FIFA DRAMATICALLY U-TURNS AGAIN AS WATER BOTTLE BAN LIFTED FOR WORLD CUP AFTER HUGE BACKLASH

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FIFA has reversed its controversial decision to ban fans from bringing reusable water bottles into World Cup stadiums after widespread criticism from supporters, campaign groups and politicians. Concerns over fan welfare, soaring temperatures and the cost of refreshments at venues intensified pressure on the governing body, ultimately forcing a policy U-turn.

FIFA reverses controversial stadium policy

FIFA has restored its original World Cup stadium policy after mounting criticism over a decision to prohibit supporters from bringing empty reusable water bottles into venues, according to The Athletic. The controversy began when FIFA updated its stadium code of conduct shortly before the tournament, removing a clause that had previously allowed fans to carry empty, transparent reusable plastic bottles of up to one litre. Ticket holders were informed of the change by email on June 2.

The move triggered an immediate backlash, with supporters' groups accusing FIFA of putting commercial interests ahead of fan welfare. Concerns were heightened by the prospect of supporters attending matches in extreme heat across the United States, Mexico and Canada while being required to purchase drinks inside stadiums.

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Critics question FIFA’s priorities

The Football Supporters’ Association was among the strongest critics of the policy.

"Yet again with this World Cup, it is fans last and not fans first," the spokesperson said. "The heat and humidity is a real concern for fans’ welfare, it should be this that is FIFA’s main focus and not the ability to sell more bottled water at inflated prices."

The issue also drew criticism from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who questioned the reasoning behind the ban.

"It's just wrong. And I can't help but think that it's about making money," Starmer told LBC. "So you can't bring plastic bottles in but you can buy a bottle of water when you get in the crowd? And then it'll be expensive. The tickets themselves cost a fortune, far too expensive in my view. So the ticket sales are too high. And this is the wrong policy."

Heat concerns proved impossible to ignore

FIFA argued that hydration needs would be supported through cooling tents and misting stations around stadiums. However, that explanation failed to convince many supporters' groups, who viewed the change as an unnecessary restriction introduced at the last minute.

Health concerns became central to the debate. Data from World Weather Attribution suggested that 26 of the tournament's 104 matches could be played in conditions where the Wet Bulb Global Temperature exceeds 26 degrees Celsius, raising fears of heat-related illness among supporters.

The Free Lions England fans' embassy reflected those concerns, stating on X: "What next? Sun cream banned and fans forced to buy it in stadiums? Naturally, the immediate thought from supporters is this is just the latest money-grab.

"For how hot the stadiums will be, many in open air, just let fans bring a bottle if they want to. We hope the water fountains in stadiums will still be free, hopefully you aren't charged in the queue!"

Focus returns to fan welfare and the tournament itself

Following the reversal, supporters will once again be permitted to bring a single water bottle into World Cup stadiums, easing concerns over hydration during matches played in challenging weather conditions.

Confirming the news, FIFA states: "All fans will be permitted to bring in one, soft, plastic, 20 ounces (590ml), factory sealed disposable water bottle into any FIFA World Cup 2026 match."

- Yosua Arya

TWO FANS BANNED FOR LIFE AFTER VICTOR WEMBANYAMA SELFIE ATTEMPT DURING NBA FINALS GAME

The first game of the NBA Finals was disrupted on Wednesday night

One fan tried to take a selfie with Victor Wembanyama (AP)

The NBA has handed down lifetime bans to two individuals after a disruptive incident during Game 1 of the NBA Finals saw one person run onto the court and attempt to take a selfie with San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.

The dramatic intrusion occurred midway through the fourth quarter of Wednesday night's game between the Spurs and the New York Knicks.

A second fan also received a lifetime ban for their involvement in the incident, though the league did not disclose specific details of their role.

An NBA spokesman confirmed the league's decisive action in a news release, stating: "The individual who entered the court area during Game 1 of The Finals was arrested and will be banned for life from all NBA arenas. A second individual will also receive a lifetime ban for his role in the incident."

The fan who ultimately faced arrest appeared to enter the court from the sideline opposite the team benches, running from behind the play into San Antonio's offensive end.

