Fifa has been forced to U-turn on plans to sell off a slice of the World Cup after fierce opposition, with threats of future boycotts and calls for the governing body's president, Gianni Infantino, to quit.
But why were a group of tech investors interested in the World Cup in the first place, and are similar proposals in the future inevitable?
In a world in which AI could upend human recreation and pastimes, executives at Thrive Eternal, a spin-off of venture capital firm Thrive Capital, saw an opportunity to lead a group of investors to place cash in the biggest sporting competition on the planet.
The football World Cup was seen as the latest in a new strategy from the firm, which believes that sport will not only survive the AI revolution, but grow in value.
Run by Joshua Kushner, the brother of US Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared, Thrive mainly invests in technology companies developing artificial intelligence (AI) and it has been a major financial backer of OpenAI.

#capital

European soccer's governing body says it delivered payments to a woman who British newspaper The Telegraph alleges was involved in an extra-marital relationship with Gianni Infantino.
Infantino is now the president of FIFA, global soccer's governing body, but the relationship allegedly took place while the Swiss administrator served as UEFA's general secretary between October 2009 and February 2016.
The newspaper reported Infantino promoted the woman while they were carrying on their relationship, with the woman given a six-figure payment and also seeing her MBA study covered by UEFA. The governing body says its records indicate a payment was made and the course was covered but says that was in line with the organization's regulations at the time of the incident.
"We are aware of the allegations and can confirm a departure payment was made to the individual in question, coupled with the payment of fees for an MBA course at a local business school," UEFA said in a statement shared with USA TODAY Sports. The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time.
"Such regulations have been tightened since 2016 and the current staff regulations – which apply to all Uefa employees at whatever level – reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation."

#infantino

Following an ACL injury sustained by TE Princeton Fant during training camp on Monday, the Dallas Cowboys have claimed former 2023 7th-round pick Zack Kuntz, who was recently let go by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kuntz, drafted by the New York Jets out of Old Dominion, has spent three seasons in the NFL. He was on the Jets' practice squad in 2023 and 2024, and signed a future contract with the Miami Dolphins in 2026, but was released in early May. He then joined the Raiders on July 31, only to be released a few days later. To date, Kuntz has not recorded a catch in the regular season, but here's a scouting report of what he brings to the table as the coaches try to elicit better results than other teams have realized.
Height: 6-foot-7 3/8"
Weight: 255 pounds
Arm Length: 34"

#released #princeton #fant

The Daily Merengue is a place where you can feel free to discuss all things football. Do not be alarmed by the overt RMCF bias. It's in the name! Shoutout to the mods who do a fantastic job, Ezek, Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, Juninho, NeRObutBlanco and yours truly, Kung_Fu_Zizou
Mourinho continues to face the same struggles that plague every Real Madrid manager. How to find a balance with limited influence in squad construction. Mourinho has received most of what he asked for but as the opening game of the season nears, it is what he did not get that gets magnified and scrutinised. The coach seemingly wanted an entirely new back 4 and has brought in 3 defenders already. He wanted two midfielders and has been forced to settle the one who does not solve the fundamental midfield problem. In attack he has been able to balance the left-leaning dynamic with the addition of a Diamond on the Right. He also recruited a number 9 with the characteristics of a penalty-box striker to give himself more variation in attack. What lingers though, are questions about a CF who is not a natural CF, continuing as the starting CF along with a lack of cohesion in defensive application on the LW, compounded by an inability to press and have any genuine control on or off the ball in midfield. Where Mourinho cannot resolve these issues with personnel changes, he will need to rigid structure to compensate.
The La Fabrica graduate showed a lot of ability last season. He did not walk into a great team but one that was struggling on and off the ball. He ran tirelessly and constantly tried to play with composure, an admirable feature of his game. Thiago's simplicity on the ball was further highlighted by the typical haphazard play of the established midfielders who simply cannot tolerate or comprehend that a game cannot be played at a single pace or simply the pace that suits the opposition.
"Frat brother, real brother, that brother. We just upped the score, give me dap, brother."

