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Argentina football star Lionel Messi, after the recent death of his father, has hinted at the end of his career as well. Messi's father, Jorge, was a constant presence throughout his careeer including from the early days of Barcelona. The FIFA World Cup 2026 was the first event where Messi was without his father. The footballer, after scoring the opening goal of his hat-trick in the first match against Algeria, was ery emotional which he later described as "matter other than football."<h2>Is Messi retiring from football?</h2>The Argentina star has 207 caps for the national side since making his debut in 2005. He also led the team to World Cup glory in 2022 like Diego Maradona but failed like him in the final whil going for back-to-back titles. Messi, 39, wrote a long post on Instagram on Wednesday (Aug 12), and said that "he's not sure about continuing anymore."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/my-childhood-dream-nfl-star-travis-kelce-opens-up-on-wedding-with-popstar-taylor-swift-1786589344969">'My childhood dream': NFL star Travis Kelce opens up on wedding with popstar Taylor Swift</a>"I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. I don’t know how ​to move forward. I only played football and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I’m going to keep doing it for much longer.“You were by my side from the beginning; there was so little left until the end. Why couldn’t you hold on just a little longer so we could finish it together? You always asked me to play in the last World Cup and a few days before it started was when you got worse," he wrote."It was the first time you weren’t going to be at a tournament … Every time a match ended, I would ‌wait and hope for your message. That’s when I realised how real the situation was. My legs couldn’t go on any more. This time I tried to push myself beyond my ​physical limits, but I couldn’t. ​I never felt well … We weren’t champions, ​but you don’t know how much we enjoyed every match. Once again, you were ​right: I had to ‌be there and play ​it," added the Argentina star.<h2>What happened to Messi's father Jorge?</h2>Jorge passed away last week in Rosario, Argentina after a long illness. Messi was in the USA with Inter Miami of Major League Soccer (MLS) after the FIFA World Cup and rushed to his home country after the tragic incident.&nbsp;

Grieving the loss of his father Jorge, Lionel Messi has hinted at retirement. Following a tough 2026 World Cup campaign, the 39-year-old admitted on Instagram he doubts he can keep playing.

Argentina football star Lionel Messi, after the recent death of his father, has hinted at the end of his career as well. Messi's father, Jorge, was a constant presence throughout his careeer including from the early days of Barcelona. The FIFA World Cup 2026 was the first event where Messi was without his father. The footballer, after scoring the opening goal of his hat-trick in the first match against Algeria, was ery emotional which he later described as "matter other than football." Is Messi retiring from football? The Argentina star has 207 caps for the national side since making his debut in 2005. He also led the team to World Cup glory in 2022 like Diego Maradona but failed like him in the final whil going for back-to-back titles. Messi, 39, wrote a long post on Instagram on Wednesday (Aug 12), and said that "he's not sure about continuing anymore." Also Read - 'My childhood dream': NFL star Travis Kelce opens up on wedding with popstar Taylor Swift "I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. I don’t know how to move forward. I only played football and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I’m going to keep doing it for much longer. “You were by my side from the beginning; there was so little left until the end. Why couldn’t you hold on just a little longer so we could finish it together? You always asked me to play in the last World Cup and a few days before it started was when you got worse," he wrote. "It was the first time you weren’t going to be at a tournament … Every time a match ended, I would ‌wait and hope for your message. That’s when I realised how real the situation was. My legs couldn’t go on any more. This time I tried to push myself beyond my physical limits, but I couldn’t. I never felt well … We weren’t champions, but you don’t know how much we enjoyed every match. Once again, you were right: I had to ‌be there and play it," added the Argentina star. What happened to Messi's father Jorge? Jorge passed away last week in Rosario, Argentina after a long illness. Messi was in the USA with Inter Miami of Major League Soccer (MLS) after the FIFA World Cup and rushed to his home country after the tragic incident.

Grieving the loss of his father Jorge, Lionel Messi has hinted at retirement. Following a tough 2026 World Cup campaign, the 39-year-old admitted on Instagram he doubts he can keep playing.

Lionel Messi to retire? Argentina footballer doesn't 'know how to move forward' after death of his father

Cristiano Ronaldo was quick to comfort Lionel Messi following the Argentine superstar's heartbreaking tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, who passed away on August 7. Sending his love and support during a painful time, Ronaldo left a touching note on Messi's social media post.&nbsp; &nbsp;“Huge hug to you and your loved ones in this difficult moment, Leo. Stay strong.❤️‍🩹” Ronaldo wrote in the comments section of Messi's post.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🫂 Cristiano Ronaldo sends message to Lionel Messi: “Huge hug to you and your loved ones in this difficult moment, Leo”. “Stay strong”. ❤️‍🩹 <a href="https://t.co/JZlAKftFHl">pic.twitter.com/JZlAKftFHl</a>&mdash; Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2087535742658503044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Messi lost his father weeks after Argentina lost to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Messi’s Argentina didn’t lose a game in the lead-up to the successive finals at the showpiece event, only to suffer a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat at the hands of now two-time World Cup winners, Spain.&nbsp; &nbsp;Messi, who, for the longest time in the tournament, led the goal-scoring chart, stood second to French captain Kylian Mbappe (10) for most goals scored in this edition, netting eight times. His overall World Cup tally, however, reads 21 goals, one shy of Mbappe, whose French side finished fourth in North America.&nbsp;In PICS| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/10-years-5-kids-and-one-gucci-store-meeting-inside-georgina-rodr-guez-and-cristiano-ronaldo-s-journey-to-marriage-1786511436003">10 years, 5 kids, and one Gucci store meeting: Inside Georgina Rodríguez and Cristiano Ronaldo's journey to marriage</a> &nbsp;Even though the Argentine superstar returned to action for Inter Miami days later, his father's death may result in him cutting short his playing career, already in the twilight stage, as he also mentioned in his heartfelt post.<h2>Messi’s Emotional Message for his Father</h2>An emotional Lionel Messi penned an unfeigned message for his father, which reads, “Dad, you kept asking me to play in one last World Cup… just days before it began was when your condition got worse”. &nbsp;“It was the first time you weren’t going to be there with me at the tournament…but Mom kept telling me you were going to get better and that you’d be well enough to travel. &nbsp;“I kept telling you we were going to reach the World Cup final so you could make the trip; this was my mission once again. &nbsp;“After every match, I waited for and missed your message. That’s when I realised how serious the situation really was. &nbsp;“I couldn’t stop thinking about going as far as possible, give you more time and the chance to watch one of the games. &nbsp;“We reached the final, but you couldn’t be there. I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you another one. I couldn’t. &nbsp;“My legs just couldn’t give me any more. &nbsp;“This time I tried to push beyond what my body could handle, but I couldn’t. &nbsp;“I never managed to feel physically right. &nbsp;“We didn’t become champions, Dad, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match. Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play in it… as you told me, always,” he concluded.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">❤️‍🩹🇦🇷 Leo Messi: “Dad, you kept asking me to play in one last World Cup… just days before it began was when your condition got worse”. “It was the first time you weren’t going to be there with me at tournament… but Mom kept telling me you were going to get better and that you’d… <a href="https://t.co/MumdaM8BHN">pic.twitter.com/MumdaM8BHN</a>&mdash; Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2087530887088837030?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Meanwhile, Messi and Ronaldo are the two greatest footballers of all time, gracing this game and sharing top stages for over a decade now. Having faced each other multiple times on the club front, Messi and Ronaldo have never faced each other in a World Cup match.

Cristiano Ronaldo left a touching comment on Lionel Messi’s emotional tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi. Read Ronaldo’s full message of support here.

Cristiano Ronaldo was quick to comfort Lionel Messi following the Argentine superstar's heartbreaking tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, who passed away on August 7. Sending his love and support during a painful time, Ronaldo left a touching note on Messi's social media post. “Huge hug to you and your loved ones in this difficult moment, Leo. Stay strong.❤️‍🩹” Ronaldo wrote in the comments section of Messi's post.

Cristiano Ronaldo left a touching comment on Lionel Messi’s emotional tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi. Read Ronaldo’s full message of support here.

‘A Huge Hug to You, Leo’: Cristiano Ronaldo sends heartfelt message to Lionel Messi following father’s death

Cristiano Ronaldo and his long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez married on Tuesday in a ceremony in the Portuguese resort of Cascais, said the football superstar's representatives. The wedding capped a decade-long relationship and came after days of intense media speculation in Portugal over the location and timing of the ceremony.Ronaldo, 41, shared a photo of the couple's hands with their wedding bands and the caption: "C (heart) G" on his Instagram account.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/omar-artan-somali-referee-uefa-super-cup-psg-aston-villa-1786457067243">Somali referee Omar Artan 'proud' to officiate Super Cup after World Cup snub</a>The couple's five children attended the "private and intimate" ceremony, the Brunswick Group, which handles the player's public relations, told AFP.The couple tied the knot exactly one year after Rodriguez, a 32-year-old influencer, announced their engagement on Instagram.

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Ronaldo, who played for Portugal at the World Cup this summer where they exited in the last 16, currently plays for Saudi club Al Nassr.The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward won the Ballon d'Or for the world's best player five times.Rodriguez boosted her own profile by starring in a Netflix show called "I am Georgina", which chronicles the family's life between football, fashion and travel.Portuguese media had speculated that the wedding could take place in Sintra, outside Lisbon, or in Funchal on the Atlantic island of Madeira, Ronaldo's birthplace.Reports that the ceremony would be held in Funchal last weekend drew hundreds of people to the city's cathedral hoping to see the couple.The cathedral had previously told AFP it had no wedding ceremony scheduled for Ronaldo, while adding that hosting such an event would have been "an honour".The couple ultimately opted for Cascais, an elite seaside resort around 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of Lisbon, where they own a villa.They met in 2016 when Rodriguez was working in a Gucci store in Madrid, with Rodriguez describing it as "love at first sight".In an interview with Vogue Arabia in 2025, she said she almost immediately felt "a sense of peace and an inexplicable energy" when she was with Ronaldo, "as if we had known each other forever".Together, they have amassed more than 750 million followers across social media platforms and have built one of the world's most recognisable celebrity partnerships, extending far beyond football.The couple have a portfolio of investments that include fashion brands and a chain of hotels.

The wedding capped a decade-long relationship and came after days of intense media speculation in Portugal over the location and timing of the ceremony. Ronaldo, 41, shared a photo of the couple's hands with their wedding bands and the caption: "C (heart) G" on his Instagram account.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez married on Tuesday in a ceremony in the Portuguese resort of Cascais, said the football superstar's representatives. The wedding capped a decade-long relationship and came after days of intense media speculation in Portugal over the location and timing of the ceremony. Ronaldo, 41, shared a photo of the couple's hands with their wedding bands and the caption: "C (heart) G" on his Instagram account. Also Read - Somali referee Omar Artan 'proud' to officiate Super Cup after World Cup snub The couple's five children attended the "private and intimate" ceremony, the Brunswick Group, which handles the player's public relations, told AFP. The couple tied the knot exactly one year after Rodriguez, a 32-year-old influencer, announced their engagement on Instagram.

The wedding capped a decade-long relationship and came after days of intense media speculation in Portugal over the location and timing of the ceremony. Ronaldo, 41, shared a photo of the couple's hands with their wedding bands and the caption: "C (heart) G" on his Instagram account.

Portugese star Cristiano Ronaldo ties knot with long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied a chance to officiate at the concluded World Cup after the US refused him entry to their country, is proud to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup between UCL winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League champions Aston Villa on Wednesday. Even before the 48-team tournament got underway in North America, the 34-year-old referee found himself in the media spotlight after being turned away upon arriving at Miami International Airport. What shocked everyone was that he was part of the referee panel that FIFA finalised for the World Cup, also co-hosted by Canada and Mexico. &nbsp;"It was a very tough period," Artan said in an interview published on the UEFA website. "A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something, and then can't do it, it's very challenging."&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/us-president-donald-trump-backs-fifa-chief-gianni-infantino-amid-ongoing-crisis-1786417934287">US President Donald Trump backs FIFA chief Gianni Infantino amid ongoing crisis</a> &nbsp;Per earlier reports, a US State Department official informed AFP that Artan was ‘associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations,’ therefore ‘making him ineligible for admission to the US.’ The referee, however, rejected all allegations amid widespread outrage in Somalia, where he was later welcomed as a hero on his return. &nbsp;"It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said at the time, adding: "We don't control everything." In response, UEFA announced that Artan would referee the UEFA Super Cup. &nbsp;"I was lucky, but I have worked very hard to be here, and I'm really proud," Artan told UEFA. "As you can imagine, I grew up in a difficult situation, but it didn't prevent me from pursuing my dreams." &nbsp;Meanwhile, Artan is not just officiating in Europe but he is making history as the first non-European referee to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup. &nbsp;"Having adventures, making memories and learning new things is always great," he added. "When we got this call, it was, for me and my family, really a very, very happy moment."&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

Somali referee Omar Artan speaks on his pride in officiating the UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa after his 2026 World Cup visa setback.

