A World Cup full of memorable moments was also marked by exclusion, exploitation and unprecedented political meddling, writes JAMES NALTON
Latest editorial
Blyth Spartans forced to explain visit to North Korea sponsor deal
From Barry McGuigan and Carl Frampton to Tyrone McKenna and Lewis Crocker, the city’s fighters carry a complex history into the ring, writes JOHN WIGHT
Blyth Spartans have insisted they are not endorsing the North Korean government after allowing a firm promoting trips to the country to advertise at their Croft Park home.
The National League North club found themselves in the spotlight after photographs of an advertising hoarding for a firm called Visit North Korea were shared on social media.
However, commercial director Mark Scott, who revealed in the club’s match programme that he had set up the deal with Visit North Korea’s Tom Fowdy, a Chinese Studies graduate from Sunderland, insisted the move has nothing to do with the country’s politics.
Similar stories
PAOLO SANTALUCIA reports on how an Italian region defies US pressure to end a Cuban doctors programme
US President says he lobbied Infantino over ban as Uefa warns move ‘crossed a red line’
