The European Football governing body UEFA has called an emergency meeting to discuss the recent proposal by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to launch a new subsidiary that will have a stake in the World Cup. UEFA has strongly opposed the proposal and has put a possible world cup boycott on the cards.

UEFA Holds Emergency Meeting After Infantino Defends Privatisation Plan | Wion Sports 

As India gears up for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has thanked Zee TV for promoting football across the country. From nationwide watch parties to youth football initiatives, India's passion for the beautiful game continues to grow as millions prepare for the biggest match in world football.

World Cup 2026 Final | Gianni Infantino Praises Zee TV for Promoting Football Across India

<p>FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised football’s magic at the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, Switzerland, highlighting the game’s power. Speaking on the penultimate day of the WEF, Infantino reckons football has transformed people’s lives around the globe as it brings the community together. During the summit, 2006 FIFA World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero and former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also reflected on football’s role.</p><h2><strong>Infantino praises football's magic globally</strong></h2><p>"This is a magic instrument (while holding a football) that transforms people into happy people. This is what this strange instrument does. And children, the children's faces become happy and adults become children and they start playing, passing the ball. This is fantastic, this is beautiful and this is something that we are forgetting,” FIFA President Infantino said at the World Economic Forum summit in Davos on Thursday.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, in these particular times we forget to be happy, to be joyful. Everyone has their own problems, issues in life and with football, we want to give to communities all over the world. FIFA has 211 countries that are members of FIFA. We want to give them a moment of joy and happiness. When a child kicks a ball, when an adult kicks a ball, they don't think about their issues and their problems in life and we have to always remember that," Infantino added.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The FIFA president reckons that the upcoming FIFA World Cup is a huge economic booster, with an estimated $80 billion turnaround. He also underlined that the FIFA World Cup will create thousands of job opportunities for the community.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Del Piero spoke about the role football played in his life growing up and how winning the FIFA World Cup with his country in 2006 made him feel complete not only as a footballer but also as a human being.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185"><strong>Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"It's not very difficult, but we probably need more time to explain how big lifting the trophy and winning the World Cup means to me, to every football player, I guess. I mean, first of all, you feel complete. You feel complete as a footballer, of course, and also as a human being,” Del Piero said during his address.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“I say both because, you know, I started playing because I had a passion for football. My only focus was playing football, even though I have to say that I needed to go to school and be a good student, and blah, blah, blah--but yeah, it's part of the journey. Football was always in my mind: trying to become a football player, but also just enjoying it. And then, as soon as you grow up, you understand, of course, different things," the former Juventus attacker said.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Wenger explained that football has grown enormously since the first World Cup, expanding from a small, Europe-South America-focused competition into a truly global sport.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691"><strong>From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“100 years ago, you had 13 teams playing in the first World Cup and it shows football's development. I'm now in football development and I realize how big football has become in the world. When you speak about the number of tickets people want, you cannot imagine,” Wenger said during his address.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“I travel all over the world and football has become the most important thing people talk about. And to me, for a long time, it was a confidential competition between Europe and South America. We had to open it to the world and I think the minimum we could do is to open it to more African countries, more Asian countries. Because you want football to be strong everywhere," Wenger stated.</p>

FIFA President Gianni Infantino reckons that the upcoming FIFA World Cup is a huge economic booster, with an estimated $80 billion turnaround. He also underlined that the FIFA World Cup will create thousands of job opportunities for the community.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised football’s magic at the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, Switzerland, highlighting the game’s power. Speaking on the penultimate day of the WEF, Infantino reckons football has transformed people’s lives around the globe as it brings the community together. During the summit, 2006 FIFA World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero and former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also reflected on football’s role. Infantino praises football's magic globally "This is a magic instrument (while holding a football) that transforms people into happy people. This is what this strange instrument does. And children, the children's faces become happy and adults become children and they start playing, passing the ball. This is fantastic, this is beautiful and this is something that we are forgetting,” FIFA President Infantino said at the World Economic Forum summit in Davos on Thursday. “Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, in these particular times we forget to be happy, to be joyful. Everyone has their own problems, issues in life and with football, we want to give to communities all over the world. FIFA has 211 countries that are members of FIFA. We want to give them a moment of joy and happiness. When a child kicks a ball, when an adult kicks a ball, they don't think about their issues and their problems in life and we have to always remember that," Infantino added. The FIFA president reckons that the upcoming FIFA World Cup is a huge economic booster, with an estimated $80 billion turnaround. He also underlined that the FIFA World Cup will create thousands of job opportunities for the community. Del Piero spoke about the role football played in his life growing up and how winning the FIFA World Cup with his country in 2006 made him feel complete not only as a footballer but also as a human being. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli "It's not very difficult, but we probably need more time to explain how big lifting the trophy and winning the World Cup means to me, to every football player, I guess. I mean, first of all, you feel complete. You feel complete as a footballer, of course, and also as a human being,” Del Piero said during his address. “I say both because, you know, I started playing because I had a passion for football. My only focus was playing football, even though I have to say that I needed to go to school and be a good student, and blah, blah, blah--but yeah, it's part of the journey. Football was always in my mind: trying to become a football player, but also just enjoying it. And then, as soon as you grow up, you understand, of course, different things," the former Juventus attacker said. Wenger explained that football has grown enormously since the first World Cup, expanding from a small, Europe-South America-focused competition into a truly global sport. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds “100 years ago, you had 13 teams playing in the first World Cup and it shows football's development. I'm now in football development and I realize how big football has become in the world. When you speak about the number of tickets people want, you cannot imagine,” Wenger said during his address. “I travel all over the world and football has become the most important thing people talk about. And to me, for a long time, it was a confidential competition between Europe and South America. We had to open it to the world and I think the minimum we could do is to open it to more African countries, more Asian countries. Because you want football to be strong everywhere," Wenger stated.

<p>FIFA President Gianni Infantino reckons that the upcoming FIFA World Cup is a huge economic booster, with an estimated $80 billion turnaround. He also underlined that the FIFA World Cup will create thousands of job opportunities for the community.</p>

Davos 2026: FIFA President Gianni Infantino praises football's magic globally, says 'it transforms people's life'

<p>Outgoing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has taken potshots at the broadcasters, FIFA and other footballing stakeholders in a recent 'bombshell' media address. Quizzed if he would consider a role in football administration post his Liverpool departure, possibly&nbsp;as the FIFA president, Klopp said he wouldn't survive in the 'sea&nbsp;of sharks'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Klopp was addressing the media ahead of his side's high-octane Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday (May 5). The German manager was at his most animated self and expressed concerns about how the game was being run.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“I got an award yesterday from the PFA, I don’t know exactly for what, but I think for speaking up for players. I never thought about it but they will need people in a normal age knowing the business," said Klopp.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"But imagine me becoming FIFA president? It is obviously a well-paid job – that is why they all want to do it; not the official part obviously, but you can make a living from it. I don’t think I will spend my lifetime on these kind of things. Alone you can’t change anything. I probably wouldn’t survive in that sea of sharks," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/football/im-not-sure-jurgen-klopp-provides-update-on-his-spat-with-liverpool-forward-mo-salah-717721"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;'I'm not sure...': Jurgen Klopp provides update on his spat with Liverpool forward Mo Salah</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>Klopp lashes out at TNT Sports</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier, Klopp had come down heavy on TNT Sports and accused the English broadcaster of contributing to the failure of Premier League clubs in Europe this season. Klopp said the fixture congestion due to the broadcaster's greed was the primary reason for the big English&nbsp;teams crashing out of the European competitions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“I had a discussion the other day with colleagues from my favourite TV channel which I will definitely never watch again, TNT. They always say: ‘They pay you. They give money for football.’ It’s the other way around. Football pays them," said a seething Klopp.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/football/revaled-michail-antonio-claims-what-jurgen-klopp-told-mo-salah-during-touchline-spat-717116"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;REVEALED! Michail Antonio claims what Jurgen Klopp told Mo Salah during touchline spat</strong></a></p>

<p>"They broadcast and deliver it but it’s not like TNT or Sky is doing really well and can pay all of you.That’s just a little advice from an old man on the way out. I will watch a lot of football but not all – people can survive without matches from time to time."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Klopp also questioned the astronomical number of 12:30 pm kickoffs that Liverpool had been allotted in the past couple of seasons. The host broadcasters have a say in which team is given the afternoon slot and since Liverpool brings more eyeballs, the likes of TNT Sports routinely push Liverpool to the said slot. However, it means short turnaround time for the team which contributes to injuries and sluggish performances.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Outgoing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has taken potshots at the broadcasters, FIFA and other footballing stakeholders in a recent 'bombshell' media address. Quizzed if he would consider a role in football administration post his Liverpool departure, possibly as the FIFA president, Klopp said he wouldn't survive in the 'sea of sharks'.

Outgoing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has taken potshots at the broadcasters, FIFA and other footballing stakeholders in a recent 'bombshell' media address. Quizzed if he would consider a role in football administration post his Liverpool departure, possibly as the FIFA president, Klopp said he wouldn't survive in the 'sea of sharks'. Klopp was addressing the media ahead of his side's high-octane Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday (May 5). The German manager was at his most animated self and expressed concerns about how the game was being run. “I got an award yesterday from the PFA, I don’t know exactly for what, but I think for speaking up for players. I never thought about it but they will need people in a normal age knowing the business," said Klopp. "But imagine me becoming FIFA president? It is obviously a well-paid job – that is why they all want to do it; not the official part obviously, but you can make a living from it. I don’t think I will spend my lifetime on these kind of things. Alone you can’t change anything. I probably wouldn’t survive in that sea of sharks," he added. Also read | 'I'm not sure...': Jurgen Klopp provides update on his spat with Liverpool forward Mo Salah Klopp lashes out at TNT Sports Earlier, Klopp had come down heavy on TNT Sports and accused the English broadcaster of contributing to the failure of Premier League clubs in Europe this season. Klopp said the fixture congestion due to the broadcaster's greed was the primary reason for the big English teams crashing out of the European competitions. “I had a discussion the other day with colleagues from my favourite TV channel which I will definitely never watch again, TNT. They always say: ‘They pay you. They give money for football.’ It’s the other way around. Football pays them," said a seething Klopp. Also read | REVEALED! Michail Antonio claims what Jurgen Klopp told Mo Salah during touchline spat "They broadcast and deliver it but it’s not like TNT or Sky is doing really well and can pay all of you.That’s just a little advice from an old man on the way out. I will watch a lot of football but not all – people can survive without matches from time to time." Klopp also questioned the astronomical number of 12:30 pm kickoffs that Liverpool had been allotted in the past couple of seasons. The host broadcasters have a say in which team is given the afternoon slot and since Liverpool brings more eyeballs, the likes of TNT Sports routinely push Liverpool to the said slot. However, it means short turnaround time for the team which contributes to injuries and sluggish performances. (With inputs from agencies)

'Wouldn’t survive in sea of sharks': Jurgen Klopp on becoming FIFA prez in future

<p>FIFA president Gianni Infantino, on Monday, called for relevant authorities to take action against Trabzonspor fans who attacked Fenerbahce players following the latter’s 3-2 win in the Turkish Super Lig match on Sunday (March 17). Scary visuals of Trabzonspor fans storming the pitch after the final whistle created a stir on the internet, with Fenerbahce players fighting back to defend themselves.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH THE VIDEO HERE -</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🚨 Crazy scenes in Turkey between Trabzonspor fans entering the pitch and stormed the Fenerbahçe players.<a href="https://t.co/zbfNWhp11m">pic.twitter.com/zbfNWhp11m</a></p>
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1769465974690906397?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Infantino said the violence witnessed in the Turkish League is unacceptable on and off the field and that it has no place in society. He further asked authorities to take strict actions against those who breached the security following the game.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The violence witnessed after the Turkish Super Lig match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce is absolutely unacceptable - on or off the field, it has no place in our sport or society," Infantino said in a statement. "All players have to be safe and secure to play the game, which brings such joy to so many people all over the world."</p>

<p>"I call on the relevant authorities to ensure that this is respected at all levels and for the perpetrators of the shocking events in Trabzon to be held accountable for their actions," he added.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fa-cup-manchester-uniteds-amad-diallo-shown-red-card-after-extra-time-winner-against-liverpool-heres-why-701392">FA Cup – Manchester United’s Amad Diallo shown red card after extra-time winner against Liverpool, here’s why</a></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that police have arrested around a dozen fans in this incident. Fenerbahce players left the city by a private plane on&nbsp;Sunday night, accompanied by extensive security measures.</p>

<h2>Chaos in Turkish Super Lig</h2>

<p>However, several instances in the Turkish League have made headlines for the wrong reasons this season.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, there was an attack on a referee by a club president and protests against some of their decisions. Speaking on the same lines, Trabzonspor coach Abdullah Avci said the Turkish League has been fed by chaos, raising tensions everywhere.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We are going through a period that Turkish football is now completely fed by chaos, where tensions are constantly high, and where we cannot use the healing power of football," Trabzonspor coach Abdullah Avci told reporters on Sunday.</p>

<p>"I don't understand why this place is so tense. Don't we have the right to celebrate? We need to overcome these things. We need to be tolerant towards each other and have common sense," Fenerbahce manager Ismail Kartal told reporters.</p>


FIFA president Gianni Infantino, on Monday, called for relevant authorities to take action against Trabzonspor fans who attacked Fenerbahce players following the latter’s 3-2 win in the Turkish Super Lig match on Sunday (March 17).

