International Sports
Amnesty International raises alarm over deportations, protests ahead of FIFA World Cup
The rights watchdog said the situation is most acute in the US under President Donald Trump, where it says a “human rights emergency” is unfolding due to aggressive immigration enforcement policies.
A new report released on Monday, 30 March, by Amnesty International has warned that the 2026 FIFA World Cup could expose millions of fans to serious human rights risks, particularly in the United States, where the majority of matches will be held.
The report, titled Humanity Must Win: Defending rights, tackling repression at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlights concerns across all three host nations—United States, Canada and Mexico—including threats to freedom of expression, peaceful protest, and the safety of local communities.
According to Amnesty International, the situation is most acute in the United States under President Donald Trump, where it says a “human rights emergency” is unfolding due to aggressive immigration enforcement policies.
The organization cited mass detentions, arbitrary arrests, and widespread deportations carried out by agencies such as US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and US Customs and Border Protection.
Amnesty International’s Head of Economic and Social Justice, Steve Cockburn, said more than 500,000 people were deported from the United States in 2025 alone, warning that the erosion of due process has created “a climate of fear” that could affect both residents and visiting fans during the tournament.
The report also raises concerns about the impact of these policies on World Cup host cities, noting that local authorities in cities such as Dallas, Houston and Miami have entered agreements with federal immigration agencies, increasing the risk of racial profiling and undermining trust in law enforcement.
In addition, Amnesty International highlighted previous federal deployments of thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to protests against immigration raids, warning that similar measures during the World Cup could threaten civil liberties.
Beyond the United States, the report points to risks in the other host countries. In Mexico, the deployment of around 100,000 security personnel—including military forces—has raised fears that protests could be suppressed, particularly by activists planning demonstrations linked to disappearances and social justice issues in Mexico City.
In Canada, Amnesty International warned that preparations for the tournament could worsen an already deepening housing crisis, citing concerns that people experiencing homelessness may be displaced, echoing the legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
The organization also flagged travel restrictions that could prevent fans from several countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Iran and Senegal, from entering the United States, alongside proposals for intrusive screening measures such as social media vetting.
Amnesty International further warned that restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly across all three host nations could undermine the inclusive spirit of the tournament. It noted that protests—often a feature of global sporting events—risk being repressed, with recent examples including crackdowns on demonstrations in North America.
With just weeks to go before the tournament begins, Amnesty International urged FIFA and host governments to take immediate action to safeguard human rights.
“This World Cup is no longer the ‘medium risk’ tournament that FIFA once judged it to be,” said Cockburn.
“Urgent steps are needed to ensure fans, players, workers and communities are protected, and that the tournament lives up to its promise of being safe, inclusive and respectful of human rights,” he said.
Amnesty International added that while FIFA stands to generate record revenues from the competition, the rights and safety of those involved must remain at the centre of the event.
International Sports
IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians crush Gujarat Titans by 99 runs
The match was defined by a sensational innings from Tilak Varma, who struck an unbeaten 101 off just 45 deliveries to power Mumbai to a commanding total.
Mumbai Indians returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion on Monday, defeating Gujarat Titans by 99 runs in a dominant Indian Premier League encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The match was defined by a sensational innings from Tilak Varma, who struck an unbeaten 101 off just 45 deliveries to power Mumbai to a commanding total. The left-hander’s maiden IPL century came at a crucial time for his side, lifting them out of a recent slump with a display of clean, aggressive hitting that dismantled the Gujarat bowling attack.
After a steady start, Varma accelerated sharply through the middle and death overs, finding boundaries with ease and maintaining a high strike rate to push Mumbai well beyond Gujarat’s reach.
In reply, Gujarat Titans faltered under scoreboard pressure. Their batting lineup failed to build partnerships as Mumbai’s bowlers tightened control early on. Ashwani Kumar led the charge with the ball, claiming four wickets in a disciplined spell that ensured the hosts never threatened the target.
Gujarat were eventually bowled out well short, handing Mumbai one of their most convincing wins of the season and snapping a four-match losing streak.
The result provides a timely boost for Mumbai Indians as the tournament enters a critical phase, while Gujarat Titans will be left searching for answers after a heavy defeat on home soil.
Attention now turns to Tuesday’s IPL fixture, where Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Delhi Capitals. Hyderabad will be aiming to continue their strong run of form, while Delhi are looking to secure an important victory to improve their standing in the competition.
All IPL matches are being broadcast live and exclusively in Afghanistan on Ariana Television, providing fans nationwide with comprehensive coverage of the tournament.
Featured
Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings win IPL double-header
The results add further intensity to the league standings as teams continue their push for playoff positions.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) produced two matches yesterday, Sunday April 20, in the latest round of fixtures, with wins for the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Punjab Kings.
In the first match, Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Rajasthan Royals by 4 wickets in a tightly contested encounter. Rajasthan set a competitive total, but Kolkata managed the chase with two balls to spare in a controlled finish.
Bowler Varun Chakravarthy was named Player of the Match for his impactful spell, which helped restrict Rajasthan during the middle overs and shift momentum in Kolkata’s favour.
In the second match, Punjab Kings secured victory over the Lucknow Super Giants in a high-scoring contest. Punjab’s batting unit laid the foundation with an aggressive total, which their bowlers defended despite a late push from Lucknow.
Shikhar Dhawan was awarded Player of the Match for his key contribution at the top of the order.
The results add further intensity to the league standings as teams continue their push for playoff positions.
Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians
Today’s match features the Gujarat Titans taking on the Mumbai Indians in what is expected to be a competitive clash between two strong sides.
Both teams will be aiming for consistency as the tournament progresses, with Gujarat looking to strengthen their position and Mumbai seeking momentum.
The match will be shown live and exclusively across Afghanistan on Ariana Television Network.
International Sports
Sunrisers and DC secure wins as IPL momentum builds
With teams jostling for early dominance, Sunday’s matches could prove pivotal in shaping the race for playoff positions.
The Indian Premier League delivered another day of high drama on Saturday, with Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad registering important victories to boost their campaigns.
Delhi Capitals produced a composed chase to defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets in Bengaluru. Recovering from early setbacks, half-centuries from KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs steadied the innings before a late flourish sealed the win with one ball to spare.
In Hyderabad, Sunrisers held their nerve to edge Chennai Super Kings by 10 runs in a tightly contested match. Despite Chennai being well-placed in their chase of 195, disciplined bowling at the death turned the game in Hyderabad’s favour, highlighting their growing depth in attack.
The results leave both Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad on six points, strengthening their positions in a tightly packed mid-table race as the tournament gathers pace.
Attention now shifts to Sunday’s fixtures, with two matches set to shape the standings further.
In Kolkata, Kolkata Knight Riders host Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens. Kolkata are under pressure after a string of defeats and are still searching for their first win, while Rajasthan will look to bounce back after a recent setback despite a strong start to the season.
Later, Punjab Kings face Lucknow Super Giants, with Punjab entering the clash as one of the form teams of the tournament. Unbeaten so far, they will aim to maintain momentum against a Lucknow side struggling for consistency and dealing with injury concerns.
With teams jostling for early dominance, Sunday’s matches could prove pivotal in shaping the race for playoff positions.
IPL fans can meanwhile tune in to Ariana Television today to watch the scheduled double-header. Ariana Television will broadcast the matches live and exclusively across Afghanistan.
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