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied a chance to officiate at the concluded World Cup after the US refused him entry to their country, is proud to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup between UCL winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League champions Aston Villa on Wednesday. Even before the 48-team tournament got underway in North America, the 34-year-old referee found himself in the media spotlight after being turned away upon arriving at Miami International Airport. What shocked everyone was that he was part of the referee panel that FIFA finalised for the World Cup, also co-hosted by Canada and Mexico. "It was a very tough period," Artan said in an interview published on the UEFA website. "A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something, and then can't do it, it's very challenging." Also read| US President Donald Trump backs FIFA chief Gianni Infantino amid ongoing crisis Per earlier reports, a US State Department official informed AFP that Artan was ‘associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations,’ therefore ‘making him ineligible for admission to the US.’ The referee, however, rejected all allegations amid widespread outrage in Somalia, where he was later welcomed as a hero on his return. "It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said at the time, adding: "We don't control everything." In response, UEFA announced that Artan would referee the UEFA Super Cup. "I was lucky, but I have worked very hard to be here, and I'm really proud," Artan told UEFA. "As you can imagine, I grew up in a difficult situation, but it didn't prevent me from pursuing my dreams." Meanwhile, Artan is not just officiating in Europe but he is making history as the first non-European referee to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup. "Having adventures, making memories and learning new things is always great," he added. "When we got this call, it was, for me and my family, really a very, very happy moment." (With inputs from AFP)

Somali referee Omar Artan speaks on his pride in officiating the UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa after his 2026 World Cup visa setback.

Somali referee Omar Artan 'proud' to officiate Super Cup after World Cup snub

US President Donald Trump on Monday backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who is in hot water over allegations of a workplace affair and criticism of a failed private investment scheme."FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino," Trump said in a Truth Social post, calling the Italian-Swiss lawyer "fantastic" and saying he "presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented.""If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!"Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jose-mourinho-manchester-united-2013-sir-alex-ferguson-chelsea-1786359930223">'Special One' Jose Mourinho admits he almost joined Manchester United in 2013</a>Trump's backing of Infantino contrasts with the response of US Soccer, which issued a statement critiquing the FIFA leader alongside Canada Soccer and football organizations in Central America and the Caribbean.Infantino, who faces reelection next March, has denied allegations of wrongdoing, and FIFA for their part has backed its beseiged president, calling the backlash "a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine" the organization.Other football organizations, including the Confederation of African Football and South American governing body CONMEBOL, share Trump's position in supporting Infantino.

Trump's backing of Infantino contrasts with the response of US Soccer, which issued a statement critiquing the FIFA leader alongside Canada Soccer and football organizations in Central America and the Caribbean.

US President Donald Trump on Monday backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who is in hot water over allegations of a workplace affair and criticism of a failed private investment scheme. "FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino," Trump said in a Truth Social post, calling the Italian-Swiss lawyer "fantastic" and saying he "presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented." "If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!" Also Read - 'Special One' Jose Mourinho admits he almost joined Manchester United in 2013 Trump's backing of Infantino contrasts with the response of US Soccer, which issued a statement critiquing the FIFA leader alongside Canada Soccer and football organizations in Central America and the Caribbean. Infantino, who faces reelection next March, has denied allegations of wrongdoing, and FIFA for their part has backed its beseiged president, calling the backlash "a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine" the organization. Other football organizations, including the Confederation of African Football and South American governing body CONMEBOL, share Trump's position in supporting Infantino.

Trump's backing of Infantino contrasts with the response of US Soccer, which issued a statement critiquing the FIFA leader alongside Canada Soccer and football organizations in Central America and the Caribbean.

US President Donald Trump backs FIFA chief Gianni Infantino amid ongoing crisis

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is part of a consortium led by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of Indian steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, alongside Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, which is nearing a deal to buy a one-third stake in the Premier League club Liverpool FC. The club owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), confirmed the approach from the Bhatia-led group last month. &nbsp;"An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club," an FSG spokesman said in a statement to AFP. &nbsp;Bhatia was until recently a shareholder in Championship club Queens Park Rangers. Meanwhile, a Sky Sports report claims that the consortium was "closing in on a deal to buy a roughly one-third stake in Liverpool", with FSG preparing to announce it "as soon as this week".&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jose-mourinho-manchester-united-2013-sir-alex-ferguson-chelsea-1786359930223">'Special One' Jose Mourinho admits he almost joined Manchester United in 2013</a> &nbsp;While Bezos, 62, is amongst the world's richest men, with a fortune of more than $280 billion, as estimated by Forbes magazine, Saverin's net worth is put at $33 billion.&nbsp; &nbsp;Besides, the business mogul Bezos has reportedly explored previous bids for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, but decided against pursuing either deal. &nbsp;The report also states that the investment in Liverpool – part of an influx of American money into the Premier League - would reportedly value the club at $6 billion. &nbsp;Also, the owners of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, FSG, bought Liverpool in 2010 for £300 million ($405 million), later selling a minority stake in the club (in 2023) to US private equity group Dynasty Equity. &nbsp;The 20-time English champions, Liverpool, last won the Premier League title in 2024/25 under Arne Slot, but the Dutchman was sacked in May after a turbulent season.&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, alongside Facebook's Eduardo Saverin and an Amit Bhatia-led consortium, is close to acquiring a one-third stake in Liverpool FC at a $6 billion valuation. 

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is part of a consortium led by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of Indian steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, alongside Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, which is nearing a deal to buy a one-third stake in the Premier League club Liverpool FC. The club owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), confirmed the approach from the Bhatia-led group last month. "An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club," an FSG spokesman said in a statement to AFP. Bhatia was until recently a shareholder in Championship club Queens Park Rangers. Meanwhile, a Sky Sports report claims that the consortium was "closing in on a deal to buy a roughly one-third stake in Liverpool", with FSG preparing to announce it "as soon as this week". Also read| 'Special One' Jose Mourinho admits he almost joined Manchester United in 2013 While Bezos, 62, is amongst the world's richest men, with a fortune of more than $280 billion, as estimated by Forbes magazine, Saverin's net worth is put at $33 billion. Besides, the business mogul Bezos has reportedly explored previous bids for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, but decided against pursuing either deal. The report also states that the investment in Liverpool – part of an influx of American money into the Premier League - would reportedly value the club at $6 billion. Also, the owners of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, FSG, bought Liverpool in 2010 for £300 million ($405 million), later selling a minority stake in the club (in 2023) to US private equity group Dynasty Equity. The 20-time English champions, Liverpool, last won the Premier League title in 2024/25 under Arne Slot, but the Dutchman was sacked in May after a turbulent season. (With inputs from AFP)

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, alongside Facebook's Eduardo Saverin and an Amit Bhatia-led consortium, is close to acquiring a one-third stake in Liverpool FC at a $6 billion valuation.&nbsp;

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos nears deal for one-third stake in Liverpool FC

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho once came agonisingly close to replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, he revealed. The ‘Special One’ instead said yes to Chelsea, the club he helped lift two successive titles in his first run years ago. The then-Everton manager David Moyes replaced Ferguson, who managed the club for 26 years and won 13 Premier League trophies, while Mourinho turned down a Man Utd offer to return to Stamford Bridge, as he had given them his word. &nbsp;Speaking on a Netflix documentary releasing on August 11, Mourinho revealed, "When I left Real Madrid, I signed to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex.”&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/diego-maradona-hand-of-god-ball-auction-10-million-us-1786263632650">Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball expected to fetch $10 million at US auction</a> &nbsp;Sir Alex also confirmed the same, saying, "I sat him down and explained the situation. As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, it changed." &nbsp;"One night, he phoned me, and he was crying, and he says: 'Alex, I can't take it. I've given my word to Chelsea, and I'm not going to break my word.' &nbsp;"The reason he gave to me, I could understand, but I was disappointed,” Sir Alex added.<h2>‘Love for Football is Different from Love for Club’</h2>Mourinho explained further what happened behind the scenes, adding that love for football is different from love for a club. While United’s offer was expectedly appealing for its rich history, Mourinho said he never regretted turning it down as that decision came from his heart. &nbsp;"But one thing is love for football, another thing is love for a certain club," Mourinho explained. "I think this is more powerful than love for football and fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I'm loved. &nbsp;"For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic, but I don't regret [it] because it was a decision that I made with my heart,” he continued. &nbsp;What happened next was no less than cinema. While Mourinho helped Chelsea win its third PL the next season as well as the League Cup, United sacked Moyes 10 months into the job.&nbsp; &nbsp;Mourinho, however, later joined United in 2016, succeeding Louis Van Gaal. At Old Trafford, he won the League Cup and Europa League titles before suffering a similar fate in 2018 following a slump in results.

Jose Mourinho reveals in a new Netflix documentary that he was set to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013 before choosing Chelsea instead.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho once came agonisingly close to replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, he revealed. The ‘Special One’ instead said yes to Chelsea, the club he helped lift two successive titles in his first run years ago. The then-Everton manager David Moyes replaced Ferguson, who managed the club for 26 years and won 13 Premier League trophies, while Mourinho turned down a Man Utd offer to return to Stamford Bridge, as he had given them his word. Speaking on a Netflix documentary releasing on August 11, Mourinho revealed, "When I left Real Madrid, I signed to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex.” Also read| Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball expected to fetch $10 million at US auction Sir Alex also confirmed the same, saying, "I sat him down and explained the situation. As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, it changed." "One night, he phoned me, and he was crying, and he says: 'Alex, I can't take it. I've given my word to Chelsea, and I'm not going to break my word.' "The reason he gave to me, I could understand, but I was disappointed,” Sir Alex added. ‘Love for Football is Different from Love for Club’ Mourinho explained further what happened behind the scenes, adding that love for football is different from love for a club. While United’s offer was expectedly appealing for its rich history, Mourinho said he never regretted turning it down as that decision came from his heart. "But one thing is love for football, another thing is love for a certain club," Mourinho explained. "I think this is more powerful than love for football and fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I'm loved. "For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic, but I don't regret [it] because it was a decision that I made with my heart,” he continued. What happened next was no less than cinema. While Mourinho helped Chelsea win its third PL the next season as well as the League Cup, United sacked Moyes 10 months into the job. Mourinho, however, later joined United in 2016, succeeding Louis Van Gaal. At Old Trafford, he won the League Cup and Europa League titles before suffering a similar fate in 2018 following a slump in results.

Jose Mourinho reveals in a new Netflix documentary that he was set to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013 before choosing Chelsea instead.

'Special One' Jose Mourinho admits he almost joined Manchester United in 2013

The football used by Diego Maradona to score the most controversial goal in the game’s history, called the ‘Hand of God’ during Argentina’s 1986 World Cup fixture against England, is up for auction in the US later this month and is expected to fetch a whopping $10 million. Maradona, who eventually lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy in that edition, punched the ball past the English goalkeeper in that quarterfinal match, helping Argentina win 2-1. After the match, Maradona said his goal was scored ‘a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.’ &nbsp;The Texas-based Heritage Auctions expects the ball to be sold for eight figures when it goes under the hammer from August 21 to 23, with a $2.5 million opening bid.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lionel-messi-s-father-jorge-passes-away-at-68-1786199062492">Lionel Messi’s father Jorge passes away at 68</a> &nbsp;"I think it's easily the most historic ball in the realm of soccer," Dan Imler, vice president of sports at Heritage Auctions, said in a statement to AFP. &nbsp;He further revealed that it is the same ball that Maradona used to score the so-called "Goal of the Century", in which he dribbled past several English defenders before finishing past the goalkeeper. &nbsp;"Both of the goals scored are just so iconic, so memorable," Imler said. &nbsp;Also, the jersey Maradona wore in that match against England at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico currently holds the record for the most expensive soccer shirt ($9.3 million).<h2>Love-Hate Relationship 40 Years On</h2>40 years since that game, Argentina, the 2022 FIFA World Cup holders, faced off against England in the second semifinal of the concluded edition at the same venue last month. Argentine captain Lionel Messi, dubbed by many the greatest footballer of all time, contributed twice during that tense encounter, with the South American side coming from behind to beat England 2-1. &nbsp;Ironically, the scoreline is similar to that of their famous face-off in the 1986 edition. However, unlike that time, when Argentina won the World Cup, Messi’s team failed to defend its crown as Spain beat them 1-0 to lift their second World Cup title.&nbsp;

Diego Maradona’s infamous 1986 'Hand of God' World Cup match ball goes under the hammer at a US auction, with bidding expected to reach $10 million.

