Sports
England’s Official LGBT+ Fan Group to Boycott 2026 World Cup
England’s official LGBT+ fan group, Three Lions Pride, have released a statement explaining why they will Boycott 2026 World Cup. In the post, they directly criticised FIFA president Gianni Infantino and highlighted concerns over safety in the United States for their members.
With the summer tournament taking place in USA, Mexico and Canada in less than six months, tensions across the US continue to grow. Several issues have sparked major concerns for fans and teams who are set to travel for the competition.
Recently, politician Jurgen Hardt (CDU) claimed that Germany could withdraw from the World Cup. He noted that it is considered a “last resort” to get Donald Trump to “see sense” regarding his desire acquire Greenland. As well as that, travel bans imposed by the US president have left it unclear how easy it will be for many to get visas for the competition.
Adding to this, the growing presence of ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) across the nation has sparked major fears for many, including England’s LGBT+ fan group.
Three Lions Pride Take Boycott 2026 World Cup Over ‘Safety’ Fears
In a lengthy statement, Three Lions Pride explained that they will now boycott the 2026 World Cup, having done the same for Qatar 2022. They cited the ‘US administration’s travel bans on several nationalities’ as one issue, while then speaking critically of ICE and the murder of Renee Good, whose death has sparked fear and anger across the US and beyond.
They note that their ‘primary concern is about the safety of our members and queer fans worldwide’ but fear that this cannot be given due to a ‘fear of abuse, violence or arrest just for their existence.’ The statement also talks about fears for the trans community regarding issues such as ‘anti-trans legislation around bathrooms’, which could spark violence and discrimination.
In another key point, the statement highlighted the ‘scandalous approach’ from organisers regarding fans with disabilities, noting that ticketing effectively ‘discriminates and excludes any fans who require assistance or have accessibility requirements’. They concluded the statement strongly, stating that ‘Infantino should feel ashamed’.
Full Statement From England’s Official LGBT+ Fan Group
Here is the statement from England’s official LGBT+ fan group, shared via Three Lions Pride’s Facebook page, in full:
“The 2026 Men’s World Cup has been in the diaries of LGBT+ fans since the hosts were announced in 2018 – an opportunity for queer fans to enjoy a tournament focused more on the football rather than their personal safety following successive tournaments in repressive states for the LGBT+ community,”
“That hope, that optimism, is well and truly shattered.
“As ever, our primary concern is about the safety of our members and queer fans worldwide under the principle that fans should be able to follow their team wherever they play without fear of abuse, violence or arrest just for their existence.
“The rhetoric and dangerous rollback of human rights in the US has caused considerable concern to fans who were previously planning to attend the 2026 World Cup.
“There is a fear that our trans+ family would be at high risk of violence and discrimination, our butch lesbian family would be caught in the crosshairs of anti-trans legislation around bathrooms and our queer family generally would be a target for abuse. This is unsafe and unacceptable.
“There are a concerning number of issues that restrict our ability to operate safely as a group during the World Cup, before we add in the various issues of intersectionality and our position of standing for human rights across the board.
“The US administration’s travel bans on several nationalities restricts fans from following their team, visa rejections because of social media posts raise freedom of speech concerns, and threats towards our non-white family around potential immigration issues, detention and deportation are clear human rights concerns.
“When ICE agents in the US shot and kill their own citizens, as happened in Minneapolis this month when they killed Renee Good, every fans is at risk of overzealous policing and law enforcement.
“We also consider the scandalous approach of organisers towards ticketing with a policy that fails to consider the needs of fans with disabilities, effectively discriminating and excluding any fans who require assistance or have accessibility requirements.
“Three Lions Pride, in light of the issues around the tournament, will not be having a visible presence at the 2026 Men’s World Cup.
“We cannot guarantee the safety and security of our members and cannot endorse the appalling decisions of FIFA around ticketing and safety by tacit acceptance through our visible attendance as a group.
“Today, and every day, [FIFA president] Gianni Infantino should feel ashamed.”
Sports
Tottenham Chiefs Really Want to Sign Adam Wharton
Tottenham are still said to be firmly in the race for one of the most in-demand Premier League players this summer. Spurs have already made a solid start to their summer business, with Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson snapped up, and attention is now firmly on continuing to strengthen with further signings.
