Sports
Platini sues FIFA, Infantino over collapse of presidential bid
Former UEFA president Michel Platini has launched both civil and criminal legal action in France against football’s governing body FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, over corruption allegations raised in 2015 that derailed his bid to lead the organization.
A criminal complaint filed in Paris accuses Infantino, former FIFA legal director Marco Villiger and former FIFA audit committee chairman Domenico Scala of malicious prosecution and influence peddling.
Platini has also filed a separate civil lawsuit against FIFA, seeking full financial compensation for what he claims were internal efforts aimed at preventing his election as FIFA president more than a decade ago.
The case stems from events in late 2015, when details emerged of a payment of 2 million Swiss francs ($2.51 million) made to Platini by FIFA. The payment was authorized in 2011 by then-FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
Subsequent ethics bans sidelined the former France captain and cleared the way for Infantino, then UEFA general secretary under Platini, to win the FIFA presidency in early 2016.
Platini’s legal action in France follows his and Blatter’s acquittal by a Swiss federal criminal appeals court on March 25, 2025. The ruling cleared them of fraud and forgery charges, and the acquittal became final in September of that year.
The 70-year-old Platini said after the acquittal that he believed the case had been intended to prevent him from becoming FIFA president, adding that he was now too old to return to football.
Under the complaint, French investigators have been asked to examine the conduct of FIFA officials and whether Swiss prosecutors improperly coordinated with the governing body during the original criminal investigation.
FIFA has previously denied any wrongdoing in its handling of the 2015 case.
FIFA was not immediately available for comment.
Donald Trump was met with loud boos inside Madison Square Garden on Monday night when he appeared on the video boards during the national anthem before Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Trump was shown briefly saluting in a military gesture as the crowd reaction intensified. The boos faded as the display cut to the U.S. flag, while the atmosphere shifted to cheers when New York Knicks players appeared on screen. Mentions of the San Antonio Spurs drew another wave of loud jeers from sections of the crowd.
Trump attended the game from the suite of Knicks owner James Dolan, alongside his granddaughter Kai, political adviser Boris Epshteyn, and Cabinet officials Lee Zeldin, Sean Duffy and Doug Burgum. It marked the first time a sitting U.S. president attended an NBA Finals game.
He arrived via Marine One from his residence in New Jersey, landing near Wall Street before a motorcade carried him through Manhattan to the arena about an hour before tipoff. Along the route, some onlookers made rude gestures, and a small group near the venue held signs reading “Trump must go.”
He later settled into Dolan’s suite shortly after arriving.
In the hours before Trump’s arrival, the New York Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service established a large perimeter around Madison Square Garden. Fans lined up more than four hours before tipoff in scenes that resembled New Year’s Eve in Times Square more than a typical NBA Finals buildup.
Fans were required to show tickets or passes at multiple checkpoints and pass through Transportation Security Administration-style magnetometers. Secret Service personnel and police were stationed throughout the area, while commuters, tourists and fans moved through heavy restrictions as security tightened around the arena.
Knicks fan Greg Weldon, who traveled from Florida for the game, said the biggest issue was confusion.
“We’ve asked so many cops, Secret Service agents, guys with machine guns, what to do, where we should go,” he said. “Nobody knows.”
Knicks coach Mike Brown and Spurs coach Mitch Johnson downplayed any concerns about disruptions caused by the heightened security.
“There’s a lot going on, and I’d much rather be a part of it than not,” Johnson said.
With security increased, a planned watch party outside the arena was canceled, and fans were barred from bringing bags into the Garden. Crowds had gathered near the venue throughout the playoffs as the Knicks won 13 straight games to reach the Finals for the first time since 1999 and move within two wins of their first NBA title since 1973.
“We are looking forward to bringing back watch parties for Game 4,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. “New Yorkers are used to presidents coming to town, and they understand that it generally means lockdowns of certain areas. That’s what you’re going to see tonight at the Garden.”
Trump’s attendance marked another major sporting event during his presidency, with security measures again creating disruptions for fans.
Thousands of spectators missed the start of last year’s U.S. Open men’s singles final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner because of long security lines. Even though the U.S. Tennis Association delayed the start by 30 minutes, many fans still struggled to enter Arthur Ashe Stadium due to repeated screening checkpoints.
Federal law enforcement officials have reviewed Trump’s security posture following three recent incidents: a shooting at a 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania; the discovery of a man armed with a rifle while Trump played golf in West Palm Beach, Florida, later that year; and a recent security scare at a White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
Asked Sunday about Trump attending, Knicks center Mitchell Robinson said: “Cool, I guess. We can still get out there and play no matter who’s here.”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other dignitaries also attended the game.
Ticket prices made access difficult for many fans, with entry costs exceeding $5,000 and premium seats reaching tens of thousands of dollars. Mamdani said he purchased a standing-room-only ticket for about $1,000 directly from Madison Square Garden.
