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Former UEFA president Michel Platini has launched civil and legal proceedings against FIFA and its current president, Gianni Infantino, over corruption allegations from 2015, which he said derailed his bid to lead the governing body.

The criminal complaint, filed in the French courts, accuses Infantino and two former FIFA officials – legal director Marco Villiger and audit committee chair Domenico Scala – of malicious prosecution.

In a separate civil lawsuit, Platini, 70, is seeking financial compensation from FIFA over alleged efforts to block his election as FIFA president.

Former France captain Platini was UEFA president from 2008 to 2015 and had been the favourite to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.

However, in 2015, the pair became embroiled in allegations of fraud and corruption over a payment of 2 million Swiss francs (£1.6 million) made to Platini in 2011, which was claimed to have been authorised by Blatter.

It led Blatter to resign from his role and ended Platini’s hopes of becoming head of FIFA, with the Frenchman also banned for eight years by FIFA’s ethics committee – a sanction later reduced to four years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Both Platini and Blatter subsequently faced criminal charges but were cleared of corruption by a Swiss federal criminal appeals court in March 2025.

Infantino, who served as UEFA general secretary under Platini, replaced Blatter as FIFA president.

Platini Begins Legal Proceedings Against FIFA is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Two high-ranking Iranian military officers were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Iran on Monday, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported, as the two countries traded fire for the first time since a ceasefire took hold in April.

IRIB identified the dead as Bahman Hosseini and Alireza Abiri, saying their funeral ceremony would be held on Tuesday.

The broadcaster said both men were killed while on a mission “to defend the country’s skies.”

The escalation was triggered on Sunday when Israel bombed the Lebanese capital Beirut despite an ongoing ceasefire, prompting Iran to launch missiles at northern Israel.

Israel responded with several waves of airstrikes against Iranian territory, with explosions reported in Tehran, Isfahan and Tabriz. Fighting continued into Monday before Iran’s military announced it was halting its offensive against Israel, while warning of a “crushing” response if Israeli strikes on Lebanon continued.

The flare-up is the most serious breach of a fragile truce that has held since 8 April, when a temporary ceasefire was reached following the United States and Israel’s launch of airstrikes on Iran in late February.

Negotiations toward a permanent settlement subsequently stalled amid disputes over its implementation and broader regional developments.

United States President Donald Trump called on both sides to stop fighting and said talks were continuing at a “rapid pace.”

Israeli Strikes Kill Two Senior Iranian Military Officials, Tehran Confirms is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Diogo Jota’s widow has urged Scotland captain Andrew Robertson to carry his former Liverpool team-mate in his heart when he lives their dream of playing at the World Cup.

Jota died aged 28 in a car crash last July, after helping Portugal secure World Cup qualification.

Jota won 49 caps but never played at a World Cup after missing the 2022 tournament through a calf injury.

“I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today,” defender Robertson said after Scotland secured World Cup qualification in November.

“We spoke so much about going to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal and I did with Scotland. I know he’ll be smiling over me today.”

In a letter to Robertson published by Fifa, Rute Cardoso, the mother of Jota’s three children, said: “Diogo often spoke of you. Of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football… and about dreams.

“The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured, side by side, with the same passion with which you took to the pitch.

“When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup, after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch.

“By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won’t be going alone.

“You’ll be taking his dream with you too. And when you step on to the pitch, I know it won’t just be you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.

“So today, I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the pain of loss into strength and into something so beautiful.

“That’s how we do it here at home too. Every day. He would be, and is, incredibly proud of you. Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him.”

Robertson was filmed by Fifa reading out the letter and thanked Cardoso, saying it would stay with him for a “very long time”.

The World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July.

Scotland, playing in their first World Cup since 1998, face Haiti on Sunday, Morocco on 19 June and Brazil on 24 June in Group C.

Robertson, who has joined Tottenham since leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, said: “I’ll carry him in my heart and I know he’ll be with me come the first game, come the second game, come the third game and hopefully beyond that.

“He’s always there. The memories are always something that we bring up and sometimes laugh, sometimes cry.

“And that will be no different, especially going into a tournament which is full of emotion. I know he’ll be right at the front of my mind.

“I’m not only just playing for me. I’m playing for both of us.”

‘Diogo Will Be With You’ – Jota’s Widow Writes To Robertson is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The General Overseer of the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, Chukwuemeka Cyril Ohanaemere, popularly known as Odumeje has lambasted the President Bola Tinubu government over the deteriorating security crisis in the nation.

