AJ

[T 🇫🇷 @Talhaa10_]

these hydration breaks are calm, but it’s funny how during ramadan people completely lost their heads over games being paused for 30 secs - 1 minute so muslim players could break their fast. i still remember the game vs leeds when cherki, ait-nouri & marmoush were booed. the hypocrisy is unreal

[SK10 @SK10_Football]

2022 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Qatar was one of the best ever.

[EuroFoot @eurofootcom]

🚨🇸🇴 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup match between PSG and Aston Villa. ✅

Statement: "The decision to appoint Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match has been made in the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding recently signed between UEFA and CAF to encourage cooperation in many areas, including refereeing."

"UEFA and CAF are united by a shared commitment to developing football at all levels and promoting the core values of unity, equality and non-discrimination."

[#TouchlineFracas @touchlinefracas]

One of the finest two man steps the Barclays has ever served us.

[Omar Artan @OmarArtand1]

I am deeply grateful for the overwhelming support, encouragement, and kind messages I have received from people around the world. Your solidarity has reminded me that football unites us beyond borders. Thank you to everyone.

[Inside Reality Football @RealityLfc]

Pep Guardiola

🗣️“Virgil van dijk is the only player I dream Of playing for Manchester City during my time at the club, arguably the most complete defender I’ve ever seen on planet Earth.”

[Footy Somalia 🇸🇴 @SomaliaFooty]

Absolutely NO evidence of this by the way. Never been flagged up in any other country he’s attended.

They’ve seen that it was a PR disasterclass, they’re desperate to save face now. Throwing stuff at the wall and hoping it sticks.

Lowest of the low behaviour on show here.

[Stunner @invertCucurella]

🚨BREAKING: Didier Drogba says if the USA didn't want other Countries citizens in the US they shouldn't have bid for the Fifa world cup 2026 and says denial of Iran supporters and Somali referee Omar Artan is totally unacceptable, Football should be separated from politics

"When a country bids to host the biggest football tournament on the planet, it knows exactly what comes with it. Players, referees, officials and supporters from every corner of the world are part of the package."

"I look at the situation involving Somali referee Omar Artan and I feel disappointed for him. FIFA selected him because he earned that opportunity on merit, yet he was unable to participate after being denied entry."

"Then you hear about Iran's football federation claiming that its supporter ticket allocation was withdrawn just days before the tournament. If true, that leaves ordinary fans paying the price for issues that have nothing to do with football."

"The people suffering are not politicians. They're supporters who save money for years hoping to follow their national team at a World Cup."

"Football has always been one of the few things capable of bringing different cultures together. The moment politics starts deciding who gets to be part of that experience, everyone loses."

"I played in World Cups and international tournaments. The beauty of those events is seeing supporters from dozens of countries sharing the same streets, the same stadiums and the same passion."

"No fan should be judged because of their nationality, and no referee should miss the biggest moment of his career because of political circumstances beyond his control."

"FIFA, governments and football authorities need to find solutions because the headlines right now are about visas, travel restrictions and disputes instead of the football itself."

"The World Cup should belong to the world. That's what makes it special. The game must always come first, and politics should never be allowed to overshadow football's greatest celebration."

[Jeremy Corbyn @jeremycorbyn]

What an absolute disgrace. A FIFA-certified referee being denied entry to the United States purely because he is Somali.

The World Cup is meant to bring people together. This is racism, plain and simple. Shameful.

https://t.co/rpSgTmmPU4

[H @hellohalima]

FIFA 100% thought this ref story wasn’t going to be big cause it’s a Somali lol. They truly underestimated the anger.

[كهالد 🇸🇦 @i_khl4]

Hi darling @ToniKroos

You spent months criticizing Qatar and talking about every possible issue before and during the 2022 World Cup, yet it turned out to be one of the best-organized tournaments in history. Public transportation was free, fans could travel easily between stadiums some fans saw 4 matches in the stadium in same day, and the overall organization was praised by millions of visitors.

Now, when concerns are being raised about visa delays, strict entry procedures, and travel difficulties surrounding tournaments in the United States, we don't hear the same level of criticism from you. There have also been complaints about organizational decisions and match arrangements that many fans consider unnecessary or difficult, yet your voice is nowhere near as loud as it was when Qatar hosted the World Cup.

If your criticism is truly based on principles, then the same standards should apply to everyone. But when Qatar receives endless criticism while similar concerns elsewhere are met with silence, people are naturally going to question whether your issue was really about organization at all.

Fuck you.

[Covie @covie_93]

A FIFA referee has spent more time in federal custody for being Somali than anybody on epstein's list who raped kids.

[Mukhtar @I_amMukhtar]

Big up, Uncle Ian Wright for speaking up, and he's 100% correct.

Look how Qatar got dragged when they were hosting the World Cup.

[nico 🏁 🇧🇦 @bombdiggy__]

When it was Qatar 2022 BBC, Sky News and ITV News were doing segments for 40 days and 40 nights about human rights abuse and campaigning for alcohol to be allowed during the World Cup. But USA is refusing to allow a referee and Iran’s team in and they’ve gone quiet. Cowards

[Liban @LibanLDN]

The World Cup is meant to unite the world, yet ahead of 2026 World Cup we’re discussing shootings, visa restrictions, and fans being unable to attend. Qatar faced a ridiculous amount of scrutiny, but now many of the same voices are silent. The double standard is hard to ignore.

[B/R Football @brfootball]

Divock Origi has announced his retirement from football.

He scored some iconic goals for Liverpool over the years 👋

[Janty @CFC_Janty]

This for me is the best opening goal in World Cup history. The goal, celebration, the vibes and Peter drury commentary.

Everything was perfect

[Tony Montana @9mmScorpion]

4 years ahead of his time

[WhoScored @WhoScored]

Rio Ngumoha averaged more successful dribbles per 90 (4.9) than any other player in the 2025/26 Premier League season among those with 500+ minutes played. 📊

England's next breakout star? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿✨

[barry @BackseatsmanLFC]

The Barca goals, the Spurs goal, the way you wouldn't see much of him for a few months and then the derby would come around and he'd suddenly reappear with nothing but total disdain for the institution of Everton Football Club. Just a perfect man ❤️