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Football federations across three continents have voiced fierce opposition to FIFA’s plan to sell stakes in its major competitions, including the World Cup, with Germany’s football association describing the move as “an outright attack on football.”

FIFA announced on Tuesday that it intends to create a semi-private subsidiary that would sell part of its business operations tied to the World Cup and other tournaments, with the aim of raising $4.2 billion.

The plan still requires approval from the 38-member FIFA Council and a majority of its 211 member associations, and FIFA has said it intends to present the proposal to the Council soon.

Hans-Joachim Watzke, vice-president of the German FA (DFB), president of Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, and a vice-president of UEFA’s executive committee, was among the most outspoken critics.

“Many in European football see FIFA’s plans as an outright attack on football. I share this view. A line has been crossed here,” he told Germany’s Kicker magazine, adding that conversations with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and other officials in recent days had shown broad agreement on the issue among member associations.

Watzke pointed to Europe’s strong showing at the World Cup – with six European teams reaching the quarter-finals and three reaching the semi-finals – as a sign that a united European front could carry significant weight against the proposal.

UEFA itself criticised the plan as effectively putting the game’s “soul” up for sale, while CONCACAF, the governing body for North and Central American football, said it was “deeply concerned by the lack of due process.”

Earlier in July, the DFB had already confirmed it declined to sign a letter supporting Infantino’s re-election, despite reports that the FIFA president had secured backing from more than 200 member associations.

The Asian Football Confederation added its voice to the criticism on Wednesday, saying it was disappointed that FIFA’s plans – reported to involve ties to the extended family of US President Donald Trump – were made public without prior consultation.

“The AFC was not consulted on the proposal and is disappointed that a matter of such significance entered the public domain before the AFC family had been afforded the opportunity to examine and discuss it through the appropriate and established governance channels,” the Kuala Lumpur-based confederation said in a statement, adding that initiatives of this scale must be built on “good governance, transparency and meaningful consultation.”

The AFC, which represents 47 member nations including Australia, China, Japan and Saudi Arabia, said all stakeholders should be given sufficient information and adequate time to properly assess the proposal.

England’s Football Association also raised serious concerns, saying it had been given no advance notice of the plan.

“We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached,” the FA said in a statement.

“Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.

When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further.”

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also weighed in publicly on X, writing that “football does not belong to investors” and adding, “The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell.”

FIFA has said its proposed subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), would seek long-term investors to purchase minority,
non-controlling interests in the venture, while FIFA itself would retain sole control of FFE along with exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, the match calendar, and all regulatory and sporting decisions.

DFB, AFC, EFA Slam FIFA’s Plan To Sell W/Cup Stakes is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, a move that targets China

The post US bans foreign-made humanoid robots, targets China over national security appeared first on Tribune Online.

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Her Excellency Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, PhD, has commended OneDosh for its commitment to youth development through the successful sponsorship of the maiden OneDosh Imo State Unity Cup. 

Representing Governor Hope Uzodinma at the tournament’s grand finale held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, the Deputy Governor praised the participating institutions for their sportsmanship and applauded the organisers and sponsors for creating a platform that positively engages young people. 

“I want to thank the schools that competed until the final. On behalf of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma, I welcome you all and thank you for entertaining us. Thank you immensely for using your youthful energy so resourcefully,” she said. 

She also congratulated Imo State University (IMSU) on emerging champions of the inaugural tournament while encouraging students to continue using sports as a tool for unity, discipline, and personal development. 

The OneDosh Imo State Unity Cup brought together eight tertiary institutions across the state in a month-long competition aimed at promoting unity, healthy rivalry, and youth engagement through football. 

As title sponsor, OneDosh used the tournament to engage directly with students through interactive activations, product education, branded experiences, and community-focused initiatives, reflecting the company’s commitment to supporting young people beyond financial services. 

The tournament demonstrates how collaboration between the public and private sectors can create meaningful platforms for young people, using sports to foster unity, discipline, talent development, and community engagement.  

About OneDosh 

OneDosh is a global finance platform that enables individuals and businesses to receive, manage, and spend money across borders through innovative financial solutions, including USD wallets, virtual accounts, stablecoin wallets, and global payment cards.

