Swiss federal judges dismissed FIFA´s appeal against a ruling that overturned its life ban for the former president of Haiti´s soccer federation for alleged sexual abuse of women´s national team players.

A verdict from Switzerland´s supreme court released on Thursday rejected FIFA´s request filed in March to annul a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that lifted Yves Jean-Bart´s expulsion from the sport.

The federal court can review CAS decisions on limited procedural grounds and rarely overturns the sports court´s verdicts. FIFA argued that CAS judges failed to evaluate some evidence.

The decision by three Swiss Federal Tribunal judges was dated June 28, less than a month before Haiti makes its debut at the Women´s World Cup against England in Brisbane. Haiti's group includes China and Denmark.

The Haitian women progressed through qualifying for the July 20-Aug. 20 tournament, being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, while long-time federation president Jean-Bart was banished from the sport.

FIFA´s ethics committee banned Jean-Bart in November 2020 after hearing allegations of multiple sexual offenses against women and girls who were in national team squads. Witnesses in Haiti were alleged to have been threatened not to give evidence.

Jean-Bart denied the allegations, and at his appeal the judges decided "none of the testimonies heard by the CAS were sufficiently precise and convincing to establish (his) guilt," the sports court said in February.

FIFA was ordered by federal judges to pay 15,000 Swiss francs ($16,740) in court costs and 17,000 Swiss francs ($19,000) to Jean-Bart.

[dailymail]

Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing Dutch defender Jeremie Frimpong from Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

According to Stefan Bienkowski, Arsenal have initiated discussions with Bayer Leverkusen to sign Jeremie Frimpong. The Bundesliga giants want to recoup €50 million to part ways with the Dutch full-back.

The young defender was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in recent months as well. So it will be interesting to see if Arsenal can agree on a fee with the German club. The Gunners have recently emerged as a suitor for the 22-year-old.

Arsenal need to bring in a specialist right-back this summer, and Frimpong could be an upgrade on Ben White, especially going forward. The former Brighton and Hove Albion star was deployed as a full-back last season, and he did reasonably well. But Arsenal lacked the attacking qualities of a natural full-back.

Frimpong is exceptional going forward and he could add a new dimension to the Arsenal attack with his creativity and pace. The 22-year-old contributed to nine goals and 11 assists across all competitions last season, and he has the potential to develop into one of the finest young full-backs in Europe.

Mikel Arteta has done well to nurture talented young players during his time at Arsenal, and he could help the talented young Dutchman develop into a key player for the Premier League club. Arsenal are desperate to put together a formidable squad that is capable of winning the Premier League title, and they have been very active in the transfer market so far.

The Gunners have already spent significant sums of money to acquire the services of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, and Jurrien Timber. It seems that they are concentrating on signing a full-back now. Frimpong would undoubtedly be a solid, long-term investment, and the 22-year-old is likely to be tempted to join Arsenal as well. Meanwhile, talks for the young full-back have begun between the two clubs.

The Gunners are one of the biggest clubs in the world and they have qualified for the Champions League. They will be an attractive destination for most players and a move to Arsenal would be ideal for the 22-year-old’s development as well. Playing against top-class attackers in the Premier League will accelerate his development and help him achieve his world-class potential.

[thehardtackle]

Barcelona have made significant progress over the last few seasons under the leadership of the new management, led by Joan Laporta, despite coming into a club that was well corrupted by economic and financial limitations.

Now, as they look forward to the new 2023/2024 season up ahead, it is a good chance to look back at one of the most important aspects of Laporta’s tenure thus far; his recruitment of free agents that have helped stabilize the club in important areas when spending too many funds was not an option.

In total, with the two new free transfers added to the count, Barcelona have managed to recruit 13 free agents over the last 3 years since the 2020/2021 season.

Eric Garcia (Manchester City)

The young central defender came from Manchester City as a free transfer and has since found moments within the club where he has held solid importance, under Ronald Koeman in particular, and also periods of not much importance, as he has been going through this season under Xavi Hernandez.

Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Despite having arrived as a promising player given his massive experience and proven quality, the player’s time at the club was unfortunately cut short due to various health-related issues.

