30, June 2023
FIFA reveals social justice armbands for women’s World Cup 0
FIFA revealed eight different armbands highlighting social causes that sides will be able to wear at the women’s World Cup as world football’s governing body seeks to avoid a row that erupted at last year’s men’s World Cup.
Captains from a number of European countries, including England and Germany, planned to wear a “OneLove” armband in rainbow colours in Qatar in support of LGBTQ rights.
However, they abandoned that stance after being threatened with sporting sanctions just days before the tournament kicked off.
The armband had widely been viewed as a symbolic protest against laws in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
The “unite for inclusion” armband for the women’s World Cup is similar in style to the one outlawed with the words alongside a heart shape in rainbow colours.
Other causes highlighted include gender equality, ending violence against women, hunger and the rights of indigenous people.
Captains will be able to wear a different armband for each match corresponding to the cause being promoted or support one cause for the entire tournament.
“Football unites the world and our global events, such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup, have a unique power to bring people together and provide joy, excitement and passion,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino
“After some very open talks with stakeholders, including member associations and players, we have decided to highlight a series of social causes – from inclusion to gender equality, from peace to ending hunger, from education to tackling domestic violence – during all 64 matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
The women’s World Cup, which will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand, begins on July 20.
Source: AFP
3, July 2023
FECAFOOT: Fresh Crisis Hits Football, 24 Refs Suspended 0
There appears to be fresh crisis within the Cameroon football circle after 24 referees were suspended.
The suspension according to the Cameroon Football Referees Association in a statement, was effected following their alleged involvement in betting and match fixing.
The statement revealed that the suspended referees include main referees and their assistants in football, futsal and beach soccer.
“The suspended referees are exempted from all refereeing-related activities and throughout the national territory for their direct or indirect involvement in sports betting games and match-fixing, transactions related to competitions and matches,” the release said.
The President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto’o is still under investigation after he agreed to be an ambassador to a betting company which is against the FIFA ethical operation.
Since the emergence of Eto’o, a former international and African footballer of the year, Cameroon’s football has been dogged in several controversies.
Source: The Heritage Times