Imo Deputy Governor applauds OneDosh for investing in youth development through sports 

Delta State Police Command has announced the arrest of eight suspected cultists and the recovery of firearms, live ammunition and other incriminating items during separate intelligence-led operations in Issele-Uku and Abraka.

The command said seven of the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite Confraternity, while another suspect was arrested with two locally fabricated pistols and live cartridges.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, operatives of the Command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU) carried out a raid on a criminal hideout in Issele-Uku on July 27 following credible intelligence.

The police identified the suspects as Promise Esenjor, 26, of Abavo; Wisdom Victor, 23, of Umunede; James Wisdom, 25, of Agbor; Chinedu Munonye, 22, of Issele-Uku; Onyemakonor Collins, 20, of Agbor; Unah Oluchi, 21, of Agbor; and Azomani Favour, 23, of Issele-Uku.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to being members of the Maphite cult group.

Items recovered from the hideout included one double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, one cutlass, a Maphite cult beret, seven Android phones and other exhibits believed to be linked to criminal activities.

“The suspects are confessed members of the dreaded Maphite Confraternity,” the police said, adding that investigations were ongoing.

In a separate operation on the same day, operatives attached to Abraka Division reportedly foiled a planned gathering of suspected criminals along Omono Road in Abraka.

The police said several suspects fled on sighting the operatives, but one suspect, identified as Wale Morakinyo, 27, was arrested.

A search conducted on a bag allegedly found in his possession led to the recovery of two locally fabricated pistols and four live cartridges.

The suspect remains in police custody, while efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, the command said.

Reacting to the operations, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reiterated the command’s resolve to sustain intelligence-driven operations against cultism and other violent crimes.

He urged residents of the state to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to support efforts aimed at improving public safety.

Police Arrest Suspected Cultists, Recover Gun, Ammunition In Delta Raids is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the assault on Mr. Tempo Mudi, reportedly a Protocol Officer to the Governor of Delta State, during a political event in Warri, Delta State.

According to media reports, Mr. Mudi was attacked by some youths while campaigning for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre in Effurun.

Atiku described the incident as unfortunate, unacceptable and incompatible with the democratic values that Nigerians have struggled to build over the years.

“No matter how unpopular a political opinion may be, no Nigerian deserves to be assaulted for expressing it. Democracy thrives on persuasion, debate and the freedom to hold divergent views—not intimidation, violence or mob action,” he said.

The former Vice President acknowledged the widespread anger and frustration among Nigerians, particularly young people, over the unprecedented hardship, soaring inflation, unemployment, collapsing purchasing power and general hopelessness that have become the defining legacy of the Tinubu administration. He noted that Nigerians are justified in demanding accountability from a government whose record has fallen far short of its promises and whose failures are evident for all to see.

“President Tinubu’s record has already rendered its own verdict. Nigerians know that this administration has been an abysmal failure. Its record of economic mismanagement, deepening poverty, rising insecurity and broken promises speaks louder than any campaign speech. But no matter how justified the public anger may be, violence is not, and can never be, the route to national redemption. We must not become what we seek to replace.”

“Our greatest weapon against bad governance is not our fists but our votes. Those who have inflicted untold hardship on Nigerians should be rejected through the ballot box, not through physical confrontation. The Permanent Voter Card remains the most powerful instrument for democratic change.”

Atiku therefore urged youths in Delta State and across the country to remain peaceful, law-abiding and focused on the larger objective of rescuing Nigeria through constitutional and democratic means.

He stressed that the opposition must distinguish itself from those who have undermined democratic institutions by demonstrating a firm commitment to tolerance, civility and respect for the rights of all citizens, including political opponents.

“The Nigeria we seek to build is one where ideas compete freely, citizens are safe to express their opinions, and governments are changed by ballots—not by brutality. Let us channel our collective anger into peaceful democratic action and ensure that those who have failed the nation are held accountable at the polls.”

There was a near collapse of decorum during the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, stakeholders meeting on Thursday in Osogbo as supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke and Bola Oyebamiji engaged in a shouting match.

DAILY POST gathered that tension flared up when the member representing Ede North, Ede South, Ejigbo and Egbedore Federal Constituency, Bamidele Salam stood up to speak during the question and answer session.

As he was speaking, Salam mentioned the takeover of the motorparks in the state by a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, led by one Kazeem Oyewale aka Asiri Eniba.

Supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Accord candidate began shouting IMOLE while supporters of Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate started to also shout AMBO.

It took the intervention of a combined team of the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Nigerian Army, National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Nigerian Airforce to bring calm to the situation.

Civil Societies Organisations, CSOs and members of the Accord had earlier shouted down the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan during his good will message.

Fistfigh averted at Osun guber INEC stakeholders meeting (Video)

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has said the commencement of political campaigns ahead of the 2027…

The post Elections won’t slow us down; we’re campaigning with performance — Wike appeared first on Tribune Online.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Elections, setting out key dates for party primaries, nomination of candidates, campaigns and the conduct of the polls.

According to the timetable, political parties will conduct their primaries between 23 April and 30 May 2026 to nominate candidates for the elections.

The commission fixed 27 June to 11 July 2026 for the submission of nomination forms for presidential and National Assembly candidates, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates are to submit their forms between 18 July and 8 August 2026 through the INEC nomination portal.

INEC said campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on 19 August 2026 and end on 14 January 2027, while campaigns for governorship and State Assembly elections will run from 9 September 2026 to 4 February 2027.

The commission also scheduled the publication of the final list of nominated candidates for 12 September 2026 for the presidential and National Assembly elections and 10 October 2026 for governorship and State Assembly elections.

Under the timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on 16 January 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for 6 February 2027.

INEC said the revised timetable aligns with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires election campaigns to begin 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours before voting.

The commission urged political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to adhere strictly to the timetable and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act to ensure a credible and orderly electoral process.

Abusive chanting against immigrants has become a feature of football matches in England, according to new data from Kick It Out.

Last season 39 reports of anti-immigrant chanting were made to the anti-discrimination charity, more than the previous two seasons combined. Phrases such as “stop the boats” and “send them back” were reported as being heard “at all levels of the game”, Kick It Out said.

The growth in anti-immigrant rhetoric was consistent with a broader rise in reports of discrimination, at matches and online. Kick It Out received 1,744 reports of discriminatory behaviour in total during the 2025-26 season, a record and a 25% increase on the previous campaign.

The number of reported incidents increased across every type of discrimination to new highs. Reports of racism remained the most common, rising 19% year-on-year, the 792 reports making up 45% of the total. Complaints of sexist behaviour rose 12% to 216, homophobia rose 46% to 203, antisemitism rose 43% to 93, ableism rose 20% to 89, and Islamophobia rose 88% to 60. Kick it Out said all six areas had seen their biggest totals in five years.

Reports of abuse in grassroots football rose for a fifth consecutive year, up by 33% in 2025-26 to a record 248 reports. Equally, the 98 reports of abuse against match officials was the same as the past three seasons combined.

Samuel Okafor, chief executive at Kick It Out, said such behaviour at matches and in online spaces was matched by a rise in hateful rhetoric elsewhere in British society, but he praised the willingness of supporters – and players – to speak out.

“These figures show that discrimination remains deeply embedded across the game at a time when we’re also seeing rises in hate crime and divisive political rhetoric in Britain,” he said. “But they also show that people are more willing to stand up to abuse when they see it, and it’s encouraging to see professional players set that example last season.”

For example, in March, a 60-year-old man was given a suspended sentence for sending offensive messages to the England Women defender Jess Carter, who went public over the attacks during the European Championship last year.

In the men’s game, Antoine Semenyo drew attention to the racist abuse he had received over the course of the season, with a charge of racially aggravated behaviour against one man scheduled to go to trial in September.

Kick It Out’s findings concur with those reported by the UK Football Policing Unit last week. The police said that some of the increase could be explained by improved reporting mechanisms, with misogynist abuse only introduced as a separate category of discrimination at the start of last season. Both police and Kick It Out have called on online platforms to do more to stop abuse.

Okafor said, “We will continue to work with football authorities, clubs, leagues, regulators and government to ensure we match the courage shown to report abuse with clear and consistent action so that football is welcoming to everyone.”

Abusive Chanting Against Immigrants In English Football On Rise, Says Kick-It-Out is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Every day, many people spend valuable time doing the same repetitive tasks on their phones and laptops….

The post 5 quick digital routines that save you time daily appeared first on Tribune Online.