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Morocco Federation Share Statement as CAF Award AFCON 2025 Title

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The Moroccan football federation have now spoken out after learning that they have retroactively been named 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champions by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

In shock news, CAF announced this week that Senegal had been stripped of their title, said to have ‘forfeited the final‘, when they left the pitch in protest against a controversial penalty award. Although Brahim Diaz would miss the resulting spot-kick, there was a near 20-minute delay when manager Pape Thiaw ordered his players into the dressing room.

Sadio Mane finally convinced his team to return to the field, and after Diaz’s missed Panenka, Senegal went on to win the game, with Pape Gueye’s extra-time strike. Nearly two months on, though, CAF has declared Morocco as AFCON winners with a default 3-0 victory in the final.

Morocco’s Statement on CAS AFCON Controversy

Morocco players AFCON final

The result is an outcome of an appeal made by Morocco’s football federation. In a press release, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has given its official thoughts on the news, explaining that the appeal was never “intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams” only to “ensure the proper enforcement of competition regulations.”

The press release read: “Royal Moroccan Football Federation Acknowledges Decision Rendered by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Committee. The federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the regulations, ensuring the clarity of the competitive framework and maintaining the stability of African football competitions RABAT, Morocco, March 18, 2026.

“The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) wishes to reiterate that its appeal was ever aimed at contesting the sporting merit or performance of the teams involved in this tournament, but solely to ensure the proper enforcement of competition regulations.

“The federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the regulations, ensuring the clarity of the competitive framework and maintaining the stability of African football competitions.

“The Federation also wishes to commend all the nations that participated in this year’s edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which served as a significant moment for African football. The FRMF will issue a more comprehensive official statement in the coming days after a scheduled meeting of its governing bodies.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino delivers to Morocco's Brahim Diaz the Golden Boot trophy for AFCON


Brahim Diaz’s Immediate Reaction to Senegal Being Stripped of AFCON Title Goes Viral

The Real Madrid star was on the bench against Man City when he learned that Morocco had been declared winners.

Senegal Statement After Losing AFCON Title

Senegal's Sadio Mane
Senegal’s Sadio Mane

It will come as no surprise to learn that Senegal has also released a strong statement on CAF’s decision. It read: “The Senegalese Football Federation [FSF] denounces this unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football.

“In defense of its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate, as soon as possible, an appeal procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

“The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice and will keep the public informed of developments in this matter.”

Beyond that, Secretary General of the FSF, Abdoulaye Sow, has called CAF ‘corrupt’ and said ‘the cup will not leave this country.’

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RB Salzburg In Talks To Appoint Rangers Manager Danny Rohl

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Rangers could be set to lose Danny Rohl with Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg after club-to-club talks have started to prise him away from Ibrox, according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.

Rangers’ season ended in disastrous circumstances as they lost four out of their final five league games following the Scottish Premiership split, which saw them go from second place and serious title contenders to comfortably finishing third behind champions Celtic and second-placed Hearts.

Previously, the Ibrox outfit had only lost two league games all season, so the end-of-season collapse came as a shock in what was a campaign that improved significantly under the German, compared to his predecessor Russell Martin.

The pressure was ramped up on the 37-year-old last month following the poor run of form, but it was expected that he would remain in Glasgow and take the opportunity to manage a full season at Rangers.

Sky Sports: RB Salzburg ‘Pushing’ to Appoint Danny Rohl

Rangers boss Danny Rohl during his team's defeat to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership via Reuters

Posting on X on Thursday morning, Sky journalist Florian Plettenberg has exclusively confirmed that Salzburg are pushing to appoint Rohl as their new head coach ‘immediately’.

The 37-year-old has already worked for RB Leipzig previously and is familiar with the Red Bull model, and he is said to, in principle, envision being employed by them again.

Rohl was a candidate for a RB head coach position last summer, but he ended up joining Rangers instead following the dismissal of Martin, having left Sheffield Wednesday last summer.

Plettenberg says the clubs are now in direct contact as they look to find a solution to the story.

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Food and Drinks Prices at Seattle Stadium

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Football fans who attend 2026 World Cup matches face having to fork out eye-watering prices for food and drinks options inside stadiums.

FIFA faced fierce criticism last week after deciding supporters would no longer be able to bring water bottles into venues in North America due to safety concerns. This decision was later reversed following the backlash.

“Each spectator can bring with them one 20 ounce (560ml) soft, plastic disposable factory-sealed water bottle into the stadium,” World Cup 2026 chief operating officer, Heimo Schirgi, later confirmed.

“What is not allowed are hard-sided resealable water containers, which could pose a safety and security risk.”


