The organisers of the World Cup in Qatar are paying groups of soccer fans to travel to the tournament next month, saying on Monday they are asking them for positive comments on social media in return.

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) confirmed the policy of inviting groups of supporters to the finals as guests after reports by Dutch public broadcaster NOS, who said on Sunday that Qatar was paying for flights and hotels for a group of 50 Dutch fans.

In return these supporters have had to sign a 'code of conduct', urging them to post favourable comments about the tournament on social media and to report "any offensive, degrading or abusive comments" by others to the SC, preferably with screenshots.

The broadcaster cited two Dutch fans who said they had been selected by the tournament's organisers as "Fan Leaders", and who added that they had been asked to pick a group of 50 loyal supporters for the free trip to Qatar.

"As the tournament nears, we have invited our most active fan leaders to personally nominate a small selection of fans to join us as our guests, as a manner of thanking them for their collaboration," a spokesperson for the SC told Reuters.

On its website, the Qatar World Cup describes its Fan Leaders program as a network of around 400 fans and influencers from 60 countries who have offered "insights, research, content creation and message amplification," for the tournament.

The organisers did not say how many fans they had invited, or provide any financial details.

In its code of conduct, the SC asks the Fan Leaders to agree to incorporate its content in their social media posts and to support the World Cup by liking and re-sharing posts by third parties about the tournament.

It also stated that fans are not expected to be a "mouthpiece" for Qatar, but added it "would obviously not be appropriate to disparage Qatar, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy or the FIFA World Cup".

Belgian and French media have also reported that selected groups of fans from these countries were offered a free trip to the World Cup by Qatar.

- Reuters

Bangladesh's veteran opening batter, Tamim Iqbal, has been omitted from the 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, as announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday. Meanwhile, experienced batter Mahmudullah has secured his spot in the team.

The squad selection process generated considerable discussion, with several players being automatic choices. Tamim Iqbal, despite not being in peak physical condition, seemed like a surefire inclusion, especially after his confident return to international cricket with a fluent 44 against New Zealand.

However, reports emerged in local media just a day before the squad announcement, suggesting that Tamim had informed the management of his inability to play in all nine group matches of the tournament due to his fitness concerns. These reports reportedly left Shakib Al Hasan, the team's star all-rounder and captain, dissatisfied, even to the point where he contemplated stepping down as captain. Ultimately, the selectors decided against picking Tamim.

In a noteworthy development, Nafees Iqbal, Tamim's elder brother and the team's logistics manager, left the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium during Bangladesh's third ODI against New Zealand, and it appears he was removed from his post at Shakib's request.

The squad features some fresh faces as well, with Tanzid Hasan, who made his international debut in the recently-concluded Asia Cup, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib, the promising fast bowler who impressed in his debut against India in the Asia Cup, earning their spots.

Bangladesh used the ongoing New Zealand series as an opportunity to experiment and assess potential options for the World Cup. Unlike most other teams, the selectors refrained from announcing a provisional squad, keeping fans and experts in suspense until just a couple of days before the ICC's deadline.

Mahmudullah, who had been absent from the ODI side for a considerable period, finally earned a place in the team after lower-order batters failed to make their mark in recent series. Mahmudullah's performance in the New Zealand series proved crucial, as he top-scored with a 76-ball-49 in the second ODI amid a batting collapse.

The spin duo of Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan also secured their spots in the squad after delivering strong performances in the latter part of the Asia Cup and the early stages of the New Zealand ODIs.

Soumya Sarkar, on the other hand, auditioned for a role but struggled, recording a duck in the second ODI against New Zealand before being dropped from the squad for the third game.

The finalized squad for the World Cup comprises the following players: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanzid Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

Bashundhara Toiletries Limited, a sister concern of Bashundhara Group, the largest industrial company in Bangladesh, has become the title sponsor of SAFF Championship Football 2023, the famous South Asian World Cup in football. And in Bangladesh, the country's first ever sports channel, T Sports, owned by Bashundhara Group, has bought broadcasting rights. Bashundhara Toiletries Limited SAFF Championship 2023 will be watched live on T Sports App along with satellite channel T Sports.

From June 21 to July 4, the 8-team SAFF Championship match, including Bangladesh, is going to be held in Bangalore, India. In the second match of the opening day, 2 arch rivals India and Pakistan face each other.

Bashundhara Group, one of the sponsors of sports on the red-green map, has crossed the borders of the country and opened new horizons outside the country. Bashundhara Group is regularly sponsoring various tournaments of Bangladesh team and Bangladesh Football Federation in the hope of promoting football in the country. In continuation of that, Bashundhara Toiletries Limited is participating in South Asia's biggest football tournament with Bangladesh team. 

