🚨Lionel Messi breaks silence in new interview about the heated moment with Marc Cucurella during the World Cup final.
When asked why he called the referee to book Cucurella, Messi debunked the rumours and explained:
“I wasn’t trying to get him sent off for no reason. I told the referee that Cucurella was racially abusing some of the Argentine players. He covered his mouth while speaking, and I heard what he said. I had to report it.”
Messi added that he acted as captain to protect his teammates from discriminatory comments on the pitch. The referee checked but ultimately decided not to take further action.
The incident happened late in the game after Enzo Fernández’s red card. Tension was high, but Messi insists his only concern was addressing the racial abuse.
Fans are divided, with many praising Messi for standing up against racism, while others question the details since no official punishment was given.
The airline, Royal Air Maroc, has for the longest time, been the biggest culprit when it comes to baggage infractions, poor passenger handling, and extremely poor resolution processes when dealing with Nigerian passengers.
Having been sanctioned - for the first time ever - for consumer protection-related infractions in 2025, one would have expected very major improvements in the way the attend to complaints from Nigerian passengers.
Sadly, despite the best possible support from the Authority (we support all airlines to continue to be in business), the manner of response to these issues have hardly seen much by way of improvement; baggage continue to be shortlanded without timely information to affected passengers, first need is not being paid on a consistent level, and complaints are treated mostly after the NCAA gets involved and much pressure is given.
To make matters worse, invitations from the CAA are treated with a degree of insolence that is unacceptable. Everywhere in the world, when the CAA summons an airline, it is mandatory to attend.
Royal Air Maroc's country manager, Ahmed Boussouf, will sit in Lagos and refuse to attend meetings in Abuja. Instead, the airline will hastily send an email on the eve of the meeting that the cases are being processed, and thereafter, send one Theophilus (their Abuja rep), without authority to resolve cases or make commitments.
Today, one of those events occurred. In registering our displeasure over this incessant disregard for Nigerian passengers and the Authority, this country manager, Boussouf, said to me, "Whatever you want to do, do."
While our job may be thankless and exhausting, the NCAA, under the dispensation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Honourable Minister Festus Keyamo, SAN; and the DGCA, Capt. Chris Najomo, will never be diminished to such a level of brazen disregard and non-compliance.
The passengers whose cases have been delayed, quite unfairly and unnecessarily, are paying, loyal customers. International airlines have bilateral service agreements (BASA) to honour, as well as the obligation of simple service to passengers.
Strict enforcement will happen against this airline and my department will push for a stoppage of Royal Air Maroc operations in Nigeria until they make a commitment to treat Nigerian passengers better.
I am not the kind of public servant who is afraid to lose his job for the right reasons. I will never accept this behaviour from operators. It is not arrogance; it is simply adherence to rules that have, for ages, been treated like they don't exist.
Whatever gains we make in this industry, we will continue to fail if the rights and responsibilities of all stakeholders are treated as an afterthought. We must be intentional and systematic, adhering to world class standards.
Most airlines are fortunate, and they know it, that Nigerian passengers do not have a culture of boycotting airlines, no matter the shortcomings. Otherwise, some of these cases would not even require regulatory intervention if any operator fails to take their customers seriously. There is nowhere RAM flies to, that people do not have alternatives in Air Algerie, Egypt Air, and Ethiopian.
My department will be taking a very firm stand over this matter, and Royal Air Maroc will stop taking for granted, the relationship Morocco has enjoyed with Nigeria and Nigerians.
We will ensure stiffer penalties against Royal Air Maroc this time. The job we were given to do will be done without fear.
Annie IDiidibia 2baba wife video leaving my husband, 2Baba, was the biggest mistake of my life. Allegedly I was misled by fake friends. People who told me to divorce. I realize now that they wanted me my downfall .Two months after our divorce, I saw my friend with him at a club. He said he was trying to get my attention maybe he but I knew the truth my friend wasn't they for that . I lost it. I wasn’t myself. But thank God, we found our way back. We’re at peace now. And I’m expecting a baby with 2Baba. This is my apology. And this is my comeback to my lovely husband
They would say Messi is corrupt but this is Ronaldo only goal in 2022 World Cup
Dont carry that ur conspiracy theories to the Argentina vs Spain finals
@Row_Haastrup I tink d culture in d north practically enforces their women 2 b submissive while d culture in d south embraces freedm which many r abusing.D Bible teaches submission & being kind 2 ur spouse with a choice 2 decide if u want 2 adhere or not.Western liberatn without cautn
@Iyoaiye_ Come to think of it, if it were to be the man in the wife’s position the woman would have submitted a budget to either start a business or boost it which I believe most men will grant