Gianni Infantino could survive weeks of criticism and secure reelection as FIFA president in the absence of a heavy hitter to challenge him. Candidates have to declare by Nov. 18.
Pirate Irwin
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UEFA ‘likely’ to drop threat to boycott FIFA tournaments: source
UEFA is “likely” to withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA tournaments as the two conditions it was seeking from world soccer’s governing body following president Gianni Infantino’s failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup have been met. The boycott threat — which had been seen as pivotal in forcing Infantino’s humiliating U-turn — had to be dealt with urgently given that the Under-20 Women’s World Cup being held in Poland will kick off on Sept. 5.
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What next for beleaguered FIFA president Infantino?
Gianni Infantino’s hope that a combative statement condemning “a concerted and ongoing effort” to undermine him would spark a period of reflection were dashed on Monday. UEFA, Concacaf and Asia’s AFC did not hold back in targeting Infantino and his style of leadership in an open letter. Despite all sides calling for unity, their idea of how that can be achieved diverges markedly.
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FIFA: Infantino’s problems mount as Wenger and key FIFA leader turn on him
Infantino’s remarks followed hot on the heels of an extraordinary internal email to FIFA staf in which secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom appeared to distance himself from Infantino on his since-abandoned proposal to open the World Cup to private investment, describing the fiasco surrounding the plan as “a sad and reproachable series of events.”
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Norway set to make formal complaint to FIFA over Balogun red card saga
The Norges Fotballforbund (NFF) has already formally complained over FIFA president Gianni Infantino awarding soccer’s governing body’s inaugural Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump, which was widely ridiculed. • Trump’s involvement in the Balogun affair sparked the controversy. • “When you bend a rule like this, you’re on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk,” said NFF president Lise Klaveness.
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Wrexham rise showcases Football League’s pyramid in U.S.
Wrexham’s exploits since being bought by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have helped lift “the hood” on lower-league English football and boosted its popularity in the United States, former West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand told AFP. The 40-year-old, who is now an ambassador for the Hammers, said Wrexham’s climb up the English Football […]
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Infantino and Trump — handshakes, warmth and a mutual interest
The heads of state who have felt the lash of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tongue in the Oval Office could do worse than seek advice from FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, who seems to have gotten their relationship down to a fine art. Infantino has shown a deft touch when it comes to dealing with hard-nosed […]
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‘The beautiful game’ falls for AI’s charms
Sports has been unable to resist the surge of artificial intelligence, and the biggest one of them all—soccer—is benefiting from data that AI can supply and the human eye cannot.
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New platform provides a shop window for African talent
Africa could break the glass ceiling of winning the World Cup in the next 10 years, partly thanks to a platform highlighting to foreign clubs the most talented youth from the continent
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‘New goals’: Sports aids maimed Ukrainian veterans
Sports has given Ukrainian veterans maimed in the war with Russia “new dreams and goals to aspire to,” Ukraine legend Andriy Shevchenko has told AFP. Some of those veterans are in the Ukrainian squad currently taking part in the Euro 2024 football amputee championship in France. Shevchenko, the 2004 Ballon D’Or winner and the son […]