• Union wants more oversight of World Cup 2034 projects
• Fifa maintains that measures in place are sufficient

Fifa has rejected calls for an independent monitor to assess migrant workers’ conditions in Saudi Arabia in the buildup to the 2034 World Cup.

Football’s world governing body has been urged by the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), a trade union organisation that represents 18 million African workers, to increase protections afforded to migrant workers as the Gulf state embarks on the massive construction programme required to deliver the tournament. In response, however, Fifa has argued measures currently in place are sufficient, claiming it mandates hosts to “uphold their respective duties and responsibilities under international human rights standards in all activities associated with the tournament”.

• Official and his family have been targeted by online abuse
• PGMOL says police investigations have commenced

The referees’ body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), has said it is appalled by the “abhorrent abuse”, including death threats, Michael Oliver and his family have received after his controversial decision to send off Myles Lewis-Skelly in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory at Wolves.

PGMOL said it has involved police after Oliver and his young children had been subjected to various threats in the wake of Saturday’s match at Molineux. Riccardo Calafiori scored the only goal after the Wolves midfielder João Gomes was given a second yellow card for a poor challenge on Jurriën Timber.