- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
As the enthralling on-field action continues at the FIFA World Cup, here’s all the latest behind-the-scenes news from Qatar.
Protester seized after pitch invasion
A protester with a triple message was detained after running onto the pitch during the Portugal vs. Uruguay match.
The man was carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a T-shirt that had ‘Save Ukraine’ on the front and ‘Respect Iranian Women’ on the back. His shirt also bore a Superman logo.
(Photo by Richard Sellers/Getty Images)
Security officials chased the person down and he dropped the flag on the field before being escorted off.
In the weeks leading up to the tournament, a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report claimed security forces in Qatar have been arbitrarily arresting and abusing LGBT Qataris while former Qatari footballer Khalid Salma – an ambassador for the World Cup – described homosexuality as “damage in the mind”.
In the first week of the tournament, seven European teams lost the battle to wear multi-coloured “One Love” armbands during World Cup matches, with FIFA threatening sporting sanctions such as yellow cards and match bans for the captains who wore them.
Fans have been barred from entering grounds wearing rainbow colours, a symbol of LGBTQ rights.
Before the tournament began, FIFA president Gianni Infantino told the 32 teams to “focus on the football” amid the controversies.
Meanwhile Stuart Andrew, the UK sports minister who is homosexual, will wear the OneLove armband at the World Cup between Wales and England on Wednesday.
The UK’s first openly gay sports minister said he was determined to make the gesture even though the world’s football governing body FIFA has warned players they could be booked for making political protests.
Asked whether he would wear the armband and risk upsetting the World Cup host, Mr Andrew told the Evening Standard: “I absolutely will be doing so.
“I’m not going to shy away from who I am. Our message very much is that no one should have to hide who they are.”
Astonishing USA press conference
Iranian journalists hijacked a World Cup press conference to ask US players how they felt about “representing a racist country” – and complained that they were pronouncing the name of their country wrong.
USA coach Gregg Berhalter and his captain Tyler Adams faced political questions from reporters from Iran ahead of their match.
They were asked about systemic racism in America, strict US visa rules in place against Iranian citizens and America’s military presence in the Persian Gulf.
Adams was berated for his American pronunciation of ‘aye-ran’ during the half-hour press conference.
The press conference came after the U.S. soccer federation displayed Iran’s national flag on social media without the emblem of the Islamic Republic in support of anti-regime protests in the country, causing Iran’s government to call on FIFA to expel Team USA from the tournament.
The first question from an Iranian journalist immediately set the tone for what proved to be a highly charged encounter.
The reporter asked Berhalter: ‘What percentage of the world’s population will be happy if Iran wins this match [versus a U.S. national team (USMNT) victory]?’ forcing the coach to try and mediate the tension.
“For us it’s a soccer game against a good team – it’s not much more than that,” Berhalter responded.
A journalist from Press TV – an English language Iranian news organisation – said: “First of all you say you support the Iranian people but you’re pronouncing our country’s name wrong. Our country is name Iran, not ”aye-ran”…
“Second of all, are you okay to be representing your country that has so much discrimination against black people in its own borders?.”
Adams responded: “My apologies on the mispronunciation of your country. That being said, there’s discrimination everywhere you go… in the U.S. we’re continuing to make progress every single day… as long as you make progress that’s the most important thing.”
Cameroon goalkeeper Onana dropped for ‘disciplinary reasons’
Eyebrows were raised when starting goalkeeper Andre Onana was omitted from the teamsheet for Cameroon’s extraordinary 3-3 draw with Serbia in favour of Devis Epassy.
The Inter Milan man did not take his place among the substitutes and was removed from the match day squad entirely.
Different theories explaining why coach Rigobert Song excluded the gloveman were posited, but ESPN reported that Onana was left out because of a difference of opinion regarding the team’s defensive structure.
“For the time being, I’ve had to wait and we’ll see if he’s going to stay with us,” Song said through an interpreter after his side staged an incredible comeback to earn a point against Serbia.
“It’s up to him as well to a certain extent. So, you’re gonna have to agree to respect the rules to perhaps come back into the squad.”
Song failed to provide further clarification on why his first-choice keeper didn’t play.
It is unclear whether there will be an opportunity for Onana to reclaim his starting spot when Cameroon face off against the World Cup heavyweights on Saturday (6am AEDT). Cameroon must beat Brazil in their final group match to stand a chance of progressing.
Southgate drops Foden hint ahead of Wales grudge match
Gareth Southgate came in for plenty of flak over his decision to omit Phil Foden for the Three Lions’ turgid draw with USA, but the England manager has hinted at a return for the winger.
Foden also missed out on a starting berth in his side’s 6-2 win over against Iran, coming on in the 71st minute with the match already comfortably won.
The criticism came from all corners, with England legend Wayne Rooney claiming the 22-year-old must be included in the side, perhaps even at the expense of Harry Kane.
City boss Pep Guardiola often deploys Foden in the wide spots but Southgate explained he has another role for the diminutive playmaker in mind.
“We love Phil, he’s a super player,” Southgate said.
“He’s going to play a big part in this tournament for us. He can play on either flank, and can play as a false 9 if we choose to do that.
“He’s a very flexible player in terms of the attributes he has and where he can have an impact. He’s a goal threat, which is also very important.”
With qualification for the round of 16 assured, Southgate may be inclined to experiment with Foden in the false 9 role, however England will need all three points in their final group game to seal top spot in Group B.
England take on rivals Wales, who must win to give themselves a chance of progressing, at 6am on Wednesday (AEDT).
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.