Sports
Iran Hits Back at Trump Over World Cup Remarks
A dispute has emerged over Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after US President Donald Trump suggested it would not be appropriate for the Iranian team to take part because of safety concerns.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that Iran would technically be “welcome” at the tournament but questioned whether the team should attend.
“The Iran national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” he wrote.
However, a message posted on the Iranian team’s official Telegram channel pushed back strongly against the comments, arguing that the decision lies with FIFA rather than any individual host nation.
The statement suggested that if security concerns exist, then the host country should reconsider its role instead.
“Certainly, no-one can remove the Iranian national team from the World Cup,” the message said.
“Rather, the country that should be removed is the one that merely carries the title of host but does not have the ability to ensure security for the teams participating in this event.”
The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with matches scheduled to begin on 11 June.
Iran are currently scheduled to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, before facing Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
The uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation follows recent military escalation involving the United States and Israel, which carried out strikes on Iran earlier this month that reportedly killed the country’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran later responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and several Gulf states hosting US military bases, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Earlier in the week, Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, said Trump had told him Iran would still be “welcome to compete” at the World Cup.
But Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, suggested his country might reconsider taking part.
Speaking to the IRIB Sports Network, he said: “Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup.
“Our boys are not safe, and conditions for participation do not exist.”
Despite those remarks, Iran has not formally withdrawn from the tournament and appears determined to make its own decision on whether to participate.
If Iran ultimately decides to withdraw from what would be its fourth consecutive World Cup appearance, FIFA regulations allow the governing body to select a replacement team, although it remains unclear which nation could take that place.
Sports
Cyclist killed at Worlds not found for 82 minutes
An investigation into the death of Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer has found she was not discovered for 82 minutes after crashing during the 2024 UCI Road World Championships in Zurich.
The 18-year-old died after leaving the road in wet conditions during the junior road race and crashing into a wooded area near her hometown. According to the Zurich Public Prosecutors’ Office, the accident occurred out of sight of race officials, spectators, and support vehicles.
Investigators said Furrer lay hidden in undergrowth and was not visible from the road, which contributed to the delay in locating her. Her disappearance was not immediately reported, and she was only found more than an hour later before being airlifted to hospital, where she died from a head injury.
Despite the circumstances, prosecutors concluded there was “no evidence of criminal conduct or negligence” by organisers. The race had been overseen by a local committee alongside the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
At the time of the incident, neither GPS tracking nor race radios were permitted in the World Championships—unlike in events such as the Tour de France—a factor that may have delayed the response. Following the tragedy, the UCI introduced GPS tracking for the 2025 championships in Rwanda to monitor riders’ locations in real time.
Cyclists’ union representatives have argued that such safety measures should have been implemented earlier to prevent similar incidents.
The findings come shortly after another serious crash involving British rider Tom Pidcock at the Volta a Catalunya, where he fell into a ravine unnoticed by organisers but was able to communicate with his team via radio.
In tribute, the UCI retired Furrer’s race number—84—from women’s junior road races, honouring her memory as calls continue for improved safety protocols in the sport.
Sports
Ghana sack manager Addo Just 72 days before World Cup
Ghana Football Association has dismissed head coach Otto Addo with just 72 days remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Addo’s departure follows a poor run of results, including a 2-1 defeat to Germany in Stuttgart and a heavy 5-1 loss against Austria in Vienna. The Ghana national football team have now lost their last four matches.
Despite boasting attacking talent such as Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus, Ghana also failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations under Addo’s leadership.
In a statement, the Ghana Football Association confirmed it had “parted ways” with Addo with immediate effect, adding that a new technical direction for the team would be announced soon.
Addo, 50, was born in Germany and spent his entire playing career there, earning 15 caps for Ghana. He had been in his second spell as head coach since March 2024.
The upcoming World Cup—set to be hosted across United States, Canada, and Mexico—will run from 11 June to 19 July.
Ghana’s campaign is scheduled to begin against Panama on 18 June, followed by group matches against England and Croatia.
Sports
Scott Brown Leaves Ayr United Role by Mutual Consent
Scott Brown has stepped down as manager of Ayr United by mutual consent, the Scottish Championship side has confirmed.
The 40-year-old departs Somerset Park alongside assistant Steven Whittaker following a difficult run of nine matches without a win.
Ayr’s form has seen them drop to sixth place in the Scottish Championship after a 3-0 defeat to Raith Rovers, a result that allowed their opponents to overtake them in the standings. The team now sits outside the promotion play-off positions, trailing Dunfermline Athletic by five points, with their rivals also holding a game in hand.
Brown, a former Celtic and Scotland national team midfielder, took charge of Ayr in January 2024. He initially guided the club away from relegation danger before achieving a third-place finish in his first full season. However, recent results have reversed that progress.
Before joining Ayr, Brown began his coaching career at Aberdeen as a player-coach and later managed Fleetwood Town. He was dismissed from Fleetwood in September 2023 after a poor run of results in his second season.
In the interim, training duties at Ayr United have been overseen by veteran winger Jamie Murphy, along with first-team coach Tommy Tait and goalkeeping coach Dave Timmins, as the club prepares to announce a temporary managerial arrangement.
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