9 hours ago
Luis Figo has implored Gianni Infantino to resign as pressure mounts on the much-criticised Fifa president following his foiled attempts to sell stakes in the World Cup.
Infantino was forced to abandon his plans – namely to sell stakes in the World Cup and other Fifa tournaments to private investors – after public uproar last week, with Uefa confirming a boycott of Fifa events if the plan was voted through.
On Tuesday, Jordan FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein accused Infantino of "blackmail" and, under immense pressure, the Fifa boss has called a meeting with senior leaders of world football's governing body on Wednesday.
Real Madrid and Portugal legend Figo, who stood to be Fifa president in 2015 before withdrawing prior to the election won by Sepp Blatter (who made way for Infantino a year later), has now branded the various actions of Infantino as the "lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed" in a stinging column for the Daily Mail.
Figo, who works as an adviser for Uefa, said: "I could write 10,000 words on the problems at Fifa. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go.
#pressure
Infantino was forced to abandon his plans – namely to sell stakes in the World Cup and other Fifa tournaments to private investors – after public uproar last week, with Uefa confirming a boycott of Fifa events if the plan was voted through.
On Tuesday, Jordan FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein accused Infantino of "blackmail" and, under immense pressure, the Fifa boss has called a meeting with senior leaders of world football's governing body on Wednesday.
Real Madrid and Portugal legend Figo, who stood to be Fifa president in 2015 before withdrawing prior to the election won by Sepp Blatter (who made way for Infantino a year later), has now branded the various actions of Infantino as the "lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed" in a stinging column for the Daily Mail.
Figo, who works as an adviser for Uefa, said: "I could write 10,000 words on the problems at Fifa. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go.
#pressure
9 hours ago
Embattled Fifa president Gianni Infantino has apologised for "mistakes" over his controversial World Cup sell-off plan but senior leaders at world football's governing body have "reaffirm[ed] their full support" for him after a crisis meeting on Wednesday.
Infantino was forced to abandon his plans – namely to sell stakes in the World Cup and other Fifa tournaments to private investors – after public uproar last week, with Uefa confirming a boycott of Fifa events if the plan was voted through.
On Tuesday, Jordan FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein accused Infantino of "blackmail" and, under immense pressure, with his job seemingly on the line, the Swiss-Italian called an emergency meeting with the Fifa management board in Morocco.
Gianni Infantino has retained the support of Fifa (PA Wire)
A letter released by Fifa on Wednesday evening was signed by both Infantino and Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, even though the latter is understood to have written an email to staff on Tuesday in which he described Infantino's proposal as "sad and reproachable".
#infantino
Infantino was forced to abandon his plans – namely to sell stakes in the World Cup and other Fifa tournaments to private investors – after public uproar last week, with Uefa confirming a boycott of Fifa events if the plan was voted through.
On Tuesday, Jordan FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein accused Infantino of "blackmail" and, under immense pressure, with his job seemingly on the line, the Swiss-Italian called an emergency meeting with the Fifa management board in Morocco.
Gianni Infantino has retained the support of Fifa (PA Wire)
A letter released by Fifa on Wednesday evening was signed by both Infantino and Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, even though the latter is understood to have written an email to staff on Tuesday in which he described Infantino's proposal as "sad and reproachable".
#infantino
18 hours ago
Embattled Fifa president Gianni Infantino has apologised for "mistakes" over his controversial World Cup sell-off plan but senior leaders at world football's governing body have "reaffirm[ed] their full support" for him after a crisis meeting on Wednesday.
Infantino was forced to abandon his plans – namely to sell stakes in the World Cup and other Fifa tournaments to private investors – after public uproar last week, with Uefa confirming a boycott of Fifa events if the plan was voted through.
On Tuesday, Jordan FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein accused Infantino of "blackmail" and, under immense pressure, with his job seemingly on the line, the Swiss-Italian called an emergency meeting with the Fifa management board in Morocco.
Gianni Infantino has retained the support of Fifa (PA Wire)
A letter released by Fifa on Wednesday evening was signed by both Infantino and Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, even though the latter is understood to have written an email to staff on Tuesday in which he described Infantino's proposal as "sad and reproachable".
#infantino #World
Infantino was forced to abandon his plans – namely to sell stakes in the World Cup and other Fifa tournaments to private investors – after public uproar last week, with Uefa confirming a boycott of Fifa events if the plan was voted through.
On Tuesday, Jordan FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein accused Infantino of "blackmail" and, under immense pressure, with his job seemingly on the line, the Swiss-Italian called an emergency meeting with the Fifa management board in Morocco.
