Football

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has demanded an investigation into the controversial goal awarded to Qatar in their crucial World Cup qualifying match in Doha. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey expressed outrage over the incident, calling for "addressing the injustice."The incident occurred in the 73rd minute of the match, when Abdullah Alahrak's free-kick saw Yousef Ayem attempt a header. India's goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, saved the shot, but the ball rolled over the line. However, instead of awarding a corner kick, South Korean referee Kim Woo-Sung allowed Hashmi Hussein to kick the ball back into play, resulting in Aymen slotting it into the net.Chaubey stated that the goal deprived India of a historic entry into the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for the 2026 edition. He emphasized that the ball had clearly gone out of play and that the referee's decision was a "grave supervision error."The AIFF has written to FIFA Head of Qualifiers, AFC Head of Referees, and the match commissioner, requesting a thorough investigation. Chaubey urged them to explore possibilities of "sporting compensation" to rectify the injustice.The match commissioner, Iran's Hamed Momeni, is responsible for supervising the organization of the match and ensuring adherence to FIFA regulations. His role includes ensuring that the ball is in play when a goal is scored.The controversial goal has sparked widespread outrage among Indian football fans and experts. Many believe that the referee's decision was influenced by external factors and that India was unfairly denied a chance to advance in the World Cup qualifiers.The AIFF's demand for an investigation is a significant step towards addressing the concerns raised by the Indian football community. The outcome of the investigation will determine whether India has a legitimate case for compensation or if the result of the match will stand.

FIFA Implements New Maternity and Parental Leave Policies for Players and CoachesIn a significant move to support the well-being of players and coaches, FIFA has introduced new protocols that provide a minimum of 14 weeks of paid maternity leave for players and eight weeks for coaches who adopt a child under two years old. Additionally, non-biological parents of newborns are entitled to a minimum of eight weeks of paid leave.These measures extend the maternity leave previously granted to players in 2020, now including coaches, non-biological mothers, and adoptive parents. The protocols take effect on June 1 and were approved by the FIFA Council last month."I think it's a big statement," said former U.S. coach Jill Ellis. "These are big steps and big strides to really normalize the life that we go through as women ... that's what we want to provide now at every level, the club level, the national team level — the opportunity for pro players to have the chance to be mums."Ellis led FIFA's technical study group for the Women's World Cup last year in Australia and New Zealand.The regulations also grant clubs greater flexibility to add players outside of the transfer window when players take maternity or parental leave or return from it. They also allow players to take paid time off from matches or training due to menstrual health.FIFA is encouraging member associations to create family-friendly environments for players with children. "In a FIFA Women's World Cup, (a player) can potentially be away from her family for five or six weeks ... and that can have a big toll on the player, mentally, but also on the child," said Sarai Bareman, FIFA's chief women's soccer officer. "So, encouraging the member associations to make provision or to allow for those mothers and parents to have the children with them during the camp, during the tournament, is a really important step which will support not only female players but all players in our sport.”

Brazil has been chosen to host the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, marking a historic moment for women's football in South America. The decision was made at a FIFA congress in Bangkok, where Brazil's bid triumphed over a joint proposal from Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany.The tournament will be the first Women's World Cup to be held in South America, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the development of women's football in the region. Brazil, home to legendary player Marta, has a strong footballing tradition and is eager to showcase its passion for the sport.FIFA's evaluation report highlighted Brazil's impressive infrastructure, including 10 stadiums used in the 2014 men's World Cup. The iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro will host the opening match and the final. However, some work is needed to upgrade certain stadiums, particularly the Amazonia stadium in Manaus.The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has faced some challenges in recent years, including legal issues involving its president. However, the country remains committed to hosting a successful tournament.Brazil's women's team has yet to win the World Cup, but they will be hoping to make a strong run on home soil. The 2023 edition of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand saw a record number of fans and a surge in interest in women's football.The 2027 World Cup is expected to continue this trend, with FIFA aiming to further expand the reach of women's football. The tournament will also highlight the growing financial disparity between men's and women's football, with the prize money for the 2023 Women's World Cup being significantly lower than that of the 2022 men's tournament.The FIFA congress also discussed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) calling for Israel to be suspended from the organization. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the body would take independent legal advice on the matter and make a decision by July 20.