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, on Monday, called for relevant authorities to take action against Trabzonspor fans who attacked Fenerbahce players following the latter’s 3-2 win in the Turkish Super Lig match on Sunday (March 17). Scary visuals of Trabzonspor fans storming the pitch after the final whistle created a stir on the internet, with Fenerbahce players fighting back to defend themselves. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE - 🚨 Crazy scenes in Turkey between Trabzonspor fans entering the pitch and stormed the Fenerbahçe players.pic.twitter.com/zbfNWhp11m — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 17, 2024 × Infantino said the violence witnessed in the Turkish League is unacceptable on and off the field and that it has no place in society. He further asked authorities to take strict actions against those who breached the security following the game. "The violence witnessed after the Turkish Super Lig match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce is absolutely unacceptable - on or off the field, it has no place in our sport or society," Infantino said in a statement. "All players have to be safe and secure to play the game, which brings such joy to so many people all over the world." "I call on the relevant authorities to ensure that this is respected at all levels and for the perpetrators of the shocking events in Trabzon to be held accountable for their actions," he added. ALSO READ: FA Cup – Manchester United’s Amad Diallo shown red card after extra-time winner against Liverpool, here’s why Meanwhile, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that police have arrested around a dozen fans in this incident. Fenerbahce players left the city by a private plane on Sunday night, accompanied by extensive security measures. Chaos in Turkish Super Lig However, several instances in the Turkish League have made headlines for the wrong reasons this season. Earlier, there was an attack on a referee by a club president and protests against some of their decisions. Speaking on the same lines, Trabzonspor coach Abdullah Avci said the Turkish League has been fed by chaos, raising tensions everywhere. "We are going through a period that Turkish football is now completely fed by chaos, where tensions are constantly high, and where we cannot use the healing power of football," Trabzonspor coach Abdullah Avci told reporters on Sunday. "I don't understand why this place is so tense. Don't we have the right to celebrate? We need to overcome these things. We need to be tolerant towards each other and have common sense," Fenerbahce manager Ismail Kartal told reporters.

FIFA boss Infantino calls for action over Trabzonspor fans attacking Fenerbahce players in Turkey

<p>There were sensational developments in European football on Thursday (Dec 21) after the European Court of Justice's ruling against UEFA and FIFA about the European Super League (ESL) formation. The decision left both FIFA (World Football Governing Body) and UEFA (European Football Governing Body) in a spot of bother after they had blocked the formation of the ESL in 2021. According to the European Court of Justice's ruling, the decision by FIFA and UEFA was unlawful. However, both the apex bodies have now defended their stands taken in 2021 as the tussle between the ESL and top football bodies intensifies.</p>

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— FIFA (@FIFAcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAcom/status/1737860332872212616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>FIFA chief reacts</strong></h2>

<p>"With the greatest respect for the European Court of Justice, today's judgment does not change anything, really," FIFA chief Gianni Infantino posted on Instagram.</p>

<p>"Historically, we have been organising the best competitions in the world and this will also be the case in the future,” added Infantino.</p>

<p>Also commenting on the issue was, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin as he vowed to continue his fight against the ESL project. UEFA was the first body to oppose the project in 2021 when 12 teams came together to form the league. However, the ESL has received backlash from fans and teams while fines were also imposed by UEFA.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuropeanLeagues?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuropeanLeagues</a> Statement on European Court of Justice Ruling on European Super League case - 🔗<a href="https://t.co/uiP2rsNSAD">https://t.co/uiP2rsNSAD</a> <a href="https://t.co/hR8ITC7ja8">pic.twitter.com/hR8ITC7ja8</a></p>
— European Leagues (@EuropeanLeagues) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuropeanLeagues/status/1737808726566879726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bbl-sydney-sixers-tom-curran-faces-four-match-ban-for-umpire-intimidation-club-to-lodge-appeal-672094">BBL: Sydney Sixers' Tom Curran faces four-match ban for umpire intimidation, club to lodge appeal</a></p>

<p>"We will not try to stop them. They can create whatever they want. I hope they start their fantastic competition as soon as possible ... with two clubs,” sneered UEFA President Ceferin.</p>

<p>The Premier League also reacted to the verdict and has vowed to not support the formation of the ESL. Earlier the ‘big six’ Premier League clubs had formed a cluster from England to participate in the ESL, but those plans were cut short after a big backlash from the fans.</p>

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League notes today’s judgment in European Court of Justice case involving "European Super League" and continues to reject any such concept<br />
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➡️ <a href="https://t.co/xEkMWcAtGm">https://t.co/xEkMWcAtGm</a> <a href="https://t.co/yvONBkfXYK">pic.twitter.com/yvONBkfXYK</a></p>
— Premier League (@premierleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1737837014614245519?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>"The ruling does not endorse the so-called 'European Super League' and the Premier League continues to reject any such concept," the English top flight said in a statement.</p>

<p>"Supporters are of vital importance to the game and they have time and again made clear their opposition to a 'breakaway' competition that severs the link between domestic and European football.</p>

<p>"The Premier League reiterates its commitment to the clear principles of open competition that underpin the success of domestic and international club competitions,” concluded a statement from the Premier League.</p>


There were sensational developments in European football on Thursday (Dec 21) after the European Court of Justice's ruling against UEFA and FIFA about the European Super League (ESL) formation.

There were sensational developments in European football on Thursday (Dec 21) after the European Court of Justice's ruling against UEFA and FIFA about the European Super League (ESL) formation. The decision left both FIFA (World Football Governing Body) and UEFA (European Football Governing Body) in a spot of bother after they had blocked the formation of the ESL in 2021. According to the European Court of Justice's ruling, the decision by FIFA and UEFA was unlawful. However, both the apex bodies have now defended their stands taken in 2021 as the tussle between the ESL and top football bodies intensifies. pic.twitter.com/Zpz08vUoEg — FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 21, 2023 × FIFA chief reacts "With the greatest respect for the European Court of Justice, today's judgment does not change anything, really," FIFA chief Gianni Infantino posted on Instagram. "Historically, we have been organising the best competitions in the world and this will also be the case in the future,” added Infantino. Also commenting on the issue was, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin as he vowed to continue his fight against the ESL project. UEFA was the first body to oppose the project in 2021 when 12 teams came together to form the league. However, the ESL has received backlash from fans and teams while fines were also imposed by UEFA. 🚨 @EuropeanLeagues Statement on European Court of Justice Ruling on European Super League case - 🔗https://t.co/uiP2rsNSAD pic.twitter.com/hR8ITC7ja8 — European Leagues (@EuropeanLeagues) December 21, 2023 × ALSO READ | BBL: Sydney Sixers' Tom Curran faces four-match ban for umpire intimidation, club to lodge appeal "We will not try to stop them. They can create whatever they want. I hope they start their fantastic competition as soon as possible ... with two clubs,” sneered UEFA President Ceferin. The Premier League also reacted to the verdict and has vowed to not support the formation of the ESL. Earlier the ‘big six’ Premier League clubs had formed a cluster from England to participate in the ESL, but those plans were cut short after a big backlash from the fans. Premier League Statement League notes today’s judgment in European Court of Justice case involving "European Super League" and continues to reject any such concept ➡️ https://t.co/xEkMWcAtGm pic.twitter.com/yvONBkfXYK — Premier League (@premierleague) December 21, 2023 × "The ruling does not endorse the so-called 'European Super League' and the Premier League continues to reject any such concept," the English top flight said in a statement. "Supporters are of vital importance to the game and they have time and again made clear their opposition to a 'breakaway' competition that severs the link between domestic and European football. "The Premier League reiterates its commitment to the clear principles of open competition that underpin the success of domestic and international club competitions,” concluded a statement from the Premier League.

FIFA, UEFA chief react after top court's ruling in favour of European Super League

<p>Criminal proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over his dealings with former Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber have been closed, Swiss prosecutors said on Thursday (October 26), a decision Infantino hailed as a vindication of "the new FIFA". Infantino was elected in 2016 to clean up world soccer body FIFA after it became embroiled in corruption scandals.</p>

<p>However, Swiss authorities launched proceedings against Infantino himself in 2020 on suspicions of secrecy violations, abuse of office and aiding and abetting related to meetings he held with Lauber.</p>

<p>In ending the proceedings, prosecutors said their investigations had "invalidated" such suspicions. Swiss-Italian Infantino, who had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, said the decision was a "a full and clear victory for me, for the new FIFA and for justice."</p>

<p>"Indeed and with no surprise, the investigation fully and clearly confirms that I have always acted in a lawful and correct way, always defending exclusively the interests of FIFA and football," Infantino said.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/arsenal-plot-long-stay-at-premier-league-summit-man-city-play-tottenham-and-newcastle-host-man-united-664868">Arsenal plot long stay at Premier League summit, Man City play Tottenham and Newcastle host Man United</a></strong></p>

<p>Swiss authorities had been investigating contacts between Infantino and Lauber, who resigned as Swiss attorney general after a court concluded he covered up a meeting with the FIFA boss and lied to supervisors while his office investigated corruption at the football body.</p>

<p>The prosecutors said that their investigation had turned up no evidence that Infantino had "instrumentalised" the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland "into unusual, inexplicable, erroneous or even criminal acts or omissions".</p>

<p>FIFA said they had noted the decision to close the proceedings "with extreme satisfaction".</p>


Criminal proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over his dealings with former Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber have been closed, Swiss prosecutors said on Thursday (October 26), a decision Infantino hailed as a vindication of "the new FIFA".

Criminal proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over his dealings with former Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber have been closed, Swiss prosecutors said on Thursday (October 26), a decision Infantino hailed as a vindication of "the new FIFA". Infantino was elected in 2016 to clean up world soccer body FIFA after it became embroiled in corruption scandals. However, Swiss authorities launched proceedings against Infantino himself in 2020 on suspicions of secrecy violations, abuse of office and aiding and abetting related to meetings he held with Lauber. In ending the proceedings, prosecutors said their investigations had "invalidated" such suspicions. Swiss-Italian Infantino, who had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, said the decision was a "a full and clear victory for me, for the new FIFA and for justice." "Indeed and with no surprise, the investigation fully and clearly confirms that I have always acted in a lawful and correct way, always defending exclusively the interests of FIFA and football," Infantino said. Also Read: Arsenal plot long stay at Premier League summit, Man City play Tottenham and Newcastle host Man United Swiss authorities had been investigating contacts between Infantino and Lauber, who resigned as Swiss attorney general after a court concluded he covered up a meeting with the FIFA boss and lied to supervisors while his office investigated corruption at the football body. The prosecutors said that their investigation had turned up no evidence that Infantino had "instrumentalised" the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland "into unusual, inexplicable, erroneous or even criminal acts or omissions". FIFA said they had noted the decision to close the proceedings "with extreme satisfaction".

