UN urges FIFA to ban Israel; USA promises to fight against ban!
A United Nations commission of inquiry said earlier this month that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. That has led a panel of UN experts and the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to call for sporting sanctions against the country. Next year’s World Cup is being co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada. But a US State Department spokesperson told BBC Sport: “We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup.” Meanwhile, there have been reports that European football’s governing body UEFA, which organizes World Cup qualifying matches, could meet to decide whether to suspend Israel as early as next week. One senior source at a European member association told BBC Sport: “Our understanding is that UEFA leadership wants to see some action on this. “Nothing is confirmed or scheduled. But there is a new, high-level pressure from many nations compared to just a month ago.” Israel are set to play Norway in a World Cup qualifier in Oslo on 11 October. Earlier this month, Norwegian football federation president Lise Klaveness said her organization “has to deal with Israel participating in their competitions, but cannot and will not be indifferent to the humanitarian suffering that is taking place in the region, especially the disproportionate attacks against civilians in Gaza”. The Italian FA has also spoken about the challenges of playing Israel, who Italy host on 14 October in Udine. The UN report said there were reasonable grounds to conclude that four of the five genocidal acts defined under international law had been carried out since the start of the war in 2023. A panel of human rights experts at the UN subsequently called on the world football governing body Fifa and its European body UEFA to ban Israeli national football team from participating in international competitions, even including the FIFA 2026 World Cup next year. They have stated, , “Sports must reject the perception that it is business as usual.” Israel has regularly denied that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide and says they are justified as a means of self-defence. Its foreign ministry called the UN report “distorted and false”. The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. At least 65,419 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. The ministry’s figures are quoted by the UN and others as the most reliable source of statistics available on casualties. There has been an increase in calls to ban Israel from sporting competitions since the UN’s report. And it comes amid reports that UEFA could vote on whether to suspend Israel next week. Uefa has said that no meeting is currently planned. Israel are third in their World Cup qualifying group – organised by UEFA – on nine points, six behind leaders Norway. The top team from each group qualifies automatically for the World Cup, with the runners-up going into the play-offs. Spanish PM Sanchez said Israel should be treated in the same fashion as Russia, being banned from international sports competitions. “Israel cannot continue to use any international platform to whitewash its image,” Sanchez said. The Russian national team have been banned from competing in international football tournaments since the country’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Israeli FA declined to comment when contacted by BBC Sport, and FIFA has been approached for comment. Sanchez’s comments came as the final stage of the Vuelta a España was abandoned earlier this month after pro-Palestinian protesters entered part of the course in the centre of Madrid. Protesters knocked down barriers and occupied the road at several points on the course, including the Gran Via, where cyclists were due to pass multiple times. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing under their national flags at the 2024 Olympics.
FIFA warns AIFF to adopt constitution or face suspension!
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) faces possible FIFA suspension over “third-party interference” unless it finalizes a revised constitution by 30th August. FIFA reportedly sent a strongly-worded letter to the AIFF, reminding the Indian body of its “obligation to manage its affairs independently and without any undue third-party influence, including government bodies.” A hearing in the Honorable Supreme Court is scheduled for Thursday, August 28. Before that date, FIFA has asked the AIFF to secure a definitive ruling that approves the AIFF constitution. The Indian body has also been instructed to align its constitution with FIFA and AFC statutes and regulations, without exception, all before the August 30 FIFA deadline. “This prolonged impasse has precipitated a governance and operational crisis. Clubs and players remain uncertain regarding the domestic competition calendar; commercial partnerships beyond December 2025 remain unconfirmed; and essential functions relating to development, competitions, and marketing are increasingly compromised. The resulting lack of financial stability has had a profoundly negative impact on India’s football ecosystem, particularly affecting footballers employed by clubs participating in the Indian Super League (ISL), which is organized under the auspices of the AIFF,” read the letter sent to the AIFF, according to the Indian Express. The deadlock between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) caused a delay in finalizing the Indian Super League schedule for the 2025-26 season. Both organizations are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, August 28, aiming to resolve this matter ahead of FIFA’s August 30 deadline.
Hyderabad introduces India’s first FIFA Talent Academy for girls
India’s first FIFA Talent Academy for girls was launched in Hyderabad after the AIFF and the Government of Telangana signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 2nd August on Saturday during the first Telangana Sports Conclave at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana, Shri A Revanth Reddy, was present to grace the occasion, along with AIFF President Shri Kalyan Chaubey and Principal Secretary of I&C and IT, Government of Telangana, Shri Jayesh Ranjan, in the presence of eminent dignitaries, sports leaders, and policymakers. The initiative is a key component of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS) and will help provide elite training to talented footballers who have been scouted from various parts of the country, reinforcing India’s commitment to inclusive and structured grassroots development. The academy will be located at the Gachibowli Stadium Complex in Hyderabad and will offer year-round high-performance training, with residential facilities, education, medical care, nutrition, and mental wellness to 60 elite players – 30 boys (U14) and 30 girls (U16), including 10 players from Telangana in each category. AIFF President Shri Kalyan Chaubey said, This academy will not only groom elite athletes but also inspire a generation of footballers who can dream of representing India at the highest levels. It is a proud day for Indian football and a strong step forward towards our goal of qualifying for the U17 men’s and women’s FIFA World Cups.” AIFF will lead the operations, technical framework, talent scouting, and training curriculum in coordination with FIFA. The Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG) will oversee infrastructure, logistics, education, financial, and welfare support.
