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Ajayi confirmed for Diamond League final

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Nigerian record holder Kayinsola Ajayi has been confirmed to compete in the men’s 100m at the Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels, Belgium, on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Wanda Diamond League Final will take place at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme in Brussels.

Although Ajayi did not qualify for the final through the points standings, he is eligible to compete as a global wildcard based on his world ranking this year.

According to the Diamond League rules, meeting organisers can invite up to four global wildcard athletes — two men and two women — to compete at the Wanda Diamond League Final.

“A global wild card athlete must have competed in at least one Diamond League meeting in the course of the season, and must fulfil at least one of the following criteria in their chosen discipline: World record holder, reigning world, Olympic or Diamond League champion, top five in the World Athletics rankings of their event, top 20 in the overall World Athletics rankings,” the rules state.

Ajayi makes the cut as the fourth-fastest man in the world in the 100m this year, behind Olympic champion Noah Lyles, world champion Oblique Seville and Commonwealth Games champion Emmanuel Eseme.

The 21-year-old has also won two Diamond League races this season, in London and at the Prefontaine Classic.

However, the Diamond League rules also state that, “No competition which already contains a national wild card athlete can also contain a global wild card athlete.”

Already, Belgium’s Simon Verherstraeten has been added as a national wildcard to the men’s 100m line-up, but Ajayi can still race following the withdrawal of African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala.

See also  Amusan wins silver at World Athletics Championships

In the event of victory, Ajayi will be crowned Diamond League champion and receive the Diamond Trophy, but will not receive the full prize money.

Ajayi has had a remarkable season, breaking the Nigerian 100m record with a time of 9.84 seconds at the 2026 NCAA Division I East First Round in the United States in May.

His mark lowered Olusoji Fasuba’s 20-year-old Nigerian record of 9.85 seconds.

He also won the NCAA title before adding Commonwealth Games bronze in the men’s 100m.

On Sunday, he ran the 15th sub-10-second race of his career in Switzerland.

Source: punchng.com

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PSG’s Kvaratskhelia to undergo surgery after ACL rupture – Official

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Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will undergo surgery in the coming days after suffering a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

PSG announced the injury update on their official X account following the Georgian international’s forced withdrawal from Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League match against FC Barcelona.

“Kvaratskhelia sustained the injury before the hour mark while tracking back to challenge a Barcelona player. He was unable to put weight on his right leg and had to be helped off the pitch by medical staff,” the post read.

The diagnosis confirmed initial concerns about the severity of the knee injury, dealing a setback to the winger, who had been in strong form for the French champions.

PSG also confirmed injuries to forward Ousmane Dembélé and Brazilian defender Marquinhos.

Dembélé suffered a muscle injury in his left thigh during the first half, while Marquinhos sustained an injury to his right thigh after the break.

According to the club’s medical update, both players will remain under medical care over the coming weeks as they continue their recovery.

The three injuries present a selection challenge for manager Luis Enrique ahead of PSG’s upcoming domestic and European fixtures.

Kvaratskhelia’s recovery timeline will depend on his surgery and subsequent rehabilitation, while Dembélé and Marquinhos will continue to be monitored by the club’s medical team.

Source: punchng.com

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See also  SAFA President, Danny Jordan Backs Nigeria To Beat DR Congo In World Cup Playoff
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La Liga: PSG defeat will not affect El Clásico – Raphinha

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Barcelona captain Raphinha has insisted that the 4-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain will have no impact on Sunday’s El Clásico against Real Madrid.

In a post obtained from football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano on X on Wednesday, asked after the match at the Parc des Princes whether the loss could affect the high-profile La Liga clash, the Brazilian gave a clear response: “No.”

Raphinha downplayed the result, stressing that Barcelona had competed well against the back-to-back European champions on their home ground.

He noted that the team had only dropped three points and that the focus had already shifted to preparing for Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou.

The forward also suggested a possible future reunion with PSG in the Champions League.

He said, “There are big chances of meeting PSG on our way again in UCL this season.

“Why not? They are back to back champions and we want to win the UCL, two top teams fighting for the title… there are good possibilities.”

Manager Hansi Flick supported the squad’s readiness by confirming he had deliberately rested midfielder Rodri against PSG.

He said, “Yes. He played a lot of minutes with the national team, also,” Flick said. “At the end, Rodri is fresh for Sunday.”

Barcelona now turn their full attention to the Clásico, determined to put the Paris setback behind them.

Source: punchng.com

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EPL: FRC takes over inquiries into Man City accounting irregularities- Report

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The Financial Reporting Council has confirmed it is leading inquiries into accounting irregularities at Manchester City.

As reported by the BBC on Tuesday, in a letter to the House of Commons Business, Culture, Energy and Sport Committee, the FRC stated it took over “regulatory consideration” of the case from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales on 30 September. No formal investigation has begun, but the regulator is making inquiries.

The move follows an independent commission’s finding that Manchester City were guilty of all charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.

The commission concluded the club artificially inflated its financial position by more than £900 million. City are appealing the verdict, describing it as containing “material errors of law, principle and fact and is unsafe.”

The FRC has greater resources and powers than the previous body and can examine whether BDO, Manchester City’s auditors, conducted the audits in line with the rules. It can also apply sanctions to individuals, such as directors or employees who are members of professional accountancy bodies.

The independent commission found that the club gave a “misleading impression” of a scheme used to disguise the origin of shareholder funds, leaving the auditors “unaware” of it.

BDO, the UK’s fifth-biggest accounting firm and a major player in football auditing, advised more Premier League and Championship clubs than any other firm.

Liam Byrne, chair of the business select committee, highlighted gaps in the FRC’s powers.

In a post on X, he wrote: “The regulator’s letter exposes gaps in its ability to compel evidence from the club and pursue directors who fall outside its disciplinary rules.

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“This raises serious questions about the powers available to hold companies and directors to account. The government has a responsibility to explain why reforms to close these gaps were abandoned, and what will now be done to strengthen accountability.”

Source: punchng.com

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