Safwan Sobhan, Vice Chairman of Bashundhara Group and President of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club said, "This news is a matter of pride and joy not only for Bashundhara Group but also for the people of Bangladesh. Any international tournament means the sponsorship of foreign companies, their presence in the field-gallery, especially the presence of Indian companies is high here. This time, a Bangladeshi company will be seen as the sponsor of the SAFF Championship to be held on Indian soil. We believe, that will motivate the Bangladesh team to perform well.”

Meanwhile, T Sports has brought great news for the football lovers of Bangladesh. This is the first time all the matches of SAFF Championship will be broadcast in Bengali language. T Sports will also broadcast analytical discussions with football experts before and after the start of the match.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) ace Neymar and Bruna Biancardi have announced that they are expecting to welcome their first child into the world.

On Tuesday night (18 April), Bruna Biancardi posted five photos on her Instagram account, confirming that she and Neymar were expecting. The couple, who were glowing with happiness in the said images, did not confirm the sex of the child.

The post reads, "You're going to join a beautiful family, with my sister, grandmothers, uncles and aunts who already love you very much! See you soon son/daughter, we can't wait!"

The baby will be Neymar's second child after 11-year-old Davi Lucca. 

According to media reports, the couple started dating in 2021. Though they kept their romantic relationship private.

They officially announced their relationship to the public through an Instagram post in January 2022.

The ABG Limited extended their hands to support the National Women’s Football Team to make the team's progress easier toward the success in football.

The country’s largest business conglomerate Bashundhara Group’s concern ABG Limited extends their support for National Women’s Football Team.

ABG Limited inked a three-year deal with Bangladesh Football Federation to provide monetary assistance for women’s football league, national and international competitions and other development projects for women’s football at MD House at Bashundhara R/A on Thursday.

Managing Director of Bashundhara Group and ABG Limited and Chairman of Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Ltd Sayem Sobhan Anvir on behalf of the sponsor ABG Limited while FIFA Council Member, BFF Executive Committee member and BFF Women’s Wing Chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron on behalf of the federation has signed the contract.

Bashundhara Group (EWPD) Deputy Managing Director and Head of Accounts and Finance, Bashundhara Kings President and BFF Vice-President Imrul Hassan, ABG Ltd advisor Mostofa Azad Mohiuddin, BFF vice-president Mohiuddin Mohi, BFF general secretary Md. Abu Nayeem Shohag, and T-Sports CEO Ishtiaque Sadeque attended the signing ceremony.

Also, Daily Sun Editor Enamul Hoque Chowdhury, Kaler Kantho Editor-in-Chief Imdadul Haq Milan, Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naem Nizam, Kaler Kantho Editor Shahed Muhammad Ali, News24 Executive Editor Rahul Raha and other distinguished personalities were also present.

Morocco may not have reached the World Cup final but the players and supporters can take pride in the fact that they will leave Qatar having played seven games, a first for any African nation, coach Walid Regragui said on Friday.

Morocco's dream run at the World Cup ended when they were beaten by reigning champions France in the semi-finals but they still have the opportunity to leave Qatar on a high when they take on Croatia in the third-place playoff on Saturday.

Regragui said he would not make too many changes to the squad as that would upset the team balance but admitted it was a difficult and complicated game for two teams being asked to play after the disappointment of losing their semi-final matches.

"I understand it's important to finish third rather than fourth, but my takeaway is we didn't reach the final... We wanted to play the final on Sunday, not play tomorrow," Regragui said.

"But I told my players this is our seventh World Cup game. If you told any Morocco fan we would be playing our seventh game on December 17, they would be proud.

"Morocco played six World Cup games in 20-odd years and now we've played six games in a month - this is priceless. It's as if we played two World Cups or even more, that's beautiful from an experience point of view."

Regragui said Croatia were a formidable team even if they had not been favoured to repeat their 2018 run, when they finished runners-up in Russia. Their dreams were crushed by Lionel Messi's Argentina in the semi-final.

"We knew Croatia were going to be one of the best teams in the competition. After the first game (where Morocco and Croatia drew 0-0 in the group stage) we knew the performance was very good," Regragui said.

"A lot of people said Croatia were approaching the end of their cycle and would have the rug swept out from under their feet. Croatia got stick for not beating 'underdogs' Morocco but both teams reached the semi-final.

"There was a lot of hesitation for the first game... Both teams will want to win it (on Saturday) and it will be a great game."

The game could be Croatian midfielder Luka Modric's last with the national team and Regragui praised the Real Madrid man who is still going strong at 37.

"I don't know if it's Modric's last game, he's a competitive warrior and will want to finish his World Cup in style. When he wants to finish on a great note, we should be wary," Regragui said.

"Hats off to Modric. What he's doing at 37 is monumental. He was a Ballon d'Or winner and I completely understand why."

- Reuters