2 months ago
GENEVA (AP) — FIFA's removal of the senior official who said Gianni Infantino deceived staff with his World Cup sell-off plan was unacceptable, Norway soccer president Lise Klaveness said on Tuesday while urging other leaders at the governing body to resist potentially damaging orders.
The firing of FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour late Monday came 17 days after his statement to the ***** ociated Press criticizing Infantino's $20 billion private equity project that helped to end it hours later.
"Now he is thrown out and we are supposed to move on. It's unacceptable, it's management by fear," Klaveness told the AP in a telephone interview, describing Lamour as "the best football administrator I have ever met."
"Now we also have to call upon FIFA leadership and the administration to not submit to orders you know are not in the interests of football," Klaveness added, especially targeting FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström.
She is a former Norway international player, a judge in Oslo and an elected executive committee member at European soccer body UEFA who has built on her country's long-held reputation as a champion of good governance in soccer.
#fifa #orders #geneva
The firing of FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour late Monday came 17 days after his statement to the ***** ociated Press criticizing Infantino's $20 billion private equity project that helped to end it hours later.
"Now he is thrown out and we are supposed to move on. It's unacceptable, it's management by fear," Klaveness told the AP in a telephone interview, describing Lamour as "the best football administrator I have ever met."
"Now we also have to call upon FIFA leadership and the administration to not submit to orders you know are not in the interests of football," Klaveness added, especially targeting FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström.
She is a former Norway international player, a judge in Oslo and an elected executive committee member at European soccer body UEFA who has built on her country's long-held reputation as a champion of good governance in soccer.
#fifa #orders #geneva
2 months ago
Will Ferrell and his wife Viveca Paulin celebrated 26 years of marriage on Aug. 12, 2026
They share three sons: Magnus, Mattias and Axel
The couple have attended many events together over the years, from movie premieres to art galas
Will Ferrell and his wife, Viveca Paulin, are celebrating 26 years of marriage.
The couple wed on Aug. 12, 2000, after they first met in an acting class in 1991. In the following years, Ferrell and Paulin went on welcome three sons: Magnus in 2004, Mattias in 2006 and Axel in 2010.
#viveca #axel #marriage #three
They share three sons: Magnus, Mattias and Axel
The couple have attended many events together over the years, from movie premieres to art galas
Will Ferrell and his wife, Viveca Paulin, are celebrating 26 years of marriage.
The couple wed on Aug. 12, 2000, after they first met in an acting class in 1991. In the following years, Ferrell and Paulin went on welcome three sons: Magnus in 2004, Mattias in 2006 and Axel in 2010.
#viveca #axel #marriage #three
2 months ago
FIFA issued an apology to its members over "errors" in handling its now-scrapped controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup but said its leaders reaffirmed their support for Gianni Infantino to remain as president, despite growing criticism and calls for his removal from world leaders and soccer legends.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (C) leaves Al-Madina Stadium in Rabat following the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations match between Malawi and Zambia.
In a statement issued after a crisis meeting in Morocco, FIFA said its secretary general Mattias Grafström and members of its management board "reaffirmed their full support" for Infantino.
Infantino also reiterated his support for FIFA's leadership and Grafström—who had publicly distanced himself from the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative.
In the statement, the soccer body acknowledged that mistakes were made in the process and "the process should have been handled differently."
#gianni #president #controversial
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (C) leaves Al-Madina Stadium in Rabat following the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations match between Malawi and Zambia.
In a statement issued after a crisis meeting in Morocco, FIFA said its secretary general Mattias Grafström and members of its management board "reaffirmed their full support" for Infantino.
Infantino also reiterated his support for FIFA's leadership and Grafström—who had publicly distanced himself from the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative.
In the statement, the soccer body acknowledged that mistakes were made in the process and "the process should have been handled differently."
#gianni #president #controversial
2 months ago
Gianni Infantino's position as Fifa president is verging on untenable as member **** ociations begin to withdraw their support for his re-election following his disastrously botched bid to privatise the World Cup.
Infantino planned to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors under the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), but this was met with intense backlash from football federations, with Uefa threatening to boycott Fifa tournaments if the plans were passed.
The response forced a climbdown from the Swiss-Italian but that is far from the end of the story. Many footballing bodies say they have "lost confidence" in Infantino as president, with the Asian Football Confederation calling for an "urgent review of [Fifa's] governance".
