is a title you particularly like, you can also favorite it! There are two separate categories of casino entertainment that depend on your individual casino activity. Recent games are all the ones you have tried, and the favorites section, as you can guess, lists the ones you starred.
Take a look at the main categories of games available.
Slots
Slots are the most popular casino games. They’re beginner-friendly, simple to follow, and you can try them for free in demo mode! At PariPesa Nigeria, you’ll find classic, video, and jackpot slots. Some have Nigerian-themed designs, bright colors, and sound effects that bring the experience close to home.
Table games
Are you a blackjack fan or do you prefer to watch the wheel spin in roulette? Either way, PariPesa Nigeria has a large selection of table games for you to choose from. You will find multiple variations of these titles, along with tables with varying betting ranges. Poker has by far the largest number of variants.
Crash games
These games have extremely quick rounds, so understand the mechanics before you place any real money bets. The concept is simple, really: a multiplier increases, and you cash out before an object “crashes.” The longer you wait, the higher your potential win, but if it crashes before you cash out, you lose that round. Aviator, Chicken Crash, and Doodle Crash are among the more popular games in this category.
Live casino games
Those tired of playing against generated algorithms will find live casino games a welcome break. At PariPesa, you can play poker, blackjack, roulette, and more against a live croupier. You can interact with your dealer and watch everything that happens in real time through video streaming. Remember that these tables are time sensitive, so you will have to place your bets before the window closes, and no, you cannot demo these games.
Sports Betting
Nigerians love sports, and what better way is there to be a part of the action than betting? Football is obviously the favorite, but you can also wager on over 150 sports at PariPesa. You can use the in-house statistics to make well informed bets on your preferred teams and players. Furthermore, the betting markets at PariPesa are top-notch.
- Over/Under
- Total Score
- Match Winner
These are only some of the many, many bets you can place.
eSports
eSports are a hit among young Nigerians. Games like FIFA, CS:GO, and Dota 2 have become part of the sports betting market, and they’re big players. Instead of physical matches, you’re betting on professional gamers competing online.
Virtual Sports
If you enjoy sports but want a quick fix, virtual sports are computer-generated matches that run all day, every day. There are no weather issues and no match postponements or player injuries to affect your strategy. Results are decided by certified random systems, so they’re fair and unpredictable.
Responsible Gambling Policy
No matter what, responsible gaming is an important feature of any online casino platform. PariPesa Nigeria takes this policy very seriously, too. This means you’re encouraged to play for fun, not to chase losses or risk money you can’t afford to lose. You can use the following tools to make sure you don’t go overboard.
- Deposit limits
- Self-exclusion between 6 months and 1 year.
- Session limits
- Regular check-ins
If you ever feel that gambling is becoming a problem, use the resources available online to get help.
PariPesa is synonymous with a complete gaming experience in Nigeria. From casino games and betting to eSports and virtual sports, everything is covered. The navigation is simple, reliable, and let’s be honest, entertaining! So, join PariPesa Nigeria today and enjoy top choices made for people like you!
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