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@fairsqprojects.bsky.social
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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 · 3h
The Norwegian Football Federation has submitted two parallel filings to FIFA concerning the FIFA Peace Prize, the Balogun affair, and the FIFA Forward Enterprise (“FFE”) project. One addresses conduct of Gianni Infantino, the other governance and process. 👏👏👏 www.fotball.no/tema/nff-nyh...
fotball.no
NFF Submits Ethics Complaint and Governance Referral to FIFA
The Norwegian Football Association (NFF) has formally submitted two separate filings to FIFA.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Thank you for working with us on this piece 🤝
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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
"Manchester City is run by, and in the interests of, the United Arab Emirates, a state whose appetite for conflict and violence is matched by its contempt for rules and norms." New op-ed for @josimarfootball.bsky.social by @ncgeehan.bsky.social of reboot.fifa and @fairsqprojects.bsky.social.
josimarfootball.com
Mob Rule - josimarfootball.com
Manchester City is run by, and in the interests of, the United Arab Emirates, a state whose appetite for conflict and violence is matched by its contempt for rules and norms. By Nick McGeehan, the dir...
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Our new report, 'Petropopulism', sets out how far-right influencers have amplified UAE messaging: the invites to Dubai, the sudden interest in Gulf conflicts, and the talking points repeated almost word for word. Read the full report: fairsq.org/petropopulis...
fairsq.org
Petropopulism: FairSquare publishes new report on UAE links to Reform UK and the far-right
A new report from FairSquare highlights the extensive links between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the UK’s Reform party and the far-right, and calls for the UAE to be added to the “Enhanced Tier”...
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
"Maybe you don't care what happens in Yemen, let me tell you why you should." That's what Tommy Robinson said to his 1.8 million followers on X, weeks after a December trip to Dubai. He then posted repeatedly in support of the UAE's allies in Yemen. #politics #uk #uae
Report graphic from FairSquare on aged yellow notebook paper. Header: "Report – Petropopulism: The UAE, Reform UK and the Far Right". A halftone photo of Tommy Robinson sits on the left, with his quote: "Maybe you don't care what happens in Yemen, let me tell you why you should." (Robinson on X, January 2026). Text on the right reads: "Tommy Robinson. Far-right activist and English Defence League founder. December 2025: Flew to Dubai, saying he was there 'on an invite'. Began posting about Yemen shortly after. January 2026: Posted on X blaming the Muslim Brotherhood for the wars in Sudan and Yemen, and praised UAE-backed separatists in Yemen. Ongoing: Promotes content by Emirati influencers who push UAE state-aligned narratives." Footer: "Read the full report at fairsq.org".
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Nick McGeehan @ncgeehan.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Always a great pleasure to write for @josimarfootball.bsky.social this one on the Manchester City scandal and some critical points that have perhaps been missed or glossed over as 'human rights concerns' in the coverage to date. josimarfootball.com/2026/10/05/m...
josimarfootball.com
Mob Rule - josimarfootball.com
Manchester City is run by, and in the interests of, the United Arab Emirates, a state whose appetite for conflict and violence is matched by its contempt for rules and norms. By Nick McGeehan, the dir...
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NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing @nosauditoon.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
And later join us at THE BRIDGE HOTEL at 7pm to hear leading Saudi human rights defender @maryamaldossari.bsky.social and other speakers, including from @newcastleaiuk.bsky.social and @nosauditoon.bsky.social All welcome!
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Shane Darcy @shanedarcy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
This is starkest example of the war crime of “wanton destruction of cities, towns or villages, or devastation not justified by military necessity“ in the 80 years since it was first codified and prosecuted at Nuremberg. A grave, continuing and tolerated breach of the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
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Sam Bright @writesbright.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Burnham’s response to the Manchester City story may have been iffy, but wait until Farage gets asked about it - his party is in bed with the UAE… and he knows nothing about football
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Manu Luksch @manuluksch.com · 02/10/2026
The moment of accountability has arrived at #ManCity doorstep. Important report from @fairsqprojects.bsky.social why it matters! @ciluna27.bsky.social
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
“He’s quiet...and he’s always everywhere.” If you were worried about the UAE owning a football club, be extremely worried about the role they're playing in AI, spearheaded by the shadowy Sheikh Tahnoon Al-Nahyan. Brilliant and timely long read from Jack Shenker. www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
theguardian.com
Fixer, financier, spymaster: how the UAE’s Sheikh Tahnoon is setting his sights on AI dominance
The long read: The Emirati royal is increasingly influential on the world stage. Some see him as a visionary. Others compare him to a Bond villain. Who is he?
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
In "Petropopulism" we explained how the UAE is turning its attention to Reform and the far-right, and how similar UAE meddling in multiple countries has undermined democracy and the rule of law, and led to it fuelling bloody conflict in Libya and a genocide in Sudan. fairsq.org/petropopulis...
fairsq.org
Petropopulism: FairSquare publishes new report on UAE links to Reform UK and the far-right
A new report from FairSquare highlights the extensive links between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the UK’s Reform party and the far-right, and calls for the UAE to be added to the “Enhanced Tier”...
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
In "Easy Cities to Buy" we charted how Tony Blair sold the idea of UAE investment in Manchester and a whole bunch of pliant political leaders welcomed the UAE with open arms, and allowed them to buy up cheap land and buy off criticism fairsq.org/easy-cities-...
fairsq.org
Lack of civic leadership has enabled Manchester and Newcastle sportswashing projects
FairSquare report provides further evidence of the harms of state ownership of football clubs A new report published today finds that political leaders in Manchester and Newcastle have not only declin...
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
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 · 29/09/2026
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
👀
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The UK government already requires anyone working for Russia or Iran to declare it publicly. This report makes it clear that the UAE should be added to that list
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It's the first in-depth look at this relationship, bringing together our own research with the incredible investigative work by @desmog.com into GB News and its backers, and into Reform's business ties to the UAE.
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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
Our Reboot advisory board, which includes tonight's speaker David Goldblatt, is helping us apply the right pressure to the right people. Learn more tonight!
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Last week, we filed the biggest-ever ethics complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, signed by more than 100,000 people. We've yet to hear anything back. So what happens if they don't play ball?
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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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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Cheers!
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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
This is one more opportunity for FIFA to show that it will hold its senior officials to account when they trample all over the rules. If it won’t, someone else must come in to safeguard the integrity and reputation of football. Read the complaint: rebootfifa.com
rebootfifa.com
Act now to stop abuse of power at FIFA | Reboot FIFA campaign
Infantino isn’t fit to lead FIFA. 
And FIFA isn’t fit to govern football. Agree? Add your name to our mass complaint now >>
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Our first complaint has sat with their Ethics Committee since December and we have heard nothing. Meanwhile, the Norwegian FA and 50 MEPs have both asked it to handle the case transparently and the US House Judiciary Committee has asked Infantino to appear before it.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Taken one at a time, each incident is at best a serious breach of the rules. Taken together, they reveal a pattern of deep issues in how FIFA is governed.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
- A FIFA "Peace Prize" created without the FIFA Council and handed to Trump - A MAGA cap worn at a ceremony - A one-match ban on a USA player waived days after Trump said he'd asked Infantino to review it - A plan to sell a stake in FIFA's commercial arm to an investor group led by Joshua Kushner
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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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