Richard Uku

Strategic communication consultant, writer and editor. Amateur saxophonist. Views are mine. Retweets aren't necessarily endorsements.

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

Many who’ve seen this photo have asked me what HM #QueenElizabeth said to me when I first met her as ⁦⁦⁦@commonwealthsec⁩ Communications Director. “Yours must be a very interesting job,” she said with genuine interest. God rest the soul of this remarkable woman. ⁦RIP

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

I can't think of a better person to lead the well warranted calls for Infantino's resignation than Jürgen Kloop!

[Telegraph Football @TeleFootball]

Jürgen Klopp led a furious backlash against Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who now faces calls to resign after overturning Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension.

“This is our sport, not theirs. If Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino really sorted this out between themselves, it is madness; it calls everything into question.”

@ben_rumsby, @TelegraphDucker and @Tom_Morgs have more ⤵️
https://t.co/cFgcBqGhZh

[Telegraph Football @TeleFootball]

Jürgen Klopp led a furious backlash against Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who now faces calls to resign after overturning Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension.

“This is our sport, not theirs. If Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino really sorted this out between themselves, it is madness; it calls everything into question.”

@ben_rumsby, @TelegraphDucker and @Tom_Morgs have more ⤵️
https://t.co/cFgcBqGhZh

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

A perfect response by @KMbappe to the ugly face of #racism. Senator Celeste Amarilla of #Paraguay is indeed despicable and unworthy of her position. Surely, this not how the Paraguayan government and people wish to be portrayed to the world.

[Kylian Mbappé @KMbappe]

Madame Celeste Amarilla,
Vous êtes une femme méprisable et indigne de sa fonction.
Vous ne représentez pas le Paraguay, ce pays qui a transpiré la passion et l’honneur tout au long de la compétition. Par votre inconscience et votre racisme décomplexé, le monde entier a déjà oublié le parcours et l’effort historique que vos joueurs ont réalisés durant cette coupe du monde pour laisser place à une dame incompétente donnant la pire image possible de son pays.
Je ne laisserai jamais aux gens comme elle, la liberté de laisser propager leur haine et leur racisme à travers le monde.

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

Disgraceful conduct by @FIFAWorldCup. Coach Mauricio Pochettino should show he has more integrity than #FIFA President Infantino by keeping Balogun on the bench tonight. A red card is a red card and shouldn't be cancelled because of host politicians interfering with football rules. @fifamedia

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

FIFA has dismissed Belgium’s challenge over the eligibility of Folarin Balogun after the world soccer governing body decided to suspend his one-game ban ahead of the World Cup round-of-16 game with the United States.

Despite being dismissed against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the USMNT striker is available to face Belgium in Seattle on Monday night after an intervention involving U.S. President Donald Trump, government officials, U.S. Soccer and an extensive legal team.

Belgium formally objected to that decision saying it had “no alternative but to challenge (Balogun’s) eligibility for the upcoming match”.

FIFA’s appeals committee, however, has rendered the request submitted by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) as “inadmissible”. They did so on the grounds that “the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision,” a statement from FIFA said.

In response the RBFA acknowledged receipt of the decision before indicating “further actions” were still open to the federation.

More from @AdamCrafton_

🔗 https://t.co/XRexpQGZxK

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

World Cup 2026: Argentina vs Cape Verde - Deroy Duarte goal - BBC Sport https://t.co/esczIPOqHd #mundialdefútbol2026 @FIFAWorldCup

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

J'espère simplement que les équipes #européennes qui se sont qualifiées, certaines en s'en sortant de justesse malgré des performances décevantes, auront désormais un nouveau respect pour leurs adversaires africains et pour le #football #africain. #CoupeDuMondeDeLaFIFA

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

I just hope the #European teams that came out on top, some by luckily scrapping through despite underwhelming performances, will have new respect for their African adversaries and #African #football. #FIFAWorldCup

[ESPN FC @ESPNFC]

These African teams all ultimately lost to European teams after conceding at the 86th minute 🤔

Unlucky timing for the Ivory Coast, DR Congo and Senegal 😔

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

La défaite du Sénégal face à la Belgique hier m'a vraiment découragé. #Sénégal @Fsfofficielle a joué avec bien plus de cœur et d'envie de gagner que #Belgique. Les Sénégalais avaient mérité leur avance de 2-0 jusqu'à ce malheureux revirement de situation. L'arbitre aurait dû faire preuve de discernement et laisser le match se terminer par une séance de tirs au but.

