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Changing the conversation on rights and sport | fairsq.org | linktr.ee/fairsq | rebootfifa.com

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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 30m
It is a colossal political failure to have encouraged the UAE to buy up swathes of the British economy and prized cultural assets like Manchester City while evidence of its greed and brutality and contempt for the rule of law was all around. Two @fairsqprojects.bsky.social reports worth reading 👇
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Nick McGeehan @ncgeehan.bsky.social · 17h
Has UEFA lied to the Football Association of Ireland about its anti-racism rules and protocols? If so, it should be a big problem for UEFA and the Israel Football Association. But only if the FAI takes this seriously and puts this latest incident in context. A 🧵 www.rte.ie/sport/soccer...
rte.ie
FAI investigating alleged racial abuse of Idah
An alleged racist incident involving Ireland goalscorer Adam Idah during the Israel Nations League game is being assessed by the FAI.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
"A Reform London will remember you." That's what Nigel Farage told UAE officials at a private GB News party in Dubai in January. Our new report, 'Petropopulism', sets out the UAE's connections to Reform UK and the wider far right. Read the full report: fairsq.org/petropopulis... #politics #media
A gold, paper-textured dossier graphic with punched holes and a black-and-gold portrait of Nigel Farage. Headed “Petropopulism: The UAE, Reform UK and the Far Right,” it lists a December 2025 Abu Dhabi-funded Grand Prix trip, a January 2026 GB News event in Dubai, a May 2026 meeting with the UAE foreign minister, and Farage’s ongoing GB News role. A highlighted quote reads: “A Reform London will remember you.” The graphic directs readers to fairsq.org for the full report.
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Nick McGeehan @ncgeehan.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
There should be space in the discussion of Manchester City's breach of Premiership rules for an examination of the UAE government's open contempt for rules and the dire and bloody consequences of their rule-breaking outside the realm of sport. A 🧵...
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Nick McGeehan @ncgeehan.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The Manchester City case has to be the moment we revisit the issue of state ownership of football clubs, and demand they be banned and phased out. In 2023 @fairsqprojects.bsky.social wrote to the then Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport making this argument. fairsq.org/fairsquare-c...
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Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Fergal Keane: 'For Bazunu to refuse to play is a sacrifice that required immense moral courage. Ultimately, he was the lone voice who said no, and that will be remembered in the broken alleys of Gaza.'
After his time in the West Bank, he went back to Gaza and trained young footballers. Then October 7, 2023 happened. Then the war. On August 6 last year, he went to queue for food at an aid distribution site in southern Gaza and was killed by Israeli fire.

Suleiman al-Obeid left behind his wife and five children. He is not the only Palestinian footballer to be killed. Local officials put the death toll of players in the hundreds. Sports facilities and school playgrounds have been destroyed.

Photo 
Gavin Bazunu in training last week © Sportsfile

Gavin Bazunu and his colleagues on the Ireland team surely know about Suleiman al-Obeid. They share with him something precious: the knowledge that the moment you don your country’s shirt, in whatever code, you become a representative of the nation. It is a privilege and a responsibility.

For Bazunu to refuse to play is a sacrifice that required immense moral courage. Ultimately, he was the lone voice who said no, and that will be remembered in the broken alleys of Gaza.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The Premier League has joined forces with La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga to call for urgent governance reform at Fifa after the World Cup sell-off debacle (FFE) as Gianni Infantino prepares to seek a fourth term as President. www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
Top European leagues heighten pressure on Infantino with call for major changes at Fifa
The Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A have called for fundamental reform of Fifa, saying the organisation’s governance is ‘not fit for purpose’
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Reform UK's funding has made headlines this year. But its ties to the UAE have largely flown under the radar. Our new report maps how an oil-rich Gulf state with no elections has built links to Farage et al, and into the wider UK far right, including Tommy Robinson. fairsq.org/petropopulis...
