FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued a sharp response to criticism regarding the World Cup, stating that critics are spreading 'hate and false rumors,' while the tournament brought 'only joy and happiness.'
FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued a sharp response to criticism regarding the World Cup, stating that critics are spreading 'hate and false rumors,' while the tournament brought 'only joy and happiness.'
In an open letter published on Monday, Infantino called on those who expressed dissatisfaction to 'take a moment for reflection, meditation, prayer' after the tournament, which was accompanied by various controversial moments, including ticket pricing and visa issues.
He wrote in a post on his Instagram account and on official FIFA channels: 'I am sorry that you were so absorbed in hatred and criticism that you missed all of this.' Infantino emphasized that while critics sat behind their screens, FIFA staff were on the front lines, organizing and working diligently to create the best show in the world, noting the complete absence of violence and incidents, as well as 100% safety.
The preparation for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA was overshadowed by concerns over inflated prices, geopolitical tension, the threat of conflict, and the risk of severe summer heat in the three host countries. Visa and travel problems intensified amid Iran's participation against the backdrop of the war with the US, as well as due to the crisis in Haiti and the Ebola outbreak in the DRC.
The referee from Somalia, Omar Artan, became one of the most prominent victims of President Donald Trump's strict immigration policy when he was denied entry into the USA. Nevertheless, Infantino defended FIFA's approach to hosting the tournament, stating: 'While you were spreading hate, we were tirelessly working to unite two warring countries. Iran entered the USA without incidents or conflicts.'
He added that the Iranian team received visas because football is about peace, not politics, and that visas were issued to countries facing serious health or other difficulties. Infantino noted that critics only mentioned a small number of people who were denied visas, ignoring millions of approved candidates from around the world.
These statements contrasted with the opinion of Iran's coach Amir Ghalenoei, who stated that his team was the most 'oppressed' at the World Cup. Forward Mehdi Taremi called the treatment of his team a 'disaster.'
Infantino also responded to criticism of the refereeing. He mentioned that Trump personally asked the FIFA president to consider a one-match suspension of American forward Folarin Balogun, which allowed him to play against Belgium in the Round of 16. The European football body UEFA was among the critics of this incident, calling it 'unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustified' and stating that it had 'crossed the red line.'
Responding to the criticism, Infantino stated that disappointment regarding some decisions by competent authorities is understandable, but one should refer to public records: such decisions are common practice in some of the most important leagues. He explained that decisions by 'controversial' referees or 'strange' disciplinary rulings, such as potentially erroneous yellow or red cards or subsequent decisions not to suspend players in certain situations, are routine and widely accepted in some of the largest global leagues. He noted ironically that 'it is interesting that the same countries that use these practices criticize them.'
The website uses a security service to protect against cyberattacks. Performing a recent action triggered this protective system.
There are several actions that can lead to such a block. These include sending a specific word or phrase, using an SQL command, or providing incorrect data.
Users are advised to write to the website owner to report the block. When contacting them, you should specify what actions were being performed when this page appeared, and also provide the Cloudflare Ray ID, which is located at the bottom of the page.
The Banyana Banyana team began its campaign at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations with a shocking 2-1 defeat to the Tanzanian national team. The match took place at the Moulay Rashid Stadium in Morocco on Monday.
The South African national team, which entered the tournament with great optimism and appeared to be the more dangerous side from the first minutes, controlled possession during the initial phases of the game. Within the first twenty minutes, the team created three promising chances, but a lack of composure in front of goal prevented them from scoring an early goal.
Tanzania, for its part, preferred to play deep, defending with numerical superiority and waiting for opportunities on counterattacks. Despite finding it difficult to maintain pressure, the East Africans showed moments of danger in their attacks. Their patience paid off in the 38th minute thanks to the individual skill of forward Diana Msewa, based in Turkey.
