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Morocco fear dirty tricks by FIFA in bid to stage 2026 World Cup

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It has emerged that Morocco are concerned about a possible dirty tricks campaign which they consider has been waged by FIFA against them since the African country made its late bid to stage the 2026 World Cup.

Morocco, making their fifth bid to host the tournament, have faced one problem after another in challenging the united bid of USA, Canada and Mexico.

The latest concern is that FIFA have yet to answer official letters questioning, on strong legal grounds, why American territories Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the US Virgin Islands have not been ruled out from voting at the FIFA Congress on June 13.

What amounts to a dirty tricks campaign has been waged by FIFA against Morocco

Morocco have also had to combat FIFA making changes to their staging requirements just 48 hours before the bid book deadline in March.

This included changing the maximum time allowed from team hotel to training ground and the minimum population for a host city.

They also changed the maximum time allowed to travel from host city centre to airport to 90 minutes when Morocco had included a journey of 91 minutes.

It was also proposed at FIFA council level – but rejected – that the number of suitable existing stadiums should be increased to six which would have knocked out their bid at a stroke.

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The Moroccan bid are also not happy that two senior figures on the united bid, American Sunil Gulati and Canada’s Víctor Montagliani, have allegedly stayed in the FIFA council room when World Cup bid business was being discussed.

Plus it is felt the United delegates showed a lack of respect in Brussels, not giving the Moroccans the courtesy of listening to their presentation when they had been present for the United address to media.

Morocco bid chief Hicham El Amrani has been critical of apparent political interference

Morocco bid chief Hicham El Amrani has been critical of apparent political interference

And that even FIFA’s administrative staff were frosty to the Moroccans at a World Cup workshop in Zurich – although relationships have since improved.

In addition there has been political interference in a tweet from American President Donald Trump – a veiled threat to US allies if they support the Africans.

Morocco bid chief Hicham El Amrani said: ‘Fifa rules are very clear on political interference.’

It is understood three county cricket chairmen objected to the appointment of former Glamorgan chairman Barry O’Brien to the ECB board at the AGM on Wednesday.

This was not enough opposition to prevent O’Brien from taking his seat, but it was a warning shot from a group who normally toe the party line.

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There is an on-going investigation into the ECB paying O’Brien’s Glamorgan £2.5million to stop staging Test cricket in Cardiff.

Meanwhile the best news from the meeting is that Giles Clarke is no longer president of the ECB so no longer on the board. Good riddance.

Three county cricket chairmen objected to appointment of Barry O'Brien (left) on ECB board

Three county cricket chairmen objected to appointment of Barry O’Brien (left) on ECB board

Only FIFA, who are seemingly making up the rules on the FIFA Congress election for the staging of the 2026 World Cup on the hoof, could have decided that it will be a supposed electronic transparent vote – yet have not announced when who voted for who will be made public.
Lilian Thuram, World Cup-winning defender who played a record 142 games for France, appeared at a dinner during Morocco’s World Cup bid media trip.

But Thuram, for some reason, was very keen to stress that he was not an ambassador for the bid – merely a supporter – and even took off his official Morocco pin badge to prove the point.

Morocco do have their great Olympic 1500m and 5,000m champion Hicham El Guerrouj and Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos as representatives.

Lilian Thuram appeared at a dinner during Morocco's World Cup bid media trip this week

 

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Osimhen Crowned 2023 CAF Footballer of the Year

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Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, cementing his status as one of the world’s top players.

Osimhen surpassed competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah for the prestigious award.

The Super Eagles forward concluded a remarkable year in the imperial Moroccan city of Marakesh, ending Nigeria’s 24-year wait for Africa’s top individual prize, last won by legendary Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.

During the event, Osimhen expressed gratitude, acknowledging the impact of Nigerian legend Emmanuel Amuneke, who coached him at the U-17 level, and the support from fans and fellow players.