The scarcity of in-person access pushed more fans into bars, streets and public viewing areas across the city. A planned watch party near the arena was relocated to Bryant Park due to security restrictions.
“We improvise,” Knicks guard Jose Alvarado said. “We’re New Yorkers. We find a way to watch a game, and that’s what we do.”
The Turkish national football team’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were briefly interrupted after a police motorcycle officer escorting the squad’s convoy was involved in a traffic accident following training in Arizona.
The incident occurred as Türkiye’s players and staff were traveling from the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, their World Cup training base, to their hotel. The team was being transported in two buses accompanied by a police escort when one of the motorcycle officers riding with the convoy crashed on a highway route.
Authorities said the officer suffered minor injuries.
The accident forced the convoy to stop for approximately 15 minutes while emergency crews responded to the scene. Local police temporarily halted traffic in the area to secure the roadway, allowing firefighters and paramedics to reach the injured officer.
Members of the Turkish delegation reportedly left their vehicles during the delay and offered assistance as first responders administered treatment at the scene.
Fortunately, no players, coaches, or team officials were involved in the accident, and the officer’s injuries were not considered serious.
After emergency personnel completed their work and authorities determined the area was safe, the convoy resumed its journey and the team arrived at its hotel without further incident.
The unexpected delay came during a crucial phase of Türkiye’s preparations for its first FIFA World Cup appearance since 2002. The team is currently based at the sprawling Arizona Athletic Grounds, a 275-acre sports complex in Mesa that serves as its primary training headquarters in the United States ahead of the tournament.
Türkiye arrived in Arizona after completing an earlier stage of its preparations in Miami and has been greeted enthusiastically by local supporters throughout its stay. Fans gathered upon the team’s arrival in Mesa, highlighting the excitement surrounding the nation’s return to football’s biggest stage after a 24-year absence.
Despite the accident, team activities were unaffected, and preparations continued as scheduled.
Authorities have not released details regarding the cause of the crash. As is customary in incidents involving law enforcement personnel, local officials are expected to conduct a routine investigation.
A Somali referee on course to become the first official from the Horn of Africa nation to work at a FIFA World Cup finals tournament has been refused entry to the United States, casting uncertainty over a landmark moment for Somali football.
Omar Artan, the first Somali referee appointed by FIFA to officiate at a World Cup, was denied entry upon arriving in the U.S. and was subsequently returned to Istanbul, according to reports.
Artan departed Istanbul Airport on June 6 aboard a Turkish Airlines flight bound for Miami, where he was scheduled to continue preparations for the World Cup.
However, after landing at Miami International Airport, U.S. authorities informed him that he would not be permitted to enter the country.
He was placed on a return Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul and arrived back in Türkiye on Monday afternoon.
It was not immediately clear why Artan was barred from entering the U.S. at Miami International Airport, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Reports indicated that Artan was denied entry despite holding the necessary travel documents and visa. The decision is believed to be linked to entry restrictions imposed on Somali citizens. He is expected to return to Somalia on Tuesday.
“Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Artan had a valid visa for the U.S., Abshir said. He has flown back to Istanbul, where he has been staying.
“Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play,” Abshir added.
Artan was among the 52 referees announced by FIFA to officiate at the June-July World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
He has officiated in Somalia’s national league since becoming a FIFA referee in 2018 and has steadily risen through the ranks of African football officiating.
Artan also worked at the 2023 African Cup of Nations finals in Algeria and was named the Confederation of African Football’s men’s referee of the year in 2025.
Somalia’s president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, praised Artan in April after he made history by becoming the first Somali selected to officiate at a World Cup finals tournament.
“I commend the effort, professionalism, and integrity shown by referee Omar, as he has become a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis,” Mohamud said.
A Somali referee on course to become the first official from the Horn of Africa nation to work at a FIFA World Cup finals tournament has been refused entry to the United States, casting uncertainty over a landmark moment for Somali football.
It was not immediately clear why Artan was barred from entering the U.S. at Miami International Airport, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration.
“Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, told AFP.
Artan had a valid visa for the U.S., Abshir said. He has flown back to Istanbul, where he has been staying.
“Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play,” Abshir added.
Artan was among the 52 referees announced by FIFA to officiate at the June-July World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
He has been officiating in the Somali national football league championships since he became a FIFA referee in 2018.
He has also officiated at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Algeria, and in 2025 he was named by the Confederation of African Football as men’s referee of the year.
Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised Artan in April after he made history as the first Somalian to be selected to officiate at the World Cup finals.
“I commend the effort, professionalism, and integrity shown by referee Omar, as he has become a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis,” said Mohamud.
Fenerbahçe entered a new political and sporting era on Sunday as longtime former president Aziz Yıldırım won a decisive return to power in the club’s extraordinary general assembly election, a result quickly followed by official congratulations from Türkiye’s government.
Yıldırım defeated challenger Hakan Safi by 17,245 votes to 9,927, according to official figures announced at the congress.