Msewa received the ball in her half, broke through the South African defense, bypassed several defenders, and calmly sent the ball past goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, opening an unexpected lead for Tanzania.
Although the goal was scored against the run of play, Banyana continued to attack in search of an immediate response. Their persistence was rewarded in stoppage time of the first half when defender Bambanani Mbene reacted quickest in the penalty area. After the Tanzanian goalkeeper deflected the first shot back into the cluster of players in the six-yard box, Mbene finished the ball from close range, leveling the score at 1-1.
During the break, the coaching staff under Desiré Ellis made an attacking substitution: midfielder Robin Mudali-Salgado was replaced by forward Ntabiseng Majie, as South Africa switched to a more aggressive 4-4-2 formation in pursuit of a winning goal. However, this tactical adjustment unexpectedly created more space for Tanzania to exploit on counterattacks.
As the second half progressed, the East Africans became increasingly dangerous, stretching the South African defense and forcing Banyana to retreat several times. Although South Africa had more possession, it failed to create clear goal-scoring opportunities, which were characteristic of its performance in the first half.
Tanzania capitalized on this vulnerability three minutes before the end of the match. Substitute Hasnat Ubamba found space in the penalty area and scored the decisive goal in the 87th minute, securing one of the tournament's biggest surprises so far.
Now Banyana must focus on the mandatory Group B match on Friday against Costa d'Mar, knowing that another defeat will jeopardize its chances of reaching the playoffs.
Orlando Pirates demonstrated near-total success at the PSL Awards 2025/26 ceremony, securing the overwhelming majority of prestigious awards during the event, which was broadcast on SuperSport on Monday evening.
Following a successful season where the team won three trophies—Betway Premiership, Carling Knockout, and MTN8—the 'Sea Robbers' solidified their status as the best club in the country by dominating the awards ceremony.
Orlando Pirates won the awards for 'Player of the Year,' 'Players' Player of the Year,' 'Midfielder of the Year,' 'Defender of the Year,' 'Goalkeeper of the Year,' 'Young Player of the Year,' and 'Goal of the Year.' Additionally, mentor Abdeslam Waddu was recognized as Coach of the Year.
The main award went to Relobokhile Mofokeng, who has currently moved to Belgian Pro League club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The 21-year-old footballer was also named Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.
The only category the 'Bucs' failed to win was the Top Scorer award, which went to Sede Junior Dionu from Golden Arrows for 14 goals scored during the campaign.
During the solemn event, Dr. Irwin Khoza presented the PSL Presidential Award in memory of the late Jayden Adams from the clubs Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Various winners across different tournaments were announced during the ceremony. Among them: Relobokhile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates) was recognized as the Betway Premiership Player of the Year and Betway Premiership Players' Player of the Year. Oswin Appolis (Orlando Pirates) became Midfielder of the Year, and Lebone Seleme (Orlando Pirates) was named Defender of the Year.
Sifo Chain (Orlando Pirates) was chosen as the Betway Premiership Goalkeeper of the Year, and Cemran Dansin (Orlando Pirates) as Goal of the Year. Abdeslam Waddu (Orlando Pirates) was recognized as Coach of the Year.
In the Motsepe Foundation Championship, Emile Witbui (Cape Town City) received the Players' Player of the Year award, Mickey van den Hart (Cape Town City) as Goalkeeper of the Year, and Gabriel Amato (Cape Town City) as Young Player of the Year. In this same league, Ntutuko Mlothswa (Lerumo Lions) and Ronaldo van Neel (Hungry Lion) were the Top Scorers.
Bennett Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns) was the winner in the DStv Diski Challenge, also taking home the DStv Diski Challenge Top Scorer title. Darren Kith (Durban City) received the Nedbank Cup Tournament Player award, and Seluleko Malambi (TS Galaxy) was named Most Promising Player.
In the Carling Knockout, Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates) was the winner, and in the MTN8, Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates) was the winner. Finally, the PSL Presidential Award was presented to Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns).
