FIFA chiefs have issued a grovelling apology to the Ukrainian FA for an “unacceptable” error they “sincerely regret” during the World Cup qualifying draw.
The Eastern European country ended up in Group D alongside Iceland, Azerbaijan and either France or Croatia.
But there was a controversial moment during the draw when Fifa attempted to depict countries which could not cross borders to face each other.
Spain vs Gibraltar was cited as one example, with Kosovo versus either Serbia or Bosnia & Herzegovina another.
A map with shaded areas revealed which nations fell into the category.
But Ukrainian chiefs were left outraged when their country was flagged for any potential clash with Belarus.
The dark patch showed Ukraine without the territory of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.
The Black Sea peninsula is still officially classed as an administrative division of Ukraine.
But Russia now occupies Crimea and has several military air bases stationed there following 2022’s illegal invasion of the mainland.
Ukraine’s FA wrote a furious letter to Fifa expressing their anger over the map.
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And football’s governing body have now responded expressing their “sincere regret” over the decision.
Elkhan Mammadov, Chief Member Association Officer, said: “We acknowledge receipt of your letter and would like to thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Group A: Winner GER/ITA, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
Group C: Loser POR/DEN, Greece, Scotland, Belarus
Group D: Winner FRA/CRO, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
Group E: Winner SPA/NED, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria
Group F: Winner POR/DEN, Hungary, Ireland, Armenia
Group G: Loser SPA/NED, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino
Group I: Loser GER/ITA, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova
Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechenstein
Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra
Group L: Loser FRA/CRO, Czechia, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar
“We deeply respect the concerns raised and the sensitivity of the issue at hand.
“The infographic in question was developed by an external third-party service provider.
“Upon recognising the issue, we have taken immediate steps to address the situation, including working to have the image removed from circulation.
“Additionally, we are conducting an internal review to ensure such oversights do not recur in the future.
“We fully understand the delicate sensitivity of this matter and while the incident was unintentional, we sincerely regret any concern it may have caused and appreciate your understand as we work to address this situation responsibly.”
The Ukrainian FA’s initial letter had stated: “We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the infographic map of Europe shown during the TV broadcast of the European Qualifiers draw for the Fifa World Cup 2026 on December 13, 2024.
“The map, which indicated the countries unable to cross borders, highlighted the territory of Ukraine without the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
“Considering several official decisions and resolutions passed by the Fifa Council and the Uefa Executive Committee since 2014, which addressed the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the protection of football stakeholders in our country from the aggressive policies of the Russian terrorist state, including regarding the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, we emphasise that the version of the map presented by Fifa during the global broadcast to a multi-million audience is unacceptable.
“It appears as an inconsistent stance by Fifa and Uefa on this crucial issue, especially in light of the ongoing destructive invasion initiated by Russia against Ukraine in the 21st century, in the heart of Europe.”
VLADIMIR Putin waged a murderous invasion on his neighbouring country in 2022, following years of heated Russo-Ukrainian tensions.
24 February 2022: Russia launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine with an invasion of the eastern territory of Donbas. Explosions were also reported in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa
25 February 2022: Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky and his team posted a video following rumours they had fled the country.
16 March 2022: Russia blitzed Mariupol’s Drama Theater where around 1,300 civilians were sheltering.
1 September 2022: Russian forces flee the eastern Kharkiv region following a strong Ukrainian counteroffensive.
21 September 2022: Putin announced a controversial partial mobilization to draft soldiers, the country’s first since World War Two.
12 November 2022: The city of Kherson, in the south of Ukraine, was liberated after an eight-month occupation.
21 December 2022: Zelensky travels to Washington D.C. to meet President Joe Biden and address Congress.
25 January 2023: Germany approves sending tanks to Ukraine
20 February 2023: US President Joe Biden makes a surprise visit to Kyiv for the first time since the invasion began.
23 June 2023: Russian mercenaries stage a mutiny attempt with the paramilitary organization Wagner.
24 June 2023: The shortlived Wagner Group march to Moscow and the coup attempt ends.
27 August 2023: Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was confirmed dead in a plane crash.
8 February 2024: Zelensky replaces his top army leader Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
20 April 2024: US House of Representatives approves a huge foreign aid package for Ukraine.
6 August 2024: Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion into Russia’s western Kursk region.
19 November 2024: Ukraine fires several long-range US-supplied missiles into Russia for the first time.
21 November 2024: Putin’s forces fire new ballistic missiles into Ukraine for the first time.
TWELVE people have died from carbon monoxide poisoning at a ski resort in Georgia, cops have said.
The bodies of 11 foreigners and one Georgian national were found in a sleeping area above a restaurant in Gudauri, in the north of the Caucasus country.
Cops said “preliminary tests do not indicate any trace of violence on the bodies,” which were discovered on the second floor of a building housing an Indian food restaurant at the ski resort.
An oil-powered generator had been switched on after the building lost electricity on Friday, officers added.
The authorities have opened an investigation into the incident.
The identities of the victims were not immediately released.
