Sports news
#FIFA #World #Cup #rule #introduced #Prestianni #AFCON #final #controversies">FIFA World Cup 2026 — Two rule changes introduced after Prestianni and AFCON final controversies The International Football Association Board (IFAB) unanimously approved two FIFA-proposed Law amendments to address discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour at a special meeting held in Vancouver, Canada, on Tuesday.
“These amendments will be implemented at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, and all other competition organisers will be able to decide whether to implement the changes before they enter into force on 1 July 2026,” Gianni Infantino said on social media.
Firstly, at the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card.
The rule comes after Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him while covering his mouth during a Champions League match in February.
Last week, UEFA handed Prestianni a six-game ban for the verbal abuse, which it said were homophobic in nature.
If Prestianni is selected for Argentina’s World Cup squad, he could have to sit out the defending champion’s first two matches this summer, although the ban can be appealed.
The second change pertains to preventing players from leaving the field mid-game.
“At the discretion of the competition organiser, the referee may sanction with a red card any player who leaves the field of play in protest at a referee’s decision. This new rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play,” the IFAB said in a statement.
“A team that causes a match to be abandoned will, in principle, forfeit the match.”
This change comes after the controversial African Cup of Nations final, wherein most of Senegal’s players and staff had walked off the field in protest for a penalty decision given against them.
The play resumed after a short break, and Senegal won the match in extra time. However, FIFA later awarded the trophy to Morocco, punishing Senegal for the walkout.
Published on Apr 29, 2026
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) unanimously approved two FIFA-proposed Law amendments to address discriminatory…
Hollywood news
Trailer for Doc Film ‘Ask E. Jean’ About the Indomitable E. Jean Carroll | FirstShowing.net
Trailer for Doc Film 'Ask E. Jean' About the Indomitable E. Jean Carroll by Alex…
Sports news
#Deadspin #Patriots #captains #offer #insight #Mike #Vrabels #speech #team">Deadspin | Patriots captains offer little insight on Mike Vrabel’s speech to team
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images New England Patriots captains Hunter Henry and Robert Spillane are pleased with the energy Mike Vrabel has brought to the team this week, but didn’t offer opinions about the coach’s highly-discussed off-the-field issues.
Vrabel skipped Saturday’s third and final day of the NFL draft for a counseling session and returned to the team Monday as the Patriots continue their voluntary offseason workouts.
Vrabel addressed the team on April 21 and Tuesday marked the first time since the speech that players were available to the media.
Henry and Spillane both said Vrabel spoke about the situation involving former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini. The two were photographed together last month at an adults-only resort in Sedona, Ariz., holding hands, hugging and sharing a hot tub. Both are married to other people.
“I thought he did a great job,” Henry said of Vrabel’s talk to the team. “It’s been the same Vrabes, bringing a lot of energy in the room. Obviously, he addressed it and that’s kind of all I’ll say about it.”
Henry, a tight end, is entering his sixth season with the Patriots and 10th overall. Spillane, a linebacker, has long revered Vrabel, dating back to when he was an undrafted free agent in 2018 and competing for a spot on the Tennessee Titans’ roster with Vrabel as coach.
Now entering his ninth NFL season, Spillane said he hasn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary.
“Coach coaches football. He keeps the main thing, the main thing,” Spillane said. “I know he’s dealing with personal issues, but when we’re in the building, we speak football. … I love Coach and I’m going to be here to support him as he would be there to support me through anything. I’m just a player and trying to do that the best I can.”
Though the controversial situation has played out publicly, both players said returning to the Super Bowl is a bigger talking point in the locker room. New England lost to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13 in Super Bowl LX in February.
“Obviously I know you guys want to hear about everything that’s going on,” said Henry, who had a career-high 768 yards to go with 60 receptions and seven touchdown catches in 2025. “To be honest with you, I’m focused on what we got going on right now in this building, with this team.
“Had a long season last year, quick turnaround into the offseason, we’re in a new building. And every year is a new year. We’re trying to build this team, we’re trying to come together, so I’m just focused on the guys in this locker room, and trying to build it from the ground up again. We have a long journey ahead of us; we have to start somewhere, so we’re starting right now.”
Spillane expressed that expectations will be higher and that the Patriots will have a target on their backs.
“It’s going to be a brand-new team,” said Spillane, who had 97 tackles and two interceptions last season in his first campaign with the Patriots. “It’s a chance for us to come together, to get to know our teammates, to learn and connect with each other, and really grow with our craft. And that’s what we’re really focused on.”
Vrabel was named NFL Coach of the Year last season in his first campaign with the Patriots. He took a team that went 4-13 in 2024 and guided them to a 14-3 record. New England beat the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game to reach the Super Bowl.
Vrabel and Russini were spotted together prior to the NFL league meetings that began March 29 in Phoenix. Sedona is approximately two hours north of Phoenix.
When the situation first came to light publicly, Vrabel said, “those photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”
The Athletic and Russini parted ways days later.
–Field Level Media
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images New England Patriots captains Hunter Henry and Robert Spillane are pleased with the energy Mike Vrabel has brought to the team this week, but didn’t offer opinions about the coach’s highly-discussed off-the-field issues.
