ZURICH (BN24) — Ivorian football legend Didier Drogba and former Nigerian international Mercy Akide have been appointed to a 16-member FIFA panel aimed at combating racism and discrimination in football.
The newly formed “Players’ Voice” panel includes 14 former players from 14 FIFA member associations across all six global football confederations. FIFA announced the appointment of Akide, a veteran of three Women’s World Cups, on Friday via its official social media channels.
The 50-year-old Akide, who is regarded as one of Africa’s top female footballers, will serve alongside Liberia’s president and former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah. Other notable African football icons named to the panel include Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor and Senegal’s Khalilou Fadiga.
The global roster also includes former international stars such as Iván Córdoba (Colombia), Formiga (Brazil), Jessica Houara (France), Maia Jackman (New Zealand), Sun Jihai (China), Blaise Matuidi (France), Aya Miyama (Japan), Lotta Schelin (Sweden), Briana Scurry (United States), Mikaël Silvestre (France), and Juan Pablo Sorín (Argentina).
FIFA’s statement said the panel’s primary role would be to raise awareness of anti-racism measures through education in their respective regions, shed light on the personal and professional toll of racial abuse, and offer practical advice on how to tackle discrimination in football.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed confidence that the diverse experiences of the former players would enhance the global fight against racism. “These 16 panel members will support education at all levels of the game and promote new ideas for lasting change,” Infantino said in the statement. “They will further push for a shift in football culture, making sure measures to counter racism are not just talked about, but actioned, both on and off the pitch.”
He also stressed that racism in football is not just an issue of sportsmanship but a societal issue that must be addressed. “Let’s be clear on this: Racism and discrimination are not simply wrong – they are crimes. All incidents of racism, whether in stadiums or online, must be fully punished both by football and across society,” Infantino added.
The Players’ Voice panel was established as part of FIFA’s broader initiative against racism, a key pillar of its global stand on the issue, which was unanimously adopted during the 74th FIFA Congress last year. Racism continues to be a pervasive problem in football, with high-profile incidents still emerging in major leagues worldwide.
COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. (BN24) — A devastating house fire in North Carolina claimed the lives of four young sisters early Saturday morning, leaving two other girls to escape and call for help. The fire, which broke out around 2:30 a.m. on August 30, engulfed the home on North Colony Road, claiming the lives of children aged 2 to 7.
According to Columbus County Fire Marshal Shannon Blackman, there were no adults present at the time of the blaze. Two 12-year-old girls, one of whom was a sister of the deceased, managed to escape the flames. They quickly called 911, alerting authorities, and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, along with a Chadbourn Rescue team, responded within minutes.
However, by the time first responders arrived, the house was already fully engulfed in flames, and attempts to enter the home to rescue the trapped children were unsuccessful. Columbus County Sheriff Bill Rogers explained that the fire’s intensity made it impossible for emergency crews to enter the house safely.
“Due to the severity of the fire, it was not possible to make a safe entry into the home,” Rogers said in a statement. “It was a tragic, heartbreaking scene.”
The community has been rocked by the loss, as the family is well known locally. The victims — identified as Kendall, Kalani, Josie, and Sophia — have left a profound impact on those who knew them. Reagan Powers, the girls’ mother, has been named in reports as the grieving parent.
In the wake of this unimaginable tragedy, two Columbus County residents have launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the family. “It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the tragic loss of Kendall, Kalani, Josie, and Sophia, who passed away in a house fire,” Ansley Hayes and B. Tyler Grainger wrote in a heartfelt message.
The fundraiser describes the four girls as bringing “immense joy and love” to their family and those fortunate enough to know them. Many in the community have expressed their sorrow and support as the family processes this profound loss.
As the investigation into the cause of the fire continues, the community is left to mourn the tragic deaths of these young girls, while offering comfort and assistance to the survivors. The GoFundMe campaign continues to collect donations to help the family through this heartbreaking time.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (BN24) — The United States has deployed F-35 stealth fighter jets to Puerto Rico amid reports that the Trump administration is considering military strikes on drug cartels operating inside Venezuela. The deployment of 10 advanced jets is part of a broader operation against Latin American cartels that the U.S. has designated as “narco-terrorist” organizations.
The move signals a potential escalation in U.S. efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region. According to reports, the Trump administration is weighing direct attacks on trafficking groups within Venezuela, a decision that would sharply increase tensions with President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
Maduro has urged Washington to abandon any plans for “violent regime change” and to respect Venezuela’s sovereignty. He warned that any military action would trigger an “armed struggle” and vowed to mobilize the country’s 340,000 soldiers along with millions of militia members and reservists. President Donald Trump, however, has denied pursuing regime change, questioning the legitimacy of Venezuela’s last presidential election.