One fan tried to take a selfie with Victor Wembanyama (AP)

Security guards swiftly intervened, pulling the person from the court. There was no apparent physical contact made with Wembanyama   any New York players during the brief disruption.

Wembanyama himself seemed unfazed by the event, either as it unfolded or afterward.

"I’ve never been in that situation," Wembanyama said. "I didn’t know how to act."

Play was halted for 1 minute and 29 seconds before resuming with a jump ball, and the individual was escorted out through a baseline tunnel.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson downplayed the incident, remarking, "I don’t think it was an event at all. I thought security got him out of there. I think everybody moved on to the next play."

The second match of the best-of-seven series is due to take place on Friday night, with the San Antonio Spurs aiming to draw level in the series after losing Wednesday’s opening game.

- Tim Reynolds

BLESSIN MUZARABANI HANDED TWO-YEAR PSL BAN AFTER PULLING OUT OF IPL

Blessing Muzarabani had been signed by Islamabad United for the upcoming PSL edition, but later opted out to take up an opportunity in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Muzarabani was signed by Islamabad United for the upcoming PSL season but later decided to pursue an opportunity with KKR in the IPL. (KKR)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for two years after he backed out of a contract for the 2026 season.

Muzarabani was signed by Islamabad United for the upcoming PSL season but later decided to pursue an opportunity in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 29-year-old joined Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman for IPL 2026, leading the PCB to take disciplinary action against the pacer.

The PCB released a statement highlighting the importance of honouring contracts in franchise cricket.

“After a thorough review, the PCB has declared that Zimbabwean cricketer Blessing Muzarabani is ineligible to participate in the next two editions of the HBL PSL, effective immediately. This decision results from his failure to honor agreed commitments, which undermines the league’s professional structure.

“The PCB believes that professional cricket depends on trust and the certainty of agreements. In this case, despite a clear offer and a definite acceptance of the essential terms, the player chose to ignore these obligations for another opportunity,” the statement said.

Muzarabani quickly made a mark for KKR in IPL 2026, taking 4/41 in his second match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The development comes at a time when T20 leagues are tightening rules around player withdrawals. The IPL introduced a regulation ahead of the 2025 season stating that any player who pulls out after being picked at the auction, without a valid reason, would face a two-season ban.

England’s Ben Duckett, who withdrew from the 2026 season despite being signed by Delhi Capitals, and Harry Brook, who had taken a similar call earlier, are among those impacted.

This season marks a rare overlap of the PSL and IPL, with both leagues running simultaneously, creating scheduling conflicts and forcing players to choose between commitments.

- Express News Service

IOC BANS HELMET HONOURING UKRAINE’S WAR DEAD AT OLYMPICS

Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych will not be allowed to wear a "helmet of remembrance" in honour of those killed in the war with Russia in the skeleton competition at the Winter Games, the International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday, adding that it would allow the Ukrainian flag bearer to wear a black armband instead.

Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych's wore the helmet during a training session in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 9, 2026. © Franck Fife, AFP

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday said Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych could wear a black armband at the Winter Olympics instead of a banned helmet that features Ukrainians killed in the war with Russia.

Spokesperson Mark Adams said the helmet contravened IOC guidelines about political symbols but said it would "make an exception to the guidelines to allow him to wear a black armband during competition to make that commemoration".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier defended the Olympian's right to wear a helmet featuring athletes killed during the war with Russia, thanking him in a post on X.

"I thank the flag bearer of our national team at the Winter Olympics, Vladyslav Heraskevych, for reminding the world of the price of our struggle," Zelensky said on X.

"This truth cannot be inconvenient, inappropriate or called a 'political demonstration at a sporting event.' It is a reminder to the entire world of what modern Russia is," the president added.

Heraskevych wore the helmet during a training session in Cortina and had intended to use the Games in Italy to help maintain international pressure on Russia.

The 27-year-old said in a social media post on Monday that the International Olympic Committee had banned his custom helmet from training and competition.

Heraskevych, who was Ukraine's flag bearer, said the decision "simply breaks my heart".