And now Infantino has summoned senior Fifa officials to a crisis meeting with a number of his allies dwindling after Fifa's secretary general Mattias Grafstrom's criticism, while the president of the Jordan FA publicly accused Infantino of "blackmail".
Before he eventually scrapped the plans, senior figures inside Fifa turned on the president. Infantino's long-term adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, chose to quit in protest over the initial proposals, while Fifa's chief operating officer said that Infantino "deceived" staff over his plans.
#infantino #enterprise
Infantino planned to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors under the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), but this was met with intense backlash from football federations, with Uefa threatening to boycott Fifa tournaments if the plans were passed.
The response forced a climbdown from the Swiss-Italian but that is far from the end of the story. Many footballing bodies say they have "lost confidence" in Infantino as president, with the Asian Football Confederation calling for an "urgent review of [Fifa's] governance".
And now Infantino has summoned senior Fifa officials to a crisis meeting with a number of his allies dwindling after Fifa's secretary general Mattias Grafstrom's criticism, while the president of the Jordan FA publicly accused Infantino of "blackmail".
Before he eventually scrapped the plans, senior figures inside Fifa turned on the president. Infantino's long-term adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, chose to quit in protest over the initial proposals, while Fifa's chief operating officer said that Infantino "deceived" staff over his plans.
#infantino #enterprise
2 months 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
2 months ago
By Rohith Nair
Aug 5 (Reuters) - FIFA said on Wednesday it had apologised to its member ***** ociations for mistakes made over its abandoned proposal to sell commercial rights linked to the World Cup, as the governing body's leadership reaffirmed its support for president Gianni Infantino after a crisis meeting in Morocco.
Following the meeting in Rabat, attended by Infantino, secretary general Mattias Grafstrom and members of FIFA's management board, FIFA said its leadership had reaffirmed its full support for the president while acknowledging that the handling of the withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal should have been different.
In a statement, FIFA said a separate letter had been sent to FIFA Council members and the 211 member ***** ociations apologising for the errors and promising a review.
It added that, with the proposal withdrawn, FIFA would "no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process" and would take all necessary measures to protect its reputation.
#support
Aug 5 (Reuters) - FIFA said on Wednesday it had apologised to its member ***** ociations for mistakes made over its abandoned proposal to sell commercial rights linked to the World Cup, as the governing body's leadership reaffirmed its support for president Gianni Infantino after a crisis meeting in Morocco.
Following the meeting in Rabat, attended by Infantino, secretary general Mattias Grafstrom and members of FIFA's management board, FIFA said its leadership had reaffirmed its full support for the president while acknowledging that the handling of the withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal should have been different.
In a statement, FIFA said a separate letter had been sent to FIFA Council members and the 211 member ***** ociations apologising for the errors and promising a review.
It added that, with the proposal withdrawn, FIFA would "no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process" and would take all necessary measures to protect its reputation.
#support
2 months ago
FIFA's leadership has reaffirmed its "full support" for President Gianni Infantino, days after he was forced to abandon a plan to sell off World Cup commercial rights that triggered a rare revolt within world football's governing body.
The declaration followed a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday, called after mounting pressure from UEFA and other confederations threatened to derail Infantino's expected re-election to a fourth term at FIFA's Congress in March.
In a statement, FIFA said Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom and members of its management board reiterated their backing for Infantino as "the only official elected by the 211 FIFA Member ******* ociations".
Infantino reciprocated support for Grafstrom and FIFA's administration.
Football fans photograph a FIFA logo outside FIFA global headquarters on July 30, 2026, in Zurich, Switzerland [Robert Hradil/Getty]
#wednesday
The declaration followed a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday, called after mounting pressure from UEFA and other confederations threatened to derail Infantino's expected re-election to a fourth term at FIFA's Congress in March.
In a statement, FIFA said Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom and members of its management board reiterated their backing for Infantino as "the only official elected by the 211 FIFA Member ******* ociations".
Infantino reciprocated support for Grafstrom and FIFA's administration.
Football fans photograph a FIFA logo outside FIFA global headquarters on July 30, 2026, in Zurich, Switzerland [Robert Hradil/Getty]
#wednesday
2 months ago
A groveling Gianni Infantino has issued an apology for attempting to sell the FIFA World Cup, confirming that the controversial proposal has been SCRAPPED. Infantino has faced fierce backlash since FIFA announced last week — following media reports breaking the story — a plan to sell its competitions to private investors, igniting fury across the soccer community at every level.
