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Washington justifies the exclusion of Somali referee and Iranian officials ahead of the World Cup

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:10 June 2026
Post last modified:10 June 2026

Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House team tasked with organising the 2026 World Cup, defended the US authorities’ decision to bar Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan and a number of administrative officials from the Iranian national team from entering the United States, stressing that these measures were taken for “very valid reasons”, according to AFP, reporting on a seminar organised by the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington. The comments come at a time of growing questions regarding the security measures taken by the US in the days leading up to the start of the tournament, which it is co-hosting…

Thousands sign complaint ahead of hearing to remove ‘biased’ Filton judge

Post author:Skwawkbox
Post published:6 June 2026
Post last modified:9 June 2026

More than 3,000 people, including legal experts, have signed a formal complaint accusing the security service-linked presiding judge in the trial of six ‘Filton 24’ Palestine Action activists of bias and discriminatory conduct. The complaint comes in advance of a hearing on Monday 8 June on an application by the defendants for Jeremy Johnson’s removal from the case. Justice Jeremy Johnson on the grounds of apparent bias and abuses of process. The jury had refused at the first trial to convict them on any of the state’s charges relating to damage to an Israeli-owned weapons factory, after police and security guards’…

FIFA water ban sparks fan backlash ahead of 2026 World Cup

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:5 June 2026
Post last modified:9 June 2026

Fans attending the 2026 World Cup will not be allowed to bring reusable water bottles into stadiums. The latest restriction introduced by FIFA has sparked criticism and concerns about temperatures across the tournament’s hottest host cities. This year’s tournament features 48 teams for the first time. It will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As a result, several matches are expected to be played in high temperatures and humidity. What has changed in stadium rules? Under the new regulations, fans cannot bring reusable water bottles into venues. However, previously, spectators could carry transparent, empty plastic bottles up to…

DWP hypes youth unemployment panic ahead of Milburn Review

Post author:Rachel Charlton-Dailey
Post published:28 May 2026
Post last modified:8 June 2026

The long-awaited interim report into the Milburn Review on youth unemployment is expected today. In typical style, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are already steering the corporate media in its benefits-hating direction. DWP Milburn review out today In November 2025, the department announced an independent review into why so many young people were Not in Employment, Education of Training (NEETs). The review is run by Alan Milburn. He has been prolific in wanting to strip disabled people of unemployment benefits. Additionally, the review will focus heavily on why kids aren’t working or in education. However, this is Labour so…

Iran changes its base ahead of the 2026 World Cup

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:26 May 2026
Post last modified:8 June 2026

In a move that reflects the political complexities surrounding the 2026 World Cup, FIFA has appproved Iran to move its football team base from the US to Mexico. The decision came after months of escalating political tension between Tehran and Washington, which had raised concerns within Iranian sporting circles regarding the national team’s participation in the World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada. The crisis reached boiling point, with reports that Iran might withdraw from the finals. FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, confirmed that the international federation was committed to the Iranian team participating as normal. He also denied any…