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Juventus Slump To Defeat At Empoli After Points Deduction

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Juventus were handed a crushing 4-1 defeat at lowly Empoli in Serie A on Monday after they were docked 10 points in a new ruling over their transfer dealings, which makes it unlikely they will qualify for the Champions League.

Two goals by Francesco Caputo and a strike from Sebastiano Luperto made it 3-0 for Empoli just after halftime.

This was before Federico Chiesa pulled a goal back for Juve five minutes from time and Roberto Piccoli sealed Empoli’s win in stoppage time.

Juve, who learned about the new verdict shortly before kick-off, dropped from second to seventh following the points deduction.

They are on 59 points, one behind AS Roma who occupy the final European qualifying place in sixth and five adrift of fourth-placed AC Milan with two games left.

“Summing up a season in an evening like this is an understatement,” said Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri. “It was a strange situation, 10 minutes before the match the sentence came out.

“Juventus are used to winning, we have to close ranks. There are six points up for grabs and Milan arrive on Sunday.”

Arkadiusz Milik hit the crossbar following a corner in Juve’s intense start to the game and Federico Gatti had a goal ruled out in a follow-up due to a foul in the build-up.

But things went downhill from there for Juventus as Empoli were awarded a penalty for Milik’s foul on Nicolo Cambiaghi and striker Caputo converted from the spot to put the hosts in front in the 18th minute.

It was 2-0 three minutes later when defender Luperto doubled Empoli’s lead following a corner as he struck into the roof of the net on a rebound.

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While first-half chances from Dusan Vlahovic and Gleison Bremer did not cut the deficit for Juve, Empoli continued to show greater determination after the break and added another goal two minutes into the second period.

Midfielder Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro went on a solo run and squared the ball to Caputo who made it 3-0 with a chipped finish.

Juventus put an end to their failings in front of goal when halftime substitute Chiesa pulled a goal back with a low strike five minutes from time in his 200th appearance in Serie A.

But it was too little too late for powerless Juventus who conceded again in stoppage time when forward Piccoli moved easily past three Juve defenders to seal the win.

Juventus, who were knocked out in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday by Sevilla following a 3-2 aggregate loss, previously won all five away matches against Empoli under Allegri.

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Scavengers’ Association Distances Self From Court Case Against Wike

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The Association of Scavengers, Scrap Dealers, and Recyclers, Abuja, has publicly dissociated itself from a Federal High Court suit filed by unregistered scavengers and beggars against the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the association’s chairman, Mallam Muntari Mohammed, clarified that the group is a duly registered body, with members holding valid identity cards and engaging in legitimate waste management, scrap trading, and recycling businesses.

He stressed that the association has always complied with the FCT Administration’s rules and regulations, maintaining a clean record.

Muntari noted that the association had formally written to the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies to affirm its commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure and adhering to stipulated guidelines.

He distanced the group from unregistered scavengers, whom he accused of tarnishing the reputation of legitimate operators through theft and other illicit activities.

The chairman addressed the FCT Minister’s recent ban on scavenging, which stemmed from misunderstandings about the distinction between honest scavengers and rogue elements.

“We have never confronted the FCT authorities and will never do so,” Muntari said, emphatically dissociating the association from the court case against Wike.

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New Pope: Only First Round Of Voting Takes Place Wednesday, Says Vatican

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The Vatican has confirmed that only one round of voting will take place this Wednesday afternoon as the conclave to elect the next pope officially gets underway.

Cardinals from around the world gathered earlier Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel, where they took a sacred oath of secrecy before the chapel doors were ceremonially closed with the Latin phrase “extra omnes,” meaning “everyone out.” The papal master of ceremonies then declared the start of the conclave, invoking a centuries-old tradition whose name comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “locked with key.”

Wednesday’s solitary ballot marked the opening step in the process to choose the new leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. Should the vote prove inconclusive requiring a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope, cardinals will resume the process on Thursday, casting up to four ballots daily until consensus is reached.

Each cardinal votes by writing “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”) on a paper ballot, followed by the name of their chosen candidate. In a quiet and orderly procession, they approach the silver and gilded urn in order of seniority to place their ballots.

As the final vote is cast, the tension rises in St. Peter’s Square, where the faithful and millions watching around the globe await the first sign of smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney. Black smoke will indicate that no decision has been made; white smoke will proclaim that a new pope has been elected.

The last two conclaves, in 2005 and 2013, ended on the second day, with Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis elected after a series of swift ballots, respectively.

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As the doors remain closed and Vatican cameras withdraw, the world waits in hushed anticipation for the next chapter in the history of the Catholic Church to be written.

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Benue Gov Rejects House Committee’s Invitation

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Governor Hyacinth Alia will not honour the House of Representatives Committee invitation scheduled for Thursday, May 8.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, confirmed this to journalists on Wednesday in Makurdi.

The House had summoned the governors of Benue and Zamfara, alongside their Assembly leadership.

Kula stated that the invitation is unconstitutional and the governor will not comply with it.

He explained that Alia has filed a case at the Supreme Court challenging the lawmakers’ invitation.

“Yesterday, the Benue Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the Reps Committee invitation.

“They believe the invitation is based on ignorance and have decided not to attend. They will also challenge it in court,” he said.

Kula added that the governor, independently, has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the invitation’s legality.

He said: “Since the matter is in court, I will not speak further on it.”

Kula also claimed that the civil society group behind the petition is faceless and unregistered.

According to him, the address on the group’s letterhead is fake and lacks credibility.

He said there is a coordinated campaign of misinformation and sponsored protests aimed at destabilising Benue.

In recent weeks, he noted, there have been protests in Abuja allegedly representing Benue people’s concerns.

“These protests aim to provoke a state of emergency in Benue by portraying it in a negative light,” he said.

He claimed the organisers seek to undermine progress and return to a failed political order.

“Their ultimate goal is to create chaos for selfish political gain,” Kula added.

He accused the protest sponsors of trying to remove the governor through disruptive means.

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“They will not succeed. Benue people stand firmly with their governor,” he said.

He assured the public that Benue remains peaceful and the government is functioning effectively.

“Governor Alia is committed to fulfilling his mandate and addressing the state’s challenges,” he said. (NAN)

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