Sports

Tobi Amusan’s doping scandal: The backstory and possible ban escape

Published

2 years ago

July 29, 2023

Seyi Babalola

Tobi Amusan broke the news herself.

She took to her social media pages to reveal she has been charged with an alleged anti-doping rule violation.

Amusan becomes the third Nigerian athlete to be provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), along with Divine Oduduru and Grace Nwokocha.

For Amusan, she is facing a two-year ban for missing three drug tests within a 12-month period.

The AIU requires athletes to upload information on their daily location and availability for testing, to the AIU’s Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS).

“When the AIU testers get to a certain location and don’t see the athlete, they have to wait for one hour,” Funmilayo Fameso, the Senior Athletics, Pulse Sports, tells DAILY POST the backstory.

“During that one hour, they keep waiting and keep calling the athlete.

“When the athlete says ‘I will be there in 10 minutes’ and the one hour elapses without the person showing up, it is counted as a failed test,” he added.

Failure to provide accurate and timely information can result in sanctions.

The 26-year-old will know her fate before the World Championships in Hungary next month because, unlike her compatriots, she will have an accelerated hearing.

“I intend to fight this charge and will have my case decided by a tribunal of 3 arbitrators before the start of next month’s World Championships,” Amusan wrote in the Instagram post.

So what are the chances of the reigning women’s hurdles world record holder and champion beating the allegations?

Fameso explains further: “From what I know, during Tobi’s third missed test, the tester did not really do too much to confirm she was at that location.

“Tobi moved to another apartment and when the tester didn’t see her, he/she immediately said Tobi was not available for testing.

“Because of Tobi’s pedigree as a world champion, she is tested more than others – like she stated in her press release. There’s a rumour in the industry that she has been tested up to 20 times this year, of which she allegedly missed only two.

“So if the story of the third tester not doing enough to confirm her location is true, then she stands a high chance of escaping the ban.

“The jury or Court deciding the case will ask if the tester followed the right protocols before declaring it a missed test.

“But if the tester actually did everything right – got to the location, called her several times, etc – then Tobi may not have a case to answer.”

“We have seen the case when an American athlete, Gabrielle Thomas escaped a ban because the tester did not do enough,” Fameso added.

Sports

UEFA adds two Arsenal, Barcelona players to Champions League team [Full list]

Published

1 week ago

March 7, 2025

Seyi Babalola

UEFA on Thursday revealed the Champions League Team of the Week following the conclusion of the Round of 16 first-leg fixtures on Wednesday.

In a post via their official website on Thursday, UEFA included the likes of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Arsenal’s Jurriën Timber, and Inter Milan’s Benjamin Pavard, among others, in the team.

All the aforementioned players were impressive for their respective clubs in the first-leg ties of the last 16 in midweek.

Meanwhile, the Champions League Round of 16 second-leg fixtures will take place next week.

Here is the list of players in the Team of the Week after the Champions League Round of 16 first-leg ties:

Alisson Becker (Liverpool)

Jurriën Timber (Arsenal)

Benjamin Pavard (Inter)

Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund)

Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge)

Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal)

Pedri (Barcelona)

Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Rodrygo (Real Madrid)

Harry Kane (Bayern München)

Raphinha (Barcelona)

Following the Round of 16 second-leg matches next week, only eight teams will advance to the Champions League quarter-final stage.

Sports

Ratcliffe invited me to his house – Mourinho on relationship with Man Utd owner, Amorim

Published

1 week ago

March 6, 2025

Seyi Babalola

Fenerbahçe manager, José Mourinho, has spoken about his relationship with Manchester United co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and their manager, Rúben Amorim.

Mourinho, who won three trophies while at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2018, revealed he has a “good relationship” with Ratcliffe.

In 2018, Amorim visited United for a week-long internship under Mourinho.

Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag in November and has won just 11 of his 24 matches with the Red Devils.

“He’s a good kid,” Mourinho told Sky Sports about Amorim.

“Always very respectful to me. We had a good relationship for a few years. He knows I wish him well.”

Mourinho also spoke about Ratcliffe, who is overseeing a cost-cutting exercise that has led to 250 job losses, including some long-serving members of staff.

United recently revealed that up to 200 more jobs are at risk in a fresh round of cuts.

“To be honest, I don’t know much about what’s happening,” Mourinho said.

“I know Sir Jim Ratcliffe. I’m not saying we are big friends, but we have a good relationship.

“I know him well. He invited me to his house a couple of times. I see him as a good person and a great businessman. Of course, I feel for some of the people that I know [losing their jobs], but hopefully, it goes in the right direction.”

Sports

Great loss – FG reacts to death of striker, Lawal in Uganda

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

Seyi Babalola

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep sorrow on Tuesday over the tragic death of Abubakar Lawal, a Nigerian professional footballer in Uganda.

Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the sudden passing of Lawal in a statement in Abuja.

Tuggar, in the statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry, described the former Nigerian Under-20 international footballer’s death as a ‘great loss’ to Nigeria.

“In this moment of grief, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, teammates, and the entire Nigerian football community during this difficult time,” Tuggar said.

Lawal was playing for Vipers Football Club in Uganda and was also a final-year Business Administration student at Cavendish University at the time of his death.

“The ministry has been in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Kampala, Uganda, which is collaborating with local authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding his untimely death.

“We are committed to ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation, including an autopsy to verify the cause of death.

“The ministry has also directed the High Commission in Kampala to provide all necessary consular support to the family and ensure that justice is served,” Tuggar stated.

Tuggar urged Nigerians to remain calm while investigation was ongoing and to refrain from speculation that could hinder the process.

“The ministry will continue to monitor the situation closely, while we remain resolute in protecting the welfare and rights of all Nigerian citizens abroad.

“May the soul of Abubakar Lawal rest in perfect peace,” he prayed.