Sports
Uruguayan Footballers Seek Overturn of ‘Unfair’ Ban on Cavani
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Uruguayan Football Players’ Association (AFU) has requested that the English Football Association overturn the suspension of Manchester United striker, Edinson Cavani.
This was contained in a press statement seen by Business Post on Monday.
The Uruguayan was hit with a three-match ban and told to pay a fine of £100,000. The former PSG goal poacher, who joined the Red Devils on a free transfer this season, was also told to complete a face-to-face education course after using the word “negrito” while talking to a friend on Instagram back in November.
The statement released via captain Diego Godín’s social media on Monday urged the English FA to reconsider their punishment of the Uruguay International.
“Far from condemning racism, the English Football Association has itself committed a discriminatory act against the culture and way of life of the Uruguayan people,” a part of the lengthy statement, shared by a number of Cavani’s international team-mates, stated.
“We request the FA to immediately overturn the sanction imposed on Edinson Cavani and reinstate his good name and honour in the world that has been so unfairly tarnished by this reprehensible decision.”
Earlier, the Uruguayan Spanish language academy labelled the football association as ignorant.
Cavani was made aware after posting the comment about how the phrase ‘negrito’ is understood in the United Kingdom and quickly deleted the post. He also issued an apology insisting he was completely opposed to racism.
However, Uruguayans argued that the term Cavani used was meant as a term of endearment and is commonly used in the South American country.
They strongly rejected Cavani’s punishment and said the FA’s questionable resolution was the result of “poverty of cultural and linguistic knowledge”.
The statement argued that the FA had “committed a serious injustice to a Uruguayan athlete of the highest international level and has exposed ignorance… regarding the use of language and in particular Spanish, without taking note of all its complexities and contexts.”
According to the English FA, Cavani breached FA Rule E3.2 by referencing “whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin”, and it seems unlikely that his ban will be overturned.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has given the green light that up to 5,000 fans will be allowed to attend Saturday’s African Champions League semifinals in Tunisia and Morocco.
In a statement issued on Friday, the African football body said the decision was arrived at after receiving an application from the host member and approvals from governmental and health authorities of the respective host nations.
Morocco and Tunisia are two countries that have some of the highest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths on the continent.
Four-time winners Esperance de Tunis host defending champions Al Ahly at the Stade Olympique De Rades, Tunis, while two-time winners Wydad Athletic Club host Kaizer Chiefs at Complexe Mohamed V Stadium, Casablanca.
“CAF has stressed that all medical precautions should be followed at all times in respect to CAF Covid-19 health protocols,” the statement said.
The return legs are scheduled to take place on June 26.
Prior to Saturday’s games, continental games involving clubs and countries in Africa have been behind closed doors or opened to a limited audience in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Esperance defeated Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in the quarter-finals on a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 aggregate score. The club will be focused on stopping Egyptian giants Ah Ahly who have won the Champions League for a record nine times.
The Red Devils stopped Mamelodi Sundowns with a 3-1 aggregate win, which started with a 2-0 victory in the first leg.
Elsewhere in Casablanca, Wydad, who grabbed a late goal to send MC Alger packing with a 2-1 aggregate win in May, will aim to go beyond the semi-final this year when they battle South African giants, Kaizer Chiefs.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Following a year delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Euro 2020 will finally kick off on Friday (today), with the virus still a major issue that organisers have to contend with.
Unlike other previous editions of the continent-wide event held in one country or jointly hosted, the tournament would be held across Europe and will be played in front of limited crowds and with strict health restrictions in place.
The tournament, the 16th of its kind, will feature 24 teams – 20 from automatic qualification and the remaining four decided through the play-offs.
It will be held across 11 different cities in Europe, with UEFA celebrating the 60th birthday of the first European Championship (then called the European Nations Cup), which was held in France in 1960.
For the first time in the history of the competition, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be used.
