FIFA probes racist chant at World Cup after IShowSpeed abuse

FIFA has opened an investigation after a fan shouted a racist phrase at streamer IShowSpeed during the Friday World Cup match between Argentina and Cape Verde, signalling the governing body’s zero‑tolerance stance. The incident occurred as IShowSpeed, a 21‑year‑old American streamer, was livestreaming the game and asked a fan in an Argentina jersey what was being said toward him. The fan, speaking in Spanish, told IShowSpeed, who is Black, to “go cry to the zoo,” prompting FIFA to issue a statement on Tuesday condemning racism, hate and discrimination in all forms. The statement added that such actions have no place in football, at the FIFA World Cup, or anywhere in society. IShowSpeed’s publicists did not immediately respond to a request for comment by the Associated Press. The streamer boasts more than 50 million YouTube subscribers, 45 million Instagram followers and 47 million followers on TikTok.

France’s win meets Tunisia’s doping scandal at the World Cup

On Monday, France star Kylian Mbappé condemned Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after she posted a series of racist comments on X following France’s Saturday victory over Paraguay. Mbappé called the Paraguayan senator a “despicable woman” and said she was “unworthy” of serving in Paraguay’s Congress. Late Monday, Amarilla issued an open letter in French and Spanish, saying her problem was with the player, not the country of France, and that she regretted mistreating Mbappé with the same insults she receives as a mixed‑race person. She also demanded an apology from Mbappé and threatened legal action if he did not retract his remarks. The Paraguayan government released a statement condemning Amarilla’s remarks as contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity, adding that the comments do not represent the Paraguayan government or its people. France, the French side that advanced to the quarter‑finals, will face Morocco on Thursday, a match that will test the team’s resolve after the controversy.