Memphis Depay (Olympique Lyon)

The Dutchman arrived as one of the most prized possessions of France’s Ligue 1, but despite an exciting first season at the club, he was not able to live up to the massive expectations piled up on his shoulders.

Luuk De Jong (Sevilla)

Another Dutchman who arrived to much dismay initially amongst fans, but courtesy of his various late winners and equalizers as a super sub, managed to forever become a fan favorite among the Camp Nou faithful.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)

Tension at Arsenal and internal problems forced the player to be on bad terms with his former club, but hopping onto the Catalan ship the moment the chance presented itself on deadline day would end up being a free transfer that provided benefits to both Barcelona and Aubameyang himself.

Adama Traore (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Known for his rapid pace and insane levels of acceleration, the former La Masia player came for a year-long loan that would end up being a good deal for La Blaugrana, providing them a new kind of option on the wings besides just having to rely on Ousmane Dembele, despite the Catalans not having triggered his buy option.

Dani Alves (Free agent)

A Barcelona legend in his own right, the return of the Brazilian was met with massive uncertainty given his mature age, yet his dedication to the club and commitment to the cause under Xavi Hernandez allowed him to be a great asset both on the field and off it.

Franck Kessie (AC Milan)

The AC Milan midfielder was one of the most well-renowned talents in Serie A before his move to Barcelona, and while he has not been bad by any means during his time in Spain, the player is surely playing less minutes than he would have originally had hoped for at the club.

Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)

The Danish defender has become one of the mainstays under the tutelage of Xavi Hernandez and for good reason. His ability on the ball as well as his understanding of the game have made him an immense part of Xavi’s Barcelona.

Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)

The former Chelsea man arrived on a free transfer after the termination of his contract with Chelsea alongside Andreas Christensen who left the London-based club as a free agent, and while the Dane has become undisputable under Xavi, the Spanish defender has also been able to provide much-appreciated depth.

Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)

Having arrived on a one-year deal following the termination of his contract at Arsenal, the Spaniard was more or less a signing for the short term, and albeit not extraordinary, his time in the city of his birth was not all too bad before moving on to his next club in Sporting CP.

Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)

One of the most in-form stars in Europe at the moment of signing, treble-winner with Manchester City and captain of the English side as well, bringing Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer could turn out to be a masterful operation done right.

Inigo Martinez (Athletic Bilbao)

The most recent of acquisitions to be made official, the former Athletic Bilbao defender brings along with him proven quality and bundles of experience, particularly in the Spanish first division.

[barcanewsnetwork]

Tottenham are reportedly considering testing the resolve of Inter Milan by making a move for midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu as a potential replacement for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

New Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is keen to strengthen all areas of his squad ahead of the start of the new season, with defence and midfield particular areas of concern for the Australian.

James Maddison has arrived from Leicester to add some creativity in Tottenham’s engine room but there have been strong rumours circulating that Postecoglou is happy to allow Hojbjerg to move on this summer.

The Dane was one of the club’s best performers in a woeful campaign last time around but there are suggestions that his play is too slow for what the former Celtic boss wants from his holding midfielder.

That has led to talk of a move for other targets and that list includes Turkey international Calhanoglu.

The 29-year-old has excelled since his switch from cross-City rivals AC Milan 18 months ago. However, no player at the San Siro is considered ‘non-transferable’ this summer due to the club’s economic predicament.

Calhanoglu’s flexibility makes him an attractive proposition, given that he can play in a variety of midfield positions.

The report from InterLive.it states that Postecolgou’s men could tempt the Nerazzurri by submitting an offer of €35m (£30m) for the player.

Several clubs chasing Inter midfielder

Spurs are not alone in their admiration for the midfielder though, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all linked in the past.

However, the report goes on to say that, as things stand, Inter have no plans to sell the player and will only do so if a ‘shock proposal arrives’.

That could well be on the horizon though, if Spurs opt to cash in on Hojbjerg – especially given that Rodrigo Bentancur is unlikely to be fit for the start of the new campaign.

