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Graham Dunbar

@gdunbarap.bsky.social
2.6K followers 458 following 266 posts

Sports writer, Associated Press, Switzerland.

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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Old enough to remember the first round of UEFA financial fair play sanctions in 2014 when Man City and PSG each got €20M fines, and the perception was PSG had been the one to get off lightly.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
That the Premier League would detail the verdict during just about the only moment all year that Man City CEO Ferran Soriano is truly exposed to media (at the European clubs' meeting) was really quite something. news.sky.com/video/do-you...
news.sky.com
'Do you apologise to football fans?': Man City chief refuses to answer
Sports correspondent Rob Harris asked the Manchester City FC chief Ferran Soriano if he has 'a message for football' after the Premier League said the club made "sham" contracts with commercial partne...
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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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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
This transfer window has been absurd and actually insulting to fans at most clubs.
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Reposted by Graham Dunbar
Christoph Becker @chwb.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
“Now he is thrown out and we are supposed to move on. It’s unacceptable, it’s management by fear,” Klaveness told the AP in a telephone interview, describing Lamour as “the best football administrator I have ever met.” - @gdunbarap.bsky.social apnews.com/article/fifa...
apnews.com
AP Interview: Klaveness slams Infantino's FIFA for firing top executive in 'management by fear'
FIFA’s removal of the senior official who said Gianni Infantino deceived staff with his World Cup sell-off plan has been called “unacceptable.”
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Reposted by Graham Dunbar
Tariq Panja @tariqpanja.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
‼️ ⚽️ Top FIFA officials including Matias Grafstrom, the CEO who made peace with Gianni Infantino, signed off on the plan to sell the World Cup after a secret meeting in New York the day before the World Cup final. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/06/b...
nytimes.com
FIFA Executives Were Given Ultimatum to Approve World Cup Privatization Plan (Gift Article)
The day before the World Cup final, key FIFA figures faced a stunning demand to sign off on a multibillion-dollar privatization project.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
FIFA had a “road not taken” option in May 2015 on a leadership path that promised higher standards. FIFA members then voted for Blatter, not Prince Ali of Jordan who is still here, making similar points in the same direction now it’s Infantino’s realm. apnews.com/article/fifa...
apnews.com
Former FIFA VP Prince Ali cites 'blackmail' by Infantino-led soccer body over unpaid prize money
Former FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin Al Hussein has criticized the soccer body’s leadership headed by Gianni Infantino describing prize money withheld from his Jordan national team as a kind of b...
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Rising pressure on FIFA president Infantino. Statements from two of his inner circle, Arsène Wenger and Mattias Grafström, welcoming the demise of the World Cup private equity plan could have praised and urged support for him. They did not even cite his name. apnews.com/article/fifa...
apnews.com
Top FIFA officials Wenger and Grafström distance themselves from Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan
Two senior FIFA executives have distanced themselves from their boss Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors.
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Reposted by Graham Dunbar
Dan Orlowitz @aishiterutokyo.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
2 United 2 Passionate, followed by United Passions: Riyadh Drift
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Maybe Christopher Nolan can make a biopic of Gianni Infantino, as Icarus or a tragedy of hubris.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
JPMorgan needs some fan representation on the board to save the bank from these ritual humiliations in football every 5 years.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
The first leg of the game is over. Now for the second to find a new FIFA president?
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Second senior FIFA official speaks out today against Infantino’s World Cup private equity sell-off plan. COO Kevin Lamour says staff were deceived and “deserve better than contempt and intimidation.” Describes it as one man's project. apnews.com/article/cord...
apnews.com
Senior FIFA official resigns over Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan. Second says it deceived staff
Two senior FIFA officials have criticized Gianni Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan with one resigning as a presidential adviser and a second saying staff were deceived by project that must not go ah...
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
This is getting existential for the FIFA president. Accelerating out of Infantino’s control. apnews.com/article/cord...
apnews.com
FIFA adviser on White House's World Cup panel resigns to protest Infantino private equity plan
Senior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro, who represented the soccer body on the White House Task Force for the World Cup, has resigned in protest at its private equity plan.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Back in the day, UEFA always had a plan to activate a kind of World Cup replacement competition, should FIFA ever implode... apnews.com/uefa-led-pla...
apnews.com
UEFA-led plan for global soccer competition every 2 years
It could be the biggest-ever soccer competition, for 223 national teams, peaking with a series of eight-team knockout tournaments in June of every odd-numbered year.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
It all looks like the result of too long spent in the US president’s bubble of immunity, impunity and easy money. Maybe there are consequences. apnews.com/article/fifa...
apnews.com
European nations vow to boycott World Cup, other FIFA tournaments over Infantino private equity plan
UEFA member federations will boycott all FIFA competitions in protest of Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Does Zidane still have to serve a 2- or 3-game ban at the 2030 World Cup? Maybe FIFA can give him retroactive probation.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
That last half-hour of the Tour de France was truly wonderful, epic sport. A huge assist to the Paris Olympics for making Montmartre unmissable.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
What a hilarious game of football. Totally absurd and signifying nothing, but huge fun. Must have been the way Deschamps wanted to go.
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Reposted by Graham Dunbar
The Associated Press @apnews.com · 17/07/2026
ICE officer who shot Colombian man in Maine has history of threatening behavior and mental illness, family and court documents say.
bit.ly
AP Exclusive: ICE officer in Maine shooting has history of violent behavior, family and records say
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who shot a Colombian man in Maine this week is an Army veteran who has struggled with serious mental health issues since early childhood, according to close relatives who spoke to The Associated Press.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
In World Cup host nations, it’s usually after the tournament that public life returns to what it was before the first game. apnews.com/article/ice-...
apnews.com