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

Senegal's loss to Belgium yesterday left me so disheartened. #Senegal @Fsfofficielle played with far more heart and hunger to win than #Begium. They earned their 2-0 lead until the unfortunate turnaround. Ref should have used his discretion and let it go to a penalty shootout.

[FIFA World Cup @FIFAWorldCup]

Action packed from start to finish 🫨

#FIFAWorldCup

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

Bravo @FecofaRdc pour cet effort phénoménal. La #RDC a joué avec coeur contre l'Angleterre ce mercredi soir. 👏🏾👏🏾

[Denis Mukwege @DenisMukwege]

Chers Léopards,

Je vous adresse mes plus sincères félicitations pour votre qualification. Par votre courage, votre discipline et votre détermination, vous faites rayonner la République démocratique du Congo 🇨🇩 et redonnez espoir à tout un peuple.

À vous, chers compatriotes, cette victoire nous rappelle que, même dans les moments les plus sombres marqués par la guerre et les souffrances inouïes, notre Nation demeure debout.

En cette veille de l'anniversaire de l'indépendance de notre pays, ayons une pensée pour nos millions de compatriotes privés de cette joie : les malades , les déplacés de guerre et survivants dans les régions du Kivu et de l'Ituri, ainsi que de nos vaillants soldats qui defendent notre patrie.

Puisons dans cet élan de fierté la force nécessaire pour bâtir une RDC unie, juste et en paix. Continuez à porter haut nos couleurs et à écrire, avec le peuple congolais, une histoire de résilience, de dignité et d’espérance.

Vive les Léopards ! Vive le peuple congolais ! Vive la République démocratique du Congo !

#RDC #LeopardsRDC #Congo #worldcup #coupedumonde

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

@NigeriaMFA The meeting discussed ... or they discussed?

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

Brilliant game by Cape Verde. The most exhilarating match of the @FIFAWorldCup so far.

[ESPN FC @ESPNFC]

It may be Cape Verde's first-ever World Cup, but they aren't just happy to be here 🇨🇻🔥

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

BBC News - African and Caribbean nations call for formal apology for transatlantic slavery
https://t.co/7Kxh0DNGqq

[JR Farms Group @JRFarmsGroup]

Happy Father’s Day to all fathers around the world 🌎

#FathersDay

[Giorgia Meloni @GiorgiaMeloni]

Io e l’Italia non imploriamo mai.

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

Well done #Ghana @GhanaBlackstars!!! #Africa's second win in 10 games so far in @FIFAWorldCup 2026. What a brilliant 95th minute stoppage time goal by Caleb Yirenkyi following Brandon Thomas Asante's amazing sprint down the left wing and cross to the 6-yard box for #Yirenkyi.⚽️

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthleticFC: Portugal were frustrated in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a hugely impressive DR Congo. DR Congo defended superbly and claimed their first-ever World Cup point. https://t.co/hfFUkw35Km

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

@Isabeldossanto And a good game they certainly did give us! Alles les #Léopards 👏🏾👏🏾

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

Bravo DR #Congo 🇨🇩 in your 1-1 draw with #Portugal. Brilliant header by Yoane Wissa! I find @Cristiano to be such a poor sport when things don't go his way. His teammates thanked supporters. He immediately walked off the pitch sulking, barely acknowledging them. Vive l'#Afrique

[Richard Uku @richard_uku]

It was worth staying up all night here in the UK for the 2026 @NBA finals. Congratulations New York @nyknicks!!! #CHAMPIONS #NY

[Bleacher Report @BleacherReport]

THE NEW YORK KNICKS ARE NBA CHAMPIONS 🗽

FIRST TITLE IN 53 YEARS.

You just witnessed history.