Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt has urged Kobbie Mainoo to refuse to play in England’s World Cup third-place match against France.
Butt said the midfielder has been unfairly overlooked throughout the tournament and should not be asked to feature in what he described as a meaningless game.
He argued that Mainoo has not played a single minute and should not be exposed to injury in a match that offers little value after England’s semi-final exit.
Butt also called for the dismissal of England manager Thomas Tuchel, insisting the German coach should not remain in charge after the team’s disappointing World Cup campaign.
He suggested that the Football Association should look at other options, naming Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and United States coach Mauricio Pochettino as possible replacements.
The comments have added to the pressure on Tuchel as criticism continues to mount following England’s exit from the tournament.
Tagged as:
England football France Kobbie Mainoo Manchester United Nicky Butt sports news Thomas Tuchel Tuchel sack World Cup
About the author
Zelenskiy shakes up national security post as protesters rally for second day
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has appointed former interior minister Ihor Klymenko to lead the national security and defence council after a controversial shake-up in his wartime government. Klymenko will coordinate all components of the security and defence sector, including defence production, according to Zelenskiy.+ The move followed the dismissal of a popular young defence minister, a decision that sparked rare wartime protests in Kyiv and other cities for a second day. Demonstrators gathered outside the president’s office demanding that the ousted minister be reinstated, saying the government had not properly explained the reason for the removal. The reshuffle is part of a wider political overhaul that has already seen parliament approve a new prime minister and other cabinet changes Zelenskiy’s office says the changes are meant to strengthen Ukraine’s security and defence structure at a time when the country is […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA July 17, 2026
RMD appointed male feminist ambassador
Veteran Nollywood actor, writer and producer Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, has been appointed as an ambassador for the Male Feminists Network. The appointment was made by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development in Abuja as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against gender-based violence. RMD will work alongside other ambassadors to help lead a national campaign aimed at ending violence against women and promoting gender equality. Speaking after the announcement, the actor said the issue of gender-based violence requires urgent attention and collective action from all levels of society. He added that more men must speak up and support the campaign against abuse, discrimination and harmful social norms. The organisers said RMD’s influence and public standing will help spread awareness and encourage more people to join the movement.
Abdulmumini Auwal SA July 17, 2026
World Cup: Nicky Butt urges Mainoo to boycott France clash, calls for Tuchel’s sack
Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt has urged Kobbie Mainoo to refuse to play in England’s World Cup third-place match against France. Butt said the midfielder has been unfairly overlooked throughout the tournament and should not be asked to feature in what he described as a meaningless game. He argued that Mainoo has not played a single minute and should not be exposed to injury in a match that offers little value after England’s semi-final exit. Butt also called for the dismissal of England manager Thomas Tuchel, insisting the German coach should not remain in charge after the team’s disappointing World Cup campaign. He suggested that the Football Association should look at other options, naming Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and United States coach Mauricio Pochettino as possible replacements. The comments have added to the pressure on Tuchel as criticism […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA July 17, 2026
Nigeria, Morocco agree deal on agricultural intelligence, food security
Nigeria and Morocco have agreed to deepen cooperation on agricultural intelligence and food security through a new technology driven partnership. A high level Nigerian delegation has been sent to Morocco to finalise the arrangement, which will support the development of Nigeria’s first National Agro-Productivity System. The initiative is designed to provide real time data on crop location, land availability, yield projections and food security threats across the country. According to officials, the shared geospatial platform will help federal, state and local governments make better decisions on crop planning, agribusiness investment and early warning for food supply risks. The partnership is expected to be formalised with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Nigeria’s PFSCU, OCP Africa and Ground Truth Analytics. Phase one of the project will begin with a six month pilot in three states before wider rollout.