The F-35 deployment adds to a significant U.S. military buildup in the southern Caribbean, which includes at least seven warships, thousands of Marines, and a nuclear-powered submarine positioned near Venezuelan waters. On Thursday, the Pentagon accused Venezuela of a “highly provocative” act after two Venezuelan F-16 jets reportedly flew near the U.S. guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham. In response, Trump authorized U.S. forces to shoot down any Venezuelan jets that pose a threat.
This latest military escalation follows a U.S. strike earlier in the week, when American forces destroyed a speedboat in the Caribbean allegedly belonging to Tren de Aragua, a criminal group operating out of Venezuela. Trump said 11 people were killed in the attack, while Caracas condemned the incident as an “extrajudicial killing.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the aggressive approach, arguing that drug cartels pose a direct threat to national security. “What will stop them is when you blow them up, when you get rid of them,” Rubio said during a visit to Mexico.
PARIS (BN24) — Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) manager Luis Enrique will undergo surgery after suffering a fractured collarbone in a cycling accident, the club confirmed on Friday.
The 53-year-old Spaniard was involved in a crash while riding his bike and was quickly attended to by emergency services. Scans revealed the collarbone injury, but doctors have ruled out any further complications, according to the club’s statement.
“Following a bicycle fall that occurred this Friday, Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique was attended to by emergency services and will undergo surgery for a fractured collarbone,” PSG said on social media platform X. “Paris Saint-Germain wishes to express its full support to Luis Enrique and wishes him a speedy recovery. The club will communicate further information shortly,” the statement continued.
PSG’s next match is against Lens in Ligue 1 on September 14, followed by their Champions League opener against Atalanta just three days later.
Enrique, who joined PSG in 2023, has already achieved considerable success with the club, winning two Ligue 1 titles, two French Cups, and the UEFA Champions League. He also led PSG to a FIFA Club World Cup final appearance. Despite his setback, the Spanish manager’s influence at the club remains pivotal as PSG continue their pursuit of domestic and international glory.
RABAT, Morocco (BN24) — Morocco became the first African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday, September 5, after a dominant 5-0 victory over 10-man Niger in Rabat. The win secured Morocco the top spot in Group E and ensured their place in next year’s tournament.
Ismael Saibari was the standout performer for Morocco, scoring twice in the first half after Niger’s Abdul-Latif Goumey was sent off. In the second half, Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi each added goals to complete the emphatic victory.
The win was Morocco’s sixth consecutive victory in the qualifiers, moving them to 18 points, eight clear of Tanzania. With two matches still to play, Morocco has sealed their seventh World Cup appearance.
The Atlas Lions are looking to build on their historic run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals, defeating Spain and Portugal before falling to France. Only Ounahi, one of the scorers in Friday’s match, participated in Qatar, as coach Walid Regragui has refreshed the squad with new talents, including PSV Eindhoven’s Saibari.
Elsewhere in Africa’s World Cup qualifying matches, Egypt defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in Cairo. Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush scored late first-half penalties to secure the win. Egypt can join Morocco in the 2026 World Cup with a victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday.
In Group B, Yoane Wissa, the new signing for Newcastle United, helped the Democratic Republic of Congo to a 4-1 victory over South Sudan in Juba. Cedric Bakambu scored twice as DR Congo maintained their position at the top of the group. Senegal stayed one point behind after a 2-0 win over Sudan in Diamniadio, with goals from Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr.
South Africa continued their strong showing in Group C, extending their lead to five points with a 3-0 win over Lesotho in Bloemfontein. However, injuries to defenders Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Moloisane have raised concerns ahead of their crucial clash with Nigeria on Tuesday.
Benin secured a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe with a goal from Steve Mounie, while Gambia stunned Kenya 3-1 in Nairobi, with Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh scoring. Guinea won 3-0 against Somalia, with Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy netting his first World Cup qualifying goal. However, Guinea’s qualification hopes are nearly over as they sit eight points behind Group G leaders Algeria.
In the final match of the day, reigning African champions Ivory Coast will face Gabon on Tuesday, September 9, in a key Group F encounter that could decide the group’s winner.
UYO, Nigeria (BN24) — Nigeria revived their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rwanda in a crucial Group C qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday.
The match’s only goal came in the 51st minute when Tolu Arokodare pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area, calmly slotting it past Rwanda’s goalkeeper to give Nigeria a vital lead. The first half had ended goalless, with both sides playing cautiously. Despite Rwanda’s tactical adjustments after the break, Nigeria’s defense, led by Calvin Bassey, held firm throughout the second half.
The Super Eagles were dealt a significant blow in the first half when star striker Victor Osimhen was forced to limp off the field due to an injury. He was replaced by Cyril Dessers. However, Nigeria’s resolve did not falter, and they maintained pressure on Rwanda for the remainder of the match, securing the crucial three points.
