Josh Kennedy

From Gods own country. South Yorkshire. ex ESL teacher and traveller.

[Stunner @invertCucurella]

🚨EXCLUSIVE: Thierry Henry says the world cup in the USA is looking like a mess, Iran says FIFA has withdrawn its World Cup ticket allocation, Somali referee Omar Artan was who was appointed by FIFA to ref in the 2026 World Cup denied entry, expensive ticket and says politcs had no business in football

"The more I look at this World Cup, the more it feels like football is fighting battles that have nothing to do with football. That's what worries me."

"We're talking about the biggest sporting event on the planet, yet the conversation isn't only about players, tactics, or the countries that qualified. It's about travel issues, ticket disputes, and politics."

"Look at the situation involving Iran. Reports say the country's ticket allocation for supporters was withdrawn just days before the tournament. Whether you're Iranian or not, fans should be part of the World Cup experience."

"Then you have the Omar Artan story. FIFA selected him because they believed he was one of the best referees in the world. He earned that opportunity on merit."

"Yet he was denied entry into the United States despite reportedly holding a valid visa. Suddenly the story stopped being about football and became about something else entirely."

"I feel for him because becoming the first Somali referee at a World Cup should have been a celebration for African football, not a controversy."

"Then there are the supporters. Many people have complained about the cost of attending matches, accommodation, and travel. The World Cup should be accessible to ordinary football fans, not only the wealthiest ones."

"Football has always been at its best when it unites people from different cultures, religions, and political backgrounds. That's the beauty of the game."

"The danger is when political disputes begin influencing who can attend, who can officiate, and how supporters experience the tournament. That is a road football should avoid."

"I still believe the World Cup will produce incredible moments, but FIFA must make sure that football remains the main story. Politics has enough stages already; the football pitch shouldn't be one of them."

[Politics Global @PolitlcsGlobal]

🚨🇸🇴 NEW: Somali referee Omar Artan, who was scheduled to referee at this summer’s World Cup, has been denied entry into the US

Artan was elected the best African referee of 2025 at the CAF awards

[@Romain_Molina]

[Andy Burnham HQ @andyburnhamHQ]

Whoever this is, we’d appreciate your help on the 19th of June as we’ll have about 650 stakes to take down, but could you give it a rest for now 👍

[Keir Starmer @Keir_Starmer]

Football should bring people together, not shut them out.

For the first time since the competition began, fans won’t be able to watch the Champions League final for free. That’s not right.

This is bigger than wanting to watch Arsenal in this historic final. It’s bigger than one club.

Hardworking people shouldn’t have to fork out for a subscription to watch this match.

I urge TNT Sports to reconsider and make the final next Saturday free to watch.

[Barnsley FC @BarnsleyFC]

He's home. ❤️

[Dan Jarvis MP @DanJarvisMBE]

A tough watch — but Barnsley is a town transformed and Steve has led the way.

Fastest growing economy in the region, a groundbreaking town centre regeneration, Health on the High Street, Pathways to Work, and much, much more.

A record to be proud of.🌹

[Reform Party UK Exposed 🇬🇧 @reformexposed]

Glenn Gibbins, Reform UK’s new councillor in Hylton Castle Ward.

Reform UK people like him to be elected.

Racist, sexist, Reform UK.

[Secretbarista @SecretBaris1a]

As of today 154 UK Councils are led by Labour, 12 led by Reform. Can anyone at the BBC or Sky or the UK media generally explain the support, coverage and platforming of this shoddy little Reform. Why do you do it?

[Sam @SamCKx]

Based on the results now declared, this is how the UK local/principle councils look:

1 Labour 5,063 seats

2 Conservative 3,734 seats

3 Liberal Democrats 3,261 seats

4 Reform UK 1,921 seats

5 Green Party 1,133 seats

6 Scottish National Party (SNP) 413 seats

[Stuart Alker @stuartalker]

Jawdropping statement from the EFL. Basically admitting it's one rule for one and one rule for the rest. Most corrupt league in world sport. #wafc

[James @jhallwood]

Imagine telling Richard II of England and John I of Portugal, in 1389, that their treaty would still be active over 500 years later. Now 600 plus and still going.

[James Wilson @per_incuriam2]

Wow. I’ve just received a threatening letter from Ben Delo’s solicitors Addleshaw Goddard.

They are claiming, among other things, that it is unlawful to publish information about Delo’s conviction for an anti-money laundering offence in the US.

They also say I cannot publish their letter. An extract is below.

Is Delo going to get his solicitors to threaten everyone who mentions his conviction? How is this not a SLAPP? @sra_solicitors @DanNeidle

[Don McGowan @donmcgowan]

🗼WELL I NEVER🗼

Would you believe that Ray and June, who won the Reform UK energy bills prize, go back all the way to the Brexit Party with Farage?

Here they are with Farage, Widdecombe and Bull [a truly awful supernatural detective thriller].

What a coincidence [increasingly unlikely]

h/t, and thanks to @linfitlass for pointing this out to me.

These images are from a Brexit Party rally in Fylde on the 4th May 2019. [credit Getty Images I believe, but Google for me].

[Cynus @cy1nus]

You could sit that guy on the Jedi Council and I wouldn’t blink an eye

[Dan Jarvis MP @DanJarvisMBE]

A big milestone for Barnsley — we’re the UK’s first Tech Town!

This means AI training for residents, smarter #NHS services, tech-boosted classrooms, support for businesses, & much more.

We’re proof that a town built on coal can thrive in the age of code.
https://t.co/GV9yzZ8oLP

[ali @ali__samson]

Looks like Reform UK’s vetting system failed again.
I present their candidate for Gorton &Denton

[Paddy Power @paddypower]

No penalty given as the player committing the foul was wearing a Liverpool shirt.

[Zack Polanski @ZackPolanski]

Saying "you support international law" whilst supporting a President breaking international law - means you don't support international law.

Really basic stuff - but this is how badly this Labour Government are scraping the barrel.

And it all undermines international law.

[OptaJoe @OptaJoe]

2 - Barnsley have won their last two away matches against Liverpool, beating them in 1997 and 2008 - no side is currently on a longer winning run at Anfield than the Tykes. Pedigree. #FACupDraw

[Barnsley FC @BarnsleyFC]

Run it back...😉

@EmiratesFACup