The Confederation of African (CAF) Football has launched an investigation into alleged “unacceptable behaviour” during Nigeria’s victory against Algeria and Morocco’s win over Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations. More from @jaydmharris.bsky.social ⤵️

Brahim Diaz is a substitute for Real Madrid but a superstar for Morocco. The Spanish-born winger has been the undisputed star of AFCON, scoring in every game as the hosts have marched into the semi-finals. Can he soar to even greater heights? 📝 @jaydmharris.bsky.social

Gabon’s national team has been suspended by the government until further notice after they were eliminated from the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations. Gabon finished bottom of Group F after losing all of their games at AFCON. More from @jaydmharris.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 nyti.ms/49zeVey

Souleymane Coulibaly has had a busy life. The former Ivory Coast U17 star spent time in Tottenham Hotspur’s youth ranks, Egypt, Tunisia and Scotland, and fought legal cases with FIFA and CAS. Now playing in England's ninth tier, he speaks to @jaydmharris.bsky.social ⤵️ 🔗 bit.ly/4quLFLC

🚨LAST POD OF 2025!🚨 @acjimbo.bsky.social, @danielstorey85.bsky.social, @tomwfootball.bsky.social & @sebsb.bsky.social bring you a packed Totally: 😍Arsenal v Villa again 🪄Cherki's effect on Pep 🍒Crisis time for Iraola? 🏆 #AFCON2025 with @jaydmharris.bsky.social 🗓️Hopes for 2026 pod.fo/e/36f04b

🤯 Two stunning acrobatic finishes in eight days mean Ayoub El Kaabi is having his own goal of the tournament competition at AFCON 🇲🇦 Piece for @theathleticfc.bsky.social on Morocco's master of overhead kicks www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...

😲 Awful opening 15mins when Fulham scored twice and Chukwueze hit the post 😬 Vicario's horror mistake and being booed for the rest of the game 🤦‍♂️ What now for Frank after three defeats in seven days? Spurs 1-2 Fulham breakdown on @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...

▪️ Unfulfilled promises of land from the government ▪️ Tense negotiations after players boycott training ▪️ Airport stand-off in Libya ▪️ Accusations of opposition ‘voodoo’ The soul-searching has already begun in Nigeria. @jaydmharris.bsky.social on how their World Cup dream went up in smoke.

😡😡NEW VFTL😡😡 FULL-CREW NLD AUTOPSY 😵‍💫 What the actual F××k was that? 🤬 When does "not working" become "can't work"? 🥶 (serious) "Frank out" voices 💲PSG next; should we play the kids? Me @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social @jaydmharris.bsky.social @dankp.bsky.social ⚠️ contains anger and 😲 pod.fo/e/358d9d

🙃 Randal Kolo Muani has not scored in nine games for Spurs while Richarlison has five goals this season 🎭 But does RKM offer more with his all round game? 🇫🇷 Piece for @theathleticfc.bsky.social on RKM & his point to prove against parent club PSG www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

🇨🇩 DR Congo eliminate Nigeria on penalties 🇳🇬 Super Eagles fail to adapt after Osimhen was substituted 🌟 Elia Lina running the show for DRC 🦅 Nigeria miss out on second successive World Cup Full breakdown of a crazy World Cup play-off on @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...

🚨William Troost-Ekong says Nigeria's squad "had to make a stand" & "send a message to the whole of Nigeria & next generation of players" after boycotting training ahead of WC play-off against Gabon due to dispute with NFF Full quotes on @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...

🇳🇬 Nigeria beat Gabon despite chaotic build-up 🇬🇦 What happened with Gabon's penalty appeal? 😱 Breaking down Osimhen's awful miss 🙃 Why were there hardly any fans at kick-off? Full breakdown of Nigeria 4-1 Gabon from Rabat on @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...

🇩🇰 Johan Lange spent 10 years with FC Copenhagen across two spells but his career started at B.93 which is where he met Thomas Frank for the first time two decades ago 📝 Long read for @theathleticfc.bsky.social on how Lange & Frank’s time in Denmark shaped them www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...

😤 Set-piece Spurs smashed Everton’s defensive structure from corners on Sunday 📝 Long read for @theathleticfc.bsky.social on the influence of Thomas Frank, set-piece coach Andreas Georgson, analyst Sean McManus and super VDV www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...

