US Consulate in Toronto targeted in second shooting

ZURICH: A major controversy has emerged within FIFA after senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest over a proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup, warning that the move could damage the long-term future of global football. According to international media reports, Cordeiro stepped down from his role as senior adviser to FIFA President Gianni Infantino after voicing strong opposition to the plan. He described the proposal as being against the interests of football and FIFA’s 211 member associations. The controversial proposal involves the creation of a new subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise, reportedly valued at around $20 billion. Under the plan, the company would manage the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup and other major tournaments, with up to 20% of its shares potentially being sold to outside investors. Cordeiro stressed that he had no role in developing the proposal and made it clear that he strongly opposed it. He argued that FIFA is already in a strong financial position, holding billions of dollars in reserves and carrying no debt. He questioned the logic of selling a permanent stake in one of football’s most valuable assets for an estimated $4.2 billion, saying such a decision could have lasting consequences for the sport. The proposal is expected to be reviewed by FIFA’s 211 member associations, which have until September 19 to decide whether to support the plan. Cordeiro also warned that introducing external investors into the commercial structure of the World Cup could weaken FIFA’s long-term control over its flagship tournament and create challenges for future generations of the game. The resignation has intensified debate over the future management of football’s biggest global event, with critics urging FIFA to protect the World Cup’s commercial independence while supporters argue that new investment could unlock fresh opportunities for the sport. The outcome of the upcoming vote is expected to shape the future financial direction of world football.

Fourteen cities across Australia and New Zealand have expressed interest in hosting matches during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028, highlighting strong enthusiasm for the tournament that will be jointly staged by the two neighboring nations. Tournament organizers invited cities to submit bids for hosting rights, and a total of 14 cities responded with proposals to stage matches during the global event. However, only eight to ten cities are expected to be selected as official host venues, meaning several bidding cities will ultimately miss out. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 is scheduled to take place during October and November and will mark another major cricket event jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Both countries have extensive experience organizing ICC tournaments and are expected to provide world-class venues and infrastructure for teams and fans. According to reports, organizers will evaluate each bid based on the International Cricket Council’s hosting guidelines. A key factor in the selection process will be logistics, with officials aiming to create a tournament schedule that minimizes unnecessary travel while ensuring smooth operations throughout the competition. The governing body is expected to prioritize a balanced distribution of venues that allows teams to move efficiently between matches without excessive travel. A more compact tournament structure is also expected to improve scheduling, simplify event management, and provide a better experience for supporters traveling across both countries. Reducing the number of host cities is seen as an important part of the planning process. With Australia and New Zealand separated by the Tasman Sea and both countries covering vast geographical areas, organizers are seeking to strike the right balance between showcasing multiple regions and maintaining practical travel arrangements. Officials believe that selecting fewer venues will help streamline tournament operations, reduce travel demands for participating teams, and make it easier for fans to follow their favorite sides throughout the competition. The bidding process also reflects the continued popularity of international cricket in both nations. Many cities view hosting World Cup matches as an opportunity to attract visitors, boost local tourism, and generate significant economic activity through hotels, restaurants, transportation, and entertainment. Meanwhile, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is expected to host the final of the 2028 T20 World Cup. The iconic stadium has a rich history of staging major international cricket events and is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most prestigious venues. If confirmed, the MCG would once again provide the stage for the tournament’s biggest match. The final list of host cities is expected to be announced after organizers complete their evaluation of the bids and finalize venue arrangements in line with ICC requirements. Once confirmed, preparations will begin for upgrading facilities, coordinating logistics, and developing match schedules ahead of the tournament. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 is expected to feature the world’s leading cricket nations and attract thousands of traveling fans, making it one of the biggest sporting events on the international cricket calendar. With significant interest from host cities and careful planning underway, Australia and New Zealand are preparing to deliver another memorable edition of the tournament.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s hockey team suffered a disappointing defeat against India in the group stage of the Asian Five-a-Side Hockey Tournament after a serious mistake by the team management resulted in a breach of tournament rules. During the match, Pakistan mistakenly fielded six players instead of the permitted five. In Five-a-Side Hockey, each team is allowed to have only five players on the field at any given time. The error was spotted by match officials, who immediately informed the umpires. After the violation was identified, the umpires ordered two Pakistani players to leave the field. The decision left Pakistan with only three players on the pitch for a short period as a penalty for the rules breach. India took full advantage of Pakistan’s numerical disadvantage. Playing with fewer players made it difficult for Pakistan to defend and maintain possession, allowing India to dominate the game during that phase. The Indian team eventually secured victory in the group-stage encounter. The defeat has been linked to the management’s mistake rather than the players’ performance on the field. The incident has raised concerns over the handling of team operations and compliance with tournament regulations during an important international competition. Five-a-Side Hockey follows strict rules regarding the number of players on the field. Any violation can result in immediate penalties that may significantly affect the outcome of a match. Officials acted quickly after noticing the extra player, ensuring that tournament regulations were enforced. Despite the setback, both Pakistan and India have qualified for the final of the Asian Five-a-Side Hockey Tournament. The two rivals are set to meet once again in the title clash later today. The final will give Pakistan an opportunity to recover from the earlier defeat and compete for the championship. The team will also aim to avoid the costly mistakes that affected its performance in the group-stage match. Hockey fans will be hoping for a disciplined display as Pakistan looks to avenge its earlier loss and challenge India for the tournament trophy.