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      Explosive Netflix doc alleges Qatar World Cup chief ‘offered THREE African nations £1.3m to back 2022 bid’

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      A MEMBER of Qatar’s World Cup bid has sensationally claimed three African officials were offered money to back the Arab nation in its bid for the tournament.They are claimed to have been offered £1.3million in exchange for their vote.
      Qatar were confirmed as 2022 World Cup hosts in 2010Credit: AP
      Hassan Al Thawadi is alleged to have offered money to three African nationsCredit: AP
      Phaedra Almajid, in charge of international press for the bid, made the allegations in the explosive new Netflix series, Fifa Uncovered.
      Qatar won hosting rights for the 2022 tournament in a Fifa vote ahead of Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the USA.
      And Almaji alleges Hassan Al Thawadi, the head of the bid, offered money to Fifa chiefs from Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Nigeria in order to secure their vote.
      Al Thawadi is now Secretary General of the Supreme Committee in charge of the 2022 World Cup.
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      He is claimed to have made the offer to Issa Hayatou (Cameroon), Jacques Anouma (Ivory Coast), and Amos Adamu (Nigeria).
      Almajid told the doc: “We were talking about how Africa had been given its chance to host the World Cup and how the Arab world should be given their chance, and then Hassan offered Hayatou $1 million for Hayatou’s football federation [Cameroon] and in return we wanted his vote.
      “I remember there just being laughter and then him saying that is not enough, and so the price was upped to $1.5 million (£1.3m) — just like that. It was just so simple: ‘We will give you this money for your football federation, you give us your vote and thank you so much.’
      “One by one we did the same thing with Anouma and Adamu. $1.5 million was offered to each member that evening in exchange for their vote. It was verbal, I never saw money.”
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      Almajid alleges the offer came at a meeting of African football federations in January 2010, just under a year before the Fifa vote for the 2022 host nation.
      All three African officials have denied any wrongdoing.
      Almajid claims the proposed money was made to the federations, rather than the individuals themselves.
      She added: “It was made very clear the money was going to football, it was never said it is going into your pocket, I do need to emphasise that. Where it ended up I have no idea.
      “Before I went back to my hotel room, Hassan told me, ‘You never repeat this ever again to anyone’ and I was like, ‘OK.’”
      Al Thawadi has strongly denied the claims.
      He said: “My reaction, especially on the Phaedra situation, it’s frustration.”
      “They are inherently false and there are facts on the ground that prove they are false.”
      Almajid anonymously revealed the alleged offers to the Sunday Times after being sacked by Qatar’s bid, and later signed a statement withdrawing her claims.
      Read More on The Sun
      Detailing why, Almajid explained in the doc: “I’m starting to get threats, anonymous calls, emails, social media.
      “I was basically told either you sign an affidavit stating that you lied or else we are legally going to come after you.” More

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      Who is Facundo Tello? Argentine referee at the 2022 World Cup

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      WHILE England fans await to see Gareth Southgate’s final World Cup team, FIFA have announced their final selection of referees heading to Qatar.Amongst them is Argentina’s Facundo Tello, who makes up a group of six South American officials travelling to the Middle East.
      Facundo Tello is one of 39 referees officiating at QatarCredit: AFP
      Here is some more information on the Argentine’s career.
      Who is Facundo Tello?
      Facundo Tello was born in the Buenos Aires Province in 1982.
      Tello was quick to gain prominence in his homeland, officiating in the Primera Division after just four games in Argentina’s second tier.
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      He was asked to officiate the first ever Superclassic in 2018, returning the same year to referee the final, defining Sarmiento’s promotion to the Primera Division.
      In 2019, the 40-year-old gained recognition on the international stage, joining FIFA’s refereeing list.
      Facundo Tello officiated at the FIFA Arab Cup 2021Credit: AFP
      Tello was summoned to Chile where he was appointed fourth official at the South American Under-20 Championship.
      A call up to the 2021 Arab Cup followed, where he took charge of a match between Jordan and Morocco.
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      Fifa send letter out telling nations playing in Qatar World Cup to concentrate on football and not focus on human rights

