Steve Cockburn
@stevecockburn.bsky.social
Amnesty International. Sport, human rights, workers rights, inequality. NUFC.
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
The #UAE has been allowed to become de facto owners of a #PremierLeague football club. Its fueling of the conflict in #Sudan now casts a dark shadow over the league.
Report by DW News
Report by DW News
November 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The #UAE has been allowed to become de facto owners of a #PremierLeague football club. Its fueling of the conflict in #Sudan now casts a dark shadow over the league.
Report by DW News
Report by DW News
Mural outside Windsor Park in Belfast - location of this year’s excellent @footballcollective.bsky.social conference.
It’s a sentiment many will not associate with the history of this ground or the flags & murals in surrounding streets, but you can also see the efforts to do something different.
It’s a sentiment many will not associate with the history of this ground or the flags & murals in surrounding streets, but you can also see the efforts to do something different.
November 27, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Mural outside Windsor Park in Belfast - location of this year’s excellent @footballcollective.bsky.social conference.
It’s a sentiment many will not associate with the history of this ground or the flags & murals in surrounding streets, but you can also see the efforts to do something different.
It’s a sentiment many will not associate with the history of this ground or the flags & murals in surrounding streets, but you can also see the efforts to do something different.
Scrapping the two-child limit is a great example of how a relentless campaign refused to take no for an answer - and as a result 450,000 children will be lifted out of poverty.
Huge congratulations to everyone in the UK anti-poverty sector who never gave up.
Huge congratulations to everyone in the UK anti-poverty sector who never gave up.
Scrapping the two-child limit will be transformational for children.
This is a much-needed fresh start in our country’s efforts to eradicate child poverty and while there is more to do it gives us strong foundations to build on.
1/2
This is a much-needed fresh start in our country’s efforts to eradicate child poverty and while there is more to do it gives us strong foundations to build on.
1/2
November 26, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Scrapping the two-child limit is a great example of how a relentless campaign refused to take no for an answer - and as a result 450,000 children will be lifted out of poverty.
Huge congratulations to everyone in the UK anti-poverty sector who never gave up.
Huge congratulations to everyone in the UK anti-poverty sector who never gave up.
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
🎉Child poverty is at a record high, so the decision to end the two child limit is crucial
Poverty holds children back, with consequences for all of us. Every child should have a good start in life
This measure alone lifts 450,000 out of poverty & lessens severity for many more
Poverty holds children back, with consequences for all of us. Every child should have a good start in life
This measure alone lifts 450,000 out of poverty & lessens severity for many more
November 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
🎉Child poverty is at a record high, so the decision to end the two child limit is crucial
Poverty holds children back, with consequences for all of us. Every child should have a good start in life
This measure alone lifts 450,000 out of poverty & lessens severity for many more
Poverty holds children back, with consequences for all of us. Every child should have a good start in life
This measure alone lifts 450,000 out of poverty & lessens severity for many more
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
Two important causes:
November 23, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Two important causes:
Net migration to the UK is already set to fall drastically according to this.
But “any political benefit the government may gain from this fall in immigration could be jeopardised by the economic damage that it causes.”
Not sure many have clocked this trend.
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-coming-c...
But “any political benefit the government may gain from this fall in immigration could be jeopardised by the economic damage that it causes.”
Not sure many have clocked this trend.
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-coming-c...
The coming collapse in immigration to the United Kingdom - UK in a changing Europe
James Bowes analyses the fall in net migration to the UK as a result of government policies and explores some of the political and economic consequences.
ukandeu.ac.uk
November 21, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Net migration to the UK is already set to fall drastically according to this.
But “any political benefit the government may gain from this fall in immigration could be jeopardised by the economic damage that it causes.”
Not sure many have clocked this trend.
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-coming-c...
But “any political benefit the government may gain from this fall in immigration could be jeopardised by the economic damage that it causes.”
Not sure many have clocked this trend.
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-coming-c...
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
We’re at the end of Trans+ Awareness Week, and today is Trans Day of Remembrance, so it feels apt to publish this interview with legendary cyclist Pippa York this morning, covering her career, being a trans journalist and her new memoir, The Escape.
prideoftheterraces.com/2025/11/20/p...
prideoftheterraces.com/2025/11/20/p...
Pippa York: “I didn’t go through all the s*** I’ve gone through to look at anyone in a changing room.”
Pippa York is one of the few athletes to have reached the top of their sport, and then gone through a gender transition – but long after retirement she is now looking to add another accolade …
prideoftheterraces.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:17 AM
We’re at the end of Trans+ Awareness Week, and today is Trans Day of Remembrance, so it feels apt to publish this interview with legendary cyclist Pippa York this morning, covering her career, being a trans journalist and her new memoir, The Escape.
prideoftheterraces.com/2025/11/20/p...
prideoftheterraces.com/2025/11/20/p...
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
We’ve joined @cpaguk.bsky.social & 100+ others in calling for the government to fully scrap the two-child limit. Every child deserves the best start in life. By fully scrapping the two-child limit the government can deliver a decisive shift in children’s opportunities, and in the UK's potential.
November 12, 2025 at 10:58 AM
We’ve joined @cpaguk.bsky.social & 100+ others in calling for the government to fully scrap the two-child limit. Every child deserves the best start in life. By fully scrapping the two-child limit the government can deliver a decisive shift in children’s opportunities, and in the UK's potential.
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
“Do something … not for me. I’ll be executed on Tuesday. Do it for the other 32 Egyptians. They’re going to execute us all.”
A piece for all the shills pushing Saudi Arabia's PR-driven reform narrative.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
A piece for all the shills pushing Saudi Arabia's PR-driven reform narrative.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘I’ll be executed on Tuesday’: families reveal panicked last calls from foreigners on Saudi’s death row
Relatives share with the Guardian final words of those killed amid ‘horrifying’ surge in capital punishment under Mohammed bin Salman’s rule
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:27 AM
“Do something … not for me. I’ll be executed on Tuesday. Do it for the other 32 Egyptians. They’re going to execute us all.”
A piece for all the shills pushing Saudi Arabia's PR-driven reform narrative.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
A piece for all the shills pushing Saudi Arabia's PR-driven reform narrative.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by Steve Cockburn
Nothing illustrates the arseholery of the IOC and the British Press more than the use of the image of a not-Trans woman to illustrate a story about trans women being banned (because there are no current trans women competing at this level)
November 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Nothing illustrates the arseholery of the IOC and the British Press more than the use of the image of a not-Trans woman to illustrate a story about trans women being banned (because there are no current trans women competing at this level)
“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