Sports
Liverpool Retires Number 20 Shirt to Honour Late Star Diogo Jota After Fatal Car Crash
Liverpool Football Club has announced it will retire the number 20 shirt in tribute to forward Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car accident alongside his brother, André Silva.
The decision, made after consultation with Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, and his family, means the Portuguese international will “forever be Liverpool’s number 20.” The club confirmed the number will be retired at all levels, including the women’s team and academy sides.
In an official statement, Liverpool said the gesture not only reflects Jota’s significant on-field contributions since joining from Wolves in 2020 but also honours the lasting bonds he created with teammates, staff, and fans.
Jota made 182 appearances for the Reds, scoring 65 goals and playing a key role in multiple trophy wins. He helped Liverpool claim the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022, another League Cup title in 2024, and most recently, their 20th top-flight league title in the 2024/25 season. The club marked his legacy with a poignant social media video at 20:20 BST on Friday, captioned “Forever our number 20.”
Michael Edwards, Chief Executive of Football for Fenway Sports Group, said:
“This is the first time in the club’s history such an honour has been given to an individual. Retiring his shirt number is our way of making his legacy eternal. We involved Rute and the family from the start—it was essential they were at the heart of this decision.”
Jota, 28, and his brother were killed in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, after their Lamborghini suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking, causing the vehicle to veer off the road. He was travelling back to Liverpool for pre-season by car and ferry, following medical advice not to fly due to recent minor surgery.
Their funeral took place last Saturday in their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal, with a large Liverpool delegation present.
On Friday, Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso, who had married the player just 11 days before the crash, visited Anfield with their three children to view the memorials left by fans. She was accompanied by Liverpool players, manager Arne Slot, and other staff as they paid their respects.
Liverpool will return to action on Sunday in a pre-season match against Preston North End at Deepdale. A minute’s silence and other tributes are planned to honour both Diogo Jota and André Silva.
Ghanaian International Brandon Thomas-Asante continued his fine form for Coventry City during their resounding victory over Swansea City in the English Championship on Saturday.
The Black Stars attacker saw 62 minutes of action as Coventry City romped to a commanding 3-0 away win in the Matchday 39 fixture at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Thomas-Asante shot Coventry City shot ahead with a smooth penalty kick in the 32nd minute.
Coventry City doubled the tally six minutes after Thomas-Asante’s goal when England international Matt Grimes scored in the 38th minute, making life difficult for Swansea City.
Thomas-Asante in Ghana squad for two friendlies
The visitors continued their onslaught when Japanese forward Tatsuhiro Sakamoto added a third goal before the break to effectively put the game beyond Swansea City.
Coventry City comfortably saw out the game to claim all three points and strengthen their position on top of the league standings with 80 points, nine points better than second placed Middlesbrough from 39 games.
Thomas-Asante has now scored 12 goals and four assists in 27 Championship appearances.
His contributions for Coventry City could pave a way for his inclusion into the Ghana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He made Otto Addo’s squad for Ghana’s two international friendlies against Austria and Germany this month
The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
On the appeal by the FRMF regarding the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board made the following rulings:
The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form, and the appeal is upheld.
The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.
The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.
It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
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In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
The CAF Appeal Board also ruled that:
“The appeal lodged in respect of Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is partially upheld.
The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
The sanction imposed on Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is amended to a suspension of two (2) official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended.
The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is set aside.
The appeal lodged in respect of the ball boys incident is partially upheld.
The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is responsible for the conduct of the ball boys during the aforementioned match.
The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.
The appeal lodged in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is dismissed.
The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is confirmed.
The appeal lodged in respect of the laser incident is partially upheld.
The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the laser incident is reduced to USD 10,000.
Sports
Coach Otto Addo announces Black Stars squad ahead of Austria, Germany International Friendlies
Otto Addo has named Ghana’s squad for this month’s international friendlies against Austria national football team and Germany national football team.
Ghana will be playing two friendlies as part of Preparations towards the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA,Canada and Mexico.
Squad Breakdown
Goalkeepers:
Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen)
Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak)
Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic)
Defenders:
Patrick Pfeiffer (SV Darmstadt)
Derrick Luckassen (Pafos FC)
Derrick Kohn (Union Berlin)
Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir)
Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland)
Kojo Oppoong Pepprah (OGC Nice)
Jonas Adjetey (VFL Wolfsburg)
Marvin Senaya (Auxerre)
Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow)
Gideon Mensah (Auxerre)
Midfielders:
Thomas Partey (Villarreal)
Elisha Owusu (Auxerre)
Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari)
Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo)
Forwards/Wingers:
Brandon Thomas Asante (Coventry City)
Jordan Ayew (Leicester City)
Prince Adu (Viktoria Plzen)
Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah)
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City)
Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)
Kamal Deen Sulemana (Atalanta)
Daniel Agyei (Kocalispor)
Exciting line-up with a mix of experienced stars like Thomas Partey and Jordan Ayew, plus young talents ready to make their mark.
Ghana found themselves in group L alongside Panama England and Croatia in the FIFA World Cup group.
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