European soccer body UEFA moves toward vote to suspend Israel
European soccer body UEFA is moving toward a vote to suspend its member federation Israel over the war in Gaza, people familiar with the proposal told The Associated Press on Thursday.
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UCI chief says Israeli athletes are welcome amid boycott calls
Lappartient said: “We are not a tool for sanctions, we are a tool in the service of an ideal of bringing people together with the unifying power of sport”He dismissed questions about double standards despite the UCI’s ban on Russian and Belarusian teams from events over Russia’s war in UkraineKIGALI: The world cycling governing body (UCI) will continue to welcome Israeli athletes at its competitions despite calls for sporting boycotts, UCI president David Lappartient declared on Friday, saying sport should unite rather than punish.Lappartient, who was re-elected the body’s president for a third four-year term at the UCI Congress on Thursday, was speaking on the sidelines of the World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda.Earlier this week, a UN Commission of Inquiry said in a report that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza — an accusation that Israel has dismissed — and called for Israel’s suspension from international football, but Lappartient said the UCI would not go down that path.“It is perfectly normal for them to be here, because we believe — and I am speaking on behalf of the UCI but I could almost say that these are also Olympic values — that sport is not a tool for punishment,” he told reporters.’NOT A TOOL FOR SANCTIONS’Lappartient, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), added: “The IOC has confirmed our position.“We are not a tool for sanctions, we are a tool in the service of an ideal of bringing people together with the unifying power of sport, with the aim of promoting peace.
Turkish Football Federation urges FIFA, UEFA to ban Israel from competitions
Turkish Football Federation President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu has written to FIFA, UEFA and national soccer association chiefs urging them to impose a ban on Israel from participating in sporting competition, local media reported on Friday.
FIFA sanctions Malaysia for fielding foreign-born players with fake documents
ZURICH: FIFA has sanctioned the Football Association of Malaysia after finding documents submitted to naturalize seven foreign-born players were doctored. The players — Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano — were all born abroad and featured in Malaysia’s 4-0 win over Vietnam in a 2027 Asian Cup qualifier in June. The players breached regulations concerning forgery and falsification, FIFA said on Friday. The FAM submitted eligibility inquiries to FIFA, and in doing so “used doctored documentation to be able to field the above players,” the governing body said. Each player was suspended for 12 months and fined 2,000 Swiss francs ($2,510). The FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs ($438,000). The players’ eligibility to play for Malaysia will also be investigated, FIFA added. Vietnamese media reported its national team will be awarded a 3-0 win for the June match, but FIFA made no comment. Malaysia leads Asia Group F in qualifying with six points from two games, three clear of Vietnam in second.
Malaysian players banned after using forged documents to play qualifier against Vietnam
Deportivo Alaves' Facundo Garces was among seven players banned for a year by FIFA on Friday (Sep 26) after the football governing body found that doctored documentation had been used so that they could play in an Asian Cup qualifier for Malaysia against Vietnam.
Trump says he would consider relocating World Cup matches
FARMINGDALE, New York :U.S. President Donald Trump said he would consider relocating 2026 World Cup matches from cities he did not deem safe, months before the United States is set to co-host the quadrennial soccer showcase with Canada and Mexico.
Argentina, Mexico Eyeing June Friendly Ahead of 2026 World Cup
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US World Cup host cities could be changed if it's too dangerous, Trump says
President Donald Trump told reporters that U.S. World Cup host sites could be moved if he felt the cities were unsafe. (Credit: POOL)