Wednesday, 10 June 2026
NBA REVIEWING MISSED FOUL ON VICTOR WEMBANYAMA SHOVE OF JALEN BRUNSON
 |
| Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) passes the ball to San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images |
NEW YORK -- Referees missed a foul call on Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama when he shoved Knicks guard Jalen Brunson in the first quarter of Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday.
Without a whistle on Wembanyama, the play continued with San Antonio on offense. A replay review appeared to show Brunson, who was on defense and working through a screen on the play, making initial contact with his left hand and grabbing a fistful of Wembanyama's jersey, prompting the retaliatory shove. With his own left hand, Wembanyama aggressively shoved Brunson in the upper back and neck area, sending him toward the floor.
But it remains unclear if either player will be cited for any offense in the review of the matter on the off day before Game 4 at Madison Square Garden.
NBA head of officiating Monty McCutchen said Tuesday the league is reviewing the play, and holds the ability to retroactively assess a flagrant-1 foul. The NBA rulebook deems "unnecessary contact" a flagrant-1 foul, because it goes beyond the actions warranting a common foul.
If the NBA issues a flagrant-1 for the play, Wembanyama would not be subject to a suspension. But the Spurs' big man would be skating into Game 4 on thin ice.
Wembanyama has already obtained two penalty points for a flagrant-2 foul in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against Naz Reid of the Timberwolves.
All players can accumulate a total of three penalty points in the playoffs. If Wembanyama's shove is upgraded to a flagrant foul, he would have three penalty points. His next flagrant in the Finals would prompt an automatic suspension.
Julian Champagnie had the ball on the left wing facing San Antonio's basket with Landry Shamet defending when the action happened near the foul line and away from the play.
Brunson was also called for a flagrant foul closing out on a Champagnie 3-pointer. Officials said he did not provide ample landing space for the Spurs' deep threat. Brunson had little to say about the non-call postgame.
"Whatever you saw is what you saw," Brunson said.
A flagrant-2, described as justified in the rulebook when "unnecessary and excessive or reckless contact" is "committed by a player against an opponent," would prompt an automatic ejection.
--Field Level Media
SOMALI REFEREE RETURNS HOME VIA ISTANBUL AFTER US ENTRY DENIAL
'I wanted to thank FIFA for supporting me all the way and the Somali people also,' Omar Abdulkadir Artan says at Istanbul Airport
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry into the US to officiate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, returned Tuesday to his home country from Istanbul.
"I wanted to thank FIFA for supporting me all the way and the Somali people also. So I am very grateful for FIFA and CAF (Confederation of African Football) also. So this is what I have to say," Artan told reporters at Istanbul Airport before boarding a Turkish Airlines flight to Somalia.
The Somali Football Federation voiced deep regret Tuesday after Artan was barred from entering the US.
The federation said that no official explanation has been given for the decision, but it urged patience until all the facts have been revealed.
A senior White House official on Tuesday defended the decision to bar several international participants from entering the US for the World Cup, asserting that the measures are necessary to ensure a safe environment.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026, suggested that the decision to block Artan "was for a very good reason,” without elaborating.
Artan was due to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup.
- Diyar Güldoğan
SOFI WORKERS REACH AGREEMENT TO AVOID A STRIKE AHEAD OF WORLD CUP
 |
| May 25, 2026; Inglewood, CA, USA; A general overall view of Sofi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium), a host site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images |
A potential strike by SoFi Stadium workers, ahead of the United States' World Cup opening match at the venue Friday, was averted when an estimated 2,000 employees reached a tentative agreement Tuesday through their union.
The union representing hospitality workers at the stadium in Inglewood, Calif., had voted to authorize a strike last Friday, a week before the United States men's national team was set to play against Paraguay.
Mostly composed of concessions workers as well as cashiers, dishwashers, bartenders and food attendants, the union had voted 96% in favor of the strike, which had been looming for the last few months since the existing deal with stadium operators Legends Global expired.
The new agreement earned workers a 40% pay increase for concession stands attendants and also has a clause allowing workers to walk off the job if the union believes that the presence of federal agents, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), creates a "reasonable apprehension of harm to the safety and security of workers," The Athletic reported.
The agreement, which the union announced at a news conference, still has to be ratified by workers on Wednesday.
Kurt Peterson, co-president of the union, said the agreement will make the venue's concessions workers the highest paid at NFL stadiums, according to a report in The Athletic, with most earning "more than $40 per hour, and many of them significantly more than that."
Workers also will be able to earn "premium pay for mega-events, including all eight World Cup games," Peterson told The Athletic.
SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host two of the United States' three group-stage matches, against Paraguay (Friday) and Turkey (June 25), as well as three tournament knockout-stage matches, one of which is a quarterfinal on July 10.
The venue is the home of both the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers of the NFL. It also is slated to be a co-host for the Opening Ceremonies during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as well as the home for the swimming competitions.
The new agreement lasts until April 30, 2028, giving the union leverage for renegotiations before the Olympics begin.