Georgia is a former Soviet republic, with its western part lying on the coast of the Black Sea and its north nestled in the Caucasus mountains.
The mountains are in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region at around 7,200ft above sea level and is around 75 miles north of Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.
Gudauri is a hugely popular tourist destination for skiers and snowboarders, with a range of winter sports activities for visitors of any level.
Its history goes back to the 19th Century when it was renowned as a trading post on the ancient Georgian Military Road connecting Russia with Georgia.
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MICHAEL STRAHAN has told A.J. Brown and Jalen Hurts to resolve their issues privately after some apparent bumps in their relationship were made public.
Despite a 10-game winning streak for the Philadelphia Eagles, topped off with a 27-13 win on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers that clinched them a playoff place in the NFC East.
Last week, Eagles star defensive end Brandon Graham hinted there was a rift between receiver Brown and quarterback Hurts after Brown had said the team needed to improve on passing.
Graham had said: “They were friends before this, but things have changed, and I understand that because life happens.
“But, it’s the business side that we have to make sure that we don’t let the personal get in the way of the business, and that’s what we gotta do better right now.”
However, speaking on Fox before the win on Sunday, Strahan told the Eagles to sort out any issues in private to avoid creating unwanted headlines.
He said: “The team’s winning! Nine straight games. Handle this in the locker room. Don’t handle it in the public.
“[Brown] set records a few years ago, Saquon Barkley is setting records now.
“So offences change, they evolve, right now they’re leaning on the run game, they’re leaning on Saquon Barkley. It’s working.
“He does deserve to get the ball, he’s one of the best receivers in the league, but also understand that you’ve just gotta fit in sometimes how you fit in.
“You can’t let your ego and numbers and stats get in the way of what the team is doing.”
Following Graham’s comments, Brown had insisted there was no bad blood between himself and Hurts.
NFL Insider Jay Glazer also claimed that both Brown and Hurts had told team-mates during a team meeting that there was no rift to speak of.
Glazer said: “They nipped that in the bud real quick there.”
Graham is said to have apologised to the entire team collectively following the clarification.
The Eagles play the Washington Commanders next with a record of 12-2.
If they beat the Commanders, they will also clinch the division title.
HARD Rock Café bosses have confirmed that the internationally-renowned chain will leave a US city in weeks.
Execs are calling time for the brand’s location in Pittsburgh in February of next year.
Fans will just have weeks to dig into their favorite dishes as the restaurant closes on February 15.
Chiefs have confirmed the restaurant is closing in line with the expiration of its lease.
The restaurant had been a fixture in the Pennsylvanian city for around 23 years, as per the CBS affiliate KDKA-TV.
When it closes, only one Hard Rock café in Pennsylvania will remain.
The shutdown will come just months after a Joe’s Crab Shack establishment closed its doors for good in Pittsburgh.
A Buca di Beppo establishment went to the wall after the chain declared bankruptcy.
News of the pending Hard Rock café closure has prompted diners to reminisce about their memories of eating at the establishment.
“Many happy memories. Sad to see it close!” one diner mourned.
“Another venue gone,” another lamented.
“I’m bummed about the Hard Rock Café closing down,” a third diner cried.
“That’s a great place. That’s a huge loss for Pittsburgh.”
A spokesperson for the restaurant chain revealed the brand was “grateful” to its fans.
Diners needn’t despair as Hard Rock Café bosses are set to open five new restaurants this month.
It remains to be seen where the locations will be.
Some 45,000 bricks-and-mortar stores could close in the next five years, experts have warned.
Several major retailers have announced store closures or gone out of business altogether in recent years.
Chains such as Foot Locker, Sally Beauty, Tuesday Morning, Shore City, Z Gallerie, and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams have all gone out of business.
Bed Bath & Beyond has closed all of its brick-and-mortar stores and is now an online-only retailer.
The most affected retailers have been clothing, consumer electronics, sporting goods, hobby, book, music, and home furnishing stores since the start of 2019.
UBS has predicted the total number of retail stores will drop by 45k from 958k to 913k.
Despite that, the report says that certain stores should thrive while others decline.
It said retailers such as Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, and Target, could be among the winners.
Last year, the chain closed restaurants in Seattle and Memphis.
Hard Rock Café was founded in London in 1971, and the chain has more than 300 establishments across 74 countries.
The brand is not the only chain shutting down restaurants.
Bosses at the barbecue chain Famous Dave’s closed two restaurants in Washington state.
Huge and recognizable chains have been impacted by store closures, including Red Lobster and Friendly’s.
Red Lobster chiefs closed over 100 restaurants as the chain fought for survival.
Execs filed for bankruptcy in May before the seafood company, known for its cheese biscuits, was taken over in September.
Damola Adamolekun, the brand’s new CEO, said the company has a tremendous future.
But, he warned that promos such as Endless Shrimp will not be making a comeback.
The deal was considered one of the factors that caused the brand’s financial problems.
Outback Steakhouse was also among the brands that underwent mass closures.