Report cover from FairSquare titled "Petro-populism: The UAE, Reform UK and the Far-Right". Headline reads: "Inside Reform UK's worrying ties to the UAE. New research maps a web of connections spanning Farage and the wider UK far right." The yellow-toned collage shows halftone cut-outs of Nigel Farage in profile on the left, Richard Tice at the bottom centre, and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed on the right, set against a backdrop of oil pipelines stretching across the desert.
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Nick McGeehan @ncgeehan.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
In Dublin Wednesday evening to discuss the Ireland - Israel match and broader issues of football misgovernance. Harry Browne, @rebeccaokeefe.bsky.social and @seanmacr.bsky.social will be among those there. Do come along if you're around.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Two question for FIFA (and UEFA) - Will you commit to separation of commercial and regulatory powers? - Will you commit to a needs-based independently audited redistribution model? (Answer: no, they won't because this isn't about reform, it's about power.) www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
bbc.com
Gianni Infantino: Fifa president open to reform and external review of football's governing body
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has proposed an external review of how world football's governing body operates. shifting tone as he seeks support to stay on.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
On FIFA and an independent review of governance after the Kushner debacle. When FIFA had oversight by world class governance experts in 2017 they all resigned in protest at Infantino ousting their colleague, Miguel Maduro, who had acted independently.
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Nick McGeehan @ncgeehan.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
“I should have died first and then come apply for asylum” Bogumila Hall and Marina de Regt on how the Netherlands' asylum procedures further traumatise Yemenis fleeing conflict standplaatswereld.nl/yemen-is-not...
standplaatswereld.nl
“Yemen is not safe”: Yemeni asylum seekers worried about the future
By Bogumila Hall and Marina de Regt – Recent clashes between the Houthis and anti-Houthi forces in Yemen have led to hundreds of “casualties”, thousands of wounded and tens of tho…
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Nick McGeehan @ncgeehan.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Ceferin and Montagliani just outed themselves: - They're not interested in reform. - Their plan is to make a rotten system even worse. - No different from Infantino www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
Uefa and Concacaf ask Gianni Infantino to give Fifa’s billions to its member associations
Aleksander Ceferin and Victor Montagliani have proposed a payout of at least $10m to each association and want the plan to be considered by the Fifa Council
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The World Cup and its aftermath made clear that Fifa needs independent oversight by governments and NGOs dedicated to preserving the people’s game. A fantastic piece by our Reboot advisor @julesboykoff.bsky.social for @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
What can halt Fifa’s authoritarian turn under Infantino? Change from the outside | Jules Boykoff
The World Cup and its aftermath made clear that Fifa needs independent oversight by governments and NGOs dedicated to preserving the people’s game
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Football belongs to all of us. It deserves better custodians. Top #football writer @davidgoldblatt.bsky.social joined our Director @ncgeehan.bsky.social to discuss why he joined Reboot FIFA, and why none of us can fix this alone. Watch the full conversation here: youtu.be/a6Vv0eHHLeM
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Tonight at 7pm BST: join our webinar on the Infantino/FIFA scandals and what they mean for the campaign to Reboot FIFA —with our director @ncgeehan.bsky.social and top football writer @davidgoldblatt.bsky.social. Sign up: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #football #soccer #sport
Webinar graphic. Headline: "What happens next at FIFA?" Text reads: "Join FairSquare Director Nick McGeehan and football writer, sociologist and historian David Goldblatt for a live conversation about the campaign to Reboot FIFA and where it goes from here. 7pm BST, Tue 15 September." Below, blue-tinted portraits of Nick McGeehan, looking directly at the camera, and David Goldblatt, gesturing with both hands while speaking into a microphone. FairSquare and Reboot logos at the bottom.
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Jules Boykoff @julesboykoff.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
In my latest for @theguardian.com I mentioned @fairsq.bsky.social, the nonprofit human-rights org on whose advisory board I serve & our “Reboot FIFA” campaign, which you can learn all about (& even join, if you wish) here: rebootfifa.com www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
What can halt Fifa’s authoritarian turn under Infantino? Change from the outside | Jules Boykoff
The World Cup and its aftermath made clear that Fifa needs independent oversight by governments and NGOs dedicated to preserving the people’s game
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View from the Allotment End @vftae.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Excellent work by @fairsq.bsky.social for submitting this complaint to FIFA More than 100,000 people add names to complaint against Gianni Infantino | Fifa | The Guardian share.google/IzP3JpdrjsfA...
share.google
More than 100,000 people add names to complaint against Gianni Infantino
The letter alleges the Fifa president ‘has, at a minimum, abused his power, violated his duty of political neutrality, and violated his duty of loyalty in his efforts to ingratiate himself’ with Donal...
