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Football Association upholds Lisandro Martínez's three-match ban for hair pulling
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Football Association's disciplinary panel has affirmed the three-match suspension for Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez following his red card for pulling the hair of Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin during a Premier League match. The independent regulatory commission rejected Manchester United’s appeal against both the red card and the punishment. Martínez was dismissed for violent conduct after the VAR advised the referee to review the incident. The panel stated that hair pulling "ought not to be tolerated" in football and should be discouraged through consistent punishment. While acknowledging varying levels of risk in different forms of violent conduct, the panel stressed that hair pulling must be taken seriously. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick had criticized the decision, arguing Martínez's actions were not violent conduct and that he was "off balance and grappling." However, the disciplinary panel disagreed, noting Calvert-Lewin's reaction and confirmation that his hair had been pulled. The commission found no "obvious error" in the referee's decision. Martínez has already served part of his suspension and will miss upcoming matches against Brentford and Liverpool. The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel also supported the referee’s decision. Hair-pulling, though not explicitly listed in the Laws of the Game, is considered violent conduct as it is not a legitimate challenge for the ball. A similar incident earlier in the season involv
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The Allied People's Movement APM has accused the Nigerian Presidency, led by President Bola Tinubu, of misleading citizens by portraying a letter from United States President Donald Trump as an endorsement of its counter-terrorism performance. The APM argues that Trump's letter merely acknowledged President Tinubu's resolve and commitment to addressing insecurity, rather than commending any concrete achievements in the fight against terrorism. Abubakar Yusuf, APM National Publicity Secretary, challenged the Presidency to identify any part of Trump's letter that praised Tinubu for tangible results. The Presidency had announced on Wednesday that Trump commended Tinubu's administration's security efforts, with Tinubu's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stating that Trump also mentioned the deployment of US Special Operations Forces to train the Nigerian military. The APM, in a statement released on Thursday, described the Presidency's interpretation as an attempt to create a false impression of the country's security situation. The party quoted Trump's July 6, 2026, letter, which read, "Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people. I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities..." The APM reiterated that the letter speaks of resolve and commitment, not specific achievement
The Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, South-West region, has opposed a proposed ban on preaching inside commercial vehicles, stating it could infringe on citizens' constitutional rights. This stance follows the Senate's passage of the Federal Road Safety Corps Amendment Bill, 2026, which includes a N50,000 fine for preaching, hawking, or trading in commercial vehicles. Bishop Barnabas Akinsanya, South-West Chairman of CAN, issued a statement acknowledging the government's commitment to road safety but expressed concerns that the bill's provisions might restrict fundamental freedoms such as thought, conscience, religion, and expression. CAN argues that prohibiting religious preaching without direct evidence of a public safety threat could be seen as an unnecessary restriction on religious freedom and lead to public tension. The association also highlighted that many Nigerians rely on informal trading for survival and urged the government to prioritize policies that create employment and reduce poverty instead of worsening economic hardship. CAN appealed to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to withhold assent to the bill in its current form and to consult with stakeholders, including religious bodies and civil society organizations, to create legislation that balances road safety with constitutional rights and national unity.
Arsenal is reportedly preparing a £70m offer for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes to strengthen their midfield for the upcoming season. The Brazil international is a priority target for the Premier League champions, who aim to add quality and experience to their squad. Guimaraes is believed to be open to joining Arsenal, and Newcastle is aware of his preference for the North London club. While talks have intensified, it is uncertain if the £70m bid will be sufficient for Newcastle to release their captain. Arsenal is maintaining a strict approach to transfer valuations, unwilling to exceed their assessment of a player's worth, as seen with their previous interest in Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers, where they refused to match Chelsea’s £117m offer. Arsenal is also prioritizing defensive reinforcements, with Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa as their first-choice target, and has made inquiries about his availability. Como defender Jacobo Ramon is also on their shortlist, though contract clause complications could hinder a deal. After failing to sign Rogers, Arsenal is still seeking attacking additions, with Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez considered a dream target, despite potential cost and his reported preference for Barcelona. The Gunners have also explored a move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola as manager Mikel Arteta continues to build a competitive squad.