The football used by Diego Maradona to score the most controversial goal in the game’s history, called the ‘Hand of God’ during Argentina’s 1986 World Cup fixture against England, is up for auction in the US later this month and is expected to fetch a whopping $10 million. Maradona, who eventually lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy in that edition, punched the ball past the English goalkeeper in that quarterfinal match, helping Argentina win 2-1. After the match, Maradona said his goal was scored ‘a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.’ The Texas-based Heritage Auctions expects the ball to be sold for eight figures when it goes under the hammer from August 21 to 23, with a $2.5 million opening bid. Also read| Lionel Messi’s father Jorge passes away at 68 "I think it's easily the most historic ball in the realm of soccer," Dan Imler, vice president of sports at Heritage Auctions, said in a statement to AFP. He further revealed that it is the same ball that Maradona used to score the so-called "Goal of the Century", in which he dribbled past several English defenders before finishing past the goalkeeper. "Both of the goals scored are just so iconic, so memorable," Imler said. Also, the jersey Maradona wore in that match against England at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico currently holds the record for the most expensive soccer shirt ($9.3 million). Love-Hate Relationship 40 Years On 40 years since that game, Argentina, the 2022 FIFA World Cup holders, faced off against England in the second semifinal of the concluded edition at the same venue last month. Argentine captain Lionel Messi, dubbed by many the greatest footballer of all time, contributed twice during that tense encounter, with the South American side coming from behind to beat England 2-1. Ironically, the scoreline is similar to that of their famous face-off in the 1986 edition. However, unlike that time, when Argentina won the World Cup, Messi’s team failed to defend its crown as Spain beat them 1-0 to lift their second World Cup title.

Diego Maradona’s infamous 1986 'Hand of God' World Cup match ball goes under the hammer at a US auction, with bidding expected to reach $10 million.

Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball expected to fetch $10 million at US auction

Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, has died aged 68 after a long battle with a chronic illness.According to reports from Argentina, Jorge passed away at around 10 pm local time on Friday at a clinic in Rosario, where he had been receiving treatment. Messi’s boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, confirmed his death through an official statement on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Club Atltico Newell’s Old Boys bids farewell with deep sorrow and grief to Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68 in the city of Rosario. Recognized leproso fan, businessman, and father of the Argentine national team captain, Lionel Andrs Messi."&nbsp;“Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor, and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini. His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory. Thank you for teaching him to love these colors. The Board of Directors, members, athletes, and the entire leprosa family embrace with affection Celia, Lionel, Rodrigo, Matas, and Mara Sol, and all their loved ones and close ones in this difficult moment. Farewell forever, leproso,” read the statement from the club.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jemimah-rodrigues-suffers-injury-blow-ruled-out-of-the-hundred-1786188196539">Jemimah Rodrigues suffers injury blow, ruled out of The Hundred</a>&nbsp;Questions over Jorge Messi’s health emerged during the 2026 World Cup, when reports revealed that he was battling an illness. Messi was seen crying during Argentina’s win over Algeria, in which he scored a hat-trick and his emotional reaction after scoring one of the goals led to speculation about his father’s health.&nbsp;The Argentina captain later confirmed that his emotions were linked to something happening away from football. His family subsequently denied reports claiming that Jorge had died and said he was making steady progress in his recovery.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/arsenal-sign-bruno-guimaraes-from-newcastle-united-1786193276320">Arsenal sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle Unite</a>d&nbsp;Jorge Messi played an important role in Lionel Messi’s career and was much more than just his father, as he was involved in several key decisions from the early stages of Messi’s journey and was a trusted figure during the talks that eventually resulted in Lionel moving from Argentina to Barcelona.&nbsp;Jorge also played a role in deals that took Messi to Paris Saint-Germain and later Inter Miami.&nbsp;Messi’s family was not seen in the stands during the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina finished as runners-up to Spain.

Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, has passed away at the age of 68, with the news confirmed by the Argentine star’s former club Newell’s Old Boys on Saturday.

Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, has died aged 68 after a long battle with a chronic illness. According to reports from Argentina, Jorge passed away at around 10 pm local time on Friday at a clinic in Rosario, where he had been receiving treatment. Messi’s boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, confirmed his death through an official statement on Saturday. “Club Atltico Newell’s Old Boys bids farewell with deep sorrow and grief to Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68 in the city of Rosario. Recognized leproso fan, businessman, and father of the Argentine national team captain, Lionel Andrs Messi." “Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor, and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini. His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory. Thank you for teaching him to love these colors. The Board of Directors, members, athletes, and the entire leprosa family embrace with affection Celia, Lionel, Rodrigo, Matas, and Mara Sol, and all their loved ones and close ones in this difficult moment. Farewell forever, leproso,” read the statement from the club. Also Read - Jemimah Rodrigues suffers injury blow, ruled out of The Hundred Questions over Jorge Messi’s health emerged during the 2026 World Cup, when reports revealed that he was battling an illness. Messi was seen crying during Argentina’s win over Algeria, in which he scored a hat-trick and his emotional reaction after scoring one of the goals led to speculation about his father’s health. The Argentina captain later confirmed that his emotions were linked to something happening away from football. His family subsequently denied reports claiming that Jorge had died and said he was making steady progress in his recovery. Also Read - Arsenal sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United Jorge Messi played an important role in Lionel Messi’s career and was much more than just his father, as he was involved in several key decisions from the early stages of Messi’s journey and was a trusted figure during the talks that eventually resulted in Lionel moving from Argentina to Barcelona. Jorge also played a role in deals that took Messi to Paris Saint-Germain and later Inter Miami. Messi’s family was not seen in the stands during the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina finished as runners-up to Spain.

Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, has passed away at the age of 68, with the news confirmed by the Argentine star’s former club Newell’s Old Boys on Saturday.

Lionel Messi’s father Jorge passes away at 68

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United for a reported fixed fee of €75 million, with the Brazilian midfielder signing a four-year contract that includes an option to extend his stay by another year, according to ESPN. Guimaraes said he was excited about joining Arsenal and saw the move as a new challenge in his career.&nbsp;“I feel good, I feel amazing. I’m glad for the opportunity. Since the first time I spoke to (Andrea) Berta and Mikel (Arteta), I was excited. I just felt inside of me that I need a new challenge in my life and I think to be an Arsenal player is going to be an exciting challenge in my life,” Guimaraes said.&nbsp;The midfielder also thanked Arsenal fans for their support and messages and promised to give his best for the club.&nbsp;“The message for me is thank you for everything you have done. All the messages you gave me, I’m so excited to join you. I will give you my best, I promise. Like I said, I’m your warrior, I’ll never give up. Hopefully we can create many, many good memories together,” he added, as quoted by ESPN.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jemimah-rodrigues-suffers-injury-blow-ruled-out-of-the-hundred-1786188196539">Jemimah Rodrigues suffers injury blow, ruled out of The Hundred</a>&nbsp;Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta welcomed the 28-year-old and praised his mentality, quality and leadership.&nbsp;“We are delighted to welcome Bruno Guimaraes to our club. Bruno is a player with a great mentality and great quality, who will bring strong leadership to our squad.”&nbsp;Berta also highlighted Guimaraes’ ability to play in different midfield roles.&nbsp;“With Bruno joining us, we are further strengthening the heart of our team. As we have all seen, Bruno can play as a defensive midfielder and as a box-to-box player. He combines quality with quantity, and has provided goals and assists for his team every year,” Andrea said.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/korea-masters-2026-ashmita-chaliha-beats-rakshitha-ramraj-to-reach-final-1786180626257">Korea Masters 2026: Ashmita Chaliha beats Rakshitha Ramraj to reach final</a>&nbsp;He added that the signing would give Mikel Arteta more options and increase competition within the squad.&nbsp;“Bruno will allow Mikel to further develop our playing style and will also increase our internal competitiveness, which is essential for maintaining the standards required when we are aiming to win major trophies,” he concluded.&nbsp;Guimaraes had emerged as one of Arsenal’s main targets during the summer. Arteta wanted to add more strength to his midfield as the club prepared for its Premier League title defence.&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

Arsenal have signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United in a big-money move, making him the club’s fourth signing of the summer under Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United for a reported fixed fee of €75 million, with the Brazilian midfielder signing a four-year contract that includes an option to extend his stay by another year, according to ESPN. Guimaraes said he was excited about joining Arsenal and saw the move as a new challenge in his career. “I feel good, I feel amazing. I’m glad for the opportunity. Since the first time I spoke to (Andrea) Berta and Mikel (Arteta), I was excited. I just felt inside of me that I need a new challenge in my life and I think to be an Arsenal player is going to be an exciting challenge in my life,” Guimaraes said. The midfielder also thanked Arsenal fans for their support and messages and promised to give his best for the club. “The message for me is thank you for everything you have done. All the messages you gave me, I’m so excited to join you. I will give you my best, I promise. Like I said, I’m your warrior, I’ll never give up. Hopefully we can create many, many good memories together,” he added, as quoted by ESPN. Also Read - Jemimah Rodrigues suffers injury blow, ruled out of The Hundred Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta welcomed the 28-year-old and praised his mentality, quality and leadership. “We are delighted to welcome Bruno Guimaraes to our club. Bruno is a player with a great mentality and great quality, who will bring strong leadership to our squad.” Berta also highlighted Guimaraes’ ability to play in different midfield roles. “With Bruno joining us, we are further strengthening the heart of our team. As we have all seen, Bruno can play as a defensive midfielder and as a box-to-box player. He combines quality with quantity, and has provided goals and assists for his team every year,” Andrea said. Also Read - Korea Masters 2026: Ashmita Chaliha beats Rakshitha Ramraj to reach final He added that the signing would give Mikel Arteta more options and increase competition within the squad. “Bruno will allow Mikel to further develop our playing style and will also increase our internal competitiveness, which is essential for maintaining the standards required when we are aiming to win major trophies,” he concluded. Guimaraes had emerged as one of Arsenal’s main targets during the summer. Arteta wanted to add more strength to his midfield as the club prepared for its Premier League title defence. With inputs from agencies

Arsenal have signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United in a big-money move, making him the club’s fourth signing of the summer under Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UEFA have both dismissed claims of the European footballing body paying a six-figure amount to Infantino’s alleged secret lover during his time as the association’s general secretary. Shocking claims have gone viral, putting Infantino, who continues to fight for his place as head of FIFA, in hot water.&nbsp;Infantino recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons – first for overturning the US striker Folarin Balogun’s 'controversial red card' appeal during the concluded World Cup on Donald Trump’s request, and secondly for ‘crossing the red line’ by wanting to sell the stake of the World Cup to private investors. He faced massive backlash over his decisions, with FAs worldwide uniting to vote him out of power ahead of the next elections.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pressure-continues-to-mount-on-fifa-chief-infantino-as-uefa-maintains-boycott-threat-conmebol-criticises-1786077683861">Pressure continues to mount on FIFA chief Infantino as UEFA maintains boycott threat, CONMEBOL criticises</a> &nbsp;Meanwhile, a report in The Daily Telegraph claims that an unnamed woman received a six-figure amount after her relationship with Infantino, and that UEFA also paid for her MBA degree after she had left the organisation.<h2>UEFA and FIFA Deny Allegations</h2>UEFA has refuted these claims in the latest development. &nbsp;"The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time. Such regulations have been tightened since 2016 and the current staff regulations - which apply to all UEFA employees at whatever level - reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation,” a UEFA spokesperson said in a chat with Sky News. &nbsp;On the other hand, a FIFA spokesperson also denied all allegations levelled against the FIFA boss. &nbsp;"Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory," the FIFA spokesperson said in a statement to Sky News. &nbsp;Infantino worked at UEFA for close to two decades (from 2000 to 2016) before being elected as the FIFA president.&nbsp; &nbsp;"No employee at UEFA and FIFA has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantino's behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved. "All company actions related to employees, including any departure and severance packages, have always been approved by the appropriate directors in accordance with all applicable regulations," the spokesperson added.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UEFA have denied allegations regarding a six-figure payment and MBA sponsorship for an alleged secret lover during his time as UEFA general secretary.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UEFA have both dismissed claims of the European footballing body paying a six-figure amount to Infantino’s alleged secret lover during his time as the association’s general secretary. Shocking claims have gone viral, putting Infantino, who continues to fight for his place as head of FIFA, in hot water. Infantino recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons – first for overturning the US striker Folarin Balogun’s 'controversial red card' appeal during the concluded World Cup on Donald Trump’s request, and secondly for ‘crossing the red line’ by wanting to sell the stake of the World Cup to private investors. He faced massive backlash over his decisions, with FAs worldwide uniting to vote him out of power ahead of the next elections. Also read| Pressure continues to mount on FIFA chief Infantino as UEFA maintains boycott threat, CONMEBOL criticises Meanwhile, a report in The Daily Telegraph claims that an unnamed woman received a six-figure amount after her relationship with Infantino, and that UEFA also paid for her MBA degree after she had left the organisation. UEFA and FIFA Deny Allegations UEFA has refuted these claims in the latest development. "The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time. Such regulations have been tightened since 2016 and the current staff regulations - which apply to all UEFA employees at whatever level - reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation,” a UEFA spokesperson said in a chat with Sky News. On the other hand, a FIFA spokesperson also denied all allegations levelled against the FIFA boss. "Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory," the FIFA spokesperson said in a statement to Sky News. Infantino worked at UEFA for close to two decades (from 2000 to 2016) before being elected as the FIFA president. "No employee at UEFA and FIFA has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantino's behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved. "All company actions related to employees, including any departure and severance packages, have always been approved by the appropriate directors in accordance with all applicable regulations," the spokesperson added.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UEFA have denied allegations regarding a six-figure payment and MBA sponsorship for an alleged secret lover during his time as UEFA general secretary.