Gianni Infantino has retained the support of Fifa (PA Wire)
A letter released by Fifa on Wednesday evening was signed by both Infantino and Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, even though the latter is understood to have written an email to staff on Tuesday in which he described Infantino's proposal as "sad and reproachable".
#infantino #World
1 day ago
Luis Figo has implored Gianni Infantino to resign as pressure mounts on the much-criticised Fifa president following his foiled attempts to sell stakes in the World Cup.
Infantino was forced to abandon his plans – namely to sell stakes in the World Cup and other Fifa tournaments to private investors – after public uproar last week, with Uefa confirming a boycott of Fifa events if the plan was voted through.
On Tuesday, Jordan FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein accused Infantino of "blackmail" and, under immense pressure, the Fifa boss has called a meeting with senior leaders of world football's governing body on Wednesday.
Real Madrid and Portugal legend Figo, who stood to be Fifa president in 2015 before withdrawing prior to the election won by Sepp Blatter (who made way for Infantino a year later), has now branded the various actions of Infantino as the "lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed" in a stinging column for the Daily Mail.
Figo, who works as an adviser for Uefa, said: "I could write 10,000 words on the problems at Fifa. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go.
#figo #World #pressure #stakes
Infantino was forced to abandon his plans – namely to sell stakes in the World Cup and other Fifa tournaments to private investors – after public uproar last week, with Uefa confirming a boycott of Fifa events if the plan was voted through.
On Tuesday, Jordan FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein accused Infantino of "blackmail" and, under immense pressure, the Fifa boss has called a meeting with senior leaders of world football's governing body on Wednesday.
Real Madrid and Portugal legend Figo, who stood to be Fifa president in 2015 before withdrawing prior to the election won by Sepp Blatter (who made way for Infantino a year later), has now branded the various actions of Infantino as the "lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed" in a stinging column for the Daily Mail.
Figo, who works as an adviser for Uefa, said: "I could write 10,000 words on the problems at Fifa. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go.
#figo #World #pressure #stakes
1 day ago
Jordan FA President, Prince Ali Al Hussein, has issued a scathing statement against FIFA President Gianni Infantino by openly making blackmail allegations against him.
Jordan made their first-ever World Cup appearance in 2026, but the country's joy has been shrouded in the FIFA controversies that have emerged in the aftermath of the tournament.
As national FAs are publicly withdrawing support from FIFA President Gianni Infantino after the failed FFE privatisation plan, Jordan's FA is making a much bigger allegation.
In a lengthy post on X, Prince Hussein pointed out the issues faced by Jordan fans with visas to attend the tournament, the severe taxes they need to pay in their host United States venue, and that they're yet to receive the payout from winning the FIFA Arab Cup in December 2025.
Hussein ended by revealing he was told that publicly supporting Infantino would remedy these issues over the last few months, stating that he considers that blackmail.
#fifa #hussein #infantino #gianni
Jordan made their first-ever World Cup appearance in 2026, but the country's joy has been shrouded in the FIFA controversies that have emerged in the aftermath of the tournament.
As national FAs are publicly withdrawing support from FIFA President Gianni Infantino after the failed FFE privatisation plan, Jordan's FA is making a much bigger allegation.
In a lengthy post on X, Prince Hussein pointed out the issues faced by Jordan fans with visas to attend the tournament, the severe taxes they need to pay in their host United States venue, and that they're yet to receive the payout from winning the FIFA Arab Cup in December 2025.
Hussein ended by revealing he was told that publicly supporting Infantino would remedy these issues over the last few months, stating that he considers that blackmail.
#fifa #hussein #infantino #gianni
1 day ago
Jordan FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein has launched a scathing attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of blackmail.
The extraordinary allegations come as pressure mounts on Infantino following the collapse of his controversial plan to sell a £3.1 billion stake in FIFA's competitions.
The proposal was abandoned after fierce opposition from within the organisation, triggering fresh questions over his future.
UEFA and CONCACAF have already called for Infantino to step aside, with Europe's governing body publicly expressing no confidence in the Swiss official.
Jordan has now become the first Asian football ******* ociation to openly join the revolt, taking the number of nations opposing Infantino to 91 if all UEFA and CONCACAF members align with their confederations.
#prince
The extraordinary allegations come as pressure mounts on Infantino following the collapse of his controversial plan to sell a £3.1 billion stake in FIFA's competitions.
The proposal was abandoned after fierce opposition from within the organisation, triggering fresh questions over his future.
UEFA and CONCACAF have already called for Infantino to step aside, with Europe's governing body publicly expressing no confidence in the Swiss official.