FIFA President Gianni Infantino cleared of criminal charges, confirm Swiss prosecutors

Gianni Infantino has been re-elected as president of FIFA till the year 2027, after running unopposed at the congress of world football’s ruling body. Infantino promised record revenues in the next four-year cycle for the premier body.

Gianni Infantino re-elected as FIFA president till 2027 after standing unopposed

<p>Swiss lawyer and administrator Gianni Infantino has been re-elected as the President of FIFA unopposed at the congress of world football's governing body on Thursday, March 16 in Kigali. Infantino, who succeeded Sepp Blatter in 2016 will serve at the helm until 2027, post the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 52-year-old was waved in for a third term by acclamation, just as he was four years ago, by delegates from the 211 member federations.</p>

<p>"To all those who love me, and I know there are so many, and also those who hate me, I know there are a few: I love you all," Infantino told delegates in the Rwandan capital, where the voting system did not register the number of dissident voices.</p>

<p>While FIFA statutes currently limit a president to a maximum of three four-year terms, Infantino has already prepared the ground to stay until 2031, declaring in December that his first three years at the helm did not count as a full term.</p>

<p>Infantino, who staunchly defended Qatar's hosting of last year's World Cup as the Gulf state's treatment of migrant workers, women and the LGBTQ community came under the spotlight, has overseen the expansion of the men's and women's World Cup and huge increases in FIFA revenues. Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness had said she would not support Infantino and tabled a proposal to discuss at the congress "FIFA's responsibilities to remedy human rights abuses" in relation to the Qatar World Cup and future tournaments.</p>

<p>However, Infantino's mainly European-based opponents were not able to put forward a candidate to stand against the man who was once Michel Platini's number two at UEFA.</p>

<h3><strong>48-team FIFA WC in 2026</strong></h3>

<p>"There is a lot to be looking forward to," Infantino said as he turned thoughts to the next four years and declared the 2026 World Cup, the first edition to be enlarged to 48 teams, will be "the most inclusive World Cup ever".</p>

<p>FIFA announced on Tuesday that the tournament in North America will feature 104 matches, a huge increase from the 64 at the most recent World Cup, as it will start with 12 groups of four teams.</p>

<p>The upcoming women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this year will be the first to feature 32 teams, up from 24 teams at the last edition in 2019.</p>

<p>Infantino is also planning to introduce a new, expanded Club World Cup to be played every four years starting in 2025 and featuring 32 teams.</p>

<p>"We need more, not fewer, competitions worldwide," he told delegates at the 73rd FIFA Congress.</p>

<p>Infantino has also announced projected income of $11 billion in the four years up to 2026, compared to $7.5 billion in the last four-year cycle ending in 2022.</p>

<p>But he said that figure did not include revenues generated by the Club World Cup, suggesting the final amount of money generated will be even greater.</p>

<p>Those improved financial results allow FIFA to keep on increasing the amount of money it provides in subsidies to federations, in turn helping ensure many of them will continue to back Infantino.</p>

<h3><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wpl-2023-virat-kohlis-pep-talk-with-smriti-mandhanas-rcb-goes-viral-ahead-of-their-first-win-watch-572524">WPL 2023: Virat Kohli's pep talk with Smriti Mandhana's RCB goes viral ahead of their first win - Watch</a></strong></h3>

<p>In order to make football "truly global," as Infantino says, at a time when leading European clubs are able to hoard talent and wealth, FIFA distributes money evenly.</p>

<p>And so the likes of Trinidad and Tobago and Papua New Guinea receive the same amount as Brazil, and each has one vote at the congress.</p>

<p>As long as the FIFA president keeps on his side the 35 Central American nations, including numerous Caribbean islands, or the 54 African federations, he need not worry about upsetting the powerful European nations.</p>

<p>That is why failed plans for a biennial World Cup, or the decision to ban rainbow-themed "One Love" armbands promoting LGBTQ rights at the World Cup in Qatar, did not stop Infantino eyeing a new term.</p>

<p>Yet the fractures in football show no sign of healing as long as Infantino's expansion plans continue.</p>

<p>For example the World Leagues Forum, bringing together 44 leagues worldwide, has complained that FIFA did not consult with them before announcing plans for the new Club World Cup, which will be shoehorned into an "already overloaded" calendar.&nbsp;</p>

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Swiss lawyer and administrator Gianni Infantino has been re-elected as the President of FIFA unopposed at the congress of world football's governing body on Thursday, March 16 in Kigali.

Swiss lawyer and administrator Gianni Infantino has been re-elected as the President of FIFA unopposed at the congress of world football's governing body on Thursday, March 16 in Kigali. Infantino, who succeeded Sepp Blatter in 2016 will serve at the helm until 2027, post the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 52-year-old was waved in for a third term by acclamation, just as he was four years ago, by delegates from the 211 member federations. "To all those who love me, and I know there are so many, and also those who hate me, I know there are a few: I love you all," Infantino told delegates in the Rwandan capital, where the voting system did not register the number of dissident voices. While FIFA statutes currently limit a president to a maximum of three four-year terms, Infantino has already prepared the ground to stay until 2031, declaring in December that his first three years at the helm did not count as a full term. Infantino, who staunchly defended Qatar's hosting of last year's World Cup as the Gulf state's treatment of migrant workers, women and the LGBTQ community came under the spotlight, has overseen the expansion of the men's and women's World Cup and huge increases in FIFA revenues. Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness had said she would not support Infantino and tabled a proposal to discuss at the congress "FIFA's responsibilities to remedy human rights abuses" in relation to the Qatar World Cup and future tournaments. However, Infantino's mainly European-based opponents were not able to put forward a candidate to stand against the man who was once Michel Platini's number two at UEFA. 48-team FIFA WC in 2026 "There is a lot to be looking forward to," Infantino said as he turned thoughts to the next four years and declared the 2026 World Cup, the first edition to be enlarged to 48 teams, will be "the most inclusive World Cup ever". FIFA announced on Tuesday that the tournament in North America will feature 104 matches, a huge increase from the 64 at the most recent World Cup, as it will start with 12 groups of four teams. The upcoming women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this year will be the first to feature 32 teams, up from 24 teams at the last edition in 2019. Infantino is also planning to introduce a new, expanded Club World Cup to be played every four years starting in 2025 and featuring 32 teams. "We need more, not fewer, competitions worldwide," he told delegates at the 73rd FIFA Congress. Infantino has also announced projected income of $11 billion in the four years up to 2026, compared to $7.5 billion in the last four-year cycle ending in 2022. But he said that figure did not include revenues generated by the Club World Cup, suggesting the final amount of money generated will be even greater. Those improved financial results allow FIFA to keep on increasing the amount of money it provides in subsidies to federations, in turn helping ensure many of them will continue to back Infantino. ALSO READ | WPL 2023: Virat Kohli's pep talk with Smriti Mandhana's RCB goes viral ahead of their first win - Watch In order to make football "truly global," as Infantino says, at a time when leading European clubs are able to hoard talent and wealth, FIFA distributes money evenly. And so the likes of Trinidad and Tobago and Papua New Guinea receive the same amount as Brazil, and each has one vote at the congress. As long as the FIFA president keeps on his side the 35 Central American nations, including numerous Caribbean islands, or the 54 African federations, he need not worry about upsetting the powerful European nations. That is why failed plans for a biennial World Cup, or the decision to ban rainbow-themed "One Love" armbands promoting LGBTQ rights at the World Cup in Qatar, did not stop Infantino eyeing a new term. Yet the fractures in football show no sign of healing as long as Infantino's expansion plans continue. For example the World Leagues Forum, bringing together 44 leagues worldwide, has complained that FIFA did not consult with them before announcing plans for the new Club World Cup, which will be shoehorned into an "already overloaded" calendar. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Unopposed Gianni Infantino re-elected as FIFA President; set to take charge until 2027

<p>FIFA President Gianni Infantino will stand unopposed for a third term as head of world football's governing body next year, FIFA confirmed on Thursday. A brief statement from FIFA said that Infantino would be the only candidate when the election takes place at the 73rd FIFA Congress in Kigali, Rwanda on March 16. "No other candidature has been submitted," the statement said. Infantino's third term follows in the line of previous FIFA presidents -- Joao Havelange was in charge from 1974 to 1998 and Infantino's predecessor Sepp Blatter held office from 1998 to 2015.</p>

<p>Infantino was elected in 2016 promising to "restore FIFA's image" after the federation was plagued by scandal in the final years of Blatter's time in charge. The German Football Federation (DFB) said on Wednesday it would not support Infantino's re-election. DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said he had hoped Infantino would show "deeper consideration for human rights and more commitment to humanitarian issues". Neuendorf has been a strong supporter of calls from rights groups for FIFA to set up a compensation fund for migrant workers who build the World Cup stadiums.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-wc-messi-co-say-no-to-five-star-luxury-for-student-halls-to-relish-traditional-beef-barbecues-535087">FIFA WC: Messi &amp; Co. say no to five-star luxury for student halls to relish traditional beef barbecues</a></strong></p>

<p>Infantino can point to the growth in FIFA's turnover during his time in charge -- the governing body is forecasting turnover of $7 billion for the four-year cycle till 2022. But many of his proposals for the reform of club football, including a plan to expand the Club World Cup to 24 teams, have received a lukewarm reception.</p>


FIFA President Gianni Infantino will stand unopposed for a third term as head of world football's governing body next year, FIFA confirmed on Thursday. A brief statement from FIFA said that Infantino would be the only candidate when the election takes place at the 73rd FIFA Congress in Kigali, Rwanda on March 16.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino will stand unopposed for a third term as head of world football's governing body next year, FIFA confirmed on Thursday. A brief statement from FIFA said that Infantino would be the only candidate when the election takes place at the 73rd FIFA Congress in Kigali, Rwanda on March 16. "No other candidature has been submitted," the statement said. Infantino's third term follows in the line of previous FIFA presidents -- Joao Havelange was in charge from 1974 to 1998 and Infantino's predecessor Sepp Blatter held office from 1998 to 2015. Infantino was elected in 2016 promising to "restore FIFA's image" after the federation was plagued by scandal in the final years of Blatter's time in charge. The German Football Federation (DFB) said on Wednesday it would not support Infantino's re-election. DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said he had hoped Infantino would show "deeper consideration for human rights and more commitment to humanitarian issues". Neuendorf has been a strong supporter of calls from rights groups for FIFA to set up a compensation fund for migrant workers who build the World Cup stadiums. Also read: FIFA WC: Messi & Co. say no to five-star luxury for student halls to relish traditional beef barbecues Infantino can point to the growth in FIFA's turnover during his time in charge -- the governing body is forecasting turnover of $7 billion for the four-year cycle till 2022. But many of his proposals for the reform of club football, including a plan to expand the Club World Cup to 24 teams, have received a lukewarm reception.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino to stand unopposed for third term

<p>Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA President Michel Platini are due to appear in a Swiss court on Wednesday facing corruption charges which triggered their downfall from the summit of global football.</p>

<p>Swiss prosecutors accuse the pair, once among the game`s most powerful figures, of unlawfully arranging a payment of two million Swiss francs ($2.08 million) in 2011 from FIFA to Platini. The case meant Blatter ended his 17-year reign as FIFA president in disgrace and torpedoed hopes by former France midfielder Platini of succeeding him.</p>

