Former Manchester City midfielder Silva has announced his return to professional football after previously stepping away from the game, sparking excitement among fans and former teammates.

The experienced playmaker, known for his technical ability, vision, and leadership during a distinguished career, confirmed that he is ready to resume competitive action. While retirement had appeared to mark the end of his playing days, Silva said his passion for football and desire to compete convinced him to return.

Silva enjoyed significant success during his time at Manchester City, helping the club secure multiple domestic trophies and establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most influential midfielders. His performances earned admiration from supporters across Europe and cemented his reputation as one of his generation’s finest creative players.

Football analysts say the decision reflects a growing trend of veteran players extending their careers through improved fitness regimes and modern sports science. Although questions remain about where Silva will continue his playing career, many believe his experience and technical quality could still make a valuable impact.

Supporters have welcomed the announcement on social media, with many expressing excitement at the prospect of seeing the former City star back on the field. Club officials and former colleagues have also offered messages of support as Silva prepares for his return.

Further details regarding his next destination and competitive plans are expected in the coming weeks.

Arsenal are reportedly nearing an agreement with midfielder Declan Rice over a new long-term contract, a move that would reinforce the club’s commitment to one of its most influential players.

Since arriving from West Ham United, Rice has established himself as a central figure in Mikel Arteta’s side, becoming a key contributor both defensively and offensively. His performances have earned widespread praise from supporters and pundits, while his leadership qualities have further strengthened his importance within the squad.

Sources close to the negotiations indicate that discussions between the player’s representatives and the club have progressed positively in recent weeks. While an official announcement has yet to be made, there is growing confidence that a deal could be finalized in the near future.

Securing Rice’s future would represent another significant step in Arsenal’s long-term planning. The club has focused on retaining its core group of players as it continues to compete for major domestic and European honours.

The England international remains under contract, but Arsenal are keen to reward his impact and ensure that one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders remains at the Emirates Stadium for years to come.

Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to return to the Etihad Stadium next week to watch his former club face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League.

The match, scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, will be Guardiola’s first reported visit to the stadium since he stepped down at the end of last season after a decade in charge. Manchester City’s official fixture information confirms the PSG game is set for an 8:00pm UK kick-off.

Guardiola’s appearance is likely to attract significant attention because City are facing a difficult period off the pitch. An independent commission recently found the club guilty of a majority of the financial-rule charges brought by the Premier League. Manchester City has denied wrongdoing and has appealed the findings.

The former manager has already publicly expressed his support for the club, saying he remains loyal to City’s owners, executives, players and supporters. His expected return to the Etihad would therefore represent another public show of solidarity.

Guardiola left City after an extraordinary ten-year spell during which he became the club’s most successful manager, winning 20 major trophies according to Manchester City, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League. He has since remained connected to the City Football Group as a global ambassador.

The PSG fixture will also be an important test for the current City side under manager Enzo Maresca. The match comes as the club attempts to maintain its competitive focus while the appeal against the financial ruling continues.

Ghana’s Parliamentary Minority has raised fresh concerns over alleged irregularities in arrangements made to facilitate visas for people seeking to travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Minority alleges that the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the National Sports Authority (NSA) created or used non-existent job positions and institutional titles to present some visa applicants as officials of public institutions.

The allegations were made by Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, during an interview on JoyNews on October 7, 2026.

According to Mr Assafuah, some applicants allegedly paid between US$8,000 and US$9,000 and were subsequently presented to foreign diplomatic missions as employees or officials of institutions including the NSA and Ghana Tourism Authority.

President Simeon-Okraku joins Sports Minister as Vice-President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang pays working visit to Sports Ministry – Ghana Football Association

Questions over alleged staff positions

Mr Assafuah cited documents which, according to him, raise questions about the authenticity of positions assigned to some applicants.

One example involved an individual allegedly presented as a board secretary of the National Sports Authority. The MP argued that available institutional records did not support the claim that the person held that position at the time.

Another case cited by the Minority involved an applicant allegedly presented to the US Embassy as a procurement officer of the NSA, despite the person’s name reportedly not appearing among the Authority’s procurement officers at the relevant time.

The Minority described the alleged positions as fraudulent and called for a broader examination of how the applicants were presented to foreign missions.

Sports Minister urges strong governance as NSA board begins strategic retreat

Visa controversy widens

The latest allegations form part of a wider controversy surrounding Ghana’s preparations and visa arrangements for the 2026 World Cup.

The controversy has already resulted in the suspension of NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, while security agencies investigate allegations concerning visa facilitation arrangements and payments from prospective travellers. Reports indicate that the amount involved in the broader controversy has been put at approximately US$623,000.

Mr Assafuah has argued that removing one official should not bring the matter to an end, insisting that other individuals and institutions whose roles may emerge from the investigation should also be examined.

The Minority has subsequently called for the removal and possible prosecution of Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Iddie Adams and other officials if investigations establish wrongdoing. These remain political allegations and calls for accountability, not established findings of criminal guilt.

Demand for accountability

The development is likely to increase pressure on the Sports Ministry and the NSA to explain the procedures used to identify and accredit people seeking to travel under the banner of Ghanaian sporting institutions.

The Ministry’s official structure confirms that the NSA operates as one of the agencies under the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, while the Ministry lists transparency and good governance among its stated priorities.

For genuine applicants, the allegations also raise concerns about the potential impact of questionable visa documentation on Ghana’s credibility with foreign diplomatic missions.

Investigations are expected to determine whether the alleged portfolios were deliberately created, who authorised the representations made to foreign missions, whether money changed hands improperly, and whether any public officials breached administrative or criminal laws.

Until those investigations are completed, the allegations against the Ministry, the NSA and named individuals should be treated as claims requiring verification and due process.

By KPD News Online | October 7, 2026

The debate over how Manchester City should be punished following the club’s landmark financial-rule verdict is intensifying, with several Premier League clubs reportedly calling for a combination of retrospective penalties and restrictions on City’s future operations.

An independent commission found Manchester City guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations covering the period from 2009-10 to 2017-18. City has appealed the verdict and continues to maintain its innocence.

Rivals seek more than relegation

According to reports, some Premier League executives believe that simply imposing a points deduction that sends City into the Championship would not adequately reflect the scale and duration of the alleged wrongdoing.

The preferred approach among some clubs is understood to involve both retrospective measures addressing the historical breaches and future sanctions designed to restrict the club’s competitive advantage.

One proposed measure is the removal of titles won during the period covered by the findings. However, there is reportedly no unanimous position among clubs over whether those honours should subsequently be awarded to other teams or simply left vacant.

Other potential sanctions discussed around the case include substantial fines, points deductions, transfer restrictions and, in the most severe scenario, expulsion from the Premier League. The league’s disciplinary framework gives a commission considerable latitude when determining penalties.

City preparing to challenge the verdict

Manchester City has rejected the findings and appealed against the commission’s decision. The club’s leadership has continued to insist that it has strong grounds to challenge the conclusions.

That appeal means the final consequences of the verdict are not yet settled. The case could therefore remain a major issue in English football for some time as the legal and disciplinary processes continue.

A wider question for English football

The dispute has moved beyond the question of punishment for one club. It has also raised questions about competitive fairness, financial regulation and the credibility of the Premier League’s enforcement system.

City’s supporters face the prospect of uncertainty over the club’s honours and sporting future, while rival clubs are watching closely to see whether the eventual punishment is considered proportionate to the commission’s findings.

For the Premier League, the eventual decision could establish an important precedent for how serious financial breaches are handled in the future.