Sports
UEFA Fines Wolverhampton Wanderers
By Adedapo Adesanya
Top-flight English football side, Wolverhampton Wanderers, have been fined by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) for breaching financial break-even requirements for the 2019-2020 season.
The club has now agreed to a settlement agreement with the European football regulator over the next two seasons.
Wolves will agree to a maximum deficit of €30 million (£27.79 million) for the financial year ending 2020, and to finally reach an acceptable break-even result by 2021.
If Wolves end up qualifying for the Champions League next season, they will only be allowed 23 players in their List A European squad instead of 25.
This will also be the case in 2021/22 unless the club fulfils all of the financial measures set out by UEFA’s financial investigatory chamber.
A statement from European football’s governing body read: “The settlement agreement covers the sporting seasons 2020/21 and 2021/22.
“Wolverhampton Wanderers FC undertakes to report a maximum break-even deficit of €30 million in the financial year ending in 2020 and to finally reach, in the 2021/22 season, an aggregate break-even result for the financial years ending in 2019, 2020 and 2021 within the acceptable deviation.
“Wolverhampton Wanderers FC agrees that, for the financial year ending in 2020, its employee benefits expenses are restricted.
“Wolverhampton Wanderers FC agrees to pay a total financial contribution up to €0.6 million, which will be withheld from any revenues it earns from participating in UEFA competitions.
“Of this amount, €0.2 million shall be paid in full while the remaining balance of €0.4 million is conditional depending on the club’s compliance with the break-even target stated in the settlement agreement.
“Wolverhampton Wanderers FC accepts that, for the season 2020/21, it may only include a maximum of 23 players in its List A for the participation in UEFA competitions, instead of the maximum of 25 players as foreseen in the relevant competition regulations.
“Such restriction will continue to apply for the season 2021/22 unless the club fulfils all financial measures agreed with the CFCB Investigatory Chamber.”
Ligue 1 side Lille and Turkish side, Istanbul Basaksehir have also been found guilty of similar breaches by UEFA. Lille – who had a deficit of more than €30 million over three seasons and posted losses of €100 million in 2018 – have since reached a settlement agreement with UEFA.
“The financial situation from the 2017/18 season triggered an investigation from the European body and necessitated an agreement between the two parties which the club is satisfied with, judging it to be fair,” the Ligue 1 side said.
Wolves’ chances of playing European football next season remain uncertain because Arsenal beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final and because it finished in the seventh position, the clubs lost out on qualification and its hope to play in Europe next season rests on winning this year’s Europa League.
Forward Raul Jimenez’s penalty secured a 2-1 aggregate win over Olympiakos to send Wolves into the last eight where they will face Spanish side and the competition’s biggest winners, Sevilla.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
On Saturday, July 18, 2026, Team Drogba Global Africa claimed its first E1 victory in Monaco, moving to sixth on the table with 59 points.
It defeated Team Brady, which came second over the week, though it leads the championship with 119 points, nine points more than the second on the log, Westbrook Racing by Visit Angola.
Kiwi Micah Wilkinson and his Spanish teammate Tara Pacheco combined to put together a memorable performance and secure a long-awaited first visit to the top step.
Drogba’s best result of the season so far had been seventh in Lake Como, but something clicked in the Principality, and the victory has moved them up to sixth overall.
Home heroes Team Monaco had set the fastest time in qualifying and were leading the way, but they made a wrong turn on the course, which consigned them to join Westbrook in the Place Race. Will Smith’s team took a damage-limiting victory, leaving them in seventh at the end of the day.
But the Finals were both dominated by Drogba. In Final 1, with Tara Pacheco at the wheel, they finished just ahead of Emma Kimiläinen’s Brady E1 RaceBird. The battle resumed in Final 2 and, on this occasion, Micah held off Sam Coleman. Timmy Hansen came through to finish third for Miami to secure their first podium in 13 races.
Micah Wilkinson was also rewarded with PIF Pilot of the Day for his performance in Final 2.
Hosted at the world-renowned Yacht Club de Monaco, the Championship’s third visit to the Principality once again transformed Port Hercule into one of the world’s most spectacular sporting venues.
