“‘My players made the decision that they wanted to be around the ball, to respect the ball and show unity and leadership.’ Liam Rosenior’s explanation of the Chelsea huddle just before kick-off against Newcastle last weekend is destined to be one of the most memorable quotes of the season. Not only did referee Paul Tierney loom in the midst of the players’ centre-circle gathering like a sort of PGMOL meerkat, but their head coach also introduced the idea of reverence towards an important, but ultimately inanimate object: the PUMA Orbita Ultimate (Thrill Edition). …”
NY Times/The Athletic (Video)
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“On Tuesday, Senegal were stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, two months after beating Morocco in the final. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) appeal board named Morocco as the new champions. This came after Senegal manager Pape Thiaw and his players walked off the pitch in protest at decisions made by referee Jean-Jacques Ndala during that final, leading to a 17-minute delay before they returned and eventually won the match 1-0 following extra time. However, CAF has awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory in a move that has stunned observers across Africa and the football world. William Troost-Ekong is a former Nigeria captain who won the Player of the Tournament at AFCON 2023 and featured at the 2018 World Cup. …”
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