SPORT
Woman Sentenced To Four Years In Prison For Blackmailing Son
A South Korean court has sentenced a woman who blackmailed football star Son Heung-min to four years in prison.
The woman in her 20s and her accomplice, a man in his 40s, were found guilty of blackmailing the former Tottenham captain by saying she was pregnant with his child.
The woman had approached Son sometime last year claiming she was carrying his child, when in fact she did not know whether that was the case, a Seoul district court heard, according to local media.
She extorted $300 million won ($200,000; £153,000) from him and threatened to go public with the allegation if he did not comply.
The woman spent the money on luxury and designer goods, AFP news agency reported (via BBC Sport).
“[The woman] insists she received the money as compensation and portrays herself as a victim,” prosecutors told the court on Monday. “But her claims do not fully match the facts,” they said, accusing her of planning the crime “thoroughly”.
The woman’s accomplice, who had threatened Son 15 times to get the money, was handed a two-year jail term for attempted blackmail.
When they demanded more money this year, Son went to the police.
The judge said the woman and her accomplice had abused Son’s celebrity for their crime, and that Son appeared to have gone through “intense mental anguish” after the case was reported in the media.
Son was in October named the second-highest paid footballer in Major League Soccer (MLS), North America’s top-tier football league akin to England’s Premier League.
In August, the 33-year-old left Tottenham after 10 years of service to join the Los Angeles Football Club, marking the most expensive transfer in MLS’ history.
Widely regarded as one of Asia’s best football stars, Son enjoys huge popularity in his home country and the region.
In 2022, while he was still with the Spurs, he became the first Asian to win the Premier League’s golden boot award presented annually to the leading goal scorer in the league.
Duro Ikhazuagbe
The injury woes afflicting Nigerian internationals ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) may prevent Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, from making a second appearance at the tournament in Morocco.
Yesterday, Nwabali’s Chippa United club coach in the South African PSL, Vusimuzi Vilakazi, confirmed that the Rivers-born goalkeeper was battling a major injury in his ankle and hand that may prevent him from the AFCON.
Vilakazi began: “It’s an ankle injury, but then also the hand needs an operation because he’s been playing with that (injured) hand for a while now and he aggravated the injury while he was in Morocco (World Cup Playoffs).”
He doubt if the goalkeeper can be fit before the AFCON.
“I don’t think he (Nwabali) will make it, but when I was talking to him, he was confident that he will recover very soon, but obviously you will understand because he’s a player, he wants to be there at the Cup of Nations finals.”
The Chippa United coach emphasised that the reality of the situation at the moment is that Nwabali is injured and doubtful. “But the reality is saying for now he is still injured. I also hope for the best that he might find himself there.”
The 29-year-old Nwabali was first choice for Nigeria as Super Eagles reached the final of the last edition, beaten 2-1 by hosts Côte d’Ivoire in the deciding game. He has remained Nigeria’s first choice goalkeeper since, amassing a total of 27 caps.
But he has not played since Super Eagles were beaten by the Democratic Republic of Congo last month in shootouts for the African ticket to the Intercontinental playoffs in Mexico next March.
With the Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Sekou Chelle, under pressure to name his final 28-man squad ahead CAF’s deadline fixed for Thursday, December 11, the first choice role for the goalkeeping position is most likely to revert to Udinese’s Maduka Okoye.
Already, Super Eagles backline has suffered the absence of top defenders who are down with injuries copped during the botched World Cup qualifiers and playoffs. Ola Aina, Benjamin Fredrick and Felix Agu are key players to be missed. The retirement of William Troost-Ekong from international duty for Nigeria last Thursday has further compounded the situation.
The Super Eagles will open their Group C against Tanzania in Fes on 23 December. Eagles will also tackle Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles (Saturday, 27 December) and round up the Group C with the clash with Cranes of Uganda (Tuesday, 30 December).
Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, is facing serious uncertainty ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco following a worrying update on his fitness status.
Chippa United head coach, Vusimuzi Vilakazi, confirmed that Nwabali is currently battling two injuries — an ankle issue and a more concerning hand injury that reportedly “needs an operation.”
