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UEFA Release Statement as Marios Oikonomou Dies Aged 33

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UEFA have released a statement following the tragic death of Marios Oikonomou, who has passed away aged 33.

Oikonomou played for several high-profile European clubs including Bologna and Sampdoria in Italy’s Serie A. He also had spells at Cagliari, SPAL, Bari, AEK Athens and Copenhagen.

The centre-back earned six caps for Greece between 2016-2018 and most-recently played for Panetolikos in his home country.

Oikonomou had been in an induced coma in hospital following a motorbike crash last month. However, it’s been confirmed that the defender has succumbed to his injuries, passing away nine days on from the accident.

According to the Greek media, the brain damage Oikonomou suffered in the crash was irreversible.


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UEFA Issue Statement

UEFA logo
UEFA logo

In a statement, UEFA said on Monday: “On behalf of the European football community, we are deeply saddened by the passing of former Greece international Marios Oikonomou at the age of 33.

“Oikonomou earned six caps for Greece and enjoyed a distinguished career in Italy with clubs including Bologna, Cagliari, Bari, SPAL and Sampdoria. He also featured in both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, teammates and all who knew him.”

Tributes Pour In For Oikonomou

Marios Oikonomou,

Marios Oikonomou,

Oikonomou began his career with Greek side PAS Giannina, who said in a separate statement: “Today the PAS Giannina family is mourning.

“Marios Oikonomou, a child who earned the love and respect of all of us, left us prematurely. We spent moments of joy, effort and struggle together.

“Always with a smile, always with kindness. To his loved ones, to our President and father Giorgos Oikonomou and his family, we express our deepest sympathy and our most sincere condolences.

“His memory will remain alive in all of us. Mario, we will remember you with love. May your memory be eternal.”

The motorbike crash with another vehicle happened in Ioannina, northwestern Greece, on May 23. Oikonomou was taken to the Hatzikosta Hospital in Ioannina and rushed into emergency surgery, according to The Sun.

He underwent a decompressive craniectomy – a life-saving operation in which a portion of the skull is temporarily removed to alleviate pressure – before receiving specialist supervision.

But despite the best efforts of medical staff, Oikonomou was unable to recovery from his injuries.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of our former player Marios Oikonomou’s passing at the age of 33,” F.C. Copenhagen posted on social media after the news was announced.

“Marios began his football journey in Greece before continuing his career across Europe and eventually joining F.C. Copenhagen, where he represented the club 20 times from 2020 to 2022.

“During his time in Copenhagen, Marios earned the respect and admiration of teammates, staff, and supporters alike. He will be remembered not only for his contributions on the pitch, but also for the person he was off it.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, and all those who knew and loved him.”



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Rangers Transfer for Couhaib Driouech Collapses After Failed Medical

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Rangers have suffered a major transfer blow on Friday morning after their move to sign Couhaib Driouech collapsed following the player’s medical.

Rangers manager Derek McInnes has been looking to add to his squad following a disappointing start to the season, which has seen them take only one point from their opening Scottish Premiership matches and get knocked out of the Europa League at the qualifying stage by Jagiellonia Białystok.

The Glasgow giants had agreed a deal to sign PSV winger Driouech, who had travelled to Scotland to undergo a medical, but the club has now pulled out of a deal following issues flagged up in his medical.

The agreement with the Dutch club was worth £6.5m, with the winger due to sign a four-year deal at Ibrox, but now Gers will have to look elsewhere after pulling the plug on the deal as McInnes looks to add more flair and quality to his attack.

Driouech was even present at the game on Thursday night as Rangers were eliminated from the Europa League following their 1-1 draw with Jagiellonia Białystok.

But McInnes has decided he can’t afford to have a player not available immediately, especially after a disappointing beginning to his reign, according to Rangers Review.

The former Hearts boss suggested post-match that his team aren’t ready to compete in the Europa League this season.

He said: “I do think we’re lacking a cutting edge.

“Obviously, losing Youssef doesn’t help matters. We are looking at a No.9 position as well in terms of trying to get somebody in.

It’s clear, I’ve been saying since we came in, we’d like to try and get good wingers to the club to try and bring that creativity.

“Because I think a club like Rangers, a team like Rangers, certainly my team, is something that we’d like to try and address.”

Rangers Advancing on Two Other Transfers

Derek McInnes claps the Hearts fans via Reuters

While there has been disappointment over a move for Driouech, Rangers are advancing on two other deals to boost McInnes’ squad.

Rangers Review add that Rangers are closing in on a deal to bring AEK Athens full-back James Penrice back to Scotland, with GMS sources confirming that it will be a loan deal with a €2m buy option for the 27-year-old.

The Scot will provide cover following an injury issue suffered by Tuur Rommens, while the Ibrox outfit are also closing in on an agreement to find a replacement for another injured player in Youssef Chermiti.

Rangers are also advancing on a deal to sign Kevin Kelsy, who plays for the Portland Timbers and the Venezuela national team.

They are said to have submitted an offer worth around £7.5m for the 6ft 4in centre-forward, who looks to be an ideal profile to replace Chermiti.

Kevin Kelsy for Portland Timbers

Games

61

Goals

19

Assists

5

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Arsenal In Talks to Sign Bayer Leverkusen and England Star Jarrel Quansah

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Arsenal have opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a deal to sign England defender Jarrel Quansah.

