Sports

CONMEBOL calls for unity ahead of World Cup

Published

3 years ago

November 16, 2022

As the controversy over the upcoming World Cup in Qatar continues, one of the leading soccer bodies in the world has called for unity among soccer nations.

Although millions of fans are looking forward to the tournament and sports betting sites such as betfromafrica.com have been doing plenty of business as bettors attempt to predict the winner of the competition, there have been vocal and persistent criticisms surrounding the tournament.

The complaints are not recent in origin. In fact, the tournament has been controversial ever since it was announced that Qatar would be hosting it. There is a long list of reasons why critics are opposed to the tournament, with the state’s treatment of its citizens, the many deaths of migrant workers who built the facilities staging the games of the World Cup, and Qatar’s terrible record on LGBT rights.

Amnesty International is just one of the organizations that has called on players and soccer associations to make a stand against the tournament, but there has also been considerable pushback from various soccer authorities, including the world governing body FIFA, which has advised all soccer nations to concentrate on soccer rather than what it describes as politics.

Managers have also spoken out against demands that players should be under pressure to make personal statements or protests during or in the build-up to the tournament. One of the most prominent was Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who said it was not fair to expect players to bear the burden for protest, although Klopp himself has also criticized the tournament.

CONMEBOL has issued a lengthy statement saying that the tournament, which gets underway on November 20^th, should be supported by all soccer nations. In its statement, CONMEBOL, on behalf of its 10 member associations, asks nations to show unity ahead of the tournament, highlighting the hospitality offered by Qatar, the excellent sports venues and the fact that all 32 teams want to demonstrate their soccer ability. The statement also emphasized that it was a time for the message of soccer to be delivered to the wider world and that optimism, diversity and tolerance were at the heart of soccer.

Although CONMEBOL’s statement will be welcomed by FIFA and by the Qatar tournament authorities, the controversy has not gone away. Many players have revealed that they will in fact be making a protest. In the England squad, 10 players, including captain Harry Kane, will be wearing armbands to support the LGBT community. Denmark’s shirts, produced by Hummel, will be plain and muted in color and design as a message about the human cost of the tournament. Australian players have also released a film calling on Qatar to repeal anti-LGBT laws.

Adding to the controversy, there has been some response from figures associated with the Qatar tournament. Qatari Foreign Affairs Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani has accused what he describes as a small number of unrepresentative people of hypocrisy.

Qatar won the right to host the tournament back in 2010, becoming the first Arab nation to stage the World Cup, but from the start, there has been criticism of many aspects of the bid. Initially, it was claimed that the Qatari bid was secured through bribes to FIFA officials, although a subsequent investigation cleared Qatar of any wrongdoing in the way that they campaigned.

Initial complaints were based on the fact that Qatar is not a soccer nation, and that playing a football tournament in Qatar at the height of summer would be dangerous for players and spectators alike. The latter criticism eventually led to the adjustment of the tournament, which was originally slated for the summer of 2022, to November and December.

However, criticism soon turned to the issue of the deaths and ill-treatment of migrant workers in Qatar. A report by a UK newspaper in 2021 suggested that as many as 6,500 workers had died in constructing the stadiums, roads and facilities necessary for the competition. The International Labour Organization puts the true figure of deaths and injuries at over 38,000, although the Qatar authorities maintain that less than 40 workers had died at World Cup construction sites.

The treatment of LGBT people has also been high on the list of criticisms. Gay men in Qatar can face three years in prison or even the death penalty, although there is no record of this penalty being enforced, and the nation’s record in this area is worse even than that of Russia, which hosted the 2018 tournament. While soccer authorities such as CONMEBOL may hope for unity, it is likely that protests will continue throughout the competition, from players, fans, activists and others.

Sports

Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.

Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.

However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.

Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.

Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.

Sports

City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.

The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.

City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.

But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.

Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.

Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)

Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.

Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).

In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.

West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.

The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.

And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.

Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.

But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.

Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.

Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.

Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.

Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.

Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.

Sports

PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.

The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.

PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.

Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.

Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.

Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.

Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.