FIFA president Gianni Infantino


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A statement has been released by the kit manufacturer after FIFA banned the kit design on the eve of the tournament

Seattle Stadium Food and Drink Prices at 2026 World Cup

Lumen Field, Seattle Steven Bisig via IMAGN

High temperatures are expected at games throughout the tournament. Nearly half of all fixtures face a 50 per cent chance of temperatures exceeding 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 Fahrenheit) – a threshold linked to declines in sprinting, distance covered and recovery time, according to The Independent.

In all 104 matches, there will be three-minute “hydration breaks” midway through each half.

However, supporters who don’t bring their own water bottle will need to cough up hefty prices to keep themselves hydrated.

Signs currently up at the 72,000-seater Seattle Stadium (also known as Lumen Field), where four group-stage matches are taking place, show a 20 ounce (560ml) bottle of water will cost $5.99 (£4.50).

Fans requiring more water can pay $10.49 (£7.85) for a one-litre bottle of water instead.

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Two alcoholic beverages are available – but they’re not exactly cheap. One 16 ounce (one pint) of American Beer will set fans back a cool $17.99 (£13.46), while a Craft/Import Beer (illustrious on the board as a can of Stella Artois) is one dollar more expensive at $18.99 (£14.21).

Supporters feeling pecking have several options in the Food & Snacks category.

A soft pretzel costs $13.49 (£10.09), while kettle corn (popcorn) is the same price. ‘Cheaper’ alternatives include ice cream dots for $11.99 (£8.97), cotton candy for $11.99 (£8.97), or a churro for $10.99 (£7.48).

The cheapest option is a bag of nuts for $8.99 (£6.72). Ouch.

Needless to say, shocked supporters have had plenty to say about the Lumen Field food and drink prices on social media.

One football fan on X (Twitter) said: “£13.50 for a beer is criminal,” while another commented:

“Everyone involved in the World Cup is ripping fans off.”

A third supporter commented: “At least Dirk Turpin wore a mask,” while a fourth added; “Who is paying nine dollars for some bloody nuts? Be serious.”

Another described the prices as “actual robbery” and a sixth fan simply said: “Disgrace”.

The 2026 World Cup kicks off at the iconic Estadio Azteca between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday.

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Alex Pereira’s Full Body Transformation From Middleweight to Heavyweight

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Alex Pereira is set to make his heavyweight debut this weekend as he takes on Ciryl Gane for the interim championship on the South Lawn of the White House at UFC Freedom 250.

The Brazilian is aiming to become a three-weight champion in the UFC, which would make him the first fighter to do so in the company’s history, further cementing his status as one of the greatest to ever grace the Octagon.

In fact, Dana White has already said if Pereira does defeat Gane and become the interim heavyweight champion, he’ll overtake Jon Jones in the GOAT debate.

Alex Pereira’s Meteoric Rise in the UFC

Alex Pereira

Given his reputation and his status, it’s easy to forget that Pereira has only been an active fighter in the UFC for five years. In that time, however, he’s conquered the middleweight division, conquered the light heavyweight division, and is ready to conquer the heavyweight division as well.

With 12 fights under the UFC banner in those five years, the Brazilian has only lost twice. He was beaten by Israel Adesanya for the middleweight championship back at UFC 287 in 2023, before losing his light heavyweight strap to Magomed Ankalaev two years later at UFC 313.


Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane


‘I Have Beaten Alex Pereira and Sparred With Ciryl Gane – Here’s Who Wins at UFC Freedom 250’

A man who has beaten Alex Pereira and sparred with Ciryl Gane has made his prediction for the huge heavyweight fight at the White House.

However, Pereira’s resume is already seriously impressive. Not only has he won the middleweight championship and the light heavyweight championship, he’s beaten some stellar names in the process.

Sean Strickland, Adesanya, Jan Błachowicz, Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, Khalil Rountree Jr, and Ankalaev have all tasted defeat at the hands of Poatan, giving him a rather impressive professional MMA record of 13-3.

Pereira’s Body Transformation Throughout UFC Years

Dominating three divisions comes with its challenges, none more so than making weight for said division. From middleweight to now heavyweight, Pereira has got himself into shape with relative ease throughout the years, and his body transformation has been highlighted, as can be seen in the above X post by Championship Rounds.

Straight away, it’s easy to see just how much bulkier Pereira’s frame is at heavyweight than what it was at middleweight, and that should be no surprise. At middleweight, the weight limit is 185lbs, whereas at heavyweight, the limit is often around the 265lbs mark.

It’s already been reported that Pereira is weighing around 258lbs as fight week has arrived, meaning he’s in good shape ahead of his debut in the division.

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