E1 now heads to its first foray in Southern Africa for the E1 Luanda GP 2026, Angola, on September 12 to 13.
“Huge congratulations to everyone at Team Drogba on securing a remarkably assured maiden victory here in Monaco. We leave with a new Championship leader in Team Brady, with Will Smith’s team in close contention.
“The Principality once again delivered an extraordinary weekend of thrilling on-water action to reinforce our belief that E1 is creating a new chapter in global motorsport. We now head to Angola, Africa, for the next round as the Championship battle intensifies,” the chief executive of E1, Mr Jamie Copas, said.
By Dipo Olowookere
Spain put one past Argentina to clinch their second FIFA World Cup trophy in New Jersey, USA, on Sunday night.
Ferran Torres put the only goal of the match in the back of the South American’s net in the 106th minute after both teams could not settle scores in normal time.
The Argentines, led by Lionel Scaloni, were reduced to 10 men in added time of the second half after Enzo Fernández got his second yellow card for a tackle on Spain’s Pau Cubarsí.
Lionel Messi could not inspire his team to victory in the final watched by the President of the United States, Mr Donald Trump, as the Europeans dominated the match, with Argentina not having a shot on or off target before the extra time.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup champions only managed to show signs of pressing after the winners of the 2010 edition in South Africa scored a minute after the resumption of the second half of the extra 30 minutes.
The win by Luis de la Fuente’s men left Lionel Messi teary after the match. This could be his last World Cup as he turned 39 this year.
The next FIFA World Cup in 2030 goes to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. This year’s edition was hosted by the trio of the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The Mundial kicked off on June 20, 2026, and ended on July 19, 2026, with 48 teams participating, more than the usual 32 teams of the previous editions.
On July 23, Nigeria’s main grassroots tournament kicks off: players from the top 100 teams across five divisions of Lagos will compete for the championship title, a generous prize pool, the prestige of their home communities, and their dream of signing their first contract with a professional club.
1xCup has helped many talented players make a name for themselves. Thanks to their standout performances at the tournament, more than 30 footballers have earned spots on professional teams in Nigeria, Bulgaria, Norway, Albania, North Macedonia, and many other countries.
1xCup top success stories
From their debuts in the NPFL and second-tier European leagues to call-ups to the Nigeria national team, the stories of 1xCup graduate players could easily serve as the script for a new Hollywood sports drama. Defensive midfielder Adeoye Aderemi Jacob was named one of the top breakout stars of the 1xCup 2025. His dedication and energy helped the Naths Boys reach the tournament’s final four and caught the attention of Ikorodu City scouts. Adeoye Aderemi Jacob quickly adapted to the professional level and even earned a call-up to the Nigeria national team for friendly matches against Zimbabwe and Jamaica as part of their preparations for the.
Several 1xCup graduates have built successful careers in Europe. Martins Idowu plays in Serbia, Peter Ahisu in Bulgaria, and Okere Ebube in North Macedonia. Lawani Clinton, Bada Moses, and Raheem Ibrahim Ogede have continued their football careers with professional clubs in Nigeria. Meanwhile, Nwana Okechukwu and Kayode Akinyemi are representing their homeland in the Egyptian and Beninese leagues.
The 1xCup 2026 will continue this mission. Starting with the knockout stage, scouts from professional clubs will be in attendance at the tournament’s matches. This means that every participant will have a chance to prove themselves, get noticed by experts, and perhaps write a new chapter in their football history.
1xCup 2026 is open to everyone
Nigeria’s most prestigious grassroots tournament has helped football talent shine and demonstrated that our country is capable of organizing large-scale sports events. The list of participants in the qualification was made publicly available, and every fan can follow the match results and the standings on the official 1xCup Instagram page.
The tournament’s matches are drawing huge interest from viewers, so the organizers have expanded their media coverage. The 1xCup Podcast is set to launch very soon, featuring well-known figures from Nigeria’s football community who will discuss the main storylines and standout players of the fourth season, as well as share exclusive insights with fans.
Watch from the front row as the next generation of football stars is born, and follow the action from the grassroots tournament on the official 1xcup.ng website or on the project’s Instagram page.
