NYON, Switzerland (AP) — European soccer body UEFA criticized FIFA for an “incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision” to let United States forward Folarin Balogun play at the World Cup against Belgium on Monday despite a red card in his previous game.

UEFA said in a statement FIFA “crossed a red line” with its decision not to enforce Balogun’s mandatory one-game ban, after the world soccer body came under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.

FIFA’s ruling Sunday — to defer Balogun’s ban for one year of probation — shockingly deviated from soccer’s traditional rule of law and drew stinging criticism globally including from former World Cup stars and coaches at this tournament.

“It’s a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup,” Norway coach Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said Sunday after his team beat Brazil to reach the quarterfinals.

UEFA, whose member federations include Belgium, insisted: “Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not.”

“When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined,” said the European soccer body, which has often clashed with FIFA President Gianni Infantino during his decade in power.

“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision,” said UEFA, where Infantino was its CEO-like general secretary from 2009 until being elected to lead FIFA in February 2016.

The Belgian soccer federation was preparing an appeal in Seattle in the early hours of Monday to challenge the Balogun ruling before a FIFA-appointed appeals judge. The round of 16 game against the U.S. is due to kick off at 5 p.m. local time.

___

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

The changes to eGate rules at 13 airports across the country will allow more children to speed through passport control.

Previously, only children aged 10 and above could use eGates, a rule that was reduced from 12 years old in 2023.

What is the new eGate travel rule coming to UK airports this week?

The new rules are expected to benefit up to 1.5 million more children, based on 2025 UK arrival figures.

These children typically have to see a border force officer, so the change is anticipated to significantly speed up the process for families.

The adjustment will enable children aged eight and nine, who are at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall and accompanied by an adult, to use the automated gates.

The height restriction is due to the need for children to be able to see and be captured by biometric screens.

The expanded access will apply to more than 290 eGates in the UK, affecting 13 airports.

These are:

• London Heathrow
• London Gatwick
• London City
• London Luton
• London Stansted
• Manchester
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• East Midlands
• Newcastle
• Cardiff
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow

The new rule will also apply to accompanying ports where border checks take place in Europe.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, said: “Travel with young children can be stressful for parents.

“By expanding eGate access, more families can experience a swifter and smoother journey home – freeing up precious time this summer holiday season.

“We are delivering continued improvement to the passenger experience, while keeping our borders safe and secure.”

The rule change will not only apply to airports but also to other travel methods, such as Eurostar and the Eurotunnel.

People travelling from non-Schengen countries in Europe, along with the US, Australia, and Japan, will also be able to use the eGates.

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In addition to the UK, 48 EU airports will be allowing British holidaymakers to use eGates.

These include locations in popular holiday destinations such as Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal.

The change is set to come into effect from Wednesday (July 8).

What do you think of the new changes to eGates? Let us know in the comments.

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Supporters who sacrificed a night’s sleep to watch the last-16 clash against Mexico were rewarded with one of England’s most memorable World Cup performances in recent years.

At Hogarths, where owners had expected between 400 and 450 fans, jubilant supporters burst into chants of “It’s Coming Home” and “Sweet Caroline”.

Similar scenes played out at ROOM Westhoughton, The Hulton Arms, The Poacher and the Duke of Wellington, with fans singing long after the final whistle.

“Wonderwall” at The Hulton Arms (Image: Supplied)

Many venues stayed open after receiving strong demand for the unusual 1am kick-off, which was delayed by an hour because of thunderstorms around the Estadio Azteca.

Their faith was rewarded after a match that had everything.

England raced into a commanding lead thanks to two Jude Bellingham goals in the space of 98 seconds.

“It’s Coming Home” at ROOM Westhoughton (Image: Supplied)

Mexico responded before half-time and England’s task became even tougher after Jarell Quansah was sent off early in the second half, forcing Thomas Tuchel’s side to play with 10 men.

Harry Kane restored England’s two-goal advantage from the penalty spot before Mexico hit back again from 12 yards, setting up a tense finish as the hosts piled on the pressure.

But England withstood 11 minutes of added time to clinch a famous 3-2 victory and set up a quarter-final against Norway on Saturday.

There was little sign of tiredness inside Bolton’s pubs as fans soaked up a memorable World Cup night they will not forget in a hurry.

A man has been charged after a 20-year-old was hospitalised with serious injuries following an alleged assault in west Wales.

Police issued a statement on Saturday which said the incident happened in Margaret Street leading to Uplands Square, at approximately 12.51am that morning. A spokesperson said a 20-year-old man sustained serious, life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

In an update issued late on Sunday, police have confirmed the victim’s condition is now stable.

Officers have charged Ciaran McConnell, 37, from New Quay with grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He is due to appear in court on Monday.

A 59-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of assault and has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Police are continuing their appeal for witnesses to assist them in their investigation.

This is the third consecutive year that Barratt and David Wilson Homes West Scotland has been honoured.

