Sports

Anthony Joshua in talks to invest in boyhood club Watford

Published

1 month ago

June 1, 2024

Representatives of British-Nigerian former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, are in talks to invest in English championship football clubside, Watford.

Joshua’s spokesperson, who confirmed the development on Friday, said preliminary talks were ongoing with the boxer’s team working with an investment group as Joshua mulls the idea of putting money into the club he has supported from his childhood.

According to reports in the Athletics, Joshua is a Watford fan and could be set to take a minority stake in the Championship club.

The Athletics reports that the boxer’s camp have opened talks with the club about a potential investment after the club approached him to seek assistance in staying alive.

The Athletics said the club which appears to be actively seeking investment, are valued at a fee in the region of £150 million to £175m ($191m to $223m).

“Joshua was born in Watford and reportedly has a net worth of £150m to £200m ($191m to $254m). He is a two-time heavyweight champion and also claimed gold at the London Olympics in 2012,” the Athletics said.

“The boxer has good relationships with former Watford owner Sir Elton John and ex-skipper Troy Deeney, while footballers such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar have been spotted with Joshua watching the Tyson Fury fight with Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia.

“A spokesperson for Joshua told The Athletic:

“An investment business which has brought Anthony investment opportunities in the past was approached and held an entry level discussion about an opportunity with Watford Football Club.

“This was an initial chat without even a discussion over due diligence which so often kills these types of deal.”

If Joshua does opt to invest in Watford he will become the latest big name to make the move into football, and will be following in the footsteps of Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney who took over at Wrexham, NFL legend JJ Watt who invested in Burnley and legendary quarter-back Tom Brady is a minority owner at Birmingham City.

The Hertfordshire outfit earned promotion back to the Premier League in 2015 and enjoyed five consecutive campaigns in the top-flight before being relegated in 2020.

Joshua who spoke on the potential investment said:

“I grew up in Watford and a couple of the Watford players used to get their hair cut in the local barbers, so I support Watford.

“My good friend Troy Deeney played for them as a striker, so I’ve got a lot of love for where I grew up – Watford FC but my overall favourite, because of the one man, Cristiano Ronaldo, I’m going to roll with Real Madrid.”

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Sports

Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay makes history at Tour de France

Published

2 hours ago

July 2, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Unheralded Eritrean cyclist, Biniam Girmay, on Monday, made history by becoming the first Black African rider to claim victory in a Tour de France stage.

Girmay crossed the finish line ahead of tour favourites, Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud De Lie, completing the stage in 5 hours, 26 minutes, 48 seconds.

Girmay won stage three of the 2024 Tour in Turin after a crash in the peloton, three kilometres from the finish, dashed Mark Cavendish’s hopes of becoming the Tour’s record-breaking stage winner for yet another day.

The 24-year-old Girmay who rides for the Intermarché-Wanty team, had already won a stage in the 2022 Giro d’Italia and of the Belgian classic Gent-Wevelgem, and took his first Tour success after sprinting ahead of Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud De Lie.

Speaking after the race, the Eritrean said:

“Ever since I started cycling, I’ve always been dreaming of the Tour. But to win in my second Tour, in a big bunch sprint, is unbelievable. It means a lot, personally for me, and for the continent.

“I remember my father really liked to watch the Tour every July. He always showed us the Tour de France on TV. One day, I asked him if it was possible to be part of the Tour, and he said: ‘Keep going and everything is possible.’

“Today, everybody will believe African riders can succeed in the World Tour. We must be proud, now we are really part of the big races, now it’s our moment, our time.”

Girmay’s victory came on the third day and the longest stage of this year’s race, spanning 230.8 kilometers (roughly 143 miles) between Piacenza and Turin.

Girmay had previously achieved a milestone in Italy two years ago by winning a stage at the Giro d’Italia, making him the first Black African to secure a victory in a Grand Tour, which includes the Giro, the Tour de France, and the Spanish Vuelta.

Sports

Samuel Eto’o threatens to sue CAF after match-fixing hearing

Published

24 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Isaac Dachen

President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto’o, has threatened to institute a lawsuit against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following a disciplinary hearing over match-fixing allegations against him.

The Cameroonian football legend announced the threat after he was invited for questioning over the allegations.

The ex-Barcelona, Chelsea and Inter Milan striker has been a subject of match-fixing allegations in his capacity as head of the FECAFOOT after he was accused of having orchestrated the promotion of a team owned by a close associate of his.

Apart from the match-fixing allegations, Eto’o is also accused of spreading false information, making threats, inciting violence and abusing power, in a scalding report sent to FIFA.

According to the report, Eto’o was charged by CAF over the alleged offences and on Wednesday, June 26th, he appeared before a disciplinary panel.

Though the outcome of the hearing are yet unknown as CAF is yet to publish an official statement, Eto’o says he is not satisfied with the process and will be seeking redress in court.

“I have mandated my lawyers to file a complaint against CAF and for responsibilities to be established,” Eto’o said while addressing journalists.

“It was too easy to tarnish everything I had built during these few years in the world of football. CAF launched a press release much too early. This is unacceptable behaviour.”