World Cup 2026: Arsenal Defender Hincapie Sent Off For Covering Mouth

According to a report by Mirror on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Arsenal defender Piero Hincapié has become the second player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to receive a red card under the tournament’s new rule against covering the mouth while speaking during a confrontation.

The Ecuador centre back was dismissed during his side’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico in their Round of 32 clash at the Estadio Azteca on Tuesday, as Ecuador’s World Cup campaign came to an end.

The incident occurred deep into stoppage time when Hincapié approached Mexico striker Santiago Giménez during a heated exchange. Television replays showed the Arsenal defender appearing to cover his mouth with his hand while speaking to the forward.
Giménez immediately alerted referee Slavko Vinčić, who reviewed the incident on the pitchside VAR monitor. Following a brief check, the referee produced a straight red card, making Hincapié only the second player to be sent off under the competition’s newly enforced regulation.

The dismissal capped a frustrating evening for Ecuador, who were already trailing after goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez secured Mexico’s passage to the last 16 with a comfortable 2-0 victory.

Mexico will now face either England or DR Congo in the next round as they continue their bid for World Cup glory.

Hincapié joins former Newcastle United F.C. midfielder Miguel Almirón as the only players sent off for the offence at this year’s tournament. Almirón became the first player dismissed under the rule during Paraguay’s group-stage victory over Turkiye.

The latest incident highlights FIFA’s strict enforcement of the regulation, with match officials using VAR to review potential violations before issuing disciplinary action.

Akara Business Is More Honourable Than Internet Fraud: Ossai Ovie Success

Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor Ossai Ovie Success, has sparked debate on social media after stating that engaging in akara and kulikuli businesses is a more honorable and rewarding option than participating in internet fraud, popularly known as Yahoo, or prostitution.

Ovie made the statement in a post shared on his X account after purchasing roadside akara. Accompanying a photo of himself with the snack, he urged Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses and self-reliance instead of illegal or immoral activities.

According to him, akara and kulikuli businesses remain profitable because they attract customers from every social class, including market traders, civil servants, business executives and other professionals. He argued that many people who are committed to the trade earn substantial incomes every month.

To support his position, Ovie recalled that the mother of one of his secondary school classmates had built more than three houses through akara sales by 2002. He also noted that some Nigerian women have successfully expanded their kulikuli businesses by exporting the product to countries such as Canada. He stressed that countless families have financed their children’s education, acquired properties and sustained their livelihoods through such ventures.

His comments come amid discussions surrounding recent remarks by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who encouraged Nigerians to consider small businesses like akara frying and roasted corn vending as viable sources of income. Ovie defended the First Lady, saying her message had been misinterpreted and should instead be viewed as an encouragement for hard work, resilience and self-reliance.

The post has since attracted mixed reactions online. While many users praised his emphasis on entrepreneurship and the dignity of labour, others argued that promoting small businesses should not replace conversations about job creation, economic growth and broader employment opportunities in the country.

Regina Daniels Get Half of Her Ex- Husband Properties After Divorce

A viral video featuring Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has stirred widespread reactions on social media after she appeared to suggest that she received half of her ex-husband’s property following a divorce.

In the clip making the rounds online, the actress was seen dancing and celebrating while a caption on the video read: “Married at age 19, divorced at 24, collect half of his property.”

The video quickly attracted the attention of many Nigerians, with social media users debating the implication of the statement and sharing differing opinions on marriage, divorce and property rights.
One user, identified as June, wrote: “I like as you de happy now o and Twitter feminist de behind you. Time will tell 😂 and I know say you de create your own happiness too sha but sha continue, we gather de.”

Another user, Gabzy, expressed concerns over the message conveyed in the video, saying: “Did she think men will see this video and have property under their name and once you divorce u collect his property. Men are now Hakimi oooh. I no fit get property register under my name because those women now are gold diggers.”

Julius also questioned the actress’s age claim, writing: “I thought you said you were 17. But na for this country you collect na.”

Joseph added: “Omo nothing dey enticing for your body like fr, everything about you scream old men.”

World Cup: Canada Knocks Out South To Reach Round Of 16

Canada booked their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 for the first time in history after Stephen Eustáquio struck a dramatic 92nd-minute winner to seal a 1-0 victory over South Africa in the Round of 32.

The victory marks Canada’s first-ever qualification for the Round of 16 at a FIFA World Cup and keeps their historic tournament run alive.

There was another major boost for Canada as captain Alphonso Davies made his first appearance of the 2026 World Cup after recovering from injury. His return provided a timely lift as Canada secured a memorable knockout victory.
With extra time looming, Eustáquio delivered the decisive goal deep into stoppage time to send the Canadians through and end South Africa’s World Cup campaign.
South Africa bow out after an impressive tournament that saw them reach the knockout stage, but Eustáquio’s late strike ended their hopes of a first-ever Round of 16 victory.

Canada will now face the winner of the Round of 32 tie between the Netherlands and Morocco in the Round of 16.

Ashleigh Plumptre Dismisses Fake Facebook Claims

Ashleigh Plumptre has dismissed information surrounding her mis out in the Super Falcon WAFCON match

Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has clarified that reports circulating on a Facebook page bearing her name are completely false and do not represent her views.

