Sports
Trump won’t watch NFL, US soccer … if players kneel during national anthem
US President Donald Trump says he will not watch the US Soccer national teams or the NFL if players are allowed to kneel during the national anthem.
The United States Soccer Federation repealed its requirement that players stand during the national anthem on Wednesday, saying the policy was wrong and detracted from the Black Lives Matter movement.
Last weekend, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league made mistakes in not listening to players in a video on Friday, denouncing racism in the United States amid widespread protests over police brutality against black people.
On Thursday, Republican congressman Matt Gaetz criticised the outcome of the US Soccer vote, posting on Twitter: “I’d rather the US not have a soccer team than have a soccer team that won’t stand for the National Anthem.”
On Saturday, President Trump quote-tweeted Gaetz twice, first posting: “I won’t be watching much anymore!” Then added: “And it looks like the NFL is heading in that direction also, but not with me watching!”
Houston Texans star JJ Watt was one of a number of athletes to criticise the stance taken by Gaetz and Trump, saying: “If you still think it’s about disrespecting the flag or our military, you clearly haven’t been listening.”
Major League Soccer is set to return on July 8 at Walt Disney World following delays due to COVID-19, while the new NFL season is set to begin on September 10.
US Soccer’s ban on kneeling during the anthem came into effect after USWNT player Megan Rapinoe kneeled in 2017 in support of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Kaepernick first kneeled during the anthem in 2016 in protest against police brutality and racial inequality. – Eurosport
A step closer to glory awaits six Ghana Premier League (GPL) club sides and two Division One clubs as they battle for spots at the semi-finals stage of the 2025-26 MTN FA Cup this weekend at the Cape Coast Stadium and the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem.
Dreams FC, the 2022-2023 champions, will clash with Heart of Lions in the quarter-finals at the Cape Coast Stadium tomorrow at pm.
Heart of Lions are going through a difficult spell in the league, having lost ground on their title aspirations that started brightly.
Dreams FC thrashed Lions 3-0 in the reverse fixture of the GPL game in January after losing 1-0 in the first round tie, and tomorrow’s game comes in to settle the scores between the two sides this season.
Although struggling, Lions lie two places above Dreams’ 12th position on the league log and will look to take that inspiration into the game.
The day’s other game will see two-time champions Medeama SC battle Access Bank Division One League (DOL) Zone Three side Attram De Visser at the same venue at 7pm.
The GPL leaders Medeama SC are in the chase for a double this season and will chase a win to appease their fans.
After defeating Asante Kotoko 4-2 on penalties in the Round of 16, Aduana FC will seek to account for Access Bank DOL Zone One B campaigners, Techiman Liberty Youth, today.
Aduana FC are in the hunt for a double this season as they are currently third on the GPL table, trailing leaders Medeama SC with five points.
Having been decisive in matches against Nsuatre FC, Victory Club Warriors and Real Tamale United to get this far, the best in the annals of the club’s history, coach Ezekiel Nii Yeboah of Liberty Youth would be out to cause an upset.
At the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem tomorrow, another interesting pairing is set to play out as the all-Premier League affair between Nations FC and Berekum Chelsea takes centre stage.
By Raymond Ackumey
The Black Starlets will intensify preparations for the upcoming 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations with a double-header of friendly matches against FC Samartex 1996 at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, Samraboi.
The national U-17 side will first take on the youth team of Samartex on Saturday at4pm, as the technical team continues to assess player combinations and sharpen match readiness ahead of the continental tournament.
The following day, Sunday, March 15, the Starlets will return to the same venue to face the senior side of Samartex in another crucial preparatory fixture, also scheduled for 4pm.
These matches form part of a series of build-up games designed to test the squad’s depth, tactical discipline and competitive edge as they prepare for the AFCON challenge.
The Starlets have already played several friendly matches during their training programme, including encounters against True Democracy FC, Port City FC, Attram De Visser Academy, Semper Fi FC and Golden Kick FC.
The upcoming double-header is expected to provide another valuable opportunity for the technical team to fine-tune strategies and evaluate players as Ghana’s young talents continue their preparations for the 2026 U-17 AFCON.
