Steve Cockburn
@stevecockburn.bsky.social
Amnesty International. Sport, human rights, workers rights, inequality. NUFC.
“My husband was killed like a criminal and all I wanted was for his name to be exonerated – it’s what I still want. My father used to tell me: ‘A good name is better than gold or silver.’ That is what gave me the strength to fight”
It’s time to exonerate the Ogoni 9
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
It’s time to exonerate the Ogoni 9
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Nigeria: Government must clear names of executed activists Ogoni Nine
Marking 30 years since the Nigerian government’s brutal execution of nine leading environmental activists – the Ogoni Nine – for fighting to protect the Niger Delta from oil giant Shell, Amnesty Inter...
www.amnesty.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:52 AM
“My husband was killed like a criminal and all I wanted was for his name to be exonerated – it’s what I still want. My father used to tell me: ‘A good name is better than gold or silver.’ That is what gave me the strength to fight”
It’s time to exonerate the Ogoni 9
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
It’s time to exonerate the Ogoni 9
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
My latest @theguardian.com: As a genuine soccer fan & generational political talent, freshly elected NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani might be able to achieve the unthinkable: force the FIFA behemoth to share its lucre by targeting its tax exemptions & extreme privilege www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Zohran Mamdani has upended US politics. Now he should take on Fifa | Jules Boykoff
New York’s mayor-elect has taken on powerful institutions. With the World Cup taking place in his city, he should challenge Fifa next
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:48 PM
My latest @theguardian.com: As a genuine soccer fan & generational political talent, freshly elected NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani might be able to achieve the unthinkable: force the FIFA behemoth to share its lucre by targeting its tax exemptions & extreme privilege www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
“… It is literally the same people. Club owner. Government. Football match. Bodies. The choice is simple. You either care or you don’t.”
Important piece by @barneyronay.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Important piece by @barneyronay.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Silence over Sudan: why do Manchester City’s owners get away with so much?
Two midweek matches in England had a backdrop of war and geopolitics, but only one drew large protests
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:24 PM
“… It is literally the same people. Club owner. Government. Football match. Bodies. The choice is simple. You either care or you don’t.”
Important piece by @barneyronay.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Important piece by @barneyronay.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
“I wish Andrew Cuomo only the best in private life but let tonight be the final time I utter his name.” - The new Mayor of New York
November 5, 2025 at 6:26 AM
“I wish Andrew Cuomo only the best in private life but let tonight be the final time I utter his name.” - The new Mayor of New York
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
Train worker hero credited with saving lives in the Huntingdon knife attack named as Samir Zitouni.
November 4, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Train worker hero credited with saving lives in the Huntingdon knife attack named as Samir Zitouni.
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
After 4 years calling on #FIFA for the right to play, since fleeing the Taliban takeover in 2021, the Afghan footballers have just competed in their first international tournament. 👏
🔗 Learn more: sportandrightsalliance.org/fifa-recogni... #AfghanWomenUnited
🔗 Learn more: sportandrightsalliance.org/fifa-recogni... #AfghanWomenUnited
November 1, 2025 at 5:44 PM
After 4 years calling on #FIFA for the right to play, since fleeing the Taliban takeover in 2021, the Afghan footballers have just competed in their first international tournament. 👏
🔗 Learn more: sportandrightsalliance.org/fifa-recogni... #AfghanWomenUnited
🔗 Learn more: sportandrightsalliance.org/fifa-recogni... #AfghanWomenUnited
The fact that an Afghanistan women's refugee team is now playing in a FIFA-sanctioned tournament is that little glint of light that we all need.
It's testament to some incredible, courageous and persistent women who will not let Afghan women be erased from sport.
www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/...
It's testament to some incredible, courageous and persistent women who will not let Afghan women be erased from sport.
www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/...
Afghan women’s football team makes international return after four years
Afghanistan women's refugee team played their first match in a FIFA-organised four-team friendly competition in Morocco.
www.aljazeera.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The fact that an Afghanistan women's refugee team is now playing in a FIFA-sanctioned tournament is that little glint of light that we all need.
It's testament to some incredible, courageous and persistent women who will not let Afghan women be erased from sport.
www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/...
It's testament to some incredible, courageous and persistent women who will not let Afghan women be erased from sport.
www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/...
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
Israeli NGO has documented an alarming rise in racism among Israeli supporter groups, with Maccabi Tel Aviv top of the list. The “absence of a serious and effective effort" within Israel Football Association to combat racism should be of serious concern to UEFA. www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Research reveals racist chants on rise in Israeli football – with Maccabi Tel Aviv the worst offenders
Kick It Out Israel found 367 instances in the 2024-25 season – of those, 118 were observed in stands containing Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Israeli NGO has documented an alarming rise in racism among Israeli supporter groups, with Maccabi Tel Aviv top of the list. The “absence of a serious and effective effort" within Israel Football Association to combat racism should be of serious concern to UEFA. www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
More important than football!
