The defender, 29, left Bournemouth after four years at the end of last season upon the expiry of his contract, and waved an emotional goodbye to the Cherries fan base alongside Andoni Iraola.

Escalating protests and social tensions in Mexico's capital threaten to derail FIFA World Cup celebrations on the eve of the opening ceremony as protesters block off access to the main plaza set to host the country's main fan celebrations.Mexico jointly hosts the soccer tournament with the U.S. and Canada and kicks off festivities Thursday with a star-studded event, even as some critics say the government has spent too much time and money catering to international visitors at the residents' expense.The games begin as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum walks a political tightrope, navigating a deteriorating relationship with the U.S. ahead of July trade negotiations, along with political scandals and security concerns following a burst of violence in a World Cup host city in February.Pressure has mounted as guests flood into Mexico City. The government has faced criticism by residents who say authorities have prioritized the competition over pressing social needs.On the eve of the opening ceremonies, a teachers' protest camp effectively blocked off access to Mexico City's main square, a hub for festivities, adding to uncertainty.Mexico wants to project an image to the world that doesnt exactly square with reality, said Carlos Prez Ricart, a political analyst at the Mexican Center for Research and Economic Education. The World Cup is putting the president in a vulnerable situation The government is under extreme pressure.World Cup is a showcase for the countryFIFA's logo, orange Mexican marigold flowers, giant soccer balls and other decorations line streets across Mexicos capital and the two other host cities, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Fans buzzed with excitement as they strolled through Mexico City's streets.The competition is expected to bring in $3 billion for hotels, restaurants and sports venues, according to the Mexican Soccer Federation.Thursday's inauguration and opening match, where Mexico will face off against South Africa, are expected to draw more viewers than much of the competition, with Colombian superstar Shakira and others scheduled to perform.If all goes off without a hitch, it will be a feather in Sheinbaum's cap, said Prez Ricart, showing the world that Mexico is modern and capable of organizing high impact events.Everything is under controlMexican authorities have fortified security following violence that paralyzed host city Guadalajara in February. More than 100,000 soldiers, sailors, National Guard members and police officers are expected to be deployed across the three host cities, yet social tensions have posed the greatest obstacle, particularly in Mexico City.For more than a week, the countrys teachers' union has toppled World Cup statues and blocked roads in an annual push for better working conditions. Families of Mexicos more than 130,000 missing people have hung flyers of their loved ones and said authorities should focus on addressing humanitarian crises in Mexico."Were not against the ball game, said Luis Antonio Rosales Narvez, a protest organizer. But they should be investing in education ... not giving the city a makeover.Sheinbaum has denied there was any social unrest ahead of the tournament, but on Wednesday she acknowledged that the World Cup's main fan festival set up by FIFA in Mexico City's main square may be shut down on opening day.Teachers have set up tent camps on streets surrounding the plaza, making it difficult for thousands of people to access the venue.If for some reason the Zcalo cannot be used for the opening, there are 18 venues where people can watch it free of charge, Sheinbaum said.Everything is under control, she added.The prices are sky-highAirports across the Americas were filled with fans. Panama City's airport one of the main gateways between North and South America was a sea of multicolored jerseys from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Germany and elsewhere.This year were defending the title, and well follow Argentina to the ends of the earth, shouted Emilio Sosa, a 29-year-old from Buenos Aires on his way to Los Angeles.David Botero, a 43-year-old Colombian, was traveling to Mexico City with his family to watch Colombias opening match on June 17 against Uzbekistan.What matters is that well get to see our team up close," Botero said.Others, like 66-year-old Dr. Jose Luis Muoz, struck a more skeptical tone as he read and smoked a cigarette next to a park in downtown Mexico City that once teemed with street vendors. It has since been cleared out by authorities in an effort to clean up the streets.Muoz said some of his fondest memories were taking his children to games during Mexicos 1986 World Cup and celebrating their home team's winning streak.I was so excited, and that joy I passed on to my children, he said.This year, though, he was priced out from attending games. Tickets cost hundreds of dollars.The prices are sky-high. Many people arent going to be able to go unless theyre foreigners with a lot of money, Muoz said. It feels very discriminatory."Still, he added, he will root for Mexico's team from home with his children and grandchildren.___Associated Press journalists Nayara Batschke and Mara Verza contributed to this report from Mexico City.

