The Nation Newspaper

Tag: France

  • France goalkeeper, Lloris gets 20-month ban for drunk-driving

    France’s World Cup-winning Captain Hugo Lloris has been banned from driving for 20 months and fined after pleading guilty to a charge of drink-driving, British media reported on Wednesday.

    The 31-year-old Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper admitted being more than twice above the drink-drive limit of 35 micrograms when he was stopped by police in central London last month.

    Lloris, who won the World Cup with France in July, was fined 50,000 pounds ($65,130.00) at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

    Prosecutor Henry Fitch said police found Lloris in an unmarked car driving at 15mph in a 30mph zone.

    Read Also: Spurs captain Hugo Lloris in surprise drink-drive charge

    The court heard that Lloris veered his car “towards parked vehicles” before correcting himself and went through a red light.

    David Sonn, defending, said the “spectacular fall from grace” was not lost on Lloris.

    “On July 15, he was arguably the proudest man on the planet (having captained France to a World Cup triumph),” Sonn was quoted as saying by the BBC.

    “Just 40 days later, he was arrested. He experienced the indignity of being handcuffed and put in a police station overnight.”

    Lloris, who joined Spurs from Olympique Lyonnais in 2012, apologised for the incident after he was charged by the Metropolitan Police last month.

  • France hopes for good home show against Dutch

    France manager Didier Deschamps believes they need to sharpen up when they play the Netherlands on Sunday in their first home match since winning the World Cup in July following their goalless draw away to Germany.

    The French seemed to be nursing a post-victory hangover when they faced Germany in Munich on Thursday in their first outing since the final, creating only a few chances in the Nations League game compared to their opponents’ half dozen.

    The Germans were eager for redemption after their shock World Cup group stage exit while France at times looked content with a draw.

    “We can do it better. “We are returning home (for Sunday’s game in Paris) but we need to be more efficient.

    “We ran out of steam towards the end and obviously the entire squad is not yet at the peak of their form. Not at this time of the season,” Deschamps said.

    France’s passing was far from accurate and they seemed to lack pace, with forwards Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud, who were so dynamic at the World Cup in Russia, posing no real threat for most of the game.

    Read Also: LaLiga leads the way as France top the world

    It was unlikely, however, that France would instantly pick up where they left off in July, with their players having had limited pre-season preparation following their lengthy World Cup campaign.

    Deschamps’ team can expect days of festivities when they return to Paris but the players will know they need to pick up three points from their next Nations League match as well as put on a show for the French fans.

    “It will be a great feeling because it will be our first match in France since we won the title.

    “But we know we have to get the three points against the Dutch to stay in contention in the Nations League,” Giroud said.

    The Nations League, brainchild of European soccer body UEFA, aims to boost interest in international football.

    It also features all 55 of Europe’s national teams divided into four divisions split into four groups, with games played between September and November.

  • FG partners three countries to tackle cross border crimes

    The Federal Government says it has entered into a new partnership with the governments of Niger, France and the United Kingdom to tackle cross border crimes.

    The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.- Gen.Abdulrahman Dambazau, disclosed this in a statement issued by his Secretary, Mr Ehisienmen Osaigbovo, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Dambazu said the partnership was initiated by the UK and France to strengthen collaboration with Nigeria and Niger Republic in the area of border management, intelligence sharing and legal cooperation.

    He also said that the partnership sought to strengthen cooperation among security agencies of the four countries in combating human trafficking, drugs peddling, illicit arms proliferation and terrorism.

    According to the minster, the partnership is expected to deliver on its objectives 12 months to 36 months.

    Dambazau disclosed that the development was a fallout of a sideline meeting of the four countries at the Regional Conference on Anti-human Trafficking/Smuggling of Migrants held in Niamey, Niger Republic on June 18 and June 19.

  • VAR, goal line technology for 2018/2019 LaLiga Santander

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

    The LaLiga Santander is set to experience new innovations with the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and the goal line technology from the 2018/2019 football season.

    According to Javier Del Rio, the Country Chairman, La Liga Nigeria, the VAR, which recorded huge success during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia will be only be consulted in four instances; when a goal is scored, and it is debated, it will determine if a penalty should be given or not. The machine will further determine if an action deserves a red card or not, and it will be used in identifying a player.

    Del Rio, speaking on Thursday at the West Town Hotel, Lagos, revealed that there will be audio quality improvements and 3D graphics, with more stadiums having sky cameras and the Intel True View system, in the coverage of matches in the Spanish top league.

