Category: sports

ZURICH — August 9, 2026: FIFA has strongly rejected what it describes as a “concerted and ongoing effort” to undermine the organisation and its president, Gianni Infantino, as pressure continues to build around the world football governing body.

In a statement, FIFA accused unnamed critics and sections of the media of spreading what it considers to be false, misleading or unsubstantiated claims aimed at damaging the reputation of Infantino and the organisation. 

The latest dispute comes amid renewed scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership and fresh reports concerning allegations linked to his time as UEFA general secretary. UEFA has confirmed that a former female employee received a six-figure departure payment, while FIFA has rejected allegations of wrongdoing connected to the matter. 

Growing pressure on Infantino

The FIFA president is also facing wider criticism following the collapse of a controversial proposal involving private investment in FIFA’s major competitions. UEFA and its 55 national associations had strongly opposed the plan, arguing that the World Cup and other major tournaments should not be treated as investment products.

FIFA’s latest statement portrays the criticism as part of a broader campaign intended to weaken Infantino’s position and damage confidence in FIFA’s leadership. The organisation says repeating allegations does not make them true and has indicated that it will challenge what it considers misinformation. 

Infantino remains FIFA president, with the organisation insisting that his leadership continues to have support among its global membership. However, the growing controversy has placed renewed attention on FIFA’s governance and the future direction of world football.

The dispute is likely to remain a major talking point ahead of FIFA’s next presidential election, with Infantino’s leadership facing increased scrutiny from football stakeholders and critics around the world.  

Washington, D.C. — Philippine tennis star Alexandra Eala has etched her name into the history books after becoming the first Filipino to win a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour-level singles title, defeating top seed Jessica Pegula in a dramatic, rain-delayed Washington Open final.

The 21-year-old rising star produced an inspired comeback after dropping the opening set, defeating the American 4-6, 6-4, 6-0. Following a weather interruption that forced the final to resume later, Eala returned with remarkable composure and dominated the decisive set to secure the biggest victory of her career.

Eala’s title run was one of the most impressive of the season. She defeated a string of elite opponents, including Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, former Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, and world-class contender Elina Svitolina before overcoming Pegula in the championship match.

The historic triumph also propels Eala to a career-high world ranking, further cementing her status as one of the brightest young talents in women’s tennis. Her breakthrough victory has sparked celebrations across the Philippines, with fans hailing the achievement as a landmark moment for the nation’s sporting history.

Speaking after lifting the trophy, Eala expressed gratitude to her supporters, saying the unwavering encouragement from Filipino fans around the world inspired her throughout the tournament. She now turns her attention to the North American hard-court swing, carrying significant momentum into the upcoming Canadian Open and the US Open.

Eala’s triumph is expected to inspire a new generation of Filipino athletes and marks a defining milestone for tennis in the Philippines, proving that the country can compete—and win—on the biggest stages of the sport.

Zurich, Switzerland – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that football’s global governing body has abandoned its controversial proposal to sell minority stakes in its flagship competitions, following strong opposition from stakeholders across the sport.

The proposal, which aimed to attract outside investment into FIFA’s premier tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and other major international competitions, had sparked widespread criticism from football associations, clubs, supporters, and governance experts. Critics argued that allowing private investors to acquire financial interests in the competitions could undermine the integrity and independence of the sport.

Speaking on the decision, Infantino acknowledged the concerns raised during consultations and said FIFA had decided not to move forward with the plan.

The reversal marks a significant shift in FIFA’s strategy after months of debate over the potential commercialization of its most valuable assets. Supporters of the original proposal had argued that external investment could generate additional revenue to fund football development projects around the world. However, opponents warned that it could give private investors undue influence over competitions that are considered part of football’s global heritage.

The decision has been welcomed by many within the football community, who viewed the move as a victory for transparency and the long-term interests of the game.

FIFA has indicated it will continue exploring alternative ways to strengthen its financial position and expand investment in football development without selling ownership stakes in its major tournaments.

In Gaborone, Rwanda’s opening batter Hamza Khan made history during the fourth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier by recording the second-highest score ever in a Men’s T20 International.

The right-hander, who hails from Peshawar, Pakistan, blasted an unbeaten 164 runs from only 65 deliveries, scoring at an incredible strike rate of 252.30. His explosive innings featured 15 sixes and nine boundaries.

With this remarkable performance, Khan climbed to second place on the list of highest individual scores in Men’s T20I history, trailing only former Australian captain Aaron Finch.