Ciarán Fahey

Bundesliga referees and VAR under scrutiny as frustration over mistakes grows Germany’s referees are under scrutiny after a plethora of questionable decisions and incorrect calls compounded by anger over the video assistant referees’ failure to correct them.

Bundesliga referees and VAR under scrutiny as frustration over mistakes grows

(AP) #VAR #referees #Germany #Bundesliga ⚽

apnews.com/article/bund...

Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych out of Winter Olympics over banned helmet honoring war dead Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych is out of the Milan Cortina Games after he refused to stop wearing a banned tribute helmet.

Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych barred 45 mins before he was due to race at the Winter Olympics after refusing a plea from the IOC not to wear a helmet honoring Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed in Russia's invasion.

(AP) #WinterOlympics #Ukraine #Russia #IOC

apnews.com/article/hera...

Bad Bunny’s Incredible Super Bowl Halftime Show Planted a New Flag In one of the best halftime shows since Prince in 2007, the Puerto Rican megastar threw a killer party, broadened the definition of America, and made history in the process.

In one of the best halftime shows since Prince in 2007, the Puerto Rican megastar threw a killer party, broadened the definition of America, and made history in the process.

(@pitchfork.com) #BadBunny #halftimeshow 🇵🇷

pitchfork.com/thepitch/bad...

Second penalty can be given, but agree with your general point.

Trump's racist post about Obamas is deleted after backlash despite White House earlier defending it President Donald Trump says he won't apologize for posting a racist video of the Obamas. Trump told reporters that, “I didn't make a mistake,” as he flew to Florida on Friday.

“There is a long history in the U.S. of powerful white figures associating Black people with animals, including apes, in demonstrably false, racist ways. The practice dates to 18th century cultural racism and pseudo-scientific theories.”

(AP) #Trump #racism

In Trump’s war on global justice, court staff and U.N. face terrorist‑grade sanctions Trump’s sanctions on U.N. expert Francesca Albanese and the International Criminal Court froze assets and disrupted war crimes investigations. The clash is part of the broader campaign by his administ...

Francesca Albanese and various judges and prosecutors of the International Criminal Court "now sit on the U.S. Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Nationals list, alongside suspected al Qaeda terrorists, Mexican drug traffickers and North Korean arms dealers".

www.reuters.com/investigatio...

Hungarian court sentences German anti-fascist activist to 8 years for far-right rally assaults A Hungarian court sentences a German anti-fascist activist to eight years in prison for assaults at a far-right rally in February 2023.

German anti-fascist sentenced to 8 years in prison for attacking fascists in Hungary

(AP) #Hungary #fascism #MajaT

apnews.com/article/hung...

Bad Bunny won big at the 2026 Grammys. It’s a boost at a dark time for U.S. Latinos Bad Bunny’s album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” won album of the year at the 2026 Grammy Awards, becoming the first all-Spanish language album to do so.

Bad Bunny won big at the 2026 Grammys. It’s a boost at a dark time for U.S. Latinos

“ICE out. We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”

(AP) #Grammys #BadBunny #PuertoRico #Trump

apnews.com/article/bad-...

Gaza's border crossing to Egypt reopens in a key step for truce but only few Palestinians can cross Egyptian and Israeli security officials say Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt has reopened for limited traffic, a key step as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

An Israeli navy ship fired on a tent camp, killing a 3-year-old Palestinian boy.

More than 520 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the October “ceasefire” started.

(AP) #Gaza #Israel #ceasefire

apnews.com/article/rafa...

German soccer federation rules out World Cup boycott despite calls to oppose Trump The German soccer federation has ruled out a boycott of the World Cup despite calls from within to send a message to U.S. President Donald Trump.

The German soccer federation (DFB) has ruled out a World Cup boycott

(AP) #DFB #Germany #WorldCup #boycott #Trump

apnews.com/article/worl...

"Lacked balance."

*doctors’ heads. Damnit

Iranian protesters speak of hope and defiance as crackdown sweeps the country Six Iranians spoke to The Associated Press about the protests in Iran, describing how they expected the state to respond aggressively but were horrified by the extent of the brutal crackdown.

You have to wonder about the monstrous inhumanity of people who hold guns over doctor’s heads to prevent them treating the injured.

(AP) ##Iran #Tehran #protests

apnews.com/article/iran...

Thank you for the kind words!

Thanks @cfahey.bsky.social for this very good article. It really is time to speak out loud that the 2026 World Cup is something to avoid no matter how much I love ⚽ but to #BoycottFifa and to #BoycottWolrdCup is most important.

German soccer federation official wants World Cup boycott considered because of Trump A German soccer federation executive committee member says it’s time to consider a World Cup boycott because of the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump.

St. Pauli president Oke Göttlich says it’s time to “seriously consider” a World Cup boycott because of Trump and the “countless people in various regions who are being directly or indirectly attacked or threatened by the World Cup host.”

(AP) #WorldCupBoycott #Trump 🏴‍☠️

apnews.com/article/germ...

Morocco urges African fraternity after surge in hate speech linked to chaotic Africa Cup final King Mohammed VI of Morocco is appealing for fraternity with African nations amid rising hate speech concerns.