    The country chairman, speaking about the achievements of the league, affirmed that the Spanish La Liga is the best football league in the World. According to him, “The La Liga is more than the World Cup or UEFA Champions League final.

    “Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona and Sevilla are the top four teams according to the latest rankings released by UEFA. The Spanish La Liga is watched in 182 countries in the world, and 60 million followers on social media.

    “It is also on record that eleven players were in action in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia.

    “The LaLiga Santander can simply be described as entertainment, sports excellence, innovations and passion. The league showcases its gastronomy, culture, leisure and Music.

    Read Also: Goals to rain in LaLiga

    Del Rio noted that the La Liga is not only about the El Classico, there are other big matches like Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid, Levante UD vs Valencia and Real Betis  vs Sevilla. He further revealed that “out of the twenty coaches in the La Liga, fifteen of them are Spanish, and the remaining five are Argentine, and once played in the La Liga”

    Media and Communications co-coordinator, La Liga Nigeria, Ayodeji Adegbenro, revealed that the Spanish league is set to open an office in Lagos, for it to be more operational. He also made it known that there will be trainings for football administrators on 30th and 31st October, 2018 for football administrators. The league will partner with the Lagos Business School.

    SD Huesca will be making their debut bin the season, alongside, Rayo Vallecano and Real Valladolid haven gained promotion from the 2017/2018 Segunda Division.

    The league will welcome new players like Nigerian striker Moses Simon, who joins Levante UD from KAA Gent.  Arturo Vidal, who left FC Bayern Munich to join FC Barcelona, Thiabuis Courtois who joins Real Madrid from Chelsea, after winning the golden glove in the 2018 FIFA World Cup as the best goalkeeper of the tournament,

  • Macron’s aide put on compulsory leave for hitting protester

    An aide to President Emmanuel Macron was put on two weeks compulsory leave after he was seen hitting a street protester in demonstrations in Paris in May, the French president’s spokesman said on Thursday, a decision deemed too soft by opposition leaders.

    Labour unions hold demonstrations every year on May Day in France, which often lead to police intervention.

    A video, shared on social media, showed a man wearing a police helmet hitting a demonstrator with other policemen.

    He was later recognised as a member of the French presidency staff.

    “The collaborator, Alexandre Benalla, had been given permission to witness the demonstrations only as an observer,” Bruno Roger-Petit said in a filmed statement.

    “Clearly, he went beyond this … he was immediately summoned by the president’s chief of staff and given a 15-day suspension. This comes as a punishment for unacceptable behavior,” he said.

    A judiciary source told Reuters the Paris prosecutor had launched an investigation into the matter on Thursday after being made aware of the incident.

    Several opposition leaders voiced criticism over Benalla’s punishment, arguing it was too lenient.

    “This video is shocking. Today, we have the feeling that in Macron’s entourage, one is above the law. It is obvious that Macron has to speak up about this,” Laurent Wauquiez, president of conservative opposition party Les Republicains told Europe 1 radio.

  • After Russia 2018: Lagosians cry over losses to bet

    The early exit of football teams of the supposedly heavy-weight countries at the just concluded world biggest football fiesta tagged “Russia 2018 ‘’, which ended on July 15, resorted into joys to the betting companies.

    It, however, brought agonies to several of those who staked with the betting companies in Lagos for possible claims or dividends, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    Many of such clients have continued to count their losses following the defeat suffered by their preferred teams by their opponents.

    NAN reports that sports betting has now become a booming business in the country for people to make ends meet and sequel to the fact that most of those who indulge in betting have special interests in football in particular.

    Many Nigerians that include: students, adults and upwardly mobile men and women have dominated the customers of the various betting companies and, especially, sports betting.

    The fast pace at which new betting companies with special bias for sports are emerging is alarming and welcoming.

    Some of the betting companies include :Nairabet (the first online sports betting website in Nigeria), Supabets Promotion, Winnersbet, Betland, Surebet247, Merry Bet, NairaStake, GoldenBet, Betcolony, Bet2win, Bet365naija, Bet9ja, 1960bet, 360bet, 9jaPredict, Winners Golden Bet, Lionsbet.

    After the grand finale of the Russia 2018 where Croatia lost to France, a customer who had staked N50, 000 before the match thinking that Croatia would emerge the overall winner wept uncontrollably when he realized that his fortunes had gone into the drain pipes.

    It took the efforts of other fans there to console him and reminded him that participating in the Olympics is not always meant one to win

    After he had regained his composure, he told other fans that he staked such a huge amount on the team because of its sterling performances right from the group stage up to the semi-final.

    “With what happened now, I have learnt my lessons that truly, anything can happen in the game of football,’’ he said.