Visa cardholders to get first shot at tickets for 2026 Fifa World Cup
The football fans across the world, possessing Visa cards will have an exclusive opportunity to apply for the Fifa 2026 World Cup tickets in the first phase through a program named Visa Presale Draw. The program will take place between 10th and 19th September, thanks to FIFA’s Official Payment Technology Partner. To participate in the Visa Presale Draw, Visa cardholders must log in to their FIFA.com/tickets account using their FIFA ID and complete the application form at any time during the ten-day application period to secure their chance to purchase tickets. Following a random selection process, FIFA will notify successful Visa cardholders by email beginning no earlier than 30 September. These Visa cardholders will be assigned a date and time slot in October during which they will be able to visit FIFA.com/tickets to purchase tickets (subject to availability). As FIFA’s exclusive payment provider during the first ticket sales phase, Visa ensures a fast, secure, and seamless checkout experience for sports fans around the world. “Excitement for the FIFA World Cup 26 is building fast, and 10th September is a date every football fan should have marked in their calendar,” said FIFA Chief Business Officer Romy Gai. “We’re delighted to once again partner with Visa to give fans the very first opportunity to secure their place at the greatest show on earth. A ticket to the FIFA World Cup isn’t just a ticket – it’s a gateway to the most inclusive and spectacular tournament in our history. Everyone will want to be part of this moment, so make sure you’ve created your FIFA ID and have your Visa card ready.” “We’re reaching a fever pitch with just months to go until kick-off, and Visa is proud to be leading the charge from midfield – connecting fans to the action and empowering local businesses to play their strongest game,” said Frank Cooper, Chief Marketing Officer at Visa. “This isn’t just about early access to tickets – it’s about unlocking opportunities across North America, fuelling the passion of the global football community and ensuring the economic impact of the tournament reaches far beyond the final whistle.”
Mohammedan Sporting in trouble over players’ registration for the CFL; wants the opener to be postponed
Mohammedan Sporting Club has requested the IFA to postpone the team’s opening match in the forthcoming CFL Premier Division scheduled on 29th June against Peerless Sports Club. The reason is Fifa’s ban on the club’s registration process for the footballers. The ban has been imposed after a couple of footballers including the foreigners lodged a complaint for not being cleared of their dues of contracted money in the last season. The club’s vice-president Qamaruddin when asked about the issue revealed, “It is not our fault. Our partner made two-year or three-year contracts with many footballers. Not only that, several footballers were overpriced and some of them moved to Fifa after not being cleared of their dues. Naturally, now responsibility has come over us. We need nearly Rs 30 Lakhs now to clear the dues and lift the ban. We will do that but need a little bit of time. That is why, we have requested the IFA to defer our opening match against Peerless SC. We have seven senior footballers who are training with the team. But if we cannot complete their registration then the team for the CFL will be weak.” However, IFA secretary Anirban Dutta, commenting on the issue, informed they have not yet received any such request letter. They will think over the matter after receiving the letter.
Fifa imposes ‘players’ registration ban’ on MBSG; Top brass promises to pay the amount to Mariners in ‘solidarity fund’ soon
The All India Football Federation (AIFF), following instruction from FIFA, has imposed a ban on the registration of new Indian footballers for Mohun Bagan Super Giants (MBSG). The circular although has not specifically explained the reason behind the ban, a potential reason is reported to be a failure to make the solidarity payments. Solidarity payments are distributed to all clubs that trained the player between his 12th and 23rd birthdays at a proportional rate depending on how long the player was at each club. In the case of MBSG, it was Jason Cummings whose previous Australian club Central Coast Mariners deserve 10 percent of the footballer’s contract with his current club MBSG in the account of a ‘solidarity fund’ and MBSG has reportedly failed to pay the amount to Cumming’s previous club. However, it is learned that MBSG top brass paid the amount to the previous club in a ‘solidarity fund’ in the first season when Cummings signed for MBSG. But as the ISL Cup and Shield winner has failed to pay the amount this season, the Fifa disciplinary committee has imposed the registration ban on the club. According to sources close to MBSG top brass, the management has already made request to Fifa to send the respective form so that they can fill it up and send the money to Central Coast Mariners as soon as possible. The registration ban will be lifted by the Fifa once MBSG send the solidarity fund money to Central Coast Mariners. Mumbai City FC also received a similar suspension in October 2024. The reason for the imposition of the national ban was along the same lines for the Islanders.
Fifa agent arrives in North 24 Pargana FC to materialize the scouting program in England
The newly-built club North 24 Pargana FC is all set to begin its talent-nurturing project as an experienced Fifa Match and Players’ agent Alexie Ivanov arrived at the club on Monday morning for a detailed discussion about the club’s project. Alexie has been working as a Fifa Match and Players’ agent for last 15 years throughout the world. He has worked with several clubs especially like legendary Manchester City, Hoffenheim FC and Girona also. This has been Alexie’s sixth visit to India and in his last visit, he worked as the Fifa’s match-agent for the tournament for Kerala Blasters, Girona FC, and Melbourne City in 2018 and took initiative for organizing a tournament involving the three teams in India. Considering the plans North 24 Pargana FC has designed so far, the potential kids will get the opportunity to train at a top academy in England. The scouting program will take place under the guidance of Ivanov. “This project is very positive. We have plans so far that the potential boys of this academy will be taken to England and they will be provided top-class training through a scientific coaching program,” explained Ivanov. While continuing, he added, “At the same time, the boys will be provided an opportunity to have exposure to competitive matches to develop them. I am optimistic that this project will help Indian football ultimately. There are several top-class and professional academies in the UK as well as several club academies. The decision will be taken where exactly the boys will be placed.” Narayan Goswami, the president of North 24 Parganas district and the key man behind the project opined, “North 24 Pargana FC wants to start with 100 potential kids, screening from this district. They will be provided modern training system with the help of experienced foreign coaches and will also be offered food and accommodation during the training period. The project is expected to kick off at the Ashokenagar stadium and we are in the process of developing infrastructure there.”
