Former France international Willy Sagnol has been dismissed as head coach of Georgia following the team’s 1-0 home defeat to Northern Ireland in their opening Nations League fixture.

The Georgian Football Federation announced the decision on Saturday, confirming that former Georgia Under-21 coach Ramaz Svanadze would take charge of the senior national team.

“The Georgian national football team will be coached by Georgian specialist Ramaz Svanadze until the end of 2028,” the federation said in a statement.

“Svanadze will replace Frenchman Willy Sagnol as head coach.”

Sagnol, 49, was appointed Georgia coach in February 2021 after a distinguished playing career that included spells with Bayern Munich and the France national team.

During his tenure, he helped transform Georgia into a competitive side on the international stage and guided the country to its first-ever appearance at the European Championship in 2024.

Georgia made history at Euro 2024 by qualifying for the knockout stage, advancing to the last 16 before losing to eventual champions Spain.

However, the team’s recent form has reportedly prompted the federation to make a change in leadership, with the 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland in the Nations League serving as the immediate backdrop to Sagnol’s departure.

The federation expressed its appreciation to the French coach for his contribution to Georgian football.

“Thank you, Willy Sagnol, for every minute spent with the Georgian national team and for the emotions we shared together on this historic path,” it added.

Sagnol’s replacement, Svanadze, 45, previously managed Georgia’s Under-21 team and led the side to the European Championship finals on two occasions.

His appointment marks a return to the senior national team setup as Georgia begins a new phase under domestic leadership.

The federation has handed Svanadze a long-term mandate, with his contract set to run until the end of 2028.

Manchester City’s long-running financial case has taken another dramatic turn, with reports claiming that the Premier League champions have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against the club.

The case, which centres on alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations between 2009 and 2018, has been unfolding for nearly eight years and has involved investigations by UEFA, the Premier League and an independent commission.

Manchester City have consistently denied wrongdoing and maintained that they possess evidence to disprove the allegations.

Here is a timeline of the major developments in the case:

November 2018 — Der Spiegel allegations emerge
German publication Der Spiegel reports that Manchester City allegedly attempted to circumvent UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules by allowing sponsors based in Abu Dhabi to make backdated financial contributions to the club.

Manchester City reject the allegations, arguing that the reports were based on information obtained through an “illegal hack”.

The club also accuse the publication of being part of an “organised and clear attempt” to damage its reputation.

March 2019 — UEFA and Premier League investigations begin
Following the allegations published by Der Spiegel, both UEFA and the Premier League launch investigations into Manchester City’s finances and possible breaches of financial regulations.

May 2019 — Historic domestic treble
Amid the growing financial controversy, City complete an unprecedented domestic treble by winning the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup in the same season.

February 2020 — UEFA imposes two-year European ban
UEFA bans Manchester City from European competitions for two seasons and fines the club €30 million after finding it guilty of what it described as “serious breaches” of Financial Fair Play regulations.

An independent adjudicatory panel finds that City overstated sponsorship revenue in financial information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016.

Manchester City immediately announce plans to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

July 2020 — CAS overturns European ban
Manchester City successfully appeal to CAS.

The two-year European ban is overturned, while the €30 million fine is reduced to €10 million.

CAS rules that most of the alleged breaches had either not been established or were time-barred.

However, the club is still fined for failing to cooperate with the UEFA investigation.

February 2023 — Premier League refers City to independent commission
After a four-year investigation, the Premier League refers Manchester City to an independent commission over more than 100 alleged breaches of its financial rules.

The allegations include claims that City failed to provide accurate financial information, breached Financial Fair Play and Profitability and Sustainability Rules, and failed to cooperate with investigations and regulations.

Manchester City deny the allegations and say they have a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” supporting their position.

Manager Pep Guardiola also says the club has already been “condemned” in the court of public opinion, while insisting that he would remain with City as they sought to clear their name.

May 2023 — City complete European treble
Manchester City win the Champions League for the first time in their history after defeating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final in Istanbul.

The victory completes a historic treble, with City also winning the Premier League and FA Cup.

November 2023 — Premier League begins imposing PSR sanctions
Everton become the first Premier League club to receive a points deduction for breaching the league’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

The club are initially docked 10 points, although the punishment is later reduced to six points following an appeal.

Everton subsequently receive another two-point deduction for a separate breach in the 2022/23 season, while Nottingham Forest are deducted four points for breaching the regulations during the same campaign.

The sanctions increase scrutiny on the Premier League’s financial regulations and the potential consequences for clubs found guilty of financial breaches.

May 2024 — City make Premier League history
Manchester City become the first team to win four consecutive Premier League titles.

The achievement further cements the club’s dominance of English football while the financial case remains unresolved.

September 2024 — Hearing begins
The hearing into Manchester City’s alleged financial breaches begins before an independent commission in central London.

The proceedings involve the extensive allegations brought by the Premier League against the club.

December 2024 — Tribunal retires to consider verdict
After months of proceedings, the hearing concludes.

The independent panel retires to consider its verdict on the allegations against Manchester City.

May 2025 — Guardiola leaves Manchester City
After a decade in charge, Pep Guardiola steps down as Manchester City manager.

During his 10 years at the club, Guardiola wins 20 trophies, including multiple Premier League titles and the club’s first Champions League trophy.

His departure comes as the financial case remains unresolved.

September 2025 — Verdict reportedly emerges
Reports claim that the independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against the club.

The reported verdict represents a major development in one of the most significant financial cases in Premier League history.

However, Manchester City have consistently denied the allegations and the reported findings would need to be considered alongside the commission’s formal decision and any potential appeal process.

The case has therefore evolved from allegations first published by Der Spiegel in 2018 into a years-long legal and regulatory battle involving UEFA, CAS and the Premier League.

The eventual outcome could have significant implications for Manchester City and the wider enforcement of financial regulations in English football.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on a winning note after coming from behind to defeat Madagascar 2-1 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday.

The victory was secured by debut goals from George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor, who scored in either half to overturn Madagascar’s early advantage and hand Nigeria three points in Group L.

Madagascar stunned the home crowd by taking the lead after capitalising on a quick transition that caught the Nigerian defence off guard and resulted in goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali being beaten.

The Super Eagles responded strongly as they searched for an equaliser before the interval.

Their efforts were rewarded in the first minute of added time when Ilenikhena found the back of the net on his senior international debut.

The goal restored parity and gave Nigeria renewed confidence heading into the second half, with both sides going into the break level at 1-1.

Nigeria returned from the interval with greater intensity and began to exert sustained pressure on the visitors.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi played key roles in the midfield as the Super Eagles controlled possession and continued to push Madagascar deeper into their half.

The pressure eventually produced the decisive goal when Usor scored in the second half to complete Nigeria’s comeback.

Like Ilenikhena, Usor marked his Super Eagles debut with a goal, giving Eric Chelle’s side a perfect start to their qualifying campaign.

The 2-1 victory places Nigeria second in Group L with three points, level with Guinea-Bissau, who occupy top spot by virtue of a superior goal difference. Tanzania and Madagascar are yet to record a point.

The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to their next qualifier against Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29.

Madagascar, meanwhile, will host Tanzania on the same day as the race for qualification from Group L continues.

Nigeria began the qualifying campaign without striker Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of the opening fixtures due to injury.

The Super Eagles will hope to build on Friday’s comeback victory as they continue their pursuit of a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.