FIFA boss and UEFA dismiss claims of 'six-figure' payment to Infantino's secret lover

Pressure built on FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Thursday over his cancelled plan to bring private finance into football's World Cup, with European governing body UEFA reiterating a threat to boycott tournaments. The 56-year-old Swiss official has also been criticised by South American body CONMEBOL. But he did get backing from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Infantino received the "full support" of senior FIFA directors at an emergency meeting in Morocco on Wednesday but UEFA released a blunt statement in response.UEFA's initial threat issued last Thursday to boycott FIFA competitions is said to have been pivotal in forcing Infantino to shelve the private investment deal.Calls for him to step down had grown since he abandoned it last Saturday.FIFA said it could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for a new commercial subsidiary, called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which it proposed would run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.Although the abandonment of the proposal was one of UEFA's conditions for it to withdraw its threat, it said that not all of its demands had been met."UEFA's associations were very clear about the conditions attached to their non participation in FIFA competitions," read its statement"First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again."These conditions have not been met."Whilst UEFA welcomed the withdrawal of the plan last Saturday, it had slammed Infantino and his "shabby, backroom, opaque deal".Its tone had not changed in Thursday's statement."UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino's presidency. That position holds," it said.Several UEFA member associations have withdrawn support for Infantino's bid to be re-elected to a fourth and final term in Rabat next March.A prominent critic, Norwegian football chief Lise Klaveness, is likely to pour more fuel on the fire when she holds a press conference on Friday.<h2>‘Abuse of power’</h2>Infantino was also criticised by usually supportive South American governing body CONMEBOL."The Council also unanimously expresses its concern regarding the repeated unilateral actions taken without resorting to dialogue or to the institutional mechanisms established to address situations of this nature," read its statement.CONMEBOL, though, said regarding Infantino's future it would not countenance anything other than a straight contest -- if a challenger comes forward by November 18 when nominations close -- in Rabat.There is a mechanism whereby an extraordinary FIFA congress can be called and a vote of no confidence in Infantino held.North and Central American football's governing body CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have both been critical of Infantino, but were yet to react to the latest developments.CONCACAF -- whose president Victor Montagliani is seen as a potential challenger -- had called for "a comprehensive reckoning with this presidency".FIFPRO, the players union, piled into Infantino over the plan calling it "a profound abuse of presidential power"."FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) is gone," it said in a statement."The abuse of power that produced it is not."Support did come Infantino's way on Thursday, however, as CAF "unanimously reconfirmed its support" for the FIFA president in a statement released following a meeting of its members.Several CAF members had already expressed their support for the Swiss official, who has been in power for 10 years. South Africa's sports minister Gayton McKenzie had urged African football to resist what he called the "public lynching" of Infantino.CONMEBOL said it was a shame the hugely successful staging of the World Cup -- the first with 48 teams and spread over three countries -- had had its thunder stolen by the events over the past week."The CONMEBOL Council calls for preserving the unity of the football family," it said.

The 56-year-old Swiss official has also been criticised by South American body CONMEBOL. But he did get backing from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Infantino received the "full support" of senior FIFA directors at an emergency meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.

Pressure built on FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Thursday over his cancelled plan to bring private finance into football's World Cup, with European governing body UEFA reiterating a threat to boycott tournaments. The 56-year-old Swiss official has also been criticised by South American body CONMEBOL. But he did get backing from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Infantino received the "full support" of senior FIFA directors at an emergency meeting in Morocco on Wednesday but UEFA released a blunt statement in response. UEFA's initial threat issued last Thursday to boycott FIFA competitions is said to have been pivotal in forcing Infantino to shelve the private investment deal. Calls for him to step down had grown since he abandoned it last Saturday. FIFA said it could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for a new commercial subsidiary, called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which it proposed would run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup. Although the abandonment of the proposal was one of UEFA's conditions for it to withdraw its threat, it said that not all of its demands had been met. "UEFA's associations were very clear about the conditions attached to their non participation in FIFA competitions," read its statement "First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again. "These conditions have not been met." Whilst UEFA welcomed the withdrawal of the plan last Saturday, it had slammed Infantino and his "shabby, backroom, opaque deal". Its tone had not changed in Thursday's statement. "UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino's presidency. That position holds," it said. Several UEFA member associations have withdrawn support for Infantino's bid to be re-elected to a fourth and final term in Rabat next March. A prominent critic, Norwegian football chief Lise Klaveness, is likely to pour more fuel on the fire when she holds a press conference on Friday. ‘Abuse of power’ Infantino was also criticised by usually supportive South American governing body CONMEBOL. "The Council also unanimously expresses its concern regarding the repeated unilateral actions taken without resorting to dialogue or to the institutional mechanisms established to address situations of this nature," read its statement. CONMEBOL, though, said regarding Infantino's future it would not countenance anything other than a straight contest -- if a challenger comes forward by November 18 when nominations close -- in Rabat. There is a mechanism whereby an extraordinary FIFA congress can be called and a vote of no confidence in Infantino held. North and Central American football's governing body CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have both been critical of Infantino, but were yet to react to the latest developments. CONCACAF -- whose president Victor Montagliani is seen as a potential challenger -- had called for "a comprehensive reckoning with this presidency". FIFPRO, the players union, piled into Infantino over the plan calling it "a profound abuse of presidential power". "FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) is gone," it said in a statement. "The abuse of power that produced it is not." Support did come Infantino's way on Thursday, however, as CAF "unanimously reconfirmed its support" for the FIFA president in a statement released following a meeting of its members. Several CAF members had already expressed their support for the Swiss official, who has been in power for 10 years. South Africa's sports minister Gayton McKenzie had urged African football to resist what he called the "public lynching" of Infantino. CONMEBOL said it was a shame the hugely successful staging of the World Cup -- the first with 48 teams and spread over three countries -- had had its thunder stolen by the events over the past week. "The CONMEBOL Council calls for preserving the unity of the football family," it said.

The 56-year-old Swiss official has also been criticised by South American body CONMEBOL. But he did get backing from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Infantino received the "full support" of senior FIFA directors at an emergency meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.

Pressure continues to mount on FIFA chief Infantino as UEFA maintains boycott threat, CONMEBOL criticises

Argentina’s Football Association (AFA) has unanimously approved Jul 15 as ‘National Football Teams Day’ to mark the national team’s dramatic win over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final. Argentina made a stunning comeback to beat England 2-1 and reach the WC final for the second consecutive edition after scoring twice from the 85th minute onwards to overturn an early deficit.&nbsp;“The date was chosen to commemorate the Albiceleste’s great and historic victory over England in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup,” AFA said in a statement following Wednesday’s council executive meeting, according to ESPN.&nbsp;“The team, led by Lionel Scaloni, were trailing the English side by a single goal but, thanks to goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, managed to turn the result around and send the whole country into a frenzy, with people flooding the streets in celebration.”<h2>Falkland Islands controversy</h2>The victory had significance beyond football because of the long-standing dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, known as the Islas Malvinas in Argentina.&nbsp;The islands are located about 300 miles from mainland Argentina and nearly 8,000 miles from Great Britain. The dispute over their ownership remains a sensitive political issue in both the countries.&nbsp;After Argentina’s semi-final win, the players celebrated on the field with a banner that read, “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, meaning “The Malvinas are Argentinian”.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/salah-signs-two-year-deal-with-trabzonspor-after-liverpool-exit-1786023130888">Salah signs two-year deal with Trabzonspor after Liverpool exit</a>&nbsp;The message drew an immediate response in England and across the UK and the British government later asked FIFA to investigate the incident, turning the celebrations into a disciplinary matter.&nbsp;Argentina went on to reach the final but failed to defend their World Cup title after losing to Spain. The final also ended in heated scenes, with players from both teams involved in clashes after the match.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/big-blow-to-india-as-shubman-gill-suffers-thumb-injury-ahead-of-sri-lanka-test-opener-1786014074820">Big blow to India as Shubman Gill suffers thumb injury ahead of SL Test opener</a>&nbsp;FIFA later opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina players Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina, as well as assistant coach Roberto Ayala, over alleged physical assaults.&nbsp;The AFA also came under criticism for several other issues, as FIFA investigated the political references made during the semi-final celebrations, while separate allegations of racist abuse and inappropriate chanting were also looked into.&nbsp;Argentina’s political leadership defended the players’ decision to display the Falklands message.&nbsp;President Javier Milei described the celebration as “perfectly valid” and said it reflected a sentiment shared by many Argentinians. However, Milei also accepted that FIFA could take action over the incident and said that he expected the governing body to issue a financial penalty against Argentina.

The AFA has declared Jul 15 as National Football Teams Day to commemorate Argentina's dramatic World Cup semi-final victory over England, where they overturned a 1-0 deficit to reach the final, though the celebrations later faced controversy.

Argentina’s Football Association (AFA) has unanimously approved Jul 15 as ‘National Football Teams Day’ to mark the national team’s dramatic win over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final. Argentina made a stunning comeback to beat England 2-1 and reach the WC final for the second consecutive edition after scoring twice from the 85th minute onwards to overturn an early deficit. “The date was chosen to commemorate the Albiceleste’s great and historic victory over England in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup,” AFA said in a statement following Wednesday’s council executive meeting, according to ESPN. “The team, led by Lionel Scaloni, were trailing the English side by a single goal but, thanks to goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, managed to turn the result around and send the whole country into a frenzy, with people flooding the streets in celebration.” Falkland Islands controversy The victory had significance beyond football because of the long-standing dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, known as the Islas Malvinas in Argentina. The islands are located about 300 miles from mainland Argentina and nearly 8,000 miles from Great Britain. The dispute over their ownership remains a sensitive political issue in both the countries. After Argentina’s semi-final win, the players celebrated on the field with a banner that read, “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, meaning “The Malvinas are Argentinian”. Also Read - Salah signs two-year deal with Trabzonspor after Liverpool exit The message drew an immediate response in England and across the UK and the British government later asked FIFA to investigate the incident, turning the celebrations into a disciplinary matter. Argentina went on to reach the final but failed to defend their World Cup title after losing to Spain. The final also ended in heated scenes, with players from both teams involved in clashes after the match. Also Read - Big blow to India as Shubman Gill suffers thumb injury ahead of SL Test opener FIFA later opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina players Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina, as well as assistant coach Roberto Ayala, over alleged physical assaults. The AFA also came under criticism for several other issues, as FIFA investigated the political references made during the semi-final celebrations, while separate allegations of racist abuse and inappropriate chanting were also looked into. Argentina’s political leadership defended the players’ decision to display the Falklands message. President Javier Milei described the celebration as “perfectly valid” and said it reflected a sentiment shared by many Argentinians. However, Milei also accepted that FIFA could take action over the incident and said that he expected the governing body to issue a financial penalty against Argentina.

The AFA has declared Jul 15 as National Football Teams Day to commemorate Argentina's dramatic World Cup semi-final victory over England, where they overturned a 1-0 deficit to reach the final, though the celebrations later faced controversy.

Argentina to celebrate World Cup semi-final triumph over England with special day

Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has joined Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor on a free transfer after ending his nine-year association with Liverpool. The 34-year-old has signed a two-year deal with Trabzonspor after leaving Liverpool at the end of last season. According to Sky Sports, Salah and the Premier League club mutually agreed to terminate his contract one year before it was due to expire.&nbsp;Salah’s departure brings an end to a successful spell at Anfield, where he established himself as one of Liverpool’s greatest players. He had extended his contract in Apr 2025, but his final season at the club saw limited playing time and a public disagreement with then-manager Arne Slot.&nbsp;During his nine years with Liverpool, Salah won seven major trophies and scored 257 goals in 442 appearances across all competitions, making him the club’s third-highest goalscorer.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-sri-lanka-3-day-warm-up-match-all-you-need-to-know-1786022298093">India vs Sri Lanka 3-day warm-up match: All you need to know</a>&nbsp;Salah had also been linked with several clubs in Saudi Arabia in recent years. Al Ittihad reportedly made a £150 million bid for him in 2023, but Liverpool rejected the offer. The Saudi club was again linked with a move for the Egyptian star, but Salah has now chosen to continue his career in Turkey.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/korea-masters-2026-tanvi-sharma-continues-dream-run-books-quarterfinal-spot-1786009018355">Korea Masters 2026: Tanvi Sharma continues dream run, books quarterfinal spot</a>&nbsp;Trabzonspor finished third in the Turkish Super Lig last season and will enter the Europa League playoff round.&nbsp;Salah also played an important role in Egypt’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign and helped his country reach the round of 16, where Egypt suffered a 3-2 defeat to defending champions Argentina. Salah contributed one goal and two assists during the tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has joined Trabzonspor on a two-year contract after spending nine successful years at Liverpool, with the Turkish club reportedly offering him a salary of €17 million per season.

Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has joined Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor on a free transfer after ending his nine-year association with Liverpool. The 34-year-old has signed a two-year deal with Trabzonspor after leaving Liverpool at the end of last season. According to Sky Sports, Salah and the Premier League club mutually agreed to terminate his contract one year before it was due to expire. Salah’s departure brings an end to a successful spell at Anfield, where he established himself as one of Liverpool’s greatest players. He had extended his contract in Apr 2025, but his final season at the club saw limited playing time and a public disagreement with then-manager Arne Slot. During his nine years with Liverpool, Salah won seven major trophies and scored 257 goals in 442 appearances across all competitions, making him the club’s third-highest goalscorer. Also Read - India vs Sri Lanka 3-day warm-up match: All you need to know Salah had also been linked with several clubs in Saudi Arabia in recent years. Al Ittihad reportedly made a £150 million bid for him in 2023, but Liverpool rejected the offer. The Saudi club was again linked with a move for the Egyptian star, but Salah has now chosen to continue his career in Turkey. Also Read - Korea Masters 2026: Tanvi Sharma continues dream run, books quarterfinal spot Trabzonspor finished third in the Turkish Super Lig last season and will enter the Europa League playoff round. Salah also played an important role in Egypt’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign and helped his country reach the round of 16, where Egypt suffered a 3-2 defeat to defending champions Argentina. Salah contributed one goal and two assists during the tournament. With inputs from agencies

Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has joined Trabzonspor on a two-year contract after spending nine successful years at Liverpool, with the Turkish club reportedly offering him a salary of €17 million per season.

Salah signs two-year deal with Trabzonspor after Liverpool exit

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has joined the growing list of Gianni Infantino's critics, saying he has no confidence in the FIFA chief's leadership. The comments came after Infantino was forced to scrap his controversial plan to sell World Cup commercial stakes to private investors, following fierce pushback led by UEFA. Portugal great Luis Figo also demanded Infantino step down, calling his conduct disgraceful. With pressure mounting from multiple fronts, Infantino called an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-leadership-apologise-for-privatisation-plan-back-infantino-post-acknowledging-error-1785985302966">emergency meeting with FIFA staff</a> on Wednesday (Aug 5). Carney's remarks carry extra weight given his closeness to CONCACAF chief Victor Montagliani, who is being pushed to challenge Infantino in next year's presidential election.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/police-scotland-probe-missing-pakistan-uganda-athletes-cwg-2026-1785944293902">Scottish police probes missing athletes from Pakistan and Uganda after CWG 2026</a><h2>What did Carney say about Infantino?</h2>Carney did not hold back while addressing the failed sell-off scheme, calling it something that should end Infantino's presidency. "It should be fatal," the Canadian PM said, adding, "Certainly I don't have confidence in Mr Infantino," as quoted by The Guardian. His intervention is significant, coming from a G7 leader with strong football-governance connections. CONCACAF has already called for a full review of FIFA's governance structure, and several member federations are reportedly ready to pull their backing for Infantino ahead of next year's election battle.<h2>Figo comes out swinging as well</h2>Writing in the Daily Mail, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid winger, who had 127 caps for Portugal, accused Infantino of ruining the office he once promised to elevate. "I could write 10,000 words on the problems at FIFA. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go," Figo wrote."He has lost the support of his senior staff, his closest advisers, the vast majority of people who devote their lives to this sport and even, it would seem, the Fifa Peace Prize winner [Donald Trump]. It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now.”

The comments came after Infantino was forced to scrap his controversial plan to sell World Cup commercial stakes to private investors, following fierce pushback led by UEFA.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has joined the growing list of Gianni Infantino's critics, saying he has no confidence in the FIFA chief's leadership. The comments came after Infantino was forced to scrap his controversial plan to sell World Cup commercial stakes to private investors, following fierce pushback led by UEFA. Portugal great Luis Figo also demanded Infantino step down, calling his conduct disgraceful. With pressure mounting from multiple fronts, Infantino called an emergency meeting with FIFA staff on Wednesday (Aug 5). Carney's remarks carry extra weight given his closeness to CONCACAF chief Victor Montagliani, who is being pushed to challenge Infantino in next year's presidential election. Also Read - Scottish police probes missing athletes from Pakistan and Uganda after CWG 2026 What did Carney say about Infantino? Carney did not hold back while addressing the failed sell-off scheme, calling it something that should end Infantino's presidency. "It should be fatal," the Canadian PM said, adding, "Certainly I don't have confidence in Mr Infantino," as quoted by The Guardian. His intervention is significant, coming from a G7 leader with strong football-governance connections. CONCACAF has already called for a full review of FIFA's governance structure, and several member federations are reportedly ready to pull their backing for Infantino ahead of next year's election battle. Figo comes out swinging as well Writing in the Daily Mail, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid winger, who had 127 caps for Portugal, accused Infantino of ruining the office he once promised to elevate. "I could write 10,000 words on the problems at FIFA. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go," Figo wrote. "He has lost the support of his senior staff, his closest advisers, the vast majority of people who devote their lives to this sport and even, it would seem, the Fifa Peace Prize winner [Donald Trump]. It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now.”

The comments came after Infantino was forced to scrap his controversial plan to sell World Cup commercial stakes to private investors, following fierce pushback led by UEFA.

'Infantino must go': Canada PM Carney, Portugal legend Figo come out swinging at FIFA chief Infantino

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has received the "full support" of senior directors on Wednesday but world football's governing body apologised for the controversy of the now-shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment. Facing a barrage of criticism following the aborted plan, FIFA's leadership acknowledged "errors", while nonetheless backing under-fire Infantino following a crisis meeting in Morocco. Infantino has come under increasing pressure, even from within his organisation, over his handling of the proposal, and calls for him to step down had grown since he abandoned it last Saturday.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/police-scotland-probe-missing-pakistan-uganda-athletes-cwg-2026-1785944293902">Scottish police probes missing athletes from Pakistan and Uganda after CWG 2026</a>In a statement Wednesday, FIFA's leadership acknowledged "that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media".FIFA floated the plan, saying it could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for a new commercial subsidiary, called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which it proposed would run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.It said that, if approved, the project could provide each of FIFA's 211 member associations with a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027, and increase their funding allocation for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million.Instead of acting as a sweetener it produced a furious backlash, with European football's governing body UEFA resorting on Thursday to the nuclear option of boycotting the sport's jewel in the crown, the World Cup.By Saturday, Infantino held his hands up and withdrew the plan."Our purpose has always been -- and will always be -- to unite and improve," said Infantino.After Wednesday's meeting in Rabat, the FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA Management Board in attendance said in a statement they "reaffirmed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, as the only official elected by the 211 FIFA Member Associations"."The meeting also addressed the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, where mistakes made were acknowledged," the statement said."It was agreed that it was not the intention for the FIFA Council and FIFA Member Associations to feel excluded from the process and that the process should have been handled differently."It was further acknowledged that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media."In a separate letter to the FIFA Council and FIFA Member Associations, an apology was made for these errors together with a commitment to ensure they do not happen again."<h2>‘Off the table’</h2>One of those believed to be at the meeting was FIFA's secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom, whose internal email to staff criticising the plan was leaked on Tuesday."A review will now be conducted, and a report will be presented to the FIFA Council at its next scheduled meeting," the FIFA statement said."As previously communicated, the FFE proposal, which would have been subject to the approval of the FIFA Member Associations and the FIFA Council, is now off the table."Later Wednesday, Infantino -- a 56-year-old Swiss lawyer who was in Morocco to celebrate last week's Feast of the Enthronement -- attended the Women's Africa Cup of Nations match between Zambia and Malawi in Rabat.The FIFA chief was spotted alongside the president of the Moroccan football federation at the entrance to Al Medina Stadium, an AFP photographer observed.Morocco is to co-host the 2030 World Cup and Moroccan Football chief Fouzi Lekjaa is one of the few to have publicly supported Infantino since the humiliating climbdown.Lekjaa last Saturday had praised his "wise" move to scrap the plan in the interests of "unity and cohesion".He reiterated his backing for Infantino for "all the initiatives aimed at the development of world football" during his 10 years in charge.Infantino had been basking in the warm afterglow of a highly successful World Cup -- the largest ever with 48 teams and co-hosted by three countries, Canada, Mexico and the US.His wish to serve a fourth and final term looked likely to be rubber-stamped in Rabat next March -- no other candidate had come forward to challenge him.However, Tuesday last week all that faded.UEFA termed the proposal to privatise the World Cup a "shabby, back room, opaque deal" hatched by Infantino."The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA's confidence but also that of many other members of the football family," UEFA said in a statement.North and Central American football's governing body CONCACAF went further still and called for "a comprehensive reckoning with this presidency" while slamming Infantino's "poor governance and leadership".On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose country co-hosted the 2026 World Cup, said he no longer had confidence in Infantino's ability to lead FIFA.

In a statement Wednesday, FIFA's leadership acknowledged "that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media".

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has received the "full support" of senior directors on Wednesday but world football's governing body apologised for the controversy of the now-shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment. Facing a barrage of criticism following the aborted plan, FIFA's leadership acknowledged "errors", while nonetheless backing under-fire Infantino following a crisis meeting in Morocco. Infantino has come under increasing pressure, even from within his organisation, over his handling of the proposal, and calls for him to step down had grown since he abandoned it last Saturday. Also Read - Scottish police probes missing athletes from Pakistan and Uganda after CWG 2026 In a statement Wednesday, FIFA's leadership acknowledged "that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media". FIFA floated the plan, saying it could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for a new commercial subsidiary, called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which it proposed would run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup. It said that, if approved, the project could provide each of FIFA's 211 member associations with a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027, and increase their funding allocation for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million. Instead of acting as a sweetener it produced a furious backlash, with European football's governing body UEFA resorting on Thursday to the nuclear option of boycotting the sport's jewel in the crown, the World Cup. By Saturday, Infantino held his hands up and withdrew the plan. "Our purpose has always been -- and will always be -- to unite and improve," said Infantino. After Wednesday's meeting in Rabat, the FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA Management Board in attendance said in a statement they "reaffirmed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, as the only official elected by the 211 FIFA Member Associations". "The meeting also addressed the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, where mistakes made were acknowledged," the statement said. "It was agreed that it was not the intention for the FIFA Council and FIFA Member Associations to feel excluded from the process and that the process should have been handled differently. "It was further acknowledged that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media. "In a separate letter to the FIFA Council and FIFA Member Associations, an apology was made for these errors together with a commitment to ensure they do not happen again." ‘Off the table’ One of those believed to be at the meeting was FIFA's secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom, whose internal email to staff criticising the plan was leaked on Tuesday. "A review will now be conducted, and a report will be presented to the FIFA Council at its next scheduled meeting," the FIFA statement said. "As previously communicated, the FFE proposal, which would have been subject to the approval of the FIFA Member Associations and the FIFA Council, is now off the table." Later Wednesday, Infantino -- a 56-year-old Swiss lawyer who was in Morocco to celebrate last week's Feast of the Enthronement -- attended the Women's Africa Cup of Nations match between Zambia and Malawi in Rabat. The FIFA chief was spotted alongside the president of the Moroccan football federation at the entrance to Al Medina Stadium, an AFP photographer observed. Morocco is to co-host the 2030 World Cup and Moroccan Football chief Fouzi Lekjaa is one of the few to have publicly supported Infantino since the humiliating climbdown. Lekjaa last Saturday had praised his "wise" move to scrap the plan in the interests of "unity and cohesion". He reiterated his backing for Infantino for "all the initiatives aimed at the development of world football" during his 10 years in charge. Infantino had been basking in the warm afterglow of a highly successful World Cup -- the largest ever with 48 teams and co-hosted by three countries, Canada, Mexico and the US. His wish to serve a fourth and final term looked likely to be rubber-stamped in Rabat next March -- no other candidate had come forward to challenge him. However, Tuesday last week all that faded. UEFA termed the proposal to privatise the World Cup a "shabby, back room, opaque deal" hatched by Infantino. "The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA's confidence but also that of many other members of the football family," UEFA said in a statement. North and Central American football's governing body CONCACAF went further still and called for "a comprehensive reckoning with this presidency" while slamming Infantino's "poor governance and leadership". On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose country co-hosted the 2026 World Cup, said he no longer had confidence in Infantino's ability to lead FIFA.

In a statement Wednesday, FIFA's leadership acknowledged "that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media".

