International Football
FIFA “EXTREMELY DISTURBED” BY KILLING OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST IN GHANA
FIFA has condemned the killing of a Ghanaian journalist who helped expose corruption in African football.
In a statement, world football’s governing body said it was “extremely disturbed” by the death of Ahmed Hussein-Suale, who was shot dead in Accra on Thursday (January 17).
Hussein-Suale made his name as part of a team whose investigation forced the resignation of the former head of the Ghana Football Association and former FIFA Council member Kwesi Nyantakyi.
Dozens of football referees and officials across several countries were also banned following the investigation, which exposed them for accepting bribes from undercover reporters posing as agents.
Hussein-Suale was shot twice in the chest and once in the neck by men on motorbikes while driving home in Ghana’s capital.
No arrests have yet been made.
In a statement FIFA offered its “deepest sympathies” to his family.
“FIFA has been extremely disturbed and saddened to hear the
news that a local journalist based in Ghana was shot dead,” FIFA said.
“FIFA reiterates its support for journalists doing important investigative work which on many occasions leads to improvement and governance standards, not only in football but across the board in public life.”
“FIFA reiterates its support for journalists doing important investigative work which on many occasions leads to improvement and governance standards, not only in football but across the board in public life.”
Hussein-Suale had previously made a complaint to police about his safety after a Ghanaian politician called for retribution against him.
Speaking on television, Kennedy Agyapong revealed a photo of Husein and asked supporters to “beat him” if they saw him.
“That boy is very dangerous,” he said whilst pointing at the photo.
“He lives here in Madina [a suburb of Accra].
“If he comes here, beat him.”
Agyapong has since denied being behind the killing, but the Committee to Protect Journalists has called for an immediate investigation, insisting Ghanaian authorities must take threats made against the press seriously.
Hussein-Suale’s employers, the investigative journalism firm Tiger Eye PI, called the murder an “assassination”.
“We call on the security agencies to unmask the elements behind this assassination and bring them to book,” they said.
Hussein-Suale’s boss, the award-winning journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, paid tribute to his former colleague on Facebook, saying he was an “excellent, experienced investigative journalist”.
International Football
Two Moroccan football players lost at sea, says club official
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Abdellatif-Akhrif.png)
Two Moroccan players from top-flight soccer side Ittihad Tanger have been missing at sea since Saturday after strong currents drifted their small yacht, a club official said on Sunday.
They were in a group of five players from the club who went cruising off the northern city of Tangier when strong currents and heavy winds drifted their yacht away as they were swimming in deep waters, club deputy president Anass Mrabet told Reuters.
“Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while research is still ongoing for the missing Salman Harraq and Abdellatif Akhrif,” he said.
The players did not have buoys on them when they jumped from the small yacht to swim, he said citing recounts by rescued players.
While Akhrif, 24, is already a full member of the squad, Harraq, 18, was about to move up to the senior team this year, Mrabet added.
Ittihad Tanger have been in the Moroccan top flight since 2015 and won the league title for the first and only time in their history in the 2017-18 season. However, they have struggled in the lower half of the standings in recent years.
-Reuters
International Football
FIFA launches ‘Football Manager’ World Cup with $100,000 in prize money
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/arsene-wenger.jpg)
FIFA will host its first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager this year to crown the best virtual manager on the highly-popular video game, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA is partnering with Sports Interactive, the developers of the game that has sold millions of copies and has also been used by several football clubs to scout players and opponents thanks to its extensive database.
Players will compete for $100,000 in prize money in the final event from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is the ambassador for the esports event.
“Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend.”
FIFA said in the inaugural year of the event, selected member associations will be invited to be represented at the final event.
Member associations from all six confederations are expected to be invited while players can sign up on FIFA’s website.
-Reuters
International Football
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio robbed at gunpoint
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/baggio.jpg)
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at his home in northern Italy while watching his country’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament on Thursday, local police said.
Burglars broke into Baggio’s house near Vicenza, hit him on the head with a gun butt and locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash, daily Il Corriere della Sera reported. It said he suffered a deep wound.
“Luckily, the violence I suffered only resulted in a few stitches, bruises and a lot of fear. Now it is to overcome the fear,” Baggio was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Baggio, 57, played for clubs including Juventus (JUVE.MI), opens new tab, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He also played 56 times for Italy, scoring 27 goals, and is widely seen as one of his country’s all-time greats.
After the robbery, Baggio, widely known as the “divine ponytail”, was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches for the head wound, Italian media reported.
Italy lost to Spain 1-0 on Thursday and now must avoid defeat by Croatia to guarantee progression in the tournament.
-Reuters
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