The clergy, who was addressing his congregation during a live service, lamented that while unsuspecting citizens are being killed and abducted by assailants, Nigerian leaders are moving with bulletproof cars.

According to him, all citizens have equal rights and should be entitled to bulletproof vehicles if that is the only way to be safe and secure in Nigeria, stating that resources belong to citizens.

Odumeje, who was reacting specifically to the recent surge in kidnapping, lamented that electorates are in the bush while politicians are busy campaigning.

He said, “One person and his family are just enjoying the resources of Nigeria. The president, the governors and senators have bulletproof cars, their children are overseas, they have international doctors that take care of them but they will tell you that Nigeria is working.

“Once you are a citizen of Nigeria, we all have equal rights. If the only security is bulletproof, they should buy the same for us because the money is our own.

“We voted for you to manage our resources but now, we don’t have security. Many of our children are kidnapped and are currently in the bush in Nigeria, and they said nobody knows where they are. Who are you deceiving?

“You see, the president, governors and senators moving every day as if nobody cares. They are not talking about how to bring these people out of the bush, they are busy campaigning for the next position they will occupy, even when the people who voted for them are in the bush.

“I will die for the truth. How can a bandit be making requests from the government?”

Watch video

Insecurity: President, govs, senators move like they don’t care – Prophet Odumeje spits fire [VIDEO]

Manchester United board are ‘optimistic’ of beating Premier League rivals Manchester City to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.

The Red Devils’ hierarchy wants to bolster their manager Michael Carrick’s squad ahead of next season and have made Brazil midfielder Ederson their first signing of the summer in a £35m deal with Italian club Atalanta.

But Carrick wants Man United to sign at least one more midfielder as Casemiro has left Old Trafford, and Manuel Ugarte could be sold this summer.

However, according to The Guardian, Man United are optimistic of hijacking Manchester City’s deal for Anderson.

Man City had identified Anderson as their top summer target and are lining up another offer for the England midfielder after seeing their first £80m bid rejected.

The report added that Man United believes Anderson is yet to make the final decision over his future and are confident he can still be persuaded to choose the club over the Cityzens.

Anderson joined Nottingham Forest from Newcastle United in 2024 after signing a five-year contract with the club.

Transfer: Man Utd board optimistic of signing Man City target for Carrick after Ederson deal

Popular Nigerian comedian and actor Bovi Ugboma has said he celebrates divorce when it happens, arguing that it often signifies freedom from an unhealthy marriage.

Speaking during a recent episode of The Morayo Show, Bovi explained that he views divorce as a positive outcome in situations where one or both partners are unhappy or struggling within a marriage.

According to the comedian, the dissolution of a troubled marriage can bring relief to those involved, making it a preferable option to remaining in a toxic relationship.

“I celebrate when people get divorced because I feel it means one or both people were not breathing well in the marriage. I will not suffer anybody, nor will I want anybody to suffer me,” he said.

While expressing support for divorce in certain circumstances, Bovi stressed that his comments should not be interpreted as opposition to marriage. He noted that maintaining a successful union requires commitment and perseverance.

Reflecting on his own experience, the comedian revealed that his marriage of 17 years has not always been easy.

“That is not to say my marriage has been easy for 17 years. It has not. I got married at 29. I have been providing for 17 years nonstop,” he added.

Divorce Should Be Celebrated When Marriage Becomes Unbearable, Says Bovi is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

World soccer ruling body FIFA, has announced that Somali referee Omar Artan will not officiate at the 2026 World Cup after he was denied entry to the United States.

Artan, who was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup finals, was reportedly stopped at Miami International Airport and subsequently repatriated. He is currently in Turkey.

In a statement issued after discussions with US authorities, FIFA confirmed that the highly rated official would miss the tournament.

“Fifa can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States,” read a statement.

FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present.

“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”

US immigration authorities have given no official reason for denying Artan entry into the country. However, the development comes amid travel restrictions affecting several countries, including Somalia, under measures introduced by the administration of US President Donald Trump.

The incident has sparked concern within Somali football circles, with the Somali Football Federation (SFF) reportedly contacting FIFA to seek urgent clarification over the circumstances surrounding the referee’s exclusion.

Artan was among the 52 referees selected by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup finals, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.

His omission is a significant setback both personally and nationally, as he was on course to make history as the first Somali official to referee at football’s biggest tournament.

His selection for the 2026 World Cup had been viewed as a landmark achievement for Somali football and a reflection of his steady rise through the ranks of international officiating.

With FIFA maintaining that immigration decisions remain solely within the jurisdiction of host governments, Artan’s hopes of making World Cup history have now been put on hold, leaving one of African football’s most accomplished referees sidelined from the sport’s biggest stage.

