Four members of Iran’s World Cup delegation have won appeals against having their visa applications for entry to the United States rejected.

But 11 members of the party will not be allowed to travel to the US when their team plays matches there.

Iran last week accused the US of denying visas to “integral” members of its national football team’s backroom staff.

That was after officials in Washington said Iranian players had been given permission to travel to the country for the tournament.

Iran have already moved their World Cup base to Mexico over concerns stemming from the country being at war with the United States.

Of the 15 Iranian delegation members initially denied US visas, 10 submitted fresh applications after arriving in Mexico.

Four of those appeals were successful, it has been revealed. Those granted visas include a member of the team’s technical staff working as an analyst and two officials from the federation’s international department.

The remaining six applicants were rejected again. They include Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) president Mehdi Taj, one of the federation’s vice-presidents, two team administrators responsible for day-to-day operations, a media officer and a security officer.

A second media officer chose not to reapply for a visa after the initial rejection.

Iran play New Zealand on 15 June in Los Angeles in their first game of the tournament, which is being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

They will return to the city to face Belgium on 21 June, before meeting Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.

The country’s World Cup group-stage ticket allocation for supporters was revoked by US officials earlier this week, though Fifa has insisted it is working to “maximise opportunities for Iranian supporters to attend matches”.

The FFIRI had previously presented Fifa with a list of 10 conditions for their participation in the World Cup, including allowing players, coaches and officials who have completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

US secretary of state Marco Rubio had said Iran’s players will be welcome at the tournament but individuals with links to the IRGC could face entry restrictions.

Iran was not represented at a meeting of Fifa’s annual congress in Vancouver in April after officials were turned away at the Canadian border, with Canadian officials citing the IRGC links of delegation members.

Fifa does not place a limit on how many people are in a nation’s World Cup delegation, though it will only cover costs of up to 50 individuals.

One user on X wrote their opinion: “Total moral degradation. While children in Gaza face genocide, starvation, and daily massacres, Gwyneth Paltrow is busy promoting luxury apartments in Israel. No conscience, no ethics just pure complicity with an occupying regime. Absolutely repulsive.”

Gary Neville has labelled Fifa “a dictatorship” after a failure to release a VAR replay used to decide a tight semi-automated offside call during Switzerland’s draw with Qatar at World Cup 2026.

In the first half of the Group B clash, Switzerland were awarded a penalty when Remo Freuler was clattered by Qatari goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada.

Replays suggested that Freuler may have been offside from Breel Embolo’s header forward before he was fouled but a VAR review determined the original decision should stand.

However, the specific replays used and the lines drawn by the semi-automated offside system to determine that Freuler was indeed onside weren’t shown, leaving fans to take the decision on trust.

And while working as a pundit on the game for ITV, ex-England international Neville was fuming at Fifa’s lack of transparency around the decision-making process.

Speaking at half-time, Neville said: “Offside. We all think it here. Everybody will think it at home. Fifa are the host broadcaster, they’ve got the evidence of the semi-automatic decision that they can show us. Why are they not showing us?

“They did this in the last tournament. Fans are already distrusting of Fifa and technology to start with. There is a massive question mark over that because that is offside in my eyes until they prove me different.”

Once ITV’s rules expert Christina Unkel confirmed that Fifa have the replays, with the offside lines drawn, but simply chose not to show them, Neville went a step further.

“It’s like a dicator. Honestly, it’s a dictatorship, this,” he fumed. “The idea that they hold this evidence internally and don’t show fans of countries that are playing in tournaments. It’s absolutely ridiculous.

“Honestly to not show the evidence of an offside… Prove to us it’s offside. Show it straight away. Why not the transparency?”

Unkel, host Mark Pougatch and fellow pundits Duncan Ferguson and Ian Wright all appeared to be in agreement with Neville’s bafflement at the replays not being released, with Wright particularly strident.

“With the semi-automatic line, why haven’t we seen that?” he queried. “You know what, we actually don’t even need to see it, we see it in the Premier League every week, he looks offside, I just can’t understand it. They do what they want. They’re sitting in the office. It’s scandalous.”

Embolo converted the penalty and Switzerland went on to dominate the match but somehow failed to score a second goal, with Abunada making a number of fine saves.

And the Swiss were made to pay when, in injury-time at the end of the match, Qatar snatched an unlikely equaliser.

Qatari captain Boualem Khoukhi headed home Homam El Amin’s 94th-minute cross to spark wild celebrations among Julen Lopetegui’s squad, as the Asian side earned their first-ever point at a World Cup.