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NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing @nosauditoon.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
@fairsq.bsky.social raise serious concerns about the systematic mistreatment and abuse of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. Important issue for trade unionists to take up on Tyneside as #NUFC Chairman Yasir al-Rumayyan is also Chairman of the board at ARAMCO. fairsq.org/blood-sweat-...
fairsq.org
“Blood, sweat and oil”: new FairSquare report details abusive working conditions at Saudi Aramco sites
FairSquare research has uncovered serious abuses of migrant workers in Saudi Aramco’s supply chain. Aramco is Saudi Arabia’s national oil company and the world’s largest, but despite its wealth and in...
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HOPE not hate @hopenothate.org.uk · 08/09/2026
Tomorrow night, Channel 4 Dispatches airs the findings of a year-long investigation into Tommy Robinson’s finances. Watch it. Then come back here. We’ve got more to show you.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The European Union's sports commissioner has criticized world football's governing body FIFA over its controversial and now-aborted plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. www.dw.com/en/eu-sports...
dw.com
EU sports commissioner says FIFA is 'damaging to football'
Speaking to DW, EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef hit out at world football's governing body over its "poor governance."
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Today we filed a second ethics complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Nearly 103,000 people from 124 countries have added their names. Here’s a reminder of just some of the egregious incidents that have taken place over the past nine months. #football #soccer #sport
Blue-toned, halftone-style graphic of Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump standing together and holding a black football shirt labelled “TRUMP” and “FIFA 10”. Large overlaid text reads: “We just filed an ethics complaint to FIFA signed by nearly 103k people from 124 countries.” The final line is highlighted in yellow. FairSquare and REBOOT logos appear on a white panel at the bottom.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
More than 100k people have signed our complaint against Gianni Infantino, stating he has “at a minimum, abused his power, violated his duty of political neutrality, and violated his duty of loyalty” through his dealings with Trump. Via @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
More than 100,000 people add names to complaint against Gianni Infantino
The letter alleges the Fifa president ‘has, at a minimum, abused his power, violated his duty of political neutrality, and violated his duty of loyalty in his efforts to ingratiate himself’ with Donal...
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Katie Martin @katie0martin.ft.com · 08/09/2026
@ stephenkb.bsky.social hitting the nail on the head of course. "the Labour Party has now produced two governments whose response to acts of thuggery and intimidation is to reiterate that perhaps the thugs have a point" - as.ft.com/r/97d33f08-a...
as.ft.com
Labour’s muddled migration policy won’t stop thuggery
A government that can’t distinguish between ‘legitimate concerns’ and open racism is only making things worse
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Musa Okwonga @okwonga.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The only reason I can see (and it’s a bad one): England thinks it is a superior civilisation to Germany and is therefore incapable of that level of dehumanisation. (This sense of superiority is also at the heart of why Germany is struggling to accept the hatred at the heart of the AfD project.)
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The UK government, the Opposition, and large sections of the UK media have enabled the rise of violent racism in the country. It is time for a firm and principled stance, and an organised and robust pushback against those funding and fuelling it.
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Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
As is Richard Tice who says that Reform had no involvement in the polls that they dictated the scope of, agreed the price of, had placed in national newspapers and got an impermissible donor to pay for
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Senator Chris Van Hollen @vanhollen.senate.gov · 02/09/2026
After our trip to the Gaza-Egypt border last year, @merkley.senate.gov & I released a report entitled, "The Netanyahu Government is Implementing a Plan to Ethnically Cleanse Gaza of Palestinians."   Now the Israeli Min of Defense confirmed that's the goal.   We must end our complicity.
france24.com
Israel ‘organised and prepared’ to remove Gaza population if US gives green light, Katz says
Israel is "organised and prepared" to remove Palestininians from Gaza "by every way possible", Defence Minister Israel Katz told reporters Wednesday, adding that there was no alternative "solution" to...
