Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has joined calls for Gianni Infantino to resign over the Folarin Balogun saga at the World Cup.

Balogun was sent off for the United States against Bosnia and Herzegovina but permitted to play the co-hosts’ round of 16 defeat to Belgium after his ban was suspended by a Fifa disciplinary committee.

The decision came after a personal intervention from Donald Trump, with the US president bragging about calling Infantino to ask for a “review” of the striker’s sanction.

Trump and Infantino have a long friendship, with the former presented with the inaugural “Fifa Peace Prize” in December at the draw for the World Cup.

His apparent political interference has provoked a strong rebuke within football, though, with Klopp a strong critic.

“This is our sport, not theirs,” said Klopp, who is set to be appointed as the new manager of Germany. “If Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino really sorted this out between themselves, it is madness; it calls everything into question.”

Former England striker Gary Lineker suggested that USA manager Mauricio Pochettino should have considered leaving Balogun out of his side for the 4-1 defeat to Belgium.

“Obviously, you’ve got to give a lot of credit to Belgium,” Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast. “They didn’t let that decision get to them, bringing Balogun back. And I thought this at the time, it would have been a good play for either Balogun or Mauricio Pochettino to just say, actually, I don’t think that’s right for football, the integrity of the game, the integrity of the sport. And I wonder whether they were better off just saying, ‘actually, we’re going to leave him out anyway’.”

Infantino was also condemned by his predecessor Sepp Blatter, who was impeached in 2015 after receiving an eight-year ban from football, and Uefa, which governs the sport in Europe.

The Fifa president has meanwhile faced calls from British politicians to resign, as well as David Bernstein, a former chair of the Football Association (FA).

“It hits at one of the beauties of football – the worldwide application across the world of regulations and rules,” Bernstein, a prominent critic of Blatter’s during his tenure, said.

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, was emphatic that “Infantino must go”.

He added: “No matter where it’s held, the World Cup belongs to the fans – not gangsters like Trump.”

Infantino has been president of Fifa since 2016. He has twice been re-elected unopposed to the position, and earlier this year confirmed his intention to stand again for another four-year term in 2027.

France forward Kylian Mbappe has condemned a Paraguayan senator as “despicable” and unworthy of her position after she made a number of racist remarks mocking his origin and education.

Celeste Amarilla, of Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party, posted her comments on X after her country’s defeat by France in the last 16 of the World Cup.

Mbappe responded, external: “Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position.

“You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honour throughout the competition.

“Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup, making way for an incompetent woman who gives the worst possible image of her country.

“I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world.”

The French football federation (FFF) has announced plans to file ⁠criminal charges, describing Amarilla’s remarks as “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable”.

In a statement, the FFF said: “These remarks ​are criminal and reprehensible. ​They must be prosecuted here ​as elsewhere. The FFF is reporting the matter to the ​public prosecutor’s office ‌with a ​view to legal ​proceedings.

“These remarks bring shame upon those who make them and those who disseminate them. The players of the French national team represent France; it is our country that is being insulted.”

Mbappe scored a winning penalty in the second half of Saturday’s tie, setting up a quarter-final against Morocco in Boston on Thursday.

With seven goals, Mbappe is the joint top-scorer in this year’s tournament, level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Norway’s Erling Haaland.

Amarilla’s comments follow those of former Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert, who said in the build-up to the match that his national side were facing “a squad from Africa”.

Those remarks also drew a response from FFF president Philippe Diallo, who called Chilavert a “disgrace”.

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the racist remarks made by Jose Luis Chilavert against the French national team, which undermine the values of respect, fraternity, and diversity in our football,” Diallo said.

“If he was once a great goalkeeper, this man has now fallen into disgrace.”

Team USA did not have the first-half start they were hoping for against Belgium in the Round of 16, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino displayed some rightful frustration because of it.

Belgium sent a shock to the USA system not even 10 minutes into the match when Charles De Ketelaere tapped in a ball served right in front of Matt Freese’s net and sent a silent murmur over the sold-out Seattle Stadium crowd.

But things felt back to normal when Malik Tillman, who scored a free kick in the second half against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, did it again. Tillman buried his shot past legendary Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois thanks to a deflection off one of Belgium’s defenders.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of the United States during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Seattle, United States. (Jane Gershovich/ISI Photos)

That was in the 31st minute, but Pochettino’s display of frustration came after the U.S. conceded their second goal just two minutes later.

It was De Ketelaere once again, this time leaping over veteran defender Tim Ream and using his head to place the ball in the back of the net.

THANKS TO TRUMP, A RESTED TEAM USA HAS THE ULTIMATE EDGE OVER A FURIOUS BELGIUM IN THE 2026 WORLD CUP

As Belgium celebrated, Pochettino walked over to his bench and let out his displeasure with what he just witnessed on the pitch with a right boot to the Powerade bottles on the ground.

