ben...

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.

[Mirror Football @MirrorFootball]

Omar Artan's inability to work at the World Cup - and FIFA's refusal to stand up for him - is a disgrace

It is also a direct result of Gianni Infantino cosying up to Donald Trump, writes @felixkeith

https://t.co/SiePLWMgUY

[ben... @behyitersen]

@RFCLatest 🏆 🇫🇷
🥇Messi
⚽ Haaland
🧤 Martinez
👦 Bouaddi
🐎 🇳🇴

[David Aaronovitch @DAaronovitch]

This man was banned because of his nationality and for no other reason. FIFA did nothing to help him, not even lodge a protest. Ugh https://t.co/6ayCu4CPd9

[ben... @behyitersen]

@HITCSevens @leylahamed tbf I think a similar thing would have happened if they revoked the Iran team's visas.
By revoking just the fans, they'll probably get away with it. And Trump will probably get tickets for Trump/Shah supporting Iranians even if they don't support the team.

[Alfie | HITC Sevens @HITCSevens]

When the U.K. Foreign Office considered denying North Koreans visas to play at the 1966 World Cup, FIFA told the FA that they would immediately relocate the tournament.

That was when FIFA still had something remotely resembling a spine.

[ben... @behyitersen]

@KNTFootball From your report, it sounds like they are spiteful about Son not doing the full military training while they did. Is this a widespread view about the sport military exemptions in Korea or just some sections of society?

[Ramy Abou-Setta @ramy_abousetta]

There are clear double-standards when it comes to the reporting/narrative around the US world cup and the ones in Qatar, Russia and S. Africa.

Most of the UK pundits including Gary Neville hounded Qatar for their violation of human rights (rightfully so) but seem quiet on the current issues surrounding other iterations of violations namely the exclusion of fans, staff, photographers, referees from other nations.

It's down right ridiculous - this is a World Cup for crying out loud.

[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.

[Kado 🔴🇩🇿⚫️ @Usmiste__]

Le pauvre ça fait encore + de la peine quand 3 jours avant il faisait ce genre de story

[Hassan Ali Khaire @HassanAKhaire]

I am deeply disappointed by the news that Omar Artan, Africa’s finest referee and one of the best in the world, may be unable to officiate at the FIFA World Cup due to visa-related circumstances.

Omar has earned his place through talent, hard work, professionalism, and integrity. Having officiated at the highest levels of African and international football, his credentials speak for themselves.

He represents not only Somalia, but also the aspirations of millions of young Africans who believe excellence should be recognized on the world stage.

I remain hopeful that a solution can be found. Football is at its best when it brings people together and celebrates merit, inclusion, and opportunity.

Omar, Africa and the world stand with you.

[William Dalrymple @DalrympleWill]

Find time to read this quite astonishingly good piece by
@ArwaM Mahdawi. Brilliant on our government's appalling moral confusion over Gaza

"Why is Hasan Piker ‘not conducive to the public good’? Because on Gaza, we punish the witness, not the crime"

https://t.co/lxF64weMUN

[ben... @behyitersen]

@BellaWallerstei You can always emigrate to the gulf states if you don't like Britain's worker protections 🤷

[Sangita Myska @SangitaMyska]

It’s begun: The Great Rewriting of History by the politicians, journalists, media commentators who stayed quiet over Gaza to keep climbing the greasy pole - while a handful of us who spoke-up were smeared, abused, or fired.

As @Hamza_a96 says, don’t let them do it:

[ben... @behyitersen]

@ItsinDingITK There were multiple weeks when Rino wanted to play and was left out. And the time he was left out of the 18 just before kickoff. Leam is a barrier to players signing for the club.

[ben... @behyitersen]

@1goodtern @GalacTR0N @SadiqKhan It's just Hajj. It'll grow back 😁

[Dan Qayyum @DanQayyum]

Three surgeons in three cities looked at my MRI and told me I needed keyhole surgery on my spine to fix an extremely painful disc herniation. I flew to London to see Zaf. He gave me three stretches to do twice a day for eight weeks. Fixed me completely. No pain in three years. And now my doctor (and mate) has a Premier League medal ❤️

[Lewis Goodall @lewis_goodall]

This is counter-productive, authoritarian and chilling. The British state should not be in the business of banning commentators and journalists from entering the country, without compelling reason. Finding their views objectionable is nowhere near enough.
https://t.co/GqUMVB5bqj

[ben... @behyitersen]

That's a stone wall tbf

[foland (fan) @propsMCFC]

new angle just dropped.

how on earth was this not given😂😂

[PSG Infos @InfosPSG]

🚨 Luis Enrique explique pourquoi Khvicha Kvaratskhelia vaut chaque centime que le PSG a payé pour lui :

«La première fois que son nom a été évoqué, je savais honnêtement très peu de choses sur lui. La Géorgie n’est pas un pays qui produit régulièrement des joueurs qui attirent l’attention des plus grands clubs européens, donc il y avait naturellement une certaine curiosité.»
«Un scout m’a dit : “Ne regarde pas le ballon. Regarde les défenseurs quand il le reçoit.” Je trouvais cette instruction étrange, mais il avait raison.»

«Lors d’un match avec Naples, chaque fois que Khvicha touchait le ballon, deux ou trois défenseurs se dirigeaient immédiatement vers lui. C’était comme si toute l’équipe adverse changeait de forme à cause d’un seul joueur.»

«Après vingt minutes, j’ai arrêté de me focaliser sur ses dribbles et j’ai commencé à observer la réaction qu’il provoquait autour de lui. Les meilleurs joueurs ne se contentent pas de jouer le match : ils changent le comportement de tous les autres sur le terrain.»

«À la fin du match, j’ai dit à mon staff : “Si les défenseurs sont déjà aussi inquiets à son sujet maintenant, imaginez ce qu’il pourrait devenir dans trois ou quatre ans.” C’est à ce moment-là que nous avons compris que nous avions affaire à un talent spécial.»

[Mehdi Hasan @mehdirhasan]

Barbarism from Israel. Again. And the world just watches.