--Field Level Media
Tuesday, 9 June 2026
YOUNG AFRICANS SIGN BURKINABÉ NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER FROM POLICE KENYA
DONE DEAL: Last night, Yanga completed the signing of the number 9 striker from Police Kenya and the Burkina Faso national team 🇧🇫, Yves Koutiama (27).
Everything is finalized — Yves Koutiama has joined Yanga on a two-year deal.
The star player joined Police in January this year and managed to score 10 goals in the Kenyan Premier League.
Yanga have terminated his two-year contract with Police.
HUWEL WINS MKWAWA RALLY TO BOLSTER TITLE DEFENCE
IRINGA: THE 2025 National Rally Championship (NRC) winner, Ahmed Huwel, opened his title-defence campaign with bright colours after winning Mkwawa Rally, the 2026 season opener in Iringa today, June 7, 2026.
Driving a Toyota GR Yaris, Huwel led the Mkwawa Rally right from the flag off to the event’s fastest time, winning all stages comfortably.
Huwel, who was navigated by Rahim Suleiman, beat his closest challenger by 5 minutes after clocking 50 minute and 14 seconds
Morogoro-based Waleed Nahdi came in second with Subaru Impreza N11 after spending 55 minutes and 29 seconds.
Third overall in Mitsubishi EVO X was Harinder Deere who was navigated by Victor Jackson. The duo clocked 0:55:37.
The Chairman of Iringa Motor Sports Club, Robert Maneno, said he was impressed by the overall performance and safety measures implemented by both drivers and spectators.
“ It was specular 2026 season opener as nine cars managed to finish the two-day event out of 12 cars that attended the flag off on Saturday, June 6, 2026,” he stated.
Veteran driver Samir Shanto suffered adversity when his Ford Proto went up in flames in the early stages. Both Shanto and his navigator Maisam Fazal escaped unscathed.
Fourth overall position went to Shehzad Munge and his navigator Aaron John who clocked 0:57:40, finishing ahead of Charles Bicco and his navigator David Matete who were timed at 1.04:25 driving Subaru Impreza N12
Others who made it are Salum Balhabu/Karim Pendu from Morogoro, Vishal Patel /Rumit Nanji from Arusha and Kartic Valambhia /Ethan Taylor from Morogoro.
The ninth position was taken by Tufail Amin and /Zuber Kara.
- Miguel Suleyman, Daily News
REAL MADRID REACH €74M SHIRT SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT
Real Madrid are set for a fresh boost to their coffers next season, as a result of a renewed shirt sponsorship agreement. Los Blancos have been in partnership with United Arab Emirates airline Fly Emirates for the past past 15 years, and are set to extend their partnership to two decades.
On Tuesday, Real Madrid announced that they had reached an agreement with Fly Emirates for another five years, with their agreement now ending in 2031. They announced that their partnership was build on excellence, ambition and a shared vision of the future.
Real Madrid earnings from Fly Emirates deal
 |
| Image via Real Madrid CF |
It has been reported by Marca that the deal will be worth around €74m per annum to Los Blancos, making it the most lucrative shirt sponsorphip deal in the game. Yet Diario AS confirm that it could be worth even more, and could be around €70-80m per season. In total, combined with the shirt sleeve sponsorship and Adidas, Real Madrid will be raking in around €100m each year until 2031 as things stand.
Real Madrid released new home kit last week
 |
| Image via Real Madrid CF |
Last week Real Madrid released their first home kit with pink trim for five years, with the Adidas stripes sporting an unusually bright colour, compared the usual gold or black. Los Blancos certainly got an important marketing boost with the visit of the Pope, who declared that he was a Real Madrid fan during his stay in the Spanish capital over the weekend.
Following that, Real Madrid put a series of limited edition ‘Leon the 19th’ shirts on sale for €195 over recent days. Pope Leo also visited the Santiago Bernabeu on Monday evening, following a series of concerts, and was presented with a shirt by President Florentino Perez, with the name Robert F. Prevost on the back.
- Ruairidh Barlow
GIANNI INFANTINO'S OLD BOSS FILES CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST FIFA PRESIDENT
Former UEFA president Michel Platini has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino and two other officials, alleging malicious prosecution and influence peddling
 |
| Former UEFA President Michel Platini (R) is set to launch legal action against former UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino(L).(Image: Getty Images) |
Former UEFA president Michel Platini is reportedly taking legal action against FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, alleging that he and two others conspired to ruin his chances of landing football's top job.
City AM reports that Platini's legal team have confirmed they are initiating proceedings in Paris against Infantino and two former FIFA officials, legal director Marco Villiger and audit chair Domenico Scala.
Infantino, Villiger and Scala are accused of malicious prosecution and influence peddling in relation to a scandal that ultimately ended Platini's career in football administration.
Platini was the favourite to take over from Sepp Blatter as FIFA president until 2015, when Blatter was effectively charged with bribing Platini for votes for a fourth term.
