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World Cup Commentator Denies Making Racist Comment About Ciara During USA v Australia

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A World Cup commentator has spoken out after he was accused of making a racist comment about American singer-songwriter and dancer Ciara during the match between the United States and Australia.

Ciara attended the match in Seattle on Friday alongside NFL legend husband Russell Wilson.

She performed the ceremonial coin toss at Seattle Stadium, before posing for pictures with match officials and both nation’s captains, Tim Ream and Harry Souttar.

The 40-year-old then made her way to a luxury VIP suite where she watched her team win 2-0 courtesy of goals from Cameron Burgess (own goal) and Alex Freeman.

Ciara poses before the match with match officials and captains before USA v Australia. Sandra Agbotse/Sipa USA via Reuters

Argentinian commentator Leandro Zapponi has been accused of making a racist comment when the camera panned to Ciara watching on in the second half.

Zapponi, who was calling the game for D Sports, is alleged to have said in Spanish: “Who is this black woman?”

X user Tendencias Futbol made the claim and shared footage of the moment, which subsequently went viral and sparked outrage.

Zapponi has now defended himself, claiming that the clip being widely shared was AI-generated. He said:

“In the age of fake news, these people are only trying to cause harm and spread hate. AI-generated audios aren’t even funny. It is sad that I have to clarify that I never said and never would say something like this.”

He then shared a snippet of the real transmission. In the clip shared, he remained silent while Ciara was on the screen, resuming his commentary once the camera panned back to the action on the field.

When the camera moved off Ciara and panned back to the pitch, his co-commentator, Milena Gimon said, per the Daily Mail: “Ciara is the singer who performed the coin toss and therefore the television panned to her. A big hug to everyone who knows Ciara.”

Zapponi then admitted: “To be honest, and speaking humbly, it was my mistake.” Gimon then asked: “Do you listen to opera?” to which Zapponi responded: “I don’t listen to anything!”

He didn’t refer to Ciara as a black woman in the clip.

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Ciara at the 2026 World Cup before USA vs Australia Sandra Agbotse/Sipa USA via Reuters

Ciara spoke out about her ‘epic’ experience at the Seatlle Stadium following the match. She wrote:

“These are the moments I’ll never forget! Especially sharing them with my family @fifaworldcup in Seattle! This was Epic! USA.”

In a post on her story, she wrote that being a Coca-Cola coin toss assistant was truly a ‘magical experience’ and thanked the soft drink company for making it happen.

United States have already clinched first place in Group D and can now turn their attention to the knockout stages. They will play their third and final group game on Thursday, June 25, when they take on already eliminated Turkey at Los Angeles Stadium.

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Celtic Plot Move For ‘Brilliant’ World Cup Star

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Now they have sorted out who will be leading the team on a permanent basis, Celtic can start to make plans for the summer transfer window.

Having sacked Brendan Rodgers and then Wilfried Nancy during the 2025/26 campaign, the Bhoys turned to familiar face Martin O’Neill to guide them in the final few months of the Scottish Premiership season.

And the Northern Irishman did a stunning job, turning Celtic‘s fortunes around and winning the title in dramatic style on the final day of the season with victory over Hearts, who had led the way for much of the season.

O’Neill eyes move for New Zealand star

New Zealand winger Elijah Just attempts to win the ball

It was only supposed to be an interim spell, but O’Neill has been handed the reins at Parkhead on a permanent basis once more and he will now be looking at what business he can do in the summer transfer window.

One player who has been linked with a move to the Glasgow giants is Elijah Just, who came to the fore at the World Cup, showing anyone who has not watched a lot of Scottish football just what he is capable of with a brace in New Zealand’s 2-2 draw with Iran in the opening Group G encounter.

Speaking after that game, Just said: “It’s difficult to put into words, I was just buzzing to score the first and then I got the opportunity in the second half and I saw it in the back of the net, it was an incredible feeling.

“Running over and seeing my team-mates and how happy they were – that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

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Just plays his football with Motherwell, where he scored seven goals and laid on eight assists in the 2025/26 campaign, averaging a goal involvement in every other game he played.

Celtic have been long-term admirers of the 26-year-old Kiwi and according to Football Insider they are preparing to accelerate their interest in the winger once his involvement in the World Cup comes to an end.

Just could be a player in demand this summer

Celtic caretaker manager Martin O'Neill looks on during win vs Stuttgart

Celtic are likely to face competition from a number of other clubs in his signature, but Just is high on O’Neill’s wishlist when it comes to new signings this summer as he looks to strengthen in forward areas.

Just arrived in Scotland last summer from the Danish league, having also played in the Austrian league since making the move over to Europe from New Zealand.

And he made Motherwell captain Paul McGinnn eat his words.