💥 VDV unstoppable from corners 😤 Everton lose at new stadium for the first time 🇫🇷 Randal Kolo Muani's encouraging first start 3⃣ Three goals, three points and third in the table Full breakdown of Everton 0-3 Spurs up on @theathleticfc.bsky.social now www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

🇮🇹 Fabio Paratici has returned to Spurs & will be co-sporting director with Johan Lange 🤔 Why has he come back? Why are they sharing the role? Who will be responsible for transfers? 📝 Full breakdown on @theathleticfc.bsky.social with @jameshorncastle.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

The curse of new Brentford signings getting injured in their debut season continues as Antoni Milambo has suffered an ACL injury 20yo should remember that KLP, Igor Thiago and Damsgaard became key players after their own injury issues @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

🚨 The inevitable return of Fabio Paratici to Spurs 53yo has been appointed as joint sporting director along with Johan Lange who has been promoted from technical director Full analysis here @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...

🎙️Are Spurs for sale? What was that £100m from Enic for? Who is Peter Charrington? Do blondes have more fun? @aakinwo.bsky.social @jaydmharris.bsky.social @dankp.bsky.social & I grapple with all the big Tottenham-related questions… pod.fo/e/33d25e

🇳🇬 Victor Osimhen scores hat-trick in Nigeria's 4-0 win over Benin but it's only enough for a play-off spot 🇿🇦 South Africa avenge last year's AFCON semi-final defeat to Nigeria by topping group & getting automatic spot at 2026 World Cup @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

🇳🇬 Nigeria play Lesotho in a World Cup qualifier tonight 🙏 They need to win and beat Benin on Tuesday to have the best chance of going to the US next year 📝 I spoke to captain William Troost-Ekong about their chances and AFCON 2025 for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

🙃 Awful first half as Bodo batter Spurs 🤦‍♂️ Even worse second half featuring mad 15 minutes of self sabotage ⚽️ Bizarre own goal rescues a point Breakdown of manic night as Spurs draw 2-2 with Bodo/Glimt With @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

🙃 Sloppy Simons ❌ No attacking spark 💪 Palhinha's late equaliser 😮‍💨 A missed opportunity Breakdown of Spurs 1-1 Wolves with @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social on @theathleticfc.bsky.social now www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

🎯🎯NEW VFTL🎯🎯 GUTSY SPURS ⚽️ 2 down at Brighton - but always on top. 🚜 Tough fightback. ⬅️ Left-side conundrum. 🥇Simons makes the difference. 🤔 "Best performance" under Frank? 👌 Destiny delight. 👨‍🦳👨🏾‍🦳👨🏼‍🦱 what team v Doncaster? Me @jaydmharris.bsky.social @jamestmaw.bsky.social pod.fo/e/32f2d6

🚨 Thomas Frank says that "there is a good chance" Dejan Kulusevski will return from injury before the end of the year 🇸🇪 25yo midfielder has not played since May after undergoing knee surgery More on @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...

Very much looking forward to rejoining @vftlpodcast.bsky.social pals @dannykellywords.bsky.social, @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social, @jamestmaw.bsky.social + @jaydmharris.bsky.social at Soho Theatre Walthamstow on Monday Sept 29. 'Last few' tickets can be bought here ⬇️ sohotheatre.com/events/view-...

2-0 down after 31 minutes, Spurs did well to rescue a point against Brighton Full breakdown on @theathleticfc.bsky.social featuring silky supersub Simons, a disjointed defence and an own goal www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

🙃 Tottenham looked blunt in attack last night & at times this season have maybe been too over-reliant on set-pieces It was always going to take time for Thomas Frank to get his ideas across & integrate new signings but they are winning! @TheAthleticFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

Tottenham’s attack is still a work in progress under Thomas Frank. At Brentford, the Dane focused on the defence first before adding “layers” and improving the attack. He is following the same process in north London. 📝 @jaydmharris.bsky.social

That was not a pretty watch but Spurs beat Villarreal 1-0 to secure three points in their opening Champions League game Luiz Junior gifting Spurs victory with a bizarre own goal