Jordan has now become the first Asian football ******* ociation to openly join the revolt, taking the number of nations opposing Infantino to 91 if all UEFA and CONCACAF members align with their confederations.
#prince
13 days ago
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is just over 24 hours away from the upcoming UFC Abu Dhabi mixed martial arts (MMA) event, which is set to go down this Sat. (July 25, 2026) on Paramount+ from inside Etihad Arena on "Fight Island" in Abu Dhabi, UAE. UFC Abu Dhabi will be headlined by a Light Heavyweight clash between former champion Magomed Ankalev and rising contender Bogdan Guskov.
Before the Paramount+ card gets underway this weekend in Abu Dhabi, which also includes a Flyweight showdown between former 125-pound ****** le challenger Steve Erceg and Ramazan Temirov, all 26 fighters must hit the scale to prove themselves worthy.
Complete UFC Abu Dhabi weigh-ins text results beginning at 1 a.m. ET below:
205 lbs.: Magomed Ankalaev () vs. Bogdan Guskov ()
125 lbs.: Steve Erceg () vs. Ramazan Temirov ()
265 lbs.: Rizvan Kuniev () vs. Tyrell Fortune ()
170 lbs.: Islam Dulatov () vs. Wellington Turman ()
155 lbs.: Magomed Zaynukov () vs. Damian Rzepecki ()
170 lbs.: Saygid Izagakhmaev () vs. Abubakar Vagaev ()
265 lbs.: Valter Walker () vs. Thomas Petersen ()
155 lbs.: Ismael Bonfim () vs. Axel Sola ()
205 lbs.: Brendson Ribeiro () vs. Magomed Tuchalov ()
155 lbs.: Nurullo Aliev () vs. Mike Davis ()
170 lbs.: Santiago Ponzinibbio () vs. Sam Patterson ()
205 lbs.: Dustin Jacoby () vs. Muhammad Said ()
135 lbs.: Abdul Hussein () vs. Cody Gibson ()
#guskov
Before the Paramount+ card gets underway this weekend in Abu Dhabi, which also includes a Flyweight showdown between former 125-pound ****** le challenger Steve Erceg and Ramazan Temirov, all 26 fighters must hit the scale to prove themselves worthy.
Complete UFC Abu Dhabi weigh-ins text results beginning at 1 a.m. ET below:
205 lbs.: Magomed Ankalaev () vs. Bogdan Guskov ()
125 lbs.: Steve Erceg () vs. Ramazan Temirov ()
265 lbs.: Rizvan Kuniev () vs. Tyrell Fortune ()
170 lbs.: Islam Dulatov () vs. Wellington Turman ()
155 lbs.: Magomed Zaynukov () vs. Damian Rzepecki ()
170 lbs.: Saygid Izagakhmaev () vs. Abubakar Vagaev ()
265 lbs.: Valter Walker () vs. Thomas Petersen ()
155 lbs.: Ismael Bonfim () vs. Axel Sola ()
205 lbs.: Brendson Ribeiro () vs. Magomed Tuchalov ()
155 lbs.: Nurullo Aliev () vs. Mike Davis ()
170 lbs.: Santiago Ponzinibbio () vs. Sam Patterson ()
205 lbs.: Dustin Jacoby () vs. Muhammad Said ()
135 lbs.: Abdul Hussein () vs. Cody Gibson ()
#guskov
1 month ago
President Donald Trump suggested during Friday's episode of "Storytime with the Second Lady" podcast that former presidents should have a reunion with him at the White House to watch football.
As Trump flipped to a page showing a president hosting a live viewing of the Super Bowl at the White House, he told second lady Usha Vance that it gave him an idea.
"Maybe I should invite Barack Hussein Obama, Joe Biden, with the Bushes — or Bush. Maybe I should invite some of those people to watch a football game together," he suggested. "Wouldn't that be a nice story? The press would go wild."
As Trump flipped to a page showing a president hosting a live viewing of the Super Bowl at the White House, he told second lady Usha Vance that it gave him an idea.
"Maybe I should invite Barack Hussein Obama, Joe Biden, with the Bushes — or Bush. Maybe I should invite some of those people to watch a football game together," he suggested. "Wouldn't that be a nice story? The press would go wild."
2 months ago
Kylian Mbappe and France aim to make their World Cup dynasty a reality and will look to pile up the goals against massive underdogs Iraq at Philadelphia Stadium on Monday.
