FIFA has intensified its rhetoric and action against hate and discrimination to mark the UN's International Day for Tolerance, with the football governing body stepping up efforts to safeguard its members from a rising tide of harmful online content.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivered a strong message, stating unequivocally that "football must be a safe and inclusive space, on the pitch, in the stands and online." He highlighted the role of the FIFA Social Media Protection Service (SMPS), which uses both advanced technology and human expertise to monitor for abusive or hateful content, remove it, and even filter and block messages before they reach the intended recipient. The SMPS has already flagged over 30,000 abusive posts this year, with eleven individuals reported to law enforcement authorities in seven countries.
Infantino stressed that abuse "has no place in our game," and emphasized FIFA's commitment to holding offenders accountable, noting that the organisation is now blacklisting individuals identified as highly abusive from purchasing tickets for future FIFA tournaments.
However, the global body's commitment to eliminating discrimination faces immediate questions regarding the political arena. Critics have pointed to President Infantino’s well-publicised friendly relationship with Donald Trump, a figure who has been accused of showing hate and discrimination against various groups, including citizens from certain countries whose national teams have qualified for the World Cup.
Given that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, alongside Mexico and Canada, the football family's anti-discrimination message is under intense scrutiny. The application of FIFA's rules and the principle of universal inclusivity will be closely monitored, particularly when juxtaposed with the political policies of the host nation's leaders that impact the free movement of fans and members of the "FIFA family." The challenge for FIFA remains bridging the gap between its universal anti-discrimination policy and the complex geopolitical relationships it must maintain to stage its biggest events.
Monday, November 17, 2025
Bermuda Face T&T In Final World Cup Qualifiers
IslandStats.com
The final round of Concacaf qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws to a close this week, with Bermuda travelling to Port of Spain to face Trinidad and Tobago in their Group B fixture on Tuesday.
The match, set for the Hasely Crawford Stadium, represents the final competitive outing in this qualifying cycle for both nations, though the context for each team is starkly different.
Trinidad and Tobago, enter the match following a dramatic 1-1 draw against regional rivals Jamaica. Kevin Molino emerged as the hero for the home side in that fixture, scoring a late equaliser to rescue a point and avoid a damaging defeat.
Despite the late drama and Molino's contribution, the draw was ultimately not enough. The result officially confirmed Trinidad and Tobago's elimination from World Cup contention, bringing an end to their bid for a spot at the expanded tournament. Tuesday's game now serves as an opportunity for the team to play for pride in front of their home support.
For Bermuda, the final round has been a difficult campaign. The team remains winless in the final group stage and will be eager to close out their competitive schedule on a high note in Port of Spain.
While results have not favoured them, Bermuda has shown flashes of attacking quality. Their goals in the Final Round have come courtesy of the boots of Djair Parfitt and Kane Crichlow, highlighting individual moments of promise amidst the tough group schedule.
The coach, likely focused on building experience and cohesion for future cycles, will be keen to see a resilient performance from his squad as they aim to register a valuable result against a higher-ranked opponent before closing the book on their 2026 World Cup journey.
Friday, November 14, 2025
Findlay & Lambe Reflect on Emotional 7-0 Home Farewell
IslandStats.com
The final home match of Bermuda's Concacaf World Cup 26 qualifying journey ended in a difficult 7-0 defeat to a rampant Curacao side, but the focus remained on the emotional farewell of national legend Reggie Lambe and the commitment of the squad to the future.
Bermuda Head Coach Michael Findlay acknowledged the painful scoreline but praised the players' continued motivation to compete at this elite level.
"We are all disappointed that we haven't been able to position ourselves to have the ultimate dream," Findlay said. "But we're still proud and very honoured to have been able to compete at this level against these teams... I think all the players are still motivated because they're still trying to establish themselves as a consistent selection for Bermuda".
Findlay emphasized the long-term vision, noting the crucial process of integrating youth into the team. "We now have players that have stepped up to the category. That's why it's nice to see youth coming in here to push against senior players," he stated.
