Vietnam football team stage bizarre ‘mannequin’ protest

Leading Gabon football coach accused of raping young players, president demands probe. A former coach for Gabon's under-17 football team, Patrick Assoumou Eyi, sexually abused young players in his care, according to a report on Thursday in British daily The Guardian.

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.

Tournament favourites Senegal get off to a rocky start, beating Zimbabwe 1-0 thanks to a penalty in injury time. In Group B's other match, Guinea triumph 1-0, with Malawi's squad depleted from Covid-19. Meanwhile, Morocco and Gabon jump to the top of Group C after beating Ghana and first-timers Comoros. Wassim Cornet is joined by sports editors Simon Harding and James Vasina to talk about the highlights of Day 2.

The Pharaohs of Egypt claimed the enormous scalp of the Ivory Coast as they won their last 16 clash on spot kicks 5-4 in Douala on Wednesday evening. Eric Bailly missed the crucial spot kick for the Elephants while star man, Mohamed Salah converted to send his team through. The second game was almost a carbon-copy with no goals scored over 120 minutes between Mali and Equatorial Guinea. But it was the Northern Thunder who won 6-5 on penalties after Mali's, Falaye Sacko had his effort saved.

The Pharaohs played a goalless draw with the Elephants of Ivory Coast in Douala but went on to win after a penalty shoot-out. The seven-time champions are still on course to stretch their record.

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?

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.

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.

We look at British papers' reactions to a "bold" UK plan to process and resettle would-be migrants in Rwanda. Also, there's soul-searching in Senegal after the death of a pregnant woman who was refused a caesarean. Finland and Sweden accelerate their decision on joining NATO in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Finally, cult British film "Bend it Like Beckham" turns 20!