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
The Best Betting Site in Nigeria – Secretbet
Online betting in Nigeria has really taken off lately. So many people are into it, especially with football being huge here. Everyone bets on Premier League or local games, and now they want sites that are quick and safe. I think Secretbet might be the top one, at least from what I have seen. It covers everything a bettor needs without too much hassle.
The whole thing is booming because Nigeria loves sports, right? The Internet makes it easy to jump in from anywhere. Platforms have to offer good odds and fast payouts to keep up. Secretbet fits that, with options for all kinds of matches.
What stands out about Secretbet is how it feels made for us in Nigeria. The site is straightforward, works on phones or laptops without lagging. You can sign up and bet in no time. It’s reliable, I guess, which is key when you are waiting for results.
They have tons of sports too. Football is the main draw, like the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Champions League, even international ones. Then there is basketball, tennis, hockey, esports, all that. Markets vary, match outcomes, over-under, both teams scoring, handicaps, special stuff. It keeps things interesting.
Live betting is another part that seems solid. You bet during the game, odds change as it goes. Good for watching momentum or players. The interface doesn’t slow down, keeps you in it.
Odds are competitive, which matters for making money over time. Better odds mean more back on your bets. Secretbet keeps them fair and clear, no tricks there.
Payments are fast and secure. Deposits and withdrawals don’t take forever. They use encryption to keep data safe, so you don’t worry about that.
Bonuses help too. New users get welcomes, regulars have promotions to boost things. It adds value if you play smart.
They push responsible betting, with tools to stay in control. Make sure it’s fun, not a problem.
Overall, Secretbet is a betting site that has wide coverage, good odds, quick payouts, live features.
Sports
Tottenham Hotspur Sack Thomas Frank After Winless Run in 2026
By Adedapo Adesanya
The manager of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Thomas Frank, has been fired after only eight months in charge, with his team just five points above the relegation zone in the Premier League.
Despite leading Spurs to the round of 16 in the Champions League, Frank has overseen a despicable domestic campaign with no wins recorded so far in 2026.
The decision to part ways with the Denmark-born manager on Wednesday followed a 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle on Tuesday night.
Under the Dane, Spurs finished fourth in the Champions League league phase as they advanced to the last-16 stage.
Frank joined Tottenham last summer, signing a three-year contract to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou.
Under Postecoglou last season, Tottenham Hotspur recorded their worst Premier League campaign, finishing 17th with 38 points, having lost 22 of their 38 games. They did, though, qualify for the Champions League after winning the Europa League over Manchester United for their first trophy since the then-Carling Cup win over Chelsea in 2008.
The arrival of Frank, however, saw a small sliver of hope before it turned worse, with Spurs winning only six of their opening 16 league games. They suffered successive top-flight defeats in November, losing 4-1 to rivals Arsenal and 2-1 to Fulham.
Spurs began 2026 with draws against Brentford and Sunderland before losing to Bournemouth, getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa and a defeat against West Ham United. Frank was jeered by supporters after each result.
Frank’s side rallied to secure successive 2-2 draws against Burnley and Manchester City in the Premier League, either side of Champions League victories, but a two-goal loss at Manchester United and defeat to Newcastle continued their winless run.
The club will be looking for a new manager ahead of its next set of games in the Premier League and in the Champions League.
Sports
French Roulette Special Rules: La Partage and En Prison Explained
French roulette distinguishes itself from American and European variants through two special rules that significantly reduce the house edge on even-money bets — La Partage and En Prison. These player-favorable rules apply specifically when the ball lands on zero, a situation where standard roulette rules award the entire bet to the house. Understanding how these mechanisms work, their strategic implications, and when they’re available provides players with valuable knowledge for selecting optimal roulette games and maximizing betting value. While American roulette maintains a 5.26% house edge with its double-zero wheel and European roulette offers 2.70% with a single zero, French roulette with La Partage or En Prison reduces the house edge to just 1.35% on even-money bets — among the lowest edges in traditional casino games requiring no skill beyond bet selection.
