Charlie Alford

FIFA’s new ‘Mistaken Identity’ law — at the World Cup

Post author:Jamal Awar
Post published:12 July 2026
Post last modified:12 July 2026

The new ‘Mistaken Identity’ rule, introduced by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, has now been put into practice. Swiss forward Breel Embolo became the first player to be sent off as a direct result of this refereeing amendment, marking a potential turning point in how VAR technology is utilized. During the quarter-final match between Switzerland and Argentina, Portuguese referee João Pinheiro initially issued a yellow card to Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes, believing he had committed a foul against Embolo. However, a VAR review revealed that the situation was the opposite: the Swiss forward had actually attempted to deceive the referee…

Messi turned walking into the deadliest weapon in modern football

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:12 July 2026
Post last modified:12 July 2026

A viewer watching Lionel Messi for the first time might think the Argentine captain has drifted out of the match. He avoids constant pressing and chasing. Instead, he spends long periods walking or standing to watch his surroundings. This approach defies the high-tempo, continuous pressure demands of modern football. But behind this image that suggests calmness lies one of the most complex tactical ideas in the game. Walking is no longer just about conserving energy. It is now part of his philosophy for managing the game. He reads the play carefully before deciding when to act. This economy of movement allows…

Fraudster made undeclared donations to Reform UK

Post author:Willem Moore
Post published:12 July 2026
Post last modified:12 July 2026

Mainstream outlets have been shining a light on Reform UK and Nigel Farage’s finances over the past month. Last week, this saw the Times covering the criminal aristocrat ‘Posh George’ Cottrell, who was providing Farage with various benefits in the runup to the 2024 election. Now, the Times are reporting Cottrell may also have made undisclosed donations to Reform UK: EXCL by @ManuMidolo ft me @venetiamenzies @GeorgeGreenwood The criminal who funded Nigel Farage made undisclosed donations to Reform in apparent breach of electoral law George Cottrell lawyers at Carter Ruck refuse to say when he became permissible donor https://t.co/yFEalCjDdr — Gabriel Pogrund…

Deranged Israel-first senator Graham dies after visit to Ukraine arms factory

Post author:Skwawkbox
Post published:12 July 2026
Post last modified:12 July 2026

Rabidly Israel-first US senator Lindsey Graham has died aged 71. His office described his death as coming after a “brief and sudden” illness. Graham was one of the more unhinged US politicians, even among Trump supporters. Irredeemably Israel-first, he even threatened a US invasion of the International Criminal Court over its arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu. Lindsey Graham — Shameless genocider Graham was a shameless supporter of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, though he would never have admitted it is a genocide. His comments make clear he had no concern whatsoever for Israel’s hundreds of thousands of Palestinian victims: “I am with…