Latest news with #GeorgeWeah
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. Soccer Star Dishes On 'Weird' Oval Office Moment With Donald Trump
U.S. Men's National Soccer Team star Timothy Weah has opened up about what he described as the 'weird' experience of standing behind Donald Trump in the Oval Office while the president fielded questions on the Iran-Israel war and attacked the idea of transgender women competing in women's sports. Weah was at the White House with his Juventus teammates on Wednesday as part of a promotional event for the FIFA Club World Cup, ahead of the Italian side's 5-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates' Al-Ain FC. Advertisement Trump invited questions from reporters about the game and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the U.S. will host alongside Mexico and Canada. But the Juventus players stood uncomfortably behind POTUS as he instead answered queries about the more pressing political questions of the day. Weah, the son of former Liberian soccer star-turned-former president George Weah, later told reporters that the players had been made to attend the event. 'They told us that we have to go and I had no choice but to go,' he explained, reported The Athletic. 'I was caught by surprise, honestly. It was a bit weird,' he added. 'When he started talking about the politics with Iran and everything, it's kind of like, I just want to play football, man.' Related...
France 24
13-06-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Club World Cup marks 'new era' for football: Infantino
In an interview with AFP, Infantino also took aim at critics of FIFA's ticketing policy and said that skeptics who had questioned the need for the tournament would quickly change their minds. The 32-team competition, with clubs from all continents, gets under way with Inter Miami facing Egyptian club Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium. "It starts a new era of football, a new era of club football. A little bit like when, in 1930, the first World Cup, right, started," Infantino told AFP. "Everyone today speaks about the very first World Cup. That's why it's also, this World Cup here is historic." The first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930 and Infantino noted that only European and South American teams took part, adding that the Club World Cup would give a chance to clubs from outside of football's traditional heartlands to play on the global stage. "We want to be inclusive. We want to give opportunities to clubs from all over the world," he said. "It's really to globalise football, to make it truly, truly global. Because when you scratch the surface, we say it's the number one sport in the world, and it is but then the elite is very concentrated in very few clubs, in very few countries," he said. The Swiss official, who was general secretary of European body UEFA before taking the helm at FIFA in 2016, said that the club tournament also offered chances to players from over 80 countries. "Countries who would never have a chance to play in a World Cup are suddenly part of a World Cup and they feel to be part of it, the fans of these players and of these clubs," added Infantino, who noted several great players of the past who never played in a World Cup, "A very good friend of mine is George legend, great player, Ballon d'Or winner, only African player who ever won the Ballon d'Or, by the way. He never played in a World Cup. He would have been playing in a Club World Cup and made not only his club and also his country proud," he added. 'Something special' Infantino dismissed concerns that the tournament added to fixture congestion but acknowledged that some fans were yet to be sure of the value of the tournament, saying though that would quickly change. "I believe, I'm convinced that, you know, as soon as the ball starts rolling, the whole world will realise what is happening here. It's something special," he said. Reports of low uptake of tickets for same games has led to criticism of FIFA's ticketing policy with 'dynamic pricing', increasingly common in the United States, allowing for prices to rise and fall according to demand. But Infantino defended the approach and the decision to offer heavy discounts to students in Miami. "I'm a positive person generally, but they criticise FIFA if the prices are too high, then they criticise FIFA if the prices are too low. "Then they criticise FIFA if we make ticketing promotions with students. Students! I mean, when I was a student and I didn't have money, I would have loved FIFA to come to me and say, you want to come and watch a World Cup match?" "We don't want to see empty stadiums. I believe the stadiums will be pretty full," he said. The FIFA president said that the tournament, which secured a global broadcasting deal with DAZN reported to be worth $1 billion, was already an economic success and stressed that all the money generated from commercial deals would be ploughed back into the game. Asked how he would judge whether the tournament had been a success, Infantino said he would feel it in his 'heart' but said he was confident. "In terms of inclusivity, in terms of economy, in terms of fan interest, you take all of these criteria, we'll speak again at the end of the club World Cup, but already now, I (feel positive), when I look at the number of tickets sold, and I look at the TV rights," he said, noting that the games were available on DAZN's streams for free. "Tell me one top competition today, where you can watch football for free?" he asked. The Club World Cup has also been caught up in the US's fierce debates over immigration control with games being held near Los Angeles, scenes of violent clashes between protestors and immigration officers. "Security for me and for us is a top priority, always. So when something is happening, like in Los Angeles we are obviously monitoring the situation, we are in constant contact with the authorities, we want fans to go in games in a safe environment," he said.