The election saw record participation, with more than 27,000 valid ballots cast from roughly 44,700 eligible members, underscoring both the scale of engagement and the depth of division within the membership.
The vote was held in and around the stadium complex in Kadıköy, Istanbul, concluding a turbulent period in which Fenerbahçe underwent multiple leadership changes while continuing its long search for a Süper Lig title.
The result restores Yıldırım to the presidency eight years after he stepped down, closing a cycle of instability that defined recent club politics.
Yıldırım previously led Fenerbahçe from 1998 to 2018, one of the longest tenures in Turkish football.
His era brought six league titles, sustained European runs including UEFA Champions League quarterfinal and Europa League semifinal appearances, and major infrastructure upgrades that modernized the club’s facilities and operations.
After his departure, the club entered a period of rapid turnover.
Ali Koç assumed the presidency in 2018 with promises of transformation and investment but failed to deliver a league title, increasing pressure from supporters.
In 2025, Sadettin Saran briefly took over after another extraordinary election, but his short tenure, shaped by legal disputes, lasted less than a year before renewed pressure forced another vote.
The 2026 contest reflected sharply different visions.
Yıldırım campaigned on stability, financial discipline and institutional continuity, presenting himself as a corrective to years of escalating ambition without domestic success.
Safi promoted an aggressive sporting project built on high-profile transfer targets and rapid squad overhaul, though several of the rumored deals were disputed in football circles.
The result delivered a clear mandate for Yıldırım, who won by a wide margin and immediately reclaimed leadership of one of Türkiye’s most influential sports institutions.
Shortly after the result was confirmed, Türkiye’s Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak issued an official congratulatory message.
He said he congratulated Yıldırım on his election as president at the extraordinary general assembly and wished success to both him and his board in their duties, marking early state-level recognition of the new administration.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) also extended formal congratulations, reflecting the significance of the leadership change within the national football structure.
The TFF praised Yıldırım and his incoming board and wished them success in their term.
Among supporters, reactions remained divided between those who associate Yıldırım with a successful past era and those who view the club’s recurring leadership changes as evidence of deeper structural issues.
Christian Eriksen is in stable condition in hospital and expected to be discharged soon after collapsing during Denmark’s abandoned friendly against Ukraine in Odense on Sunday, an incident that reignited global concern about the veteran midfielder’s heart condition nearly five years after his 2021 cardiac arrest.
The 34-year-old midfielder, currently with VfL Wolfsburg, fell to the turf in the 65th minute at Nature Energy Park after appearing to clutch his chest while the ball was out of play.
Medical staff rushed in within seconds as teammates from both Denmark national football team and Ukraine national football team formed a protective circle around him to shield the scene from cameras and preserve his privacy during treatment.
Eriksen regained consciousness shortly after receiving on-field care and was able to walk off the pitch with assistance before being taken by ambulance to Odense University Hospital.
The referee abandoned the match shortly afterward, with players from both sides later standing together in a show of solidarity as the stadium was cleared.
Denmark team doctor Morten Boesen, who also treated Eriksen during his 2021 collapse, delivered an early update on Monday confirming the midfielder was conscious, stable and “doing well under the circumstances.”
Boesen said Eriksen had already been in contact with family and medical staff and was expected to return home soon, though he stressed that a full medical evaluation was still underway to determine what triggered the episode.
While doctors have not confirmed the cause, early speculation within medical circles suggests Eriksen’s implanted cardioverter-defibrillator may have activated as designed.
The device, fitted after his 2021 cardiac arrest, continuously monitors heart rhythm and can deliver a shock if a dangerous irregularity is detected. Officials have not verified whether it played a role in Sunday’s incident.
The collapse immediately revived memories of June 2021, when Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s European Championship opener against Finland in Copenhagen.
He was resuscitated on the pitch and later fitted with the device that allowed him to return to professional football after more than six months away from the game.
His comeback took him from Brentford FC to Manchester United FC, where he became an important midfield presence and added domestic trophies before moving to Wolfsburg in 2025.
He also reestablished himself as a key figure for Denmark, featuring at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 despite the long shadow of his health history.
Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg said the reaction on the field was immediate and disciplined, describing how players quickly recognized the seriousness of the situation and allowed medical staff to take control. Coach Brian Riemer, who previously worked with Eriksen at Brentford, called the episode “extremely shocking,” adding that his personal connection to the midfielder made the moment especially difficult.
Outside the stadium, messages of support poured in from across football and Danish public life. Denmark’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen said she was relieved Eriksen was in stable condition and extended her thoughts to his family and teammates.
Former striker Nicklas Bendtner described the scene as distressing but said Eriksen walking off the pitch offered a measure of reassurance amid uncertainty. Even so, the incident has renewed broader discussion around cardiac screening in elite sport and the long-term risks for athletes competing with implanted heart devices.
As of Monday, Eriksen remains under observation in hospital. No timeline has been set for a return to football, and discussions involving his medical team, club officials, and national federation are expected once test results provide a clearer picture of his condition.
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