I don’t know why “right wing” is considered a slur or derogatory. The right seem to diagnose societal and systemic issues aptly. Their prescriptions however, are worse than the diagnosis. As for the ”left” their diagnoses are so off…! Hence why I don’t understand why they think they’re any better.

I work as a cleaner during the summer to because I’m trying to stay ahead of the AI-is-going-to-take-our-jobs curve, because academia is unsustainable and/or because I’m buying independence from the systems and industries I criticise. The official explanation depends on one‘s school of thought.

The perfect parody doesn't exis-

Yet another case of taking the game global but hating it when it takes global sensibilities. Global capital, global players, global managers and you don’t want global fans? You will soon have fixtures played abroad. This is the globalist cake -it is full of edible contradictions

Sam Cunningham@samcunningham.bsky.social · 2w ago

Man Utd fans accuse the club of attempting to force out season ticket holders to generate more revenue from tourists & corporates. Club say they're cracking down on touts/bots. Fans say they're innocent but face losing STs they've had for decades. Read in my @cityam.bsky.social column 👇

Much of the source used in this article is the FIFA annual reports. Hm. I‘ve said it once and I will say it again: the sports media ecosystem is part of the problem and that’s why they’re usually pawns on Gianni’s chessboard.

Chris Weatherspoon@cweatherspoon.bsky.social · 4w ago

FIFA is one of sport's richest bodies, the World Cup its crown jewel. Eleven years after corruption nearly toppled it, football's overseer has more money than ever. But where from? And where does it go? The deepest of deep dives: @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

The wider FIFA system appears much more stable than its dysfunctional components would suggest. I suspect there’s large sources of illicit shenanigans sustaining it and I hate my brain for taking me there.

Denzel Washington Pissed at Desk

ALT: Denzel Washington Pissed at Desk

static.klipy.com

Most purists and elites defend European football through the exact same metrics FIFA is pursuing: most watched, greatest reach, biggest audience, highest revenues. They dislike FIFA’s method of producing scale, but they have already accepted scale as proof of value.

I’m scratching my head as to why FIFA had old (pop) stars in their half time show. Is it that they are out of touch with reality? or are they appealing to a certain demographic? Or…. are those the stars they could afford?

An ultimate cult show 😂

At least the referee is consistent with keeping the cards in his pocket.

I thought the one positive of not having England in the final was that we’ll have impartial commentary 🤡

Europeans took the sport global but don’t like it when it takes global sensibilities.🙄

Star spangled banner is a banger. I’m sorry

Ok this is very good

Astonishing statement from Finnish FA president in which he explains that, despite reservations, he will support Infantino as he fears Fifa money will dry out if he does not - perfect illustration of how the current system is propped up by fear and bribery. Via @staniselsborg.bsky.social

Jalkapallo | Palloliiton Infantino-päätös ei ollut yksimielinen – seuroille kannanmuutos tuli yllätyksenä

Palloliiton puheenjohtajan Ari Lahden mukaan Fifan asiat nähdään Suomessa usein hyvin suppeasti.

hs.fi

#Cameroon: A quick trip to Geneva has turned into a month away from #Yaoundé for ailing #PaulBiya. In the power vacuum left by the President’s absence, aides are planning coups and the corridors of power are buzzing with rumours about who will succeed the old man. africa-conf.com/biyas-succes...

Biya’s Geneva stay sharpens succession risk

The president’s absence has held-up decisions in Yaoundé, triggering concerns over the un-named vice-president and a political rupture

africa-conf.com

Indeed! I said Gianni is like Kenyan president William Ruto- master strategist, and the bubble of critics think they’ve got him. Whole time, the critics are playing the game on the strategist‘s chessboard and on their terms. The system is intact!

Matt Slater@mjslater.bsky.social · 3w ago

One of Gianni Infantino’s critics asked me if he was wobbling from the “outrage” after the Balogun scandal. So I asked around. And the answer is whatever localised outrage there was has passed. Infantino will leave this World Cup feeling vindicated & invincible. www.nytimes.com/athletic/744...

In a 2025 report, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission recorded an ongoing inquiry into approximately US$1 million in government funds allocated to the Liberian FA, citing alleged financial impropriety and corruption under current LFA president, Raji, leadership. Looks like a good call!

Andy Greder@andygreder.bsky.social · 3w ago

News story: Liberian national team says it was denied U.S. visas for its trip to play Minnesota United this month, and the #MNUFC friendly match in St. Paul has been terminated. www.twincities.com/2026/07/15/l...

I‘m loving the history lessons from this England vs Argentina fixture.

Woman Typing for Research

ALT: Woman Typing for Research

static.klipy.com

Tuchel is like a surgeon. Gets the blame when the patient dies. And God (Bellingham, Kane) gets the credit if the patient survives.

What usually informs the hubris in the English camp/ media though? Apart from Harry Kane, I don’t see any player who is the best in the position globally, their league is good at entertainment- not football, they have had to get a foreign manager because their own aren’t creme de la creme anymore?

What I’ve learned from watching the World Cup is that Tottenham Hotspur must have an amazing defense

In pub. Resisting impulse to yell "All national identities are fundamentally fictitious!"

France remains in disarray. Here's why that's bad news for Biden.

Corey Rayburn Yung@coreyryung.bsky.social · 3w ago

I did not foresee Spain being the more exciting team. France is in disarray.

Some offside calls against Mbappe have been wrong and the center referee even requires VAR intervention where VAR shouldn't be interfering.

Steff Ndei@steffndei.bsky.social · 4w ago

The officiating has been horrendous in this tournament. FIFA would rather deal with conspiracy theories of bias than actual theories of incompetence. FAs are responsible for referee training. FIFA claims to fund such trainings. But you can’t hire foreign born referees to mask the illusion can you?

Kagame, unlike his EA compatriots, is not facing internal legitimacy crises— the mechanisms through which he sustains it notwithstanding. His compatriots have to invest in hosting AFCON and expensive stadiums. Him? ⬇️ www.avfc.co.uk/news/2026/ju...

“The prisoner of war from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, captured while fighting for Russia in Ukraine, says his future is in Russia and his hope is to be included in a prisoner exchange that sends him back to the country whose army he joined.” www.politico.eu/article/ukra...

Captured African recruits say they want to go home — to Russia

African POWs have become pawns in Moscow and Kyiv’s battle for influence.

politico.eu

After seeing enough of how firm the FIFA system is, I have become an accelerationist. Because I just want to see how far its contradictions (e.g, a sporting body using democracy as its decision making tool) can hold. And so… make it biennial baby.

The New York Times@nytimes.com · 3w ago

From @theathleticfc.bsky.social: Gianni Infantino said FIFA will examine expanding the World Cup by a further 16 nations to a 64-team tournament ahead of its next edition in 2030. The 2030 tournament will be spread across six nations and three continents. nyti.ms/4pmQ1Fu