Vrabel skipped Saturday’s third and final day of the NFL draft for a counseling session and returned to the team Monday as the Patriots continue their voluntary offseason workouts.
Vrabel addressed the team on April 21 and Tuesday marked the first time since the speech that players were available to the media.
Henry and Spillane both said Vrabel spoke about the situation involving former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini. The two were photographed together last month at an adults-only resort in Sedona, Ariz., holding hands, hugging and sharing a hot tub. Both are married to other people.
“I thought he did a great job,” Henry said of Vrabel’s talk to the team. “It’s been the same Vrabes, bringing a lot of energy in the room. Obviously, he addressed it and that’s kind of all I’ll say about it.”
Henry, a tight end, is entering his sixth season with the Patriots and 10th overall. Spillane, a linebacker, has long revered Vrabel, dating back to when he was an undrafted free agent in 2018 and competing for a spot on the Tennessee Titans’ roster with Vrabel as coach.
Now entering his ninth NFL season, Spillane said he hasn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary.
“Coach coaches football. He keeps the main thing, the main thing,” Spillane said. “I know he’s dealing with personal issues, but when we’re in the building, we speak football. … I love Coach and I’m going to be here to support him as he would be there to support me through anything. I’m just a player and trying to do that the best I can.”
Though the controversial situation has played out publicly, both players said returning to the Super Bowl is a bigger talking point in the locker room. New England lost to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13 in Super Bowl LX in February.
“Obviously I know you guys want to hear about everything that’s going on,” said Henry, who had a career-high 768 yards to go with 60 receptions and seven touchdown catches in 2025. “To be honest with you, I’m focused on what we got going on right now in this building, with this team.
“Had a long season last year, quick turnaround into the offseason, we’re in a new building. And every year is a new year. We’re trying to build this team, we’re trying to come together, so I’m just focused on the guys in this locker room, and trying to build it from the ground up again. We have a long journey ahead of us; we have to start somewhere, so we’re starting right now.”
Spillane expressed that expectations will be higher and that the Patriots will have a target on their backs.
“It’s going to be a brand-new team,” said Spillane, who had 97 tackles and two interceptions last season in his first campaign with the Patriots. “It’s a chance for us to come together, to get to know our teammates, to learn and connect with each other, and really grow with our craft. And that’s what we’re really focused on.”
Vrabel was named NFL Coach of the Year last season in his first campaign with the Patriots. He took a team that went 4-13 in 2024 and guided them to a 14-3 record. New England beat the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game to reach the Super Bowl.
Vrabel and Russini were spotted together prior to the NFL league meetings that began March 29 in Phoenix. Sedona is approximately two hours north of Phoenix.
When the situation first came to light publicly, Vrabel said, “those photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”
The Athletic and Russini parted ways days later.
–Field Level Media
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images New England Patriots captains Hunter Henry and Robert Spillane are pleased with the energy Mike Vrabel has brought to the team this week, but didn’t offer opinions about the coach’s highly-discussed off-the-field issues.
Vrabel skipped Saturday’s third and final day of the NFL draft for a counseling session and returned to the team Monday as the Patriots continue their voluntary offseason workouts.
Vrabel addressed the team on April 21 and Tuesday marked the first time since the speech that players were available to the media.
Henry and Spillane both said Vrabel spoke about the situation involving former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini. The two were photographed together last month at an adults-only resort in Sedona, Ariz., holding hands, hugging and sharing a hot tub. Both are married to other people.
“I thought he did a great job,” Henry said of Vrabel’s talk to the team. “It’s been the same Vrabes, bringing a lot of energy in the room. Obviously, he addressed it and that’s kind of all I’ll say about it.”
Henry, a tight end, is entering his sixth season with the Patriots and 10th overall. Spillane, a linebacker, has long revered Vrabel, dating back to when he was an undrafted free agent in 2018 and competing for a spot on the Tennessee Titans’ roster with Vrabel as coach.
Now entering his ninth NFL season, Spillane said he hasn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary.
“Coach coaches football. He keeps the main thing, the main thing,” Spillane said. “I know he’s dealing with personal issues, but when we’re in the building, we speak football. … I love Coach and I’m going to be here to support him as he would be there to support me through anything. I’m just a player and trying to do that the best I can.”
Though the controversial situation has played out publicly, both players said returning to the Super Bowl is a bigger talking point in the locker room. New England lost to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13 in Super Bowl LX in February.
“Obviously I know you guys want to hear about everything that’s going on,” said Henry, who had a career-high 768 yards to go with 60 receptions and seven touchdown catches in 2025. “To be honest with you, I’m focused on what we got going on right now in this building, with this team.
“Had a long season last year, quick turnaround into the offseason, we’re in a new building. And every year is a new year. We’re trying to build this team, we’re trying to come together, so I’m just focused on the guys in this locker room, and trying to build it from the ground up again. We have a long journey ahead of us; we have to start somewhere, so we’re starting right now.”
Spillane expressed that expectations will be higher and that the Patriots will have a target on their backs.