FIFA leadership apologise for privatisation plan, back Infantino post acknowledging error

Taking yet another firm step to elevate the sport of football across the Nation, leading Content and Technology powerhouse Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (‘Z’) has fortified its premium football offerings by securing the exclusive broadcast and digital rights for the prestigious Italian football leagues – ‘Serie A’ along with the Cup competitions - ‘Coppa Italia’ and ‘Supercoppa Italiana’ for India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives for a period of five years, commencing on 22nd August 2026.&nbsp;The partnership further strengthens the Company’s proposition to be the ultimate destination of football in India and key markets in the subcontinent, by offering Europe’s most prestigious and widely followed leagues to audiences. Home to some of the world’s most celebrated clubs including AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, ‘Serie A’ is renowned for its rich heritage, iconic rivalries, global appeal and key players such as Lautaro Martínez, Paulo Dybala and Mateo Retegui amongst others. Starting 22nd August 2026, football aficionados will experience live action on the Company’s digital platform – Zee 5 and across the Unite8 Sports channels, featuring live matches, highlights and engaging football content.&nbsp;&nbsp;Commenting on the acquisition, Bavesh Janavlekar, Chief Business Officer – Unite8 Sports, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., said, “At ‘Z’, our commitment is to build a robust football ecosystem that brings Indian fans closer to the sport through premium content and a quality viewing experience. The addition of key global properties like ‘Serie A’, ‘Coppa Italia’ and ‘Supercoppa Italiana’ to our portfolio is a firm reflection of the scale and passion of football across the country. As one of the most respected leagues in football, ‘Serie A’ brings together iconic clubs and talent that have captivated generations of fans. We are thrilled to present all the action and intensity of the league on Zee 5 and Unite8 channels, offering consumers a truly differentiated destination for global football. Together with FIFA and Bundesliga, it further strengthens our ability to offer consumers compelling football content, while creating new opportunities to deepen the engagement beyond the live match.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The addition of ‘Serie A’, ‘Coppa Italia’ and ‘Supercoppa Italiana’ to the Company’s growing portfolio of marquee football properties marks a significant step in its efforts to enhance the appeal of the sport across demographics. Combining its unmatched linear reach and compelling digital capabilities, ‘Z’ remains well-positioned to expand the popularity and engagement of the competitions organised by Lega Serie A across the country and create new opportunities for fans to connect with the leagues.&nbsp;&nbsp;With the upcoming seasons of ‘Serie A’, ‘Bundesliga’ and the expansive slate of premium ‘FIFA’ tournaments, the Company has a robust and holistic football offering to engage with fans and maximise value-delivery for advertisers across categories. The premium sports offering across platforms, coupled with on-ground efforts to uplift the sport, will firmly position the Company to build a vibrant sports ecosystem across India and the subcontinent.

Zee Entertainment secures exclusive 5-year broadcast and streaming rights for Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Supercoppa Italiana across India and the subcontinent starting August 22, 2026, on ZEE5 and Unite8 Sports.

Taking yet another firm step to elevate the sport of football across the Nation, leading Content and Technology powerhouse Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (‘Z’) has fortified its premium football offerings by securing the exclusive broadcast and digital rights for the prestigious Italian football leagues – ‘Serie A’ along with the Cup competitions - ‘Coppa Italia’ and ‘Supercoppa Italiana’ for India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives for a period of five years, commencing on 22nd August 2026. The partnership further strengthens the Company’s proposition to be the ultimate destination of football in India and key markets in the subcontinent, by offering Europe’s most prestigious and widely followed leagues to audiences. Home to some of the world’s most celebrated clubs including AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, ‘Serie A’ is renowned for its rich heritage, iconic rivalries, global appeal and key players such as Lautaro Martínez, Paulo Dybala and Mateo Retegui amongst others. Starting 22nd August 2026, football aficionados will experience live action on the Company’s digital platform – Zee 5 and across the Unite8 Sports channels, featuring live matches, highlights and engaging football content. Commenting on the acquisition, Bavesh Janavlekar, Chief Business Officer – Unite8 Sports, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., said, “At ‘Z’, our commitment is to build a robust football ecosystem that brings Indian fans closer to the sport through premium content and a quality viewing experience. The addition of key global properties like ‘Serie A’, ‘Coppa Italia’ and ‘Supercoppa Italiana’ to our portfolio is a firm reflection of the scale and passion of football across the country. As one of the most respected leagues in football, ‘Serie A’ brings together iconic clubs and talent that have captivated generations of fans. We are thrilled to present all the action and intensity of the league on Zee 5 and Unite8 channels, offering consumers a truly differentiated destination for global football. Together with FIFA and Bundesliga, it further strengthens our ability to offer consumers compelling football content, while creating new opportunities to deepen the engagement beyond the live match.” The addition of ‘Serie A’, ‘Coppa Italia’ and ‘Supercoppa Italiana’ to the Company’s growing portfolio of marquee football properties marks a significant step in its efforts to enhance the appeal of the sport across demographics. Combining its unmatched linear reach and compelling digital capabilities, ‘Z’ remains well-positioned to expand the popularity and engagement of the competitions organised by Lega Serie A across the country and create new opportunities for fans to connect with the leagues. With the upcoming seasons of ‘Serie A’, ‘Bundesliga’ and the expansive slate of premium ‘FIFA’ tournaments, the Company has a robust and holistic football offering to engage with fans and maximise value-delivery for advertisers across categories. The premium sports offering across platforms, coupled with on-ground efforts to uplift the sport, will firmly position the Company to build a vibrant sports ecosystem across India and the subcontinent.

Zee Entertainment secures exclusive 5-year broadcast and streaming rights for Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Supercoppa Italiana across India and the subcontinent starting August 22, 2026, on ZEE5 and Unite8 Sports.

Zee Entertainment secures exclusive media rights for Serie A in India and subcontinent

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino's troubles are not looking to end anytime soon with Jordan Football Association chief Prince Ali bin al-Hussein has accused the FIFA chief of 'blackmailing.' The statement comes as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/trouble-continues-to-mount-for-fifa-chief-infantino-as-more-uefa-members-including-england-withdraw-support-1785812619480">multiple European football nations have withdrawn their support</a> for Infantino's bid to be the FIFA chief fourth consecutive time. Prince Ali claimed that FIFA threatened to hold funds if Jordan Football refuses to back Infantino's bid for re-election. Notably, Prince Ali had gone against Infantino in 2016 to be the FIFA chief but finished third.<h2>What Jordan FA said about Infantino?</h2>IN a statement on X, Jordan FA chief Prince Ali, who is also the head of West Asian Football Federation, said that Jordann players haven't gotten their dues from Arab Cup played in Qatar in December last year.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/arsenal-close-in-80m-bruno-guimaraes-deal-newcastle-1785866813480">Transfer News: PL champs Arsenal close in on £80m deal for Newcastle’s Guimaraes</a>"We have been waiting for reward money for our players since December for the Arab Cup in Qatar, which is a FIFA event," read the statement. "The money our team should receive for having reached the final has not been delivered yet, while at the same time FIFA brags about how many billions they have in reserve. It is clear the problem really is with leadership. For months, FIFA has been refusing to help us on any of these or other matters – until it was verbally communicated to me during the World Cup that if I endorsed Infantino it would go a long way to helping our FA out."We pride ourselves in Jordan in upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now. But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that," it added.<h2>What next for Infantino?</h2>Jordan is not the only trouble for Infantino as FIFA's secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom also called FIFA's plan to sell the tourament stakes to private investors a "sad and reproachable series of events" in an e-mail to the staff. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is FIFA's chief of global development, also welcomed FIFA's plan call off the sale of stake as "absolutely necessary and beyond question."Infantino, meanwhile, has called a meeting of senior executives in Morocco on Wednesday amid the ongoing crisis.

Prince Ali claimed that FIFA threatened to hold funds if Jordan Football refuses to back Infantino's bid for re-election. Notably, Prince Ali had gone against Infantino in 2016 to be the FIFA chief but finished third.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino's troubles are not looking to end anytime soon with Jordan Football Association chief Prince Ali bin al-Hussein has accused the FIFA chief of 'blackmailing.' The statement comes as multiple European football nations have withdrawn their support for Infantino's bid to be the FIFA chief fourth consecutive time. Prince Ali claimed that FIFA threatened to hold funds if Jordan Football refuses to back Infantino's bid for re-election. Notably, Prince Ali had gone against Infantino in 2016 to be the FIFA chief but finished third. What Jordan FA said about Infantino? IN a statement on X, Jordan FA chief Prince Ali, who is also the head of West Asian Football Federation, said that Jordann players haven't gotten their dues from Arab Cup played in Qatar in December last year. Also Read - Transfer News: PL champs Arsenal close in on £80m deal for Newcastle’s Guimaraes "We have been waiting for reward money for our players since December for the Arab Cup in Qatar, which is a FIFA event," read the statement. "The money our team should receive for having reached the final has not been delivered yet, while at the same time FIFA brags about how many billions they have in reserve. It is clear the problem really is with leadership. For months, FIFA has been refusing to help us on any of these or other matters – until it was verbally communicated to me during the World Cup that if I endorsed Infantino it would go a long way to helping our FA out. "We pride ourselves in Jordan in upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now. But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that," it added. What next for Infantino? Jordan is not the only trouble for Infantino as FIFA's secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom also called FIFA's plan to sell the tourament stakes to private investors a "sad and reproachable series of events" in an e-mail to the staff. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is FIFA's chief of global development, also welcomed FIFA's plan call off the sale of stake as "absolutely necessary and beyond question." Infantino, meanwhile, has called a meeting of senior executives in Morocco on Wednesday amid the ongoing crisis.

Prince Ali claimed that FIFA threatened to hold funds if Jordan Football refuses to back Infantino's bid for re-election. Notably, Prince Ali had gone against Infantino in 2016 to be the FIFA chief but finished third.

More trouble for Infantino as Jordan FA chief Prince Ali accuses FIFA of 'blackmailing'

Premier League champions Arsenal stepped up talks with Newcastle United in a bid to sign Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in an £80 million deal, according to reports in local media on Tuesday (Aug 4). Arsenal, who have reportedly had a £70 million offer rejected earlier, have now sent an improved bid. The Gunners are keen on landing Newcastle captain Guimaraes after opting against matching Chelsea's British record £117 million fee for England forward Morgan Rogers.&nbsp;Last season for Newcastle, Guimaraes, 28, scored nine goals and produced eight assists across all competitions.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/arsene-wenger-gianni-infantino-world-cup-equity-deal-1785848229936">'Beyond Question': Arsene Wenger welcomes decision to ditch Infantino's controversial World Cup deal</a> &nbsp;Meanwhile, Newcastle, who signed Guimaraes for £35 million from Lyon in 2022, would like to avoid a repeat of the protracted transfer saga that concluded with Alexander Isak joining Liverpool just before the transfer deadline last year. The star striker effectively went on strike, refusing to take part in Newcastle's pre-season preparations last year, in a bid to force through his move to Anfield. &nbsp;Former Magpies boss Eddie Howe, who quit as Newcastle manager last week, had admitted earlier in the close-season that he was concerned about losing Guimaraes.&nbsp; &nbsp;After a holiday following Brazil's World Cup last-16 defeat against Norway in July, Guimaraes has linked up with Newcastle on the club's pre-season training camp in Spain. However, it looks increasingly unlikely he will be with the Magpies when they kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Liverpool on August 23.<h3>Arsenal ready for 2025/26 season</h3>Arsenal will open their title defence against Coventry at the Emirates Stadium on August 21. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has not spoken publicly about his interest in Guimaraes, but said the club are "very active" and "very ambitious in what we want to do". &nbsp;"We need to increase the competition internally. We need to make sure we identify the things that we don't have in the team," he said.&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

Premier League champions Arsenal have submitted an improved £80m bid for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes. Get the latest transfer news, offer details, and Mikel Arteta's squad plans.

Premier League champions Arsenal stepped up talks with Newcastle United in a bid to sign Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in an £80 million deal, according to reports in local media on Tuesday (Aug 4). Arsenal, who have reportedly had a £70 million offer rejected earlier, have now sent an improved bid. The Gunners are keen on landing Newcastle captain Guimaraes after opting against matching Chelsea's British record £117 million fee for England forward Morgan Rogers. Last season for Newcastle, Guimaraes, 28, scored nine goals and produced eight assists across all competitions. Also read| 'Beyond Question': Arsene Wenger welcomes decision to ditch Infantino's controversial World Cup deal Meanwhile, Newcastle, who signed Guimaraes for £35 million from Lyon in 2022, would like to avoid a repeat of the protracted transfer saga that concluded with Alexander Isak joining Liverpool just before the transfer deadline last year. The star striker effectively went on strike, refusing to take part in Newcastle's pre-season preparations last year, in a bid to force through his move to Anfield. Former Magpies boss Eddie Howe, who quit as Newcastle manager last week, had admitted earlier in the close-season that he was concerned about losing Guimaraes. After a holiday following Brazil's World Cup last-16 defeat against Norway in July, Guimaraes has linked up with Newcastle on the club's pre-season training camp in Spain. However, it looks increasingly unlikely he will be with the Magpies when they kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Liverpool on August 23. Arsenal ready for 2025/26 season Arsenal will open their title defence against Coventry at the Emirates Stadium on August 21. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has not spoken publicly about his interest in Guimaraes, but said the club are "very active" and "very ambitious in what we want to do". "We need to increase the competition internally. We need to make sure we identify the things that we don't have in the team," he said. (With inputs from AFP)

Premier League champions Arsenal have submitted an improved £80m bid for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes. Get the latest transfer news, offer details, and Mikel Arteta's squad plans.