That’s the type of half it was for Team USA, which went into halftime with a lot to go over before the second half begins.

Mauricio Pochettino Manager / Head Coach of USA during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Seattle, United States. (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA)

While possession was relatively close – Belgium owned it 53% to the USMNT’s 47% — it was clear the Belgians had the advantage in the offensive end. They finished the half with five shots on goal to just one from the U.S. They also created four big chances, meaning this game could’ve been a lot further away for the U.S. than the scoreboard says at the moment.

The USMNT will need better play all around if they wish to move on to the quarterfinals to meet Spain and keep their World Cup title dreams alive. If they can do so, they would become just the second team in U.S. history to get it done, as only the squad in 2002 was able to reach the quarterfinals in this modern FIFA World Cup format.

Mauricio Pochettino Manager / Head Coach of USA during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Seattle, United States. (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Pochettino may let out more frustrations in the locker room, but it’s clear the manager might have to get clever with Belgium owning the momentum after the first 45 minutes.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

In our rapidly changing world, modern habits often dictate how we approach work and achievement.

The drive for success pushes us to juggle countless responsibilities and chase relentless deadlines, making it easy to lose sight of our own well-being.

But true success isn’t about constant hustle or working longer hours; it’s about adopting smarter strategies. By weaving intentional breaks into our modern habits, we create the space to recharge, regain focus, and approach our goals with renewed energy and purpose.

The Science Behind Taking Breaks:

Research consistently shows that our brains aren’t wired for nonstop focus. Prolonged concentration without breaks leads to a decline in both productivity and creativity. Modern habits that prioritize constant work can actually undermine success, making regular pauses essential.

Experts agree that taking intentional breaks helps your mind reset and perform at its best. Kolkata call girls pursuing careers or education often find that regular pauses help maintain productivity and well-being. For example, the Draugiem Group’s Desk Time study revealed that top performers typically work for 52 minutes before taking a 17-minute break. While such intervals may not fit every routine, weaving shorter, frequent pauses into your modern habits can deliver similar benefits. Even a single minute away from your tasks can restore focus and energy, fuelling your path to success.

What Does a “Smart” Recharge Look Like?

A truly smart recharge goes beyond simply zoning out on social media or catching up on emails. Instead, it’s about choosing activities that actively restore your mind and body. The real value comes from being mindful and fully present during your downtime.

Breathwork: Spend a minute on deep, conscious breathing—inhale for four counts, hold for four, and exhale for four. This simple practice soothes your nervous system and clears your mind.

Movement: Break the cycle of sitting by stretching or taking a brisk walk. Even brief movement boosts circulation to your brain and shakes off mental fatigue.

Mindfulness: Take a moment to tune into your senses. Close your eyes and notice the ambient sounds, the support of your chair, or your breath moving in and out. Mindful awareness, even for a minute, can reset your focus.

Hydration: Refill your water bottle and take a few sips. Delhi call girls balancing busy schedules, staying hydrated is an easy yet effective way to maintain energy levels throughout the day. Staying hydrated supports mental alertness and overall energy.

Visual Pause: Rest your eyes from screens by looking out a window or focusing on a distant object. This gives your eyes a break and helps prevent strain.

By choosing purposeful activities like these, you’ll find your short breaks truly revitalizing—helping you return to your work refreshed and more focused.

The Ripple Effect of Smart Recharging:

Adopting modern habits like smart breaks can significantly boost your productivity and well-being—key ingredients for success. Intentional pauses sharpen focus, enhance creativity, and reduce stress, helping you achieve more in less time. Regular smart recharging also improves relationships and work dynamics, equipping you with greater resilience and patience as you pursue success

How to Incorporate Smart Breaks in to Your Day?

Turning smart recharging into one of your modern habits takes intentional effort. To set yourself up for success, look for simple ways to integrate these mindful breaks into your daily routine. Here are some practical strategies to make regular recharging a natural part of your modern habits and support your journey toward lasting success:

Communicate Your Breaks – Inform your colleagues when you’re stepping away for a short recharge, ensuring your time remains uninterrupted. Treat these moments as dedicated opportunities for personal renewal.

Make Breaks Brief but Intentional – Even a focused pause of just one minute can have a significant impact. Short, purposeful breaks are often all you need to refresh your mind and boost your energy.

Change It Up – Vary your smart recharge activities to stay engaged and support different aspects of your well-being—physical, mental, and emotional. Trying new approaches helps keep your breaks refreshing and effective.

Overcoming Guilt and Embracing the Pause

A common obstacle to embracing breaks is the guilt that comes with stepping away, as if modern habits demand constant hustle for success. Mumbai call girls, like many young professionals and students, often feel pressured to stay constantly productive. However, the truth is that smart recharging is a vital investment in both your productivity and well-being. Just as top performers and athletes schedule rest for peak results, integrating intentional pauses into your modern habits leads to greater long-term success. Shift your mindset: see breaks not as indulgence, but as a powerful strategy that transforms effort into genuine progress.