<p>It is one of 25 investigations by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General (OAG) into corruption in football, with some 12 still pending. Following a six-year investigation, the OAG accused Blatter, 86, of "fraud, in the alternative of misappropriation, in the further alternative of criminal mismanagement as well as of forgery of a document".</p>

<p>Platini, 66, is accused of fraud, misappropriation, participating in criminal mismanagement as an accomplice, and forgery of a document. Blatter and Platini, who were once close associates but are now bitter enemies, have both denied wrongdoing. They say they had a verbal agreement over the payment, which related to consultancy work by Platini between 1998 and 2002.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/neymar-strikes-from-penalty-spot-as-brazil-beat-japan-1-0-485695"><strong>Neymar strikes from penalty spot as Brazil beat Japan 1-0</strong></a></p>

<p>Three judges at the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, will hear the case in the trial which runs until June 22. A verdict is due on July 8. If convicted, Platini and Blatter face up to five years in jail.<br />
"This case goes back to an event in 2011. It is an administrative matter, a salary payment that was owed," said Blatter. "The matter was correctly declared as a salary payment, accounted for accordingly and approved by all the relevant bodies of FIFA."</p>

<p>Platini said: "I approach this hearing with serenity and confidence. I am convinced that justice will be fully and definitively done to me after so many years of wild accusations and slander. We will prove in court that I acted with the utmost honesty, that the payment of the remaining salary was due to me by FIFA and is perfectly legal."</p>

<p>FIFA`s Ethics Committee banned Blatter and Platini from football in 2015, initially for eight years, although this was later reduced. The committee said the transaction, made when Blatter was seeking re-election, lacked transparency and presented a conflict of interest.</p>

<p>When Blatter approved the payment, he was campaigning for re-election against Mohamed bin Hammam of Qatar. Platini, as president of European soccer association UEFA, was seen as having sway with European members who could influence the vote. The OAG said its investigation revealed that Platini worked as a consultant between 1998-2002 and that an annual compensation of 300,000 Swiss francs was contractually agreed.</p>

<p>Platini`s invoice had been paid in full but the former France international later demanded further salary payments of two million francs, it said. Platini, who captained France to victory in the 1984 European Championships, was forced to quit UEFA in 2016 after losing his appeal against his ban. He also lost his appeal at the European Court of Human Rights.</p>

<p>The three-time European footballer of the year had been favourite to replace Blatter after the Swiss administrator quit in the wake of the huge corruption scandal which engulfed FIFA in 2015. Instead, Platini`s former general secretary at UEFA, Gianni Infantino, entered the FIFA race and won the election in 2016.</p>


Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA President Michel Platini are due to appear in a Swiss court on Wednesday facing corruption charges which triggered their downfall from the summit of global football.

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA President Michel Platini are due to appear in a Swiss court on Wednesday facing corruption charges which triggered their downfall from the summit of global football. Swiss prosecutors accuse the pair, once among the game`s most powerful figures, of unlawfully arranging a payment of two million Swiss francs ($2.08 million) in 2011 from FIFA to Platini. The case meant Blatter ended his 17-year reign as FIFA president in disgrace and torpedoed hopes by former France midfielder Platini of succeeding him. It is one of 25 investigations by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General (OAG) into corruption in football, with some 12 still pending. Following a six-year investigation, the OAG accused Blatter, 86, of "fraud, in the alternative of misappropriation, in the further alternative of criminal mismanagement as well as of forgery of a document". Platini, 66, is accused of fraud, misappropriation, participating in criminal mismanagement as an accomplice, and forgery of a document. Blatter and Platini, who were once close associates but are now bitter enemies, have both denied wrongdoing. They say they had a verbal agreement over the payment, which related to consultancy work by Platini between 1998 and 2002. ALSO READ | Neymar strikes from penalty spot as Brazil beat Japan 1-0 Three judges at the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, will hear the case in the trial which runs until June 22. A verdict is due on July 8. If convicted, Platini and Blatter face up to five years in jail. "This case goes back to an event in 2011. It is an administrative matter, a salary payment that was owed," said Blatter. "The matter was correctly declared as a salary payment, accounted for accordingly and approved by all the relevant bodies of FIFA." Platini said: "I approach this hearing with serenity and confidence. I am convinced that justice will be fully and definitively done to me after so many years of wild accusations and slander. We will prove in court that I acted with the utmost honesty, that the payment of the remaining salary was due to me by FIFA and is perfectly legal." FIFA`s Ethics Committee banned Blatter and Platini from football in 2015, initially for eight years, although this was later reduced. The committee said the transaction, made when Blatter was seeking re-election, lacked transparency and presented a conflict of interest. When Blatter approved the payment, he was campaigning for re-election against Mohamed bin Hammam of Qatar. Platini, as president of European soccer association UEFA, was seen as having sway with European members who could influence the vote. The OAG said its investigation revealed that Platini worked as a consultant between 1998-2002 and that an annual compensation of 300,000 Swiss francs was contractually agreed. Platini`s invoice had been paid in full but the former France international later demanded further salary payments of two million francs, it said. Platini, who captained France to victory in the 1984 European Championships, was forced to quit UEFA in 2016 after losing his appeal against his ban. He also lost his appeal at the European Court of Human Rights. The three-time European footballer of the year had been favourite to replace Blatter after the Swiss administrator quit in the wake of the huge corruption scandal which engulfed FIFA in 2015. Instead, Platini`s former general secretary at UEFA, Gianni Infantino, entered the FIFA race and won the election in 2016.

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA President Michel Platini face Swiss corruption trail

<p>FIFA president Gianni Infantino accused those opposed to altering the frequency of the World Cup to every two years of being scared of change and wanting to keep their elevated status in the game as Africa on Friday backed the plans.</p>

<p>In a veiled dig at confederations in Europe and South America, who have come out against the plan to change the current four-year-cycle, Infantino said they did not want things to change because they were at the top of the sport.</p>

<p>He was speaking at the Confederation of African Football congress in Cairo, where African countries on Friday unanimously voted for a resolution backing his plan to change the hosting of the World Cup to every two years.</p>

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<p>"Those who are against it are those at the top. It happens in every sector of life when there are reforms and changes, those who are at the top don't want anything to change because they are at the top,"&nbsp;said Infantino.</p>

<p>"And they are afraid maybe that if something changes, their leadership position is at risk."</p>

<p>"We understand that and we compliment and applaud them for having been so successful in reaching the top. This is fantastic, and they are an example for everyone."</p>

<p>"But at the same time, we cannot close the door, we need to keep the door open, we need to give hope and opportunities,” he added.</p>

<p>"Infantino insisted increasing the frequency of the hosting of FIFA’s flagship event would offer more opportunities to countries outside of the top tier of the world game."</p>

<p><strong>IN PICS:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/one-year-without-diego-maradona-world-remembers-one-of-footballs-greatest-432137">One year without Diego Maradona: World remembers one of football's greatest</a></strong></p>

<p>"We need to offer more chances for world football, for African football to shine at the world stage."</p>

<p>Infantino said he would continue to consult opinion on his proposal but gave no timeline for its possible implementation.</p>

<p>UEFA has said a new schedule would have an adverse impact on the balance between local, domestic, continental, and international competitions.</p>

<p>CONMEBOL, the South American body, said the project "turns its back on almost 100 years of world football tradition".<br />
The World Cup will increase its number of finalists from 32 to 48 at the 2026 edition, which is being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the U.S.</p>


FIFA president Gianni Infantino accused those opposed to altering the frequency of the World Cup to every two years of being scared of change and wanting to keep their elevated status in the game as Africa on Friday backed the plans.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino accused those opposed to altering the frequency of the World Cup to every two years of being scared of change and wanting to keep their elevated status in the game as Africa on Friday backed the plans. In a veiled dig at confederations in Europe and South America, who have come out against the plan to change the current four-year-cycle, Infantino said they did not want things to change because they were at the top of the sport. He was speaking at the Confederation of African Football congress in Cairo, where African countries on Friday unanimously voted for a resolution backing his plan to change the hosting of the World Cup to every two years. ALSO READ: Father of daughters Mara and Dona, names newborn son Diego on football legend's first death anniversary "Those who are against it are those at the top. It happens in every sector of life when there are reforms and changes, those who are at the top don't want anything to change because they are at the top," said Infantino. "And they are afraid maybe that if something changes, their leadership position is at risk." "We understand that and we compliment and applaud them for having been so successful in reaching the top. This is fantastic, and they are an example for everyone." "But at the same time, we cannot close the door, we need to keep the door open, we need to give hope and opportunities,” he added. "Infantino insisted increasing the frequency of the hosting of FIFA’s flagship event would offer more opportunities to countries outside of the top tier of the world game." IN PICS: One year without Diego Maradona: World remembers one of football's greatest "We need to offer more chances for world football, for African football to shine at the world stage." Infantino said he would continue to consult opinion on his proposal but gave no timeline for its possible implementation. UEFA has said a new schedule would have an adverse impact on the balance between local, domestic, continental, and international competitions. CONMEBOL, the South American body, said the project "turns its back on almost 100 years of world football tradition". The World Cup will increase its number of finalists from 32 to 48 at the 2026 edition, which is being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino says those opposed to World Cup change scared

<p>FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Tuesday said that footballers in German Bundesliga calling for justice for George Floyd during matches deserve to be applauded rather than handed sanctions. Not only Bundesliga players but athletes across sports including biggest names in Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Lewis Hamilton, Coco Gauff and English Premier League clubs and players have joined the protest in different forms. While some have put out a statement, others have simply changed their social media display pictures to black in support of #BlackLivesMatter.</p>

<p>The German Football Association (DFB) is currently investigating Borussia Dortmund duo Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram and FC Schalke’s American midfielder Weston McKennie.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Floyd died last week after a white policeman in Minneapolis kneeled on the handcuffed American-African’s neck for around nine minutes and the incident sparked violent protests across the United States.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/blacklivesmatter-tiger-woods-darren-sammy-join-growing-list-sportspersons-to-raise-voice-against-george-floyds-death-302653" hreflang="en">#BlackLivesMatter: Tiger Woods, Darren Sammy join growing list sportspersons to raise voice against George Floyd's death</a></strong></p>

<p>"For the avoidance of doubt, in a FIFA competition the recent demonstrations of players in Bundesliga matches would deserve an applause and not a punishment," Infantino said in a FIFA statement.</p>

<p>"We all must say no to racism and any form of discrimination. We all must say no to violence. Any form of violence."</p>

<p>Earlier, FIFA called on football leagues to use “common sense” when deciding on sanctions for footballers for displaying political messages.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"FIFA fully understands the depth of sentiment and concerns expressed by many footballers in light of the tragic circumstances of the George Floyd case," world football's governing body said in a statement.</p>

<p>The German football association is investigating the players, as per IFAB’s laws even though president Fritz Keller said he understood the situation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"If people are discriminated against because of the colour of their skin, it is unbearable," said Keller.</p>

<p>"If they die as a result of the colour of their skin, then I am deeply disturbed. The victims of racism need all of our solidarity."</p>


FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Tuesday said that footballers in German Bundesliga calling for justice for George Floyd during matches deserve to be applauded rather than handed sanctions.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Tuesday said that footballers in German Bundesliga calling for justice for George Floyd during matches deserve to be applauded rather than handed sanctions. Not only Bundesliga players but athletes across sports including biggest names in Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Lewis Hamilton, Coco Gauff and English Premier League clubs and players have joined the protest in different forms. While some have put out a statement, others have simply changed their social media display pictures to black in support of #BlackLivesMatter. The German Football Association (DFB) is currently investigating Borussia Dortmund duo Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram and FC Schalke’s American midfielder Weston McKennie. Floyd died last week after a white policeman in Minneapolis kneeled on the handcuffed American-African’s neck for around nine minutes and the incident sparked violent protests across the United States. ALSO READ: #BlackLivesMatter: Tiger Woods, Darren Sammy join growing list sportspersons to raise voice against George Floyd's death "For the avoidance of doubt, in a FIFA competition the recent demonstrations of players in Bundesliga matches would deserve an applause and not a punishment," Infantino said in a FIFA statement. "We all must say no to racism and any form of discrimination. We all must say no to violence. Any form of violence." Earlier, FIFA called on football leagues to use “common sense” when deciding on sanctions for footballers for displaying political messages. "FIFA fully understands the depth of sentiment and concerns expressed by many footballers in light of the tragic circumstances of the George Floyd case," world football's governing body said in a statement. The German football association is investigating the players, as per IFAB’s laws even though president Fritz Keller said he understood the situation. "If people are discriminated against because of the colour of their skin, it is unbearable," said Keller. "If they die as a result of the colour of their skin, then I am deeply disturbed. The victims of racism need all of our solidarity."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino says players calls for George Floyd justice should be 'applauded'

<p>FIFA president Gianni Infantino has urged Italian soccer authorities to hand out stadium bans for supporters guilty of racism after another incident in a Serie A match between Atalanta and Fiorentina on Sunday.</p>

<p>Play was briefly suspended after Fiore’s Brazilian wing-back Dalbert reportedly told referee Daniele Orsato he had been the target of racist abuse from fans at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma, where Atalanta are based while their ground is revamped.</p>

<p>An announcement was read over the stadium loudspeaker urging supporters to stop and the game, which finished 2-2, then continued, but Infantino believes the problem must be taken more seriously.</p>

<p>"Racism is combatted with education, condemnation and discussion," said the FIFA chief, who was a guest on a programme aired by Italian state broadcaster Rai.</p>

<p>"You can't have racism in society or in football. In Italy the situation hasn’t improved and this is serious.</p>

<p>“You need to identify those responsible and throw them out of the stadiums. You need, as in England, the certainty of the penalty. You can't be afraid to condemn racists, we need to combat them until they stop."</p>

<p>On Tuesday, Cagliari escaped punishment for alleged racist behaviour by their fans after monkey noises were heard being aimed at Inter Milan's Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku.</p>


FIFA president Gianni Infantino has urged Italian soccer authorities to hand out stadium bans for supporters guilty of racism after another incident in a Serie A match between Atalanta and Fiorentina on Sunday.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has urged Italian soccer authorities to hand out stadium bans for supporters guilty of racism after another incident in a Serie A match between Atalanta and Fiorentina on Sunday. Play was briefly suspended after Fiore’s Brazilian wing-back Dalbert reportedly told referee Daniele Orsato he had been the target of racist abuse from fans at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma, where Atalanta are based while their ground is revamped. An announcement was read over the stadium loudspeaker urging supporters to stop and the game, which finished 2-2, then continued, but Infantino believes the problem must be taken more seriously. "Racism is combatted with education, condemnation and discussion," said the FIFA chief, who was a guest on a programme aired by Italian state broadcaster Rai. "You can't have racism in society or in football. In Italy the situation hasn’t improved and this is serious. “You need to identify those responsible and throw them out of the stadiums. You need, as in England, the certainty of the penalty. You can't be afraid to condemn racists, we need to combat them until they stop." On Tuesday, Cagliari escaped punishment for alleged racist behaviour by their fans after monkey noises were heard being aimed at Inter Milan's Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku.

Time to punish racists, FIFA chief tells Italian football authorities

<p>Imagining himself as a peacemaker in a conflict-ridden part of the world, FIFA President Gianni Infantino sees a 2022 World Cup shared by Qatar with its Gulf detractors, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as the magic wand that would turn bitter foes into brothers.</p>

<p>It may be a nice idea, but it is grounded in the fiction that football can play an independent role in bringing nations together or developing national identity.</p>

<p>The fiction is that football has the potential to be a driver of events, that it can spark or shape developments. It is also the fiction that sports in general and football, in particular, has the power to build bridges.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Infantino’s assertion that if foes play football, bridges are built is but the latest iteration of a long-standing myth.</p>

<p>Nothing could be further from the truth. Football is an aggressive sport. It is about conquering the other half of a pitch. It evokes passions and allegiances that are tribal in nature and that more often than not divide rather than unite.</p>

<p>In conflict situations, football tends to provide an additional battlefield. Examples abound.</p>

<p>The 2022 World Cup; this year’s Qatari Asian Cup victory against the backdrop of the Gulf state’s rift with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt; the imprint the Palestinian-Israeli conflict puts on the two nations’ football; or the rise of racist, discriminatory attitudes among fans in Europe.</p>

<p>The Bad Blue Boys, hardcore fans of Dinamo Zagreb’s hardcore fans, light candles each May and lay wreaths at a monument to their comrades who were killed in the Yugoslav wars in the 1990s. They mark the anniversary of a riot during the 1990 match against Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade, their club’s most controversial match, as the first clash in the wars that erupted a year later and sparked the collapse of former Yugoslavia.</p>

<p>The fact of the matter is that sports like ping pong in Richard Nixon’s 1972 rapprochement with China or the improvement of ties between North and South Korea in the most recent Summer Olympics served as a useful tool, not a driver of events.</p>

<p>Sports is a useful tool in an environment in which key political players seek to build bridges and narrow differences.</p>

<p>The impact of football in the absence of a conducive environment created by political not sports players, is at best temporary relief, a blip on an otherwise bleak landscape.</p>

<p>The proof is in the pudding. Legend has it that British and German soldiers played football in no-man’s lands on Christmas Day in 2014, only to return to fighting World War One for another four years. Millions died in the war.</p>

<p>Similarly, Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites poured into the streets of Iraqi cities hugging each other in celebration of Iraq’s winning in 2007 of the Asia Cup at the height of the country’s sectarian violence only to return to killing each other a day later.</p>

<p>Football’s ability to shape or cement national identity is no different. In other words. football can be a rallying point for national identity but only if there is an environment that is conducive.</p>

<p>The problem is that football and the formation of national identity have one complicating trait in common: both often involve opposition to the other.</p>

<p>That is nowhere truer than in the Middle East and North Africa where football has played and plays an important role in identity formation since it was first introduced to the region in the late 19th and early 20th century.</p>

<p>Qatar has been in some ways the exception that proves the rule by plotting its sports strategy not only as a soft power tool or a pillar of public health policy but also as a component of national identity. That element has been strengthened by the rift in the Gulf and bolstered by this year’s Asian Cup victory.</p>

<p>Qatar’s efforts to strengthen its national identity benefits from the fact that the Gulf state no longer operates on the notion that Gulf states have to hang together. Today it's hanging on its own in conflict with three of its neighbours.</p>

<p>Soccer’s role in identity formation in the Middle East and North Africa was often because it was a battlefield, a battlefield for identity that was part of larger political struggles.</p>

<p>Clubs were often formed for that very reason. Attitudes towards the country’s monarchy in the early 20th century loomed large in the founding of Egypt’s Al Ahli SC and Al Zamalek SC, two of the Middle East and North Africa’s most storied clubs.</p>

<p>Clubs in Algeria were established as part of the anti-colonial struggle against the French. Ottoman and Iranian rulers used sports and football to foster national identity and take a first step towards incorporating youth in the development of a modern defense force.</p>

<p>Zionists saw sports and football as an important way of developing the New Jew, the muscular Jew. To Palestinians, it was a tool in their opposition to Zionist immigration. And finally, football was important in the shaping of ethnic or sub-national identities among Berbers, Kurds, East Bank Jordanians and Jordanian Palestinians.</p>

<p>In other words, football was inclusive in the sense of contributing to the formation of a collective identity. But it was also divisive because that identity was at the same time exclusionary and opposed to an other.</p>

<p>The long and short of this is that football is malleable. Its impact and fallout depend on forces beyond its control. Football is dependent on the environment shaped by political and social forces. It is a tool that is agnostic to purpose, not a driver or an independent actor.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)</em></p>


Imagining himself as a peacemaker in a conflict-ridden part of the world, FIFA President Gianni Infantino sees a 2022 World Cup shared by Qatar with its Gulf detractors, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as the magic wand that would turn bitter foes into brothers.

Imagining himself as a peacemaker in a conflict-ridden part of the world, FIFA President Gianni Infantino sees a 2022 World Cup shared by Qatar with its Gulf detractors, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as the magic wand that would turn bitter foes into brothers. It may be a nice idea, but it is grounded in the fiction that football can play an independent role in bringing nations together or developing national identity. The fiction is that football has the potential to be a driver of events, that it can spark or shape developments. It is also the fiction that sports in general and football, in particular, has the power to build bridges. Infantino’s assertion that if foes play football, bridges are built is but the latest iteration of a long-standing myth. Nothing could be further from the truth. Football is an aggressive sport. It is about conquering the other half of a pitch. It evokes passions and allegiances that are tribal in nature and that more often than not divide rather than unite. In conflict situations, football tends to provide an additional battlefield. Examples abound. The 2022 World Cup; this year’s Qatari Asian Cup victory against the backdrop of the Gulf state’s rift with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt; the imprint the Palestinian-Israeli conflict puts on the two nations’ football; or the rise of racist, discriminatory attitudes among fans in Europe. The Bad Blue Boys, hardcore fans of Dinamo Zagreb’s hardcore fans, light candles each May and lay wreaths at a monument to their comrades who were killed in the Yugoslav wars in the 1990s. They mark the anniversary of a riot during the 1990 match against Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade, their club’s most controversial match, as the first clash in the wars that erupted a year later and sparked the collapse of former Yugoslavia. The fact of the matter is that sports like ping pong in Richard Nixon’s 1972 rapprochement with China or the improvement of ties between North and South Korea in the most recent Summer Olympics served as a useful tool, not a driver of events. Sports is a useful tool in an environment in which key political players seek to build bridges and narrow differences. The impact of football in the absence of a conducive environment created by political not sports players, is at best temporary relief, a blip on an otherwise bleak landscape. The proof is in the pudding. Legend has it that British and German soldiers played football in no-man’s lands on Christmas Day in 2014, only to return to fighting World War One for another four years. Millions died in the war. Similarly, Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites poured into the streets of Iraqi cities hugging each other in celebration of Iraq’s winning in 2007 of the Asia Cup at the height of the country’s sectarian violence only to return to killing each other a day later. Football’s ability to shape or cement national identity is no different. In other words. football can be a rallying point for national identity but only if there is an environment that is conducive. The problem is that football and the formation of national identity have one complicating trait in common: both often involve opposition to the other. That is nowhere truer than in the Middle East and North Africa where football has played and plays an important role in identity formation since it was first introduced to the region in the late 19th and early 20th century. Qatar has been in some ways the exception that proves the rule by plotting its sports strategy not only as a soft power tool or a pillar of public health policy but also as a component of national identity. That element has been strengthened by the rift in the Gulf and bolstered by this year’s Asian Cup victory. Qatar’s efforts to strengthen its national identity benefits from the fact that the Gulf state no longer operates on the notion that Gulf states have to hang together. Today it's hanging on its own in conflict with three of its neighbours. Soccer’s role in identity formation in the Middle East and North Africa was often because it was a battlefield, a battlefield for identity that was part of larger political struggles. Clubs were often formed for that very reason. Attitudes towards the country’s monarchy in the early 20th century loomed large in the founding of Egypt’s Al Ahli SC and Al Zamalek SC, two of the Middle East and North Africa’s most storied clubs. Clubs in Algeria were established as part of the anti-colonial struggle against the French. Ottoman and Iranian rulers used sports and football to foster national identity and take a first step towards incorporating youth in the development of a modern defense force. Zionists saw sports and football as an important way of developing the New Jew, the muscular Jew. To Palestinians, it was a tool in their opposition to Zionist immigration. And finally, football was important in the shaping of ethnic or sub-national identities among Berbers, Kurds, East Bank Jordanians and Jordanian Palestinians. In other words, football was inclusive in the sense of contributing to the formation of a collective identity. But it was also divisive because that identity was at the same time exclusionary and opposed to an other. The long and short of this is that football is malleable. Its impact and fallout depend on forces beyond its control. Football is dependent on the environment shaped by political and social forces. It is a tool that is agnostic to purpose, not a driver or an independent actor. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