ICE officer who fatally shot driver in Maine was 'fearing for public safety,' agency says
Sen. Angus King says the motorist killed by ICE officers in a Maine shooting was not the target of the warrant the officers were executing.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
FIFA statements on the World Cup ball sensor….
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Peak popular culture in England was winning the 1966 World Cup days before The Beatles released “Revolver”. Winning a 2nd and then Count Binface beating Farage might run it close.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Infantino's dream of a Morocco-Argentina final is still alive. Egypt, astonishing, so impressive.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
What joy for the IOC and 2028 LA Olympics officials. About 350 medal events involving Americans that might now be up for attempted 'review' because of FIFA giving up control.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
An update today on the FIFA-Balogun case that is no less insane and absurd than it was yesterday. apnews.com/article/balo...
apnews.com
UEFA says decision by FIFA to let U.S. forward play at World Cup is 'incomprehensible'
European soccer body UEFA criticized FIFA for an “incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision” to let United States forward Folarin Balogun play at the World Cup against Belgium on Monday despite a re...
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Blatter’s FIFA did not interfere with field of play integrity. Infantino’s FIFA, on the other hand: Messi/Miami into CWC, exceptional probation for Ronaldo, Balogun dodges 2-game ban. Stunning.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
At the FIFA-MAGA World Cup, where the rule of law doesn’t mean as much as it once did. www.fifa.com/en/tournamen...
fifa.com
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Goodbye and good riddance to Paraguay, hopefully to that ref as well. Paraguay next to be seen at the World Cup as a co-host in 2030. Why and how no one involved has ever bothered to explain properly.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Waking up to the utter joyless pursuit of VAR perfectibility when Croatia gained no advantage at all, denying the world what was looking an epic extra time at 2-2. Well done everyone.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
A light read on what feels like the hottest-ever June day for more than a few of the World Cup nations.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Show it to the police in Miami who currently don't seem to find the Tartan Army much fun to be around.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
The 0-0s have been compelling, much more fun than a 4-0 that was over by the first ad break.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Yikes. Most boxes of collective sports media doom ticked here.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
But 2 of those 3 games on probation, yes? No? Just for Ronaldo?
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Cristiano Ronaldo starts and captains Portugal against Congo next, thanks to a FIFA pardon in November for his red card in qualifying that, for mere mortals, would have been a 2-game ban. (Leveled out by a clear red card not shown to Lionel Messi last night?) apnews.com/article/worl...
apnews.com
Cristiano Ronaldo set to avoid ban at World Cup after FIFA red-card verdict offers probation
Cristiano Ronaldo will likely avoid missing any Portugal games at the World Cup despite his red card in a qualifying game last week for elbowing an Ireland opponent.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Maybe they all had an involuntary twitch in their leg.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
World Cup VARs following Infantino’s order to chill and relax. Clear red card challenges by three all-time greats in Lionel Messi, Achraf Hakimi and Kenny McLean who all somehow stayed on the pitch.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Adding Hervé Renard at very short notice to a World Cup can only raise the fun factor. apnews.com/article/worl...
apnews.com
Here comes Hervé again. Shock World Cup call for Renard to coach Tunisia in turmoil
It seems no World Cup is complete without Hervé Renard. Suddenly, somehow and surprisingly he will be at this one.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Is it bad when a company spends $21 billion more than it earns?
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Good luck to Red Sox fans today searching the back story of Andrew Considine and "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie." #nsfw
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
The Tartan Army at Fenway Park last night is an all-time great sport crossover moment. Scotland fans in for another week-long residency in Boston. www.youtube.com/shorts/AU-5E...
youtube.com
'Yes Sir, I Can Boogie!' 🎶
YouTube video by BBC Scottish Football
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
The Salt Bae of this World Cup is in the house.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
3 European teams have played, 1 goal by each, all set pieces. Scotland to break the stereotype, please.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
There is some good decision-making and leadership in football. apnews.com/article/worl...
apnews.com
Somali ref Artan picked for showpiece UEFA game after being barred by US from World Cup
Somali referee Omar Artan who was barred by the United States from the World Cup has been picked for the showcase UEFA Super Cup game in August.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
It's especially hard to remove a sports body's president with one-member-one-vote used by others - like FIFA, taking a random example. FIS voting system gives extra votes to heartland nations. The margin Thursday was one vote.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Proof that it's possible to democratically oust the president of a sports governing body. Ski leader Eliasch beaten by just one vote with a parting shot at the IOC for alleged election influence. apnews.com/article/fis-...
apnews.com
World ski president Eliasch loses election by one vote and alleges IOC influence
World ski federation leader Johan Eliasch has been ousted in a tight presidential election. It has come after a campaign led by the sport’s heartland nations in Europe and North America that was backe...
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
The UN human rights agency in Geneva is seeing the “racial profiling, surveillance and immigration enforcement” around the World Cup and has concerns. Also 2 Olympics and a Women's World Cup coming to the US by 2034. apnews.com/article/worl...
apnews.com
After troubled World Cup lead-in, UN human rights chief urges 'rethink' of US immigration policy
The United Nations’ top human rights official called Wednesday for a “massive rethink” of immigration policies especially in the United States ahead of the World Cup.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
An allegation that World Cup ref Omar Artan has links to terror groups made with no public proof by an administration that shredded its intelligence capacity and overseas aid work. What is the quality of its information from Somalia? Maybe try to prove it? apnews.com/article/worl...
apnews.com
Somali World Cup referee denied entry to US arrives home to hero's welcome
A World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States has returned to Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu, where he was received by a crowd of supporters and officials.
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Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
That time in 2017 when Infantino said 2026 World Cup teams, fans and officials “need to have access to the country, otherwise there is no World Cup. That is obvious." cdn.theguardian.tv/mainwebsite/...
cdn.theguardian.tv
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