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Raphael Varane: Manchester United Defender Criticises Added Time And Dissent Rule Changes

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Raphael Varane joined Manchester United in August 2021

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane says new injury time and dissent rules are “damaging our game” and players are “not being heard”.

Matches will have more injury time this season to more accurately reflect stoppages in play, while players and managers have been warned they face tougher punishments for poor behaviour at games.

On Sunday the new added time rule was criticised by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

He claimed the “big brains” did not consult people in the game after his side conceded in the 101st minute of the Community Shield, which they went on to lose on penalties to Arsenal.

Also in that match, Arsenal’s Thomas Partey and City’s Julian Alvarez were both booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle was blown for a free-kick, while Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was shown a yellow card after asking for Rodri to be booked as new conduct rules from the Football Association kicked in.

“We had a meeting last week with the FA. They recommended from the referees new decisions and rules,” former France international Varane, 30, wrote in a post on social media on Monday.

“From the managers and players, we have shared our concerns for many years now that there are too many games, the schedule is overcrowded, and it’s at a dangerous level for players’ physical and mental well-being.

“Despite our previous feedback, they have now recommended for next season: longer games, more intensity, and less emotions to be shown by players. We just want to be in good condition on the pitch to give 100% to our club and fans. Why are our opinions not being heard?”

World Cup winner Varane, who retired from international football earlier this year, added: “As a player I feel very privileged to do the job I love every day but I feel these changes are damaging our game. We want to be at our maximum level, the best we can be and put on amazing performances for fans to celebrate every week.

“I believe it is important that we, players and managers, highlight these important issues as we want to protect the game we love and give the fans our best.”

Meetings took place with both City and United last week to discuss the implementation of these new rules.

The Professional Footballers’ Association said its chief executive Maheta Molango had met with a “significant number” of senior players and managers in the past few weeks, including Varane.

“There are concerns about how the new additional time rules will play out over a long season of league and cup games, as opposed to short tournaments,” a PFA spokesperson said.

“Across what is now essentially a year-long football season, players are already thinking of these additional minutes in terms of extra games being played. It also comes at a time when players are pushing back against what is, increasingly, a completely unsustainable football calendar.”

Talking to BBC Sport about fixture congestion last month, Fifa vice-president and Concacaf president Victor Montagliani said: “The pressure on the players is really only for the 1% [at the top of the game]. The rest of the footballers in the world don’t play enough football. I can say that not only in my Confederation but even in Europe, for the majority of players, unless you are playing for a top, top club, when you are maybe not playing to the level others are playing at.”

Why do we now have more injury time?

Football’s lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (Ifab), announced its intention to “create fairer conditions for both teams in terms of the amount of time available in a match” at the start of the year, a trend which came to the fore at the Qatar World Cup at the end of 2022.

Upon that recommendation, the Football Association and English Football League have told match officials to add on the exact time taken for certain events – like goals and substitutions – rather than the “nominal” amount they have previously used.

The average amount of time the ball spent in play in England during the 2022-23 season diminishes lower down the professional pyramid.

The Premier League average was 55 minutes, the Championship was 52 minutes, League One was 50 minutes, and in League Two matches just 48 minutes.

The first weekend of the 2023-24 EFL season was marked by many games with long amounts of injury time.

Guardiola said: “Now, every game we’re going to play for 100 minutes. Wasting time, from my point of view, it is not going to be solved by extending 10 more minutes.

“It’s more tiring for the players. It’s too much.”

In the build-up to the new Championship season, QPR manager Gareth Ainsworth was also sceptical. “I think that there will be some in-season reviews on some of these rules. I really do, because I can’t see them working.”

However, Charlton Athletic boss Dean Holden is “on board” with the bid to have more playing time.

“I am a trained referee myself and know how difficult it is to make so many decisions and to keep an eye on the time. I think it should be either the fourth official or someone in the stadium that does the time.” He told BBC Sport.

Tougher punishment for poor behaviour

The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship, National League System (Steps 1-4) and referees’ governing body PGMOL have joined together to launch a ‘participant charter’.

It was also developed in partnership with the League Managers Association and Professional Footballers’ Association.

Players and managers have been warned they face tougher punishments for poor behaviour at games, while there are also new rules to adhere which cover the technical area.

The FA issued more than 20 fines to Premier League clubs last season for surrounding match officials or mass confrontations, totalling more than £1m.

The protocols for this season include a team’s manager having to attend a pre-match briefing while “players and team officials not listed on the team sheet must not enter the technical area”.

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itel Launches A300+: Most Affordable Duo-Screen Smartphone with a Rear Screen

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itel, the technology empowerment brand for masses, officially unveiled its new product A300+, brand’s first interactive dual-screen smartphone in its price range. itel A300+ comes with a comprehensive set of features — a 7000mAh marathon battery, IP65 military-grade durability, and satellite communication capability, demonstrating that innovation and complete product strength can coexist at an accessible price point.