#game #cannot #season #wanted

UEFA has confirmed a "departure payment" was made to a female employee who is alleged to have been in a relationship with Gianni Infantino while he was the organization's general secretary.
The Daily Telegraph reported on Friday night that the woman received a six-figure sum following the alleged relationship with current FIFA president Infantino.
In a statement, UEFA confirmed a payment was made along with covering the fees for an MBA course, which it said was "in line" with regulations at the time.
The report comes as pressure mounts on Infantino following his plan to seek private investment in a company which would run FIFA's competitions, including the men's and women's World Cups.
Infantino worked at UEFA for 16 years and was its general secretary from 2009 before being elected as FIFA president in February 2016.

#made

Fifa has been forced to U-turn on plans to sell off a slice of the World Cup after fierce opposition, with threats of future boycotts and calls for the governing body's president, Gianni Infantino, to quit.
But why were a group of tech investors interested in the World Cup in the first place, and are similar proposals in the future inevitable?
In a world in which AI could upend human recreation and pastimes, executives at Thrive Eternal, a spin-off of venture capital firm Thrive Capital, saw an opportunity to lead a group of investors to place cash in the biggest sporting competition on the planet.
The football World Cup was seen as the latest in a new strategy from firm, which believes that sport will not only survive the AI revolution, but grow in value.
Run by Joshua Kushner, the brother of US Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared, Thrive mainly invests in technology companies developing artificial intelligence (AI) and it has been a major financial backer of Open AI.

#place #firm #gianni

It's fair to wonder if the Chicago Bears can really have another top offensive line until we see how the new center and left tackle gel with the three returning starters. But that's not stopping some publications from picking them as a top ten unit heading into the 2026 season.
Sharp Football ******* ysis has them ranked sixth, and FTN Fantasy ranks them sixth as well, saying, "If Chicago can get average play at left tackle and center, they can become a top three offensive line again. If not, this unit may need even more magic from Caleb Williams."
Pro Fooball Network has them ranked second, ESPN projects the Bears as the third-best offensive line, while Fantasy Pros has them fifth, saying, "While the left tackle spot could be an open competition between three players, Darnell Wright at right tackle and Thuney at left guard make this offensive line a top-five unit."
Head coach Ben Johnson seems locked in with Garrett Bradbury as his starting center, but when asked on Thursday morning if the play of Braxton Jones, who has taken the bulk of the left tackle reps, has hm ready to name a starter, he said this.
"We we're hoping maybe middle of next week we'll have a lot of clarity there. We're going to continue to roll guys through. You know, Kiran's [Amegadjie] certainly taking some reps over there, Jedric [Wills Jr.], Theo's [Benedet] in the mix. This is not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination."

#bears

Spain's defensive record in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup was simply unbelievable as they kept seven clean sheets and just conceded one goal in the entire competition.
Barcelona's young Pau Cubarsi was one of the mainstays in that resilient defence, and did exceedingly well as a teenager to keep his cool and perform under the highest of pressure.
Eventually, he was even rewarded for his exploits and named the best young player of the World Cup.
Now, FIFA president Gianni Infantino took to his official Instagram account to appreciate the Barcelona defender and put his numbers into perspective.
"At only 19 years old, Pau Cubarsí had an extraordinary participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026 with the Spanish national team, becoming the first defender to win the FIFA Young Player Award!," he began.

#World #defender #eventually

The Atlanta Braves' eight-game win streak came to an end on Friday after a 3-2 loss to the New York Yankees. Tyler Mahle, acquired just ahead of the trade deadline, made his Braves debut and was fantastic. In six scoreless innings, he allowed three hits, walked two, and struck out nine.
Though a terrific start from Mahle, the Braves' bats were quiet and the bullpen was unable to hang on, ultimately leading to the loss in extra innings.
The Braves aim to even things up this afternoon behind Chris Sale.
Cam Caminiti made his Double-A debut on Thursday and threw 5.1 innings. More in the minor league recap.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Braves were in on Jacob deGrom.

#innings #atlanta #york #yankees

A rare woman in the top echelons of football, the head of Norway's federation Lise Klaveness has been a thorn in FIFA's side for years.
Now, some would gladly see her take over the leadership of football's international governing body from Gianni Infantino.
The 45-year-old lawyer and former footballer who played 73 matches for Norway has been highly vocal about international football's woes under Infantino.
The Swiss-Italian has been mired in controversy since his plan to open FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors was swiftly rejected last week.
On Friday she called for him to resign.

