World Cup

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is being investigated over allegations of kidnap and torture.The Qatari footie boss is being probed as three investigating judges have been appointed in Paris.
PSG boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi is being investigated by three French judgesCredit: Getty
Al-Khelaifi pictured after signing Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
Al-Khelaifi pictured after signing Kylian MbappeCredit: Alamy
The allegations relate to the alleged kidnapping and torture of lobbyist Tayeb Benabderrahmane, 42, reports Lequipe.
Al-Khelaifi denies all allegations against him – and has vowed that “justice will run its course”.
Benabderrahmane alleges that he was snatched in Qatar in 2020.
He claims he possessed documents with compromising information on Al-Khelaïfi.
His lawyers, Maïtres Romain Ruiz and Gabriel Vejnar, have said they are “very satisfied” with the decision to investigate the case.
“We are very happy that the real file of this story is finally the subject of an investigation by the French justice,” they told AFP.
It is alleged the case was linked to sensitive documents regarding the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
And the awarding of television rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cup to BeIN Media – of which Al-Khelaifi is chairman.
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In a statement, Al-Khelaifi said: “You are talking about professional criminals.
“They’ve changed their lawyers more times than they’ve changed their stories and their lies.
“It is the ultimate media manipulation. I’m just amazed so many people have taken their lies and contradictions as credible – but that’s the media world we’re in today.
“Justice will run its course – I don’t have time to talk about petty professional criminals.”
Benabderrahmane claims he was detained for six months in Qatar after being arrested in January 2020.
He claims he was tortured during this period before being placed under house arrest.
The lobbyist says he was then allowed to leave in November after signing a document promising not to divulge “sensitive” documents linked to Al-Khelaïfi.
French news outlets, including Le Point and L’Independant, report the Benabderrahmane filed a civil action – which allows a judicial investigation to be launched.
Al Khelaifi, 49, was previously investigated over the World Cup bid over his relationship with former FIFA member Jerome Vackle – but he was acquitted.
It is the latest blow for PSG – and it comes after Morroco-born ace Achraf Hakimi being accused of rape.
PSG are currently leading Ligue 1, but have seen a dip in form since the World Cup.
Al-Khelaïfi was a member of the organising committee of the World Cup and is the chairman for Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).
He is a former tennis player – reaching a career-high ranking of 995 in 2002.
Al-Khelaïfi was made president and CEO on PSG after QSI took over the club in 2011.
He has spearheaded the Paris side’s regeneration and made it the dominant force in French football – winning the Ligue 1 title eight times since 2012/13.
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The boss oversaw the signings of players such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar Jr.
The club however have so far failed to win the Champions League since the takeover – but face a key Round of 16 clash next week against Bayern Munich. More

WORLD CUP star Osman Bukari is enjoying life back at club level.The winger, 24, impressed for Ghana earlier this season in Qatar.

Osman Bukari mimicks Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebrationCredit: Reuters
He made headlines during his sides clash with Portugal, when he mimicked Cristiano Ronaldo’s “siiiu” celebration after scoring late on.
And he is continuing to make waves back at his club.
Bukari’s form at Red Star Belgrade recently saw him named the Serbian Superliga’s player of the round.
He smiled for a picture as he was handed his gong.
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The former Gent and Nantes ace was presented with his award on the pitch by a mystery blonde working for league sponsors Mozzart.
Fans were quick to notice, with one writing: “well I suddenly have an interest in being the best footballer in the serbian league.”
A second joked: “If I were him I’ll be smiling too.”
Bukari featured in two of Ghana’s three matches during the World Cup group stage.
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He scored in his side’s 3-2 defeat to Portugal, copying Ronaldo’s celebration and drawing an annoyed-looking response from the forward.
After the match, Bukari admitted that he’d gotten “carried away”.
He said: “I let myself be carried away by the emotion of the moment, having scored a goal for my country, in my first World Cup.
“My upbringing does not allow me to disrespect the elderly, much less one of my idols.”
Ronaldo looked irritated after Bukari’s ‘siiiu’Credit: ITV Football More