Gestures of a political nature on the medal podium have been forbidden since 2021 under article 50 of the Olympic Charter but athletes are permitted to express their views in press conferences and on social media.

Ukrainian Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi told AFP this month that Russia has killed "more than 650 athletes and coaches", according to the latest data.

In various social media videos, Heraskevych has said the images represent only a fraction of the athletes killed since the full‑scale invasion and include Olympians and Youth Olympic medallists, such as his former teammate, figure skater Dmytro Sharpar.

At the head of a delegation of 46 athletes, Heraskevych marched in Milan last week as his country's flag bearer at the opening ceremony, alongside speed skater Yelyzaveta Sydorko.

He will be competing at his third Winter Games.

- FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters

TEL AVIV FOOTBALL DERBY VIOLENCE SHOWS UK BAN ON MACCABI FANS IS CORRECT, SAYS UK MP

The derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled before kick-off on Sunday, after what police described as 'public

Supporters of Israeli club are barred from Birmingham tie next month over hooliganism fears

The ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending a Europa League match in England has been proven correct after football hooligans forced the abandonment of the Israeli team’s city derby, a British MP has said.

Maccabi’s match against Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off by police on Sunday night, just before kick off, as fans threw smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices. The incident injured three officers and 12 civilians.

It has reignited debate over a decision to ban Maccabi supporters, who were implicated in violence in Amsterdam last year, at the match with Aston Villa in Birmingham next month.

Independent Muslim MP Ayoub Khan, whose constituency is in Birmingham and who led a petition calling for the Israeli side's fans to be barred from the match, said the ban was about safety concerns, not Israeli politics or religion. He said “hooligans, people who show no mercy”, followed the club.

“Shame on all those disgraceful politicians and news anchors that conflated this matter,” he said on X. “It was never about religion but everything to do about hooligans. These hooligans are not welcome in my constituency.”

The latest violence took place at Bloomfield Stadium, which is shared by the Tel Aviv rivals. The stadium was evacuated, with police on horseback intervening to control the 30,000 fans.

Nine Maccabi supporters were arrested and Israeli police called for the game to be postponed owing to “risks to human life”, with officers hurt in “serious violence”.

“Disorderly conduct, riots, injured police officers and damage to infrastructure – this is not a football game, this is a breach of order and serious violence,” Tel Aviv police said in a statement on X.

Police on horseback intervened after crowd trouble before the match.

As a result of the violence, British police are now “reaching out” to their Israeli counterparts “to gain an understanding on what happened at last night's match in Tel Aviv,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s deputy spokesman told journalists on Monday.

“We recognise the concerns raised by police due to previous incidents in Europe,” he added.

The violence is poorly timed for Maccabi fans, who hope that the ban will on them travelling to the Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham on November 6 will be lifted.

The decision caused a political storm on Friday, with Mr Starmer intervening to say the move was “wrong”.

He suggested it was anti-Semitic, a claim echoed by other senior figures, even though the ban followed the standard decision-making procedure for all large-scale events.

Birmingham’s safety advisory group, which includes police and local organisations, stated that its decision was due to the high risk of violence and based on “current intelligence and previous incidents”.

UK Cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson said on Monday that it was “unacceptable” for away fans to be barred from the Birmingham fixture “for the reasons that have been cited”.

“We think it is very difficult to justify and very difficult to accept and that football fans shouldn’t be unable to attend games for fear of what that might cause more widely,” she told Sky News.

Asked what ministers could do to overturn the ban, she said: “The government will do what we can to ensure that the relevant authorities have got the resources they need … we will provide what is necessary alongside the other relevant authorities in order to ensure that fans can attend.

“I think it’s unacceptable to have ended up in a position where away fans are unable to attend for the reasons that have been cited and therefore we have a role to play, but other relevant authorities in the West Midlands will also be taking this into account.”

Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv will face each other in Birmingham in the Europa League next month. AFP

Hapoel fury

Hapoel's management was infuriated by the decision to abandon the derby and the tactics used by police. “From the preliminary discussions before the game, it seemed that the police were preparing for a war rather than a sports event,” the club said in a statement on social media. “Everyone saw the harsh videos, children trampled by horses, police officers beating fans indiscriminately.”