The win brings Nigeria to 10 points from 7 matches in Group C, keeping their World Cup qualification dreams alive. Rwanda, on the other hand, remains on 8 points, tightening the race as both teams push for a spot in next year’s tournament.
The result sparked an outpouring of reactions on social media, with fans praising the Super Eagles’ resilience while expressing concern for Osimhen’s injury. The striker’s fitness will be a key factor as Nigeria looks to build on this victory in their upcoming qualifiers.
Looking ahead, the Super Eagles will aim to capitalize on this momentum and continue their push for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
YEREVAN, Armenia (BN24) — Cristiano Ronaldo netted a brace as Portugal cruised to a 5-0 victory over Armenia in their bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The two goals brought Ronaldo’s career tally to 942 goals for both club and country, further solidifying his place as one of football’s greatest goal scorers.
Ronaldo’s remarkable achievement was highlighted by a post from renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, who noted on Sunday via X, “140 international goals, 942 career goals… and counting for Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Before the match, a minute’s silence was observed at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan to honor Portugal’s former international forward Jota, who earned 49 caps for the national team. Banners were displayed around the stadium in tribute to Jota, who passed away recently.
The 40-year-old Ronaldo continues to defy age, adding to his already impressive record. His brace brings him closer to the elusive 1,000-goal milestone, a feat that has never been officially recorded in modern football.
Portugal dominated the match from the outset, with João Félix opening the scoring in the 10th minute. Ronaldo doubled their lead shortly after, converting a cross from Pedro Neto to make it 2-0. João Cancelo celebrated his 3-0 goal by mimicking Jota’s iconic video game celebration, paying further tribute to the former forward.
Ronaldo then extended Portugal’s lead to four shortly after halftime with a stunning long-range strike, hitting a bouncing ball with precision from outside the box. Félix added a second goal to complete the 5-0 scoreline, ensuring Portugal’s dominance in the Group J qualifier.
Ronaldo’s brace not only helped Portugal maintain their perfect start in the World Cup qualifiers but also continued his relentless pursuit of football history as he edges closer to 1,000 career goals—a feat that would forever cement his legendary status.
PARIS (BN24) — Kylian Mbappé has matched Thierry Henry’s record as France’s joint second-highest goalscorer, following his goal in the 82nd minute of Les Bleus’ 2-0 victory over Ukraine in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Friday.
The 26-year-old forward’s strike brought his total to 51 goals for the national team, equaling the tally set by Arsenal legend Henry. Mbappé now sits just behind Olivier Giroud, who remains France’s all-time leading scorer with 57 goals.
Mbappé’s goal capped off a solid team performance that saw France strengthen their position at the top of Group C. Michael Olise had opened the scoring in the 10th minute, putting France in control early on. Ukraine, meanwhile, struggled to break down the French defense and failed to create significant chances throughout the match.
Since making his international debut in 2017, Mbappé has firmly established himself as one of the stars of world football. He announced himself on the global stage at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, scoring four goals—including one in the final against Croatia—as France secured their second World Cup title.
Mbappé’s rise continued in Qatar 2022, where he finished as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, including a remarkable hat-trick in the final against Argentina. His performance in that tournament solidified his status as one of the game’s brightest stars. With Henry’s record now equaled, Mbappé will have the opportunity to move into outright second place on France’s all-time scoring chart when Didier Deschamps’ side faces Georgia in their next qualifier on Tuesday
Juba (BN24) – South Sudan said Saturday it has repatriated to Mexico a man who was mistakenly deported from the United States in July, ending weeks of detention in the East African nation.
The man, identified as Jesus Munoz-Gutierrez, had been among eight deportees held in government custody in Juba since their expulsion from the U.S. Another detainee, a South Sudanese national, was released earlier, while six others remain behind bars.
According to South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry, the repatriation of Munoz-Gutierrez was conducted in coordination with the Mexican Embassy in Ethiopia and carried out “in full accordance with relevant international law, bilateral agreements, and established diplomatic protocols.”
Munoz-Gutierrez told reporters in Juba that he was stunned by the U.S. government’s decision to send him to South Sudan, a country with which he has no ties.
“I felt kidnapped when the U.S. sent me here,” he said. “I was not planning to come to South Sudan, but while I was here they treated me well. I finished my time in the United States, and they were supposed to return me to Mexico. Instead, they wrongfully sent me to South Sudan.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said Munoz-Gutierrez was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison before his deportation.
South Sudanese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Apuk Ayuel Mayen said the government is engaging with other countries to arrange the return of the six remaining deportees. It remains unclear whether those detainees have access to legal representation.