La Partage Rule Explained
La Partage, meaning “the sharing” in French, applies when the ball lands on zero while players have active even-money outside bets — red/black, odd/even, or high/low. Under this rule, players lose only half their wager rather than the full amount.
On a standard European wheel with La Partage, the house edge on even-money bets drops from 2.70% to 1.35%. When zero appears, the dealer collects half of each even-money bet and returns the remaining half. The process is straightforward and resolves immediately.
Crucially, La Partage applies only to even-money outside bets. Inside bets and other outside bets (dozens, columns) follow standard rules where zero results in complete loss.
En Prison Rule Explained
En Prison, meaning “in prison,” offers an alternative approach. Rather than immediately collecting half the wager, En Prison allows players to leave their bet “imprisoned” for the next spin, granting a second chance without additional risk.
When zero appears, the dealer places a marker on the bet indicating imprisoned status. On the subsequent spin, if the bet wins, the original wager is returned without additional winnings. If the bet loses, the house collects the imprisoned wager. If zero appears again, rules vary — some casinos implement “double imprisonment,” while others apply La Partage.
Mathematically, En Prison provides the same 1.35% house edge on even-money bets as La Partage. However, psychological and practical differences exist.
Comparing La Partage and En Prison
While mathematically equivalent, La Partage and En Prison create different playing experiences:
| Aspect | La Partage | En Prison |
| Resolution speed | Immediate | Delayed (next spin) |
| Bet tracking | Not required | Required |
| Psychological experience | Quick resolution | Suspenseful second chance |
| Game flow | Faster | Slower |
| Player convenience | Higher | Lower |
Gaming sites like Ice Casino online in the digital casino industry provide French roulette variants where players can experience these rules at virtual gaming platforms. Land-based casinos, particularly in European markets, more commonly offer En Prison for the dramatic element, while some venues implement La Partage for faster game flow.
Strategic Implications
The presence of La Partage or En Prison dramatically alters the optimal strategy. Players should actively seek French roulette tables with these rules rather than playing European or American variants. The house edge reduction from 2.70% to 1.35% effectively doubles expected playing time per dollar wagered.
Even-money outside bets become significantly more attractive. While inside bets maintain the standard 2.70% house edge, even-money bets enjoy the reduced 1.35% edge. Players should concentrate on wagering on red/black, odd/even, and high/low.
However, these rules don’t eliminate the house edge or create a beatable game. Players should maintain realistic expectations.
Betting systems like Martingale or D’Alembert rely heavily on even-money bets, making French roulette with La Partage or En Prison the optimal variant for these approaches.
Finding French Roulette with Special Rules
European land-based casinos, particularly in France and Monte Carlo, commonly offer authentic French roulette with these rules. United Kingdom casinos frequently provide French roulette variants. American casinos rarely offer French roulette with special rules.
Online casinos offer the widest access. Major software providers like Evolution Gaming, Playtech, and NetEnt include French roulette variants with La Partage or En Prison. Players should verify which rule applies before playing, as some platforms label tables “French Roulette” while implementing only the table layout without the crucial special rules.
Table minimums and maximums often differ between French roulette and other variants. Some casinos position French roulette as a premium offering with higher minimum bets.
Maximizing Value From Special Rules
Players should concentrate their action on even-money outside bets where these rules apply. While inside bets offer higher payouts, they maintain the standard 2.70% house edge.
Bankroll management becomes more forgiving. The 1.35% edge means players can expect approximately twice the playing time from a given bankroll compared to standard European roulette.
Players should understand that while La Partage and En Prison improve roulette odds substantially, they don’t create a positive expectation game. Variance still produces winning and losing streaks. The special rules simply ensure that over sufficient trials, losses accumulate more slowly, providing better value for casino gaming entertainment.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn











