Sports

Hong Kong Government Disappointed At Messi No Show

Published

3 months ago

February 6, 2024

Lionel Messi warms the bench during a friendly between Hong Kong XI and Inter Miami

After failing to win any of their first four preseason games, Inter Miami finally registered victory as they beat Hong Kong XI 4-1 on Sunday, but star attraction Lionel Messi’s absence prompted the country’s government to express its disappointment.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is reportedly struggling with a hamstring injury, was not included in Inter Miami’s matchday squad despite Head Coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino telling a news conference on Friday that Messi was “likely” to feature in the game.

Martino also elected to leave the team’s three other former Barcelona stars – Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba – on the bench from the start in Hong Kong.

Spectators chanted “refund” and the Hong Kong government said the match organizers, Tatler Asia, may face a reduction in funding after Messi stayed on the bench during the match.

The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) had granted 15 million Hong Kong dollars ($1.92 million) for the event along with a grant of 1 million Hong Kong dollars for the venue, the government said in a statement.

“Regarding Messi not playing the match today, the Government, as well as all football fans, are extremely disappointed about the organisers’ arrangement. The organiser owes all football fans an explanation,” they said.

“The MSEC will take follow-up actions with the organiser according to the terms and conditions, which includes reducing the amount of funding as a result of Messi not playing the match.”

Lionel Messi watched the match from the Inter Miami bench after he was not included in the matchday squad.

Fred Lee/Getty Images

The organisers said they expected Messi and Suarez to play and were extremely disappointed that they did not feature in the match.

“Despite some news reports, Tatler did not have any information about the non-participation of Messi or Suarez prior to kick off.

“Messi and Suarez were deemed unfit to play by their team’s medical department, to everyone’s, including our disappointment,” they said in a statement.

Sports

Barcelona optimistic of signing Nico Williams in the summer

Published

4 days ago

May 16, 2024

Melody 911FM

FC Barcelona is hopeful about their prospects of acquiring the skilled winger Nico Williams during the upcoming summer transfer period.

Footballghana has previously reported that the La Liga team is eyeing the Spanish forward with Ghanaian roots to bolster their lineup for the forthcoming season.

Recent updates from Spain suggest that Barcelona’s management is actively pursuing the transfer.

The club is confident in finalizing an agreement with Athletic Club to secure Nico Williams prior to the commencement of the next season.

At present, Nico Williams’ contract includes a release clause valued at €55 million, which FC Barcelona is positioned to activate.

The forward’s exceptional performance over the last year has established him as one of the standout forwards in European football.

During the 2023/24 Spanish La Liga campaign, Nico Williams has contributed four goals and 10 assists across 29 matches.

In addition to Barcelona, numerous leading clubs, including Liverpool, have shown interest in him.

Sports

Tariq Lamptey featured in Brighton’s defeat to Chelsea.

Published

4 days ago

May 16, 2024

Melody 911FM

The Electoral Commission (EC) has reassured the public that the missing Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Kits cannot be utilised to access its system or data.

According to Dr Eric Bossman Asare, the BVRs, which include a laptop, are ineffective on their own and can only be activated by the EC.

Thus, they pose no threat to the integrity of elections, he stated.

Additionally, they cannot be used to register anyone during the ongoing limited voter registration exercise nor do they contain any sensitive data from the EC’s system, he said in an interview with JoyNews’ Evans Mensah.

Dr Bossman Asare stated, “The laptops on their own are insignificant. They are just like the laptops you use at your workplace. We’ve accounted for every single device that we’re going to be using.

“In 2020, when we did the registration, we bought 8,500 of the registration devices. We are not using all of them in this registration.”

“So that means the ones we are using now, we still have some there. So are you saying the EC will come and tell the Ghanaian people that five laptops are missing and we want to use those laptops to register people? Who in the EC is going to do that?” he quizzed.

Sports

Wollacott keeps clean sheet for Hibernian in 3-0 mauling of Motherwell

Published

4 days ago

May 16, 2024

Melody 911FM

Ghana international Jojo Wollacott delivered a fine performance for Hibernian on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, when the team secured a 3-0 victory over Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

The Black Stars goalkeeper was in the starting lineup for his team in their Week 37 fixture.

Guarding the goal for the hosts, Jojo Wollacott made several good saves and maintained a clean sheet at the end of the 90 minutes, helping his team clinch all three points.

Hibernian was ahead by two goals at halftime, thanks to strikes from Myziane Maolida and Martin Boyle.

After the break, Martin Boyle found the net again to complete his brace, sealing a significant win for Hibernian against Motherwell.

Wollacott’s performance in today’s game is particularly important ahead of the June international break.

He needed the playing time to secure a spot in the Ghana squad for the upcoming matches against Mali and the Central African Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.