Delhi court gives Tahir Hussain life sentence

ROSARIO: Lionel Messi has cast fresh doubt over his football future following the death of his father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi, saying he is unsure whether he can continue playing for “much longer.” The Argentina superstar, 39, shared an emotional message after returning to the United States following his father’s funeral, describing Jorge as a central figure in both his personal life and extraordinary football career. “I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on,” Messi wrote, admitting that he now has “serious doubts” about continuing his career. Jorge Messi died last week at the age of 68. His absence was particularly painful for Lionel because his father had repeatedly encouraged him to compete at another World Cup. The pair had hoped Jorge would watch Messi play in the tournament, but his health deteriorated shortly before the competition began. Messi said he kept believing Argentina could reach the final and hoped his father would eventually be able to travel and watch him. Argentina did reach the final, but Messi’s team lost 1-0 to Spain in New Jersey. Messi scored eight goals during the tournament and was once again at the centre of his country’s campaign. Yet the tournament was overshadowed by his father’s declining health. “Every time a match ended I waited for and missed your message,” Messi recalled, explaining how he gradually realised how serious the situation had become. After the final, Messi returned to Rosario to spend time with his family. He said his father initially believed Argentina had lost the final on penalties and was unable to fully experience the tournament because of his condition. Despite the heartbreak, Messi remembered how much his father had contributed to his career. Jorge was not only his agent but also his first coach and one of his strongest supporters. When Barcelona invited the 13-year-old Messi to Spain in 2000, Jorge left Argentina and moved with his son, helping him pursue his football dream. He later managed Messi’s career through major moves involving Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. “You were a father, a friend, and an agent,” Messi wrote. For now, Messi’s future remains uncertain. His contract with Inter Miami reportedly runs through the end of the 2028 season, but his emotional message suggests that personal loss may force the football icon to reconsider how long he wants to remain on the pitch. For a player who has achieved almost everything in football, the next decision may be his most personal one yet.

FIFA’s internal tensions have deepened after senior executive Kevin Lamour left the organisation, weeks after publicly criticising President Gianni Infantino’s controversial plan to sell part of the governing body’s commercial rights. FIFA confirmed on Monday that Lamour’s working relationship with the organisation had ended on August 17, bringing an abrupt close to the tenure of a senior official who had once been part of Infantino’s inner circle. “FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer has ended,” a FIFA spokesperson said. The organisation thanked Lamour for his service but offered no further explanation. Lamour joined FIFA’s senior leadership team in November 2024. He had previously supported Infantino’s campaign for the FIFA presidency in 2016. His departure comes after he openly attacked a proposal to create a commercial subsidiary worth around $20 billion and sell as much as a 20% stake to private equity investors. The plan was designed to raise an estimated $4.2 billion. Lamour criticised the proposal last month, saying FIFA employees had been “deceived” about the plan and describing it as “the project of one person”. He also questioned whether FIFA’s leadership was putting personal interests ahead of football’s wider interests. The controversy intensified after Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, resigned in protest and described the proposed deal as a bad arrangement for football. Infantino subsequently withdrew the proposal. However, the backlash has continued and has increasingly raised questions about Infantino’s bid for a fourth term as FIFA president. Infantino’s Reelection Faces Growing Opposition Infantino’s reelection, once widely regarded as almost certain, now faces a stronger challenge. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have all expressed concerns and recently called for an independent review of Infantino’s conduct. At the same time, several national football associations have questioned whether they should support another term. The Scottish Football Association has already said it will not back Infantino in next year’s election. The dispute has also moved into FIFA’s governance structures. Human rights organisation FairSquare has asked FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee to rule Infantino ineligible for another presidential term, arguing that FIFA’s rules limit presidents to three terms. Infantino, however, has maintained that his initial period in office from 2016 to 2019 should not count because he completed an interrupted mandate following the resignation of former president Sepp Blatter. He was elected in 2016 and subsequently won uncontested elections in 2019 and 2023. FairSquare director Nicholas McGeehan said the organisation’s complaint presented evidence of what he described as a breach of FIFA’s rules. Former FIFA Governance and Review Committee head Miguel Maduro also backed the complaint, arguing that term limits were a central part of reforms introduced to prevent excessive concentration of power. The dispute now places FIFA under increasing scrutiny ahead of next year’s presidential election. While Infantino retains support from the African and South American confederations, opposition from influential football bodies in Europe, Asia and North and Central America could make his path to another term considerably more difficult. With Lamour’s departure adding to the controversy surrounding FIFA’s leadership, pressure on Infantino is likely to remain intense as football’s governing body approaches a crucial election year.

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has revealed that one of Wasim Akram’s greatest World Cup performances is motivating him as the Proteas prepare for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup on home soil. Rabada, speaking at the official World Cup 2027 venue and brand announcement event in Johannesburg, acknowledged that hosting cricket’s biggest tournament brings an added sense of responsibility. However, the experienced pacer said he prefers to view home advantage as an opportunity rather than a burden. “I think there’s a lot more to it at the moment with us hosting it,” Rabada said. Rather than feeling pressured to deliver a title in front of home supporters, the 31-year-old wants South Africa to embrace the occasion and protect what he described as their “fortress”. “For me, it’s about representing the badge,” Rabada said, stressing the pride that comes with playing a World Cup in front of South African fans. The fast bowler also looked back at the 1992 World Cup final, identifying Pakistan great Wasim Akram’s devastating spell against England as one of the tournament moments he remembers most vividly. Akram changed the final with two remarkable deliveries that removed Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis in successive balls, helping Pakistan seize control before eventually lifting the trophy. For Rabada, the performance represented everything he admires about fast bowling: pace, skill, intensity and the ability to rise to the biggest occasion. “He was fast, had so much skill, and just had this presence, this heightened energy about him,” Rabada recalled. The South African pacer hopes his team can create a similarly memorable moment in 2027. South Africa have repeatedly shown the ability to reach the latter stages of major ICC tournaments but have struggled to convert those appearances into a world title. Rabada believes that barrier is no longer psychological. “We’ve shown that we can go and play in finals and in the semi-finals,” he said. The remaining challenge, he added, is taking that final step. With the 2027 World Cup set to be staged across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, Rabada and his teammates will have a major opportunity to write their own chapter in cricket history. And if Rabada can channel even a little of Akram’s 1992 magic, South African fans may have plenty to celebrate.