Apparently criticising the fools who are pressured by the lobby is ‘antisemitic’ now.
“What Wilcox’s cartoon did so brilliantly was to highlight how astroturfing works.
“Hers was a classic political cartoon.
“In the wake of the Bondi massacre in December, Netanyahu had gone so far as to blame our Prime Minister for the killings.
“In the cartoon, he was beating the drum above the grass, the astro, where the Israel-supporting celebs, sportspeople, and politicians were clamouring for a Royal Commission.
“Below the turf, Murdoch, Segal, Howard, et al., holding up the charade.”
Vale the Press Council. Caves in to anonymous pressure campaign https://t.co/cQZ1mNobmY via @MichaelWestBiz
Newly released video shows the moment an Israeli soldier fired at a Palestinian family’s car in the occupied West Bank, fatally shooting seven‑month‑old Sam Abu Haikal in the head.
The army says it is investigating the incident.
🚨🇨🇦 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆:
Canada has confirmed that referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry to the United States, is welcome to officiate matches in Vancouver. 😳
#AfricanFootball#WorldCupwithMicky
OMFG!
Trump literally just celebrated a massive increase in our trade deficit.
He doesn’t even know what a “widening of our trade deficit” means. He thinks it means that we are exporting more than we’re importing, which would be good, but it means the exact opposite.
🚨🗣Steven Gerrard: "this fifa world cup in USA is becoming the worst tournament even before it get started! This is not how it is supposed to be, the weather in the US is terrible for players to play in, and we have news of the Somali referee Omar Artan who was appointed by FIFA denied entry, Iran saying FIFA has withdrawn fans World Cup ticket allocation, couple with funny security checks [Kevin Debruyne Belgium and Senegal players]
"I have to say it again this World Cup is starting to look like a mess, and the tournament hasn't even properly begun yet."
"Usually, before a World Cup, we're talking about the favourites, the star players, and the football. Instead, we're talking about travel problems, ticket controversies, and immigration issues."
"The Omar Artan situation is one of the most disappointing stories I've seen. FIFA selected him because they believed he was good enough to officiate at the World Cup, yet he was denied entry into the United States and will miss the tournament."
"Imagine working your whole life to become the first Somali referee at a World Cup and then being prevented from taking part for reasons completely unrelated to football."
"Then you have Iran's federation saying their allocation of World Cup tickets for supporters was withdrawn just days before the competition. Whether you agree with a government or not, supporters should not be the ones paying the price."
"I've also seen players and delegations complaining about the level of security checks and the delays involved. At some point, people stop feeling welcomed and start feeling like they're being treated as suspects."
"The weather is another concern. We're talking about matches being played in extreme summer conditions. The players are expected to perform at the highest level while dealing with heat that can completely change the rhythm of a game."
"A World Cup should be about bringing the world together. Instead, every day seems to bring another story that has nothing to do with football."
"The worrying thing is that these aren't isolated incidents anymore. When ticket disputes, entry restrictions, and organisational concerns keep appearing, people naturally begin questioning the tournament itself."
"I still hope the football saves the competition because the World Cup is bigger than any host nation. But right now, the headlines aren't making FIFA look good, and they certainly aren't making this look like the celebration of football it was supposed to be."
FIFA’s World Cup hosting documents require governments to provide guarantees on visas, immigration and entry procedures for tournament stakeholders.
After the Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US, FIFA says it is "not involved" and that the host government ultimately decides who gets a visa.
So what exactly are those FIFA-required guarantees worth if accredited match officials can still be refused entry?
The 75 countries in red are the ones currently blocked from immigrating to the USA.
They also find it almost impossible to go to the World Cup, whether as a fan, journalist, player or even referee.
Why was the USA ever allowed to host the World Cup?
THREAD 🧵
US President Donald Trump has once again talked up the prospect of a deal with Iran within days. In fact since March, Trump has suggested the US is close to an agreement at least 37 times.
#Infograph
🚨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."
BREAKING 🚨🚨🚨
Donald Trump reportedly warned FIFA President Gianni Infantino that he may instruct ICE officers to challenge the visas of players from Turkey, Paraguay and Australia.
Ian Wright is an absolute hero for saying how we all feel about this World Cup…
“I've just read that the Somalian referee has been denied entry. Every few hours it's another story, another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied, now refs," Wright said.
"You know something I'm laughing but it's not funny, it's actually not funny and something has to be said.
"The expensive tickets, the most expensive tickets ever, expensive accommodation, transport through the roof. It has to be said.
"Is this how the hosts behave really for the greatest game, the greatest tournament in the world, is this how the hosts behave?
"Are we not hearing more? Are we seeing how Qatar got dragged, are we not hearing more? Is this the spirit of football, really?
"You know who I feel for? I feel for the American fans who are desperate for this, American soccer fans who are desperate for this, how embarrassed they must be. How embarrassing for them this must be.
"This is the World Cup, this is a World Cup of chaos. Whoever wins this World Cup is going to have to go through some serious chaos to get this done.
"I hope we can do it, but something has to be said now. This is the World Cup."