Both problems were reportedly aggravated during his recent national team duties with the Super Eagles.
According to Vilakazi, the 28-year-old shot-stopper “could miss out” on the continental tournament, with his availability now described as a “huge doubt.”
Nwabali has not featured for Chippa United since Nigeria’s AFCON playoff clash against DR Congo last month — the match that ended in penalty heartbreak for the Super Eagles. His continued absence from club action, coupled with medical assessments pointing to the possibility of surgery, has heightened concerns about his readiness for the AFCON campaign which starts in Rabat on December 21st.
With the tournament rapidly approaching, the Super Eagles technical crew will be anxiously monitoring the situation, as Nwabali’s impressive performances earlier in the qualification cycle had solidified him as Nigeria’s leading option between the sticks.
For now, the goalkeeper faces a race against time — and Nigeria faces the possibility of heading into AFCON without one of its most reliable performers.
Adeleye Adebayo, Francis Uzoho, Amas Obasogie, and Ebenezer Harcourt and Maduka Okoye are the other goalkeepers invited by Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle in the provisional 54 man list he is expected to prune down to 28 in the next few days.
SPORT
Champions League Returns With Inter V Liverpool, Real Madrid V Man City Headlining Final Group Games In 2025
European football takes centre stage again this week as the last round of Champions League fixtures for the year gets underway.
With so much on offer across three nights, attention will naturally fall on two heavyweight clashes that could shape the story of the season.
On Tuesday night, the spotlight is firmly on the San Siro where Inter host a Liverpool side in disarray. Both teams are still in the race for a top-eight finish, but Arne Slot’s men arrive three points behind the Italian side and outside the qualifying spots.
Inter are fourth on 12 points, though the table is tight enough that a shock Liverpool victory would put the Premier League champions level with the Nerazzurri.
That task has been made even tougher by the latest drama at Anfield. A thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds at the weekend was overshadowed by Mohamed Salah accusing the club of having “thrown him under the bus”. Liverpool have since confirmed that the Egyptian will not travel to Milan.
The fallout adds to a growing crisis for Slot whose side now meet an Inter team full of confidence. Simone Inzaghi’s players are second in Serie A and come off a commanding 4-0 win over Como. Victory in Italy would offer Liverpool a much-needed reset, but another poor result could see their season spiral further.
Wednesday brings a clash that has quietly become one of modern football’s fiercest rivalries as Real Madrid welcome Manchester City. For years, it was Real’s battles against Manchester United that defined European nights. Today, it is City who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Spanish giants.
The meeting comes at a tense moment in Madrid. Whispers of unrest around Xabi Alonso’s handling of the dressing room have grown louder, with reports claiming the club has already sounded out a possible replacement.
Real have taken just four points from their last three league matches and now trail Barcelona by the same margin. In Europe, they sit three points from top spot, which is seen simply as a minimum expectation.
City arrive in a very different mood. Pep Guardiola’s side are building momentum again and closed the gap at the top of the Premier League to two points with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sunderland. Those goals took their tally to 11 in three league games as Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland have found rhythm together. What once looked like a one-man forward line has become a fluid and dangerous quartet.
Real, meanwhile, face questions in defence after a 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo. If they fail to tighten up, City’s attack could take full advantage in a match that may carry greater significance for the domestic title race than the Champions League table.
With so much at stake across Europe, supporters will have no shortage of options. But for drama, tension and narrative, Tuesday in Milan and Wednesday in Madrid offer the best of what continental football brings.
Below are the final Champions League group Fixtures In 2025:
Tuesday, December 9
Kairat vs Olympiacos
4:30 p.m.
Bayern vs Sporting
6:45 p.m.
Atalanta vs Chelsea
9 p.m.
Monaco vs Galatasaray
9 p.m.
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Marseille
9 p.m.
PSV vs Atlético Madrid
9 p.m.
Barcelona vs Eintracht Frankfurt
9 p.m.
Inter vs Liverpool
9 p.m.
Tottenham vs Slavia Praha
9 p.m.