The fallacy of football's magical bridge-building qualities

<p>Qatar will not take a decision on whether to expand its 2022 World Cup to 48 teams from 32 until it has seen the details of a feasibility study from FIFA, an official from the country's World Cup organising committee said on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last week that a majority of national soccer federations were in favour of expanding the tournament and a decision is expected by March ahead of the draw for qualifying matches.</p>

<p>"FIFA is undergoing a feasibility study and is now in the consultation process and we don`t have any details to know what the feasibility study has," said Nasser Al Khater, Assistant Secretary-General for Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.</p>

<p>The study is expected to include aspects of scheduling, the number of required venues, training sites, and how many games per day would be played under an expanded format, Khater said.</p>

<p>Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt launched a diplomatic and trade boycott of Qatar in June 2017 that has complicated the prospect of sharing the tournament under an expanded format.</p>

<p>The countries accuse Qatar of supporting terrorism, which it denies.</p>

<p>"We need to remember that Qatar won the right to host the World Cup with a 32-team World Cup, so at the end of the day FIFA will take the decision with Qatar and only if Qatar agrees," said Khater.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The tiny but wealthy state has pushed ahead with an ambitious scale-up of its infrastructure ahead of 2022 that includes $6-8 billion on eight stadiums and sporting facilities, many of which will be either broken down and re-purposed after the event or donated to promote sports in developing countries.</p>

<p>Last week, Qatar unveiled the design for its final and largest stadium. Lusail Stadium, an 80,000 seat venue, is expected to host the tournament`s opening and closing matches and be the centrepiece of a city being developed north of Doha.</p>

<p>FIFA last year voted to increase the tournament to 48 teams starting from 2026 but, since then, Infantino has been mulling the possibility of bringing the change forward to 2022, saying that would likely require playing some matches outside of Qatar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Who actually is ready with four years to go?" Khater said of regional countries that could help host the tournament.</p>

<p>"You have to see FIFA compliant stadiums, FIFA compliant training sites, the correct infrastructure. These are things that have to be discussed first," he said.</p>


Qatar will not take a decision on whether to expand its 2022 World Cup to 48 teams from 32 until it has seen the details of a feasibility study from FIFA, an official from the country's World Cup organising committee said on Monday.

Qatar will not take a decision on whether to expand its 2022 World Cup to 48 teams from 32 until it has seen the details of a feasibility study from FIFA, an official from the country's World Cup organising committee said on Monday. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last week that a majority of national soccer federations were in favour of expanding the tournament and a decision is expected by March ahead of the draw for qualifying matches. "FIFA is undergoing a feasibility study and is now in the consultation process and we don`t have any details to know what the feasibility study has," said Nasser Al Khater, Assistant Secretary-General for Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy. The study is expected to include aspects of scheduling, the number of required venues, training sites, and how many games per day would be played under an expanded format, Khater said. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt launched a diplomatic and trade boycott of Qatar in June 2017 that has complicated the prospect of sharing the tournament under an expanded format. The countries accuse Qatar of supporting terrorism, which it denies. "We need to remember that Qatar won the right to host the World Cup with a 32-team World Cup, so at the end of the day FIFA will take the decision with Qatar and only if Qatar agrees," said Khater. The tiny but wealthy state has pushed ahead with an ambitious scale-up of its infrastructure ahead of 2022 that includes $6-8 billion on eight stadiums and sporting facilities, many of which will be either broken down and re-purposed after the event or donated to promote sports in developing countries. Last week, Qatar unveiled the design for its final and largest stadium. Lusail Stadium, an 80,000 seat venue, is expected to host the tournament`s opening and closing matches and be the centrepiece of a city being developed north of Doha. FIFA last year voted to increase the tournament to 48 teams starting from 2026 but, since then, Infantino has been mulling the possibility of bringing the change forward to 2022, saying that would likely require playing some matches outside of Qatar. "Who actually is ready with four years to go?" Khater said of regional countries that could help host the tournament. "You have to see FIFA compliant stadiums, FIFA compliant training sites, the correct infrastructure. These are things that have to be discussed first," he said.

Qatar to not decide on 48-team World Cup until it's seen FIFA study

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi met FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who gifted him a football jersey with his name on its back.</p>

<p>Modi, who met Infantino on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit here Saturday, shared a picture of the blue jersey, with his name on the back, on Twitter.<br />
"Impossible to come to Argentina and not think about football. Argentinian players are tremendously popular in India. Today, received this jersey from @FIFAcom President Gianni Infantino. I thank him for the kind gesture," he said.</p>

<p>During ''Yoga for Peace'' event here Thursday, Prime Minister Modi had elaborated how football connected the two countries.</p>

<p>"If Argentina is interested in India's philosophy, art, music and dance, then there are millions of fans of the Argentine soccer stars in India. Maradona has now become a household name and also used in many vernacular phrases," Modi had said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Impossible to come to Argentina and not think about football. Argentinian players are tremendously popular in India.<br />
<br />
Today, received this jersey from <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAcom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIFAcom</a> President Gianni Infantino. I thank him for the kind gesture. <a href="https://t.co/6IszG7fyFC">pic.twitter.com/6IszG7fyFC</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1068921107506294784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>FIFA, which describes itself as an international governing body of association football, is responsible for organising major international soccer tournaments,&nbsp; notably the World Cup.&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi met FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who gifted him a football jersey with his name on its back. Modi, who met Infantino on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit here Saturday, shared a picture of the blue jersey, with his name on the back, on Twitter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who gifted him a football jersey with his name on its back. Modi, who met Infantino on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit here Saturday, shared a picture of the blue jersey, with his name on the back, on Twitter. "Impossible to come to Argentina and not think about football. Argentinian players are tremendously popular in India. Today, received this jersey from @FIFAcom President Gianni Infantino. I thank him for the kind gesture," he said. During ''Yoga for Peace'' event here Thursday, Prime Minister Modi had elaborated how football connected the two countries. "If Argentina is interested in India's philosophy, art, music and dance, then there are millions of fans of the Argentine soccer stars in India. Maradona has now become a household name and also used in many vernacular phrases," Modi had said. Impossible to come to Argentina and not think about football. Argentinian players are tremendously popular in India. Today, received this jersey from @FIFAcom President Gianni Infantino. I thank him for the kind gesture. pic.twitter.com/6IszG7fyFC — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 1, 2018 × FIFA, which describes itself as an international governing body of association football, is responsible for organising major international soccer tournaments, notably the World Cup.

PM Modi receives special football jersey from FIFA President

<p>FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that football`s governing body is looking into the possibility of increasing the number of teams at the 2022 World Cup and sharing the hosting rights of an expanded tournament with other nations in the region.</p>

<p>FIFA decided earlier this year to expand the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, to 48 teams from 32 while leaving the door open to raising the number playing in Qatar in four years` time.</p>

<p>"We have decided to increase the number of teams participating in the World Cup final tournaments from 32 to 48 and this will happen in 2026," Infantino said in an address to the Asian Football Confederation`s annual congress.</p>

<p>"Will it happen in 2022? We are looking at it. If it is possible, why not?"</p>

<p>Infantino said an expanded tournament would see Asia`s allocation rise to 8.5 places from 4.5.</p>

<p>"We have to see if it is possible, if it is feasible. We are discussing with our Qatari friends, we are discussing with our many other friends in the region and we hope that this can happen," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"And, if not, we will have tried. We will have tried because we always have to try to do things in a better way."</p>

<p>Tiny Gulf state Qatar, which is home to just over 2.5 million people, was awarded the hosting rights in late 2010 and has been planning for a 32-team tournament since.</p>

<p>Infantino acknowledged that to increase the number of teams in 2022 would require the cooperation of other countries in the region.</p>

<p>Qatar, however, has been in dispute with several of its neighbours since June last year, with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt cutting diplomatic, transport and trade ties, accusing Doha of financing terrorism. Qatar rejects the charges.</p>

<p>Infantino also reiterated his desire to expand the Club World Cup, the next edition of which will be played in the UAE in December, saying FIFA wanted to make it "a real competition."</p>

<p>"One that every club in the world can target because we have global interest and everyone will benefit, not only from a financial point of view," he added.&nbsp;</p>


FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that football`s governing body is looking into the possibility of increasing the number of teams at the 2022 World Cup and sharing the hosting rights of an expanded tournament with other nations in the region.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that football`s governing body is looking into the possibility of increasing the number of teams at the 2022 World Cup and sharing the hosting rights of an expanded tournament with other nations in the region. FIFA decided earlier this year to expand the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, to 48 teams from 32 while leaving the door open to raising the number playing in Qatar in four years` time. "We have decided to increase the number of teams participating in the World Cup final tournaments from 32 to 48 and this will happen in 2026," Infantino said in an address to the Asian Football Confederation`s annual congress. "Will it happen in 2022? We are looking at it. If it is possible, why not?" Infantino said an expanded tournament would see Asia`s allocation rise to 8.5 places from 4.5. "We have to see if it is possible, if it is feasible. We are discussing with our Qatari friends, we are discussing with our many other friends in the region and we hope that this can happen," he added. "And, if not, we will have tried. We will have tried because we always have to try to do things in a better way." Tiny Gulf state Qatar, which is home to just over 2.5 million people, was awarded the hosting rights in late 2010 and has been planning for a 32-team tournament since. Infantino acknowledged that to increase the number of teams in 2022 would require the cooperation of other countries in the region. Qatar, however, has been in dispute with several of its neighbours since June last year, with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt cutting diplomatic, transport and trade ties, accusing Doha of financing terrorism. Qatar rejects the charges. Infantino also reiterated his desire to expand the Club World Cup, the next edition of which will be played in the UAE in December, saying FIFA wanted to make it "a real competition." "One that every club in the world can target because we have global interest and everyone will benefit, not only from a financial point of view," he added.

World Cup expansion possible for 2022, says FIFA president Infantino

<p>FIFA chief Gianni Infantino on Wednesday said he will stand for re-election as the head of football's world governing body next year.</p>

<p>Infantino said earlier that FIFA had been clinically dead when he took over in 2016 from long-time president Sepp Blatter who was engulfed by corruption allegations.</p>

<p>Two years later, it was very much alive and full of joy, with a clear vision for its future.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Blatter is being investigated by Swiss prosecutors for alleged corruption during his 17-year reign at the head of FIFA.</p>

<p>Elections that handed the World Cup to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022 have since been the target of allegations of bribery and hastened the end of Blatter's time in office. He continues to protest his innocence.</p>

<p>Infantino has put FIFA on a sound financial footing and made efforts to address allegations that FIFA had become riddled with corruption and its senior officials open to bribes.</p>

<p>The 48-year-old Swiss has also ushered in the introduction of innovations such as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system to analyse controversial on-pitch incidents during matches.</p>

<p>VAR will make its World Cup debut in Russia.</p>


Infantino said earlier that FIFA had been clinically dead when he took over in 2016

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino on Wednesday said he will stand for re-election as the head of football's world governing body next year. Infantino said earlier that FIFA had been clinically dead when he took over in 2016 from long-time president Sepp Blatter who was engulfed by corruption allegations. Two years later, it was very much alive and full of joy, with a clear vision for its future. Meanwhile, Blatter is being investigated by Swiss prosecutors for alleged corruption during his 17-year reign at the head of FIFA. Elections that handed the World Cup to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022 have since been the target of allegations of bribery and hastened the end of Blatter's time in office. He continues to protest his innocence. Infantino has put FIFA on a sound financial footing and made efforts to address allegations that FIFA had become riddled with corruption and its senior officials open to bribes. The 48-year-old Swiss has also ushered in the introduction of innovations such as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system to analyse controversial on-pitch incidents during matches. VAR will make its World Cup debut in Russia.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino to stand for re-election in 2019

<p>After the global soccer body announced it had received bid books from two candidates, FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Monday described the bid process for the 2026 World Cup as fair, objective and transparent.</p>

<p>"I challenge anyone to point out an organisation that conducts a bidding process as fair, objective and transparent as the one that FIFA is carrying out for the 2026 FIFA World Cup," Infantino said in the statement.</p>

<p>As FIFA is due to choose the hosts at its annual congress in Moscow in June, a statement from their side said it had received one bid from Morocco and a joint bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico.</p>

<p>"FIFA has been heavily criticised for how it conducted the selection of hosts in the past it was our obligation to learn from this and leave no room for any doubt or subjectivity," Infantino added.&nbsp</p>

<p>The two bids will be evaluated by a task force which will visit all the potential host nations.</p>

<p>"This is why the rules of this process... include the highest standards in terms of ethical conduct, participation and commitment to sustainability and human rights," the FIFA President concluded.<br />
&nbsp</p>

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The two bids will be evaluated by a task force which will visit all the potential host nations.