Mbappe scored twice in the opener for the defending champions and Les Bleusare looking to get to their group finale against Norway atop the group, with new tiebreakers meaning that a win may be necessary but a draw can do just fine if they can flip their goal differential disadvantage (Norway currently have a one-goal edge).
WATCH — France v Iraq
As for the Lions of Mesopotomia, Iraq got a goal from Aymen Hussein — their fifth leading scorer all-time — but are longshots to emerge from this dangerous group.
Iraq are competing in their first World Cup for 40 years after going 0-0-3 at the 1986 tournament in France. They scored one goal and conceded four over that entire competition, so for better or worse history will be made over the next few weeks.
Mbappe scored twice in the opener for the defending champions and Les Bleusare looking to get to their group finale against Norway atop the group, with new tiebreakers meaning that a win may be necessary but a draw can do just fine if they can flip their goal differential disadvantage (Norway currently have a one-goal edge).
WATCH — France v Iraq
As for the Lions of Mesopotomia, Iraq got a goal from Aymen Hussein — their fifth leading scorer all-time — but are longshots to emerge from this dangerous group.
Iraq are competing in their first World Cup for 40 years after going 0-0-3 at the 1986 tournament in France. They scored one goal and conceded four over that entire competition, so for better or worse history will be made over the next few weeks.
2 months ago
It was perhaps the perfect way to conclude the opening round of games for this World Cup. Portugal had been leading and strong favourites, Cristiano Ronaldo toiling for that goal to match the other big names, only for the comparatively more humble Yoane Wissa to plunder an emphatic equaliser.
In the joyous celebrations that followed, it wasn’t just a squad coming together but a country enjoying a national moment: DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup goal.
There have been a few moments like it, from Livano Comenencia’s goal for Curacao against Germany to Aymen Hussein’s for Iraq against Norway and even Cabo Verde securing that 0-0 draw against Spain. They’ve formed a theme of an enjoyably competitive World Cup so far, before you eventually get to the big ones that decide finals and the trophy.
There is also a serious point here, amid so much euphoria. Can any moment in any other sphere inspire such unity for a country, such a rush of collectivism?
It’s been described as a “benign nationalism”, and you can instantly see what it means. For some of the players and staff, though, there’s much more meaning to it than even emotional release.
In the joyous celebrations that followed, it wasn’t just a squad coming together but a country enjoying a national moment: DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup goal.
There have been a few moments like it, from Livano Comenencia’s goal for Curacao against Germany to Aymen Hussein’s for Iraq against Norway and even Cabo Verde securing that 0-0 draw against Spain. They’ve formed a theme of an enjoyably competitive World Cup so far, before you eventually get to the big ones that decide finals and the trophy.
There is also a serious point here, amid so much euphoria. Can any moment in any other sphere inspire such unity for a country, such a rush of collectivism?
It’s been described as a “benign nationalism”, and you can instantly see what it means. For some of the players and staff, though, there’s much more meaning to it than even emotional release.
2 months ago
A footballer whose family fled Iraq when he was a baby has said representing the nation of his birth at the World Cup was a "cool story" and poignant for his parents.
Ali Al Hamadi, now 24, was a baby when his mother and father escaped Saddam Hussein's regime in the early 2000s and came to Liverpool.
Toxteth-raised Hamadi represented Liverpool schoolboys before joining Tranmere Rovers.
The striker signed for Ipswich Town two years ago and spent last season on loan at Luton Town in League One.
Iraq will meet Norway in their opening Group I game later. The match kicks off at 23:00 BST in Boston.
Ali Al Hamadi, now 24, was a baby when his mother and father escaped Saddam Hussein's regime in the early 2000s and came to Liverpool.
Toxteth-raised Hamadi represented Liverpool schoolboys before joining Tranmere Rovers.
The striker signed for Ipswich Town two years ago and spent last season on loan at Luton Town in League One.
Iraq will meet Norway in their opening Group I game later. The match kicks off at 23:00 BST in Boston.
2 months ago
Iraq and Norway are set to kick off their FIFA World Cup 2026 journeys on Tuesday, facing each other in a Group I clash.
Iraq comes into the tournament after showing strong determination in tough fixtures. They booked their place at the World Cup with a dramatic 2-1 play-off win over Bolivia. During their summer friendlies, they impressed defensively, edging past Andorra 1-0 and holding Spain to a solid 1-1 draw. However, their recent 2-0 loss to Venezuela revealed some late-game tactical issues that will need attention.
The Iraqi squad arrives at the tournament in excellent physical condition, with all 26 players available for selection.
Head coach Graham Arnold has no injury concerns, giving him the freedom to choose his best possible starting eleven.