 

A First-of-Its-Kind Rear Screen Experience: Interactive Innovation for a New Generation

itel A300+ coming with an interactive rear display is a rare feature in this price category, designed to deliver a smart entertainment experience for young generations. Far from being a cosmetic gimmick, the rear screen provides practical functions built around real everyday scenarios. Users can frame selfies using the higher-quality rear camera with a live preview on the back screen, glance at incoming messages and alerts without waking the main display, and play, pause, or skip tracks directly from the rear screen. The rear display also supports customizable clocks, photos, and designs, giving users a personal window to express their individual style. Complementing the rear screen, the A300+ features a 6.78-inch immersive punch-hole main display, offering a cleaner, more expansive viewing experience for streaming, gaming, browsing, and social media.

 

 

Performance and Value in Balance: Delivering Fresh Technology Despite Industry Pressure

Even amid rising industry costs, itel has chosen to bring fresh technology to its products while continuously improving performance and keeping pricing accessible. The A300+ is powered by a 7000mAh marathon battery engineered for long-term reliability, supporting up to 1,200 charging cycles — far exceeding the industry standard, and designed to retain healthy capacity. AI Charging Protection intelligently manages charging patterns to reduce battery degradation, while Smart Power Management optimizes power consumption across apps and hardware to extend usage time between charges.

 

The device also features 300% ultra-volume DTS stereo speakers, delivering rich, room-filling sound for music, videos, FM radio, and everyday entertainment. Built to withstand daily life and beyond, the A300+ carries IP65 water and dust resistance certification and meets military-grade durability standards, resisting splashes, dust, and accidental drops. Notably, the A300+ includes satellite communication capability, ensuring users can still send basic messages via satellite when cellular networks are unavailable — a safety net in remote areas, during natural disasters, or in other critical situations, setting it apart in its price segment.

 

The A300+ is built on a clear product philosophy, rather than relying on a single headline feature, it combines its key strengths into one complete product story. The rear screen captures attention first, while battery life, durability, and practical usability make the overall value proposition convincing. With the A300+, itel once again demonstrates its commitment to using innovation to meet the needs and desire for novelty among young users in emerging markets.

 

The itel A300+ is available in two variants: the 64GB ROM and 128GB ROM and they are both available in all phone retail stores in Nigeria or via online store HERE

 

 

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DJ Robot ft TMP Offisial & Fateoftheyouth – “NDSM Deluxe” Mixtape

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DJ ROBOT teams up with TMP OFFISIAL and FATEOFTHEYOUTH for NDSM DELUXE, a new DJ mixtape that expands the world of NDSM — No Dey Stress Me into a bigger, more energetic listening experience.

Built around DJ ROBOT’s approach to sequencing, mixing, and controlling energy, NDSM DELUXE transforms the NDSM mindset into a full sonic journey. The mixtape explores nightlife, pressure, temptation, confidence, freedom, desire, and the decision to simply refuse to let life overwhelm you.

Bringing together DJ ROBOT’s DJ-driven vision with the creative energy of TMP OFFISIAL and FATEOFTHEYOUTH, the deluxe edition adds new dimensions to the original NDSM message while maintaining its central philosophy: No Dey Stress Me.

Rather than simply extending the original project, NDSM DELUXE is designed as an experience — moving through different moods, rhythms, and moments while allowing each transition to contribute to the story.

For DJ ROBOT, the project represents an opportunity to communicate through energy as much as words.

“The original NDSM had more energy and stories to explore. I wanted to take the ‘No Dey Stress Me’ mindset beyond the song and turn it into a full DJ experience — something that captures nightlife, freedom, pressure, temptation, and the moments when you simply choose to enjoy yourself and live in the present.”

Listen below;

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N8TAN Announces ‘UPRISING EP’ — A Story of Rising From the Streets to the Top

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Nigerian artist N8TAN is set to unveil his highly anticipated ‘UPRISING EP’, a body of work that chronicles his journey from the streets to the heights of his musical ambition.

Built around themes of struggle, resilience, ambition, survival, and triumph, UPRISING captures the realities of an artist determined to turn adversity into momentum. The project reflects N8TAN’s experiences, the challenges that shaped him, and the relentless drive that continues to push him forward.

More than a collection of songs, UPRISING is presented as a story of transformation—from navigating the streets and confronting uncertainty to finding purpose, embracing growth, and rising toward the top.

With its blend of raw storytelling, infectious energy, and personal perspective, the EP offers listeners an intimate look into N8TAN’s world while reinforcing his determination to carve out his own place in the music industry.

‘UPRISING EP’ is a statement of elevation: a reminder that where you start does not have to determine where you finish.

As N8TAN continues to build his musical identity, UPRISING marks another significant chapter in his journey—and an invitation for listeners to rise with him.

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