Saka should absolutely play for Nigeria

Asian football in particular has long had a problem with match fixing. While some progress had been made in fighting the crime in recent years, the arrival of COVID-19 has made it easier for match fixers to do business.

A new women's football league is all set to launch on Monday (November 22) across Saudi Arabia. Sixteen teams will take part in the league.

Athletes travelling to next month's Beijing Olympics were warned on Tuesday (January 18) about speaking up on human rights issues while in China for their own safety by speakers at a seminar hosted by Human Rights Watch. Rights groups have long criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for awarding the Games to China, citing the treatment by the Chinese government of the Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups, which the United States has deemed genocide.

Every two years, football comes home... to Africa.This year, Afcom is hosted by Cameroon and, no doubt, there's plenty to criticise: dodgy calls by the ref, questionable Covid protocols and a deadly stampede that left eight dead.And yet football fans the world over are enthralled. Every day brings new twists: minnows have upset powerhouses, and stars who normally spend winter in the European leagues have shown up for their national sides. Today we asked what exactly it is that's got us riveted?

Every two years, football comes home... to Africa. This year, the Africa Cup of Nations is hosted by Cameroon and, no doubt, there's plenty to criticise: dodgy calls by the ref, questionable Covid-19 protocols and a deadly stampede that left eight dead. And yet, football fans the world over are enthralled. Every day brings new twists: minnows have upset powerhouses, and stars who normally spend winter in the European leagues have shown up for their national sides. So what exactly is it about AFCON that's got us riveted?

While the International Olympic Committee has said that politics and sport do not mix, there are many examples to the contrary. Athletes have often been advocates for social change, while activists are angry about Beijing hosting the Winter Olympics despite rampant allegations of human rights abuses. More than 200 global groups have made a joint call for a diplomatic boycott. We take a closer look.

Salima Mukansanga, 33, became the first female referee to officiate a game at the Africa Cup of Nations when she oversaw the Zimbabwe-Guinea tie in this year's group stage. She sat down with FRANCE 24's James Vasina to tell us more about her journey and what her experience means for women in the male-dominated world of football.

A women-only motorcycle club is breaking gender stereotypes in Tunisia, organising rallies and events to encourage other women to ride.

We take a look at the business of this year's Winter Olympics. A report suggests the true cost is 10 times more than the official $3.9 billion price tag, but Beijing is banking on other benefits. Also, Amazon reports another strong sales quarter, with its advertising business playing an increasingly significant role.

We look at a Russian doping scandal involving a budding ice skating champion at the Winter Olympics. Also in Russia, a teenager is sentenced to prison for trying to blow up the Russian intelligence agency in a video game. Plus, a woman says the viral word game Wordle saved her from a terrifying home invasion and finally, we bring you the darling of the US Olympic curling team!

The purchases of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, even the sponsorship of Bayern Munich, are alleged versions of sportswashing - the practice of trying to boost a country's public image through sports. Sports Life reporter Hecko Flores explains how state-owned Gazprom, Etihad Airways and Emirates use football for their own, and their home country's, profit.

Patrice Evra, French football coach, and former professional player talk about his mission in Nigeria, Africa, and how he started playing left-back as a professional footballer. Evra who served as captain for both the English football club, Manchester United, and the France national team also talked about his early days at the Manchester United football club.