#international #lise #gianni #fifa

UEFA has confirmed a "departure payment" was made to a female employee who is alleged to have been in a relationship with Gianni Infantino while he was the organization's general secretary.
The Daily Telegraph reported on Friday night that the woman received a six-figure sum following the alleged relationship with current FIFA president Infantino.
In a statement, UEFA confirmed a payment was made along with covering the fees for an MBA course, which it said was "in line" with regulations at the time.
The report comes as pressure mounts on Infantino following his plan to seek private investment in a company which would run FIFA's competitions, including the men's and women's World Cups.
Infantino worked at UEFA for 16 years and was its general secretary from 2009 before being elected as FIFA president in February 2016.

#infantino #alleged #general #secretary

German Minister of State for Culture, Wolfram Weimer, has become the first member of the federal government to call for the resignation of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
"Infantino has seriously damaged world football with his planned sell-off of the World Cup," he told dpa on Saturday.
"He has lost the trust of the European football community and should not stand for re-election next year."
Infantino has been under fire since he unveiled plans worth billions to sell World Cup rights to private investors last week. Following major protests, including UEFA's threat of a World Cup boycott, the FIFA boss withdrew the proposal.
Other FAs and confederations also rejected the plans and Jordan FA president, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, said on Tuesday that they had been blackmailed when being told by FIFA they would only receive money owed to them if he voted for Intantino at next year's election.

#told #next

Italy's front pages on Saturday are given over to a trio of big exclusive interviews, with Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Cesc Fabregas and Weston McKennie all taking centre stage, set against the "Derby d'Italia" friendly between Juventus and Inter in Perth.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Çalhanoğlu has firmly committed his future to Inter. "I want only Inter," runs the headline, with the Turkey midfielder dismissing links to his homeland, "Forget Turkey, I'm staying here", and declaring the Nerazzurri can go all the way in the Champions League, while awaiting the club's call over a new contract. His stance follows the collapse of Galatasaray's long-running interest.
Corriere dello Sport, meanwhile, leads on Cesc Fabregas, who hails Inter as the benchmark of Serie A.
"The peak is Inter," the Como coach declares, praising Lautaro Martínez as the league's finest, "I'd buy him in Fantasy football", and likening his own Nico Paz to Kaká, as he sets out the "Como model" and his Champions League ambitions.
Tuttosport gives its front page to Weston McKennie, under the headline "Juve forever."

#cesc #weston #turkey #como

The media refuse to let FIFA president Gianni Infantino rest at the minute. He's now having to address reports of payments made during his time with UEFA from the organization to an alleged former lover.
Gianni Infantino's name has remained in the headlines even after the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an end. The leaked plans to sell stakes in their biggest competitions to private investors created a lot of noise.
While the organisation is reportedly going to roll back the plan, the damage to Infantino has already been done. He is up for re-election as FIFA president in 2027, and has been rapidly losing support.
Things are now going from bad to worse for the Swiss executive. Reports are emerging related to his personal life from his time with UEFA, and it has become another fire for him to put out.
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images

#fifa #infantino #president

Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson has admitted the club did not want to sell Bruno Guimaraes to **** nal.
Guimaraes is set to complete his transfer to **** nal this weekend after undergoing a medical in North London. **** nal haveagreed a £75m fee to sign the Newcastle captain, who informed the Magpies of his wish to leave this summer.
The 28-year-old is set to become the latest high-profile name to leave Newcastle this summer, following the sales ofAnthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, and the exit of head coach Eddie Howe.
Speaking to the media at Newcastle's pre-season training camp in Spain, Wilson said the club have reluctantly sanctioned the sale of Guimaraes. He said the player's desire to leave, and a world-record fee for his age profile, persuaded the club to do business.
Wilson added that Newcastle now must adapt to a departure that was not part of the club's summer strategy.

#newcastle #wilson #club #profile

Gianni Infantino's time at UEFA is under scrutiny after new allegations that the football body paid a six-figure settlement to a former employee who was involved in a relationship with the now FIFA president.
According to an investigation by The Telegraph, the woman was allegedly promoted while the relationship was ongoing before leaving UEFA with a substantial payment.
The report claims UEFA also funded an MBA for the former employee at a business school, with annual fees said to have been around £45,000.
UEFA has confirmed that a payment was made, along with funding for the MBA, although they insist both were permitted under the regulations governing staff departures at the time.
The organisation said those rules have since been tightened, with its current regulations designed to reflect the standards expected of a modern, high-profile organisation.