The policy, which will be recommended for approval at a Redcar and Cleveland full council meeting and added to the local authority’s constitution, means that elected councillors will be expected to undergo a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with their consent.

Some may also be required to have an enhanced check, designed for people working with children or vulnerable adults, depending on the role they undertake with safeguarding in mind.

A motion successfully proposed in February by Councillor Karen King, who heads up the council’s corporate parenting board, and which received cross-party political support, said if a councillor did not consent to, or was unable to obtain the relevant check required for a safeguarding-type role, the council should take appropriate steps within the law to ensure that they did not serve in that function.

That said, it was recognised that in circumstances where a DBS check disclosed a past matter it should not affect their ability to hold office as an elected councillor.

Council leader Alec Brown, speaking at a cabinet meeting, said the policy, along with potentially disclosing any failure to pass a check – which he wanted to see – was in the “public interest”.

He also said he would like the policy in place before the next set of local elections due next year.

Cllr Brown later posted on social media, making plain his support for the move and saying he was “amazed” such provisions were not already in place.

There was broad support from Facebook users who replied to the council leader, although several pointed out the pitfalls of publicly outing councillors should they fail checks, citing personal data concerns.

There was disagreement, however, among some council members over who should bear the cost of the checks.

Cllr King’s motion said that the cost should be met by councillors themselves, for example through a deduction from their annual allowance.

But Councillor Glyn Nightingale, presenting the views of the resources scrutiny committee he is chairman of, said it was felt the costs should be borne fully by the council.

A report for cabinet members summarising the new policy said: “This provides that all councillors will be subject to a basic level of DBS check, whereas those who wish to be nominated to specific committees will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check.” 

The report added: “Some discretion for the monitoring officer to waive the requirements for a DBS check (but only on a temporary basis pending the outcome of check being received) have been included in the policy. 

“This is included because, historically, there have been significant delays in the DBS check process being completed and, if this arose in the future, it could result in a position, for example, where it was not possible to properly constitute committees at the Annual Meeting following the local elections. 

“In line with the motion, the policy specifies that the cost of any DBS check will be borne by individual councillors. 

“If the council pays any fees, then these can be recovered by deductions from allowances and a form will be developed for that purpose.”

The policy would also include a right of appeal for a councillor to dispute a decision arising from a DBS check – for instance where it revealed a conviction or police information – to be considered by an assessment sub-committee.

Electoral law allows individuals to stand for election as a councillor with a criminal record, but they are automatically subject to disqualification if they received a prison sentence of three months or more – including suspended sentences – in the five years leading up to polling, or if previously convicted of specific sexual offences or corrupt electoral practices.

Britain’s so-called hardest man – real name Charlie Roberts – pulled out of his fight with Armz Korleone on Friday but was later reinstated under a new ruleset

Charlie Roberts – who calls himself Britain’s hardest man – lost his debut boxing fight.

Roberts, who is also known as Big Stacks – took on Armz Korleone on the undercard of Tommy Fury’s clash with Eddie Hall on Saturday night. But Big Stacks had pulled out of the fight earlier in the week after being sucker-punched by Jordan McCann – who was beaten by Ibiza Final Boss.

The fight was back on later on Friday but it was agreed both men would only punch to the body to avoid Big Stacks – who needed stitches on his lip – being injured again. The fight which ensued was a borefest with fans quickly booing both men.

Eventually the referee stopped the fight in the fourth round with Big Stacks barely throwing a shot. Armz was awarded victory by TKO.

More to follow…

It has been named best in NI for the last three years

The National Restaurant Awards has named its top restaurant in Northern Ireland for 2026.

Described as the “definitive guide to the UK’s best restaurants”, the awards celebrate the brilliance and vibrancy of the UK restaurant scene and honour the best chefs and operators across the country.

An annual countdown of the top 100 restaurants in the UK, the National Restaurant Awards are voted for by the UK’s leading chefs, restaurateurs and food writers.

For the third year in a row, The Muddlers Club in Belfast has made the top 100 and therefore been hailed as the ‘Best Restaurant in Northern Ireland’ this year.

It is once again the only spot in Northern Ireland to feature on the list, ranking at number 90.

