Arsenal football club super fan, Maria Petri, dies at 82

Tributes have poured in following the death of ‘legendary’ Arsenal supporter Maria Petri who has recently passed away at the age of 82.

Petri started following the Gunners in 1950, and had been a fixture at Highbury and the Emirates ever since.

She was also an ardent supporter of the Arsenal Ladies side from their founding in 1987.

In a statement released by the club, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: ‘We are all really sorry to hear the news.

‘She was an integral part of our support and our community. The way she transmitted Arsenal values and the feeling of this football club was something I have never seen before.

‘She was everywhere, every single week and she will be missed. Big time.’

Petri was a school teacher before retiring and was famed for how vocal she was at matches. Speaking to DAZN earlier this year, she said: ‘I’m now an 82-year-old orphan. Because I don’t have any nuclear family, I see Arsenal as my family.’

The sentiment was echoed in the club’s statement, which hailed her ‘legendary support’ and said that Maria Petri’s absence ‘will truly leave a void on matchdays at Emirates Stadium, Meadow Park and at away matches wherever we are playing.’

Arsenal legend Alex Scott also shared a message of remembrance, tweeting: ‘Arsenal through and through.. Thank you for the love, the passion, the songs and support for us from the very beginning. We will never forget you Maria Petri, We love you.’

Comments

CJN Tanko unveils panel to hear Atiku’s appeal against Buhari

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed is presiding over the 7-man panel that will hear the appeals filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the February 23 poll. Other members of the panel are Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Amiru Sanusi, Uwani Abaji, Ejembi Eko, John Inyang Okoro and Olukayode Ariwoola. Atiku and his party are challenging the September 11 judgment of the Justice Mohammed Garba-led Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal which affirmed President Buhari’s victory at the polls. The appeals hearing has generated some controversies especially due to the silence of the Supreme Court on the justices that would constitute the panel, with the Coalition of United Progressives Party (CUPP) demanding the use of seniority in selecting them. A senior member of Atiku’s legal team, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), told reporters that they considered it strange that as at

NNL: Sanni dumps Saraki Boys

Tunde Sanni, head coach of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC of Ilorin has resigned, Coordinator of the team, Idris Musa, said on Monday. Musa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin that Sanni had turned in his resignation letter later after a meeting with the team’s Director of Football, Alloy Chukwuemeka. After the meeting, Chukwuemeka and Sanni refused to comment on the matter. The club’s U-15 coach, Taofeeq Babatunde, has been drafted to assist the Assistant Coach, Suleiman Quadri, pending when a substantive manager will be appointed. His resignation may be due to recent results, which were not in favour of the Saraki Boys. The team lost to Kebbi United 3-2 on penalties after 1-1 draw during regulation time in the round of 64 encounter of the Aiteo Cup in Minna. The Saraki Boys also lost 3-0 to Mighty Jets of Jos and drew 0-0 with the Jos-based side in the return leg on Wednesday in Ilorin at Bet9ja Nigeria National League’s (NNL), Match Day 10 encounter.

Chechnya leader makes Mo Salah honorary citizen

Chechnya leader Ramzan Kadyrov has made Egypt’s talismanic striker Mohamed Salah an honorary citizen of the southern Russian region at a farewell banquet held for the eliminated World Cup side. Rights groups and Western governments allege that authorities in Chechnya repress their political opponents, discriminate against women and persecute sexual minorities, all allegations that Chechnya’s leaders deny. Chechnya has been hosting the Egyptian team’s World Cup training camp and Kremlin-backed Kadyrov has seized on opportunities to appear alongside Salah. Sarah’s goalscoring exploits for Liverpool and Egypt have made him an international superstar. “Mohamed Salah is an honorary citizen of the Chechen Republic. “Yes, that’s right! Tonight I signed a decree conferring this high award on the great footballer and member of the Egypt and Liverpool teams,” Kadyrov wrote on Telegram. Salah was presented with a badge and a copy of the decree at the dinner, Kadyrov said. The Egy

BAMY BLOG

Search This Blog