Barcelona forward Hamza Abdelkarim has endorsed teammate Lamine Yamal as the player most deserving of this year’s Ballon d’Or.

Yamal is among the 30 nominees for the prestigious award, with the winner set to be announced in October. Speaking about the shortlist, Abdelkarim acknowledged that several Barcelona players were worthy candidates but singled out Yamal for special praise.

“There are many players in the team who could win it. They would deserve it,” Abdelkarim said, as quoted by Barca Universal. “But I think we can all agree that in Lamine’s case, it would be very deserved. I’m very happy to play alongside him every day.”

Yamal’s case is strengthened by his achievements with both club and country. He helped Spain win the World Cup during the summer and played a key role in Barcelona’s LaLiga triumph last season.

Bucharest, Romania – The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) has announced a significant new disciplinary measure aimed at curbing inappropriate behavior from parents and spectators during youth football matches. Effective immediately, the “black card” will empower referees to definitively halt matches in response to persistent abusive conduct.

This initiative, sanctioned by the FRF’s emergency committee on September 11th, is integrated into the existing system for children’s and youth competitions, applying to age groups from 7 to 16 years. The federation emphasizes that “Football must remain a game, a source of joy and healthy development for children,” and seeks to shield young athletes from undue pressure and mistreatment.

The black card represents the ultimate sanction. Following an initial warning and a potential 10-minute match suspension, continued misconduct will lead to the referee issuing a black card, signifying the permanent cessation of the game. This protocol is designed to ensure that “children should not be subjected to the ambitions, pressures, or frustrations of adults in the stands.”

The types of behavior targeted are comprehensive, encompassing verbal abuse, physical altercations, and insults directed at players, technical staff, referees, or other spectators. The FRF’s decisive action underscores a commitment to fostering a positive and protective environment for youth football, sending a clear message that abusive behavior will not be tolerated.

Enugu, Nigeria – Following a thrilling victory in the CAF Champions League, Rangers International F.C. have been awarded a significant cash prize of $10,000. The bonus, presented by the club’s Chairman, Barrister Amobi Ezeaku, comes after their hard-fought 5-4 penalty shootout win against Sobemap FC.

The generous gesture is intended to invigorate the players’ morale as they prepare for the subsequent stages of the competition. The Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) champions demonstrated their resilience, drawing 1-1 with their hosts in the first preliminary round’s reverse fixture at the Stade de Kegue, Lome, culminating in a 2-2 aggregate score.

Rangers are now set to face Algerian club MC Alger in what promises to be another challenging encounter in the second preliminary round. The team’s dedication and recent success underscore their ambition in this prestigious continental tournament.