The Guardian
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
From Dembélé to Salah: six contenders in an open race for men's Ballon d'Or
George Weah remains the only African to win the prize and the Liverpool forward's form in the past year has put him in a similar bracket to the Liberian. 'The Egyptian King' scored 29 goals and assisted a further 18 to lead the Reds to the Premier League title, but he could not take them further than the last 16 in the Champions League. Arne Slot played Salah in every league match, a sign of his importance and his stupendous fitness. 'He's had very, very, very good seasons at Liverpool but this one probably stands out in terms of numbers,' Arne Slot said of Salah's Ballon d'Or chances. 'If there's ever a chance for him, it would be this season. If not, then he's going to try to push even harder next season'. Turning 33 in mid-June, this might be Salah's final chance to achieve the highest personal accolade in the game, even if his head coach thinks otherwise. Finally, at 28, the forward is fulfilling his promise and filling his mantelpiece with shiny trinkets in the process. Dembélé's career was on the slide when he moved to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2023, but back in France he has looked more comfortable. Luis Enrique, a former Barcelona manager, is getting the best out of him, even after dropping the France international for disciplinary reasons in October. His pace and skill have traumatised defenders alongside that of Désiré Doué – this year's vote might come too early for the talented teenager – across the continent and helped PSG secure a historic first Champions League triumph to complete the treble. Dembélé makes beating defenders look easy, scoring 21 goals in 29 Ligue 1 appearances in the process. Having started the season in Naples, the Georgian can boast the rare feat of winning two domestic titles – Serie A and Ligue 1 – in the same year. Oh and he lifted the Champions League. Not bad for a lad who used to play for Rustavi. Everyone has known about Kvaratskhelia's qualities for a long time; that ability to breeze past players, going left and right, while possessing a vicious strike to test the fingers of any goalkeeper. The son of a former international – although his father Badri played for Azerbaijan – Kvaratskhelia's path to stardom may not have taken the most direct route. The 24-year-old played three seasons in Russia before Napoli came calling. Kvaratskhelia made a difference when it mattered for PSG in Europe, taking them to the extra level they struggled to find in the league stage. Remember that bloke who once saved Leeds from relegation? Well, he is now a serious contender for the Ballon d'Or, which is an especially strange thing to consider given 12 months ago Barcelona would have quite happily waved the Brazilian off into the sunset in the hope of getting some much-needed cash. Hansi Flick always wanted Raphinha to stay because he appreciated the 28-year-old's qualities. and he has become an influential on-pitch figure at Barcelona. A goal every other league game - and 34 in all competitions - was a key reason behind Barça becoming La Liga champions for a 28th time, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League. And Raphinha, used predominantly on the left-wing, will for ever be a hero in Barcelona after scoring two goals in last month's 4-3 clásico win over Real Madrid. There are few guarantees in life but if Lamine Yamal does not win the Ballon d'Or this year then he will definitely do so in the future, and almost certainly many times. The 17-year-old is a generational talent, already laden with medals and personal awards. Last summer it was the European Championship; this season the Copa del Rey and La Liga. 'He has no ceiling,' Raphinha said of his teammate. 'He can go as far as he wants. It all depends on him. He has quality, commitment and works hard.' No one wants to play against the prodigy who has a knack for cutting in from the right and finding the top corner, leaving a trail of shellshocked defenders in his wake. Currently listed at 50/1 by some bookmakers, Mbappé retains plenty of admirers. The Frenchman came sixth at the ceremony last year and none of those who finished above him are in contention this time. Admittedly, his first year at Real Madrid can be classed as forgettable. Mbappé won the Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup but losing out to Barcelona in La Liga and being brushed aside by Arsenal in the Champions League does not do much for egos in the Spanish capital. The goals flew in for Mbappé, with the 26-year-old scoring 31 times in 34 league appearances, but when it mattered in Europe, he did not produce what was required.
BBC News
13-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Liberia anti-corruption: President Boakai suspends top officials for non-declaration of assets
Liberian President Joseph Boakai has suspended more than 450 top government officials, including ministers, for failing to declare their assets to the anti-corruption will be off work without pay for a month or "until they submit the required declarations", according to the said that the officials had contravened the code of conduct for state officials by not being transparent about what they president, who had pledged to fight corruption when he came into office last year, said failure to comply undermined efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability. Among those suspended include the ministers for education and health, as well as the special envoys for tourism and also include officials working for the Executive Mansion, the official residence of the president, and county administrative law requires all public officers to declare their wealth before taking up their posts and when they leave positions in Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) published the list of all the 457 affected public officials, noting it was doing so as prescribed by who pledged to fight corruption when he came into office last year, said failure to comply undermined efforts to combat corruption and ensure is Liberian President Joseph Boakai?"Public officials are reminded that asset declaration is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental measure to promote transparency and restore public trust in governmental institution," he said in a July, the president announced that he was reducing his salary by 40%, saying he hoped to set a precedent for "responsible governance" and demonstrate "solidarity" with government of his predecessor, George Weah, had faced accusations of corruption and lavish spending, sparking mass protests amid a rise in the cost of Wednesday, some of the suspended officials visited the anti-corruption commission offices in order to comply with the has been mixed reaction over the president's move. Political analyst Abdullah Kiatamba was quoted by Liberian newspaper FrontPage Africa as being supportive of the president's anti-corruption stance, but raised concerns about the challenges some officials faced in submitting their asset society group Solidarity and Trust for a New Day described Boakai's move as insufficient."Suspending these officials for just one month is a meaningless, symbolic gesture - a slap on the wrist that no serious person should take seriously," it said in a statement. Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