A house builder with headquarters in Lanarkshire has been named as one of the World’s 500 Most Sustainable Companies for 2026 by TIME Magazine for a third consecutive year.

The recognition for Barratt and David Wilson Homes West Scotland, part of Barratt Redrow, which is responsible for local developments such as Lennox Gardens in Monklands and Jackton Hall, East Kilbride, underscores its industry-leading commitment to preserving and enhancing the natural environment and building great places that promote healthy and happy living for customers.

This accolade places Barratt Redrow amongst a select group of companies across the globe recognised for their leadership in sustainability.

Andy Curran, managing director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes West Scotland, said: “It’s fantastic to know our work across West Scotland contributes to a national legacy of building not only high-quality homes, but a more sustainable future. This achievement reflects the dedication of our teams to reducing our impact, innovating and creating communities that last.

“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Being included on this global list is both an honour and a powerful motivation to keep pushing the boundaries of what responsible home-building can achieve.”

In total, 62 UK-based companies received the accreditation in 2026, all of whom are setting the benchmark on sustainability performance, transparency and innovation.

TIME and its research partner, Statista, used a transparent, multi-stage methodology to identify the world’s most sustainable companies. The process began with a pool of over 5000 of the world’s largest and most influential companies. Following a rigorous four-stage assessment, the final ranking excluded unsustainable industries and considered factors like external sustainability ratings and commitments, corporate reporting practices and environmental and social performance indicators. This comprehensive approach produced a ranking of 500 companies from over 30 countries.

Working with highly-skilled partners in the sector, Barratt Redrow is driving change across the organisation and its value chain to meet society’s most pressing challenges, including climate change, diversity and inclusion, and human rights. The business is committed to all homes being zero carbon in regulated energy use from 2030.

On site, the leading house builder is taking steps to reduce its operational footprint with a major focus on eliminating and reducing diesel use. This includes trials of hydrotreated vegetable oil as a lower-carbon fuel alternative, and trialling hydrogen telehandlers. Alongside this, it is improving site energy efficiency, expanding the use of renewable electricity and introducing tools to monitor emissions from construction activities.

Barratt Redrow’s determination to be a quality, sustainable builder was recognised in June by the NHBC’s Pride in the Job Quality Awards with 122 site managers given awards in 2026 – more than any other house builder for the 22nd year running. Also, the house builder was awarded five stars by customers for the 17th year in a row.

Barratt Homes West Scotland is currently building in the following Lanarkshire areas:

• Lennox Gardens, Glenboig

• Torrance Park, Holytown

• Calder Gardens, Carnbroe

• Jackton Hall, East Kilbride

• Newton Farm, Cambuslang

• Eaglesham View, East Kilbride

• Cornhill Village, Hamilton

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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Deadly clashes broke out inside a prison in the outskirts of Sri Lanka’s capital, officials said on Monday.

Unrest broke out at the prison in Negombo, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of the capital Colombo, on Sunday and continued on Monday, according to the local media and police.

Local television station Hiru reported that 20 people have been killed in the clashes and more than 100 others were injured. Victims include both inmates and prison officials, the channel reported.

Police spokesman Chandana Herath confirmed that there was a clash inside the prison and that people had been killed, but did not give any other details.

The reason for the clash was not immediately known.

England’s memorable 3-2 win over Mexico inside the Azteca Stadium proved to be the curtain closer for one seasoned international after announcing his immediate retirement

Mexico icon Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa has confirmed his retirement from football with immediate effect following their World Cup elimination at the hands of England. In one of the clashes of the tournament so far, Thomas Tuchel’s men pulled off a stunning 3-2 win inside the co-hosts’ home venue, despite being reduced to 10 men for most of the second half.

The Three Lions sparked emotional celebrations after the final whistle as they were serenaded by smatterings of white shirts in the crowd. At the other end, a poignant farewell took place.

Ochoa stayed true to his word, confirming that he would be stepping away from the game after a 23-year professional career. He was hoisted into the air by his team-mates after the game as he said goodbye to fans alongside his family.

Ochoa, who could be seen fighting back tears on the Mexico bench, told reporters: “My first game, Azteca. My last game, Azteca. It’s been a beautiful final chapter of my career. Thank you, everyone.”

The veteran goalkeeper, who turns 41 on July 13, announced prior to the tournament that he would be hanging up his boots following the conclusion of El Tri’s participation. It brings the curtain down on his illustrious career that saw him earn 153 Mexico caps, with 12 of them coming at World Cup finals.

Ochoa made over 425 appearances for Club America across two spells, etching his name in Mexican football history. In between that, he embarked on a tour of Europe that included stints with AC Ajaccio, Malaga, Granada, Standard Liege, Salernitana, AVS and finally AEL Limassol last season.

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Ochoa lost his spot as Mexico’s first-choice choice goalkeeper at the tournament, having previously held the No.1 shirt since 2014. However, he remained in the squad – his sixth appearance at a World Cup finals dating back to 2006 – as he used his experience to help guide Javier Aguirre’s squad through the month-long event.