Platini and Blatter were given suspensions by FIFA's ethics committee over the two million Swiss francs "disloyal payment," but both have since been exonerated by the Swiss courts.
 |
| Michel Platini and Sepp Blatter(Image: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP) |
The ex-France captain is also suing FIFA for financial damages in Switzerland for what his lawyers allege was a deliberate attempt to block his succession of Blatter, reports the Mirror.
Infantino, who served as UEFA general secretary under Platini, was elected to succeed Blatter in 2016 and has held the position ever since, strengthening his grip on power throughout.
The timing of the legal proceedings becoming public will cause Infantino and FIFA considerable embarrassment just before the World Cup kicks off in the US, Mexico and Canada on Thursday.
Mirror Sport have contacted FIFA regarding the allegations but have not yet received a response to the latest developments, with Infantino set to face the media on Wednesday on the eve of the largest edition of the tournament ever staged.
This follows nine months after the acquittal of Platini, now 70, and Blatter, 90, on fraud and forgery charges by a Swiss federal criminal appeals court in September that year.
Since assuming office, Infantino has implemented sweeping changes to FIFA's operations and substantially increased its revenue, and last week he topped City AM's inaugural Football Power List.
 |
| FIFA president GIanni Infantino shows off World Cup to Donald Trump in the Oval Office last year(Image: AFP via Getty Images) |
The news marks the latest controversy in a series of events that have overshadowed the build-up to this summer's World Cup. The United States conflict with Iran has been a major talking point.
Iran threatened to withdraw from the tournament following airstrikes that claimed the life of their leader Ayatollah Khamenei. With Italy put forward as possible replacements, it was later mooted that Iran's fixtures could be relocated at short notice to Mexico.
Despite the uncertainty, Infantino consistently assured that Iran would take part and everything would be fine, while Trump issued a threatening statement, asserting: "I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety."
The US President eventually gave his tepid endorsement. In recent hours, Somalian referee Omar Artan has been refused entry into the United States and Iranian fans have had their tickets revoked.
- Matty Hewitt and Frank Dalleres
FIFA ACCEPTS US DECISION TO BLOCK SOMALI WORLD CUP REFEREE
June 9 – The United States, co-host of the 2026 World Cup, has denied top African referee Omar Artan entry to the country, preventing the Somali from officiating matches at the tournament.
Artan was set to become Somalia’s first referee at a World Cup but American authorities at Miami International Airport barred him from entering the US.
In statement, world football’s governing body FIFA said: “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.
“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.”
In a statement to Reuters, Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football men’s referee of the year, said: “I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”
He was one of 52 referees selected by FIFA to lead matches at the 48-team World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Artan reportedly had a valid visa for the United States, but flew to Istanbul after being denied entry.
Under the administration of President Donald Trump, the US has cracked down on immigration from Somalia, and its citizens are subject to a full travel ban. Last year, Trump lashed out at Somali immigrants, calling them “garbage”.
In a statement, a CBP spokesperson said: “On June 6, a Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul International Airport. During processing, the travellerunderwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility.
“Following inspection, the traveller, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry.
“All travellers seeking entry into the United States, including athletes, coaches, and staff, are subject to CBP inspection and vetting. Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection. CBP officers have the authority to question travellers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.”
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has repeatedly said this World Cup will be the ‘most inclusive’ yet. In 2017, a year before FIFA awarded the World Cup to the United States, Mexico and Canada, Infantino said: “It’s obvious when it comes to FIFA competitions, any team, including the supporters and officials of that team, who qualify for a World Cup need to have access to the country, otherwise there is no World Cup.”
- Samindra Kunti
WORLD CUP: IAN WRIGHT REACTION TO REF BEING DENIED ENTRY TO THE US GOES VIRAL
Ian Wright has posted a passionate video on social media after Somalian referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States for the 2026 World Cup.
Artan, considered one of the best African officials in world football, was set to be the first Somali to referee at the World Cup finals.
However, the 34-year-old was barred from entering the country at Miami International Airport and will now not officiate at this summer's tournament.
FIFA said in a statement: "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.
"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."
Ian Wright Reacts to Omar Artan being Denied Entry
Arsenal legend Wright has taken to social media to express his frustration after seeing the story. In a video posted on TikTok, he said:
"Every few hours it's another story. Another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied now refs? I'm laughing but it's not funny. It's actually not funny, something has to be said.
"Expensive tickets, expensive accommodation, transport through the roof. Is this how the hosts behave for the greatest game, greatest tournament in the world? How are we not hearing more?"
"Is this the spirit of football? Really? You know who I feel for - I feel for the American fans who are desperate for this. How embarrassed they must be. How embarrassing for them this must be.
"This is a World Cup of chaos. Whoever wins this World Cup will have to go through some serious chaos to get it done. I hope we [England can do it, but something has to be said. This is the World Cup!"
Omar Artan Speaks Out After Being Denied Entry to the US
Artan has released a statement after his dream of officiating at a World Cup was taken away. He said:
"Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career. I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future.
“I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”
Artan was one of eight referees to be selected by CAF to officiate in the competition. It is currently unclear who will replace him.
- James Stroud
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)