Cities, Stadium, and Capacity
| City | Stadium | Capacity |
| Amsterdam, Netherlands | Johan Cruyff Arena | 56,000 |
| Baku, Azerbaijan | Olympic Stadium | 68,700 |
| Bucharest, Romania | Arena Nationala | 55,600 |
| Budapest, Hungary | Ferenc Puskas Stadium | 67,889 |
| Copenhagen, Denmark | Parken Stadium | 38,065 |
| Glasgow, Scotland | Hampden Park | 52,063 |
| London, England | Wembley Stadium | 90,000 |
| Munich, Germany | Allianz Arena | 75,000 |
| Rome, Italy | Stadio Olimpico | 72,698 |
| Saint Petersburg, Russia | Krestovsky Stadium | 68,134 |
| Seville, Spain | La Cartuja | 60,000 |
St Petersburg will have a stadium capacity of 50 per cent of fans in attendance, with the number potentially increasing before the tournament start date.
Budapest plans to hold supporters in full capacity, though they will have to comply with strict entry requirements.
Baku will have a stadium capacity of 50 per cent. Fans will be required to provide a negative Covid-19 test before entering Azerbaijan.
Amsterdam, Bucharest, Copenhagen and Glasgow have confirmed a capacity of 25 per cent to 33 per cent. All three cities will potentially increase their capacity by May, based on the success of their vaccine rollout and local COVID-19 situation.
London will have a minimum capacity of 25 per cent for the three group matches and the round of 16 matches. They are also optimistic about having an increased stadium attendance for both the semi-finals and final.
Munich, Rome, Bilbao, Dublin as at press time are yet to provide additional details on their attendance plans.
Match ball, Mascot, & Slogan
The Uniforia ball, designed by Adidas, will serve as the match ball for all Euro 2020 matches.
The ball is mostly white and includes multi-coloured black strokes with additional blue, neon and pink stripes.
The name of the ball is taken from the combination of the words “unity” and “euphoria”.
Official Song
Dutch DJ Martin Garrix will be performing the tournament’s official song, which will be unveiled at the full opening ceremony in Rome at the Stadio Olimpico.
Matches Schedule
Matchday 1
11 June 2021
Match 1: Turkey vs Italy
Stadio Olympico, Rome, Italy
12 June 2021
Match 2: Wales vs Switzerland
Olympic Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan
Match 3: Denmark vs Finland
Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
Match 4: Belgium vs Russia
Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia
13 June 2021
Match 5: England vs Croatia
Wembley Stadium, London, England
Match 6: Austria vs North Macedonia
Arena Nationala, Bucharest, Romania
Match 7: Netherlands vs Ukraine
Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands
14 June 2021
Match 8: Scotland vs Czech Republic
Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
Match 9: Poland vs Slovakia
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Match 10: Spain vs Sweden
La Cartuja, Seville, Spain
15 June 2021
Match 11: Hungary vs Portugal
Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary
Match 12: France vs Germany
Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Matchday 2
16 June 2021
Match 13: Finland vs Russia
Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Match 14: Turkey vs Wales
Olympic Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan
Match 15: Italy vs Switzerland
Stadio Olympico, Rome, Italy
17 June 2021
Match 16: Ukraine vs North Macedonia
Arena Nationala, Bucharest, Romania
Match 17: Denmark vs Belgium
Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
Match 18: Netherlands vs Austria
Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands
18 June 2021
Match 19: Sweden vs Slovakia
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Match 20: Croatia vs Czech Republic
Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
Match 21: England vs Scotland
Wembley Stadium, London, England
19 June 2021
Match 22: Hungary vs France
Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary
Match 23: Portugal vs Germany
Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Match 24: Spain vs Poland
La Cartuja, Seville, Spain
Matchday 3
20 June 2021
Match 25: Italy vs Wales
Stadio Olympico, Rome, Italy
Match 26: Switzerland vs Turkey
Olympic Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan
21 June 2021
Match 27: Ukraine vs Austria
Stadio Olympico, Rome, Italy
Match 28: North Macedonia vs Netherlands
Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Match 29: Russia vs Denmark
Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
Match 30: Finland vs Belgium
Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia
22 June 2021
Match 31: Croatia vs Scotland
Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
Match 32: Czech Republic vs England
Wembley Stadium, London, England
23 June 2021
Match 33: Sweden vs Poland
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Match 34: Slovakia vs Spain
La Cartuja, Seville, Spain
Match 35: Portugal vs France
Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary
Match 36: Germany vs Hungary
Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
ROUND OF 16
26 June 2021
Round of 16 tie 1: Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group B
Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Round of 16 tie 2: Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group C
8pm
Wembley Stadium, London, England
27 June 2021
Round of 16 tie 3: Winner Group C vs 3rd Group D/E/F
Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary
Round of 16 tie 4: Winner Group B vs 3rd Group A/D/E/F
San Mames, Bilbao, Spain
28 June 2021
Round of 16 tie 5: Runner-up Group D vs Runner-up Group E
Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
Round of 16 tie 6: Winner Group F vs 3rd Group A/B/C
Arena Nationala, Bucharest, Romania
29 June 2021
Round of 16 tie 7: Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group F
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Round of 16 tie 8: Winner Group E vs 3rd Group A/B/C/D
Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland.
