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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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Tuchel Has Already Made Feelings Clear

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Thomas Tuchel already made his feelings clear about England supporters’ chants directed at Keir Starmer, after expletive-ridden songs rang out in the Three Lions’ win over Andorra in September 2025. Politics, once more, found their way onto the terraces.

Ahead of the World Cup qualifier, some fans were even spotted selling “stop the boats” flags, while the UK Prime Minister became the subject of further abuse from sections of the Holte End amid debates over the current immigration policies. To the tune of The White Stripes’ 2003 hit Seven Nation Army, large sections of the crowd could be heard chanting: “Keir Starmer is a w*****.”

The chants were heard again during England’s World Cup win against Croatia, despite FIFA warning there could be punishments for doing so. That didn’t stop those who seemed more intent on shifting the focus away from football altogether – and onto the government.

Thomas Tuchel on Anti-Keir Starmer Chants

England boss Thomas Tuchel

Similar foul-mouthed chants could be heard as England defeated Andorra in the reverse fixture back in June last year. To the tune of KC & The Sunshine Band’s hit Give It Up, they could be heard singing: “Na-na, na-na, na-na, na-na-na-na now, Starmer is a ****, is a ****, Starmer is a ****.”

Supporters at RCDE Stadium, Espanyol’s stadium that became Andorra’s temporary home venue due to its more modern facilities, also chanted: “Keir Starmer is a w****r, is a w****r.” Listen to some England supporters’ chants in a previous game below:

After the game back in June, Tuchel said he did not hear any of the songs in question, but made it very clear what he thought about the matter. As per the Daily Mail, he told reporters:

“If it happened, it’s not acceptable. But I didn’t hear any offensive songs or chants.”

Keir Starmer

The Three Lions have made a strong start to their World Cup campaign after an opening-day victory against old foes Croatia. They head into games against Ghana and Panama needing just three points to ensure their passage into the knockout rounds.

Starmer, a keen football fan, might have some more time on his hands to cheer on his country. The Prime Minister is expected to resign from his post.

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Fabio Capello Named 4 Players in Football History Who Are a Level Above Cristiano Ronaldo

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Fabio Capello has seen some of the greatest players to ever play football up close and personal across his years in the game. Whether he was lacing up his boots to play against the game’s greats or managing them from the dugout, the Italian veteran has seen it all.

The former England manager didn’t hesitate at all when asked to name the greatest players in football history, as he gave four names instantly. He even brushed off Cristiano Ronaldo – who is considered the GOAT by some – as not being on the same level as his favourites.

Selecting two players who had already hung up their boots well before the 21st century came around and another pair who will be more familiar to the younger generation of fans, it’s hard to argue with the selections Capello made.

Pele

The first name out of his mouth was that of Brazil’s greatest-ever player, Pele. The man who won three World Cups can’t really be argued with. Capello even played against the wonderfully talented goalscorer. Whenever the conversation surrounding the best players to pull on a pair of boots comes up, the third-highest scorer in history (762 goals) is never far away.

“Pele. I played against him once.”

Diego Maradona

Where Pele goes, Diego Maradona follows. Before the early 2000s, no one could claim to compare to the two superstars who revolutionised the sport and transcended football in many ways. The Argentine wasn’t only capable of doing magical things with a ball at his feet, but he was a larger-than-life personality who will never be forgotten.

Capello named Maradona as part of the most talented trio he’s ever witnessed take to a football pitch. He was a coach in the Italian top-flight when Maradona was at the top of his game at Napoli, so he will have seen his brilliance up close.

Lionel Messi

The other player Capello considers in the top category of footballers is, of course, Lionel Messi. The number of people denying that the former Barcelona superstar is the most talented player of all time is dwindling and there are very few left. Capello was full of praise for the trio he named as the best he’d witnessed: “These three players, they have extra imagination. They make something that you cannot understand.”

It’s not the first time he’s waxed lyrical about the immensely talented triumvirate, either, as he previously put them in a category of their own in a 2019 interview. Capello labelled them all ‘geniuses’, while hammering home his point that Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t on the same level:

“There are three geniuses in football: Pele, Maradona and Messi. Period. [Cristiano] Ronaldo is very strong as he lets you win everything, but Messi is a genius and something else.”

Ronaldo Nazario

A player Capello managed during his long and storied career in the dugout, Ronaldo Nazario, is the man he claimed is just a level below Pele, Maradona and Messi. Admitting there’s not much in it, the 80-year-old put R9 in his own bracket, while again playing down his namesake’s status alongside the true greats:

“Ronaldo is just behind but just a little. Brazilian Ronaldo. Not Cristiano. Cristiano is a good player, but not this level.”

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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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