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Crystal Palace Defeat Rayo To Win First-Ever Conference League Title
Crystal Palace Defeat Rayo To Win First-Ever Conference League Title
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored as Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig on Wednesday to secure the club’s first European trophy in its history.
After a cagey opening half with few clear chances, Mateta turned in a rebound for the game’s only goal on 51 minutes, sending departing coach Oliver Glasner off in style.
Glasner departs with a third trophy in two years as Palace manager, the most successful period in the club’s history, after dashing Rayo’s hopes of landing their first major silverware.
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The win also completed Glasner’s objective of returning Palace to the Europa League, the competition they qualified for this season before falling foul of multi-club ownership rules and being demoted to the Conference League.
The Austrian, already a Europa League champion with Eintracht Frankfurt, once again showed his excellence in knockout competitions.
Palace overcame the sales of Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi this season, and the fallout from the latter’s January exit, to cap their first full venture into European competition with a title.
France striker Mateta, the hero on the night, was a failed medical away from leaving Palace for AC Milan this winter.
Crystal Palace’s French striker #14 Jean-Philippe Mateta kicks a corner flag to celebrate scoring the opening goal 1-0 during the UEFA Conference League final football match between Crystal Palace FC and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid in Leipzig, Germany, on May 27, 2026. (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP)
Palace became the third London side in as many years to win the competition, after West Ham in 2024 and Chelsea in 2025, demonstrating the Premier League’s unmatched financial muscle.
With Aston Villa already Europa League winners, Premier League champions Arsenal can complete a clean sweep in European competition by beating Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on Saturday.
Palace received a boost just before kick-off when midfielder Wharton overcame an ankle injury to start.
Underdogs in their semi-final triumph over Chelsea’s BlueCo stablemate Strasbourg, Rayo arrived in Leipzig riding a rich vein of form, unbeaten in nine matches.
With Rayo finishing eighth and Palace 15th in their leagues, both knew victory on Wednesday was their only hope of returning to the European stage.
Rayo had the first chance of the match when Alemao flashed just wide of the post with 25 minutes gone.
Crystal Palace’s players applaud the Rayo Vallecano team after the UEFA Conference League final football match between Crystal Palace FC and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid in Leipzig, Germany, on May 27, 2026. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP)
Palace had a golden chance at an opener just before the break. Wharton looped an inch-perfect cross over the Rayo defence, but Tyrick Mitchell’s header floated just wide.

Crystal Palace
The game burst into life early in the second half as Palace eventually found their stride.
Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla got two hands to Wharton’s powerful shot from the edge of the box but could only parry it into the path of Mateta, who reacted quickly to tap home.
Palace were inches from doubling their lead shortly after when Yeremy Pino slammed a free-kick which bounced off both posts, Rayo somehow clearing after the ball hit a defender and came off the woodwork for a third time.
In truth, Palace were rarely troubled after taking the lead, keeping Rayo at bay and adding another trophy to last year’s breakthrough FA Cup triumph and the Community Shield at the start of this season.
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Dino Melaye Congratulates Atiku Over ADC Primary Victory, Says “You Did It Like Arsenal”
Dino Melaye Congratulates Atiku Over ADC Primary Victory, Says “You Did It Like Arsenal”
Dino Melaye, a former federal lawmaker and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has juxtaposed Atiku Abubakar’s landslide victory at the party’s presidential primary poll with Arsenal’s recent English Premier League triumph.
Melaye and Atiku are Arsenal fans.
Tunde Ogbeha, returning officer of the ADC presidential primary poll, announced Atiku as winner of the exercise on Wednesday night.
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Atiku polled 1,846,370 votes to defeat two other contenders — Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, former managing director of the defunct FSB International Bank; and Rotimi Amaechi, ex-governor of Rivers.
Amaechi polled 504,117 votes, while Hayatu-Deen scored 177,120 votes.
Atiku would be gunning for the presidency for a sixth time in 2027. He has, however, appeared on the ballot as a presidential candidate on three occasions — 2007, 2019, and 2023.
On May 19, Arsenal won its first English Premier League title in 22 years after rival Manchester City dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
In a one-liner X post on Thursday, Melaye said Atiku may just be doing it like Arsenal.