Morocco urges African fraternity after surge in hate speech linked to chaotic Africa Cup final

(AP) #AFCON #AfricaCup #Morocco #hatespeech #king 👑🇲🇦🇸🇳

apnews.com/article/moro...

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw defends his team’s walkoff during the Africa Cup final Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has defended his team’s walkoff during the Africa Cup of Nations final. He says it was an emotional decision taken in the chaos of the moment.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw defends his team’s walkoff during the Africa Cup final

(AP) #AFCON #AfricaCup #Senegal #LionsOfTeranga 🦁🇸🇳

apnews.com/article/sene...

Back in Berlin. It’s now €5 fare on the S-Bahn and the machine only took cash. It’s like the city makes it difficult for you to be ripped off, but you will get ripped off, keine Sorgen. So good to be zurück. #Berlin

Chaos of Africa Cup final reflects badly on Morocco's prospects as 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco’s dry run as a 2030 Would Cup co-host could hardly have gone worse with the chaotic end to the Africa Cup of Nations.

And the last story from me in Morocco…

Chaos of Africa Cup final reflects badly on Morocco's prospects as 2030 World Cup co-host

(AP) #AfricaCup #AFCON #Morocco #WorldCup 🇲🇦

apnews.com/article/moro...

The towel tussle that made Senegal's second-choice goalkeeper a national hero at Africa Cup Senegal's second-choice goalkeeper, Yéhvann Diouf, has become an unexpected hero after the Africa Cup of Nations final.

The towel tussle that made Senegal's second-choice goalkeeper a national hero at Africa Cup

(AP) #AFCON #AfricaCup #Senegal #Morocco #towels 🇸🇳🦁🏆

apnews.com/article/socc...

Sadio Mané called his team back for Senegal's win over host Morocco in chaotic Africa Cup final Sadio Mané has emerged as the hero for Senegal’s unlikely triumph over host Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

Teranga Lion Sadio Mané called his team back for Senegal’s win over host Morocco in a chaotic Africa Cup final

"If Sadio talks, everyone listens"

(AP) #AFCON #AfricaCup #Senegal #Mané 🇸🇳🦁

apnews.com/article/sadi...

FIFA boss Infantino criticizes “unacceptable” Senegal conduct at chaotic Africa Cup final FIFA president Gianni Infantino says Senegal leaving the field to protest referee decisions before winning the Africa Cup of Nations title amid shocking chaos was “unacceptable.”

FIFA boss Infantino criticizes “unacceptable” Senegal conduct at chaotic Africa Cup final

(AP) #AFCON #AfricaCup #Senegal #FIFA #Infantino 🇸🇳🦁

apnews.com/article/afco...

Senegal wins Africa Cup after walk-off protest, chaos over controversial penalty for host Morocco Senegal has won the Africa Cup of Nations in dramatic fashion. Pape Gueye scored in extra time for the Teranga Lions to beat host Morocco 1-0 in a chaotic final on Sunday which at one point saw Senega...

Match report from a crazy final. Justice was done in the end.

(AP) #AFCON #AfricaCup #Senegal #TerangaLions #Morocco 🦁🇸🇳

apnews.com/article/afri...

Blind fans were given touch tech to follow Africa Cup games, but not for the final Despite the use of haptic, or touch, devices for visually impaired supporters at the Africa Cup of Nations, none will be available when Morocco plays Senegal in Sunday’s final.

Blind fans were given touch tech to follow Africa Cup games, but not for the final

(AP) #AFCON #AfricaCup #disabilities

apnews.com/article/blin...

Journalists waiting at the gate to be let in to the Africa Cup of Nations final. Some have been waiting more than an hour to get in because CAF, the organizer, won’t open the gate before 4pm local time. It doesn’t occur to them people have work to do.

#AfricaCup #AFCON #CAF

Morocco's Brahim Díaz is the star of the Africa Cup, thriving away from the turmoil at Real Madrid

(AP) #AFCON #AfricaCup #Morocco #BrahimDíaz #RealMadrid 🇲🇦🦁

apnews.com/article/brah...

Morocco hosts Senegal for the Africa Cup final. Here's what you need to know Morocco hosts Senegal in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, ending a four-week tournament that showcased the continent's best soccer.

Morocco hosts Senegal for the Africa Cup final. Here’s what you need to know

(AP) #AFCON #AfricaCup #Morocco #Senegal 🦁🇲🇦🇸🇳

apnews.com/article/afri...

Senegal criticizes lack of 'fair play' before facing host nation Morocco in the Africa Cup final The Senegalese Football Federation has made extensive complaints about the way its national soccer team is being treated in Morocco ahead of Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against the host natio...

The Senegalese Football Federation has made extensive complaints about the way the Senegal team is being treated before facing host nation Morocco in the Africa Cup final

(AP) #AfricaCup #AFCON #Senegal #Morocco

apnews.com/article/sene...

Samuel Eto’o suspended for 4 games by CAF, federation reaffirms its 'unwavering support' Cameroonian Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o has been suspended for four games for alleged misbehavior during his team’s defeat to Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Samuel Eto’o suspended for 4 games by CAF, federation reaffirms its 'unwavering support'

(AP) #AFCON #AfricaCup #CAF #Cameroon #Etoo 🦁🇨🇲

apnews.com/article/afco...