The Super Falcons star stressed that she is not on Facebook and never made comments claiming she was omitted from the Super Falcons’ WAFCON squad because she refused to meet demands allegedly made by officials.

Plumptre is currently recovering from a successful surgery she underwent in late March to address a persistent foot injury. The 27-year-old is undergoing rehabilitation in the United Kingdom under the supervision of Al-Ittihad’s medical team and is expected to remain sidelined for a few more months.

Her absence from the Super Falcons squad is therefore injury-related and not connected to any of the claims being circulated online.

Wishing Ashleigh a full and speedy recovery! 💚🤍

⚠️ Fans are also advised to be cautious of fake social media accounts and misleading reports.

AshleighPlumptre #SuperFalcons #WAFCON2026 #NigeriaFootball #9jaSportsArena🇳🇬 DISMISSES FAKE FACEBOOK CLAIMS

Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has clarified that reports circulating on a Facebook page bearing her name are completely false and do not represent her views.

The Super Falcons star stressed that she is not on Facebook and never made comments claiming she was omitted from the Super Falcons’ WAFCON squad because she refused to meet demands allegedly made by officials.

Plumptre is currently recovering from a successful surgery she underwent in late March to address a persistent foot injury. The 27-year-old is undergoing rehabilitation in the United Kingdom under the supervision of Al-Ittihad’s medical team and is expected to remain sidelined for a few more months.

Her absence from the Super Falcons squad is therefore injury-related and not connected to any of the claims being circulated online.

Wishing Ashleigh a full and speedy recovery!

Fans are also advised to be cautious of fake social media accounts and misleading reports.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic shades Cristiano Ronaldo

Former Sweden striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, on Tuesday threw shades at Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portugal captain led his team to beat Uzbekistan 5-0 at the World Cup.

Recall that Ronaldo scored a brace as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium.

Following his second goal, Ronaldo delivered a simple message: “I’m back.”

The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward repeated the message after the final whistle as he walked off the pitch.

Reacting, Ibrahimovic said on Fox Sports, “I thought he never left, I don’t know why he says ‘I’m back,’”.

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This comes after Ronaldo received criticism for his performance in Portugal’s first group stage match against DR Congo, in which he failed to score as Roberto Martinez’s men drew 1-1.

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I left Arsenal Not Because of Money: Thierry Henry

According to a report by Football.london, on Saturday June 20, 2026, Thierry Henry has revealed the real reason behind his departure from Arsenal in 2007, insisting that his decision to join Barcelona had nothing to do with money.

The former France international ended an eight-year spell in north London when he completed a move to the Spanish giants for a fee reported to be around £16 million.

By that point, Henry had already secured his place in Arsenal’s history, scoring 226 goals in 370 appearances and playing a central role in two Premier League title-winning campaigns, including the famous “Invincibles” season.

At the time, many believed the switch to Spain was financially motivated, particularly given the lucrative contract he signed at Barcelona.

However, speaking in a recent interview, Henry explained that his desire to compete at the highest level was the driving force behind his decision.

“Competing is above everything,” he said. “I love, love, love Arsenal, but competing is above everything for me, especially competing in training.

“People always say, ‘You love Arsenal so much, so why did you leave?’ I say, ‘I love my family, but I left my house.’ Because competing is key.”

Henry admitted he was fully aware that his place in the Barcelona starting line-up was not guaranteed, but that uncertainty only increased his motivation.

“I didn’t know if I was going to start,” he added. “I was told I wasn’t going to start. I was excited. Competing is everything, when I don’t compete, I’m not the same.”

The move initially proved challenging, with Henry taking time to adapt to a new system and environment. He even acknowledged missing life in England during his early months in Spain.

However, his fortunes soon improved as he formed a formidable attacking partnership with Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto’o.

That trio played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s historic 2008–09 campaign, helping the club secure La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League in a remarkable treble-winning season.

Henry went on to score 49 goals during his three-year spell at Barcelona before leaving in 2010, bringing an end to one of the most successful chapters of his career

Morgan Rogers Agrees To Join Arsenal

In a sensational development for Arsenal fans, Aston Villa’s highly-rated attacker, Morgan Rogers, has reportedly given the green light to a move to the Emirates Stadium.

The news, circulating widely among football circles, suggests the 23-year-old is “keen” on joining the Gunners, delivering a significant boost to Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta’s long-standing pursuit of the versatile talent.

Rogers, who has rapidly emerged as one of England’s most exciting young prospects, is admired for his potent blend of power, pace, creativity, and goal threat. His ability to operate across the front line is also a key factor in Arsenal’s interest.


While the player’s apparent willingness to join marks a crucial step, the Gunners now face the challenge of agreeing on a transfer fee with Aston Villa. Should a deal be struck, Rogers would undoubtedly represent a significant coup for Arsenal as they look to bolster their attacking options.

Thierry Henry Apologized To Nigerians Over Super Eagles/US Jersey World Cup Comment

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has apologised to Nigerians over offending comments he made at the World Cup.

The former France international came under fire on Saturday while covering the USA’s 4-1 victory over Paraguay alongside fellow football icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic for FOX Sports.

During the broadcast, popular streamer IShowSpeed was spotted wearing Nigeria shorts paired with a United States Men’s National Team jersey. Reacting to the outfit, Henry said: “I love Nigeria, but not today. Today is USA for you.”