Sports
Relegated Amiens join Lyon to take Ligue 1 appeal to top court
Relegated Amiens on Tuesday joined Lyon in telling AFP that they will challenge the decision to end the Ligue 1 season early before the Council of State, France’s highest administrative court.
The club oppose the April 30 decision by the French Football League (LFP) to end the season due to the coronavirus pandemic, after the government said sports leagues could not resume until September at the earliest.
Amiens were relegated from Ligue 1 as the second-bottom team after the final table was decided based on points per game, with 10 scheduled rounds of matches remaining.
“Amiens are still fighting against this decision which we find unfair, incoherent and unfounded,” Amiens president Bernard Joannin told AFP.
“The LFP board of directors has pronounced an arbitrary relegation of our club.”
Lyon, who missed out on qualification for the Europa League after finishing seventh, said on Monday that they would also appeal at the Council of State.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas also wrote a letter on Monday to France’s prime minister and sports minister urging them to reconsider the decision to end the season, with the government expected to announce next week a further easing of the lockdown.
On Tuesday, six Senators for the opposition Republican party tabled an amendment to Emmanuel Macron’s government’s latest emergency bill which would allow French sports leagues to resume their seasons if passed. – AFP
Sports
Otto Addo names squad for Angola, Niger Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
Otto Addo has announced a 25-man squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group F qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
The squad features three home-based players who have impressed in the ongoing 2024/25 Ghana Premier League: Isaac Afful (FC Samartex 1996), Razak Simpson (Nations FC), and Emmanuel Antwi (Asante Kotoko) are the home based players.
Also in the squad is France-based Nathaniel Adjei who plays for Ligue 2 side FC Lorient. KAS Eupen goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen, is returning to the team after over a year’s absence.
To qualify for the Morocco 2025 tournament, Ghana must secure victories against Angola and Niger and hope Sudan drops points in their final matches.
The Black Stars face Angola in Luanda on Friday, November 15, before hosting Niger at Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, November 18, 2024.
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Sports
Premier League: Hearts of Oak lock horns with Vision FC in pivotal capital derby on Friday
Hearts of Oak lock horns with Vision FC in the capital derby in match day 10 of the Premier League on Friday November 8, 2024, at the University of Ghana Stadium, in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
With Hearts of Oak aiming to record their second successive Premier League win and Vision FC aiming to turn around their inconsistent campaign, this encounter is poised to deliver high stakes and intense competition.
The Phobians are boosted ahead of their clash against their opponents after their remarkable 2-0 win at Medeama SC last weekend.
Hearts have won 3, drawn 3 and suffered 3 defeats, having scored 6 and conceded 5 in nine outings. They will aim for their second successive win of the season when they entertain Vision FC at home. Hearts are the second weakest home team in the league ahead of the clash.
Vision FC have been inconsistent lately as they are winless in their last four consecutive games. They are currently occupying the 11th position in the table with 11 points. They’ve won 2, drawn 5 and suffered 2 defeats, having scored 6 and conceded 7.
The newly promoted side head into this fixture with a defeat in their previous away encounter. They will be eager to secure the maximum points against a Heart of Oak side that are also winless in their last two home league games.
Both sides are meeting in the league for the first time since Vision FC gained promotion into the Premiership this season.
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