“It’s a dream come true for me. I want to thank everyone who has seen me through life’s journey, in achieving my dreams and goals. I appreciate Nigerians and Africa for their unwavering support and encouragement,” he said.

Osimhen recognised the influence of Emmanuel Adebayo, Solomon Kalu, and other African legends, expressing gratitude to his role model, Didier Drogba.

The award reflects Osimhen’s outstanding performances with Napoli, where he played a pivotal role in their Serie A title run, scoring 26 league goals and becoming the first African to win the top scorer award, breaking George Weah’s record in the Italian top-flight.”

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Lionel Messi Secures Historic 8th Ballon d’Or Triumph

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Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine football icon, clinched the coveted 2023 Ballon d’Or, setting a new record for the 2022 World Cup champion.

In a glamorous event held in Paris, Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami, received the prestigious award on Monday night. This achievement is widely seen as a well-deserved recognition for his pivotal role in guiding the Abiscelete to World Cup victory in the previous year.

Aged 36, Messi succeeded Karim Benzema as the recipient of this award, which acknowledges his exceptional performances during the last season when he inspired Argentina to triumph at the World Cup.

His remarkable displays in Qatar, where he led his nation to a historic victory, enabled him to surpass strong competition, notably from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Haaland secured the second spot in the final voting, with Mbappe finishing third and Kevin De Bruyne taking fourth place.

Messi, a former Barcelona superstar, left an indelible mark at the World Cup, scoring seven crucial goals. His exceptional performance led to him being named the tournament’s best player, especially after Argentina’s victory over France in the final.

While Messi’s World Cup heroics were undeniable, his final season with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was relatively lackluster. Subsequently, he made a move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

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His former PSG teammate, Mbappe, made a strong case for the Ballon d’Or with his outstanding World Cup performance, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, including a memorable hat-trick in the final for France.

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland had a remarkable season, scoring an incredible 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City. This stellar performance played a pivotal role in helping Pep Guardiola’s team secure a historic treble in the English Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

Both Haaland and De Bruyne were nominated for the Ballon d’Or from their exceptional contributions to the success of Manchester City.

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“B Sample Reveals Presence of Testosterone in Pogba’s Test Results”

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Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba’s ‘B’ sample has confirmed the presence of testosterone, a source close to the case told AFP on Friday.

The 30-year-old former Manchester United player, a World Cup winner in 2018, faces a ban of up to four years.

The original test by the Italian anti-doping agency (Nado) showed the presence of testosterone metabolites.

On Friday, Pogba learned that the analysis of his B sample, carried out on the previous day, had produced the same result.

The player’s entourage declined to comment.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, Pogba is liable to a four-year suspension, which could be halved if he proves that he was not at fault.

The ban could even be limited to a few months if the use of the substance took place “out of competition and is not related to his level of performance”.

Pogba’s representatives said last month that the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States.

Testosterone promotes muscle development.

Contacted by AFP, Nado was unable to confirm this information “due to a decision by the Italian privacy authority”.

Pogba has seven days to submit his defence to Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal, which will investigate his case and request a sanction, a process that could take several weeks.

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In addition to the proceedings of the Italian sports justice system, a judicial investigation will be opened by the Turin public prosecutor’s office, as doping is a criminal offence in Italy.

Since the announcement of his positive test, Pogba has been unable to train with Juventus, the club to which he returned in July 2022 after six seasons with United.

The announcement came shortly before Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri’s press conference on the eve of the Turin derby against Torino, at which he simply said he was “sorry for Paul”.

Contacted by AFP, the club, which has also suspended payment of his estimated annual salary of 8 million euros (8.4 million dollars), did not respond.

Pogba started the season attempting to bounce back from string of injuries last season and from summer surgery.

His sample was reportedly taken at his club’s opening match of the Serie A season, a win at Udinese on August 20, during which he was an unused substitute.

After the first sample tested positive on September 11,  Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta said she was “awaiting the second sample and cannot have an opinion before the results”.

“What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule,” she added.

 

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