Spurs and Roberto De Zerbi are hoping to compete for European football next season, and while there is existing talent in the squad, it’s no easy task to go from back-to-back bottom half finishes to a top seven finish. Heavy recruitment is going to be required, and it looks as though that is what the Tottenham board intend to deliver.
Spurs still in Wharton race
One of the most intriguing Premier League transfer narratives this summer is where Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton is going to end up. The midfielder is expected to be on the move for big money having consistently impressed with the Eagles, and we are beginning to get a clearer picture of where he could end up.
According to FlashScore, both Tottenham and Liverpool remain firmly interested in Wharton this summer. In fact, it’s claimed Spurs view Wharton as one of their primary targets this summer. That’s despite ongoing talks over the potential permanent transfer of Joao Palhinha.
The North London club lose Yves Bissouma this summer, so it’s logical they will try to sign another midfielder or two, and there are also links with Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, who would likely be a Wharton alternative. Spurs are said to have been tracking Wharton for at least a year, remaining patient in timing their move.
Liverpool are also said to be keen, though, and they are said to view Wharton and AFC Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as their main targets for the midfield, although it will be one or the other. The Reds seek a midfielder capable of controlling the midfield.
‘Exceptional’ Wharton’s price and attraction
Wharton is likely to cost a huge fee this summer, with £100million floated as a reported Palace asking price. Though Premier League clubs might be confident of reducing that fee to around £80million despite the midfielder having three years remaining on his current deal.
Eberechi Eze joined Arsenal for £67.5million in a club-record sale for Palace, and so £80million would be a fresh record, and Wharton could push for an exit if the right club comes in this summer, which would weaken Palace’s leverage at the negotiations table.
But Wharton is always going to command a giant fee given his Premier League experience and his proven ability to thrive in huge games for club and country, while he is still only 22 years of age. Micah Richards dubbed Wharton ‘exceptional’ last year, and most connected to Palace and the Premier League would agree.
Tottenham Want to Sign ‘Incredible’ Premier League Star in the Summer
Spurs could be looking to add another talented youngster to their squad in 2025.
Sports
New York Knicks Will Visit Donald Trump at White House After NBA Finals Win
The New York Knicks are currently enduring the greatest moment in their modern era after ending a 53-year wait to secure a third NBA Championship.
The team secured the title last Saturday night, taking down the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 on the road to clinch a 4-1 NBA Finals triumph.
Celebrations have been taking place non-stop since the Game 5 victory and fans of the franchise will get to witness the stars of the 2026-winning roster when the championship parade is held on Thursday, the 18th of June.
An American tradition that typically follows for a team winning a championship or a triumphant US national team in international competition is to get an invitation from the President to attend the White House. This often sees the winning players greet the sitting President in person and pose for pictures together.
However, this has become more of a conflicting decision for teams to make in the last decade, since the 45th and 47th President, Donald Trump, has been in office due to many players being against his administration’s policies and stances. Trump’s first stint in office was from 2017-2021 while his second and current one started in 2025.
NBA Champions Haven’t Attended White House Under Donald Trump Presidency
An NBA championship-winning team is yet to visit the White House since Trump’s first election into the Oval Office, with the Golden State Warriors being the first to make their stance clear after NBA Finals victories in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
The Toronto Raptors (2019) and Los Angeles Lakers (2020) also did not visit the White House in the remaining years of Trump’s first stint.
The 2025 NBA champions, Oklahoma City Thunder, did not make the trip to Washington either after being the first champions of Trump’s second spell as President.
Donald Trump Reacts to Heavy Boos He Received During New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs
When he appeared on the big screen, the POTUS was heavily booed by the fans inside Madison Square Garden.
Trump made an appearance at the 2026 NBA Finals, sitting in a suite alongside Knicks owner James Dolan for Game 3 of the series at Madison Square Garden.
The 47th President’s decision to attend the game was widely unpopular among the Knicks faithful, as it meant that fans were not permitted to gather for watch parties around the Knicks’ home venue, and fans with tickets had to go through extra rounds of security checks upon entering the third contest.
The President was booed when shown on the jumbotron at the game and some Knicks fans blamed his appearance at the game as the reason why their team was unable to secure a victory on that occasion, as the Spurs pulled the series back to 2-1 following that contest.
