Philippe Auclair

The Council of Europe’s secretary general Alain Berset accuses Fifa of opening the door to fraud and political interference during the 2026 World Cup, criticising a betting partnership with ADI Predictstreet and the reversal of Folarin Balogun’s suspension after contact between Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump. Berset calls for a new integrity framework before the 2030 tournament and cites broader issues including racist abuse and questionable officiating. His intervention follows letters from European parliament members urging investigations into Infantino’s actions, while most Fifa member associations have already backed him for re‑election.

Unlicensed betting operators Nightwin and QH88 used fabricated BBC stories, fake apps and AI‑generated deepfake videos to present Jude Bellingham and Bruno Fernandes as ambassadors for their brands. Nightwin briefly promoted a fake “Bellingham Bet” app targeting UK users despite lacking a UK licence, while QH88 created a detailed website and realistic deepfake video showing Fernandes signing an endorsement deal. The operations trace back to opaque offshore structures in Curaçao. Regulators warn consumers to verify operator licences amid concerns that similar identity hijacking of players will proliferate without stronger international action.

Kylian Mbappé’s career is shaped largely by a close circle of influential women, led by his mother, Fayza Lamari, and lawyer Delphine Verheyden, who manages his commercial and legal interests alongside a broader team of specialists. Rejecting traditional agents, the family built a trusted network including high‑level advisers in public relations, law and finance who have overseen Mbappé’s rise, brand development and international partnerships. The structure reflects a deliberate strategy in a male‑dominated sport, highlighting the central role these women play in his personal and professional trajectory.