Brazil confirm W.Cup squad, Fermino out
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MBABANE - The finals of the inaugural MoMo Cup were played outside the rules and regulations of the tournament.
The two sides that were in the final were MTN Premier League rookies and eventual winners Nsingizini Hotspurs after brushing aside seasoned campaigners Moneni Pirates with a 2-1 scoreline in a fast flowing match played at Somhlolo National Stadium two days ago.
The Shiselweni-based side needed extra time to shake off the illustrious opponents.
The decision by the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) to allow the game to go to extra time is against the MoMo Cup Rules and Regulations. The rules states clearly that after 90 minutes, the game is supposed to go straight to penalties.
The organisation, in the process, breached Article 13 (1) and (2) of the MoMo Cup Rules and Regulations. According to the articles, each match shall last for 90 minutes, with each half playing 45 minutes as laid down by the laws of the game. The mainArticle, which was breached by the PLE is13 (2), which states that, if no winner is decided within 90 minutes in the play-offs, semifinals and finals, penalty shoot-outs shall take place; up to the sudden death penalties if still no winner is decided after the normal five penalties from each club have been taken.
PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenneth Makhanya said such an error was prone to occur as this was their first cup game after a long time in local football, but was quick to highlight that this was not an excuse for what happened on Sunday.
“The finals were played, weren’t they?” he asked when responding on what the PLE would do pertaining the breach of the rules in the finals.
He also said had the teams read the rules well as they were given weeks before the start of the tournament, the affected club would have filed a protest.
“Mine is to thank FinTech for the sponsorship, considering that we had no such tournaments for a long time. So we mustn’t dwell on the negatives only, but we should also give credit where it is due,” Makhanya said.
Meanwhile, Moneni Pirates Manager
Twoman Masuku in a post-match interview said they were yet to sit down as management and discuss a way forward as they were aware of the breach of the rules.
On the other hand, the ‘Sea Robbers’ Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mbuso ‘Minister’ Hlophe, said nothing was discussed, but was hopeful that the management would look into the matter.
“We will evaluate everything but we must consider that this was a new tournament, but if it happens that we do something the media will be informed,” Hlophe said.
He further said at the end of the day it was good that football won and they were grateful to the PLE for securing the tournament on behalf of the teams.
LONDON – In a dramatic shift for the American owners, who have owned the club since 2010, they are now inviting offers for the Merseyside club and a full sales presentation has been prepared for bidders.
FSG has called the shots at Anfield since October 2010 when they purchased the team from George Gillett and Tom Hicks for £300 million - but it is now said they are ‘inviting offers’.
Gillett, FSG, which also owns the Boston Red Sox, has seen Liverpool enjoy a period of success in England and Europe, with Jurgen Klopp’s team winning every major honour with the exception of the Europa League.
Liverpool ended a 30-year wait to win the English title in 2020, moving second in the all-time list with 19 titles behind Manchester United (20) and their 2019 Champions League triumph against Tottenham was their sixth, making them the most successful English team in the competition.
Reconstruction
The club is in the middle of a £120 million reconstruction of the Anfield Road Stand at Anfield, but the financial power of United and Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City has made it increasingly difficult for Liverpool and FSG to compete for the most expensive signings.
As of May 2022, Forbes valued Liverpool at US$4.45 billion (£3.89bn) - but with Chelsea having been sold to LA Dodgers’ owner Todd Boehly for £4.25 billion earlier this year, the Merseyside giants would likely demand a matching price.
In a statement given to the Athletic, FSG said that ‘under the right terms and conditions’ they would be open to selling the club.
Shareholders
‘FSG has frequently received expressions of interest from third parties seeking to become shareholders in Liverpool,” FSG wrote.
“FSG has said before that under the right terms and conditions we would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interest of Liverpool as a club.”
FSG have overseen an incredible amount of success at Liverpool, particularly since the hiring of manager Jurgen Klopp in 2015. The German coach delivered a Premier League title as well as the Champions League, the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
FSG, who also own the baseball franchise Boston Red Sox, television network NESN, 50 per cent of Roush Fenway Racing and Fenway Sports Management, is led by John W Henry.