Rights groups condemn U.S. deportation policy Human rights organizations have sharply criticized the Trump administration’s policy of sending migrants to third countries, arguing it violates international law and the fundamental rights of migrants.
The U.S. Supreme Court in June allowed the government to resume the fast-track deportations, even when migrants are sent to countries where they have no nationality, family, or legal ties. The policy has been controversial and challenged in lower courts.
Other African countries have also received deportees from the United States in recent months. In July, Eswatini admitted five deported men with criminal records, while Rwanda confirmed in mid-August that it had accepted a group of seven deportees. Uganda has also taken in migrants under the program.
Munoz-Gutierrez’s return to Mexico highlights both the diplomatic complexities and the human consequences of the U.S. policy, which critics say displaces migrants into unfamiliar and unstable environments without proper safeguards.
SAN FRANCISCO (BN24) — A federal judge delivered a significant blow to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown Friday, blocking the termination of temporary legal protections that allow more than 1 million people from Haiti and Venezuela to live and work in the United States.
U.S. District Judge Edward Chen of San Francisco ruled in favor of plaintiffs challenging Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s decision to revoke protections for approximately 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians under the Temporary Protected Status program.
Chen sharply criticized Noem’s actions, writing that revoking the protections would send migrants back to conditions so dangerous that even the State Department advises against travel to their home countries. The judge characterized the secretary’s decision as arbitrary and capricious, stating she exceeded her authority in ending protections that had been extended by the previous Biden administration.
“Presidential administrations have executed the law for 35 years based on the best available information and in consultation with other agencies, a process that involves careful study and analysis. Until now,” Chen wrote in his ruling.
The decision provides immediate relief to hundreds of thousands of immigrants who faced uncertainty about their legal status. Venezuelan protections had expired in April or were set to expire September 10, while Haitian designations were extended until February following a separate court order from New York.
The ruling represents the latest legal challenge to the second Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies, which have terminated Temporary Protected Status and Humanitarian Parole designations for approximately 1.5 million people according to court documents.
Emi Maclean, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Foundation of Northern California, welcomed the decision, saying people had suffered “unspeakable harm including deportation and family separation” due to what she called the secretary’s discriminatory agenda.
The Department of Homeland Security responded defiantly, with a spokesperson calling the program an abused and politicized “de facto amnesty program.” The department said “unelected activist judges” cannot stop Americans’ desire for border security and vowed to use every legal option to appeal the ruling.
Temporary Protected Status allows the Homeland Security secretary to designate countries whose nationals can remain in the United States when conditions in their homelands are deemed unsafe due to natural disasters, political instability or other dangerous circumstances. The designation prevents deportation and authorizes work permits for terms of six, twelve or eighteen months, with possible extensions.
Millions of Venezuelans have fled their country amid political unrest, mass unemployment and hunger caused by years of hyperinflation, political corruption and economic mismanagement. Haiti was first designated for TPS in 2010 following a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake that killed hundreds of thousands and left over 1 million homeless. The country continues to face widespread hunger and gang violence.
Noem argued that conditions in both countries had improved sufficiently to justify ending the temporary protections, stating it was not in the national interest to continue what she characterized as a temporary program being used for permanent settlement.
The case has followed a complex legal path, including previous appeals to the Supreme Court. In March, Chen initially blocked the administration’s plans to end Venezuelan protections, but the Supreme Court reversed his order in May while the case proceeded, providing no rationale for their emergency decision.
That Supreme Court reversal led to immediate consequences for protected individuals. Court declarations described Venezuelan TPS holders being fired from jobs, separated from children, detained and deported. One restaurant hostess from Indiana was deported to Venezuela in July after appearing for her annual immigration check-in, leaving her husband unable to work while caring for their baby daughter. A FedEx employee was detained for two weeks after appearing at his required check-in in uniform.
“I am not a criminal,” the FedEx employee stated in a court declaration. “Immigrants like myself come to the United States to work hard and contribute, and instead our families and lives are being torn apart.”
Chen noted that the secretary’s action was unprecedented both in the manner and speed of its implementation and violated established law. Government attorneys had argued that the secretary’s broad authority over TPS determinations should not be subject to judicial review.
Last week, a three-judge appeals panel sided with plaintiffs in a related case, ruling that the Republican administration lacked authority to vacate protection extensions granted by the previous administration.
The government is expected to appeal Friday’s ruling, setting up another potential Supreme Court confrontation over the administration’s immigration enforcement priorities. The decision temporarily halts what immigrant advocates describe as one of the most aggressive immigration crackdowns in recent memory.
The ruling affects individuals who have built lives in the United States over years or decades, many with American citizen children and established community ties. Legal advocates argue that sending these populations back to their home countries would create humanitarian crises while separating families and disrupting communities across the United States.
