Author: Chronicle Editor

Disgraced former FIFA executive Chuck Blazer died Wednesday at the age of 72, his lawyers confirmed. The former CONCACAF general secretary will be remembered for his part in the widespread corruption scandal that rocked FIFA and world football. Blazer served as general secretary of CONCACAF from 1990 to 2011, and had a place on the FIFA executive committee 1996 to 2013. The New York Times first reported his passing. The New York City native pleaded guilty in November 2013 to charges including racketeering, income tax evasion and money laundering related to his role in several FIFA corruption scandals. He ultimately…

Transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday remained upbeat with the All-Share Index growing by 153.65 points or 0.47 per cent. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the index closed higher at 32,981.63 compared with 32,827.98 recorded on Tuesday. Also, the market capitalisation grew by N55 billion to close at N11.369 trillion against N11.314 trillion posted on Tuesday. NAN reports that the market had maintained an upward movement for the third consecutive day. Four suicide bombers kill 15 in Maiduguri Neimeith pharmaceuticals led the gainers’ table with a gain of 3k to close at 73k per…

Defending champion Andy Murray appeared hampered by injury as he was knocked out of Wimbledon in the quarter-finals by Sam Querrey on Centre Court. Querrey, 29, won 3-6 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 6-1 to become the first American man to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009. Murray, 30, led by a set and a break but the Briton lost 12 of the last 14 games as he struggled physically. An injury to Novak Djokovic means Murray will remain as world number one. Second seed Djokovic needed to win the title to return to the…

Juventus have announced the signing of Brazilian attacker Douglas Costa from Bayern Munich. The Selecao international moves to Turin on a one-year loan that could turn into a permanent transfer should the Old Lady meet his option fee. The 26-year-old wideman spent two seasons at the Allianz Arena after moving from Shakhtar Donetsk. But after an uneven campaign in 2016-17 he has now been released on an initial one-year loan to the Serie A champions. Juve will pay €6 million for the star at first, while the deal also includes a purchase option valued at €40m after the year is…

Former Brazilian leader, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, was convicted on corruption charges on Wednesday in the first of five graft trials he faces. The two-term president was sentenced to nine and half years in prison but would remain free on appeal. The ruling marked a stunning fall for Lula, Brazil’s first working-class president who left office six years ago with an 83 per cent approval rating. The former union leader won global admiration for transformative social policies that helped reduce stinging inequality in Latin America’s biggest country. Former U.S. President Barack Obama once labeled him the most popular politician…

Manchester City have missed out on one of their summer transfer targets after Brazil full-back Dani Alves joined Paris St-Germain on a free transfer. Alves, who has signed a two-year deal, has opted against joining up with his former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. City were prepared to give the 34-year-old a two-year contract, but would not match the £230,000 a week it is understood he will receive in France. Tottenham’s Kyle Walker remains City’s top target at right-back. #BemvindoDaniAlves ???????? pic.twitter.com/t2HJgYYGV4— PSG English (@PSG_English) July 12, 2017 As City have so far failed to agree a fee with Spurs for…

At least 15 people were killed when four female suicide bombers detonated their explosives in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, police said on Wednesday, in the latest violence to hit the strategic city. Borno state police commissioner Damian Chukwu told reporters the four struck in the suburb of Molai Kalemari on Tuesday night and that most of the victims were civilian militia manning security posts. “The bombers detonated IEDs (improvised explosive devices) strapped to their bodies at different locations of the area, killing 19 people, including the bombers,” he said. “A total of 23 people were injured.” Bello Danbatta, a spokesman for…

English Premier League newcomers Brighton and Hove have had an £8.4million bid turned down for Gent winger Moses Simon. The Nigeria international has been tracked by Tottenham, Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion in recent months but Brighton have made their move only for Gent to value him at £13m. Simon, who turned 22 on Wednesday, impressed Tottenham when he played against them in the Europa League in February and also drew attention from other Premier League sides. READ: Arsenal make third bid for Lemar Thomas, Everton want Sigurdsson for £32m The Nigerian international is quick, skilful and can also play…

President Muhammadu Buhari currently in London on medical vacation “is in high spirit and is doing very well and recuperating”, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has said. Osinbajo who visited the president on Tuesday in London said on Wednesday that, “we had a very good time” and good conversation. The acting President told state House correspondents that he briefed Buhari on the developments in Nigeria. Osinbajo returned to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital after visiting President Muhammadu Buhari in London Tuesday night. Makarfi urges PDP’s factions to reconcile Spokesman Laolu Akande, announced Osinbajo’s arrival in a tweet this morning. He said the acting…

Senator Ahmed Makarfi, the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the People Democratic Party (PDP), said the committee was opened to reconciliation that is based on equity, equality and values. Makarfi made the pledge when addressing Members and stakeholders of the party after the Supreme Court judgment on the party’s leadership crisis delivered in favour of the committee. He described the judgment as “no victor, no vanquished’’. “We must be open to reconciliation; but there’s a caveat. “Reconciliation does not mean we take what belongs to people and give it to you. It must be based on equity, equality…