Sport

Human rights groups slam FIFA boss over controversial comments

Published

4 months ago

November 21, 2022

Costa Haritos

FIFA’s boss has come under fire after a media conference on the eve of the Men’s World Cup

With the FIFA Men’s World Cup underway, Gianni Infantino has been in the spotlight for his recent comments.

“Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel a migrant worker,” he said.

Western representatives have been calling out FIFA for human rights concerns with the host nation, Qatar.

However, Mr Infantino said “what has been put on the table in the past few months is something quite incredible,” when asked about the criticism of Qatar from some western media.

Steve Cockburn is the Head of Economic and Social Justice at Amnesty International, who said Infantino is brushing aside legitimate human rights criticisms.

“Demands for equality, dignity and compensation cannot be treated as some sort of culture war. They are universal human rights that FIFA has committed to respect in its own statutes.”
STEVE COCKBURN, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Mr Cockburn explained there is one tiny glimmer of hope, which involves FIFA’s legacy fund.

The fund seeks to assist people facing poverty, and educate children, particularly girls and women.

It will offer projects that grant children a chance to develop their skills and progress in their own lives, while equipping them with the tools needed to have a better future for themselves.

“If FIFA is to salvage anything from this tournament, it must announce that it will invest a significant part of the $6 billion the organisation will make from this tournament and make sure this fund is used to compensate workers and their families directly,” he said.

Sport

World Athletics bans transgender women in female category events

Published

2 days ago

March 24, 2023

ticker NEWS

Any transgender athlete, who has gone through male puberty, won’t be allowed to compete in female world ranking competitions

World Athletics has banned transgender women from competing in the female category at international events.

Any transgender athlete, who has gone through male puberty, won’t be allowed to compete in female world ranking competitions.

The governing body’s President says the decision was guided by the principle to protect the female category.

“Decisions are always difficult when they involve conflicting needs and rights between different groups, but we continue to take the view that we must maintain fairness for female athletes above all other considerations,” said Lord Coe.

“We will be guided in this by the science around physical performance and male advantage which will inevitably develop over the coming years.

“As more evidence becomes available, we will review our position, but we believe the integrity of the female category in athletics is paramount.”

Sport

Goalkeeper Leandro Requena scores longest range goal of all-time

Published

3 days ago

March 23, 2023

ticker NEWS

The ball travelled 101 metres, if it is ratified by Guinness World Records

Argentine goalkeeper Leandro Requena has scored one of the longest-range goals of all-time.

With his Cobresal team leading 2-0 in the 77th minute against Colo-Colo in the Chilean football league, Requena took a goal kick.

Colo-Colo goalkeeper Brayan Cortes was well outside of his penalty area, and the ball bounced over his head and towards goal.

Cortes stumbled as he tried in vain to chase the ball as it crossed the line.

If the goal is ratified by Guinness World Records, it would break the record for the longest range goal in history.

The current record is 96.01 metres, set by Tom King in 2021 during a match between Newport County and Cheltenham Town in England’s fourth tier.

⚽⚪🟠 El primer gol arco a arco del #CampeonatoBetsson

Así fue la anotación de Leandro Requena desde su propia puerta y que dejó a Brayan Cortés quieto, provocando el error del portero albo en el #CSLvsCCxTNTSports. pic.twitter.com/HDL2K22QnS
— TNT Sports Chile (@TNTSportsCL) March 18, 2023

Sport

Gary Lineker returns to ‘Match of the Day’ duties

Published

6 days ago

March 20, 2023

ticker NEWS

Alan Shearer welcomed his co-host, describing it as a “really difficult situation”

Football commentator Gary Lineker is back at the BBC following last week’s controversy surrounding his views on the U.K. government’s asylum policy.

Welcoming Lineker back, fellow host Alan Shearer said it has been a “really difficult situation for everyone concerned.”

Lineker was taken off air following a critical tweet on the government’s asylum policy.

Last Saturday’s Match of the Day was broadcast without presenters or commentary and was only 20 minutes long – with many of Lineker’s BBC Sport colleagues walked out in “solidarity”.

The BBC has since said it will launch an independent review of its social media guidelines, particularly for freelancers like Lineker.

But, in the meantime, he is free to return to hosting duties.

At the start of the BBC’s live coverage of Manchester City v Burnley in the FA Cup on Saturday, Shearer addressed the elephant in the room.