Aguirre handed him one final farewell at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico’s final group-stage fixture against Czechia, having already qualified as group winners. He came off the bench in the 77th minute to replace Raul Rangel as they ran out 3-0 winners.

But he was unable to stop Mexico from bowing out at the last-16 stage, with England producing a mighty performance inside the Azteca.

Fighting against thunderstorms and an altitude of over 7,000ft above sea level, Tuchel’s men took charge of the game when Jude Bellingham scored a quick-fire double in the first half, before Julian Quinones grabbed one back on 42 minutes.

Jarell Quansah received a straight red card to put England’s position under question, only for Harry Kane to score from the spot on the hour mark. Mexico were awarded a penalty of their own after Kane was adjudged to have kicked his opponent inside the box and Raul Jimenez stepped up to reduce the deficit.

Despite applying late pressure to Jordan Pickford’s goal, Mexico were unable to find a leveller as England ran out 3-2 winners on the night. They condemned their opponents to only their third defeat there in 90 games and first-ever in a World Cup game.

They will face Norway in an enticing quarter-final tie on Saturday after the Scandinavian nation stunned Brazil 2-1 thanks to an Erling Haaland double.

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At least 11 people have been killed in Kyiv following a second night of Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital in a week, the city’s top military administrator has said.

Some 46 people have been injured, including five children, Timur Tkachenko added. Three more people were killed in the wider Kyiv region, emergency officials said.

Rescue efforts are continuing at more than 20 locations, Tkachenko posted on Telegram, adding that residential high-rise buildings were hit in two districts.

The strikes come on the eve of the Nato summit in Turkey, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to hold talks with President Trump.

Hours before the latest strikes, Zelensky had warned that Moscow was preparing a second “massive strike” on Kyiv following its attacks on Thursday that killed 30 people.

It was another frightening night for people in the capital, with loud explosions and the boom of Ukraine’s air defences in action. Once again, many residents sought shelter underground.

Russian ballistic missiles hit several buildings across the city, Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said, adding that fires had broken out in some apartment complexes.

Warehouses and a garage workshop were also damaged, according to the mayor.

Widespread destruction was visible on Monday morning. Three large blocks of flats in the city have partially collapsed, some were hit directly by missiles.

Rescuers have been trying to reach people trapped inside the ruins.

Helicopters have been shuttling back and forth in the sky, carrying water from the river to douse fires in the city.

Hours ahead of the strikes Zelensky said that intelligence had indicated that Kyiv would come under a second wave of Russian attacks in a week.

After a barrage of drone and missile strikes on Thursday night, tens of thousands of residents evacuated to metro stations around the city as alarms blared in the early hours of Friday morning.

Ukraine accused Moscow of deliberately attacking civilian areas in that attack, which left at least 30 people dead. Russia said it had targeted military and energy bases in retaliation for recent Ukrainian strikes on power stations and energy facilities in Russian territory.

Such attacks continued overnight, with power being cut off temporarily in the city of Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea.

Ukraine has been escalating its strikes on targets in the peninsula in an attempt to pressure the Kremlin into peace talks.

So far, it has opted to increase its deadly attacks on Kyiv instead.

Ahead of the Nato meeting, Zelensky urged allies to not delay on sending air defence missiles to counter Russian ballistics.

He wrote on X: “Any delay with missiles for our air defense… means the loss of lives, and it encourages Russia to continue the war.”

Zelensky has also appealed to the US to grant Ukraine licences to manufacture Patriot defence missiles.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Babarinde said: “He has dined out on a career about taking back control, yet he won’t tell us, he won’t be straight with us about who controls him.”

Under parliamentary rules, new MPs must declare financial interests and “registrable benefits” received in the 12 months before their election.

The guidelines say purely personal gifts or benefits do not need to be registered.

Farage is already facing a parliamentary probe over a £5m gift from a billionaire Reform UK donor which was not registered.

He has argued that he did not need to declare the gift because he received it before he was elected as Clacton MP and it was not political.

His team has made a similar argument for why the “in kind” – non-cash – benefits allegedly from Cottrell were not registered.

Cottrell, 32, who admitted a count of wire fraud in the US in 2017, is a long-standing ally of Farage. He was involved with Farage’s former political party Ukip as a volunteer in the run-up to the Brexit referendum.

According to the Sunday Times, Cottrell is a cryptocurrency entrepreneur and is involved with the offshore gambling website Tether.bet.

Farage said: “I have done no wrongdoing, followed the rules and I am now considering legal action against the Sunday Times.

“It’s now clear the establishment will stop at nothing to hurt Reform – we want to smash their cosy consensus.”

When he became an MP, Farage registered a £9,253 trip to Belgium in April 2024 donated by Cottrell, and later added a £15,276 donation from Cottrell for a US domestic flight he provided in December 2024.

No other support from Cottrell is listed in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests.