By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 25, 2026

“Queiroz Backs Black Stars to Bounce Back in Accra”

Queiroz backs Ghana to level the rivalry

Speaking after the match, Queiroz said:

“When Ivory Coast comes to Ghana, with all due respect, it will be our turn to win.”

He added that, based on the head-to-head record he cited, the score between the two countries would become level after the return encounter.

“So the score, as you said now, is 16–15, right? So in a couple of months it will be 16–16. I have no doubt about that, that we are going to win that game.”

The coach’s statement was a confident prediction about a future fixture, rather than a confirmed result. The outcome will depend on the teams’ form, preparation and performance when the match is played.

“Accra Awaits Ghana’s Response in Return Fixture”

Côte d’Ivoire makes winning start

Côte d’Ivoire secured a 2–0 victory in Bouaké, with Malick Yalcouyé and Franck Kessié scoring for the hosts.

The result put Ghana at the bottom of Group C after the opening round of matches and increased the importance of the Black Stars’ upcoming fixtures.

The defeat was also Queiroz’s first competitive match since returning for a second spell as Ghana’s head coach. Ghana is seeking to qualify for the 2027 AFCON after missing the 2025 tournament in Morocco—its first absence from the finals in more than two decades, according to local reports.

“Black Stars Turn Attention to Crucial Gambia Clash”

Ghana’s immediate focus shifts to The Gambia

Before Ghana faces Côte d’Ivoire again, the Black Stars are scheduled to host The Gambia on Tuesday, 29 September, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The fixture gives Ghana an opportunity to pursue its first points of the qualifying campaign and address the problems exposed in the opening defeat. However, the team’s position in the group will depend on results across the other matches as well.

A difficult opening against the Elephants

Reports from the match indicated that Côte d’Ivoire controlled important periods of the contest, while Ghana struggled to create sufficient attacking opportunities.

The opening defeat leaves Queiroz and his technical team with several areas to assess, including Ghana’s attacking efficiency, defensive organisation and ability to maintain control against strong opposition.

The coach’s confidence about the return leg does not remove the need for Ghana to improve its performances in the matches leading up to that encounter.

What the result means for Ghana’s qualification campaign

The opening result places greater importance on Ghana’s next matches. Winning against The Gambia would provide an opportunity to begin recovering from the defeat, although the overall qualification picture will develop over several rounds.

Independent assessment

Queiroz’s remarks communicate confidence and are intended to reassure supporters after a disappointing start. Nevertheless, his prediction should be distinguished from the confirmed facts: Côte d’Ivoire won the first meeting 2–0, Ghana has yet to collect a point in Group C, and the return fixture remains in the future.

Ghana’s immediate challenge is to secure a positive result against The Gambia while using the intervening period to improve before facing Côte d’Ivoire again.

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 25, 2026

The 20-year-old received a second yellow card after using the corner flag to imitate a firearm during his celebration, leaving Israel with 10 players for the remainder of the match. The incident became a major talking point in a game that Austria eventually won with two late goals.

Goal celebration leads to dismissal

Abu Farchi scored in the 55th minute, heading Israel level after Austria had taken the lead through Romano Schmid’s first-half penalty.

After scoring, the Israeli forward ran toward the corner flag, picked it up and performed a gesture that appeared to imitate firing a gun.

The referee had booked Abu Farchi four minutes earlier. His celebration resulted in a second yellow card, automatically triggering a red card and reducing Israel to 10 players.

Match timeline

Austria takes advantage of numerical advantage

Israel’s dismissal left the team with one fewer player during the closing stages of the match.

Austria regained the lead in the 90th minute when Phillipp Mwene finished following a cross from Paul Wanner. Sasa Kalajdzic then added a third goal during stoppage time, securing a 3–1 victory for the home side.

The timing of the red card made the incident particularly significant: Israel had recovered from an early deficit and reached parity before losing a player because of the celebration.

Why the celebration attracted attention

Football referees can issue yellow cards for inappropriate or provocative goal celebrations. In this case, Abu Farchi’s use of the corner flag and firearm-like gesture led to a second booking.

The available reports describe the action and its disciplinary consequence, but do not establish the player’s precise intention beyond the gesture itself. It is therefore important to distinguish the observable conduct from assumptions about what the player meant by it.

The incident also occurred amid heightened international debate over Israel’s participation in football competitions, including calls from some groups for the country’s exclusion because of the war in Gaza. The broader political context was reported alongside the match, but it should not be treated as proof of the player’s personal motivation for the celebration.

Broader context surrounding Israel’s participation

The match comes during continuing international controversy over Israel’s participation in sporting events.

Some organisations and campaigners have called for Israel to be suspended from international competitions over the Gaza conflict. The Israel Football Association has faced disputes with football officials and organisations over the issue.

The Abu Farchi incident was a disciplinary event during a football match. Any connection between the celebration and the wider political debate would require direct evidence of the player’s intentions, which is not established in the reports reviewed.

Independent assessment

Abu Farchi’s goal briefly brought Israel back into the match, but his subsequent dismissal changed the team’s circumstances during the final stages. Austria eventually capitalised with two late goals.