    Also, another customer, Jamiu Ojo, who staked N20,000 with his belief that  Germany would beat South Korea to advance to the next stage of the world cup went wild when the outcome of the match did not favour him.

    He told NAN that he had recorded more losses than he had won. “I will keep betting because I hope that one day I will hit the jackpot.’’

    He said that like most people, he used to have the impression that betting was an avenue for people to make quick and easy cash.

    “To tell you the truth, it is not easy to make money from betting. Beating the bookmakers is not an easy task.

    “They trick you with good odds, but in the end, only a handful people win.

    “Betting most times requires lots of research and luck, “he said.

    Another staker who simply identified himself as Punmba as his betting identity said, “This World Cup prediction has turned to be a shocker.’’  Punmba told NAN that he lost close to N200,000 to betting during the fiesta.

    “To be honest, I was expecting to make a lot of money during the World Cup because I assumed that there would be high chances of the stronger teams defeating the smaller ones.

    “ However, the underdogs at this World Cup have proved to be up to the task of defeating  the supposedly stronger ones, and this has caused a major upset for me this time around, “he said.

    A report by www.nairaland.com, an online website, stated that “60 million Nigerians between 18 years and 40 years of age spend more than N1 billion daily on sports betting”.

    The report also revealed that “a betting company can generate up to N20 million monthly and use between N5 million and N7 million to meet winners’ obligation in terms of payment”.

    Kunle Olawale, an agent with a betting company, and manages a centre  in Okota area of Lagos State told NAN that he wished he had enough capital to  start his own betting company.

    “These companies make a lot of money. We send loads of cash to their headquarters after the end of each day’s transactions’’.

    Olawale said that the emergence of the betting outfits had increased and boosted business for operators of viewing centres across the nation.

    Also, Adeyinka Samson, the General Manager of SureBet247, explained why the betting business had been expanding so fast during in a press conference.

    “I think that first and foremost, this country has been receptive of the benefits that technology can afford us.

    “Like we all know, betting has been in existence in advanced countries for many years and we are also trying to emulate what is happening in the other parts of the world. “he said.

    NAN reports that just as the business has its negative side, so also its positive side.

    Prof. Godwin Ighalo of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma in Edo,   won over N58 million with just a N800 total bet on 1960BET in 2015.

    Ighalo of the Department Computer Engineering at the University won N58, 945,553, after placing bets with N800 in 1960Bet.

    It had been adjudged as the biggest sum ever won in the history of sports betting in the country.

    He was said to have accomplished the feat after placing bets on two different bet slips of N500 and N300.

    Ighalo speaking then on how he was able to achieve the feat said,   “Since my childhood days, I used to have strong interests in probability, relationships and special intelligence. All these with adequate sports betting research I conducted over the years, helped in making it possible.” –

    The don was quoted as saying that he had been placing bets for no less than 25 years and had the faith that one day luck would shine on him.

  • Russia 2018: Time for Africans to be champions – Odegbami

    Ex-Nigeria international and sports administrator, Segun Odegbami, on Monday urged an African country to bring the World Cup to the continent.

    Odegbami told our reporters in Ota, Ogun State, that instead of mere participation in the tournament, it was time an African country to return home with the cup which had eluded the continent since the championship started in 1930.

    The sports administrator was reacting to the outcome of the just concluded Russia 2018 World Cup which France won by defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow.

    France won the World Cup for the second time in a spectacular style in one of the most entertaining and action-packed games of the tournament.

    Read Also: Odegbami sends Goodwill Message

    The ex-international stressed the need for an African country to work hard so as to join the list of World Cup winners.

    Odegbami, however, commended France for their brilliant efforts to win the 2018 World Cup.

    According to him, the trophy went to the team that deserved it, adding that the French team used the final match to stamp their foot in the competition.

    “I salute France and all our African brothers in the victorious team for doing the black man proud,” he said.

    NAN

  • LaLiga leads the way as France top the world

    …11 LaLiga players were involved in Sunday’s World Cup final in Moscow, more than from any other league

     

    LaLiga’s huge influence on this summer’s World Cup continued right through to Sunday’s final, with MVP Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid scoring one and setting up two as France topped Croatia 4-2. Meanwhile, Real Madrid midfielder and Croatia captain Luka Modric was voted player of the tournament despite his country falling just short at the final hurdle.

    11 LaLiga players were involved in the decider at Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium, more than any other league. Griezmann clinched his third MVP award of the tournament with an impressive performance. It was his free-kick that was knocked into the net for the game’s opening goal, his penalty which put France 2-1 up and his assist which led to France’s third.

