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Why I Want To Buy Arsenal – 38-Year-Old Spotify Owner, Daniel Ek

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Spotify founder and CEO, Daniel Ek, has revealed why he intends to buy London-based football club, Arsenal, from its current American owners, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.

According to Ek, ownership of Arsenal would present a “tremendous opportunity to set a real ambition for the club to bring it back to its glory.”

The 38-year-old Swedish entrepreneur made the revelation during an interview on Wednesday on the CNBC show, “Squawk on the Street”.

“I want to establish trust with fans and I want to engage with fans again,” said Ek.

He added: “I’ve secured the funds for it and I want to bring what I think is a very compelling offer to the owners. I hope they hear me out.”

Reminded that Kroenke has said that the club isn’t up for sale, Ek affirms that he is prepared for “a long journey,” saying that “All I can do is prepare what I think is a very thoughtful offer and bring it to them and hope they hear me out.”

Ek’s interest in buying the club comes in the middle of the club fanbase’s dissatisfaction with the club owner, Stan Kroenke.

Last week Friday, Arsenal fans had gathered in protest outside the Emirates Stadium ahead of their Premier League game with Everton, demanding that Kroenke surrenders his ownership of the club.

The protest was a reaction to the club owners signing up to the now nearly disbanded European Super League without first consulting the fans.

Ek had tweeted earlier that he has been a lifelong Arsenal fan: “As a kid growing up, I’ve cheered for Arsenal as long as I can remember. If KSE would like to sell Arsenal I’d be happy to throw my hat in the ring.”

Since announcing his interest to buy the club, Ek has teamed up with club legends, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, and Patrick Vieira.

The Guardian reports that Kroenke is will want at least £2 billion if he is to consider selling the club he has run since April 2011.

Forbes estimated Ek’s net worth to be in the region of $4.8 billion (£3.4bn) in early 2021, with the Swedish entrepreneur amassing wealth through his popular music streaming service.

BIG STORY

BREAKING: CAF Slams Libya $50,000 Fine, Awards Super Eagles 3 Points

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a $50,000 fine on Libya over the “inhumane treatment” inflicted on the Nigerian national team, while awarding the Super Eagles three points and three goals.

This was revealed by Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, in a post on his X handle on Saturday.

The decision follows CAF’s investigation into Libya’s maltreatment of the Super Eagles upon their arrival in the North African nation for the return leg of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“CAF awards three points and three goals to Nigeria. Libya fined $50,000.

“Plane was diverted 300km from scheduled airport even when the pilot told them he was low on fuel.

“One step closer to our target AFCON 2025,” Troost-Ekong wrote.

 

More to come…

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BIG STORY

U-17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos Beat Dominican Republic, Face US In Quarter Finals

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With an 89th-minute late goal, Nigeria’s women’s U-17 national team, the Flamingos, beat hosts Dominican Republic early Wednesday in Santo Domingo in the ongoing 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Midfielder Shakirat Moshood collected the ball from 25 yards and launched a powerful left-footed strike at goal which went past the Dominican goalkeeper, marking her fourth in the tournament.

Earlier, 15 minutes into the game, Moshood’s attempt was ruled offside by the Video Assistant Referee, before team captain Taiwo Afolabi struck to force the Dominican goalkeeper to a save.

After half-time, the Flamingos kept piling the pressure on their opponents before Moshood found the net.

The win is the Flamingo’s third consecutive as they emerged Group A leaders, above Ecuador, hosts Dominican and New Zealand.

The win in their final group game has helped them amass a total of nine points.

The Flamingos have been in blistering form in the South American nation, winning their first two games, scoring eight goals, and conceding just one

Coach Bankole Olowokoore’s side began the tournament with an emphatic 4-1 win over New Zealand in the Group A opener at Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros and followed that up with another impressive 4-0 victory over Ecuador.

Olowokoore had expressed confidence that the girls would make Nigeria proud at the tourney, saying, “I will not change our messages to Nigerians but to thank and appreciate them for their support.

According to the X handle of the FIFA U-17 WWC, the Nigerian game is the highest-attended football match for any Dominican Republic National Team, which saw a record of 13,535 spectators.

The Flamingos will face their United States counterpart in the quarterfinal bout of the tournament.

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BIG STORY

AFCON: CAF To Decide Libya Vs Nigeria Case Wednesday

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The Confederation of African Football will announce its decision on Wednesday regarding the “botched AFCON qualifying Group D” match between Libya and Nigeria, which was supposed to take place at “Benina Martyrs Stadium” on October 15.

According to “Libya Al-Ahrar Channel,” CAF will reveal the final decision concerning the players’ ordeal during the first leg in Nigeria, which ended 1-0 in favor of the “Super Eagles,” and the reverse fixture that would have taken place at Libya’s first all-seater stadium, with a capacity of 10,550.

The outlet also mentioned that the “Libyan Football Federation” submitted all necessary documents, with a specialized lawyer assigned to oversee the Libyan file with CAF.

A day after the canceled match, CAF removed the fixture from its calendar and announced the cancellation just hours before kick-off, referring the matter to the “Disciplinary Committee” for further consideration.

In a statement released on Monday, the “Libyan Football Federation” criticized the actions taken by the Nigerian team for refusing to play against Libya and confirmed its intent to take all legal steps to safeguard the interests of their national team.

Nigeria arrived for the match on October 14, but their flight was redirected to “Al Abraq International Airport,” which is around three hours by road from “Benghazi,” the match venue. The Libyan authorities held the Nigerian team for 17 hours, causing them trauma before they eventually returned home.

Nigeria filed a complaint with CAF, recounting their experience. Meanwhile, the “Libyan Federation” claimed that the Nigerian team was uncooperative during both the first and second legs, stating their own experience in Nigeria was far worse compared to what they went through during the first leg.

CAF described the situation involving the Nigerian team in Libya as “extremely dangerous.” CAF further stated that it had been in contact with both the “Libyan” and “Nigerian authorities” after the Nigerian team was subjected to troubling conditions at the airport for several hours.

The matter has been referred to the “Disciplinary Committee” to investigate and take appropriate measures against those who breached regulations.

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