Conclusion

Incorporating smart recharge habits into your modern habits is key to lasting success. Rather than seeing breaks as interruptions, view them as essential for maintaining focus and well-being in today’s fast-paced world. By intentionally pausing for activities like breathwork or movement, you align your modern habits with the demands of success, returning to your work refreshed and ready to tackle what matters most. Smart breaks truly fuel sustainable achievement.

LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

It was another blow for the German national team: After group-stage exits at the World Cups in Russia and Qatar, Germany suffered another early exit on Monday. This time, at the FIFA World Cup 2026 — a defeat to Paraguay, 4-3 on penalties in the round of 32.

Midfielder Jonathan Tah missed the decisive spot kick, and, within minutes, numerous users wrote racist comments and insults on Tah’s social media channels. Then, the following claim went viral:

Claim: Deutsche Welle reported that after Tah’s missed penalty, some Germans were collecting signatures calling for a ban on “Africans” and “Muslims” from playing for the national team in the future. This was according to this Spanish-language post on X with more than 2 million views, and this one with more than 900,000 views. The claim also circulated on other platforms such as Facebook.

DW Fact check: False.

DW did not report on any such racist petition, and DW’s Fact Check team was unable to find any reports by other media outlets saying anything similar. In addition, the DFB, Germany’s football association, told DW in a statement that it was not aware of any such petition or initiative and that nothing of the sort had been reported to the DFB.

“Regardless of this, the content of such a claim blatantly contradicts the values that the DFB stands for. The DFB is firmly committed to diversity, integration and respectful coexistence. Discrimination, exclusion and racist stereotyping have no place in football or in our society,” the DFB added.

DW was unable to find any such petition, either through a Google search or on petition platforms such as Change.org or OpenPetition.de. We also contacted the X accounts “Tendencia Final” (more than 30,000 followers) and “Motivaciones Futbol” (more than 670,000 followers), as well as the corresponding Facebook accounts, requesting a statement and evidence to support the claim. As of the time of publication of this article, DW had not received a response.

A new rule to combat racism on the pitch

Racism in football, including at World Cups and European Championships, occurs on a regular basis. One well-known example came after England’s Euro 2020 final defeat in 2021, also decided by a penalty shootout, when three Black England players were subjected to widespread racist abuse online.

For this World Cup, a new rule has been introduced to help combat racism on the pitch; players who cover their mouth with their hand during an on-field confrontation may be shown a red card. This is to prevent players from hiding abusive, racist or homophobic language from lip-readers and cameras.

DW regularly reports on racism in football and on debates surrounding language in the sport, most recently in the case involving former Germany international Bastian Schweinsteiger, when his TV analysis of Germany’s World Cup opponents Ivory Coast appeared to draw on racist stereotypes.

However, the claim that DW reported on an alleged petition against players with migrant or Muslim backgrounds is false.

Edited by: Chuck Penfold

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone voiced his frustration after outfielder Jasson Dominguez’s ABS challenge attempt was denied during the team’s 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Boone said the situation was especially frustrating because a similar incident had occurred weeks earlier.

“It’s a bad call. It’s a bad look, and I don’t get it. And I know it’s his crew. They’re sticklers for being immediate and all that. It was pretty immediate, and the challenge absolutely should have been allowed…,” manager Aaron Boone said.

“I didn’t complete the explanation because I was going to lose my mind because it already happened at our place a couple of weeks ago…that’s just wrong.”

The controversy occurred in the seventh inning with the Yankees leading 3-1, when Dominguez tapped his helmet to challenge a called strike against Casey Legumina. However, the umpire failed to recognize the signal, and the call stood without a review.

Dominguez and Boone immediately showed their frustration over the missed opportunity. Boone argued that Jasson Dominguez made the challenge signal immediately and that the request should have been granted.

Aaron Boone criticized the explanation behind the denial, saying the umpire appeared to believe the dugout’s reaction influenced the challenge rather than recognizing Dominguez’s immediate helmet tap.

Yankees broadcasters noted that the home plate umpire appeared to be looking down when Dominguez made the signal, while Boone was later seen discussing the decision with crew chief Doug Eddings.

Aaron Boone praises Jose Caballero’s impact in Yankees’ win

Aaron Boone praised New York Yankees utility player Jose Caballero after the infielder delivered a key performance in the team’s win. Boone highlighted Caballero’s big at-bats and ability to provide a spark offensively, especially during a stretch where the team has been searching for consistency at the plate.

Boone also called Caballero a valuable player for the Yankees amid injuries and lineup adjustments. He added that Caballero’s belief that he belongs among the best players on the field is a major strength in a game built around failure. Boone also praised Cam Schlittler for being “dominant” in the road games.