“It’s going to be a brand-new team,” said Spillane, who had 97 tackles and two interceptions last season in his first campaign with the Patriots. “It’s a chance for us to come together, to get to know our teammates, to learn and connect with each other, and really grow with our craft. And that’s what we’re really focused on.”
Vrabel was named NFL Coach of the Year last season in his first campaign with the Patriots. He took a team that went 4-13 in 2024 and guided them to a 14-3 record. New England beat the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game to reach the Super Bowl.
Vrabel and Russini were spotted together prior to the NFL league meetings that began March 29 in Phoenix. Sedona is approximately two hours north of Phoenix.
When the situation first came to light publicly, Vrabel said, “those photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”
The Athletic and Russini parted ways days later.
–Field Level Media
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85)…
hollywood copy - alina watson
6 Things ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Needs to Have
It's been two decades since The Devil Wears Prada gifted us the sharp stilettos, sharper…
Sports news
#FIFA #World #Cup #Iran #absent #Vancouver #meetings #due #visa #issues #weeks">FIFA World Cup 2026 — Iran absent from Vancouver meetings due to visa issues weeks before WC
Iran’s representatives was absent from a meeting of football leaders in Vancouver on Tuesday, leaving the country’s participation in the upcoming World Cup still in question.
That topic wasn’t covered at the convening of Asia’s top football leaders today with FIFA president Gianni Infantino presiding, and Iran’s Sports Minister last week announced Iran’s plans to be “proud” participants in this summer’s World Cup hosted by the United States in North American venues.
Yet the Iranian team and its officials still face visa complications, a fact underscored by their absence at Tuesday’s meeting.
A report by The Athletic confirmed that Iran’s Tuesday absence was due to visa issues, a problem that could prevent their presence at the overall FIFA Congress gathering this Thursday.
AFC general secretary Windsor John expressed some public optimism about Iran’s potential attendance at the larger gathering, saying that awards presented to each Asian qualifying country would be presented to Iran “once they arrive.”
Iranian officials had previously encountered difficulty acquiring visas to attend the World Cup Draw in Washington D.C. last December. That predated combined American and Israeli attacks on Iran which began in late February, complicating the situation further.
In recent weeks, Iran has lobbied FIFA to move all of its scheduled matches to Mexico, but that request has not been met.
Leaders of both Iran and the United States have engaged in hostile rhetoric since, with President Donald Trump posting on social media, “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
Other U.S. government officials, such as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have been more moderate, assuring the safe passage of athletes, support staff and family, yet stopping short of guaranteeing U.S. entry to anyone beyond that scope, including executives, journalists, and trainers.
“The problem with Iran would be not their athletes, it would be some of the other people they would want to bring with them,” Rubio said in public comments last week.
The FIFA president conveyed a tone of tolerance in his remarks Tuesday.
“Now, even more, we have to show the world that we are here and we are united, and we can come together from all over the world in a peaceful environment, that we can unite the world,” Infantino said.
Iran is in Group G and is scheduled to play New Zealand (June 15) and Belgium (June 21) in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle (June 26)
Published on Apr 29, 2026
Iran’s representatives was absent from a meeting of football leaders in Vancouver on Tuesday, leaving the country’s participation in the upcoming World Cup still in question.
That topic wasn’t covered at the convening of Asia’s top football leaders today with FIFA president Gianni Infantino presiding, and Iran’s Sports Minister last week announced Iran’s plans to be “proud” participants in this summer’s World Cup hosted by the United States in North American venues.
Yet the Iranian team and its officials still face visa complications, a fact underscored by their absence at Tuesday’s meeting.
A report by The Athletic confirmed that Iran’s Tuesday absence was due to visa issues, a problem that could prevent their presence at the overall FIFA Congress gathering this Thursday.
AFC general secretary Windsor John expressed some public optimism about Iran’s potential attendance at the larger gathering, saying that awards presented to each Asian qualifying country would be presented to Iran “once they arrive.”
Iranian officials had previously encountered difficulty acquiring visas to attend the World Cup Draw in Washington D.C. last December. That predated combined American and Israeli attacks on Iran which began in late February, complicating the situation further.
In recent weeks, Iran has lobbied FIFA to move all of its scheduled matches to Mexico, but that request has not been met.
Leaders of both Iran and the United States have engaged in hostile rhetoric since, with President Donald Trump posting on social media, “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
Other U.S. government officials, such as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have been more moderate, assuring the safe passage of athletes, support staff and family, yet stopping short of guaranteeing U.S. entry to anyone beyond that scope, including executives, journalists, and trainers.
“The problem with Iran would be not their athletes, it would be some of the other people they would want to bring with them,” Rubio said in public comments last week.
The FIFA president conveyed a tone of tolerance in his remarks Tuesday.
“Now, even more, we have to show the world that we are here and we are united, and we can come together from all over the world in a peaceful environment, that we can unite the world,” Infantino said.
Iran is in Group G and is scheduled to play New Zealand (June 15) and Belgium (June 21) in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle (June 26)
Published on Apr 29, 2026
Iran’s representatives was absent from a meeting of football leaders in Vancouver on Tuesday, leaving…