After the global soccer body announced it had received bid books from two candidates, FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Monday described the bid process for the 2026 World Cup as fair, objective and transparent. "I challenge anyone to point out an organisation that conducts a bidding process as fair, objective and transparent as the one that FIFA is carrying out for the 2026 FIFA World Cup," Infantino said in the statement. As FIFA is due to choose the hosts at its annual congress in Moscow in June, a statement from their side said it had received one bid from Morocco and a joint bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico. "FIFA has been heavily criticised for how it conducted the selection of hosts in the past it was our obligation to learn from this and leave no room for any doubt or subjectivity," Infantino added. The two bids will be evaluated by a task force which will visit all the potential host nations. "This is why the rules of this process... include the highest standards in terms of ethical conduct, participation and commitment to sustainability and human rights," the FIFA President concluded. Related Iceland leaders won't attend FIFA World Cup in Russia this summer Xavi appointed as global ambassador of Qatar for FIFA World... 'Ghost' of 7-1 Germany mauling still haunts Brazil: Tite British fans will be safe in Russia: Russian ambassador Yakovenko

World Cup bidding process fair and transparent: FIFA Presiden

<p>After the global soccer body announced it had received bid books from two candidates, FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Monday described the bid process for the 2026 World Cup as fair, objective and transparent.</p>

<p>"I challenge anyone to point out an organisation that conducts a bidding process as fair, objective and transparent as the one that FIFA is carrying out for the 2026 FIFA World Cup," Infantino said in the statement.</p>

<p>As FIFA is due to choose the hosts at its annual congress in Moscow in June, a statement from their side said it had received one bid from Morocco and a joint bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico.</p>

<p>"FIFA has been heavily criticised for how it conducted the selection of hosts in the past it was our obligation to learn from this and leave no room for any doubt or subjectivity," Infantino added.&nbsp</p>

<p>The two bids will be evaluated by a task force which will visit all the potential host nations.</p>

<p>"This is why the rules of this process... include the highest standards in terms of ethical conduct, participation and commitment to sustainability and human rights," the FIFA President concluded.</p>


The two bids will be evaluated by a task force which will visit all the potential host nations

After the global soccer body announced it had received bid books from two candidates, FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Monday described the bid process for the 2026 World Cup as fair, objective and transparent. "I challenge anyone to point out an organisation that conducts a bidding process as fair, objective and transparent as the one that FIFA is carrying out for the 2026 FIFA World Cup," Infantino said in the statement. As FIFA is due to choose the hosts at its annual congress in Moscow in June, a statement from their side said it had received one bid from Morocco and a joint bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico. "FIFA has been heavily criticised for how it conducted the selection of hosts in the past it was our obligation to learn from this and leave no room for any doubt or subjectivity," Infantino added. The two bids will be evaluated by a task force which will visit all the potential host nations. "This is why the rules of this process... include the highest standards in terms of ethical conduct, participation and commitment to sustainability and human rights," the FIFA President concluded.

World Cup bidding process fair and transparent: FIFA President

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/lebanons-hezbollah-accuses-saudi-of-detaining-hariri-23953" target="_blank">Saudi Arabia holding Lebanon PM, inciting Israel to strike country: Hezbollah</a></p>

<p>Lebanon`s powerful Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Friday accused Saudi Arabia of detaining prime minister Saad Hariri and of asking the Shiite movement`s arch-foe Israel to launch strikes.&nbsp;Hariri`s sudden resignation on November 4 in a statement made from Riyadh took the Lebanese political class by surprise and has sparked international concern.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-goalkeeper-accuses-former-fifa-president-of-sexual-harassment-23954" target="_blank">He grabbed my ass: US goalkeeper accuses Sepp Blatter of sexual assault</a></p>

<p>Hope Solo, the 36-year-old US goalkeeper has accused former FIFA president Sepp Blatter of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/actress-portia-de-rossi-accuses-steven-seagal-of-sexual-harassment-23862" target="_blank">sexual harassment</a>. In an interview with Portugal newspaper Expresso, Solo said that Sepp had grabbed her ass.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/football/world-cup-playoff-sweden-beat-toothless-italy-with-1-0-23955" target="_blank">Football World Cup play-offs: Sweden beat </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/football/world-cup-playoff-sweden-beat-toothless-italy-with-1-0-23955" target="_blank">lacklustre</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/football/world-cup-playoff-sweden-beat-toothless-italy-with-1-0-23955" target="_blank"> Italy</a></p>

<p>A second-half goal by Sweden substitute Jakob Johansson was enough to beat Italy 1-0 and put his side in the driving seat after their World Cup playoff first leg on a chilly night.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/comedian-louis-ck-admits-sexual-misconduct-entertainment-outlets-cut-ties-23950" target="_blank">&#39;These stories are true,&#39; says comedian Louis CK</a></p>

<p>US&nbsp;comedian Louis C.K. on Friday admitted to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/actress-portia-de-rossi-accuses-steven-seagal-of-sexual-harassment-23862" target="_blank">sexual misconduct allegations made against him&nbsp;</a>by several women, and television and film companies moved quickly to sever ties. &quot;These stories are true,&quot; C.K. said in a statement.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/heres-what-got-cheaper-after-revised-gst-rates-23947" target="_blank">Revised GST rates: Complete list</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the biggest GST rearrangement till date, tax rates on over 200 items were cut down&nbsp;to provide relief to consumers and businesses&nbsp;on Friday.&nbsp;Giving a major reprieve to the common man, the GST Council came up with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/23931">a number of new measures.&nbsp;</a>Maximum pruning was done in the 28% slab which will now be applied to only 50 items from 228 earlier. Many of the items and services which were previously under the 28% bracket will now attract a tax of 18% only.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Saudi Arabia holding Lebanon PM, inciting Israel to strike country: Hezbollah Lebanon`s powerful Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Friday accused Saudi Arabia of detaining prime minister Saad Hariri and of asking the Shiite movement`s arch-foe Israel to launch strikes. Hariri`s sudden resignation on November 4 in a statement made from Riyadh took the Lebanese political class by surprise and has sparked international concern. He grabbed my ass: US goalkeeper accuses Sepp Blatter of sexual assault Hope Solo, the 36-year-old US goalkeeper has accused former FIFA president Sepp Blatter of sexual harassment. In an interview with Portugal newspaper Expresso, Solo said that Sepp had grabbed her ass. Football World Cup play-offs: Sweden beat lacklustre Italy A second-half goal by Sweden substitute Jakob Johansson was enough to beat Italy 1-0 and put his side in the driving seat after their World Cup playoff first leg on a chilly night. 'These stories are true,' says comedian Louis CK US comedian Louis C.K. on Friday admitted to sexual misconduct allegations made against him by several women, and television and film companies moved quickly to sever ties. "These stories are true," C.K. said in a statement. Revised GST rates: Complete list In the biggest GST rearrangement till date, tax rates on over 200 items were cut down to provide relief to consumers and businesses on Friday. Giving a major reprieve to the common man, the GST Council came up with a number of new measures. Maximum pruning was done in the 28% slab which will now be applied to only 50 items from 228 earlier. Many of the items and services which were previously under the 28% bracket will now attract a tax of 18% only.

WION Morning news brief, November 11, 2017: 5 stories

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and ex-secretary general Jerome Valcke, already banned from football for ethics violations, are facing a fresh investigation over the salaries and bonuses they received in office.<br />
<br />
In a separate decision, former FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb was given a life ban from any soccer-related activity and fined one million Swiss francs ($1.02 million).<br />
<br />
FIFA&#39;s ethics committee said its investigators had opened formal proceedings against both Blatter and Valcke, along with former finance director Markus Kattner, for possible ethics violations which included bribery and corruption.<br />
<br />
The suspected violations were &quot;in the context of salaries and bonuses paid to Mr Blatter, Mr Valcke and Mr Kattner as well as other provisions included in the contracts of these three individuals,&quot; it said.<br />
<br />
They are also suspected of having breached rules on general conduct, loyalty, conflicts of interest and &quot;offering and accepting gifts and other benefits.&quot;<br />
<br />
Valcke&#39;s lawyer declined comment while Blatter and Kattner could not immediately be reached although they have previously denied wrongdoing.<br />
<br />
Blatter has said his earnings were in line with top officials from professional sports leagues around the world.<br />
<br />
Soccer&#39;s global governing body is attempting to recover from the worst graft scandal in its history which has seen 42 people, including former FIFA executive committee members, indicted in the United States since May last year.<br />
<br />
Criminal investigations are also under way in Switzerland, where FIFA has its headquarters.<br />
<br />
Those 42 include Webb, ex-president of the confederation covering North and Central America and the Caribbean, who has pleaded guilty in the United States to offences linked to racketeering, fraud and money laundering.<br />
<br />
FIFA&#39;s ethics committee has conducted its own investigation into the Cayman Islander and announced on Friday that was guilty of breaking ethics violations, including bribery and corruption.<br />
<br />
FIFA said in June that an internal investigation revealed that the three officials had received 79 million Swiss francs ($81 million) in compensation over five years, calling them &quot;massive payouts&quot;.<br />
<br />
FIFA&#39;s lawyers Quinn Emanuel, which conducted the investigation, said the evidence revealed a coordinated effort by the three to &quot;enrich themselves through annual salary increases, World Cup bonuses and other incentives.&quot;<br />
<br />
Blatter, 80, who led FIFA from 1998 until 2015, has already been banned for eight years, later to reduced to six following an appeal.<br />
<br />
The ban was imposed for ethics violations related to a payment of 2 million Swiss francs that FIFA made to then European soccer boss Michel Platini with Blatter&#39;s approval in 2011 for work done a decade earlier.<br />
<br />
He has appealed to sport&#39;s highest tribunal, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and is awaiting a verdict.<br />
<br />
Valcke was fired in January and has since been banned for 12 years, reduced to 10 on appeal, for ethics violations which included using FIFA expenses for sightseeing trips and destruction of evidence.<br />
<br />
Kattner, who took over as acting secretary general after Valcke&#39;s dismissal, was fired by FIFA in May. ($1 = 0.9735 Swiss francs)<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