It accused police of taking over the sport and called for football authorities to regain control.

Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid also seized on the incident to criticise the country's far-right Minister of National Security. “To the endless list of failures of the incompetent minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, tonight was added the inability to facilitate a football game in the state of Israel,” Mr Lapid said on social media.

Amsterdam attacks

The Stand up to Racism Birmingham group said next month’s ban was “the correct decision” because the Maccabi fans were “likely to create a dangerous environment in the city”.

“When Maccabi played in Amsterdam and other places thousands of their fans rampaged through the city chanting ‘death to Arabs’,” a representative for the group said.

“They also chanted, ‘Why is school out in Gaza? There are no children left.' They attacked people and caused extensive damage.”

The representative added that Maccabi fans caused trouble at previous matches in Greece and Cyprus and called them a “fanatical racist group intent on spreading hatred and division”.

But the British government, whose relations with Israel have plummeted in recent months over the situation in Gaza, appears intent on having the Aston Villa match ban overturned.

A decision on the Maccabi fans being allowed in will be made in the coming days by West Midlands police. But Downing Street made clear that it wanted them in and was working with the force “to ensure this game can safely go ahead with all fans present”.

“We're exploring what additional resources and support are required so all fans can attend,” Mr Starmer's spokesman added.

- Thomas Harding

UEFA TO HOLD FRESH VOTE ON BANNING ISRAEL FROM EUROPEAN FOOTBALL OVER GAZA

Geneva: UEFA is reportedly moving ahead with a new vote next week on whether to suspend Israel from European football competitions, according to multiple media reports.

The Associated Press (AP) reported that a large majority of UEFA’s executive committee is ‘expected to support any vote in favor of suspending Israeli teams from international play.’

The possible ban follows mounting calls from human rights bodies and pressure campaigns pointing to Israel’s genocide in Gaza. 

The impetus for the proposal comes in part from a United Nations Commission of Inquiry, which concluded there were “reasonable grounds” to determine that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. 

If the vote passes, Israel’s national side would be expelled from UEFA qualifiers, effectively ending its chance to compete in the 2026 World Cup. 

Domestically, Israeli clubs would be barred from continental club tournaments like the Champions League and Europa League.

Last week, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for Israel to be barred from international sporting competitions, drawing a comparison to Russia’s exclusion following the 2022 Ukraine war.

- The Peninsula 

BELLINGHAM GETS TWO-GAME LALIGA BAN FOR 'DISRESPECTING' TEF

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 Jude Bellingham has been banned for two LaLiga games for "contemptuous or disrespectful attitudes towards a referee" after he received a red card in the aftermath of Real Madrid's controversial 2-2 draw at Valencia, Spain's competition committee confirmed on Wednesday.

The England international was shown a red card for arguing with referee Jesús Gil Manzano, who had already blown his whistle moments before Bellingham scored what would have been a game-winning header.

The referee's postmatch report said Bellingham had shown an "aggressive attitude" and allegedly shouted "It's a f---ing goal" repeatedly.

The Spanish Football Federation's Disciplinary Committee handed Bellingham a two-game ban -- the minimum possible for the offence, under its rules -- on Wednesday, for what it called "attitudes of disrespect or a lack of consideration towards the referee," with a €700 fine for the club, and €600 for the player.

In evidence to the committee, Madrid argued that Bellingham had not displayed an aggressive attitude, said that the player had only spoken once to the referee, and denied that his words were offensive or insulting.

The committee found that the club had not proven their case beyond doubt based on the evidence presented, and so the body consequently had to accept the referee's interpretation of Bellingham's conduct.

Bellingham will miss Madrid's LaLiga games against Celta Vigo on Sunday and Osasuna on March 16, returning for their match with Athletic Club on March 31.

He is set to feature for Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday, as they host RB Leipzig in the second leg at the Bernabéu.

Bellingham is also one yellow card away from a possible one-match suspension in the Champions League after picking up two already this season.

- Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez

JOSE MOURINHO REACTING TO MAN CITY'S OVERTURNED EUROPEAN BAN IN 2020