Here is what the National Restuarant Awards had to say about The Muddlers Club:

There’s plenty of history to be found at this trendy fine dining restaurant. Inconspicuously tucked away in the back streets of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, The Muddlers Club is named after a revolutionary secret society linked to the United Irishmen who met there more than 200 years ago. Its setting may be historic, but there’s nothing archaic about this contemporary bistro and cocktail bar. One of a handful of more radical restaurants to have opened in the Northern Ireland capital in the last decade, The Muddlers Club eschews the conventional formality of fine dining in favour of a more casual approach that combines high-quality cooking with a modernist interior that features atmospheric lighting, a moody colour palette and a buzzy open kitchen. Leading the kitchen is head chef and owner Gareth McCaughey, who originally trained as a pastry chef and previously spent two years as sous chef at Belfast’s Michelin-starred OX restaurant.

With an emphasis of good, local ingredients, McCaughey hand picks the best of home grown produce daily to ensure the quality of each dish served across the restaurant’s multi-course tasting menu. The cooking is deceptively simple with punchy flavours and beautiful presentation, and it’s complemented by an impressive drinks list that’s influenced by Northern Ireland-based producers and makers – meaning a strong focus on local beer. Since opening its doors back in 2015, The Muddlers Club has won numerous accolades including a commendation in the Irish Food and Wine Awards 2018. It’s not hard to understand why, this is edgy and exciting dining that’s impossible to ignore.

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The BBC has confirmed the return of Ludwig, the detective series starring David Mitchell, and fans are delighted

The BBC has revealed an exciting update on a detective series that fans have branded “better than Death in Paradise and Vera”. Series 2 of Ludwig is set to make its return later this year.

The BBC confirmed the comeback of the show, widely hailed as a “masterpiece”, in an official statement: “The UK’s most-watched new comedy title since 2018 returns for a second series on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this summer and will pick up with master puzzle-setter and Crime Scene Consultant John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor (David Mitchell) solving ‘impossible’ crimes for the Cambridge Police Authority.

“Anna Maxwell Martin returns as Lucy, John’s sister-in-law and wife of his missing brother James – another puzzle that needs solving and a husband and father that needs to be brought home.”

Crime drama enthusiasts were delighted by the announcement and flocked to social media to express their excitement, with one writing on Instagram, “The best news”. “I AM SO READY,” another penned while a third added, “Oh so so so SO good,” reports the Express.

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Another enthused, “Woot! If I could quit my job today and become a puzzle consultant, I absolutely would.” Since the first series launched, viewers have been vocal online, with many drawing comparisons to other detective dramas. Some have declared it superior to the likes of Vera, Midsomer Murders, and Death in Paradise.

On Reddit, one fan remarked, “Hello. Just want to say I really enjoyed this TV show im a big fan of David Mitchell, although I’m not sure we’d agree politically on everything, but this show was great.

“Sure, it’s a little contrived, but it’s fun and so much better than Midsomer Murders. Loved the music too, really hope they do a second series.”

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On a separate Reddit thread, one enthusiastic viewer drew comparisons between the show and Death in Paradise and Professor T. They wrote, “The revealing of the murderer is the same as Death in Paradise and its spin-offs. I was so confused about how DCI Taylor cracked the case with its complex method. It is so intriguing with the whole puzzle-style of crime solving. The background case involving his twin brother’s disappearance is a mystery as well. The whole series is like a combination of Professor T and Numbers (US series).”

Another remarked, “I got the vibe that the lead detective(both twins) is similar to Professor T, Richard Poole in DIP, and DI Mackenzie Clarke in Return to Paradise(Australia Spin-off).”

While a third contributed, “I think it is actually better than Death in Paradise.” Yet another viewer ventured, “Similar to Vera?” to which a fellow viewer responded, “Better!”

Series one of Ludwig is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Scots have quipped that Boston and Glasgow now have a “special cone-ection” after the funny move.

The Tartan Army have brought Scottish humour to the US by propping a traffic cone on a Boston statue in tribute to the iconic Duke of Wellington statue in Glasgow.

Scotland fans are currently swarming the Massachussetts capital ahead of the World Cup opening match against Haiti which gets underway at 2pm BST on June 14.

Supporters have been praised for their good-humoured antics in the host city so far – including persuading a cop to do keepy-uppies in the middle of a fan zone – but it seems they are now turning their attention to city figurines.

A photo being shared online shows a statue with a traffic cone placed on its head, in ode to the Duke of Wellington statue – one of Glasgow’s most infamous landmarks – situated outside the Gallery of Modern Art.

The US statue depicts Raymond Flynn, the former mayor of Boston. It is not clear who exactly was responsible for the crowning, but social media has erupted with comments from amused Scotland fans from across the world.

One Scot commented: “That’s it. Boston is officially twinned with Glasgow forever. May the cone hat never be removed from this day forward,” while a second joked: “We came we saw we cone’quered”.