🪽 Spurs have six different options at left-wing: Johnson, Odobert, Tel, Simons, Richarlison and Kolo Muani 🤔 So who should be first choice? And is it good or bad for Thomas Frank to have such variety? @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

🚨 Mathys Tel has been left out of Tottenham's squad for the league phase of the Champions League 20yo has struggled during his time with Spurs but still a shock decision More on other omissions including Bissouma and Kulusevski on @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

🤯 A wild window for Spurs which saw them change managers, cause drama with MGW's release clause, get rejected by Eze, sell their captain & spend over £150m on improving squad Breakdown of a crazy summer by @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea inform Bayern Munich they will not be proceeding with proposed loan of Nicolas Jackson after injury to Liam Delap. 24yo striker travelled to Germany for #FCBayern move but #CFC requested Senegal int’l returns to London 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...

🤦‍♂️ Spurs struggling to create chances from open play 🇳🇱 Will Xavi Simons solve their issues? 🍒 Bournemouth's press unsettling the defence Breakdown of Spurs 0-1 Bournemouth with @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social up on @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...

Looking ahead to a rather tasty second weekend of the season on tomorrow's pod 🍿 ⚽️ Newcastle v Liverpool ⚽️ Man City v Tottenham ⚽️ Arsenal v Leeds @acjimbo.bsky.social's got @jaydmharris.bsky.social, @domfifield.bsky.social & Natalie Gedra with him... Thoughts? Questions? Hot takes?! 👇

Exactly three months ago, Spurs won the Europa League final Missing out on Eze and Gibbs-White in the same window underlines feeling that they are failing to build upon momentum of winning their first piece of silverware in 17 years @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...

🇧🇷 Two excellent goals from Richarlison, Sarr on top form and Archie Gray at No 6 in Thomas Frank's first PL game in charge of Spurs Breakdown with @eliasburke.bsky.social of a dream start for Frank with 3-0 win over Burnley @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...

Not the Spurs starting XI I was expecting as Bentancur and Palhinha drop out for Bergvall and Gray. Looks like Sarr will be the most advanced midfielder with Kudus RW and Johnson LW behind Richarlison. Spence, VDV, Porro and Romero at the back.

New @vftlpodcast.bsky.social ! Super Cup pride and woe in Udine! First sight of 'Frankball'! Kudus tribute! Season preview! Romero captain! Djed Spence contract! Refusing to re-fight the Ange Wars! @dannykellywords.bsky.social @dankp.bsky.social @jaydmharris.bsky.social and me pod.fo/e/31367d

Agree that as we stand today the squad may be weaker. But I can’t help but be optimistic entering a new season. Also @jaydmharris.bsky.social is lucky his fare evasion didn’t get him a spot in the next season of squid games

Interview with James Milner ahead of his 24th (!) PL season: * playing in PL at 16... & 39 * concerns for today's youngsters: too much money/exposure too soon, "ridiculous" schedules that risk burn-out * TV cameras in dressing room ("an absolute no-go") * Diogo Jota 💔 www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...

🕵🏽‍♂️ Thomas Frank had a “special operation” for Spurs to use against PSG which nearly worked perfectly 😅They lost but the performance offered a lot of promise for his first season in charge @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...

Thomas Frank describes Spurs' performance against PSG as a "special operation" that he started planning the day after the defeat to Bayern. "In medical terms, the operation succeeded but the patient died."

Despite the defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in the #UEFASuperCup, Thomas Frank should take encouragement from his side’s performance against the European champions in his first competitive match in charge. @eliasburke.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...

🇦🇷 Cristian Romero’s future was uncertain at start of summer but he is here to stay at Spurs after being appointed new captain Priority has to be tying down 27yo defender to new contract. Current deal expires in 2027 @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...

The Totally Football Show is 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 and 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 this season. Here's @acjimbo.bsky.social, an Italian newspaper and a canal to explain...

🔥🔥NEW VFTL🔥🔥 CREATIVITY CRISIS CRUNCH 🦵Madders crocked: where next? ⚽️ eyewitness: Sonny's LA debut. 🎙Fresh from 🇰🇷, @jaydmharris.bsky.social gives us the lowdown on the "camp", plus.. 🛂 Fare-dodging! 👑 2 days till Spurs are linear champions of Europe! Me, Jay, @jamestmaw.bsky.social pod.fo/e/30fee8