FIFA, the governing body of world football, has urged lawmakers to intervene in the regulation of player agent fees in the multi-billion dollar transfer market. The organization has specifically targeted the English Premier League, which has become a major source of revenue for agents.According to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, English clubs paid a staggering 500 million euros (530 million dollars) in agent fees in the year to February. However, only 6% of that amount (30 million euros) was paid to foreign clubs that developed and trained the players.Infantino expressed concern that the vast majority of agent fees are leaving the football ecosystem. He emphasized the need for transparency, accountability, and better redistribution in the transfer market.FIFA has faced legal challenges from agents in Europe who oppose the organization's plans for tighter regulations. The football body wants to cap agent commissions at 10% of transfer fees for selling clubs and 3% to 10% of salaries for players they represent.However, these rules have been stalled after agents won a key legal ruling in England. The London tribunal ruled that implementing FIFA's regulations would violate competition law.FIFA relies on its financial clearing house in Paris to track transfer and agent fees between clubs in different countries. The system also directs money from these deals to clubs that trained and developed players earlier in their careers.Infantino stressed the importance of compensation and solidarity payments for less privileged clubs. He argued that these payments are vital for clubs struggling to generate sufficient revenue.The FIFA leader called on governments and lawmakers to join the organization in ensuring that funds generated in transfers remain within football and are shared with clubs worldwide. He emphasized the crucial role of less wealthy clubs in developing future generations of footballers.

Afghanistan's resilience and India's attacking deficiencies played out in a stalemate as the two teams drew 0-0 in their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Friday. Despite a significant gap in FIFA rankings, Afghanistan held their ground against India, who remain winless in 2023.India, ranked 106th, controlled possession but struggled to penetrate Afghanistan's defense. Their crosses were ineffective, and their midfield lacked control. Afghanistan, ranked 158th, defended resolutely and created a few half-chances of their own.The first half was a scrappy affair, with both teams feeling aggrieved by penalty decisions that went against them. India's best chance came from Manvir Singh, who flicked a shot wide after being found by Lallianzuala Chhangte.After the break, India continued to press but lacked the finesse to break down Afghanistan's defense. Brandon Fernandes and Subhasish Bose were introduced as substitutes, but their impact was minimal.India's best opportunity came in the 80th minute from a corner-kick, but Bose headed wide. The result leaves India in second place in Group A with four points, behind leaders Qatar. Afghanistan remain bottom of the group with one point.The return fixture in Guwahati on Tuesday will be crucial for both teams. India need a win to keep their hopes of reaching the third round of World Cup qualifying alive. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be aiming to upset the odds and secure their first victory of the campaign.

Aitana Bonmati, the reigning Ballon d'Or and FIFA Player of the Year, is a force to be reckoned with in the world of women's football. Her exceptional skills and unwavering ambition have earned her comparisons to legendary players like Xavi and Andres Iniesta.Bonmati's 2023 has been a year of triumph, with individual accolades and team victories. She attributes her success to the winning mentality and improved physicality of the Spanish national team. However, her hunger for more is insatiable."I want to be a better Aitana every year," she declares. Her sights are set on Olympic gold in 2024 and a record-breaking four titles for Barcelona in 2023-24.Barcelona's women's team has been on a roll, winning the Liga F, Champions League, and Supercopa de Espana in 2022-23. They currently lead the Liga F standings and are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.While Bonmati acknowledges the team's success, she emphasizes the importance of creating space for teammates. "Football is more than moving on your own," she says. "It is also about creating space for your teammates."Beyond trophies, Bonmati aspires to leave a lasting legacy. She wants to be remembered for her impact on teammates and coaches. "One of the most important things I would like to have when I retire is what other players and coaches say about me," she reveals.Bonmati's newfound status as a global icon gives her a platform to advocate for women's football. She believes that institutions need to invest more in the sport to provide opportunities for growth."There is a lot to do and salary is just one of the things," she says. "I would like institutions to make a good investment in women's football so that it gives us an opportunity to grow."Bonmati hopes that one day, boys and girls will have women footballers as idols. "That didn't exist" in her time, she says. "I grew up idolising Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Lionel Messi for the way they took care of the ball."