New York Knicks Made White House Decision
However, despite the Knicks fans’ opposition to Trump, it appears that the franchise itself is actually on good terms with the President, as the team is set to visit the White House following their Finals success.
Dolan, a long-time friend of Trump, confirmed the decision during an interview with WFAN New York on Wednesday after being asked whether he was looking forward to a potential celebratory trip to the White House.
The Knicks owner stated: “We did receive an invitation from (the) White House, which we accepted. We still have to figure out the details, but yes, of course, (we’re looking forward to it).
Donald Trump Reacts to New York Knicks’ First NBA Championship Win in 53 Years
The President has had his say on the historic victory…
“I invited the President to come down for the game, right? He is a friend. I’ve known him for 30 years, and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House,” the 71-year-old businessman added.
While Dolan will be pleased to make the White House visit and celebrate his team’s triumph with his close friend, it remains to be seen whether the Knicks players and staff display the same glee when greeting Trump and if they choose to pose for pictures with the current President.
Sports
Arsenal Told Not To Make £100m Move For Dream Transfer Target
Arsenal are just starting to make moves in the summer transfer window as manager Mikel Arteta assesses his options ahead of the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
After winning the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, the rumour mill was slow to get into gear for the Gunners, but we are just starting to hear a few more noises around players potentially arriving at the Emirates Stadium now.
Christos Tzolis and Manu Kone are the names starting to make headlines in connection with Arsenal, but there is a big-money move that the club may well be working on over the next couple of weeks.
Arsenal are serious about signing Morgan Rogers
GIVEMESPORT understands that the Gunners are “serious contenders” to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa this summer and GMS senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs has said that he would be the dream signing for Arsenal.
Rogers is likely to leave Villa Park this summer, as Villa look to ensure they continue to comply with Financial Fair Play and adhere to the Premier League’s new Squad Cost Rules, coming in for the start of the 2026/27 campaign. There are also UEFA Squad Cost Rules to comply with given they are in the Champions League next season.
A number of clubs will be linked with signing Rogers and with Arsenal in the market for a left-sided forward, he is high on their list of transfer priorities.
Jacobs said: “Offers in excess of £80million will be engaged with. Interested clubs feel around £80million whereas Villa sources I speak to feel like they get in a room at £80million, but maybe £90million and even £100million might be the number because we’re in an inflated market.”
Rogers wants Arsenal move
Arsenal may have the advantage when it comes to signing the 23-year-old, with Gunners insider HandofArsenal saying on social media that Rogers has outlined his preference to sign for Arsenal over the likes of Chelsea this summer.
One former Arsenal star does not think it would be the right move, however.
Speaking in a blog for Betway, Gunners legend David Seaman warned Arteta against spending £100million on the England international.
He said: “As a player, he’s fantastic, but in terms of fitting into the squad, is he in the same mould as [Eberechi] Eze? He is, really. So what do you do with that?
⚽
England World Cup Quiz
You scored
out of 20
“It’s Eze’s first season at the club, you’ve got to give him a chance to really settle in, and it looks like he’s settled in already. It always takes a while to get used to team-mates and play at the Arsenal level where you’re contending for big trophies.
“I would feel like we need more of a playmaker, and Rogers is more of a No. 10, an Eze-type player. It’s tough, but that’s why I’m not the manager!”
Talks Held: Mikel Arteta Pushing Arsenal to Sign ‘World-Class’ £100m Star, He’s Keen to Join
Arsenal have held talks over a deal.
-
Sports1 day agoIlia Topuria Said Just 9 Words to His Agent After Justin Gaethje Defeat
-
Sports14 hours agoThierry Henry’s Viral Analysis on Cristiano Ronaldo For Portugal
-
Sports1 day agoClip of Zinedine Zidane in the Stands During Argentina 3-0 Algeria Goes Viral
-
Sports13 hours agoThomas Tuchel Lost it With England Star Jordan Pickford vs Croatia
-
Sports1 day agoPiers Morgan Causes Stir With Lionel Messi Tweet After World Cup Hat-Trick
-
Sports2 days agoFederico Chiesa U-Turns on Liverpool Exit After Andoni Iraola’s Appointment
-
Sports5 hours agoWayne Rooney Causes Stir With Cristiano Ronaldo Analysis at World Cup
-
Sports2 days agoPetition Demands FIFA Probe into Scotland 1-0 Haiti World Cup Match




