Sport

FIFA challenged to pay $440m to Qatar workers, following concerns of human rights abuse

Published

1 month ago

May 20, 2022

Holly Stearnes

Many major Human rights groups are challenging sporting body FIFA to compensate migrant workers from Qatar, in a $440 million dollar payout

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, are urging FIFA to compensate Qatar workers.

They allege the workers suffered human rights abuses in preparations for World Cup tournaments in the country.

They want FIFA to “establish a comprehensive program to ensure all labor abuses to which FIFA contributed are” rectified and prevented from happening again.

They want workers to be compensated back to when FIFA awarded hosting rights to Qatar in 2010. They allege the sporting body didn’t push for any improvement in labor protections.

The Government is Qatar has consistently been under fire for many years over its alleged human rights abuses. These include withholding pay and charging workers to change jobs.

Workers walk towards the construction site of the Lusail stadium which will be build for the upcoming 2022 Fifa soccer World Cup during a stadium tour in Doha, Qatar, December 20, 2019. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

For years @hrw has documented serious abuses migrant workers in Qatar have suffered. While migrants have been essential to delivering @FIFAWorldCup, @FIFAcom & Qatar have failed to remedy serious abuses. That's why we are launching the #PayUpFIFA campaign https://t.co/ixDWfUlyLk
— Michael Page (@MichaelARPage) May 19, 2022

FIFA says it has reimbursed a number of workers already and is assessing the “closure of all grievances associated with FIFA World Cup projects.”

The 2022 World Cup is scheduled between November 21 and December 18.

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Holly Stearnes

Holly is an anchor and reporter at Ticker. She's experienced in live reporting, and has previously covered the Covid-19 pandemic on-location. She's passionate about telling stories in business, climate and health.

Sport

Williams loses first round at Wimbledon

Published

4 days ago

June 29, 2022

ticker NEWS

There’s been a bit of drama on the court as the most prestigious tennis Grand Slam gets underway

Spectators filled the All England Club on Monday to watch the biggest tennis stars hit the court at Wimbledon.

After coming back from a lengthy break, Serena Williams lost in three sets to 24-year-old, Harmony Tan.

“When I saw the draw, I was really scared. I don’t know what to say, I’m so emotional now because she’s a superstar,” Tan says.

Tan took the first set 7-5, before Williams took over 6-1. Tan fought back to win a thrilling third set tie-breaker.

“Because it’s Serena Williams, she’s a legend. I was like, oh my God. How can I play? If I could win one game, or two games, it’s really good for me.”
HARMONY TAN

Despite her dramatic loss, the former world number one is brushing off retirement rumours.

"She's beaten a legend."

After three hours, 10 minutes, Harmony Tan beats Serena Williams in a first round epic#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/IQst8AzXxv
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2022

Kyrgios spits at crowd

Meanwhile, in men’s singles, Aussie tennis star, Nick Kyrgios, caused a bit of a stir calling the chair umpire a “snitch” after she supposedly complained to the court umpire about his behaviour.

The 27-year-old will likely be up for a fine for also spitting towards a fan during the match.

Kyrgios says there was a lot of disrespect from the crowd, which is why he admitted to spitting towards a fan.

“I’ve been dealing with hate and negativity for a long time, so I don’t feel like I owed that person anything,” he says.

Some huge winners ☄️@NickKyrgios wins a 5-set thriller against Paul Jubb #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/TsRSznSBrW
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2022

The ATP remains in crisis talks over Wimbledon’s Russia ban.

Katerina Kostakos contributed to this report

Sport

Mike Riley steps down as referee chief

Published

6 days ago

June 27, 2022

Holly Stearnes

One of the biggest names in the referee world, Mike Riley, has confirmed he will be stepping down as head of the English League referees

After 13 years, Mike Riley has confirmed he will be stepping down from his role as managing director of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).

The iconic referee leader will finish his role at the end of the 2022-23 season. Riley says he has enjoyed working in such a ‘dedicated group’.

“I am proud of the contribution our match officials have made to the professional game and have enjoyed working with a such a dedicated, professional and high-quality group at all of the levels that PGMOL manages.
As the elite referee development plan begins to take shape, now is the right time to plan for the future and allow the new leadership team to build on the strong foundations that we have in place. I look forward to working with the new team over the next season and giving them my support before I step down.”
mike riley

The Premier League formally thanked Riley for his contributions and commitment over the last 13 years.

“On behalf of the Premier League, I would like to thank Mike for his valuable contribution and significant commitment to PGMOL over the last 13 years as well as his considerable service to the game as an elite referee for 20 years,” said the Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters.
“During his time at PGMOL, he has worked hard to deliver and develop high-quality match officials across the professional game and led on the implementation of VAR into the Premier League three seasons ago.”
PGMOL

The search is now on to replace the top spot with Riley collaborating with the new team before officially stepping down.

Sport

Hero coach rescues U.S. swimmer at Olympic event

Published

1 week ago

June 24, 2022

Holly Stearnes

U.S. Swimming coach, Andrea Fuentes, has saved the life of an American Swimmer, Anita Alvarez, at the FINA World Championships

Fuentes dived into the pool to rescue unconscious Alvarez from the bottom after her Olympic qualifying event.

In a nightmare moment, the 25-year-old didn’t return for breath after her synchronised swimming event and instead began to sink.

In a split-moment decision, Coach Fuentes jumped into the pool to rescue her, after the lifeguards failed to act.

When a swimmer finishes their routine, the first thing they want to do is breathe and so I saw that instead of going up, she was going down and I told myself, ‘Something is going on’ … So I went in as fast as I could.”
Andrea Fuentes

The young Olympic medalist was unconscious and not breathing but quickly received medical attention on the edge of the pool.

This is one of the most powerful photos I’ve seen in a long time. It embodies the true human spirit of love and sacrifice. It also reminds me that we all need “rescuing” from time to time. Glad Anita Alvarez is okay and thankful to Andrea Fuentes for her act of selflessness. pic.twitter.com/ijE0ya55r5
— Brad Hardin (@chinsobelife) June 23, 2022

She was taken to hospital and is now reportedly in ‘good health’.