    Atletico defender Lucas Hernandez laid on France’s fourth and final goal, with his fellow defenders Samuel Umtiti of Barcelona and Raphael Varane of Real Madrid also impressing, while Sevilla’s Steven N’Zonzi was a second half substitute as Les Bleus saw out their victory.

    Modric shone albeit in defeat and was awarded the 2018 ‘Golden Ball’ for his contribution over the month in Russia. This included a penalty in the opening game victory over Nigeria, a tremendous 20-yard strike in the unforgettable 3-0 victory over Argentina and shoot-out spot-kicks converted against Denmark and Russia during the knock-out stages.

    Croatia also had Barça’s Ivan Rakitic in midfield in Sunday’s final along with Atletico’s Sime Vrsaljko at right-back, while Mateo Kovacic was on the bench. New Atletico signing Thomas Lemar and Barça’s Ousmane Dembele were unused subs for France.

    It was a fitting end to a tournament at which LaLiga stars have been prominent throughout, right from the opening game when Villarreal’s Denis Cheryshev scored twice for Russia in the hosts’ 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. The following month of games then saw 24 different LaLiga players from ten different Spanish clubs score 40 goals in total. LaLiga stars were named MVP in 21 of the 64 games as 81 players from across LaLiga Santander and LaLiga 1l2l3 represented their countries.

    Among the standout stars was Barça’s Philippe Coutinho, who provided two goals and two assists as his team were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Belgium, for whom Real Sociedad’s Adnan Januzaj got on the score sheet in the group stages.

    There were countless other memorable moments involving LaLiga stars, including Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos’s sensational last-gasp strike for Germany against Sweden, Atletico centre-forward Diego Costa’s three goals for Spain and Lionel Messi’s superb solo effort in their victory over Nigeria. Camp Nou teammates Luis Suarez and Yerry Mina hit the net twice and three times for Uruguay and Colombia respectively.

    Other LaLiga interventions during the group stages included Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas and Malaga striker Youssef En-Nesyri both scoring as late substitutes in Spain and Morocco’s 2-2 draw. Japan midfielder Takashi Inui, who has just completed his move to Real Betis from Eibar, scored against both Senegal and Belgium while Saudi Arabia’s match winner in their final group game against Egypt was Villarreal’s Salem Al-Dawsari.

    This summer’s World Cup has truly showcased the breadth of LaLiga’s quality, talent and its true international reach, leaving fans worldwide to eagerly await the start of the 2018/19 Spanish season next month.

  • Dons hail World Cup champion France

    Two Associate Professors at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Monday congratulated France for emerging winners of the World Cup in Russia.

    The Nation reports that France beat Croatia 4-2 on Sunday at the just concluded tournament held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

    Chuka Chukwube, Associate Professor of Russia Language said that he was happy with France’s victory from a competition he described as “very interesting from the onset.”

    Chukwube said that he supported France at the finals because of the many black players of African descent that made up the team.

    “The world cup has been very dramatic and entertaining since it started with countries who paraded big stars being knocked out at the early stages.

    “France deserved to win because they had a complete representation of the human race in their team.

    “They had a lot of talented black players who rose to the occasion and delivered in terms of ball control, strategy and netting goals.

    “Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe were exceptional and played a major role to the opportunities that led to the goals, ” the professor said.

    Also, Boniface Igbeneghu, Associate Professor of French Language commended Croatia for getting to the finals for the first time in the history of the World Cup.

    Read Also: Russia 2018: Will Smith performs in closing Ceremony

    Igbeneghu said that the Croatians played well but were no match for the superior prowess of the French team which had different races from different countries.

    “I was confident all along that France will emerge winners of the World Cup; the French team played beautifully well and defended their quarter from conceding unnecessary goals.

    “I congratulate them for a well deserved victory, ” he said.

    Meanwhile, Jemike Okoroji, a French lecturer with Alliance Française said that the victory would be memorable for France that last won the World Cup 20 years ago.

  • Breaking! France wins FIFA 2018 World Cup

    France are Champions of the World again.

    The French lifted the World Cup for the second time by ending Croatia’s dream of a first title with a 4-2 victory on Sunday in one of the most entertaining and action-packed finals in decades.

      France led 2-1 at halftime after a Mario Mandzukic own goal and an Antoine Griezmann VAR penalty, with Ivan Perisic briefly bringing first-time finalists Croatia level.

    Quickfire strikes by Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe midway through the second half put France on course for the title but Mandzukic was gifted a goal by French keeper Hugo Lloris to set up a nervous last 20 minutes.