Abdulmumini Auwal SA July 17, 2026
Mary Habila’s family petitions IGP, demands release of body for burial
The family of the late nurse, Mary Habila, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, asking for the immediate release of her body so they can proceed with burial rites.thewhistler+5 Mary died at the residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Ebonyi State, a development that sparked public controversy and calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of her death.naijanews+3 Her father, Tanko Habila, led other relatives and the family’s lawyers to Force Headquarters in Abuja, where they submitted the petition and complained that the Ebonyi State Police Command had held on to the body for weeks despite the family completing all required procedures.thesun+4 Speaking to journalists, Tanko said the family is not interested in an autopsy and does not suspect anyone of foul play, insisting that sudden death can occur naturally and that their only wish […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA July 17, 2026
Supreme Court okays forfeiture of Emefiele’s $2m, properties and share certificates to FG
The Supreme Court has affirmed the final forfeiture of $2.045 million, several luxury properties and share certificates linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele to the Federal Government.thecable+5 In a unanimous judgment delivered by a panel led by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, the apex court set aside an earlier decision of the Court of Appeal in Lagos, which had nullified the forfeiture order and ordered a fresh hearing at the Federal High Court.naijanews+3 The ruling restores the November 1, 2024 order of Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos, which directed the permanent forfeiture of the funds, seven choice landed properties and share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust believed to be linked to Emefiele.pmnewsnigeria+3 The forfeited assets include fully detached duplexes on Hakeem Odumosu Street in Lekki Phase 1, an undeveloped parcel of […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA July 17, 2026
Related
England boss hammered by media after World Cup exit
England manager Thomas Tuchel is facing heavy criticism from the media after his team’s World Cup exit against Argentina. England lost 2-1 in the semi-final, missing a chance to reach their first World Cup final since 1966. Tuchel came under fire for his cautious approach and substitutions, which some analysts said allowed Argentina to take control of the match. The German coach had earlier blamed his players for being too passive, but British newspapers and commentators focused instead on his tactics and game management. The defeat has raised fresh questions about Tuchel’s future and whether he can quickly rebuild confidence in the England team. For many supporters, the loss was another painful setback in a tournament that had offered real hope of ending decades of World Cup disappointment.
Abdulmumini Auwal SA July 16, 2026
Russian Haaland lookalike says viral video felt like a dream
A Russian model who has gone viral for looking like Manchester City striker Erling Haaland says the experience felt like a dream.nst+1 Anastasia Kostromitina shot to global attention after a video of her at the World Cup spread widely online, with many fans initially thinking she was Haaland himself.instagram+1 She said she did not understand what was happening at first and never expected the clip to attract so much attention. The viral moment has since brought her new followers and brand offers.nst+2 Kostromitina, who previously did not follow football closely, now finds herself linked to one of the game’s biggest stars because of her striking resemblance and similar hairstyle.nst+2 She said the response has been overwhelming but also exciting, and that she hopes to continue using the unexpected fame to grow her modelling and influencer career.
Abdulmumini Auwal SA July 15, 2026
England vs Argentina named highest-risk World Cup match
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation has classified the FIFA World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina as the tournament’s highest-risk match. The designation came after a security meeting involving the FBI, FIFA officials and local police ahead of the game. Officials reportedly reviewed fan behaviour, rivalry concerns and possible crowd-control issues before reaching the decision. The match is expected to attract intense attention because of the history and passion surrounding both teams. Security agencies are now working with organisers to ensure safety before, during and after the fixture.
Abdulmumini Auwal SA July 14, 2026
Nine Super Falcons players arrive in camp ahead of WAFCON
Nine players of the Super Falcons have arrived in camp as Nigeria continues preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, in Morocco. The early arrivals are expected to help the team settle down and begin training ahead of the tournament. More players are still expected to join the camp in the coming days as the squad builds up fully. The team is looking to fine-tune its preparations after announcing a strong list of invited players for the competition. The Super Falcons remain one of Africa’s most successful women’s football teams and will be aiming for another strong run in Morocco. The camp update is part of the final phase of the team’s build-up before the tournament begins.
Abdulmumini Auwal SA July 13, 2026
2026 FIFA World Cup Africa challenge ends in disappointment
Africa’s bid to make a strong title challenge at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended in disappointment. Despite the continent’s record representation at the tournament, African teams were unable to turn their numbers into a serious run for the title. The result has been described as a letdown, especially after expectations were high that African teams would make a bigger impact at the expanded World Cup. For many fans, the outcome was a reminder that more qualification spots do not automatically translate into success on the biggest stage. The continent’s teams showed promise in parts of the competition, but they could not sustain the momentum needed to go far in the title race.
Abdulmumini Auwal SA July 11, 2026
Spain on collision course with France as Belgium stands in the way
European champions Spain are on course for a blockbuster World Cup showdown with France, but they must first get past Belgium in the quarter-finals. Spain have been one of the standout teams at the tournament, with a solid defence and strong attacking play carrying them into the last eight. Their impressive run has increased expectations that a possible meeting with France could be one of the biggest matches of the competition. Belgium, however, stand in their way. The Red Devils have shown enough quality and experience to make the quarter-final a difficult test for Spain. The potential Spain vs France clash has already generated excitement because of the talent on both sides, including France star Kylian Mbappe. Spain’s young forward Lamine Yamal has also been one of the headline names at the tournament. Spain are hoping to continue their unbeaten […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA July 10, 2026
Be the first to leave a comment