#time #gianni #fifa

"I hated it," Matthew Pearson recalls of his time playing rugby as a schoolboy. "It was very cliquey and I was always the last person to be picked."
But now, on a warm Wednesday evening, the 40-year-old from King's Lynn, Norfolk, is at a training session with East Anglia's newest gay and inclusive rugby team.
Pearson drives just over an hour every week to take part in the sessions with the Cambridge Yales, which launched in June and is regularly attracting about 40 players from across Cambridgeshire and the East of England.
When taking a break from training at Cambridge Rugby Club, Pearson admits he knew little about the sport before his first session.
"I'm very much learning and I'm definitely enjoying it. The coaches have been fantastic," he says.

#pearson #Rugby #norfolk

Dairy group Hochdorf is setting up a venture with infant-formula business Pharmalys Laboratories.
In a statement, the Swiss companies said they want to "accelerate" the growth of their businesses in the infant-formula sector.
Hochdorf Swiss Nutrition develops formula and baby food under brands including Bimbosan and private-label contracts.
Pharmalys, meanwhile, specialises in infant formula and has a stable of brands including Primalac, Nutrimilk and Swisslac.
There was once a shareholding relationship between the two businesses.

#dairy

One of the most important tenets of building out a roster is to know the store you're shopping at. NFL clubs need to nail their draft picks, guess right on scheme fits in big-money free agency and trade the right amount of capital when swinging deals. One of the unsung parts of talent acquisition though is knowing which aisles to walk down when looking for those red dot specials.
Most folks wouldn't consider the Las Vegas Raiders a factory for talent. Grabbing cast offs from there is often a fruitless exercise, and that can be viewed with the recen release of DE Charles Snowden, who was suspended for thiree games to start the season before training camp began. The team has since released him. But the Raiders do have one area of their team worth paying attention to; the tight end position. On Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys grabbed a former member of that group to augment their own summer trials, claiming Zack Kuntz off of waivers.
Now make no mistake, Kuntz is an extreme long shot to latch on with Dallas. But the circumstances of moving Princeton Fant to IR after he tore his ACL, opened up a spot at the back end of the positional depth chart while the team works in Oxnard, CA.
And if a team is going to claim a released tight end, getting one from a team that employs one of the best TEs in football in Brock Bowers, plus former second-round pick Michael Mayer.
Kuntz isn't that, but replacing TE4 or TE5 on the depth chart with a player from a club that has a pretty good track record of picking the position makes a ton of sense.

#kuntz #released

Through its social media channels, the AFA issued a statement backing Gianni Infantino's leadership during his 10 years at the helm of FIFA.
"On behalf of the Argentine Football ***** ociation (AFA), and its Executive Committee, we address you, dear President, and through you the FIFA leadership, to express our support for the work carried out over the past 10 years, whose main pillars have been the development of football worldwide and institutional strength based on a clear, stable, and transparent governance model," they said.
At the same time, the AFA acknowledged the decision to withdraw "a project that generated more uncertainty than certainty," referring to FIFA Forward Enterprise, and highlighted the "acceptance of the mistakes made in that process."
"Prioritizing governance standards is a fundamental pillar for strengthening good relations between FIFA, its member ***** ociations, and the confederations."
The AFA also highlighted Infantino's leadership and transparent governance model for a profound transformation of FIFA "that opened the doors of the organization to all member ***** ociations and confederations, so that through frank and direct dialogue, all of us together can continue promoting football at all its levels and disciplines."

#fifa #Football #leadership

The Mexican Federation of Football is standing with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The organization released a statement on Thursday, August 6 expressing their support for Infantino amid controversy surrounding a plan to sell a minority stake in FIFA to private investors.
"The FMF supports President Infantino's leadership in continuing to drive the development of football through institutional strengthening," the statement said in Spanish.
The statement started by saying that football is of "fundamental value" and "the best defense lies in the institutional integrity and respect of the governance and the processes that they protect."
Earlier on Thursday, the Confederation of African Football's Executive Committee unanimously confirmed its support for Infantino.