October 23, 2025 at 4:58 AM
More important than football!
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
One year ago, I joined 130+ female footballers calling on FIFA to drop Aramco. 365 days later — still no response.
Big oil and human rights abuses are not the future our game deserves.
athletesoftheworld.org/fifa-x-saudi...
@fossilfreefootball.bsky.social
Big oil and human rights abuses are not the future our game deserves.
athletesoftheworld.org/fifa-x-saudi...
@fossilfreefootball.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 2:03 AM
One year ago, I joined 130+ female footballers calling on FIFA to drop Aramco. 365 days later — still no response.
Big oil and human rights abuses are not the future our game deserves.
athletesoftheworld.org/fifa-x-saudi...
@fossilfreefootball.bsky.social
Big oil and human rights abuses are not the future our game deserves.
athletesoftheworld.org/fifa-x-saudi...
@fossilfreefootball.bsky.social
I find the silence around illegal betting companies being plastered all over sport deafening and baffling.
Why is it only @josimarfootball.bsky.social and a handful of others talking about this scandal?
Why is it only @josimarfootball.bsky.social and a handful of others talking about this scandal?
The world's number one illegal sports betting platform, already a sponsor of PSG, Barcelona, FIBA, CAF, etc etc ad nauseam, signs yet another partnership - and with a Tour known to be a favourite playing ground for match-fixers. Nobody gives a fuck anymore it seems.
www.ggrasia.com/1xbet-announ...
www.ggrasia.com/1xbet-announ...
1xBet announces exclusive partnership with ATP Challenger Tour - GGRAsia
Global betting company 1xBet says it has “an exclusive partnership agreement with international men’s tennis tournaments under the auspices of the ATP Challenger Tour”, presented by the Association of...
www.ggrasia.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
I find the silence around illegal betting companies being plastered all over sport deafening and baffling.
Why is it only @josimarfootball.bsky.social and a handful of others talking about this scandal?
Why is it only @josimarfootball.bsky.social and a handful of others talking about this scandal?
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
Two genuine heroes, who were both smeared and vilified for speaking out. Abdullah spent three years in jail in Qatar. His crime: defending the truth about a strike by migrant workers who were employed on a 2022 World Cup project. #ptg2025
On the last day of #ptg2025, the Play the Game Award was awarded to two courageous whistleblowers in sport:
Maggie Nichols and Abdullah Ibhais👇
www.playthegame.org/news/whistle...
Maggie Nichols and Abdullah Ibhais👇
www.playthegame.org/news/whistle...
Whistleblowers Maggie Nichols and Abdullah Ibhais receive the Play the Game Award 2025
On the last day of Play the Game 2025, the Play the Game Award was awarded to two courageous whistleblowers in sport: Maggie Nichols and Abdullah Ibhais.
www.playthegame.org
October 9, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Two genuine heroes, who were both smeared and vilified for speaking out. Abdullah spent three years in jail in Qatar. His crime: defending the truth about a strike by migrant workers who were employed on a 2022 World Cup project. #ptg2025
Amazing to hear Abdullah Ibais speak in person as a free man after spending years in a Qatari prison for refusing to lie about striking workers, while working on the World Cup.
“FIFA did nothing at all… They ghosted me”
A brave, humble and free man.
#playthegame #ptg2025
“FIFA did nothing at all… They ghosted me”
A brave, humble and free man.
#playthegame #ptg2025
October 5, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Amazing to hear Abdullah Ibais speak in person as a free man after spending years in a Qatari prison for refusing to lie about striking workers, while working on the World Cup.
“FIFA did nothing at all… They ghosted me”
A brave, humble and free man.
#playthegame #ptg2025
“FIFA did nothing at all… They ghosted me”
A brave, humble and free man.
#playthegame #ptg2025
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
All French journalism schools unite to ask for the liberation of football journalist Christophe Gleizes, who has now been imprisoned for three months by the Algerian authorities, who accuse him of "glorifying terrorism" among other trumped-up charges. #FreeGleizes
Le SNJ salue l'initiative des écoles de journalisme engagées pour réclamer la libération de notre confrère Christophe Gleizes, journaliste emprisonné en Algérie
#FreeGleizes
rsf.org/fr/libert%C3...
#FreeGleizes
rsf.org/fr/libert%C3...
