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Philippe Auclair

@philippeauclair.bsky.social

29K followers 790 following 5.6K posts

Writes and sings for Josimar, The Guardian and Tapete Records

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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 11d

Many migrant workers who came to Qatar to build the 2022 WC infrastructure found themselves jobless after the tournament. @josimarfootball.bsky.social reveals how some of them have been recruited by the Russian army, are fighting and die on the Ukrainian front.

josimarfootball.com/2025/09/25/t...

The migrant soldiers - josimarfootball.com

For months, the Russian army has secretly recruited hundreds, if not thousands, of jobless migrant workers in Qatar to fight on the frontline against Ukraine.

josimarfootball.com

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Reposted by Philippe Auclair

Max Rushden @maxrushden.bsky.social · 12h

Tomorrow's @footballweekly.bsky.social

@barryglendenning.bsky.social @jonathanliew.bsky.social @philippeauclair.bsky.social

Any questions?

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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 23h

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

Play the Game @playthegame-org.bsky.social · 1d

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...

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

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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 23h

I hold feelings similar to yours. The DICE booking system in particular I hate more than words can say.

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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 23h

This sounds like a no-brainer; but my memory of how COVID grants to music venues worked (they didn't) makes me wonder how the beneficiaries of this levy would qualify, how they'd be chosen, and by whom.

This said, anything which is opposed by Live Nation is probably worth supporting.

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 1d

There’s a £1 idea that could save small music venues. Is Live Nation holding it back?

Artists including Coldplay and Katy Perry have got behind a plan to fund small venues from big gigs – but owners say that without Live Nation on board, it could fail

www.theguardian.com

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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 1d

Boca is in mourning after the death of its manager Miguel Angel Russo. Russo had been ill for a long time, but decided to coach to the last. Argentinian friends tell me he attended his final training session only two weeks ago. RIP.
apnews.com/article/boca...

Boca Juniors coach Miguel Ángel Russo dies at age 69

Boca Juniors coach Miguel Ángel Russo, whose extensive career spanned more than a dozen clubs in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Spain, and Colombia, has died after a long battle with cancer, his Argentine ...

apnews.com

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Reposted by Philippe Auclair

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 1d

This morning I turned on my phone only to find that it had changed my user name to Shirley, and when I tried to enter a simple Google query it came out as "Do you like gladiator movies?"

Then I realised it was in Airplane! mode.

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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 1d

I didn't say that!

Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 2d

Of course they did.

Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 2d

Astonishing, stunning, and stunningly beautiful. That "cholera" piece is haunting. Can't thank you enough for this.

Reposted by Philippe Auclair

JosimarFootball @josimarfootball.bsky.social · 3d

Uefa and Fifa’s failure to sanction the Israel Football Association is a moral and political failure.

By @ncgeehan.bsky.social and @antoineduval.bsky.social

josimarfootball.com/2025/10/06/m...

More political theatre while Gaza burns - josimarfootball.com

Uefa and Fifa’s failure to sanction the Israel Football Association is a moral and political failure.

josimarfootball.com

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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 2d

Let us hope these "discussions" lead to nothing but the termination of this indefensible commercial relationship with Kagame's dictatorship. As to you, fellow Arsenal fans, why parade shirts which promote it? We too share responsability here.

The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 3d

Arsenal are in discussions over extending their sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda.

Arsenal fan group Gunners For Peace said discussions over extending the deal brought the club’s values into question.

✍️ @gunnerblog.bsky.social and @dansheldon.bsky.social

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 3d

Now obsessed with lighthouses. This other BBC documentary (from 1969) about "the keepers of the northern lights" is not quite a masterpiece, but still a beautiful documentary, in which many of the characters look like film stars, incl. a very convincing young Elvis. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MYp...

1969: Keeping the LIGHTHOUSES Shining | For the Safety of All | Classic Documentary | BBC Archive

YouTube video by BBC Archive

www.youtube.com

Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 3d

Summit like that

Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 3d

The proof that UEFA is dead against staging domestic league games abroad is that is has just authorised (albeit "reluctantly") two of them to take place. "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength". via @tariqpanja.bsky.social

"UEFA confirms its opposition to domestic league matches played abroad

Two requests approved on an exceptional basis amid regulatory gaps at the global level.

UEFA committed to anchor integrity of domestic competitions and fans' perspective in forthcoming FIFA rules

UEFA has today reiterated its clear opposition to domestic league matches being played outside their home country.

After the meeting of its Executive Committee in Tirana last month, UEFA undertook further consultations with stakeholders to assess the extent of the implications of the issue, following the applications it received from the Spanish and Italian national football associations.

That consultation confirmed the widespread lack of support that had already been raised by fans, other leagues, clubs, players, and European institutions around the concept of domestic league matches being relocated abroad

However, given that the relevant FIFA regulatory framework currently under review is not clear and detailed enough, the UEFA Executive Committee has reluctantly taken the decision to approve, on an exceptional basis, the two requests referred to it. UEFA will actively contribute to the ongoing work led by FIFA to ensure that future rules uphold the integrity of domestic competitions and the close bond between clubs, their supporters, and local communities.

In parallel, all UEFA national associations confirmed their commitment to engage with UEFA before submitting any future requests. In doing so, they voiced their collective determination to safeguard the wider interests of European football.

Announcing the decision, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said:

"League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements into competitions. Our consultation confirmed the breadth of these concerns. I would like to thank the 55 national associations for their constructive and responsible engagement on such a sen…

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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 3d

This is one of the most haunting, most poetic things I have ever for a very long time. Thank you both for the recommendation.

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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 4d

Uh-oh....

Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 4d

Alas not!

Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 4d

To open proceedings at Play The Game in Tampere, a true hero: Maggie Nichols, champion gymnast, sexual abuse survivor, advocate and inspiration to so many.

Champion gymnast and sexual abuse survivor addressing the Play The Game conference in Tampere, 5 October 2025.

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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 5d

Oh that's a beauty

Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 6d

Petitions about Fifa world cup 2026 – Support Causes & Make a Difference · Change.org · Change.org share.google/6inCFu18c2o3...

Change starts here

Join over 500,000,000 people creating real change in their communities.

Change.org

Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 6d

I'd never seen those. Extraordinary.

Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 6d

...seriously?

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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 6d

"This success rate has been disputed by critics who say the hostilities that Trump takes credit for resolving were smaller in scale, his role was limited, or involved conflicts that ended long ago".

"Disputed by critics"? Jesus.

Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 6d

What the actual shit is this? "Brash lobbying"?