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      WORLD CUP countries have been told by FIFA to concentrate on football and not focus on human rights issues.The world’s governing body has sent a letter to all the nations competing at the World Cup — including England and Wales — to stress that everyone will be welcome in Qatar.
      Fifa chairman Gianni Infantino wants World Cup countries to stop criticising QatarCredit: AFP
      FIFA bosses, led by chairman Gianni Infantino and general secretary Fatma Samoura, are hoping severe criticism of the tiny nation will stop ahead of the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador on November 20.
      There have been claims that 6500 migrant workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have died in Qatar since it won the right to host the World Cup in 2010.
      Qatar has also been repeatedly slammed over its anti-LGBTQ laws, with same-sex sexual activity punishable by up to seven years in prison.
      There is a strong argument that the criticism of Qatar is deserved and should be expected throughout the tournament as this will be a good window of opportunity to discuss the issues.
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      But Fifa are aware of the steady increase in negative stories in the build-up so have decided to act with the letter from Infantino and Samoura.
      It will say that Fifa is not a political organisation and is not here to moralise and judge.
      But it includes the line: “Everyone is welcome regardless of origin, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality.”
      Infantino, 52, took over as president in 2016, six years after Qatar were controversially handed the World Cup ahead of both the United States and Australia.
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      England’s Harry Kane and Wales’ Gareth Bale will join six other European captains in wearing a OneLove armband at the World Cup.
      The armband — supporting a season-long campaign for inclusion and against discrimination — has yet to be approved by FIFA.
      But the FA, along with other countries, will allow Kane to wear the armband even if they are fined by Fifa for doing so.
      The English FA have been criticised for not being vocal enough over the issues in Qatar.
      The Australian national team won plaudits after speaking collectively over human rights in Qatar.
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claims it is not fair that the current players should be expected to speak out over Qatar, stressing the decision to award the nation the World Cup was made over 10 years ago. More

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      I was beaten unconscious by Iranian government henchmen for listening to music – Fifa must kick my country out World Cup

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      AN IRANIAN schoolgirl beaten unconscious by government henchmen for listening to music has urged Fifa to kick her country out of the World Cup.Mahnaz, 17, was walking home with two friends when the brutes from the Basij morals militia began interrogating them.
      Fifa has been urged to kick Iran out of the World Cup after a teen girl was beaten by government henchmenCredit: AFP
      Iranian Mahsa Amini, 22, died in custody following her arrest for not wearing her hijab correctlyCredit: Newsflash
      When Mahnaz — whose true ID we are concealing — questioned why they were stopped, one responded by punching her in the head, knocking her out.
      She has written about her ordeal for thesun.co.uk — and wants Fifa to act ahead of Iran’s cup opener against England in less than three weeks.
      Mahnaz said: “Ever since it happened I jump up in horror when someone rings our doorbell.
      “I am convinced that every siren I hear on the streets is meant for me or my family. This is normal life in Iran now but I don’t think the rest of the world realises how bad it has become.
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      “Hopefully, the attention of the World Cup will change that.
      “People love football here and have a huge pride in the national team.
      “But the protests have changed everything. People now feel the team represents not the nation of Iran but the regime and all of its aggression.”
      Mahnaz also demanded action over Iran’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The country has supplied kamikaze drones and deployed experts.
      Most read in The Sun
      She said: “How can Fifa support that?”
      At least 270 people have been killed and 14,000 arrested in the Iranian regime’s crackdown on protests.
      Read More on The Sun
      The uprising began when student Mahsa Amini, 22, died in custody following her arrest for not wearing her hijab correctly.
      Fifa declined to comment.
      Mahnaz’s plea
      WHEN I was younger I loved my life in Iran playing with my friends and going to school.
      I thought the life we had here was the same as for every other young girl in the world – but now I know different.
      Two weeks ago, I was walking home from school with two friends.
      We were gossiping about things at school and listening to music, just like teenage girls everywhere.
      But what happened next doesn’t happen in most other places.
      Three men in Basij uniforms stopped us and began asking us questions about the music and what we had in our bags.
      They pushed us and were very aggressive so I asked: “Who are you?”
      The answer came instantly – a fist to my eye.
      I fell to the ground in agony and then everything went black.
      The next thing I knew was when I was back at home. When I woke I couldn’t see very well and the light sent strokes of pain through my eyes into my head.
      My family was afraid to call a doctor so we contacted a nurse who lives in our block.
      It might sound crazy but my family was terrified that being hit by the Basij would be considered a sign of guilt.
      Ever since it happened I jump up in horror when someone rings our doorbell, terrified it is the Basij again.
      I am convinced that every siren I hear on the streets is meant for me or my family.
      I don’t know what I have done wrong, so I don’t know what they will punish me for.
      It wasn’t as if we were not wearing the hijab correctly, like some of the brave women in the recent protests.
      We were just walking home from school listening to music.
      I never thought this could happen here. My three brothers have a good business, my father is a well-respected war veteran and my mother educated many children as a school teacher.
      We are a good family and have never done anything wrong.
      But since the protests in Tehran everything changed and the Basij now roam the streets looking for people to challenge to enforce their rules – even teenage girls.
      This is normal life in Iran now, but I don’t think the rest of the world realises how bad it has become.
      Hopefully the attention of the World Cup will change that.
      People love football here and have a huge pride in the national team.
      We all celebrated when the team qualified for Qatar and we were really hoping they would do well – we even thought they might beat England!
      But the protests have changed everything. People now feel the team represents not the nation of Iran, but the regime and all of its aggression against its own people.
      How can we support the national team when the Basij are attacking people like me on the street on for no reason?
      And how can Fifa allow a country that acts like Iran to compete in the World Cup?
      Russia was banned for invading Ukraine but our government is now helping Russia fight in Ukraine.
      How can Fifa support that – and how can the rest of the world let it happen?
      Fifa must take a stand and ban Iran from the World Cup.
      But however bad it feels for us at the moment, there is still hope.
      As the regime tries to force the population to live in a certain way the weakest link naturally suffers the most.
      In Iran, the regime considers that women are the weakest link – but they are wrong.
      In an Iranian household, the mother calls the shots.
      It is from our mothers that we get our strength and determination – and our hope that one day change will happen in Iran.
      We have no idea when that change will come – but it will happen eventually, of that we are certain.
      And when it does girls will be able to listen to music on their way home from school once more – and we will all support our team at the World Cup again. More

