Lawyers for Belfast-born businessman cite example of World Cup workers in Qatar pay dispute
Paddy McKillen's lawyers have accused members of the Qatari royal family of exploiting his services in a luxury hotel empire expansion, citing 'striking similarities' to other practices by the Qataris, including claims that migrant construction workers were not paid during the World Cup.
The court complaint filed by McKillen's lawyers in the Central District of California was put forward under America's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (Rico) Act. Under this kind of case, McKillen's legal team must establish a pattern of alleged racketeering activity, meaning they must provide previous examples they claim show such actions – such as allegations that companies linked to the Qataris failed to pay workers in the past.
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NBC News
9 hours ago
- NBC News
England's Jess Carter reveals racial abuse at Euro 2025, FA has contacted police
ZURICH — England defender Jess Carter says she has been subject to racial abuse online at the Women's European Championship. Carter came in for a lot of criticism for her performance during England's opening loss to France. And some of that has crossed the line even as the 27-year-old and the Lionesses have reached the semifinals at Euro 2025. 'From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse,' Carter wrote in an emotional post on Instagram on Sunday. 'Whilst I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result I don't agree or think it's ok to target someone's appearance or race.' Carter has made 49 appearances for England and was part of the victorious Euro 2022 squad as well as an integral part of the team that finished runner-up to Spain at the World Cup the following year. She says she will be taking a step back from social media. 'As ever I am grateful for all of the support from the genuine fans but I am taking this measure to protect myself in a bid to keep my focus on helping the team anyway I can,' Carted added. Carter's teammates immediately responded to her Instagram post with messages of support. The Football Association has contacted police back in the United Kingdom. 'Our priority is Jess and giving her all the support she needs,' FA CEO Mark Bullingham said. 'We strongly condemn those responsible for this disgusting racism. 'As soon as we were made aware of the racist abuse Jess received, we immediately contacted UK police. They are in touch with the relevant social media platform, and we are working with police to ensure those responsible for this hate crime are brought to justice.' Bullingham added that the FA had measures in place to respond quickly as 'regrettably, this is not the first time this has happened to an England player.' Carter plays her club soccer for Gotham FC in the United States, having joined from Chelsea a year ago. 'We are heartbroken and outraged by the racist abuse directed at Jess Carter. Jess is not only a world-class football player — she is a role model, a leader and a valued part of our Gotham FC family,' the New York area-based team said in a statement. 'At Gotham, we believe in a culture of mutual respect and remain committed to building a game — and a community — where everyone feels safe, respected and celebrated. There is no place for racism in our sport.' England plays Italy in the semifinals on Tuesday in Geneva, after a dramatic comeback against Sweden last week saw the Lionesses win a chaotic penalty shootout. The other semifinal pits Spain against Germany on Wednesday. 'Hopefully speaking out will make the people writing this abuse think twice so that others won't have to deal with it,' Carter said. 'We have made some historic changes with this Lionesses squad that I am so proud to be part of and my hope is that by speaking out about this it will make another positive change for all. 'I'm now looking forward and focusing on putting all my energy into helping my team.'
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
Mbappe accused of paying French police for ‘private services'
Kylian Mbappé, France's football team captain, is under investigation over payments made to police officers for alleged 'private services'. A total of £156,330 was paid in June 2023 from a Monaco bank account in Mr Mbappé's name to five police officers assigned to protect the French national team at the 2022 World Cup, media reported. Four of the officers reportedly received £26,000 each, while the fifth, a commander, received £52,000. The payments are believed to be linked to Mbappé's promise to gift his World Cup prize money to the officers who guarded the team throughout the tournament. However, questions have been raised as to whether some of them were hired as private security guards. The forward, who plays for Real Madrid, confirmed the payments and consulted a lawyer to ensure the recipients would not be taxed on them. However, the Paris prosecutor's office announced on Friday it had opened an investigation 'on charges of undeclared work and laundering of tax fraud'. The police commander is of special interest as he allegedly accompanied the former Paris Saint-Germain captain on private trips to Cameroon and Provence, where he is accused of having worked secretly for Mbappé. In July 2023, Mbappé travelled to Cameroon where he met with the prime minister, visited schools funded by his charitable foundation, and the village of his father, Wilfried Mbappé. 'The investigations, which are inherently complex given the financial transactions involved, are underway in order to characterise the commission of possible criminal offences and to identify the perpetrators where appropriate,' the prosecutor's office said. Mbappé's representatives denied accusations of wrongdoing and said that 'everything was done in compliance with the rules'. Money was a gesture of gratitude The money was meant to express his gratitude for the officers' work during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and was paid out of Mbappé's bonus, a statement read. ' Since his debut with the French national team, Kylian Mbappé has always chosen to donate all of his selection bonuses,' it added. It went on to say that the money was given in a 'spirit of fairness', as the officers had not received post-World Cup bonuses, while other members of the staff had. 'Everything was done in compliance with the rules, but also in the spirit of the law, which allows a player to express his gratitude to those who work behind the scenes, with loyalty and commitment.' The statement further denies that Mr Mbappé secretly paid the commander for his services in Cameroon and claims that the officer accompanied the footballer on official state business. 'Commander S, in particular, was never paid for his presence with Kylian, including during trips like the one to Cameroon. He acted as an official representative of the Republic and the Federation, as he had already done alongside other players before Kylian.' According to Le Canard enchaîné, the commander is scheduled to appear before a disciplinary board this fall, where he will be asked to repay more than €1.2 million (£1 million) in salaries considered to have been unduly paid.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Reuters
Most Gulf markets gain on earnings boost, but Saudi index extends losses
July 17 (Reuters) - Most major stock markets in the Gulf rose on Thursday, lifted by positive corporate earnings and announcements, although the Saudi index was set to extend losses for an eighth consecutive session. Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI), opens new tab advanced 1.2%, hitting a 17-1/2-year high, buoyed by financial shares. Shares of Emirates NBD ( opens new tab jumped 4%, on course to gain for a third consecutive session, after the top lender announced it had concluded 3.9 billion dirhams ($1.06 billion) in syndicated loans for Dubai Metro's Blue Line Project. Budget airliner Air Arabia ( opens new tab advanced 5.1% to a record high on plans to increase its Abu Dhabi unit's operational capacity by 40% this year, following Wizz Air Abu Dhabi's exit from the market. In Abu Dhabi, the index (.FTFADGI), opens new tab added 0.6%. The Qatari index (.QSI), opens new tab gained 0.5%, supported by a 2.6% rise in Qatar Islamic Bank ( opens new tab after the lender reported higher half-yearly profit. The sharia-compliant lender reported on Wednesday a first-half net profit of 2.18 billion riyals ($598.46 million), up 5.3% from last year. Shares of Commercial Bank of Qatar ( opens new tab dropped 1.3%, a day after the lender posted a nearly 20% decline in net profit for the six-month period ended June 30. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI), opens new tab eased 0.2%, on course to fall for a eighth consecutive session, with Al Rajhi Bank ( opens new tab losing 0.8%. Elsewhere, oil giant Saudi Aramco ( opens new tab was down 0.7%. ($1 = 3.6427 Qatar riyals) ($1 = 3.6726 UAE dirham)