The evening’s central moment was the final home appearance of Reggie Lambe. Findlay expressed his admiration for the retiring player: “Reggie Lambe is a legend in terms of what he’s done for Bermudian football... I hope they all celebrate him and congratulate him on his great service".
Lambe reflected on his decision to step down after a career spanning nearly two decades:
“It’s very emotional for me and I’m not really ready to call it quits, but I think it’s the right time for me,” Lambe shared. "I want to go out into the crowd and individually speak to people to show appreciation for everyone who supported me throughout my years".
Curacao, who had only been leading 2-0 at the break after two goals from the Bacuna brothers, relentlessly increased the pressure in the second half.
Goal 2 (32nd min): Juninho Bacuna blasted a shot past Dale Eve to double the lead. Goal 3 (48th min): Halftime substitute Jordi Paulina scored from the penalty spot, having been fouled in the box. Goal 4 (59th min): Sontje Hansen extended the lead to 4-0. Goal 5 (63rd min): Paulina followed up a save from substitute goalkeeper Detre Bell to net his second goal from close range. Goal 6 (83rd min): Another substitute, Ar'jany Martha, made it 6-0 with a 20-yard free-kick. Goal 7 (90'+3 min): In stoppage time, Roshon van Eijma let fly with a powerful long-range shot that secured the final score of 7-0.
The result, though disappointing, provides a clear benchmark for the young Bermudian squad as they look towards the next qualifying cycle starting in 2026.
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Bermuda Fall to Heavy Defeat against Curacao
IslandStats.com
Bermuda 0 Cuaracao 7
Bermuda's final home match of the Concacaf World Cup 26 qualifying campaign ended in a heavy 7-0 defeat to a dominant Curacao side at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium. The match was an emotional occasion for the home fans, who saw legend Reggie Lambe lead the team out for his final international appearance on home soil.
The Final Round of the Concacaf Qualifiers will determine the region’s remaining participants in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joining co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Curacao asserted their dominance from the start, controlling 66.8% of the possession in the first half. The scoring began in the 6th minute when Bermuda fell victim to the VAR system, the referee, after reviewing a possible handball, awarded a penalty that Leandro Bacuna calmly slotted home.
The lead was doubled in the 32nd minute when Juninho Bacuna blasted a shot past a diving Dale Eve. Eve kept the game respectable with three amazing saves as Curacao took a 2-0 lead to the break.
The second half saw Curacao relentlessly increase the pressure and the scoreline. Just three minutes after the restart in the 48th minute, halftime substitute Jordi Paulina scored from the spot after being fouled in the box. Sontje Hansen made it 4-0 in the 59th minute.
Following a string of Bermudian substitutions, including the poignant exit of Reggie Lambe in the 62nd minute, Paulina secured his second of the night, following up a save from substitute goalkeeper Detre Bell to make it 5-0.
Another substitute, Ar'jany Martha, added the sixth with a 20-yard free kick that Bell could not keep out. The rout was completed in the second minute of stoppage time when Roshon van Eijma let fly with a long-range shot that found the back of the net, making the final score 7-0.
Curacao finished the match with 69% of the possession and a massive 11 corners, reflecting their total control over the contest.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Bermuda FIFA Officials Oversee Cayman Islands Friendly
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Two of Bermuda's top match officials, FIFA Assistant Referee Stefan Maybury and Referee Amaury Majors, were on international duty in the Cayman Islands, officiating the friendly match between the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
The presence of the Bermudian officials at the neutral venue underscores the high regard in which their skills are held by CONCACAF and regional football bodies.
Maybury served as the Assistant Referee, taking responsibility for offside calls and foul play along the touchline.
Majors served as the Fourth Official, overseeing the technical areas and substitutions.
The match was an intense contest, with both teams looking to gain momentum. The British Virgin Islands team ultimately secured a narrow 2-1 victory, surprisingly coming back in the final stretch after trailing on the scoreboard.
The Cayman Islands took the lead in the first half after a shot from outside the area. However, the BVI team rallied in the second half, securing the equalizer and then scoring the winning goal from a penalty converted in the 84th minute after a foul inside the box. The dramatic late action ensured the visitors managed to prevail.