“THEY think it’s all over…. it is now!” is a folk memory from the 1966 World Cup – as long as you are English.Other nationalities heard different commentaries. All over the planet everyone sees the same images from a World Cup match or a crunch tie in the Champions League.
Galvao Bueno, left, is as renowned to Brazil’s TV audiences as John Motson was in EnglandCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
But if the pictures are the same, the words, and the tone in which they are spoken, are not. The global game is enjoyed on a national basis.
The late John Motson, for example, is an icon in England, and maybe in other countries that receive English commentary.
But he was not well known elsewhere, and the same applies to foreign versions of ‘Motty.’
In the week that John Motson sadly passed away, there was a story in Brazil that the local version of him had died. It was fake news.
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Galvao Bueno had not died in a car accident, and he gleefully appeared to explain that rumours of his death had been greatly exaggerated.
If anything, comparing Galvao Bueno to Motson does not do full justice to the importance of the Brazilian commentator.
This is no lack of respect to the extraordinary career of Motson. It is a recognition of the power of Galvao Bueno behind a microphone.
First, Motson had others on a similar level – the likes of Barry Davies and the great Brian Moore at one point, Martin Tyler later. Bueno has no parallels.
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And he is also the vice of a nation and its sporting triumphs – the World Cup wins of 1994 and 2002 plus the Formula One triumphs of Ayrton Senna – in a way that marks him out as one of the most important figures in the history of Brazilian broadcasting.
Now 72, Bueno really came into his own as the voice of Brazil’s long awaited victory in USA 94. He is a magnificent commentator, his deep, rich voice full of clever catch phrases and able to rise to glorious crescendos.
Bueno retired from commentating after the World Cup in QatarCredit: Getty
English speaking audiences relied on John Motson and Barry Davies to set the scene at eventsCredit: PA:Press Association
And also he is a well crafted voice of the kind of Brazilian nationalism that best expresses itself on the football field.
“They don’t have the same intimacy with the ball,” he will utter in condemnation of weaker opponents. And when Brazil score – “it was just a matter of getting the ball on the ground.”
When the inevitable fails to happen and Brazil are in trouble then a whine comes into his voice. It can get nasty.
Back in 1990 he was angry that Brazilian defenders did not try harder to kick Diego Maradona.
At half time in the fateful recent quarter final against Croatia he was outraged that former US international Landon Donovan had dared to criticise Brazil’s performance.
That match may well mark the last time he commentates on a Brazil game in a World Cup. His original intention was to retire after the tournament at home in 2014.
Brazil’s astonishing 7-1 collapse against Germany in the semi final forced a rethink. He could not possibly bow out at such a low point.
And so he carried on, enduring a quarter final elimination in 2018 – and then another this year, after which he stepped down from his post at TV Globo.
The world – or more accurately, Brazil – has not heard the last of him.
It was the end of the era after Bueno left TV Globo
In an age of streaming sites there will always be invitations to come back for the occasional big event.
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But with Galvao Bueno leaving TV Globo an era has come to an end in Brazil – just as one came to an end in England with the passing of John Motson.
They think it’s all over – and it is now. More

JURGEN KLINSMANN has returned to football by being named the new coach of South Korea.The former Germany, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Spurs striker Klinsmann has been out of the game since leaving Hertha Berlin in 2020.
Jurgen Klinsmann is the new South Korea bossCredit: PA
But after working alongside Arsene Wenger as part of Fifa’s technical panel at last year’s World Cup – when his TV criticisms of Iran caused outrage – the 58-year-old is now Son Heung-min’s international manager.
Klinsmann will be formally unveiled in Seoul next week after agreeing a contract to the end of the 2026 World Cup.
He said: “I am very happy and honoured to be the head coach of the South Korea national team.
“I am well aware that the Korean national team has been constantly improving and producing results over a long period of time.
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“It is an honour for me to be following in the footsteps of coaches including Guus Hiddink and Paulo Bento.
“We will do our best to achieve successful results in the upcoming Asian Cup and 2026 World Cup.”
Bento quit after guiding Korea to a knock-out stage thumping by Brazil in Qatar, opening the way for Klinsmann’s return to the international stage.
Klinsmann led Germany to the 2006 World Cup semi-finals on home soil before an ill-starred and short-lived spell at Bayern.
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He then became US national boss from 2011 to 2016, taking the team to the last 16 in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil before being fired after a poor start to the final qualification round for Russia 2018.
After joining Hertha in November 2019 he lasted just ten weeks at the Olympic Stadium side but his friendship with Wenger – he played for the Frenchman at Monaco – led to his Fifa appointment in Qatar.
However, he was embroiled in a public row with Iran coach Carlos Quieroz.
He suggested in a BBC punditry appearance that the Asian side’s physical approach in the win over Wales was “part of their culture”.
The former Manchester United assistant called for him to be dismissed by Fifa. More