The possible ethics violations include bribery and corruption

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and ex-secretary general Jerome Valcke, already banned from football for ethics violations, are facing a fresh investigation over the salaries and bonuses they received in office. In a separate decision, former FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb was given a life ban from any soccer-related activity and fined one million Swiss francs ($1.02 million). FIFA's ethics committee said its investigators had opened formal proceedings against both Blatter and Valcke, along with former finance director Markus Kattner, for possible ethics violations which included bribery and corruption. The suspected violations were "in the context of salaries and bonuses paid to Mr Blatter, Mr Valcke and Mr Kattner as well as other provisions included in the contracts of these three individuals," it said. They are also suspected of having breached rules on general conduct, loyalty, conflicts of interest and "offering and accepting gifts and other benefits." Valcke's lawyer declined comment while Blatter and Kattner could not immediately be reached although they have previously denied wrongdoing. Blatter has said his earnings were in line with top officials from professional sports leagues around the world. Soccer's global governing body is attempting to recover from the worst graft scandal in its history which has seen 42 people, including former FIFA executive committee members, indicted in the United States since May last year. Criminal investigations are also under way in Switzerland, where FIFA has its headquarters. Those 42 include Webb, ex-president of the confederation covering North and Central America and the Caribbean, who has pleaded guilty in the United States to offences linked to racketeering, fraud and money laundering. FIFA's ethics committee has conducted its own investigation into the Cayman Islander and announced on Friday that was guilty of breaking ethics violations, including bribery and corruption. FIFA said in June that an internal investigation revealed that the three officials had received 79 million Swiss francs ($81 million) in compensation over five years, calling them "massive payouts". FIFA's lawyers Quinn Emanuel, which conducted the investigation, said the evidence revealed a coordinated effort by the three to "enrich themselves through annual salary increases, World Cup bonuses and other incentives." Blatter, 80, who led FIFA from 1998 until 2015, has already been banned for eight years, later to reduced to six following an appeal. The ban was imposed for ethics violations related to a payment of 2 million Swiss francs that FIFA made to then European soccer boss Michel Platini with Blatter's approval in 2011 for work done a decade earlier. He has appealed to sport's highest tribunal, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and is awaiting a verdict. Valcke was fired in January and has since been banned for 12 years, reduced to 10 on appeal, for ethics violations which included using FIFA expenses for sightseeing trips and destruction of evidence. Kattner, who took over as acting secretary general after Valcke's dismissal, was fired by FIFA in May. ($1 = 0.9735 Swiss francs) (Reuters)

Blatter and two others facing FIFA investigation over salaries

<div style="text-align: justify;">An ambitious project to awaken a sleeping giant of Asian soccer looks like confirming Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen&#39;s famous remark that India pricks up its ears only when comparisons with China are made.<br />
<br />
With China embarked on a multi-billion dollar mission to become a soccer superpower by 2050, India looks set to follow suit with its own plan to raise its status in the game to match its burgeoning economic power.<br />
<br />
Come&nbsp;October, India,&nbsp;most famously described as soccer&#39;s sleeping giant by former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, will launch a programme to engage more than 11 million children in soccer-related activities.<br />
<br />
All India Football Federation (AIFF) officials will not share details of the FIFA-backed programme yet, but according to a government statement, &quot;Mission 11 Million&quot; will be launched in about 30 cities across the country.<br />
<br />
As in China, where the soccer revolution was inspired by President Xi Jinping, the desire to improve India&#39;s standing in the world game goes to the very top.<br />
<br />
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March lamented India&#39;s decline from one of Asia&#39;s top soccer nations in the 1960s to its current position at 163rd in the FIFA rankings, sandwiched between the Comoros and Tajikistan.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;&quot;Unfortunately, over the decades we have slipped to the lowest rungs,&quot; Modi said in his weekly radio talk.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;&quot;Today our ranking in FIFA is so low that I feel reluctant even to mention it.&quot;<br />
<br />
With India hosting the under-17 World Cup next year, states have been asked to promote football in a pattern similar to the trend across the border in China.<br />
<br />
The world&#39;s most populous nation plans to engage 30 million school children by 2020 as the first step towards achieving Xi&#39;s &quot;three wishes&quot; for China - to qualify for a second World Cup finals, to host a World Cup and to eventually win one.<br />
<br />
<strong>TARGETING DIASPORA</strong><br />
<br />
And while the AIFF are looking to engage as many of the country&#39;s 1.3 billion people as possible, they have also cast their net wider with a global scouting programme to identify talent in the Indian diaspora.<br />
<br />
&quot;The idea is to increase the talent pool,&quot; former India captain and head of the scouting programme Abhishek Yadav told Reuters.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;&quot;We can&#39;t guarantee that we can unearth 20 players overnight. It&#39;s an attempt, which we believe might work. There&#39;s no harm in trying.&quot;<br />
<br />
The programme encourages anyone under 16 with an Indian passport to post, on a soon-to-be-launched portal, a two-minute video from a competitive match.<br />
<br />
&quot;We wanted to give the message that if you&#39;re talented, location should not be a problem. All you need is a passport and potential,&quot; said the former forward, who played 67 matches for India between 2002-2011.<br />
<br />
Yadav and his team are now focusing on the Gulf States, where a large number of expatriates still hold Indian passports.<br />
<br />
&quot;Maybe we can then expand it to U.S. and Australia, where we have many Indian students as well as parents who recently migrated there. We will also look at South Africa and Germany.&quot;<br />
<br />
While this has added to the buzz in the country around the hosting of the under-17 World Cup, not everyone believes India is standing on the cusp of a soccer resurgence.<br />
<br />
&quot;The fundamental difference between the neighbours is that China woke up long ago and played in World Cup finals before veering slightly off-track,&quot; soccer writer Jaydeep Basu told Reuters.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;&quot;With state support, they are now trying to get back on track. In contrast, India, I&#39;m afraid, is still in deep slumber,&quot; added Basu, who has written an anecdotal history of Indian soccer.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;&quot;&#39;Mission 11 Million&#39; has a nice ring to it but with only 3,000-odd certified coaches around, who&#39;ll teach these kids to play soccer?&quot;<br />
<br />
&nbsp;As well as the lack of qualified coaches, Basu cites a fast-shrinking number of pitches - China plans to build 70,000 around the country by 2020 - and paucity of infrastructure as the major handicaps for Indian soccer.<br />
<br />
<strong>MESSY MERGER OF LEAGUES</strong><br />
<br />
The AIFF is also preoccupied with a messy merger of two Indian leagues, which jeopardises the future of several sides, including a couple of century-old clubs in Kolkata.<br />
<br />
The franchise-based India Super League (ISL), which is promoted by billionaire Mukesh Ambani&#39;s Reliance Industries and Rupert Murdoch&#39;s Star India TV, looks set to supplant the I-League.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;&quot;I&#39;m afraid the ISL franchises have no soccer pedigree and I doubt if they have any long-term commitment to the game either,&quot; Basu said.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;&quot;Who can guarantee they won&#39;t switch to another business if they suffer losses in ISL?&quot;<br />
<br />
&nbsp;There is, however, no denying the ISL&#39;s spectacular success in gaining a foothold in India&#39;s cricket-dominated sporting landscape since the 2014 launch of the league with celebrity owners.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;The ISL debuted as the fourth biggest soccer league with an average attendance lower only than Germany&#39;s Bundesliga, the English Premier League and Spain&#39;s La Liga.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;The government hopes next year&#39;s under-17 World Cup will further consolidate football&#39;s popularity in India, attracting kids who would otherwise be picking up bats and heading to the neighbourhood cricket academy.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;&quot;Our youth, the children in our schools, should be drenched in sweat just playing football,&quot; Modi said in his radio talk.<br />
<br />
&quot;If that happens, we shall have real fun playing the host. So, all of us should make the effort to ensure football reaches every village, street and alley.&quot;<br />
(Reuters)</div>


The country will launch a programme to engage more than 11 million children in activities related to the sport

An ambitious project to awaken a sleeping giant of Asian soccer looks like confirming Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen's famous remark that India pricks up its ears only when comparisons with China are made. With China embarked on a multi-billion dollar mission to become a soccer superpower by 2050, India looks set to follow suit with its own plan to raise its status in the game to match its burgeoning economic power. Come October, India, most famously described as soccer's sleeping giant by former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, will launch a programme to engage more than 11 million children in soccer-related activities. All India Football Federation (AIFF) officials will not share details of the FIFA-backed programme yet, but according to a government statement, "Mission 11 Million" will be launched in about 30 cities across the country. As in China, where the soccer revolution was inspired by President Xi Jinping, the desire to improve India's standing in the world game goes to the very top. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March lamented India's decline from one of Asia's top soccer nations in the 1960s to its current position at 163rd in the FIFA rankings, sandwiched between the Comoros and Tajikistan. "Unfortunately, over the decades we have slipped to the lowest rungs," Modi said in his weekly radio talk. "Today our ranking in FIFA is so low that I feel reluctant even to mention it." With India hosting the under-17 World Cup next year, states have been asked to promote football in a pattern similar to the trend across the border in China. The world's most populous nation plans to engage 30 million school children by 2020 as the first step towards achieving Xi's "three wishes" for China - to qualify for a second World Cup finals, to host a World Cup and to eventually win one. TARGETING DIASPORA And while the AIFF are looking to engage as many of the country's 1.3 billion people as possible, they have also cast their net wider with a global scouting programme to identify talent in the Indian diaspora. "The idea is to increase the talent pool," former India captain and head of the scouting programme Abhishek Yadav told Reuters. "We can't guarantee that we can unearth 20 players overnight. It's an attempt, which we believe might work. There's no harm in trying." The programme encourages anyone under 16 with an Indian passport to post, on a soon-to-be-launched portal, a two-minute video from a competitive match. "We wanted to give the message that if you're talented, location should not be a problem. All you need is a passport and potential," said the former forward, who played 67 matches for India between 2002-2011. Yadav and his team are now focusing on the Gulf States, where a large number of expatriates still hold Indian passports. "Maybe we can then expand it to U.S. and Australia, where we have many Indian students as well as parents who recently migrated there. We will also look at South Africa and Germany." While this has added to the buzz in the country around the hosting of the under-17 World Cup, not everyone believes India is standing on the cusp of a soccer resurgence. "The fundamental difference between the neighbours is that China woke up long ago and played in World Cup finals before veering slightly off-track," soccer writer Jaydeep Basu told Reuters. "With state support, they are now trying to get back on track. In contrast, India, I'm afraid, is still in deep slumber," added Basu, who has written an anecdotal history of Indian soccer. "'Mission 11 Million' has a nice ring to it but with only 3,000-odd certified coaches around, who'll teach these kids to play soccer?" As well as the lack of qualified coaches, Basu cites a fast-shrinking number of pitches - China plans to build 70,000 around the country by 2020 - and paucity of infrastructure as the major handicaps for Indian soccer. MESSY MERGER OF LEAGUES The AIFF is also preoccupied with a messy merger of two Indian leagues, which jeopardises the future of several sides, including a couple of century-old clubs in Kolkata. The franchise-based India Super League (ISL), which is promoted by billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries and Rupert Murdoch's Star India TV, looks set to supplant the I-League. "I'm afraid the ISL franchises have no soccer pedigree and I doubt if they have any long-term commitment to the game either," Basu said. "Who can guarantee they won't switch to another business if they suffer losses in ISL?" There is, however, no denying the ISL's spectacular success in gaining a foothold in India's cricket-dominated sporting landscape since the 2014 launch of the league with celebrity owners. The ISL debuted as the fourth biggest soccer league with an average attendance lower only than Germany's Bundesliga, the English Premier League and Spain's La Liga. The government hopes next year's under-17 World Cup will further consolidate football's popularity in India, attracting kids who would otherwise be picking up bats and heading to the neighbourhood cricket academy. "Our youth, the children in our schools, should be drenched in sweat just playing football," Modi said in his radio talk. "If that happens, we shall have real fun playing the host. So, all of us should make the effort to ensure football reaches every village, street and alley." (Reuters)

'Mission 11 Million' to kickoff as India follows China's lead

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