    France, however, withstood a spirited Croatia assault to lift the trophy for the second time, following their success on home soil 20 years ago, and ensure there was no repeat of two years ago when they were beaten in the European Championship final by Portugal in Paris.

    The victory means that Didier Deschamps, captain of the 1998 side, becomes the third man to win the World Cup as player and coach after Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer.

    It was the highest-scoring final since England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra-time in 1966 and the highest in normal time since Brazil beat Sweden 5-2 60 years ago.

    The landmarks came thick and fast in the first half too.

    But France’s defence, so impressive all tournament, held and they went 3-1 up on the hour as Mbappe and Griezmann combined to set up Pogba on the edge of the box. His right-footed shot was blocked but he coolly curved the rebound in with his left.

    After three successive extra-time knockout games the chances of another Croatian comeback seemed slight but they looked dead and buried six minutes later. Lucas Hernandez tore down the left to set up Mbappe who drilled a low shot beyond keeper Danijel Subasic for the 19-year-old’s fourth goal of the tournament.

    An awful blunder by Lloris revived Croatia, as the French keeper tried to dribble around Mandzukic only for the striker to tap the ball straight into an unguarded net.

    Croatia, beaten by the French in the semi-finals in their first World Cup appearance in 1998, continued to press but their energy was sapped and France safely held out for the victory.

    • France 4-2 Croatia
    • Mandzukic scores after Lloris howler (69)
    • Mbappe adds fourth (65)
    • Pogba scores France’s third (59)
    • Griezmann scores from spot (38)
    • VAR intervenes to hand France a penalty
    • Perisic equalises for Croatia (28)
    • Mandzukic og gives France lead (18)
    • France and Croatia unchanged

    THE GOALS

    GOAL! FRANCE 4-2 CROATIA (Mandzukic, 69)

    Or are they? A Hugo Lloris howler has handed Croatia a lifeline…

    There’s a no real danger at all as Lloris takes a touch. He has options to his right and down field but he chooses to pass the ball back to the left where Mandzukic is waiting. The Croatia striker cannot believe his lucks as the ball hits his foot and finds its way into the back of the net.

    It’s a moment Lloris will not want to see again and he’ll be hoping it doesn’t prove too costly!

     

    GOAL! FRANCE 4-1 CROATIA (Mbappe, 65)

    France are running away with this now as Mbappe comes to the party! He picks the ball up 25 yards from goal before drilling a low shot past Subasic and into the bottom corner for his fourth goal of the tournament.

    GOAL! FRANCE 3-1 CROATIA (Pogba, 59)

    What a crucial goal that could prove to be! Pogba starts the move himself by releasing Mbappe. The French youngsters cutback reaches Griezmann, who lays the ball off to Pogba. The Manchester United’s initial shot is blocked but he gets another chance, steering the ball past Subasic and into the corner of the net.

     

    GOAL! FRANCE 2-1 CROATIA (Griezmann PEN, 38)

    France regain the lead. Griezmann was coolness personified, letting the goalkeeper dive one way before rolling the ball into the opposite corner.

     

    GOAL! FRANCE 1-1 CROATIA (Perisic, 29)

    Croatia are back on level terms thanks to a stunning strike from Peresic. Vrsaljko heads Modric’s free-kick back across goal to Peresic on the edge of the penalty area. he takes a touch, shifting the ball past Kante before drilling a powerful shot past Lloris and into the bottom corner. Game on!

     

    GOAL! FRANCE 1-0 CROATIA (Mandzukic OG, 18)

    It’s a goal that’s come totally against the run of play! Griezmann whips a free-kick into the penalty area. The ball flicks off the head of Mandzukic and nestles into the far corner of the net. It’s a big blow for Croatia, who started the game so brightly.

     

    LINE-UPS

    France: Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Lucas, Mbappe-Lottin, Pogba, Kante, Matuidi, Griezmann, Giroud. Subs: Mandanda, Kimpembe, Lemar, Dembele, Tolisso, Nzonzi, Rami, Fekir, Sidibe, Thauvin, Mendy, Areola.

    Didier Deschamps is looking to guide Les Bleus to their second world triumph

    Croatia: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Rebic, Rakitic, Brozovic, Perisic, Modric, Mandzukic. Subs: Livakovic, Corluka, Kovacic, Kramaric, Jedvaj, Bradaric, Caleta-Car, Badelj, Pjaca, Pivaric, Lovre Kalinic.

    Croatia are aiming for their maiden title after reaching final for the first time 

    Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina)