Latest news with #FédérationInternationaledeFootballAssociation
LeMonde
06-08-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
Qatargate: French investigators scrutinize FIFA's contracts
Did Qatar convince members of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association's (FIFA) executive commitee to vote in its favor on December 2, 2010, during the vote to awarding the right to host the 2022 World Cup, via a bonus, which was provided for prior to the vote and included in a television contract signed between FIFA and the Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera? French investigating judges Serge Tournaire and Virginie Tilmont have been conducting a judicial investigation into "corruption" amid the conditions by which Qatar, "a country rated the lowest technically among all candidates" by FIFA's inspection teams, secured the right to host the tournament. As part of the investigation, the judges have been conducting verification efforts to answer the question of corruption. In late 2022, they sent a judicial cooperation request to the Swiss authorities. The judges became intrigued when reading the contract between Al Jazeera Sports (now BeIN Sports) and FIFA, which was worth $400 million (€347 million) in total and was signed at the end of 2010. It includes a clause stating that "in the event that the 2022 competition is awarded to the State of Qatar, Al-Jazeera shall (...) pay to FIFA (...) the monetary amount of one hundred million United States dollars as a non-refundable contribution towards the costs of the host broadcast production."
The South African
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Tyla and Ayra Starr to headline a fest in New York
The 2025 Global Citizen Festival is set to return to New York City's Central Park on September 27. A pair of Africa's brightest will take centre stage with Nigeria's Ayra Starr and South Africa's Tyla to share top billing alongside an array of global heavy hitters. A few tried and tested acts when it comes to large arenas will be joining these African giants. Namely, The Weeknd, Shakira and Mariah the Scientist. 'I'm honoured to headline the incredible Global Citizen Festival in Central Park this September. Music has always been my way of connecting with people and leaving a mark on the world. I can't wait to perform, unite, and inspire action,' said Colombian popstar Shakira. Tyla and Ayra will lend their celebrity and talents to this spectacle as ambassadors of the resurgence of African pride and preference as it pertains to the sonics of the continent. Australian native and a Hollywood favourite in Hugh Jackman who will handle the hosting duties for the eleventh time. The aim remains the same, with the idea being to cultivate unity and emphasise activism through music and the arts. Hosted for the eleventh time by Hugh Jackman who is best known for playing Wolverine in the X-Men movie franchise. The long-standing Global Citizen Ambassador highlighted how this event has a mechanism attached to it in which fans can earn tickets. This can be done by showing an interest in pertinent global issues via the Global Citizen application. 'The growing impact of Global Citizen touches every corner of the world. I'm eager to advocate alongside ambassadors, performers, and world leaders,'' Jackman intimated. The 2025 agenda for this festival is looking to target three pressing outcomes. The overarching entity hopes to provide energy access for one million people in Africa. They're also looking to funnel $200 million (3.58 billion ZAR) to conserve and protect 30 million hectares of the Amazon rainforest. The idea is to protect 20 billion trees in this crucial area of the planet. Funding quality education for roughly 30 000 children worldwide will also be a matter of concern for Global Citizen. Festival organisers are going all out with their social investment initiatives, with 1.5 billion dollars (26 billion ZAR) being invested towards training 50 000 young Africans in renewable energy strategies. The European Commission and the governments of Denmark, Australia, and the UK have committed to infrastructure initiatives that could provide power to homes, schools, and hospitals for over a million people. Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), will also be involved in this event. The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is hoping to provide children with reading and writing tools. This will be funded through ticket sales from large global gatherings and tapping philanthropists for donations and the like. This is a lot on offer, especially for the African continent, and so naturally, we will be keeping a keen eye on all these initiatives and promises. These charitable draw cards will garner the attention of the masses along with the talent on offer, but will this translate to funding reaching the areas it is meant to, is the question on many people's minds. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Ya Biladi
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
2030 World Cup : David Hallyday urges FIFA to address alleged «culling of dogs» in Morocco
French singer and musician David Hallyday has made an urgent appeal to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), voicing his concerns over what he describes as the «cruel culling of stray dogs» in Morocco, in the lead-up to the 2030 World Cup, which the country is co-hosting alongside Spain and Portugal. In a letter shared by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Hallyday, son of the legendary Johnny Hallyday, addresses FIFA's president, condemning the «animal cruelty» that he claims «breaches Morocco's pledge to FIFA to protect animals». In his letter, the artist calls on Gianni Infantino to «pressure Morocco to halt the dog culling, or suspend its co-hosting status». He highlights that Morocco's World Cup bid included commitments to «safeguard animal rights» and «establish clinics and support initiatives for stray dogs». However, Hallyday argues that the kingdom is «failing to meet these promises, putting three million homeless dogs at risk of being poisoned, shot, or burned alive». «The thought that dogs like my own, Phoenix and Cooper, are forced to fight for survival on the streets, having done nothing wrong, only to be brutally killed by humans, fills me with profound sadness and anger», writes David Hallyday. He urges FIFA to «condemn these actions» and «enforce suitable sanctions».
