GENEVA (AP) — FIFA has fined six national federations, including defending champion Argentina, for racist abuse by fans at World Cup qualifiers in June.
The six nations charged with “discrimination and racist abuse” were Albania, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, according to the sanctions list published by FIFA from its disciplinary committee. It did not provide details on any of the cases.
The Albanian federation had the largest fine of 161,500 Swiss francs ($200,000) imposed for a slew of charges at a June 7 home game against Serbia, that also included disturbing a national anthem and transmitting "a message that is not appropriate for a sports event.”
Albania and Serbia have historic political tensions that in soccer led to the notorious “drone game” in Belgrade in 2014 at a European Championship qualifying game.
The teams drew 0-0 in Tirana in June and the return game in Belgrade is Oct. 11. FIFA said Albania must also reduce stadium capacity by 20% at a future game. It hosts Latvia next Tuesday in the qualifying group led by England.
Argentina was fined 120,000 Swiss francs ($149,000) by FIFA for a single charge of discrimination or racist abuse at a June 10 game against Colombia in Buenos Aires.
The game ended 1-1 and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a dangerous tackle. FIFA said he must serve a two-game ban and pay a fine of 5,000 Swiss francs ($6,200). Argentina already advanced to defend its title next year at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Six-figure fines show a renewed toughness by FIFA against racism and discrimination since a global call at its annual meeting last year for soccer bodies to take action.
Chile’s soccer federation was fined 115,000 Swiss francs ($143,000) for fan racism a 1-0 home loss against Argentina on June 5. Colombia got a 70,000 Swiss francs ($87,000) fine after hosting Peru on June 6.
Serbia must pay 50,000 Swiss francs ($62,000) for racism and other incidents at a June 10 game against Andorra, and Bosnia-Herzegovina was fined 21,000 Swiss francs ($26,000) for racism and other offenses when hosting San Marino.
In most cases, FIFA also ordered its member federations to have a “prevention plan” for future games.
In a separate case from the Club World Cup in June, FIFA has closed an investigation for lack of evidence against the captain of Mexican team Pachuca, Gustavo Cabral, after Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger claimed he was racially abused by him.
At the time, Cabral denied the racism allegation and said he used an insult common in his native Argentina.
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FILE - Serbia's Aleksa Terzić, right, fights for the ball against Albania's Elseid Hysaj during the World Cup 2026 group K qualifying soccer match between Albania and Serbia, at Air Albania stadium, in Tirana, Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj, File)
FILE - Albania's fans stand around a banner ahead of the World Cup 2026 group K qualifying soccer match between Albania and Serbia, at Air Albania stadium, in Tirana, Saturday, June 7, 2025. The banner reads : " An old foe does not become a new friend." (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj, File)
FILE - Colombia's Richard Rios (6) argues Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi, second from left, during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello, File)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Coach Steve Kerr spoke with Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga during the morning shootaround Thursday about the player's situation being out of the rotation for more than a month now with expectations he will be traded before the deadline next month.
“We talked this morning and that’s all private,” Kerr said. “I will keep coaching him, he’ll be part of the team, he’ll be here. It is what it is.”
Kerr discounted any issues between them as being reason Kuminga has reportedly requested a trade from the team after not being used in the last 14 games since Dec. 18 and 17 of 18 — though he has been listed as injured for nine games this season.
“Our relationship is fine,” Kerr said before Golden State's 126-113 win over the New York Knicks. “There's not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff. It is what it is, difficult situation for everybody and part of this league, part of the job. We just keep moving forward.”
Kuminga has been training much of the time on his own, shooting on the Warriors’ practice floor out of the eyes of fans at Chase Center. He wears a black hood over his head on the end of the bench during games. Perhaps Kuminga and the Warriors weren't a great fit from Day 1 — not that it's his fault — and he might be eager to leave and start fresh elsewhere. If so, the Golden State brass might want to make sure he doesn't get hurt before trying to trade him.
Yet nobody has taken issue with his work ethic, at least not publicly. Kuminga, selected seventh overall in the 2021 draft, has been known to stay long after games shooting on the arena's main floor.
“It’s not a distraction at all. It’s a very unique situation but our job is just to keep playing, keep winning, it’ll resolve itself one way or the other,” Stephen Curry said.
The 23-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has appeared in just 18 games total with 13 starts, averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
On Sept. 30, he agreed to a two-year contract that could be worth up to $46.5 million if the team were to exercise its option for 2026-27. Kuminga had had a $7.9 million qualifying offer in hand since June 29 but was also weighing other options and he missed media day.
He has long had the support and confidence of teammates — like Jimmy Butler saying he has been having Kuminga over and continuing to encourage him.
“We love JK in this locker room, that's not going to change,” Butler said postgame. “If he happens to not be in here, we'll still rock with JK. I speak for everybody. We love the guy. I wish him the best here, I wish him the best wherever. It doesn't change. We don't listen to the noise, I hope he don't listen to the noise he keep coming here with a smile doing what he's supposed to do and being the ultimate pro.”
Kuminga missed much of last season with a right ankle injury. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24.3 minutes over 47 games with 10 starts. He also scored 15.3 points per game over eight playoff games while shooting 48.4% from the floor and making 40% of his 3-point attempts. That included a career-best 30-point performance in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kerr said the uncertainty around Kuminga's future “won't be a distraction.”
“Jonathan's a great young guy, his teammates like him,” Kerr said. "He's handling himself well.”
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Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, middle, sits near the team bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) and Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe (34) swap jerseys after the Warriors defeat the Jazz during an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