Wednesday, December 10
Villarreal vs Copenhagen
6:45 p.m.
Qarabag FK vs Ajax
6:45 p.m.
Leverkusen vs Newcastle
9 p.m.
Real Madrid vs Man City
9 p.m.
Benfica vs Napoli
9 p.m.
Club Brugge vs Arsenal
9 p.m.
Athletic Club vs PSG
9 p.m.
Juventus vs Pafos
9 p.m.
Dortmund vs Bodø/Glimt
9 p.m.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
Barcelona legend Gerard Piqué has named four very strong teams in Europe that he believes can challenge the Blaugrana for the UEFA Champions League this season.
According to Piqué, the teams are Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Speaking with Moeve Futbol Zone (via SPORT), the Spaniard was asked about Barcelona’s chances of winning the Champions League.
Piqué said, “In Europe too? Yes, why not? It’s clear that there are some very strong teams in Europe right now, and it looks like sooner rather than later, they will end up winning the Champions League.
“Arsenal, for example, or PSG, who won it last year. Add to that Real Madrid and Bayern, who I think have raised their game with Kompany, so obviously it will be difficult.”
Barcelona were eliminated in the Champions League semi-final stage last season after losing to Inter Milan.
Stephen Odey will leave Danish club Randers when his contract expires at the end of this month, Completesports.com reports.
The forward is bringing an end to his four -and-a-half-year spell with the Horses.
Odey joined Randers on loan from Belgian Pro League outfit, KRC Genk for the 2021-22 season with an option to buy.
After scoring five goals in seven games, Randers confirmed on 21 November, 2021, that they had bought Odey from Genk at the end of his loan deal, becoming the most expensive transfer in the club’s history.
Read Also:Nwabali Doubtful For AFCON 2025 With Injury
Odey Thanks Randers
Odey thanked the club for making his stay memorable.
“I have really enjoyed my time here in Randers. It has been a fantastic period with fantastic people at the club – from the staff and management to the players and fans,” Odey told club’s official website.
“I have been here for many years, through both good and bad times, and I will really miss the club – but that is life in football.
“I wish the team all the best for the rest of the season.”
The 27-year-old scored 28 goals in 129 appearances for Randers.
By Adeboye Amosu
Raphael Onyedika has been confirmed in Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after Club Brugge publicly announced his inclusion on Monday.
Raphael Onyedika’s selection comes at a time when Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is yet to release his official squad list, keeping the public waiting as preparations continue for the tournament in Morocco.
Club Brugge confirmed the midfielder’s invitation through a statement on their official website, noting that the 24-year-old will represent Nigeria once again at a major tournament.
This will be Onyedika’s second AFCON appearance, having been part of the team that reached the final in the Ivory Coast in 2023.
He played only once during that campaign, coming on for the final 27 minutes of the 1-0 win against Guinea-Bissau, but his growing influence at club level has strengthened his position in the national team.
Since making his debut for Nigeria in September 2022, Onyedika has earned 17 caps and scored once for the Super Eagles. His form in Belgium has been impressive this season, with 22 appearances in all competitions, including three in the UEFA Champions League, alongside two goals and an assist.
Despite his consistency, Onyedika still faces a challenge to win Chelle’s full confidence. The coach appears to favour Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka in the midfield pecking order.
Onyedika has played only one full match under Chelle, a 1-1 draw with Russia in June, while his other minutes came as late substitute appearances in World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
In defence, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Zaidu Sanusi are expected to make the final cut. Captain William Troost-Ekong is unavailable after announcing his retirement last week.
The goalkeeping situation remains uncertain, with Stanley Nwabali facing a race against time due to injury. Should he fail to recover, Udinese’s Maduka Okoye is likely to return as the first choice.
Midfield selections appear straightforward, with Ndidi, Onyeka, and Alex Iwobi expected to lead the group. Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, his brother Tom, and Alhassan Yusuf are pushing for places.
Nigeria’s attack is packed with competition. Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and Samuel Chukwueze are expected to headline the forward line. Paul Onuachu, Akor Adams, Terem Moffi, and Rafiu Durosinmi are among those fighting for the remaining spots.