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      Ukraine appeal for England opponents Iran to be KICKED OUT of World Cup for ‘supplying weapons to Russia’

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      UKRAINE have appealed for Fifa to ban Iran from the World Cup for allegedly supplying weapons to Russia. Iran are scheduled to be in Group B with England, Wales and United States – with their first match against the Three Lions three weeks today.
      Iran, managed by Carlos Queiroz, are at risk of being booted out of the World CupCredit: Getty
      However, Sky Sports state the executive committee of the Ukrainian FA want to see the country booted out of the tournament before a ball is kicked – and have sent a formal request to Fifa.
      The war-ravaged nation has already accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia to aid their illegal invasion of Ukraine.
      And now the national association are joining with Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin in demanding Iran’s elimination.
      There are also growing calls for Fifa to banish Iran from Qatar 2022 due to their oppressive regime and human rights record – which the Ukrainian FA state is a violation of Articles 3 and 4 of Fifa’s laws.
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      Ukraine cited “systematic manifestations of human right violations in Iran and the “alleged involvement of Iran in the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine” as part of their appeal to have the Middle Eastern national excluded from the World Cup.
      Should Iran be disqualified, Fifa would need to find a late replacement in Group B.
      Ukraine lost to Wales in their qualifying play-off for a place at the tournament and would be many people’s choice given the ongoing war, which has already led to Russia’s suspension.
      However, there is no precedent for this and the slot would more likely be filled by going back through the qualification steps.
      Most read in Football
      Iran topped AFC qualifying Group A ahead of South Korea in second – with both sides advancing to the tournament automatically and third-placed UAE going into a play-off.
      There, they lost to Australia who then beat Peru to secure their place.
      Fifa has a limit of two European nations per World Cup group so Ukraine would likely be overlooked meaning Iran or possibly Peru step in should Iran be booted out 21 days before they start their campaign.
      Former Iran captain Ali Karimi was the target of an attempted kidnapping in the UAE.
      The 127-cap hero went public with comments following the shocking arrest and death in custody three days later of Mahsa Amini, 22, in September for wearing her hijab incorrectly.
      As reported by The Times, that resulted in an arrest warrant, accusing Karimi of “collusion with the intention of acting against national security”.
      Mehdi Rostampour has detailed how an elaborate social media plan to capture the former Bayern Munich playmaker was devised.

