Players and staff of the Senegal national team have paraded the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in front of fans in France, despite being officially stripped of the title just days earlier.

The controversial celebration took place ahead of a sold-out friendly against Peru at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Cheers erupted as captain Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy held the silverware aloft for the Parisian crowd.

The squad then completed a lap of honour and posed for group photographs with the cup.

Appeal launched after forfeit ruling

The Lions of Teranga originally secured a dramatic extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in January’s chaotic tournament finale.

However, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) revoked that triumph on 18 March after ruling the team had officially forfeited the match.

Manager Pape Thiaw had instructed his players to leave the pitch following the award of a late Moroccan penalty, causing a lengthy delay before they returned.

Despite the eventual victory sealed by Pape Gueye’s long-range strike, the governing body determined the walk-off constituted an automatic 3-0 default loss.

‘Grossly unfair administrative robbery’

The West African nation fundamentally rejects the disciplinary decision and continues to operate as the reigning continental champions.

Officials have proudly added a second star to the national team’s kit to commemorate the disputed success alongside their 2021 victory.

Senegal Football Federation president Abdoulaye Fall vehemently condemned the governing body’s intervention.

“This is the most grossly unfair administrative robbery in the history of the sport.”

A formal complaint has now been lodged with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), though a final legal resolution may take several months.

Manchester City require just five more points to clinch the 2025-26 Women’s Super League title following the latest round of domestic fixtures.

The current league leaders are firmly in control of their own destiny as the campaign approaches its dramatic conclusion.

Securing those crucial final results would guarantee the prestigious trophy returns to the Joie Stadium.

This dominant championship charge has been built upon a solid foundation of relentless attacking football and an incredibly resolute defensive structure.

Chasing down domestic glory

Avoiding any unexpected late-season stumbles remains the absolute primary focus for the talented squad.

Rival clubs are rapidly running out of available matches to mathematically close the gap at the summit of the standings.

Supporters will be keeping a constant eye on the live table as every single goal shifts the championship permutations.

Maintaining elite consistency

A triumph this year would add another glorious chapter to the rich modern history of the formidable northern outfit.

Their impressive consistency throughout the demanding 2025-26 schedule has left chasing opponents entirely unable to keep pace.

Ceri Holland has converted an early penalty to give Liverpool a deserved advantage over local rivals Everton in the Women’s Super League Merseyside derby.

The spot-kick was awarded in the opening stages of the fiercely contested encounter, allowing the visitors to establish immediate control.

Stepping up to the mark, the experienced midfielder made no mistake from twelve yards to break the deadlock.

Derby day momentum

Securing an early breakthrough is crucial in high-stakes regional clashes, shifting the immediate pressure onto the home side.

The Reds have historically relished these intense cross-city fixtures, aiming to assert their dominance in the top flight of English women’s football.

Meanwhile, the Toffees must now regroup quickly and find a way back into the contest against their heavily motivated neighbours.

Pushing for WSL dominance

The visiting squad have shown significant attacking intent from the first whistle, completely justifying their advantage on the balance of early play.

Maintaining this slender lead will require sustained defensive discipline as the fierce domestic rivalry unfolds over the remaining minutes.

Tottenham Hotspur will allow Yves Bissouma to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season, regardless of their ongoing Premier League relegation battle.

The north London club have decided against triggering a 12-month extension clause in the midfielder’s expiring contract.

It brings an end to a challenging four-year spell for the Mali international, who has struggled for consistent form and discipline.

Off-field issues and relegation fears

The former Brighton player has endured a frustrating individual campaign characterised by limited first-team opportunities.

His season reached a low point following a string of off-field incidents, which included being dropped for lateness by former manager Thomas Frank.

Spurs are enduring a disastrous season overall and currently sit just one point above the relegation zone with seven matches remaining.

The hierarchy are actively searching for a permanent replacement for interim boss Igor Tudor in an attempt to salvage their top-flight status.

Midfield rebuild already underway

Despite the looming threat of dropping into the Championship, club executives are pressing ahead with summer recruitment plans.

Replacing the departing 29-year-old is not considered a primary concern given the emergence of young talents Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray.

Established options such as Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr remain key figures in the squad alongside prospect Callum Olusesi.

The Lilywhites must also resolve the future of Joao Palhinha, who is currently at the club on loan.

Potential transfer targets identified

Interest in the outgoing ball-winner has already surfaced from clubs across France, Turkey, the United States, and Saudi Arabia.

However, once-prominent interest from rival Premier League sides appears to have completely diminished.

Should Tottenham seek external reinforcements to bolster their squad, several tactical options have been linked with a move to north London:

Harry Maguire has strongly criticised the officiating during England’s draw with Uruguay at Wembley after Ronald Araujo avoided a red card for a heavy challenge on Phil Foden.

The Manchester City playmaker was forced off the pitch following an aggressive follow-through from the Barcelona defender.

Foden immediately went down in pain and had to be replaced by Cole Palmer just minutes later.

England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed his clear frustration to the fourth official on the touchline.

Maguire questions standard of officiating

Maguire admitted the failure to dismiss Araujo was incredibly difficult for the home side to accept.

He told ITV: “You don’t see tackles like that and not get red cards.”

“A couple of months from the World Cup and we’ve got referees allowing tackles like that… It’s disappointing,” the Manchester United centre-back added.

“We have to move on and manage the game better and come away with the victory.”

VAR denies returning White a winning goal

The controversial tackle was not the only flashpoint on a frustrating Friday night for the Three Lions.