FIFA Drops Referee Omar Artan From W/Cup Duties is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Nollywood actress Peggy Ovire has accused her estranged husband, Frederick Leonard, of having an affair with a married woman, making the allegation in a social media post.

The actress made the allegations via her Instagram Story on Tuesday, where she posted a video purportedly showing Leonard and the woman she claimed is his lover.

In a series of posts, Ovire urged Leonard to appear before a customary court on June 23, alleging that he had previously failed to attend proceedings related to their divorce case.

“Married woman o, shameless lots, please don’t avoid coming to customary court June 23rd for the second time,” she wrote.

She further claimed that Leonard had requested a divorce but failed to appear in court after being served legal documents.

“You said you wanted a divorce, yet you didn’t show up when you were served. Please don’t avoid customary court for the 2nd time on June 23rd because I’m coming with receipts and let’s make this divorce done and dusted, so both of you can finally be together,” she stated.

Ovire also alleged that the woman involved is married with four children and accused Leonard of denying the relationship publicly despite being aware of the details contained in her court petition.

“So-called traditional Igbo man with another Igbo man’s wife with four children. You ran to a blogger that I was lying, but when you were served and saw details of my petition, you knew I had seen one out of many, yet refused to show up in court but sent your lawyer,” she added.

As of the time of filing this report, Leonard had not publicly responded to the allegations.

Peggy Ovire Alleges Frederick Leonard Cheating With Married Woman is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested seven suspected bandits linked to criminal activities, including the killing of three Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, personnel in Bagudo Local Government Area.

Police spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, said in a statement on Monday, that the arrests were made during intelligence-led operations targeting criminal networks operating around the Soda Forest axis and neighbouring border communities.

He said mobile police operatives intercepted three suspects along the Illo–Lolo road while they were travelling on a motorcycle from the Soda Forest area towards border settlements.

The suspects were identified as Muhammadu Bande, Aliyu Abubakar, and Muhammadu Aliyu.

Preliminary investigations showed that they were allegedly moving to deliver food supplies to armed groups operating in forest hideouts.

In a separate operation along the Bakin Ruwa–Ka’oje axis, four additional suspects, Haruna Abubakar, Abubakar Lawali, Anme Shehu, and Yahaya Shehu, were arrested as part of ongoing clearance operations in the area.

The police said investigations are ongoing to determine their level of involvement in recent attacks, including the killing of three FRSC officers in the area.

The suspects are in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Umar Hadejia, commended the operatives for the arrests and praised residents for providing useful intelligence that supported the operation.

Police arrest seven suspects over killing of FRSC officers in Kebbi

The Executive Chairman of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Malam Salihu S Abubakar, has said that animal sacrifice has been performed for all pilgrims that paid their Hadaya through the Agency.

Malam Salihu made the clarification on Monday, following widespread complaints amongst some pilgrims that they had paid Hadaya but no evidence that rams have been slaughtered in fulfilment of their Hajj obligations.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa on Tuesday, noted that Hadaya is the money that pilgrims pay for animals to be slaughtered on their behalf on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.

The statement maintained that some pilgrims had complained to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON), that the animal sacrifice was not done for them despite paying Hadaya.

Addressing Kaduna pilgrims, Malam Salihu noted that the names of all those who paid Hadaya have been displayed at the pilgrims’ residence, adding that officials had informed pilgrims to check their names.

The Executive Chairman challenged any pilgrim from Kaduna State who has valid evidence of payment but his name is not on the list, to meet him for further investigations.

He recalled that 827 intending pilgrims had paid their Hadaya in Nigeria before setting foot in Saudi Arabia, to the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, while 47 others paid through NAHCON.

According to him, 54 others paid in Saudi Arabia, totalling 928 pilgrims and amounting to 668, 160 Saudi Riyals.

The Executive Chairman recalled that only a few pilgrims had presented evidence of payment but their names were not on the displayed list.

‘’We crossed checked their receipts with our records and discovered that those category of pilgrims made payments via Point Of Sale(POS) platforms and the payments didn’t reflect their names,’’ he clarified.

Malam Salihu who said that the error has been rectified, reiterated that the Special Hajj Committee of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency which he heads, is holding the position in trust for Governor Uba Sani.

He vowed that members of the Committee will not do anything that will betray the trust bestowed on them, tarnish the Governor’s image or short-change any pilgrim.

Hadaya: We made sacrifices for our pilgrims – Kaduna Hajj Chairman