AFCON 2025 will kick off on 21 December. Nigeria open their Group D campaign against Tanzania on 23 December, with Tunisia and Uganda also in the group.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
Enyimba interim coach, Lawrence Ukaegbu, has promised an immediate response from his team following the defeat to Remo Stars in Abeokuta.
The People’s Elephant suffered a 2-1 defeat to the league defending champions, Remo Stars on Sunday.
Enyimba have managed only one win from their last five matches.
Ukaegbu calls for calm from the supporters as he promised a much improved outing in subsequent matches.
“The fans should be calm,” Ukaegbu said after the game in Abeokuta.
“We will come up — that’s how Enyimba reacts to such situations. There are still more games to come.”
Enyimba occupy 13th position on the league table with 20 points.
They will host Kwara United in their next game in Aba this weekend.
The head coach of Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti, warned Xabi Alonso who replaced him as Real Madrid manager, about the divisive players in the dressing room, it has emerged.
Spanish football expert, Guillem Balague, revealed this in his column for the BBC.
According to Balague, Ancelotti knew that Alonso would find it hard to manage the ego of the some of the squad members.
Ancelotti reportedly told Alonso that “this was the most difficult dressing room of his career.”
Mentioning the players specifically, the Italian claimed “Kylian Mbappe thinks about his records. Vinicius worries about not losing his authority in the team. Federico Valverde wants to play in midfield and doesn’t yet have the maturity expected from a captain.”
This comes at a time where reports in Spain claim Alonso has lost control of the Madrid dressing room amid a run of bad results.
Speculations are now rife that Alonso could be sacked if the team loses to Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The Egyptian winger’s comments in the aftermath of the 3-3 draw against Leeds have dominated the media landscape for the last few days, with many seeing his provocative words almost as a declaration of war on Slot and the club.
Salah claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by the Reds and insinuated his time at Anfield could be over after this weekend’s Premier League game against Brighton.
Salah returned to Liverpool training on Monday but was omitted from the travelling squad that flew to Italy for the Champions League clash against Inter – that’s despite Federico Chiesa and Cody Gakpo also being unavailable.
Salah’s outburst has cast a shadow over the Inter game and handed Slot another unwanted problem.
Cole, who played 42 times for the Reds between 2010 and 2012, feels Slot had no option but to drop Salah for the upcoming game in Milan.
“It’s a tricky one. I don’t understand Mo Salah’s reasoning behind his interview, as a player of that stature at the club,” the ex-Chelsea and West Ham United midfielder told Paddy Power (liverpool.com).
“He must have understood what his comments would do, Arne Slot can’t start Salah.
“He currently looks weak if he does, so he’s put himself in an untenable position. Having said that, I think Liverpool can go there and get a point. I think both teams to score.”
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah could be offered the opportunity to leave Anfield in January by La Liga giants Real Madrid, according to reports.
It has been a stressful season for everyone involved at Anfield with the Reds struggling to get anywhere near the form which saw them comfortably win the Premier League title last term.
After winning their first seven matches in all competitions, Liverpool have now only won one of their last 15 games in all competitions.
A 3-3 draw against Leeds United on Saturday was painful enough after conceding a late goal – but Salah’s comments about the club in the aftermath was a devastating blow for a club low on morale.
Salah aimed most of his frustration at the club for “throwing him under the bus” while he insisted he no longer has a relationship with Liverpool boss Slot.
That has already led to rumours he could join Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, who have a historic interest in the Egpytian, while Major League Soccer side San Diego are also rumoured to be interested.
And now Spanish website Fichajes (via Football 365) insists that Real Madrid ‘could take advantage’ of the crisis at Liverpool by making a bid of their own for Salah.
The La Liga giants have ‘entered the race for what could become one of the most impactful moves of the winter transfer window’ and ‘proposed an explosive exchange’.
The report adds: ‘The club is struggling offensively on the right flank, and Salah fits the bill as an immediate and renowned solution. His experience on the biggest stages, his goalscoring prowess, and his leadership make him a very tempting option for the Bernabeu side.