Liberté pour Christophe Gleizes emprisonné en Algérie : 16 écoles de journalisme françaises se mobilisent
Pour appeler, à l’occasion du troisième mois de détention du journaliste sportif Christophe Gleizes en Algérie, à sa libération, 16 écoles de journalisme françaises se mobilisent conjointement. Repor...
rsf.org
September 29, 2025 at 10:58 AM
All French journalism schools unite to ask for the liberation of football journalist Christophe Gleizes, who has now been imprisoned for three months by the Algerian authorities, who accuse him of "glorifying terrorism" among other trumped-up charges. #FreeGleizes
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
Hate seeks to divide us. But hope endures when we stand together. Our solidarity is with the Jewish community today. #britainstandstogether
October 2, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Hate seeks to divide us. But hope endures when we stand together. Our solidarity is with the Jewish community today. #britainstandstogether
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
Stand Up to Racism’s statement on the horrific antisemitic attack at a Manchester synagogue today
October 2, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Stand Up to Racism’s statement on the horrific antisemitic attack at a Manchester synagogue today
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
Cruel policies lead to poverty. The 2 child cap punishes the poorest families. It must be removed in its entirety.
Labour could scrap cruel two-child benefit limit as possible replacement emerges
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is said to be looking at several options to replace the Tory-era austerity policy blamed for trapping hundreds of thousands of kids in poverty
www.mirror.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Cruel policies lead to poverty. The 2 child cap punishes the poorest families. It must be removed in its entirety.
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
Amnesty write letter to Fifa/Uefa calling on a ban for Israel over clubs playing games on occupied land, with gen sec Agnes Callemard also referencing how "Israel continues to perpetrate genocide"
Fifa has been accused of delaying decision on former
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Fifa has been accused of delaying decision on former
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Amnesty International calls on Fifa and Uefa to suspend Israeli Football Association
The letter, signed by Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard, argues the Israeli Football Association have breached Fifa statutes, amid growing calls for its exclusion
www.independent.co.uk
September 30, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Amnesty write letter to Fifa/Uefa calling on a ban for Israel over clubs playing games on occupied land, with gen sec Agnes Callemard also referencing how "Israel continues to perpetrate genocide"
Fifa has been accused of delaying decision on former
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Fifa has been accused of delaying decision on former
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Amnesty has written to call on FIFA and UEFA to suspend the Israeli FA until clubs from illegal settlements are excluded from its leagues.
While football supports Israel’s occupation, over 800 athletes & sports officials in Gaza have been killed in its genocide.
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne....
While football supports Israel’s occupation, over 800 athletes & sports officials in Gaza have been killed in its genocide.
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne....
Amnesty calls on FIFA, UEFA to suspend Israeli Football Association
There should be no place in football for clubs based in illegal settlements
www.amnesty.org
October 1, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Amnesty has written to call on FIFA and UEFA to suspend the Israeli FA until clubs from illegal settlements are excluded from its leagues.
While football supports Israel’s occupation, over 800 athletes & sports officials in Gaza have been killed in its genocide.
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne....
While football supports Israel’s occupation, over 800 athletes & sports officials in Gaza have been killed in its genocide.
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne....
Hadaway and shite, fascists.
Proud to be a Geordie as thousands come out to oppose the far right in Newcastle today.
Proud to be a Geordie as thousands come out to oppose the far right in Newcastle today.
September 27, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Hadaway and shite, fascists.
Proud to be a Geordie as thousands come out to oppose the far right in Newcastle today.
Proud to be a Geordie as thousands come out to oppose the far right in Newcastle today.
When historians look back on the collapse of the United Kingdom into both farce and fascism, this headline will be used to explain a lot.
September 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
When historians look back on the collapse of the United Kingdom into both farce and fascism, this headline will be used to explain a lot.
“Sporting bodies must not turn a blind eye to grave human rights violations, especially when their platforms are used to normalise injustices.”
UN experts call on FIFA and UEFA to expel Israel from international football, citing occupation and genocide.
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
UN experts call on FIFA and UEFA to expel Israel from international football, citing occupation and genocide.
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
UN experts call for suspension of Israel from international football amid unfolding genocide in occupied Palestine
GENEVA – UN experts* today called on the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to suspend Israel as a country team from interna...
www.ohchr.org
September 23, 2025 at 2:38 PM
“Sporting bodies must not turn a blind eye to grave human rights violations, especially when their platforms are used to normalise injustices.”
UN experts call on FIFA and UEFA to expel Israel from international football, citing occupation and genocide.
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
UN experts call on FIFA and UEFA to expel Israel from international football, citing occupation and genocide.
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
In recent weeks, Saudi authorities have renewed efforts to displace residents of al-Muwaila village, part of the area earmarked for Neom.
Schools have been shut, forcing families to send children to Duba, 47km away.
And residents have been warned to evacuate or face power and water cuts.
Schools have been shut, forcing families to send children to Duba, 47km away.
And residents have been warned to evacuate or face power and water cuts.
September 22, 2025 at 4:57 PM
In recent weeks, Saudi authorities have renewed efforts to displace residents of al-Muwaila village, part of the area earmarked for Neom.
Schools have been shut, forcing families to send children to Duba, 47km away.
And residents have been warned to evacuate or face power and water cuts.
Schools have been shut, forcing families to send children to Duba, 47km away.
And residents have been warned to evacuate or face power and water cuts.
September 18, 2025 at 5:19 PM