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
For non-french speakers this translates as "Fascist parties in UK and France agree to gang up on vulnerable groups"
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
"Separating the rule-maker from the business it supervises is basic institutional hygiene, not an optional refinement" Typically excellent from Professor Miguel Maduro in the always excellent @josimarfootball.bsky.social josimarfootball.com/2026/09/03/f...
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
"On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike on a motorcycle in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza killed Khadamat Jabaliya club star Abdel-Fattah Abu-Aish, less than a week before the tournament." Just one of the horrifying facts in this piece by Abubaker Abed www.dropsitenews.com/p/the-thousa...
dropsitenews.com
The Thousand Martyrs Cup: Football Returns to Palestine After Three Years of Genocide
The resumption of the Palestinian Football Association's leagues is being met by players and coaches with a mix of despair and resilience.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
"FairSquare’s Reboot FIFA campaign is one that all football supporters should support, but to really create pressure on FIFA to clean up its act there must also be grassroots organising across partisan club-based lines in as many member nations as possible." tribunemag.co.uk/2026/09/infa...
tribunemag.co.uk
Infantino’s Plan Is Dead, But His Vision For FIFA Will Remain
As a new geopolitical order emerges, what will become of global football?
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Our director Nick was on @lbc.co.uk breaking down what's happening with the planned UEFA criminal complaint against FIFA, and why getting rid of Infantino is only part of the battle. #football #soccer #sport
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The Dutch football federation is calling for an international summit to discuss the future of FIFA after becoming the latest nation to call for new leadership at the global soccer governing body on Sunday. Via @yahoonews.com - sports.yahoo.com/articles/dut...
sports.yahoo.com
Dutch federation calls for global summit to discuss FIFA future, withdraws support for Infantino
The Dutch football federation is calling for an international summit to discuss the future of FIFA after becoming the latest nation to call for new leadership at the global soccer governing body on Su...
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
This is a strong and highly significant statement coming from some of the world's greatest ex-pros. Many have spoken out against FIFA and the issues we've been reporting on 🙏 #football #soccer #sport
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Uefa is preparing to make a criminal complaint against Gianni Infantino for alleged “criminal mismanagement” in connection with his failed Fifa Forward Enterprise plan and has applied for the release of documents related to its conception. Via @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
Uefa preparing to bring criminal claims against Gianni Infantino over World Cup sale
Uefa is preparing to make a criminal complaint against Gianni Infantino for alleged ‘criminal mismanagement’ in connection with his failed Fifa Forward Enterprise plan
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
FIFA president Gianni Infantino did not inform the FIFA Council that he was soliciting investment proposals from outside investors to finance a proposed Under-15 ‘World Cup’ for children. Via @adamcrafton.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/754...
nytimes.com
Gianni Infantino did not tell FIFA Council he was seeking private investment for U15 ‘World Cup’ (Gift Article)
The Athletic can reveal that the proposal had over $250m of financial commitments from investors.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The UK political establishment has gone to enormous lengths to whitewash the reputation of Israeli football supporters with a well-documented record of extreme racism and violence, and hung one of its its own police forces out to dry. This should be a national scandal. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Ex-chief constable being investigated by IOPC over Israeli fan ban
Craig Guildford, three police officers and a staff member face IOPC investigation.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The Gibraltar FA has withdrawn its endorsement of Gianni Infantino’s candidature for the 2027 FIFA presidential election. Read the full statement: www.gibraltarfa.com/news/gibralt...
gibraltarfa.com
Gibraltar FA withdraws endorsement of Gianni Infantino
The Gibraltar Football Association has considered the developments of recent weeks concerning the governance of FIFA. The Association previously e...