#Football #support #institutional #mexican

Midstream stocks, or shares in companies that own energy **** ets like oil and gas pipelines and storage facilities, are an unglamorous yet highly profitable niche within the energy sector. Operating as a "toll road" type business, generating fixed fees largely unaffected by volatile fossil fuel prices, these companies can quietly mint profit during boom times and bust times in the oil sector.
This can create fantastic compounding potential for investors more concerned with capital growth. This holds especially true for owners of the following three pipeline stocks: Enbridge (NYSE: ENB), Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD), and MPLX (NYSE: MPLX).
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Enbridge is a diversified energy and utility infrastructure company. In addition to owning over 18,000 miles of pipeline across the U.S. and Canada, Enbridge operates a gas utilities company serving over 7 million customers. The company has also invested extensively in renewable energy infrastructure.
Diversification notwithstanding, it's Enbridge's midstream **** ets that make it a steady cash generator, enabling it to consistently raise its dividend over time. While the company's dividend growth streak currently stands at just three years, its quarterly payouts have grown by an average of 7.3% annually over the past decade.

#energy #NYSE #NVIDIA #company

Tosin Adarabioyo has labelled his Chelsea colleague Mykhailo Mudryk a "freak," and the center-back confessed he isn't remotely shocked his teammate has preserved his physical conditioning throughout the past 20 months.
Mudryk returned to action for the Blues on Wednesday for the first time since November 2024, coming off the bench during the closing stages of the 1-0 loss to Juventus at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium. The FA announced last week that Mudryk's anti-doping disciplinary case had been resolved.
Manager Xabi Alonso informed Mudryk before kickoff that he intended to deploy him for the final 10-15 minutes. While all Chelsea players on the field had been introduced as substitutes at various points in the second period, Nicolas Jackson agreed beforehand to give up his spot to allow Mudryk's entrance, as per football.london.
Donald Trump sparks outrage with Harry Kane World Cup comments
Donald Trump addresses Gianni Infantino's World Cup sale plans, amidst Kushner links

#donald

U.S. Men's National Team head coach made it perfectly clear after signing a new four-year deal to remain in the role that he intends to inject some fresh talent into his side in the near future.
Speaking after putting pen to paper on his fresh contract, the Argentine said, "We are seeing that start to appear new talented players, 16, 17, 18, 19-year-olds, young kids with the possibility and potential to be important players in the next World Cup, and I think what we are seeing is an amazing potential."
Among those is likely 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund winger Mathis Albert. The former LA Galaxy academy starlet became the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga in April when he came on as a substitute at just 16 years and 340 days old against SC Freiburg.
Donald Trump sparks outrage with Harry Kane World Cup comments
Donald Trump addresses Gianni Infantino's World Cup sale plans, amidst Kushner links

#year #players

Like many who play the Fantasy Premier League game, I'm sure you've already put together various drafts and will continue to do so right up until August 21st.
So don't take this squad as confirmation that it will be the one I start the season with, but I thought I would invite readers to join the Just ******* nal league.
Click on the link below to take part and read the rules:
https://fantasy.premierlea...
As things stand, here's who's pencilled in to play for AFC Destiny…

#take #premier

PHILADELPHIA -- All good things must come to an end. Jaylen Brown spent 10 fantastic and successful seasons with the Boston Celtics averaging 20.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.9 ******* ists after the Celtics third overall in 2016.
Brown, alongside 2017 No. 3 overall pick Jayson Tatum, led Boston to a championship in 2024 as they defeated the Dallas Mavericks 4-1. In the end, finals MVP ended up going to Brown as he was able to do just enough to come up with the honors after such a terrific series.
After Brown was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, there have been questions regarding their relationship. Maybe Brown was tired of being in Tatum's shadow. Maybe Tatum felt slighted about Brown winning final MVP. Maybe there was some jealousy between the two of them. ******* ody truly knows, but the 5-time All-Star was asked about his relationship with Tatum on Thursday as he was introduced to the Philadelphia media.
"We won a championship together," said Brown regarding Tatum. "So, anybody that you win a championship, you'd think like that's what a brotherhood or a lifelong legacy would entail. Obviously, there's ups and downs in any type of relationship for sure, but on my end, it's nothing but respect. Obviously, except when he plays the Sixers, I hope he does well. Other than that, everything for me is just based in respect."
When asked if he and Tatum have talked, Brown responded with: "Not really."