Transfer News: PL champs Arsenal close in on £80m deal for Newcastle’s Guimaraes

Renowned football manager Arsene Wenger is the latest and most high-profile name to bash FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s controversial plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors, calling it ‘absolutely necessary and beyond question.’ Working as FIFA’s chief of football development since 2019, Wenger questioned Infantino’s bizarre call on Tuesday (Aug 4).&nbsp;Infantino wanted to sell the 20% stake in the World Cup through his FIFA Forward Enterprise; he even tried convincing all 211 FAs to back his idea, promising a $20 million starting bonus to each. The plan, however, sparked a barrage of criticism for Infantino and has been rejected by three continental confederations, forcing the Italian to ditch his divisive idea. UEFA, European football's governing body, even threatened to boycott the showpiece event and other FIFA competitions if Infantino tried pressing with it.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/trouble-continues-to-mount-for-fifa-chief-infantino-as-more-uefa-members-including-england-withdraw-support-1785812619480">Trouble continues to mount for FIFA chief Infantino as more UEFA members, including England, withdraw support</a> &nbsp;"The recent events at FIFA deserve some clarity from my side," he said in a statement. "At FIFA, I am the Chief of Global Football Development. Together with my team, I oversee the data analysis of the game, the FIFA online training centre, the development of youth education through 60 academies across 60 countries where they are most needed, and youth competitions around the world. &nbsp;"In addition, I am a technical adviser to IFAB. I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports. "The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because I firmly believe in an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity,” he added.<h2>Infantino's seat under severe threat</h2>Following a successful 48-team World Cup in North America, co-hosted by Canada, the US and Mexico, Infantino’s proposal fell flat, most importantly for him. Severe backlash forced several European associations to withdraw their support for Infantino in a bid to ensure he does not remain in power. The current FIFA president is set to stand for re-election in March 2027 for a final term, needing 106 votes from FIFA's 211 members to win, which now appears like a distant dream. &nbsp;Moreover, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) issued a statement on Monday (Aug 3) confirming it had withdrawn its support. The English Football Association is also believed to be writing to FIFA to confirm the change in its position. &nbsp;Last weekend, UEFA issued a statement welcoming the withdrawal of the FFE plan but stating it had "lost confidence" in Infantino.

Arsène Wenger has backed the decision to scrap Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell World Cup stakes, calling the U-turn "absolutely necessary and beyond question."

Renowned football manager Arsene Wenger is the latest and most high-profile name to bash FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s controversial plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors, calling it ‘absolutely necessary and beyond question.’ Working as FIFA’s chief of football development since 2019, Wenger questioned Infantino’s bizarre call on Tuesday (Aug 4). Infantino wanted to sell the 20% stake in the World Cup through his FIFA Forward Enterprise; he even tried convincing all 211 FAs to back his idea, promising a $20 million starting bonus to each. The plan, however, sparked a barrage of criticism for Infantino and has been rejected by three continental confederations, forcing the Italian to ditch his divisive idea. UEFA, European football's governing body, even threatened to boycott the showpiece event and other FIFA competitions if Infantino tried pressing with it. Also read| Trouble continues to mount for FIFA chief Infantino as more UEFA members, including England, withdraw support "The recent events at FIFA deserve some clarity from my side," he said in a statement. "At FIFA, I am the Chief of Global Football Development. Together with my team, I oversee the data analysis of the game, the FIFA online training centre, the development of youth education through 60 academies across 60 countries where they are most needed, and youth competitions around the world. "In addition, I am a technical adviser to IFAB. I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports. "The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because I firmly believe in an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity,” he added. Infantino's seat under severe threat Following a successful 48-team World Cup in North America, co-hosted by Canada, the US and Mexico, Infantino’s proposal fell flat, most importantly for him. Severe backlash forced several European associations to withdraw their support for Infantino in a bid to ensure he does not remain in power. The current FIFA president is set to stand for re-election in March 2027 for a final term, needing 106 votes from FIFA's 211 members to win, which now appears like a distant dream. Moreover, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) issued a statement on Monday (Aug 3) confirming it had withdrawn its support. The English Football Association is also believed to be writing to FIFA to confirm the change in its position. Last weekend, UEFA issued a statement welcoming the withdrawal of the FFE plan but stating it had "lost confidence" in Infantino.

Arsène Wenger has backed the decision to scrap Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell World Cup stakes, calling the U-turn "absolutely necessary and beyond question."

'Beyond Question': Arsene Wenger welcomes decision to ditch Infantino's controversial World Cup deal

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino's troubles seem to be mouting exponentially after more UEFA members withdrew their support for his fourth term in office. The move from UEFA members comes after Infantino's failed plan to sell a stake of FIFA World Cup to private investers. After Welsh and Sweden football associations called for change in leadership for the next term, England's Football Association as well as Serbia, have also backed out on their support for Infantino as the FIFA chief for next term.<h2>What is making European members backing out on support for Infantino?</h2>The European nations did not like the way Infantino catered to the needs of the co-host USA at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2026. The boiling point came during the event when FIFA suspended a red-card punishment for US player Florian Balogun, which made him eligible to play in the next match, on US president Trump's request. The UEFA members didn't like the move and called out Infantino for the same. After the tournament, Infantiono revealed his plan to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup to the private investors, but it failed to see the daylight.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-president-gianni-infantino-seeks-trump-s-backing-after-world-cup-rights-plan-fails-1785769483824">FIFA President Gianni Infantino seeks Trump’s backing after WC rights plan fails</a><h2>What did UEFA members say about withdrawing the support for Infantino?</h2>"The Football Association of Wales hereby confirms its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr Gianni Infantino for re-election as FIFA president for the 2027-2031 term," read a statement. Infantino has been the president of the sport's global body for over &nbsp;decade now and the next term would be his fourth, if re-eleced.Football Serbia said that the recent events had "seriously damaged the reputation and credibility of both Fifa and its president", which makes the withdrawl of support "the only logical and rational step."England's FA, meanwhile, called for a "full and robust review of FIFA’s leadership and governance."

After the FIFA World Cup, Infantiono revealed his plan to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup to the private investors, but it failed to see the daylight.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino's troubles seem to be mouting exponentially after more UEFA members withdrew their support for his fourth term in office. The move from UEFA members comes after Infantino's failed plan to sell a stake of FIFA World Cup to private investers. After Welsh and Sweden football associations called for change in leadership for the next term, England's Football Association as well as Serbia, have also backed out on their support for Infantino as the FIFA chief for next term. What is making European members backing out on support for Infantino? The European nations did not like the way Infantino catered to the needs of the co-host USA at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2026. The boiling point came during the event when FIFA suspended a red-card punishment for US player Florian Balogun, which made him eligible to play in the next match, on US president Trump's request. The UEFA members didn't like the move and called out Infantino for the same. After the tournament, Infantiono revealed his plan to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup to the private investors, but it failed to see the daylight. Also Read - FIFA President Gianni Infantino seeks Trump’s backing after WC rights plan fails What did UEFA members say about withdrawing the support for Infantino? "The Football Association of Wales hereby confirms its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr Gianni Infantino for re-election as FIFA president for the 2027-2031 term," read a statement. Infantino has been the president of the sport's global body for over decade now and the next term would be his fourth, if re-eleced. Football Serbia said that the recent events had "seriously damaged the reputation and credibility of both Fifa and its president", which makes the withdrawl of support "the only logical and rational step." England's FA, meanwhile, called for a "full and robust review of FIFA’s leadership and governance."

After the FIFA World Cup, Infantiono revealed his plan to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup to the private investors, but it failed to see the daylight.

Trouble continues to mount for FIFA chief Infantino as more UEFA members, including England, withdraw support

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sought support from the Donald Trump administration following heavy criticism over his failed plan to sell a stake in FIFA’s World Cup commercial rights, the New York Post reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, Infantino has made several unsuccessful attempts to speak with US President Donald Trump by phone since the proposal was dropped on Friday. The FIFA chief is said to feel “isolated” amid widespread negative media coverage.&nbsp;The report also stated that Infantino has arranged a private conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with two sources confirming that the meeting is expected to take place shortly after 9 am ET.&nbsp;The FIFA president has faced growing criticism over his proposal to move the governing body’s commercial assets into a separate company backed by private investors.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-hands-eight-year-ban-to-indian-origin-usa-cricketer-in-corruption-case-1785764116023">ICC hands eight-year ban to Indian-origin USA cricketer in corruption case</a>&nbsp;FIFA did not immediately comment on the matter, while the White House also did not respond immediately to a Reuters request for comment.&nbsp;The proposed deal was aimed at raising up to $4.2 billion from private investors by selling around a 20 per cent stake in a new company that would manage competitions, including the World Cup. However, FIFA dropped the plan on Friday following strong opposition from various stakeholders.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/100-per-cent-politically-motivated-wfi-chief-sanjay-singh-reacts-to-brij-bhushan-s-acquittal-1785759242266">'100% politically motivated': Sanjay Singh reacts to Brij Bhushan's acquittal</a>&nbsp;With the proposal now abandoned, Infantino faces increased scrutiny over his leadership as the 56-year-old Swiss official seeks another term as FIFA president for the 2027-2031 period.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino reportedly sought the Trump administration’s support after the governing body dropped its controversial World Cup commercial rights sale plan amid growing criticism.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sought support from the Donald Trump administration following heavy criticism over his failed plan to sell a stake in FIFA’s World Cup commercial rights, the New York Post reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, Infantino has made several unsuccessful attempts to speak with US President Donald Trump by phone since the proposal was dropped on Friday. The FIFA chief is said to feel “isolated” amid widespread negative media coverage. The report also stated that Infantino has arranged a private conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with two sources confirming that the meeting is expected to take place shortly after 9 am ET. The FIFA president has faced growing criticism over his proposal to move the governing body’s commercial assets into a separate company backed by private investors. Also Read - ICC hands eight-year ban to Indian-origin USA cricketer in corruption case FIFA did not immediately comment on the matter, while the White House also did not respond immediately to a Reuters request for comment. The proposed deal was aimed at raising up to $4.2 billion from private investors by selling around a 20 per cent stake in a new company that would manage competitions, including the World Cup. However, FIFA dropped the plan on Friday following strong opposition from various stakeholders. Also Read - '100% politically motivated': Sanjay Singh reacts to Brij Bhushan's acquittal With the proposal now abandoned, Infantino faces increased scrutiny over his leadership as the 56-year-old Swiss official seeks another term as FIFA president for the 2027-2031 period.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino reportedly sought the Trump administration’s support after the governing body dropped its controversial World Cup commercial rights sale plan amid growing criticism.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino seeks Trump’s backing after World Cup rights plan fails

FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s position remains under scrutiny on Saturday (Aug 1) despite scrapping plans to allow private investment in the World Cup. UEFA, the European football governing body, led the opposition, also backed by FAs worldwide, saying they would boycott all FIFA competitions, including the showpiece event, should the deal go ahead. While welcoming the proposal’s withdrawal, UEFA claimed that Infantino had lost their and other football family members' ‘confidence’ with his ‘shabby, back-room, opaque deal’.&nbsp;After first revealing the plan to the world on Tuesday, Infantino, whose smooth path to unopposed re-election for a final term next year is being openly questioned, issued a statement backing down following severe global backlash.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/chelsea-fa-fine-suspended-transfer-ban-points-deduction-appeal-1785511480592">Chelsea escape points deduction but face fine, two-window transfer ban for rule breach</a> &nbsp;"Our purpose has always been -- and will always be -- to unite and improve," Infantino said in a statement. "As a result, this proposal will not proceed." &nbsp;The FIFA president floated the idea of forming a new firm called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to run marquee tournaments like the World Cup and the Club World Cup, and planned to sell some of its shares to private investors to raise $4.2 billion in cash. Infantino’s idea was to convince all 211 FAs to agree to sign up for it, while promising an upfront bonus of a $20 million payout in early 2027.&nbsp; &nbsp;UEFA and other associations slammed this idea, and did not mince their words in holding Infantino to account for the debacle just weeks after he basked in the afterglow of a highly successful World Cup -- the first with 48 teams and hosted in three countries. &nbsp;"The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA's confidence but also that of many other members of the football family," read the statement. &nbsp;UEFA accused the 56-year-old Swiss of breaking promises he made, namely to be "transparent" and that FIFA's money was "your (the member associations) money" and "not the money of the FIFA President." &nbsp;"On both these promises, he has failed to deliver," said UEFA. "The shabby, back-room, opaque deal he hatched and tried to force through were anything but transparent. &nbsp;"And with reserves standing at over $5bn, he has also failed to use associations' money for the benefit of the game." &nbsp;Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which represents 47 member nations, said that any initiative that may impact global football should be "presented and discussed with the Confederations, the FIFA Council, Member Associations (MAs) and other stakeholders in a timely, transparent and meaningful manner.”&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces a severe crisis as UEFA declares it has lost confidence in his leadership despite his decision to drop a $4.2B World Cup private investment plan.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s position remains under scrutiny on Saturday (Aug 1) despite scrapping plans to allow private investment in the World Cup. UEFA, the European football governing body, led the opposition, also backed by FAs worldwide, saying they would boycott all FIFA competitions, including the showpiece event, should the deal go ahead. While welcoming the proposal’s withdrawal, UEFA claimed that Infantino had lost their and other football family members' ‘confidence’ with his ‘shabby, back-room, opaque deal’. After first revealing the plan to the world on Tuesday, Infantino, whose smooth path to unopposed re-election for a final term next year is being openly questioned, issued a statement backing down following severe global backlash. Also read| Chelsea escape points deduction but face fine, two-window transfer ban for rule breach "Our purpose has always been -- and will always be -- to unite and improve," Infantino said in a statement. "As a result, this proposal will not proceed." The FIFA president floated the idea of forming a new firm called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to run marquee tournaments like the World Cup and the Club World Cup, and planned to sell some of its shares to private investors to raise $4.2 billion in cash. Infantino’s idea was to convince all 211 FAs to agree to sign up for it, while promising an upfront bonus of a $20 million payout in early 2027. UEFA and other associations slammed this idea, and did not mince their words in holding Infantino to account for the debacle just weeks after he basked in the afterglow of a highly successful World Cup -- the first with 48 teams and hosted in three countries. "The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA's confidence but also that of many other members of the football family," read the statement. UEFA accused the 56-year-old Swiss of breaking promises he made, namely to be "transparent" and that FIFA's money was "your (the member associations) money" and "not the money of the FIFA President." "On both these promises, he has failed to deliver," said UEFA. "The shabby, back-room, opaque deal he hatched and tried to force through were anything but transparent. "And with reserves standing at over $5bn, he has also failed to use associations' money for the benefit of the game." Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which represents 47 member nations, said that any initiative that may impact global football should be "presented and discussed with the Confederations, the FIFA Council, Member Associations (MAs) and other stakeholders in a timely, transparent and meaningful manner.” (With inputs from AFP)

FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces a severe crisis as UEFA declares it has lost confidence in his leadership despite his decision to drop a $4.2B World Cup private investment plan.