Another quipped: “Glasgow and Boston now have a special cone-ection,” while a fourth said: “The highest of honours, America. Just roll with it,” and a fifth scribed: “I’m howling. This is hilarious. We leave our mark everywhere”.

A sixth proudly added: “A true mark of friendship if ever there was one. Boston is now “twinned” (unofficially) with Glasgow.”

Glaswegians have capped the Duke of Wellington statue outside the Gallery of Modern Art with a traffic cone for decades. The tradition is thought to have been started by late night revellers in the 1980s.

Attempts to free the Duke of his plastic hat over the years have quickly been thwarted, with the cone being replaced within days. Proud locals believe the cone showcases the best of Glaswegians’ sense of humour.

The cone hat image of the Wellington monument has previously been named by Lonely Planet as one of 10 Scottish inclusions in a list of the top 1,000 sights in the world.

Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, is famous for defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and later becoming prime minister.

The statue of the Duke on his favourite horse Copenhagen was sculpted by Italian artist Carlo Marochetti and erected in 1844. It is a Category A listed sculpture.

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The singer posted a video of himself jetting to see Scotland take on Haiti hours after axing a gig due to ill health.

Rod Stewart has flown to Boston on a private jet to support Scotland in the World Cup. The singer posted a video on board the aircraft this evening where he told his 1.7m followers that he’s off to the US to support the squad.

The Maggie May chanter appeared in the clip alongside his son Alastair and was dressed in a white shirt and trousers and a blue blazer as he spoke excitedly about watching Steve Clarke’s men take on Haiti tonight.

The opening match kicks off at 2am BST on June 14 in the Massachusetts city. The 81-year-old, whose dad was Scottish and who is a devoted Scotland national team and Celtic fan, also shared his hopes for Scotland qualifying.

He said: “Here we are flying off to Boston to see Scotland in the World Cup. It’s been 28 years so these kids.. I’ve told them about [it] but they’ve never been…

“I’ve been to seven World Cups. Argentina, Germany, France, Italy, Mexico, loads of them… this’ll be my seventh. We want them to get through to the next round and I’ll die a happy man. Come on, Scotland.”

It comes after the rocker pulled out of a gig in California last night just before he was due on stage after being struck down by illness.

The artist was due to perform in The Sunshine State as part of his One Last Time tour, but after travelling to the venue was forced to cancel the entire show.

A statement from his team broke the news to fans on Instagram. It read: “Rod Stewart very regretfully has had to cancel his show tonight in Chula Vista, California.

“He travelled to the venue and made every effort to perform, but on the advice of his doctors and following a diagnosis of an acute upper respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis, he is unable to take to the stage this evening.”

Rod later shared a photo of himself looking glum on stage as he revealed how close he’d come to making the performance.

He wrote: “Well here I am in beautiful Chula Vista as the stage is being taken down around me. Following treatment, I’m feeling much better, but my voice is not.

“I’m very disappointed and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to my fans. I did everything I could to make the show happen tonight, but unfortunately it just wasn’t possible. I will do my utmost to reschedule.”

Rod’s next gig is at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Colorado on June 15, giving him a few days to recover.

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The passengers were removed by police

A Ryanair flight from Manchester Airport had to be diverted due to ‘disruptive’ passengers.

The plane, which left Manchester on Wednesday (June 10), was bound for the popular Spanish holiday island of Tenerife when the captain decided to divert to Faro, in Portugal’s Algarve.

The airline said two passengers ‘became disruptive onboard.’ Portuguese police were called in and removed the passengers in Faro, they added.

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A video posted on social media showed two men stood in the aisle of a Ryanair aircraft. One could heard shouting ‘I’m here for dressing up, I’m dressing down’ as he danced and marched down the aisle.

He was pelted with abuse by some passengers who pleaded with him to sit down.

He then appeared to be tripped up by a fellow passenger as he came back the other way, prompting a flurry of laughter.

The man briefly sits down before jumping up again as the video ends.

“Great flight to Tenerife yesterday – had to redirect to Faro to drop off these 2 k*******s” the fellow passenger who posted it said.

A Ryanair spokesperson said: “This flight from Manchester to Tenerife South (10 June) diverted to Faro after two passengers became disruptive onboard.

“Crew called ahead for police assistance, who met the aircraft upon arrival at Faro Airport, and removed these disruptive passengers before this flight continued to Tenerife.

“Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a respectful and stress-free environment, without unnecessary disruption.”