Newsweek
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
From UFC to FIFA: Trump's Domestic Trips Are Dominated by Sports
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump will travel to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday to attend the FIFA Club World Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea—his latest in a string of high-profile sports-related trips across the United States since his second term began. The President and first lady Melania Trump are set to make the 40-mile journey from his Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster, on the one-year anniversary of the assassination attempt he survived in Butler, Pennsylvania. The president did not schedule any public commemorations for the date aside from a pretaped Fox News interview with his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, which aired Saturday night. A Newsweek review shows sports outings have constituted the bulk of Trump's domestic travel since January 20, outpacing trips for disasters, political rallies, and official ceremonies. President Donald Trump speaks alongside President of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino after unveiling the 2025 Club World Cup trophy in the Oval Office at the White House on March 07, 2025... President Donald Trump speaks alongside President of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino after unveiling the 2025 Club World Cup trophy in the Oval Office at the White House on March 07, 2025 in Washington, D.C. MoreWhy It Matters Major national sporting events have provided Trump a highly visible platform, enabling his continued outreach to a broad base and signaling his affinity for popular American pastimes. Trump's appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup final also serves as a preview of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across North America. What To Know Trump's domestic travel schedule for 2025 has prominently featured major U.S. sporting events. According to travel logs and contemporary media reports, these included Super Bowl LIX on February 9 in New Orleans, the Daytona 500 NASCAR race in Daytona Beach, UFC fights in Miami and Newark, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia, and the opening of the LIV Golf League in Miami. Other categories of presidential travel have included visits to disaster-affected regions—such as trips to North Carolina and California in January to survey hurricane and wildfire damage—political and GOP fundraising rallies, ceremonial events like commencement speeches, and official observances, including Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery. Trump has also frequented his own resort properties, notably Mar-a-Lago and Bedminster, for personal retreats or closed-press political dinners, but these have generally not been categorized as public events. Relationship with International Sports Leaders Trump has cultivated a warm relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has visited the White House multiple times. The decision by FIFA to open an office at Trump Tower in New York City, ahead of the 2026 World Cup, has drawn additional attention. "FIFA [is] a global organization [and] to be global, you have to be local, you have to be everywhere, so we have to be in New York—not just for the FIFA Club World Cup this year and the FIFA World Cup next year—we have to be in New York as well when it comes to where our offices are based," Infantino said during a visit to Trump Tower, according to a press release from the event. What Happens Next The White House has not released additional details on forthcoming presidential travel or planned appearances at World Cup fixtures beyond the president's own statements that he intends to attend multiple matches next year.
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
FIFA honours Shaheen Shah Afridi
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has paid a unique tribute to Pakistan's star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi by featuring him alongside football legends in a recent social media post. In an Instagram post shared by the official FIFA World Cup account, Afridi was seen alongside global football icons Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., and Luka Modric — athletes all famously associated with the iconic number 10 jersey. The caption simply read, "The iconic," celebrating global sporting legends who have worn the legendary number. According to sources, FIFA's intent behind the post was to engage Pakistani fans ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Local digital teams are reportedly working on enhancing fan engagement through tailored social media campaigns in various countries, including Pakistan. The tribute from FIFA reflects Afridi's growing influence and global recognition as an athlete. He now joins the ranks of legendary sports figures symbolically associated with the iconic number 10 jersey. It is pertinent to mention that under Shaheen Afridi's captaincy, Lahore Qalandars clinched the title in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10, defeating Quetta Gladiators by six wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Chasing a target of 202, the Qalandars needed 13 runs in the final over. Sikandar Raza rose to the occasion, hitting a four and a six to seal the win with just one delivery remaining. With this triumph, Shaheen further extended his record as the most successful captain in PSL history. Already the only skipper to win back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, Afridi has now become the first captain to lift the PSL trophy three times. At just 25 years old, he stands alone atop the list of PSL-winning captains. All other captains in the league's history have secured the title only once.