Escalating protests and social tensions in Mexico's capital threaten to derail FIFA World Cup celebrations on the eve of the opening ceremony as protesters block off access to the main plaza set to host the country's main fan celebrations.Mexico jointly hosts the soccer tournament with the U.S. and Canada and kicks off festivities Thursday with a star-studded event, even as some critics say the government has spent too much time and money catering to international visitors at the residents' expense.The games begin as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum walks a political tightrope, navigating a deteriorating relationship with the U.S. ahead of July trade negotiations, along with political scandals and security concerns following a burst of violence in a World Cup host city in February.Pressure has mounted as guests flood into Mexico City. The government has faced criticism by residents who say authorities have prioritized the competition over pressing social needs.On the eve of the opening ceremonies, a teachers' protest camp effectively blocked off access to Mexico City's main square, a hub for festivities, adding to uncertainty.Mexico wants to project an image to the world that doesnt exactly square with reality, said Carlos Prez Ricart, a political analyst at the Mexican Center for Research and Economic Education. The World Cup is putting the president in a vulnerable situation The government is under extreme pressure.World Cup is a showcase for the countryFIFA's logo, orange Mexican marigold flowers, giant soccer balls and other decorations line streets across Mexicos capital and the two other host cities, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Fans buzzed with excitement as they strolled through Mexico City's streets.The competition is expected to bring in $3 billion for hotels, restaurants and sports venues, according to the Mexican Soccer Federation.Thursday's inauguration and opening match, where Mexico will face off against South Africa, are expected to draw more viewers than much of the competition, with Colombian superstar Shakira and others scheduled to perform.If all goes off without a hitch, it will be a feather in Sheinbaum's cap, said Prez Ricart, showing the world that Mexico is modern and capable of organizing high impact events.Everything is under controlMexican authorities have fortified security following violence that paralyzed host city Guadalajara in February. More than 100,000 soldiers, sailors, National Guard members and police officers are expected to be deployed across the three host cities, yet social tensions have posed the greatest obstacle, particularly in Mexico City.For more than a week, the countrys teachers' union has toppled World Cup statues and blocked roads in an annual push for better working conditions. Families of Mexicos more than 130,000 missing people have hung flyers of their loved ones and said authorities should focus on addressing humanitarian crises in Mexico."Were not against the ball game, said Luis Antonio Rosales Narvez, a protest organizer. But they should be investing in education ... not giving the city a makeover.Sheinbaum has denied there was any social unrest ahead of the tournament, but on Wednesday she acknowledged that the World Cup's main fan festival set up by FIFA in Mexico City's main square may be shut down on opening day.Teachers have set up tent camps on streets surrounding the plaza, making it difficult for thousands of people to access the venue.If for some reason the Zcalo cannot be used for the opening, there are 18 venues where people can watch it free of charge, Sheinbaum said.Everything is under control, she added.The prices are sky-highAirports across the Americas were filled with fans. Panama City's airport one of the main gateways between North and South America was a sea of multicolored jerseys from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Germany and elsewhere.This year were defending the title, and well follow Argentina to the ends of the earth, shouted Emilio Sosa, a 29-year-old from Buenos Aires on his way to Los Angeles.David Botero, a 43-year-old Colombian, was traveling to Mexico City with his family to watch Colombias opening match on June 17 against Uzbekistan.What matters is that well get to see our team up close," Botero said.Others, like 66-year-old Dr. Jose Luis Muoz, struck a more skeptical tone as he read and smoked a cigarette next to a park in downtown Mexico City that once teemed with street vendors. It has since been cleared out by authorities in an effort to clean up the streets.Muoz said some of his fondest memories were taking his children to games during Mexicos 1986 World Cup and celebrating their home team's winning streak.I was so excited, and that joy I passed on to my children, he said.This year, though, he was priced out from attending games. Tickets cost hundreds of dollars.The prices are sky-high. Many people arent going to be able to go unless theyre foreigners with a lot of money, Muoz said. It feels very discriminatory."Still, he added, he will root for Mexico's team from home with his children and grandchildren.___Associated Press journalists Nayara Batschke and Mara Verza contributed to this report from Mexico City.

A prominent watchdog organisation has urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to revoke visas for Iran's World Cup football squad, alleging the team is engaged in a "soft war" against America.United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) submitted a letter to Rubio presenting what it describes as substantial evidence that Tehran intends to exploit the tournament for hostile purposes.The group's concerns centre on a send-off ceremony held in Tehran on 13 May, where an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander addressed the players.According to UANI, the commander declared the World Cup a "war battlefield" and stated the Iranian team would be playing in memory of those who "stood by Iran's missile defence systems and ballistic missile launchers."A separate opposition coalition has gone further still, demanding that FIFA expel Iran's football federation from the sport entirely.The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has provided Fox News Digital with a report alleging the regime has weaponised the country's football infrastructure for mass surveillance of its own citizens.The dossier claims facial-recognition technology has been deployed at major stadiums including Azadi, Takhti and Shahr-e Qods.NCRI alleges that ticketing systems are linked to Iran's national civil registration database, enabling authorities to map spectators seat-by-seat using national identity numbers."It is highly critical for security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies to utilise and exploit the video surveillance cameras of the Azadi Complex during matches," the report quotes from alleged internal Iranian security documents.The NCRI report identifies at least 15 IRGC commanders who have held formal positions within Iranian football club management.Among those named is an individual the organisation describes as an IRGC intelligence officer currently leading Iran's football federation.Former IRGC commander Mohammad Rouyanian managed the prominent Persepolis club for years, whilst active Basij militia member Ali Inanloo was appointed to the club's board in 2025.The regime's treatment of dissenting athletes stands in grim contrast to the national team's compliance with authorities.UANI's letter reminds Secretary Rubio that several footballers were killed by state forces during pro-democracy protests in January 2026.The victims include Mojtaba Torshiz, a Premier League player killed on 8 January in Tehran, and Pedram Khalouei, a 15-year-old youth player for Sepahan FC, killed the following day in Isfahan.Despite the political furore, Iran's squad has arrived in North America, touching down in Tijuana on Sunday after departing their Turkish training base in Antalya.The team was compelled to relocate to Mexico following visa delays that scuppered original plans for an Arizona training camp, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum offering sanctuary in May.The State Department has remained silent on whether additional restrictions will be imposed on the Iranian delegation.NCRI's deputy director Alireza Jafarzadeh drew a pointed historical parallel, urging FIFA to follow the precedent set during apartheid."Do exactly what you did with South Africa during the apartheid," he said. "The Iranian Football Federation that is controlled by the Revolutionary Guards must be expelled from FIFA."Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

Houses, vehicles and a bus were set on fire during violent protests on Tuesday night after a knife attack in Belfast.

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