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Ben Jacobs @jacobsben.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
🚨 BREAKING: FIFA legends release a statement saying “we have watched the game we love drift away from its core values under FIFA’s current leadership” adding they will stay silent no longer. Those endorsing it include Emmanuel Petit, Mikaël Silvestre and Lucy Bronze.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin has ruled himself out of running for the FIFA presidency but restated his belief that Gianni Infantino’s reign at the global governing body is on borrowed time. Via @nytimes.com - www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...
nytimes.com
Aleksander Ceferin rules himself out from replacing Gianni Infantino as FIFA president
Ceferin has described Infantino’s plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors as “even worse than the Super League plan”.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Gianni Infantino has been asked to not attend a youth tournament in the Dominican Republic this weekend as the fallout from his abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan continues to rumble on. Via @nytimes.com - www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...
nytimes.com
Concacaf ask FIFA's Infantino to stay away from youth tournament
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Martin Calladine @uglygame.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Man City's owners sent foreign mercenaries to the UK, who discussed how to "locate, track and potentially kill their target - a prominent political campaigner." www.itv.com/news/2026-08...
itv.com
UAE-funded mercenary 'ran covert operation' against British activist in London | ITV News
Mercenary Abraham Golan was allegedly hired to mount a covert surveillance operation against a British academic, on UK soil. | ITV National News
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
UAE-funded assassins targeted a UK citizen in the UK. Remarkable reporting from @itvnews.bsky.social www.itv.com/news/2026-08...
itv.com
UAE-funded mercenary 'ran covert operation' against British activist in London | ITV News
Mercenary Abraham Golan was allegedly hired to mount a covert surveillance operation against a British academic, on UK soil. | ITV National News
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
FIFA held talks over private investment in U15 ‘World Cup’ inspired by Baseball's Little League, featuring 211 teams, bookended by ceremonies in Disney theme parks. Via @adamcrafton.bsky.social - www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
nytimes.com
FIFA held talks over private investment in U15 ‘World Cup’ featuring 211 teams
One proposal to FIFA included opening and closing ceremonies at Disney theme parks in Florida and a broadcast on ESPN.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Infantino’s decision to sack his chief operating officer after his criticism of the World Cup sell-off plan has hardened some opposition to the Fifa president. Israel is the latest Fifa member to officially withdraw their support for re-election. Via @guardian.com www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
Israel withdraws support for embattled Fifa president Gianni Infantino
The Israel Football Association blamed an ‘unprecedented crisis of confidence’ and lack of ‘proper vision’ in retracting its backing for Fifa’s Gianni Infantino
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
The FIFA chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, has been sacked after openly criticising Gianni Infantino’s ill-fated plan to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors. Read more via @theguardian.com – www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
Fifa chief sacked after criticism of Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan
The Fifa chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, has been sacked after openly criticising Gianni Infantino’s ill-fated plan to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
FIFA's rules say no one can be President for more than three terms. So why are they letting Infantino stand again? Thread 1/5 #football #soccer #sport
FairSquare graphic. Blue duotone photo of Gianni Infantino. Headline: FIFA's rules say Infantino should not be able to stand for President. Below: he is serving his third term, elected 2016, 2019 and 2023, and we have written to FIFA demanding they bar him from standing. Reboot FIFA Campaign.
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bylinepodcast.bsky.social @bylinepodcast.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
"The central problem in FIFA is the dynamic between the member associations and the Presidency; which ensures that money goes out and loyalty comes back." Nick McGeehan on #Infantino for the @bylinetimes.bsky.social pod with @goldbergradio.bsky.social 🎧 pod.fo/e/532de2 📺 youtu.be/fKnc-c4hDYU
pod.fo
BYLINE TIMES PODCAST: Infantino's 'Kick Back Hat Trick'
Why hasn't FIFA President Gianni Infantino stepped down after the row over his plan to sell off some World Cup marketing and ticketing rights? Adrian Goldberg hears from Nick McGeehan, founder of s...
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Musa Okwonga @okwonga.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
From this review- “Think of all the diligent, decent black academics who have been lumbered with the embarrassment of having Arday as a figurehead” - no, think of *why* black academics are held collectively responsible in ways that white academics are not
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