Dino Melaye, Atiku
“Oga you did it like Arsenal,” he wrote.
His comment comes amid controversy trailing the ADC primary, with Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen rejecting the results over alleged irregularities and voter disenfranchisement.
ADC presidential primary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
atiku abubakar
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Ogun: 2,500 Police Operatives Sets For Security During Ojude Oba Festival
Ogun: 2,500 Police Operatives Sets For Security During Ojude Oba Festival
The police command in Ogun says 2,500 operatives and specialised operational assets will provide security during the 2026 Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu-Ode. The police commissioner, Bode Ojajuni, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
Mr Ojajuni said the deployment formed part of proactive security measures the command put in place to guarantee public safety and a hitch-free celebration during the annual cultural festival.
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According to him, the personnel comprise conventional police officers and tactical teams drawn from the Police Mobile Force, Special Weapons and Tactics, Violent Crime Response Unit, and other specialised units.
Mr Ojajuni added that armoured personnel carriers, patrol vehicles, police motorcycles, surveillance teams, undercover operatives, and rapid response squads had also been strategically deployed across Ijebu-Ode and adjoining communities.
Mr Ojajuni explained that security personnel would be stationed at the Ojude Oba pavilion, major highways, entry and exit points, hotels, worship centres, recreational centres, motor parks, markets, residential areas, and other public locations.
He said the operation aimed to ensure effective crowd control, intelligence-led policing, traffic management, anti-crime patrols, visibility policing, early threat detection, and swift response to security concerns.
The police commissioner noted that all area commanders, divisional police officers, and tactical commanders had been directed to remain on maximum alert and sustain aggressive patrols and strategic stop-and-search operations.
Mr Ojajuni added that special operational attention focused on strategic routes, including the Sagamu Interchange, Ijebu Ode-Benin expressway, Molipa axis, and adjoining communities to prevent criminal activities and traffic obstruction.
He directed officers deployed for the operation to maintain professionalism, civility, and respect for the rights of law-abiding citizens while discharging their duties.
Mr Ojajuni said the command strengthened collaboration with traditional rulers, community leaders, transport unions, event organisers, and other stakeholders to enhance intelligence gathering and ensure seamless security coordination throughout the festival period.

Ojude Oba Festival
The police boss warned criminal elements and troublemakers to stay away from the state, stressing the command’s readiness to deal with anyone attempting to disrupt public peace during the celebration.
Mr Ojajuni appealed to residents, visitors, and festival participants to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and security-conscious throughout the period.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to proactive policing, public safety, and the protection of lives and property across Ogun.
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NAF, PCRC Commemorate Children’s Day, Inspire Future Leaders In Port Harcourt
NAF, PCRC Commemorate Children’s Day, Inspire Future Leaders In Port Harcourt
In furtherance of its commitment to community engagement and youth development, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), through the 115 Special Operations Group, Port Harcourt, in collaboration with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), on 27 May 2026 commemorated the 2026 Children’s Day celebration with an inspiring event themed “Inspiring Dreams, Building Futures.”
The colourful gathering brought together children, parents, community leaders, and security personnel in an atmosphere of unity, learning, and hope, while also reinforcing inter-agency collaboration in fostering safe and supportive environments for children to thrive.
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The celebration featured cultural displays, quiz competitions, talent showcases, games, motivational sessions, and interactive engagements designed to encourage children to embrace education, discipline, patriotism, and hard work.
Speaking during the event, representatives of the PCRC and officials of the 115 Special Operations Group underscored the importance of investing in the younger generation as a pathway to building a peaceful, secure, and prosperous society.
They also expressed solidarity with children affected by insecurity across the country, reaffirming the unrelenting efforts of the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies to protect lives, secure communities, and create safer environments where every child can live, learn, and thrive without fear.

PCRC, NAF
One of the major highlights of the event was the presentation of gifts, educational materials, and recognition awards to participating children and outstanding pupils.
Parents and guardians commended the initiative as a commendable platform that not only celebrated children but also strengthened civil-security relations and deepened cooperation among stakeholders committed to building a brighter future for Nigerian children.
The event once again reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s unwavering dedication to inspiring young minds and supporting initiatives that promote national unity, security, and societal development.
Eereporter.com
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