      Wales beat Ukraine to secure their spot at Qatar 2022Credit: The Times More

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      Chelsea and Lionesses star Lauren James on Fifa 23 inspiration, chats with brother Reece and staying humble

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      LAUREN JAMES admits herself that she is a woman of few words.When she received a phone call from an unknown number in August, a combination of her shyness and easy-going nature meant she let it ring out, only to realise it was Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman telling her she would be making her England debut.
      Lauren James admits she hopes to “inspire” with Fifa 23 her introduction
      The Chelsea forward made her senior England debut earlier this monthCredit: Getty
      Spending time with her older brother Reece, they rarely talk about their joint experiences of playing for Chelsea and their country, preferring to keep football separate if they can.
      And even when asked if she is happy with her rating of 73 on Fifa 23 – a game that includes women’s clubs for the first time – she simply replied: “Nah.”
      After a wry smile, speaking at the Women’s Football Summit, presented by EA SPORTS, she continued: “I guess the stats are based on last season.
      “Hopefully I have a good season and next year my ratings go up.
      Read more on Chelsea
      “But, it is inspiration for young girls, being able to actually play with women on Fifa.
      “When I was growing up, I could only play with the men.
      “Had I been able to play the game as a kid and see women’s faces, I would have thought: ‘That could be me one day’.
      “And now, it makes them think: ‘I want to be up there playing’.
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      “They will see us on the screens and want to be like us. It has come a long way.”
      James, 21, has also come a long way, having made her name as a teenager at Arsenal before moves to Manchester United and now Emma Hayes’ Blues.
      Her meteoric rise reached stratospheric levels when recently donning the Lionesses badge for the first time against Austria and Czech Republic.
      James said: “My name has been around for a few years but I still feel young. I am still fresh.
      “Sometimes it can be forgotten about, my age. I guess I do have a lot to learn and improve and still to prove myself.
      “As long as I keep doing myself and what I am doing each day with the games coming up, it gives me a chance to prove that.
      “There are a lot of superstars at Chelsea. I have had the right support system around me to keep me grounded and trying not to let the pressure hit me.
      “As you can tell I am quite a chilled person so I try not to let it affect me.”
      On whether Reece is part of that support system, she said: “We are both proud of each other but we don’t really talk about football together.
      James is shining for the Blues after an injury-hampered first seasonCredit: Getty
      Lauren says her brother Reece played a huge part in her developmentCredit: Getty
      “We have a really close relationship but we tend to keep football separate.
      “If something needs to be said then we talk about it but because we live and breathe it and do it every day, it is nice to talk about other things.”
      James’ move to Chelsea last summer was hampered by injuries, with question marks over whether her big move to west London was a mistake.
      But she is now a mainstay in a classy Chelsea side that includes the likes of Millie Bright, Erin Cuthbert and Fifa cover-star Sam Kerr.
      James agrees it has been nice to prove the doubters wrong, adding: “It is also a kind of an eye opener to think: ‘Lauren is coming back’, I am just enjoying my football again.
      “I don’t let the external noise annoy me. Emma [Hayes] has helped me through it. She also understands the person I am. It is always nice for someone to understand you.”
      ***Lauren James was speaking at the Women’s Football Summit, presented by EA SPORTS. FIFA 23, is available worldwide on all platforms now*** More

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      Fifa deserves all the flak it gets over Qatar 2022 call but it’s too late now to address horrified activists’ complaints

