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As rape trial verdict looms, ex-Brazil star Alves summoned to court

Former Brazil international Dani Alves, who is awaiting a verdict in his rape trial which closed two weeks ago, will appear in court on Thursday, judicial sources said.

In a brief statement, the Barcelona court said Wednesday it had “summoned all parties in the Alves case, including the defendant, to appear in court on February 22 at 10:00 am (0900 GMT)” for a so-called “notification procedure”.

Contacted by AFP, neither the court nor Alves’ lawyers would confirm Spanish media reports that it was for the verdict to be handed down.

One of the world’s most decorated footballers who played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain during a storied career, Alves went on trial on charges of raping a woman at the Sutton nightclub in the early hours of December 31, 2022.

During the trial, the complainant — whose identity has been protected — said Alves had violently forced her to have sex despite her begging him to let her go, causing her “anguish and terror”, according to prosecutors.

But the three-time Champions League winner told the court they had consensual sex, denying he raped her.

Prosecutors are calling for a nine-year jail sentence followed by 10 years of probation and want him to pay 150,000 euros ($162,000) in compensation.

Alves, 40, has been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest in January 2023.

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U-13 JOF Kids Cup: B.Unit Boys To Battle Versity Boys In Final

All roads lead to the Sports Centre of the University of Lagos in Akoka, Yaba, Lagos as the final ceremony of the 5th edition of JOF U-13 Cup

 

Finalists have emerged in the ongoing 6th edition of the U-13 JOF Kids Cup Championship.

After gruelling two semi final crackers on Saturday at the Ojo Oniyun playground in Ebute Metta, Lagos, B. Unit Boys of Lagos Island and Versity Boys also from Lagos Island will slug it for the star prize on Sunday 27 April 2025.

The two finalists indeed justified their places in the final judging from their performance since the first blast of whistle in the grassroots football tournament a few weeks ago.

It was not surprising, however, to see B.Unit Boys triumph over Strong Dove of Orile after they both played 2-2 in the regulation time. The penalty shootouts ended 4-2i n favout of the winners.

Versity Boys on the hand beat First Class Boys 3-1 to book a ticket in the final.

The third place match will see Strong Dove taking on First Class Boys.

The U-13 JOF Kids Cup Tournament is organised by the Lagos State Grassroots Football Association and sponsored by JOF Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous Nigerian company, which prides itself in the development of talent of the Nigerian youth.

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NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko to Declare Niger Delta Sports Festival Open, as Commission Backs Initiative

 

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has thrown its full support behind the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), recognizing the event as a significant platform for discovering and nurturing emerging sporting talent.

The Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko, will officially declare the festival open, underscoring the Commission’s commitment to promoting grassroots sports development across every region in Nigeria.

Speaking ahead of the Festival, Bukola Olopade, Director General of the NSC, praised the initiative and called on more states to adopt similar programs to expand Nigeria’s talent pool.

“The Niger Delta Sports Festival represents a vital platform for discovering and nurturing raw talent,” Olopade stated.

“We encourage more states to adopt similar initiatives to expand the talent pool and strengthen Nigeria’s sporting future.”

In a major boost for the event, the NDSF on Friday unveiled PremiumTrust Bank as the official bank of the festival.

The event is scheduled to take place from April 1 to 8 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, bringing together athletes from across the region to compete in various sporting disciplines.

The Niger Delta Sports Festival aims to showcase budding talents, foster regional unity, and promote youth engagement in sports.

 

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JOF Kids Cup: Strong Dove, B. Unit Boys, Versity Boys, First Class Boys Lock Horns In Saturday’s Semi Finals 

JOF U-13 Cup: Teams Battle For Final Tickets

 

The battles from the final tickets among the last set of four teams of the ongoing 6th U-13 JOF Kids Cup now shifted to Ojo Oniyun playground, Ebute Metta, Lagos on Saturday.

This is coming after the Round of 8 matches were decided at the Lekki playground and Ojo Oniyun playground on Wednesday.

Strong Dove of Orile beat Miracle FC of Ijesha 1-0 to book a place in the semi finals, while B. Unit Boys from Mainland stopped Oloto Babes in tension-soaked tie that ended 3-2 at Lekki playground.

Versity Boys of Lagos Island ran away victory with 4-3 goals during the penalty shootouts after they had played a 1-1 game in the regulation time against ThankGod Boys of Oko Baba, while First Class Boys from Lagos Island beat Solution Boys 4-2.

According to the semi final fixtures released to the media by organisers, Lagos State Football Association, Strong Dove will settle scores against B. Unit Boys in the first semi-final tie, which kicks off by 12 noon, while Versity Boys will go to war against First Class Boys in the second semi final game on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ojo Oniyun playground, Ebute Metta will be agog on Saturday with more spectators expected to watch the matches than any other day since the tournament began a few weeks ago.

The Lagos State Football Association, the joint organisers of the competition, has invited members of the JOF Under-13 Soccer Tournament Committee to watch the kids displaying their God-given talent on the field of play.

The U-13 JOF Kids Cup is sponsored by JOF Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous Nigerian company, which prides itself in the development of talent of the Nigerian youth.

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