The incident illustrates how a goal celebration can carry sporting consequences when it is judged to violate disciplinary standards. It also demonstrates the importance of separating the referee’s documented decision from speculation about the player’s motives.

The confirmed facts are that Abu Farchi scored, performed a gun-like celebration using the corner flag, received a second yellow card and was sent off as Israel lost 3–1 to Austria.

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 22, 2026 | Madrid, Spain

MADRID — The aftermath of Sunday’s Madrid derby has moved beyond the pitch after Atlético Madrid responded to José Mourinho’s criticism of the refereeing in Real Madrid’s 2–1 defeat.

Mourinho arrived at his post-match press conference holding printed images of two first-half incidents involving Atlético players Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-in, arguing that both challenges should have resulted in red cards.

Atlético subsequently used its social-media channels to respond with a video carrying the message “Stop refereeing harassment now”, directly addressing the controversy surrounding Mourinho’s comments.

Todo lo que tiene que saber para seguir el derbi madrileño | El PAÍS Exprés | EL PAÍS

Mourinho questions key decisions

The dispute followed Atlético’s 2–1 victory at the Metropolitano on September 20.

Mourinho argued that Romero should have been dismissed after a challenge involving Jude Bellingham, while Lee Kang-in should also have received a red card for a challenge on Federico Valverde.

The Real Madrid manager also questioned the appointment of referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias, pointing to his age and lack of international experience. Mourinho additionally raised questions about VAR official Daniel Trujillo Suárez and the decision-making surrounding the incidents.

Real Madrid’s own official match report similarly criticized the officiating, stating that Romero and Lee avoided dismissal before Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen was sent off in the second half.

Real Madrid v Malaga CF – LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27

بالأرقام.. أغنى 5 مدربين في كرة القدم لعام 2026

FBL-EUR-C1-REAL MADRID-PRESSER

FBL-ESP-LIGA-REAL MADRID-ATLETICO MADRID

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Atlético’s response

Atlético chose a social-media response rather than a lengthy public statement. The club’s video deliberately echoed Mourinho’s use of printed photographs during his press conference before displaying its message calling for an end to what it described as harassment of referees.

Atlético coach Diego Simeone also addressed the controversy after the match. He said coaches in prominent positions, including himself and Mourinho, needed to be careful about what they said publicly and should maintain respect toward referees and fellow professionals.

Simeone instead emphasized Atlético’s performance, saying his team had controlled the match during both the 11-against-11 period and after Real Madrid went down to 10 players.

What happened on the field?

The derby remained goalless until the second half, when the match changed dramatically.

In the 50th minute, Huijsen was sent off after a VAR review of his foul on Giuliano Simeone inside the penalty area. Alejandro Grimaldo converted the resulting penalty to put Atlético ahead.

Jonathan David then extended Atlético’s advantage in the 59th minute before Antonio Rüdiger pulled one back for Real Madrid late in the match. Atlético held on for a 2–1 victory.

Real Madrid’s account of the match maintains that the earlier incidents involving Romero and Lee should have produced dismissals, while Atlético’s response focuses on the wider issue of public criticism of referees.

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Wider debate over refereeing

The argument has continued beyond the two clubs.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas rejected claims of a systematic refereeing conspiracy against Real Madrid, saying such allegations were unfounded. His comments came amid renewed debate over the treatment of referees in Spanish football.

The controversy therefore now involves several separate positions: Mourinho’s criticism of specific decisions, Real Madrid’s official account of the match, Atlético’s call for an end to pressure on referees, Simeone’s appeal for restraint, and Tebas’s rejection of broader conspiracy claims.

For Atlético, the immediate outcome remains the derby victory. For Real Madrid, the focus has shifted toward the refereeing decisions that Mourinho believes influenced the contest.

The dispute is likely to remain part of the conversation around the two Madrid clubs as the season continues.

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 22, 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has signalled that he is willing to discuss changes to the governance of world football’s governing body, proposing an independent review of FIFA’s decision-making processes following the collapse of a controversial private-investment plan.

In a letter sent to the FIFA Council and presidents of all 211 member associations, Infantino said he would ask the Council to consider commissioning an independent external review of FIFA’s governance framework for major strategic initiatives. He also proposed structured consultations with continental confederations, member associations and other stakeholders.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has signalled that he is willing to discuss changes to the governance of world football’s governing body, proposing an independent review of FIFA’s decision-making processes following the collapse of a controversial private-investment plan.

In a letter sent to the FIFA Council and presidents of all 211 member associations, Infantino said he would ask the Council to consider commissioning an independent external review of FIFA’s governance framework for major strategic initiatives. He also proposed structured consultations with continental confederations, member associations and other stakeholders.

76th FIFA Congress – Plenary Session

Proposed governance review

Infantino’s proposals would examine how major strategic decisions are made within FIFA, including the respective responsibilities of the president, the Bureau, the Council and the FIFA Congress.

The review could also consider measures aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and consultation before major initiatives are advanced. Infantino said proposals submitted ahead of the FIFA Council meeting scheduled for October 15 could be considered at that meeting, with any resulting changes to FIFA’s statutes ultimately requiring approval through the organisation’s established process.

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The investment plan that triggered the dispute

The move comes after the withdrawal of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which envisaged bringing private investment into FIFA’s commercial rights, including rights connected to the World Cup and other competitions.

The proposal became public before FIFA’s internal process had been completed, according to Infantino. He acknowledged that the early disclosure created concern and the impression that decisions had already been made, while maintaining that the proposal had remained subject to approval by FIFA’s governing bodies.

The plan was ultimately abandoned in July following opposition from several football organisations. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF subsequently called for changes to FIFA’s leadership and decision-making arrangements.

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Calls for greater consultation

The controversy has intensified debate over how much authority should be exercised by FIFA’s leadership when developing major commercial or strategic initiatives.

Infantino’s latest proposal specifically invites discussion about whether significant decisions should require broader agreement within FIFA’s governing structure. His letter referenced differing proposals, including requiring unanimous support within the Bureau for major strategic matters or giving the FIFA Congress and the 211 member associations a more direct role.

The FIFA president said the different approaches should be examined according to their implications for representation, accountability, consensus and FIFA’s ability to make decisions.

German FA challenges Infantino’s position

Not all FIFA officials and national associations have welcomed the initiative.

German Football Association President Bernd Neuendorf, who is also a FIFA Council member, described Infantino’s letter as an attempt to strengthen his position ahead of the next presidential election. Neuendorf said FIFA had recognised that changes were necessary but argued that Infantino should not lead the reform process. These are Neuendorf’s stated views, rather than an established finding about Infantino’s motives.

The dispute comes as Infantino prepares to seek another term as FIFA president. The next presidential election is scheduled for March 2027 in Rabat, while potential challengers have until November 18 to enter the race, according to reporting by Reuters and Sky News.

Pressure extends beyond governance

The disagreement over FIFA’s governance has also been accompanied by financial discussions.

UEFA and CONCACAF have asked FIFA to consider distributing at least $10 million to each of its 211 member associations from FIFA’s reserves. Their proposal came after the collapse of the private-investment initiative and adds another dimension to the debate over how FIFA should use its financial resources.

For now, Infantino’s proposal does not amount to a completed reform programme. The next significant step will be the FIFA Council’s consideration of the proposed independent review and consultation process, with any formal changes requiring further approval under FIFA’s governance procedures.

CAPE TOWN — September 21, 2026 — FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been invited to attend a two-day Confederation of African Football (CAF) Strategy Conference in Cape Verde next month, placing the FIFA chief at the centre of an important gathering of African football leaders as pressure builds around his leadership ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Gianni Infantino meets newly elected African FA Presidents in Morocco – AfricaSoccer.com

The conference is scheduled for October 7 and 8 and will bring together the presidents of CAF’s 54 member associations, along with zonal union leaders and members of the CAF Executive Committee. CAF says the meeting will focus on developing African football, strengthening competitions and building sustainable football structures across the continent.

Infantino is expected to attend the conference following an invitation from CAF President Patrice Motsepe. The gathering comes at a significant moment for the FIFA president, who has confirmed that he will seek another term in the FIFA election scheduled for March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco. No challenger has officially been announced, according to Reuters, although opposition to some aspects of Infantino’s leadership has grown within parts of the football community.

FBL-AFRICA-CAF

Dispute over FIFA investment proposal

Much of the recent controversy has centred on the now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal. The initiative envisaged selling up to a 20% stake in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to outside investors.

The proposal encountered opposition from several football confederations, including UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF. FIFA subsequently acknowledged that mistakes had been made in the process and said the proposal would be reviewed.

UEFA and CONCACAF leaders have since called for greater scrutiny of FIFA’s finances and proposed that FIFA distribute at least $10 million to each of its 211 member associations during the next commercial cycle.

Bilan des équipes africaines à la Coupe du Monde 2026

Africa’s position

Africa remains an important constituency in FIFA’s presidential election, with CAF representing 54 of FIFA’s 211 member associations. In April, CAF member associations unanimously backed Infantino’s re-election bid for the 2027–2031 term.

CAF’s Executive Committee also endorsed a joint update from Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström regarding the Forward Enterprise controversy in August.

The Cape Verde conference therefore gives Infantino an opportunity to engage directly with African football leaders while CAF continues discussions about the continent’s future development.

World Cup review to follow

The African strategy meeting will be followed on October 9 by a review of the 2026 FIFA World Cup involving African national-team coaches. The review will be led by Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, and will examine areas including tactics, refereeing, logistics and lessons from the tournament.

With the 2027 FIFA presidential election approaching, the meetings in Cape Verde will attract attention not only because of their football-development agenda but also because of the wider debate over FIFA’s leadership, finances and governance.

For African football, the conference is expected to provide an opportunity to discuss how the continent can build on the strong performances of its teams at the 2026 World Cup and strengthen its influence within the global game.