There was a brief moment of concern when key striker Aymen Hussein was held for questioning at a Chicago airport, but the issue has since been resolved.
Iraq comes into the tournament after showing strong determination in tough fixtures. They booked their place at the World Cup with a dramatic 2-1 play-off win over Bolivia. During their summer friendlies, they impressed defensively, edging past Andorra 1-0 and holding Spain to a solid 1-1 draw. However, their recent 2-0 loss to Venezuela revealed some late-game tactical issues that will need attention.
The Iraqi squad arrives at the tournament in excellent physical condition, with all 26 players available for selection.
Head coach Graham Arnold has no injury concerns, giving him the freedom to choose his best possible starting eleven.
There was a brief moment of concern when key striker Aymen Hussein was held for questioning at a Chicago airport, but the issue has since been resolved.
2 months ago
In Iraq’s preparations to face Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, not to mention Sadio Mane and Michael Olise, it would have been easy to get hung up on individuals. Head coach Graham Arnold has naturally been emphasising the collective, the shuttling backline, which is basically the only way to face a task that otherwise would be overwhelmingly daunting.
The surprise Asian qualifiers arguably have the tallest task at the entire World Cup 2026. They are considered the team that everyone else will beat in what would usually be known as the group of death.
Such terms feel absurdly out of place when you consider what Iraq have been through. If a trio of games against France, Norway and Senegal are more difficult than anyone else has at this tournament, this team knows all about overcoming difficulty.
That naturally applies to much more than their long route to qualification, the difficulties in even getting to the play-off against Bolivia in Mexico due to the Iran war, or even star forward Aymen Hussein enduring hours of questioning on trying to enter the United States.
The striker, who scored the goal that beat Bolivia to bring Iraq here, has a personal story that illustrates enough.
The surprise Asian qualifiers arguably have the tallest task at the entire World Cup 2026. They are considered the team that everyone else will beat in what would usually be known as the group of death.
Such terms feel absurdly out of place when you consider what Iraq have been through. If a trio of games against France, Norway and Senegal are more difficult than anyone else has at this tournament, this team knows all about overcoming difficulty.
That naturally applies to much more than their long route to qualification, the difficulties in even getting to the play-off against Bolivia in Mexico due to the Iran war, or even star forward Aymen Hussein enduring hours of questioning on trying to enter the United States.
The striker, who scored the goal that beat Bolivia to bring Iraq here, has a personal story that illustrates enough.
2 months ago
President Trump attacked the federal judge who blocked his plan to close the Kennedy Center for a two-year renovation in a Truth Social post Saturday, one day after the judge ordered the president's name removed from the building.
In a 94-page opinion issued Friday on what would have been President John F. Kennedy's 109th birthday, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper sided with Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat and ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board. Cooper, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, found that the Trump-stacked board overstepped its authority when it voted in December 2025 to rebrand the institution as the "Trump Kennedy Center" and again in March when it approved a closure set to begin around the Fourth of July.
"The Kennedy Center's organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the Board's unilateral say-so," Cooper wrote. "Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it."
Cooper gave the administration 14 days to remove Trump's name from the building's facade, the website and official materials. He did not bar repair work from continuing and said the board could try again to close the venue if it followed the proper process.
In a Saturday morning post, Trump called Cooper "a Barack Hussein Obama Judge" and accused him of standing in the way of a "magnificent" rebuild that he said would have replaced rotting beams, decades-old HVAC equipment and damaged marble. The president also attacked Cooper's wife, attorney Amy Jeffress, claiming she is "totally wired into the Left System" and represents "a Conflict of Interest" that should have forced Cooper to step aside.
In a 94-page opinion issued Friday on what would have been President John F. Kennedy's 109th birthday, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper sided with Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat and ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board. Cooper, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, found that the Trump-stacked board overstepped its authority when it voted in December 2025 to rebrand the institution as the "Trump Kennedy Center" and again in March when it approved a closure set to begin around the Fourth of July.
"The Kennedy Center's organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the Board's unilateral say-so," Cooper wrote. "Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it."
Cooper gave the administration 14 days to remove Trump's name from the building's facade, the website and official materials. He did not bar repair work from continuing and said the board could try again to close the venue if it followed the proper process.
In a Saturday morning post, Trump called Cooper "a Barack Hussein Obama Judge" and accused him of standing in the way of a "magnificent" rebuild that he said would have replaced rotting beams, decades-old HVAC equipment and damaged marble. The president also attacked Cooper's wife, attorney Amy Jeffress, claiming she is "totally wired into the Left System" and represents "a Conflict of Interest" that should have forced Cooper to step aside.