QUARTER-FINALS
2 July 2021
Quarter-final 1: Round of 16 tie 6 winner vs Round of 16 tie 5 winner
Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Quarter-final 2: Round of 16 tie 4 winner vs Round of 16 tie 2 winner
Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany.
3 July 2021
Quarter-final 3: Round of 16 tie 3 winner vs Round of 16 tie 1 winner
Olympic Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan.
Quarter-final 4: Round of 16 tie 8 winner vs Round of 16 tie 7 winner
Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy.
SEMI-FINALS
July 6 2021
Semi-final 1: Quarter-final 2 winner vs Quarter-final 1 winner
Wembley Stadium, London, England.
July 7 2021
Semi-final 2: Quarter-final 4 winner vs Quarter-final 3 winner
Wembley Stadium, London, England.
FINAL
July 11 2021
Final: Semi-final 1 winner vs Semi-final 2 winner
Wembley Stadium, London, England.
The action kicks off tonight at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, where Italy take on Turkey in front of 16,000 fans.
By Adedapo Adesanya
In a bid to create a quality sport-broadcasting experience for Nigerians, leading media firms, Nigeria Info and Wazobia Max, under the auspices of AIM Group, have been awarded the broadcast rights from the official UEFA-licensed owner in Nigeria, Media Business Solutions (MBS), to freely air the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament across the country.
The competition would be broadcast across Wazobia FM, Arewa Radio, Cool FM Kano, and Wazobia Max both in English and selected local languages, including Pidgin English, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, in order to cater for the sporting needs of a wide spectrum of Nigerians.
Commenting on the ground-breaking development, Mr Serge Noujaim, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Cool FM, Wazobia FM, Nigeria Info, Arewa Radio, described the partnership as one that would further strengthen the love Nigerians have for the game of football.
“We as a leading brand understand that most Nigerians are genuinely passionate about the game of football.
“That is why we have taken it upon ourselves to go a step further after the acquisition of the World Cup 2018 Russia broadcast rights by partnering with the MBS to freely broadcast the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament in a unique Nigerian style.
“This partnership helps to reaffirm the position of Nigeria Info, Wazobia FM, Arewa radio, and Wazobia Max as the home of the biggest international football offering across the Nigerian-media space,” he enthused.
Complimenting the statement of the CEO, Mr Femi Obong-Daniels, the General Manager, Corporate Communications of the radio group, said, “We as a top-notch broadcast brand have taken a massive move to provide Nigerians with a premium sport coverage. We have done it before.
“We are doing it again and we do not know how to stop this upward trajectory we have found ourselves to be on. We are sure there are more to come as our precious partnership with MBS is just the beginning.”
Speaking on the partnership with Nigeria Info and Wazobia Max, Mr Richard Dimosi Diasolwa, the CEO, MBS Group, stated, “We, as a multimedia organization, are always delighted to be affiliated with Nigeria Info and Wazobia Max.
“This is because we are sure it would afford Nigerians the opportunity to connect with the biggest European football competition in a unique way.”
The UEFA Euro 2020 tournament will commence from June 11, 2021, to July 7, 2021.
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