The absence of the latter is, however, likely to give Yves Bissouma a chance to show what he can do in pre-season after failing to shine in his debut campaign for the club.

[teamtalk]

Listening to (and reading) the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin’s pointed accusations of Ejikeme Mmesoma, the candidate who claimed she was robbed of the top scorer award in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, one would think he was there in the room where the said mutilation happened. For an organisation that claimed they handed the case over to security agencies and would prosecute her for forgery, they could have laid out the facts from their end without rushing to conclusions as to how the said forgery happened. I understand they have their facts and are eager to protect their image but making grievous accusations (and personal comments) on what they do not yet know is unprofessional. What they know for a fact is that the result slip did not emanate from them. Whether the girl is the forger or not, or whether she is working with a criminal syndicate, is presently out of their purview.

For those about to ask why I chose to focus on JAMB’s professionalism rather than the candidate under scrutiny, the answer is easy. The former is the institution that will remain after candidates have come and gone with their seasonal dramas. JAMB cannot control the accusations people will direct, but they can establish institutional protocols for managing issues without yielding to public hysteria. An institution going against a teenager and then issuing a ban over a case not yet formally concluded risks turning a case of forgery into a top dog vs. underdog contest. Nigerian institutions are typically guilty of this. Even when they are doing the right thing, they conduct themselves so poorly that public opinion shifts to reading the situation as a case of David and Goliath.

Also, I would like to implore them to consider respecting people’s right to privacy even when under pressure. Not only did they announce Mmesoma’s scores, they also publicly broadcast the name and scores of another 2021 candidate unconnected to the issue beyond the misfortune of a QR code attached to her name. Presently, Mmesoma’s UTME result slip with details that ought to have been redacted is floating around. For anyone who thinks that the circumstances warranted such undue exposure, please know that their lack of concern for privacy is more of an institutional attitude. In 2019, when I read the UTME top scorer Ekene Franklin tell a journalist how surprised he was to hear his name stated as the highest scorer, I was surprised they did not call him first. An examiner announcing your score without giving the courtesy of asking you to waive your right to privacy is like your doctor broadcasting your medical result.

Overall, I suppose the reason people became invested in this case goes beyond Mmesoma herself. Whether JAMB knows it or not, they influence the shaping of destinies.  There is virtually no path to upward social mobility in Nigeria that does not pass through JAMB so people are relating to the case based on the significance of their existence. Yes, there are many lowlife folks out there lashing out because their narrowed minds have reduced this issue to ethnic victimisation. However, there are also others who are convinced that JAMB is the guilty party because of their bitter experiences. The case would not have resonated with them if they had not been jammed by JAMB sometimes for reasons beyond their control. I speak from some experience.

The first time I took the UTME, my score was so good that everyone around me took it for granted that I would be admitted to the university of my choice. The admission season ended without any correspondence from the schools. The conclusion by people around me was that my place must have been switched with that of another—probably less performing—candidate. When I sat for the exam the second time, I made the same choices of subjects and universities. This time, my mother consulted an admission officer who told us that my first choice of university could not have admitted me because of my subject combination. The other school might have admitted me based on scores, but they will never consider a candidate who consigned them to a second choice. These were not stated in the JAMB brochure. I chose the subjects on the advice of the school counsellor who thought they were my areas of strength. Between my mistakes due to gaps in communication and years of ASUU strike, I wasted three and a half years of my life before going to the university.

Looking back now and considering the experiences of others too, I can put it to JAMB that some aspects of their operations are outmoded and need an overhaul. I will be fair to the organisation by noting how much they have improved their processes, but the integrity of the examination should not be at the expense of those who write it. Some of the changes I will propose to them might require a legislative framework, but they can advocate for it.

One, they should run the examination multiple times yearly. Presently, it is structured as an annual festival where you either show up or lose out. A candidate might be a potential top scorer but still fail the exam because they were flustered by an incident on their way to the examination venue. Rather than condemn them to waiting for a whole year, they could simply retake it within a shorter period.  Those who take it multiple times can select the best of their results within an admission cycle. An examination that significant should not restrict people’s chances to just one shot per year when their options can be expanded. In April, I read about a candidate who complained that the University of Lagos did not admit her despite her UTME score of 326. Unilag responded that she failed to upload her SSCE result on time and was therefore disqualified. Such an unfortunate mistake, but why must she wait till 2024 to retake the UTME?

