Premier League
Axe falls again on previously banned Imamu Maliki, referee of Bendel Insurance versus Remo Stars match
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Imamu Maliki Umar of Kano who refereed the Bendel Insurance versus Remo Stars on Sunday has been sidelined alongside the assistant referee Sunday Azi from Plateau State.
Both are among the 14 referees that are being sanctioned in the current Nigeria Premier League.
Last year, the NFF banned the same referee for two years, but surprisingly has made a return before the expiration of the ban.
On July 8, 2022, in a match between Niger Tornadoes FC Vs. Lobi Stars FC the NFF Committee ruled that Imam Malik Umar was banned from all football related activities for two years.
On Sunday in Benin, back-in-action Imamu Maliki belatedly ruled a foul throw that preceded the goal by Remo Stars after his assistant referee Sunday Azi from Plateau State raised his flag after almost five passes of the ball that eventually resulted into the controversially disallowed goal.
Both officials are among the 14 referees that have now been benched.
Their poor performances ruled the media space and apparently prompted the Referee Development Unit of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to act.
In aftermath, the axe has fallen on 14 referees. Incidentally, matches involving Niger Tornadoes had the most recurring controversial refereeing.
In seven matches in which referees were sanctioned, three involved Niger Tornadoes.
In their Matchday 2 home match with Rivers United, Referee Bawa Buhari of Gombe has been sanctioned. So also are referee Chukuka Jahlove of Anambra State and Assistant Referee Akinwale Tomiwa of Oyo State, both officials in Niger Tornadoes home game against Bayelsa United on Matchday 4.
Their Matchday 5 duel with Sporting Lagos also had controversial officiating leading to the sanctioning of Assistant Referee II, Zechariah Nde of Delta State.
Also under the hammer are Referee Saeed Abdulaziz of Katsina State and Assistant Referee Jimmy Aimugbonrie of Edo State who handled the Gombe United versus Plateau United Matchday 5 match.
Perhaps the most controversial officiating decision was in the Kwara United home game with Sporting Lagos when a penalty kick was awarded even when the ‘offending’ player had his hands at his back while the ball hit him just above his torso.
The officials sanctioned are Referee Brown Ebenezer of Abia State and Assistant Referee Atuwho Morrison of Delta State.
In the Matchday 6 of the Sunshine Stars versus Abia Warriors, all unnamed four match officials are sanctioned.
The memo conveying the sanctioning was sent to the Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Premier League by the Referee Development Unit of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)
Premier League
Maguire handed suspended prison sentence for 2020 brawl

England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended prison sentence by a Greek court over a 2020 incident in Mykonos, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday.
In 2020, Maguire was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery and violence against public employees after his arrest in a brawl in which two police officers were assaulted.
Maguire, who was detained for two days following the incident and denied any wrongdoing, was handed a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days but was granted a full retrial after appealing against Greek court convictions on multiple charges.
In accordance with the Greek judicial process, the filing nullified Maguire’s conviction before a full retrial in a more senior court. His retrial was postponed many times.
Maguire faced allegations of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. The 32-year-old was convicted on all three counts but will face no prison time. His legal team will appeal against the guilty verdict, Sky Sports reported.
Maguire’s brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty of offences related to the incident and received suspended prison sentences in 2020. They also denied any wrongdoing.
-Reuters
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Premier League
Timber header earns Arsenal crucial win over Chelsea

Arsenal maintained control of the Premier League title race as they chiselled out a nervy 2-1 win over London rivals Chelsea to open up a five-point lead at the top of the table on Sunday.
Jurrien Timber’s 66th-minute header from a Declan Rice corner ensured Arsenal took three precious points, but it was a nervy afternoon in north London.
Mikel Arteta’s side moved to 64 points from 29 games, with Manchester City, who have played a game fewer, on 59.

Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber celebrates scoring their second goal with Gabriel Magalhaes REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Defender William Saliba had given Arsenal the lead in the 21st minute from a trademark corner routine.
But it had looked as though an own goal by Piero Hincapie just before halftime would prove costly for the hosts until Timber came to their rescue.
Chelsea, whose six-match unbeaten league sequence under new manager Liam Rosenior was halted, ended the match with 10 men after Pedro Neto was sent off for a second yellow card.
-Reuters
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Premier League
Manchester United climb to third in Premier League table with come-from-behind win over Palace

Manchester United produced a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Crystal Palace 2–1 at Old Trafford on Sunday, with captain Bruno Fernandes inspiring the turnaround that lifted the hosts into third place in the Premier League standings.
Trailing inside four minutes after a dominant start by Palace, United responded through a Fernandes penalty before his pinpoint free-kick was headed home by Benjamin Sesko to seal victory against the 10-man visitors.
The win extended interim manager Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run to seven matches since taking charge in mid-January. United now have 51 points from 28 games and are unbeaten since the January 5 dismissal of Ruben Amorim, climbing into third for the first time since May 2023. Palace remain 14th on 35 points.
“It feels like a big result, we were behind and had to show some character,” Fernandes told Sky Sports. “There are a lot of games to go still, and it is important that we don’t feel that we are in the position that we need to be. We need to make as many points as we can.”
Palace, under Oliver Glasner, were electric in the opening half hour, capitalising on sluggish United play. Defender Maxence Lacroix powered home a header from a corner after muscling past Leny Yoro, scoring the earliest goal United have conceded this season.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage when Daniel Munoz latched onto an Ismaila Sarr through ball, but goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced a crucial save.
United gradually found their rhythm before the break. Sesko forced Dean Henderson into action with a header from a Fernandes cross, and the Palace keeper also tipped a Fernandes free kick over the bar.
The turning point arrived in the 57th minute when Fernandes converted from the penalty spot after Matheus Cunha was dragged down by Lacroix. Following a lengthy VAR review, Lacroix was shown a red card, reducing Palace to 10 men.
Eight minutes later, Fernandes’ delivery again proved decisive as Sesko rose highest to nod home the winning goal.
United pushed for a third, with Casemiro’s volley drawing a diving save from Henderson and substitute Amad Diallo testing the keeper from distance in stoppage time. Joshua Zirkzee saw efforts blocked, while Kobbie Mainoo’s fierce strike drifted narrowly wide.
Carrick praised his team’s resilience. “The biggest thing for us to take from the game is really the first time that we have been in that situation going in at halftime,” he said. “Being in that position and how we react and showing that personality and belief… to then come back as we did in the second half is the biggest thing for me today.”
Palace pressed late but could not find an equaliser. Glasner admitted his side had let the game slip. “It feels like there was more possible today. A great first 30 minutes, but the red card changed it completely. The second goal just happened too quickly.”
For United, the victory reinforces growing belief under Carrick that a top-four finish—and a return to Europe’s elite competition—is firmly within reach.
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