Sports

Football Players and Their Restrictions

Published

6 years ago

June 18, 2019

As viewers and fans, we often see football players and their luxurious life. They possess something that everybody wants. Players have massive wealth and fame by doing what they love, and what are best at. Playing in front of thousands of fans, scoring, goal-saving, iconic dribbles are iconic moments that every fan dreams of.

There is a big “but” in this situation. The players have a lot of restrictions considering their life and their activities. The biggest restriction and the one that is hardest to regulate is betting. With the rise of the Internet and online betting sites, sports betting has never been easier. While it is easy to just talk about the restrictions, it is much harder in real life.

Firstly, players are always on a strict diet. In order to maximize their performance, clubs have nutrition experts that provide meal lists to the players. The list contains what to eat, as well as what not to eat. Basically, players are being ordered on what their meals should look like.

Secondly, as mentioned before, it is forbidden for players to gamble and go out to party. Betting on games is probably the most regulated rule because it can affect a player’s form in accordance with the betting. There were numerous scandals in the past, where players, coaches and even referees were accused of match-fixing. This has always been a big problem for the regulators.

Nightlife is also forbidden since the player is seen in public, and that often leads to a PR nightmare for the clubs. Proof of this are the numerous drunk players that were seen by paparazzi in the past, doing some illegal activities by being drunk.

The players train two times a day, and they must obey their managers and higher staff. They are paid handsomely, but all of that comes with a big negative side. International duties are a must, so the players are not allowed to miss a game on which they are called upon.

Faking football injuries is also forbidden. Some past scandals involve players faking different types of injuries in order to prevent themselves from playing certain games, or just to rest. Stuff like this leads to big punishments, including bans from football, paycheck cuts, and big fines.

Next up, misconduct during games can lead to big trouble for the players. They are obliged to respect the delegates, referees, managers, rival team players, and even fans at the stadium. Any kind of misconduct can be a way to a player’s punishment, whether is financial or otherwise.

Gareth Balehas spoken about their treatment recently. He described it as being a prisoner under contract, and that a lot of the people fail to live up to the expectations. A big number of them that fall under the pressure and it is destroying their lives. Some of them retire early, some of them go bankrupt, some of them turn to drugs and alcohol. He is one of the players that are treated badly at his club, and his agent was open about his displeasure with the club and fans.

City Crime

‘NFF Conducted Federation Cup Draw Fairly’

Published

6 days ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.

Sports

Act Sports Signs New Teqball Specialist Contract In Nigeria

Published

6 days ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.

Sports

Nigeria Name Handball Squads For Zonal Champs

Published

6 days ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.