Two, they should extend the validity of their examination beyond one year. Going back to the case of 15-year-old Franklin, the 2019 top scorer who, we were told at the time, would not go to the university because the school he chose only admits 16-year-olds and above, it would have been helpful if he could present the same result the following year. Rather than an outstanding candidate retaking an exam (with the probability of diminishing returns), the process can be flexible to make their results valid for three years.

Three, expunge the whole “first choice” and “second choice” etc. categories entirely. What it asks of candidates is to hedge their chances of being offered university admission on an examination they have not taken and whose eventual outcomes they cannot determine. Many students whose chances were locked into some big-name schools that eventually did not admit them either overestimated their own abilities or were pressured by other agents around them. Better to let candidates see their scores first and retrospectively match with the school/programmes with a cutoff that can admit them. The role of JAMB in that arrangement would be to grant the student’s request to forward the result to the schools where they have a chance.

Finally, the founder of Innoson Motors, Innocent Chukwuma, who was going to give Mmesoma a scholarship said, “The little girl I saw looked so innocent that I can’t believe that she can manipulate her score. If I find out that she deliberately faked her result, I will cancel the scholarship because I can’t encourage a criminal; such a person cannot be useful to society.”

There are two assumptions here. One correlates the face to character and the other judges someone’s future based on a single incident. Who is to say Mmesoma cannot learn a lesson from this be useful to society? In a country where people vote candidates with sketchy certificates as president, we should stop preaching values that run against the grain of reality to young people. It is only a matter of time before they find out that if you have gained enough money and power in this life, there are really no repercussions for anything you do!

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has filed a six-count charge against Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the suspended resident electoral commissioner in Adamawa state.

The charges were filed at the high court in Yola, the state capital.

In a statement on Thursday, INEC said it took the action after reviewing the case file from the police which established a prima facie case against Yunusa-Ari.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had arrested Yunusa-Ari over his conduct during the governorship election in Adamawa.

He was, however, granted administrative bail and asked to report to the headquarters of the NPF every weekday.

The electoral umpire, in its statement, said the court has fixed July 12, 2023, for the commencement of trial.

“As provided by Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, an offence committed under the Act shall be triable in a Magistrate Court or a High Court of a State in which the offence is committed, or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” the statement reads.

“Furthermore, Section 145(2) of the Act provides that a prosecution under the Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission, or any legal practitioner appointed by it.

“Having reviewed the case file from the Police which established a prima facie case against Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, the Commission has filed a six-count charge against him at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola.”

BACKGROUND

Yunusa-Ari had stirred controversy by declaring Aisha Binani Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Adamawa election when the collation of the results was yet to be completed.

INEC declared the announcement null and void and summoned the REC to its headquarters in Abuja.

Subsequently, the electoral umpire wrote to the police to prosecute Yunusa-Ari over the electoral infraction.

On April 20, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the suspension of the Adamawa REC pending the completion of the investigation by the police.

A day later, INEC said it was not aware of the whereabouts of Yunusa-Ari.

Speaking in an interview published by BBC Hausa, Yunusa-Ari said he wasn’t offered money to declare Binani as the winner of the election.

The suspended REC also said he never went into hiding.

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has summoned ex-Governor Abdullahi for questioning over the controversial dollar videos.

In 2017, Daily Nigerian, an online publication, had released some videos of Ganduje allegedly collecting kickbacks from contractors.

The ex-governor had denied the allegation, saying the videos were doctored.

But speaking Wednesday at a one-day public dialogue on ‘Anti-Corruption Crusade in Kano’, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado,Esq chairman of PCACC, said the authenticity of the videos had been confirmed.

He said the videos were subjected to forensic analysis which indicated that they were authentic.

Speaking further at a programme on Thursday, Rimingado said Ganduje had been invited for questioning.