The Gunners are keen to bolster their defensive options this summer after losing William Saliba to a back injury, with the France star unlikely to return before the end of the year. Arteta has already added Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis, and Bruno Guimaraes to his Premier League-winning squad, but a defender is now believed to be among his top priorities.

The club have been in talks with Aston Villa over a move to sign Ezri Konsa, with an initial offer rejected earlier in the window, but it now seems that they are looking at alternative options too.

According to Sky Sports News, Arsenal are in talks with Bundesliga outfit Leverkusen over a deal for Konsa’s England teammate Quansah to come to the Emirates Stadium this summer.

The defender, who can play at right-back or centre-back, only moved to Germany last summer from Liverpool in a deal worth £35m. The Anfield club retain a buy-back option in the deal, but GIVEMESPORT sources understand they have no intention of triggering it at this stage.

Speaking live on air, host Peter Graves revealed the details behind the Gunners’ interest in Quansah.

“Some exclusive transfer news just reaching us, Arsenal are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a possible deal for England defender Jarrel Quansah,” he said.

“Mikel Arteta is keen to add to his defensive options and sees Quansah as a good addition with his versatility in both centre-back and right-back positions.”

The 23-year-old, who has been described as ‘incredible’, enjoyed a fine debut season in the Bundesliga, making 39 appearances across the league and Champions League, which earned him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad. He started three games in the tournament, but most notably was sent off against Mexico for a lunge.

Jarrel Quansah Bundesliga Stats 25/26

Appearances

25(3)

Minutes

2302

Tackles (per 90)

1

Interceptions (per 90)

1

Clearances (per 90)

3.2

Blocks (per 90)

0.5

Tuchel Loves Quansah

Jarell Quansah pushing Cole Palmer

Having come through the academy at Liverpool, Quansah has developed into a bona fide first-team player at Leverkusen and England, appearing regularly in squads under Tuchel.

The England boss even had him above Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, while he has played centrally on occasion too. Speaking prior to the World Cup, Tuchel explained why he’s such a fan of the 23-year-old.

“I have a lot of trust in Jarell. I see his talent, but I see the package.

He is tall, he is fast, he is strong in build-up. He is strong in the air. I saw him very strong playing for Liverpool in this position [right-back]. So I always wanted to try.

“And he plays every minute for [Bayer] Leverkusen since the Under-21 Euros. So he is at the moment a tiny bit ahead [of Alexander-Arnold].”

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – correct as of 14/08/2026.

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Bryson DeChambeau’s Honest Verdict on Donald Trump’s Golfing Ability

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Donald Trump is not exactly renowned for underselling himself. Whether it is his business, politics, or ability with a club in his hands, the 47th President of the United States is always number one – in his eyes anyway.

Golf, in particular, has become something of a specialty for Trump. Just last week, he claimed to have posted a two-under 70 to win the Senior and Super Senior Men’s Club Championship at his Bedminster golf course in New Jersey. According to the president, this is the 43rd Club Championship he has won across his collection of golf courses.

His response to his emphatic win?

“It’s called TALENT, and I have it, and they don’t!”

Donald Trump Playing Golf Timothy A. Clary / AFP – Getty Images file

Any chance at subduing his ego, however, was squashed as world No. 34 and two-time US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau pandered to the 80-year-old’s vanity after they played a round together a couple of years ago.

Bryson DeChambeau Analyses Donald Trump’s Golfing Ability

The American golfer spoke highly of Trump, calling him a “great golfer and even better human being.” He also insisted that the American people are ‘so lucky to have him as the President of the United States.’

The pair have formed a close bond over the past few years, with Trump even going so far as to name DeChambeau the chair of the Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.

Back in 2024, after playing several rounds of golf together, the LIV Golf star was extremely complimentary of the president’s game, even going so far as suggesting there were parts of it where Trump was better than him.

“Man, his iron play was great,” DeChambeau said.

I can’t tell you the number of times he stuffed it on the green within 30 feet. His driver swing is the most repeatable thing I have ever seen. I wish mine was that repeatable. Really, I do.

Perhaps Trump has finally found the one arena in which repetition is considered a virtue.

DeChambeau is not the only golfing icon to have these opinions either.

Jack Nicklaus Praises Donald Trump’s Golf Game

Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus, one of the greatest golfers to ever grace the course, described Trump as the best president he ever played against.

“Well, the ones I’ve played with, actually Trump is probably the best player,” Nicklaus said.

“Trump plays pretty well. He plays a little bit like I do. He doesn’t really ever finish many holes. But he can hit the ball, and he goes out and plays and just enjoys it. But he’s won several club championships. He can play.”

This, however, must be taken with a pinch of salt. The 18-time Major winner wrote in 2020: “You might not like the way our president says or tweets some things – and trust me, I have told him that! – but I have learned to look past that and focus on what he’s tried to accomplish.

Donald Trump REUTERS/Mandel Ngan

“This is not a personality contest; it’s about patriotism, policies, and the people they impact. His love for America and its citizens, and putting his country first, has come through loud and clear. How he has said it has not been important to me. What has been important are his actions.”

Trump may have many doubters when it comes to his ability as a president and his all-round brain coherence, but according to Nicklaus and DeChambeau, we may have been wrong to doubt his ability on the golf course.

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