FIFA lose 'UEFA’s confidence' despite shelving World Cup private investment plan

Premier League club Chelsea were fined £10 million ($13.4 million) and handed a suspended two-window transfer ban on Friday (Jul 31) for admitting to breaching 74 Football Association (FA) rules. While an independent commission initially handed down a six-point deduction for their breaches, Chelsea’s successful appeal to the board saw their points penalty replaced by a suspended registration ban.&nbsp;The 74 violations covered regulations on player agents, working with intermediaries, and third-party investment in players. Chelsea’s new owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, self-reported the breaches to football authorities in 2022, when they were in the process of buying the club from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-brazil-friendly-kolkata-october-3-1785497703732">Brazil Coming to Kolkata: India to face football giant in friendly on October 3</a> &nbsp;Chelsea had previously entered sanction settlements in regard to the matter with the Premier League and European football's governing body UEFA. Meanwhile, the £10 million fine was not subject to appeal, and the full amount will be invested into grassroots football. The FA, however, added that it was continuing to investigate individual misconduct arising out of the case. &nbsp;Chelsea issued a statement welcoming a "final decision" on the matter. &nbsp;"In 2022, the club self-reported potential historical rule breaches to all applicable regulators," it said. "Following that report, it has worked openly and transparently with all regulators, including voluntarily and proactively disclosing many thousands of documents." &nbsp;"The club is pleased to confirm that, now the FA process has concluded, this brings all regulatory proceedings against the club to a close,” the statement added.<h2>What happens now?</h2>Now that Chelsea have escaped the points deduction and a transfer ban for two windows, they can continue to buy and register players in the ongoing summer transfer window and the one to follow in January. &nbsp;However, should they breach another FA rule surrounding player transfers before June 2027, the hold will be lifted, and the club will face an immediate one-year transfer ban.&nbsp;

Chelsea have been fined £10m and handed a suspended two-window transfer ban for historical FA rule breaches, successfully appealing to avoid a six-point deduction. 

Premier League club Chelsea were fined £10 million ($13.4 million) and handed a suspended two-window transfer ban on Friday (Jul 31) for admitting to breaching 74 Football Association (FA) rules. While an independent commission initially handed down a six-point deduction for their breaches, Chelsea’s successful appeal to the board saw their points penalty replaced by a suspended registration ban. The 74 violations covered regulations on player agents, working with intermediaries, and third-party investment in players. Chelsea’s new owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, self-reported the breaches to football authorities in 2022, when they were in the process of buying the club from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. Also read| Brazil Coming to Kolkata: India to face football giant in friendly on October 3 Chelsea had previously entered sanction settlements in regard to the matter with the Premier League and European football's governing body UEFA. Meanwhile, the £10 million fine was not subject to appeal, and the full amount will be invested into grassroots football. The FA, however, added that it was continuing to investigate individual misconduct arising out of the case. Chelsea issued a statement welcoming a "final decision" on the matter. "In 2022, the club self-reported potential historical rule breaches to all applicable regulators," it said. "Following that report, it has worked openly and transparently with all regulators, including voluntarily and proactively disclosing many thousands of documents." "The club is pleased to confirm that, now the FA process has concluded, this brings all regulatory proceedings against the club to a close,” the statement added. What happens now? Now that Chelsea have escaped the points deduction and a transfer ban for two windows, they can continue to buy and register players in the ongoing summer transfer window and the one to follow in January. However, should they breach another FA rule surrounding player transfers before June 2027, the hold will be lifted, and the club will face an immediate one-year transfer ban.

Chelsea have been fined £10m and handed a suspended two-window transfer ban for historical FA rule breaches, successfully appealing to avoid a six-point deduction.&nbsp;

Chelsea escape points deduction but face fine, two-window transfer ban for rule breach

Legendary AC Milan and Italy footballer Franco Baresi, a FIFA World Cup winner who spent his entire club career with AC Milan, has died at the age of 66, the Italian club announced on X. In a post on social media, AC Milan said, “The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will be forever etched into the Club’s DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is. The condolences AC Milan extends to Franco Baresi’s family at such a difficult time are shared by every Rossonero, who feels this loss as their own.”&nbsp;AC Milan’s biggest Italian rivals, Inter Milan, also paid tribute to Baresi, calling him “one of the key figures of the rivalry” who “walked the path between competitiveness and respect”.&nbsp;“Goodbye to Franco Baresi, our opponent in many a Derby and one of the key figures in the history of this rivalry. AC Milan’s captain, talisman and legend, in his matches against Inter, he always walked the path between competitiveness and respect, in one of the most influential fixtures in Italian football history. Chairman Giuseppe Marotta and all of FC Internazionale Milano wish to extend their deepest condolences to the Baresi family, to his brother Beppe, and to AC Milan at this saddening time,” posted Inter Milan.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-brazil-friendly-kolkata-october-3-1785497703732">Brazil Coming to Kolkata: India to face football giant in friendly on October 3</a>&nbsp;During his remarkable career with AC Milan, Baresi won six Serie A titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies, four Supercoppa Italiana titles, two Intercontinental Cups and two UEFA Super Cups.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nobody-is-selling-football-fifa-clarifies-investment-plan-amid-backlash-1785481921488">'Nobody is selling football': FIFA clarifies investment plan amid backlash</a>&nbsp;At the international level, Baresi was part of Italy’s 1982 FIFA World Cup-winning team and finished as a runner-up at the 1994 World Cup. He also finished second in the 1989 Ballon d’Or voting, one of football’s highest individual honours.&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

Italy and AC Milan legend Franco Baresi has died at the age of 66 after a prolonged illness, bringing to an end the career of one of football's greatest defenders.

Legendary AC Milan and Italy footballer Franco Baresi, a FIFA World Cup winner who spent his entire club career with AC Milan, has died at the age of 66, the Italian club announced on X. In a post on social media, AC Milan said, “The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will be forever etched into the Club’s DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is. The condolences AC Milan extends to Franco Baresi’s family at such a difficult time are shared by every Rossonero, who feels this loss as their own.” AC Milan’s biggest Italian rivals, Inter Milan, also paid tribute to Baresi, calling him “one of the key figures of the rivalry” who “walked the path between competitiveness and respect”. “Goodbye to Franco Baresi, our opponent in many a Derby and one of the key figures in the history of this rivalry. AC Milan’s captain, talisman and legend, in his matches against Inter, he always walked the path between competitiveness and respect, in one of the most influential fixtures in Italian football history. Chairman Giuseppe Marotta and all of FC Internazionale Milano wish to extend their deepest condolences to the Baresi family, to his brother Beppe, and to AC Milan at this saddening time,” posted Inter Milan. Also Read - Brazil Coming to Kolkata: India to face football giant in friendly on October 3 During his remarkable career with AC Milan, Baresi won six Serie A titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies, four Supercoppa Italiana titles, two Intercontinental Cups and two UEFA Super Cups. Also Read - 'Nobody is selling football': FIFA clarifies investment plan amid backlash At the international level, Baresi was part of Italy’s 1982 FIFA World Cup-winning team and finished as a runner-up at the 1994 World Cup. He also finished second in the 1989 Ballon d’Or voting, one of football’s highest individual honours. With inputs from agencies

Italy and AC Milan legend Franco Baresi has died at the age of 66 after a prolonged illness, bringing to an end the career of one of football's greatest defenders.

World Cup winner and AC Milan legend Franco Baresi dies at 66

A date for the history books! In a massive step towards reigniting love for football in the country, India will host five-time world champions Brazil for an international friendly on October 3 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The two federations, while confirming this development, jointly acknowledged in their statement the fanbase Brazil has in India. Indian football fans will now have a chance to catch a glimpse of the Selecao playing in India in a dream move.&nbsp;“It will be a special encounter with a country that hosts the largest international fanbase of the Brazilian National Team and that, for generations, has followed the history of Brazilian football with immense affection and passion. We are eager to live this moment alongside millions of Indian fans!” said the CBF of Brazil’s much-anticipated tour of India for an international friendly.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Da Austrália para a Índia 🇧🇷🇮🇳 A agenda da Seleção Brasileira continua. Depois dos amistosos na Austrália, nosso próximo destino será a Índia, onde escreveremos um capítulo inédito da nossa história. No dia 3 de outubro, a Seleção entrará em campo pela primeira vez em solo… <a href="https://t.co/UNbhtNU3we">pic.twitter.com/UNbhtNU3we</a>&mdash; brasil (@CBF_Futebol) <a href="https://x.com/CBF_Futebol/status/2082843656415826338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nobody-is-selling-football-fifa-clarifies-investment-plan-amid-backlash-1785481921488">'Nobody is selling football': FIFA clarifies investment plan amid backlash</a>&nbsp;After a disappointing World Cup campaign in North America, where they exited the tournament in the Round of 16 after losing 2-1 to Norway, Brazil will face Australia in two scheduled friendlies in Townsville (September 25) and Brisbane (September 29) before flying to India for their third and final friendly of this window. &nbsp;Meanwhile, for India, this is the first time they are facing a team ranked in the top five FIFA rankings, with Brazil currently placed fifth. Never before have they hosted a team of Brazil’s stature, let alone having faced them in any capacity before. Although India doesn’t participate in tournaments featuring Brazil, Brazil’s cultural significance has prompted an unlikely crossover this year. &nbsp;The AIFF, on the other hand, said that Brazil’s legacy has ‘inspired generations of footballers across the world, including millions of passionate supporters in India.’ &nbsp;“India is known for having one of the largest Brazilian fan bases outside of Brazil.” &nbsp;“To welcome a team of Brazil’s stature to our country is an extraordinary moment and one that will undoubtedly become a landmark chapter in the history of Indian football,” said M Satyanarayan, AIFF deputy secretary general.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A date for the history books. 🇮🇳🤝🇧🇷 <a href="https://t.co/Sj7zneeHnv">pic.twitter.com/Sj7zneeHnv</a>&mdash; Indian Football (@IndianFootball) <a href="https://x.com/IndianFootball/status/2082844299583217758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Will Brazilian stars feature against India?</h2>Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top-scorer, who confirmed his international retirement following the country’s disappointing World Cup run, is reported to have promised a farewell match by the CBF; however, Kolkata remains an unlikely venue for that, which rules out his presence for the historic friendly. &nbsp;While it remains unclear whether Carlo Ancelotti will bring his A-team to the friendly, he has recently made it clear that players such as Danilo, Casemiro, and Neymar are no longer part of his plans. Ancelotti will aim to build a team for the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. &nbsp;“I think that this World Cup brings a generation of very important players to an end,” Ancelotti said to local publication O Globo. “Starting with Neymar, also Danilo and Casemiro, all of these players who were over 30 at the World Cup. &nbsp;“We are going to look at new players who can come in. I won’t say specifically for the World Cup in 2030, but who can already be competitive for our first objective, which is the Copa America in 2028,” he said.

India faces five-time champions Brazil in a historic football friendly in Kolkata on October 3. Get match details, venue info, and squad updates.

A date for the history books! In a massive step towards reigniting love for football in the country, India will host five-time world champions Brazil for an international friendly on October 3 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The two federations, while confirming this development, jointly acknowledged in their statement the fanbase Brazil has in India. Indian football fans will now have a chance to catch a glimpse of the Selecao playing in India in a dream move. “It will be a special encounter with a country that hosts the largest international fanbase of the Brazilian National Team and that, for generations, has followed the history of Brazilian football with immense affection and passion. We are eager to live this moment alongside millions of Indian fans!” said the CBF of Brazil’s much-anticipated tour of India for an international friendly.

India faces five-time champions Brazil in a historic football friendly in Kolkata on October 3. Get match details, venue info, and squad updates.

Brazil Coming to Kolkata: India to face football giant in friendly on October 3

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Brazil Coming to Kolkata: India to face football giant in friendly on October 3