#tatum #philadelphia #come

One position at Manchester City that did seem uncertain was the goalkeeping position. The safe bet when the 2025-26 season ended was that Gianluigi Donnarumma would remain City's first-choice keeper under Enzo Maresca. The question was whether James Trafford would depart City and how he would be replaced if he did leave the club as expected. That answer has arrived with James Trafford completing a permanent move to Leeds United and Marseille keeper Gerónimo Rulli coming in to be Manchester City's backup goalkeeper.
Manchester City have announced today that James Trafford has signed for Leeds United. Trafford returned to City last summer when he completed a permanent move to the Etihad from Burnley. At the time, it did seem like Trafford would go on to become Manchester City's number-one goalkeeper after learning from Ederson. However, Ederson would leave City to sign for Fenerbahce and Manchester City would sign Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG. Donnarumma's arrival meant that Trafford became Manchester City's backup and cup goalkeeper.
James Trafford did play a key role in Manchester City's FA Cup and Carabao Cup success last season. He started both finals and his triple-save against **** nal in the Carabao Cup final was pivotal to Manchester City's victory over **** nal at Wembley. Trafford's form throughout City's FA Cup run was also a key component of Manchester City's FA Cup triumph last season.
Speaking with mancity.com after his transfer to Leeds United was confirmed, James Trafford looked back on his two spells at Manchester City fondly. However, he did state that he had his own personal ambitions need to be fulfilled, hence the move to Leeds United. Speaking after signing for Leeds United, Trafford said: "Manchester City will always mean a lot to me. My two spells here were both really positive. To come through the Academy, learn the City way of playing football and spend time with so many top coaches and young players gave me a fantastic platform to have a career in the game."
"And to then come back and win two trophies felt really special. I have dreams and ambitions in the game to achieve, but I will always think of City with affection."

#city #james #season #move

For now, beleaguered Fifa president Gianni Infantino still has some allies in world football, particularly in parts of the world where less well-off football ****** ociations have benefited from his presidency.
Infantino's position has been under scrutiny since his controversial plan to sell stakes in Fifa's global competitions to private investors was scrapped having been opposed by some regional governing bodies.
Late on Thursday, the executive committee of the African confederation (Caf) unanimously confirmed its support for Infantino, after leading African football administrators sent messages backing him.
Five of the seven African countries on the Fifa Council - Egypt, Morocco, Niger, Mauritania and Comoros - have already supported him publicly.
Support from the continent largely stems from Fifa's Forward programme, a funding scheme Infantino introduced in 2016 that many African federations have become increasingly reliant on to fund football projects in areas where commercial and government investment in the sport is limited.

#african #World #five

Gianni Infantino's nightmare has just gotten worse, with his and FIFA's apology for their proposed stake sale in the World Cup, among other ******* ets, not proving enough for players worldwide.
The FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) quickly drew the ire of governing soccer bodies worldwide, with UEFA the most outspoken in its anger at the plan, while both CONCACAF and the AFC also denounced it.
As such, FIFA President Infantino was relatively quick to act as his support collapsed from under him like quicksand less than a year out from another election. The plans were pulled and, following a crisis meeting on Wednesday, an apology was made public.
Infantino and FIFA published an apology letter on Wednesday -Credit:Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images
But by this point, the damage was already done, with one of his ******* istants having resigned in protest against the plan, fellow FIFA colleague ******* ne Wenger having spoken out against the plans, and soccer icon Luis Figo penning a strongly worded letter calling for change.

#worldwide #plans #letter

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — FIFA president Gianni Infantino held off the potential of an internal revolt during a summit meeting in Morocco this week. A scathing response from European soccer's governing body on Thursday, however, showed that he still has a fight on his hands to hold onto power.
UEFA blasted Infantino and his organization again over his failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, declaring it wants ***** urances that "attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again."
The reaction revealed the depths of animosity toward Infantino as he attempts to run for re-election next year while trying to quell outrage over the equity plan. FIFA issued an apology on Wednesday over the plan, and senior staff members at a crisis meeting in Rabat "reaffirmed their full support" for his presidency.
The UEFA response shows how the apology will not be enough to satisfy his fiercest detractors, who want a change at the top of FIFA.
That process will play out in the coming months with a vote in March among the 211 national member federations. Each nation gets a vote, and he needs a simple majority to retain his presidency.

#uefa