McGinn said: “I looked at him and thought, ‘Scottish football, you could be in bother here’. When you look at a player like that, a guy who is diminutive and left-footed, you think he’s a flair player. But he’s not. He’s a grafter, he works his socks off, he’s been absolutely brilliant.”

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Liverpool Line Up ‘More Than €100m’ Bid For Yan Diomande

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Liverpool are preparing a second bid for Yan Diomande after seeing their first offer knocked back by RB Leipzig.

That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who has revealed that the Reds are putting in a huge amount of effort behind the scenes with the player to ensure a deal is completed this summer.

Liverpool are in the market for wide forwards in the transfer window, with Mohamed Salah already having said goodbye to the club where he made himself a legend after nine seasons and question marks over the futures of Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa.

Diomande is showing his quality at the 2026 World Cup

Yan Diomande vs Germany Thomas Mukoya via Reuters

Diomande is set to be one of the hottest properties in the summer transfer window, particularly after playing a starring role for the Ivory Coast at the World Cup.

The 19-year-old won the man of the match award against Ecuador in the opening round of group fixtures and then impressed in defeat to Germany on Saturday night.

ITV pundits Gary Neville and Ian Wright were raving about his performance against the Germans. Neville said: “Diomande on this left-hand side has been absolutely brilliant. Even when they double or triple up it’s not enough to contain him, he’s too good.”

Wright agreed. He said: “He’s lived up to the hype. His pressing is brilliant, his taking on is brilliant, his pace is scary.”

Leipzig have maintained that they are not willing to sell for anything less than €100million (£87million) this summer and are reluctant to sell at all, with attempts continuing to tie the teen sensation down to a new contract.

Having qualified for next season’s Champions League, the German outfit believe they can convince the teenager to stay for another season, by improving the terms of his current contract and then selling him for an even bigger fee next summer.

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As such they have already rejected a bid from the Reds for his signature this summer.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “Liverpool had a bid rejected, €100million which was €90million plus €10million but Liverpool will bid again, I can confirm that they will bid again.

Liverpool are being “very aggressive” in their attempts to sign Diomande

RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande celebrates a goal REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

“They are pushing on the player’s side, they are trying their best in terms of financial proposal and project to get the player on their side 100% because RB Leipzig keep insisting they want to keep Yan Diomande.

“Game after game, day after day it’s more difficult to keep Yan Diomande, now there are several clubs interested, Liverpool are very aggressive, Liverpool will bid more than €100million, it’s going to be a big proposal coming to try and change the situation.”

Diomande has previously stated his desire to play at Anfield, revealing that his father was a Liverpool fan and dreamt of playing for the Reds.

Liverpool are going all out to sign him, with PSG are also interested in signing him this summer.


Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande in World Cup action against Ecuador


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The 19-year-old produced a man-of-the-match display in Ivory Coast’s win against Ecuador

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Turki Alalshikh Makes Devastating Confession About Health After Cancer and Brain Tumour Diagnosis

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One of the most influential figures in modern boxing has revealed a heartbreaking update on his health, admitting he is in a race against time to achieve his ambitions for the sport before his cognitive abilities begin to decline.

Turki Alalshikh, a Saudi government official and chair of the General Entertainment Authority, who has played a central role in making some of boxing’s biggest fights possible in recent years, has spoken publically about his long-term battle with cancer.

He was diagnosed with various kinds of cancer in 2015, with the most serious being a tumour located in his brain, close to his pituitary gland.

In a rare and emotional interview with Ring Magazine, Alalshikh opened up about his fears for the future and the urgency driving his plans for boxing.

“I want to do it before losing my memory,” Alalshikh said while discussing his hopes for the sport.

“I am afraid in 2028, or 2029, I’ll forget my name.”

Turki Alalshikh

The revelation sheds light on why the Zuffa Boxing co-founder is pushing so hard to bring together some of the sport’s most powerful figures.

Alalshikh revealed plans to organise a meeting involving Dana White, Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren, and Nick Khan in an attempt to bridge longstanding divides within boxing.


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For decades, promotional rivalries and competing broadcast deals have often prevented the biggest fights from happening. Since becoming one of the sport’s most influential organisers, he has helped deliver major events, including the undisputed heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, while also helping unify divisions across the sport.

Now, he hopes to create a lasting framework for cooperation before his health worsens.

“I’ll do my best to have a meeting soon and to make peace and revolution for boxing. I hope I succeed and fans see the white smoke rise from the chimney.”

Support Comes in For Turki Alalshikh After Revelation

His comments have prompted an outpouring of support across the boxing world. Ryan Garcia was among those to respond on social media, praising Alalshikh’s impact on the sport and writing that his work has already been a revolution.

No date has yet been confirmed for the proposed summit, but the Saudi’s comments have added extra significance to what could be a landmark moment for boxing. While the sport has often struggled to unite its various factions, one of its most powerful figures is now hoping to bring them together while facing the biggest fight of his life away from the ring.

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