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      IT was as inevitable as Erling Haaland scoring lots of goals that there would be demands for action against the World Cup in Qatar.Don’t say Fifa bosses didn’t ask for it, because they did.
      No less than 650 men are believed to have died constructing stadiumsCredit: AFP
      Horrified activists began campaigns for change after it was announced Qatar would host the World CupCredit: Reuters
      The moment the highly questionable executive committee voted for Russia and Qatar to host the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, horrified activists began campaigns for change.
      There was plenty to campaign about, too. Russian sport is riddled with drugs crime and Vladimir Putin’s policies are accelerating towards tyranny.
      After questions about where exactly Qatar is, it also became clear oil money was its lifeblood and that its rulers cared as much about stadium workers’ welfare as women’s rights. So, not much at all.
      No less than 650 men are believed to have died constructing stadiums.
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      And although worldwide protests have helped improve pay and conditions, we still have the feeling foreign brickies in the Arab state were ranked just above slaves.
      With the World Cup three weeks away, it is probably too late to do much about the latest challenges — but it is surely right to air them.
      Such is the anger at Putin’s war on Ukraine, that a side issue concerning Iran’s sale of bomb-charged drones to Russia has angered protesters to the point of demanding the replacement of the Islamic republic’s team with Ukraine.
      For all sorts of reasons, this isn’t going to happen.
      Most read in Football
      Much as many people may see it as justice, it would be an open goal to barring many countries from numerous international competitions.
      The idea of a World Cup of the Innocents might be fun for those nations without fault, although my guess is such total purity does not exist anywhere or in anyone.
      Iceland might edge in on the basis of lowest crime rate, although not judging by the number of wicked whodunits on TV recently.
      An Iceland v Tonga final may not be a big attraction…
      Sadly, Ukraine will have to concentrate on matters closer to home.
      I have more sympathy with the bid to oust Iran, through the shocking treatment of protesters who refuse to accept their government’s refusal to do anything about the brutal murder, in police custody, of Mahsa Amini for taking off her hijab.
      Many since — including women and children — have been killed demanding women’s rights.
      Again, barring the Iran team would be widely applauded. But I am far from sure that it would further those demands.
      There is a scant record of boycott success in sport.
      Olympic boycotts haven’t worked and, realistically, the only one that did was against apartheid, which was started by England’s cancellation of the 1968-69 cricket Test series against South Africa.
      One promise we can make is that boycott campaigns will continue to flourish.
      Protesters have found it hard to impress themselves on football but I fear it won’t be too long before the green movement, for one, concentrates on the biggest sport there is.
      We should be careful how we treat people who want change for the better.
      Improving human rights has to be one of those.
      Read More on The Sun
      Racism and undervaluing women are the most blatant and, I’m afraid, many politicians are slow in acting to improve these.
      Football is huge across the world and has the muscle to boot their reluctance over the grandstand.
      The decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar has always been deemed controversialCredit: AFP
      A worker walking at the Caravan City, an ongoing project to host fans during the Qatar 2022 Fifa World CupCredit: AFP More

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      Tunisia could be KICKED OUT of 2022 World Cup in Qatar if their government interferes in footballing matters, warn Fifa

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      TUNISIA could be EXCLUDED from next month’s World Cup if their government interferes in footballing matters, FIFA have revealed.The member federations within Fifa are required to be free from legal and political interference.
      Tunisia could yet be banned from the World Cup just weeks before the tournamentCredit: Getty
      But, according to BBC Sport, football’s world governing body have become concerned by comments from Tunisia’s Youth and Sports Minister, Kamel Deguiche, who has spoken about the idea of “dissolving federal bureaux”.
      And a letter from Kenny Jean-Marie, Fifa’s director of member associations, to FTF general secretary Wajdi Aouadi, clarified the possible repercussions for Tunisia.
      It read: “Any failure to comply with these obligations may result in the imposition of penalties under the Fifa laws, including suspension of the relevant association.”
      It adds that all members of Fifa are “legally obligated to conduct their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties”, with Jean-Marie also calling for an explanation regarding Aouardi’s recent comments.
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      A deadline of Friday has been set for Tunisia to respond.
      The African side are due to kick off their World Cup campaign against Denmark on November 22.
      They have also been drawn alongside Australia and reigning world champions France in Group D.
      Fifa’s stance on government interference has already been brought to the attention of member federations in recent times through the suspension of Kenya and Zimbabwe.
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      India were also banned in August due to “undue influence from third parties”, although their suspension was lifted just weeks later.
      The World Cup gets underway on November 20 when Qatar take on Ecuador.
      Tunisia have never progressed beyond the group stage of the competition – which they have qualified for six times.
      Their last appearance came in 2018 when they lost to England and Belgium, before beating Panama. More