Experts say rise in social media attacks on players such as Kylian Mbappé need to be viewed in wider political context World Cup live – latest updates As players in the World Cup shore up their tactics and hone their teamwork skills ahead of the quarter-finals, a chorus of voices have warned that the rise of divisive political rhetoric is translating into an intensifying challenge for players on the pitch: a surge in racism. “There’s a huge issue,” said Samuel Okafor, the chief executive of Ki