Ben White had initially marked his return to the international setup with the opening goal of the game.

The Arsenal defender recently returned to the squad under Tuchel following a prolonged absence during the previous managerial regime.

However, his successful comeback was marred in stoppage time when a VAR review penalised him for a challenge on Federico Vinas.

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick and rescue a late draw for the South American side.

‘A real soft penalty’

Maguire was quick to defend his international team-mate over the decisive late incident.

“A bit crazy, scoring the first goal, I thought he was brilliant when he came on,” Maguire stated.

“I can’t say anything about the defending for that one – if that was me in that position I’d be attempting to block the shot as well.”

“That’s what we’ve got to do. That’s a real soft penalty.”

Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz scored twice and provided two assists as Germany began their World Cup preparations with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Switzerland in Basel.

The 22-year-old has endured a challenging debut campaign at Anfield since his £116m transfer from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

However, the playmaker cut a revitalised figure on international duty for Julian Nagelsmann’s side.

He was instrumental in all four German goals during an entertaining encounter against the Swiss.

Stunning strikes mask defensive flaws

After setting up two first-half goals before the break, the former Leverkusen star took complete control of the match.

He curled a stunning strike from the edge of the penalty area into the top corner to give his nation the lead in the 61st minute.

Following a swift equaliser from the hosts, the versatile attacker delivered the decisive blow with a superb finish just five minutes from time.

His match-winning performance successfully papered over a mistake-riddled defensive showing from the visitors.

Media praise for ‘magical’ playmaker

The German press were quick to laud the young talent for his dominant display.

National newspaper Bild awarded him a perfect rating of one and labelled him their “linchpin in attack”.

Die Welt noted the stark contrast between his international form and his recent domestic struggles in the Premier League.

“At least Wirtz, who had long seemed out of sorts in Liverpool, displayed a joy for the game, setting up the first two goals and crowning his performance with two stunning goals.”

Sky Sports Germany described the forward as an “outstanding magician” who has raised hopes for future tournament success.

Ghana test awaits

Nagelsmann will be hoping his key man can replicate this spectacular form as preparations intensify.

The national team resume their schedule on Monday when they host Ghana in Stuttgart.

A similarly dominant showing will be expected from the Premier League midfielder to cement his status as the squad’s most pivotal player.

Liverpool have held internal discussions over a summer move for 19-year-old Tottenham Hotspur defender Luka Vuskovic.

The highly-rated Croatian is currently spending the season on loan at German side Hamburg.

Several elite European clubs are monitoring his impressive debut campaign in the Bundesliga.

The teenager is reportedly reluctant to return to north London next season amid the looming threat of Premier League relegation for Spurs.

Real Madrid and Barcelona join the race

European heavyweights Barcelona and Real Madrid are also seriously considering a move for the young centre-back.

Former Croatian international Ivan Rakitic has personally recommended the imposing defender to the Catalan giants.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid view the 1.93m ball-playing talent as a potential alternative to current Anfield favourite Ibrahima Konate.

If the French international departs Merseyside upon the expiry of his contract, the Reds have identified the Spurs youngster as his ideal replacement.

Anfield prepares for major summer overhaul

A potential defensive reshuffle comes during a period of significant transition for the six-time European champions.

Mohamed Salah recently confirmed his departure at the end of the current campaign via an emotional farewell video.

The club’s hierarchy are already exploring attacking successors, with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise on their radar.

This upcoming rebuild follows an unprecedented £415m spending spree in 2025, which included a club-record £125m acquisition of striker Alexander Isak.

Further changes are expected in the dugout, with a 44-year-old manager reportedly ready to replace departing head coach Arne Slot.

Why is the teenager in high demand?

Modern top-flight clubs prioritise several elite traits that make the former Hajduk Split prospect an outstanding target.

Three Tottenham Hotspur fan groups have urged the club to abandon any potential appointment of Roberto De Zerbi due to his previous public support for forward Mason Greenwood.

Spurs are currently navigating a severe slump, suffering five defeats in their last seven matches to leave them threatened by Premier League relegation.

Interim head coach Igor Tudor remains under mounting pressure, though no final decision has been made on his future as he deals with the recent passing of his father.

Speculation has increasingly linked the permanent managerial vacancy to the 45-year-old Italian tactician, who departed Marseille in February.

Fan backlash over Greenwood comments

The strong opposition from supporter groups Proud Lilywhites, Women of the Lane, and Spurs Reach centres entirely on the former Brighton manager’s time working with Greenwood in France.

The English attacker was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in October 2022.

Those charges were subsequently dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew their involvement.

During their time together at the Ligue 1 club last November, the coach controversially described the player as a “good guy” who had paid a “heavy price” for his situation.

Values and identity in question

LGBTQI+ supporters network Proud Lilywhites issued a strong statement declaring that appointing the out-of-work manager would fundamentally contradict the core values of the North London institution.

“When someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, and frames it in a way that downplays the seriousness of what happened, it matters.”

The group emphasised that off-pitch integrity and inclusivity cannot be compromised or treated as secondary to footballing results.

“We are asking for accountability, transparency and leadership that reflects the values this club claims to stand for.”

Women of the Lane echoed these sentiments, highlighting the severe distress the managerial speculation is causing among female supporters and allies within the fanbase.

Summer assessment remains likely

Despite the growing ‘No to De Zerbi’ campaign, an immediate arrival in the capital appears highly improbable for logistical reasons.

It is understood the former Shakhtar Donetsk boss is unwilling to accept a mid-season rescue mission and intends to evaluate his options during the summer transfer window.