UEFA members unanimously voted to boycott FIFA tournaments if the proposal moved forward, while FIFA chief ******* ne Wenger publicly opposed it. An emergency meeting was convened in Morocco on Wednesday amid relentless criticism and continuous leaks surrounding the plans, as per The Mirror.
Infantino has now conceded defeat with a formal apology — though he intends to fight on and retain his position as FIFA President, despite widespread demands for his resignation. A letter co-signed by Infantino and FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafstrom states: "We acknowledge that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media.
Donald Trump sparks outrage with Harry Kane World Cup comments
Donald Trump addresses Gianni Infantino's World Cup sale plans, amidst Kushner links
#World #gianni
UEFA members unanimously voted to boycott FIFA tournaments if the proposal moved forward, while FIFA chief ******* ne Wenger publicly opposed it. An emergency meeting was convened in Morocco on Wednesday amid relentless criticism and continuous leaks surrounding the plans, as per The Mirror.
Infantino has now conceded defeat with a formal apology — though he intends to fight on and retain his position as FIFA President, despite widespread demands for his resignation. A letter co-signed by Infantino and FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafstrom states: "We acknowledge that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media.
Donald Trump sparks outrage with Harry Kane World Cup comments
Donald Trump addresses Gianni Infantino's World Cup sale plans, amidst Kushner links
#World #gianni
2 months ago
Gianni Infantino will remain as Fifa president after he received the backing of senior executives in a meeting in Morocco, despite world football's governing body admitting "mistakes" have been made.
Infantino summoned members of the management board to Fifa's Africa office in Rabat on Wednesday following mounting criticism of his aborted attempt to sell off stakes in Fifa competitions to private investors, with the organisation releasing a statement of support four hours after the meeting ended.
European football's governing body Uefa said at the weekend that it has lost confidence in Infantino, calling the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal a "shabby, back room, opaque deal".
Much criticism has come from within Fifa, including secretary general Mattias Grofstrom, who was at Wednesday's meeting. In an internal memo sent to Fifa staff on Tuesday, he wrote that the situation is "a sad and reproachable series of events".
However, in a statement following the meeting, Grofstrom and the managament board "reaffirmed their full support" for Infantino as president.
#infantino #grofstrom #body
Infantino summoned members of the management board to Fifa's Africa office in Rabat on Wednesday following mounting criticism of his aborted attempt to sell off stakes in Fifa competitions to private investors, with the organisation releasing a statement of support four hours after the meeting ended.
European football's governing body Uefa said at the weekend that it has lost confidence in Infantino, calling the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal a "shabby, back room, opaque deal".
Much criticism has come from within Fifa, including secretary general Mattias Grofstrom, who was at Wednesday's meeting. In an internal memo sent to Fifa staff on Tuesday, he wrote that the situation is "a sad and reproachable series of events".
However, in a statement following the meeting, Grofstrom and the managament board "reaffirmed their full support" for Infantino as president.
#infantino #grofstrom #body
2 months 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
2 months ago
After the crisis meeting he allegedly convened himself, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has now commented on the much-criticized plan to sell the World Cup, which he had already abandoned earlier after a wave of outrage from all sides.
In a letter published by the world governing body on Wednesday night, signed by both Gianni Infantino and FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström, it says: "We acknowledge that mistakes were also made after the plan was leaked to the media."
It is Infantino's first apology since the controversial plans became public, which had envisaged selling shares in football's biggest tournament to private investors.
"We sincerely apologize for these mistakes and commit to ensuring that they will not happen again," the letter continues.
A necessary review is to be carried out, and the report presented to the FIFA Council at its next meeting.
#gianni #World #letter #mattias
In a letter published by the world governing body on Wednesday night, signed by both Gianni Infantino and FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström, it says: "We acknowledge that mistakes were also made after the plan was leaked to the media."
It is Infantino's first apology since the controversial plans became public, which had envisaged selling shares in football's biggest tournament to private investors.
"We sincerely apologize for these mistakes and commit to ensuring that they will not happen again," the letter continues.
A necessary review is to be carried out, and the report presented to the FIFA Council at its next meeting.
#gianni #World #letter #mattias
3 months ago
President Gianni Infantino held emergency talks with other FIFA directors in Morocco on Wednesday, a source told AFP, amid a wave of criticism over his now shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment.
Infantino has come under increasing pressure, even from within FIFA, over his handling of the proposal, and calls for him to step down have grown since he abandoned it last Saturday.
One of those believed to be at the meeting is FIFA's secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom, whose internal email to staff criticising the plan was leaked on Tuesday.
Infantino, a 56-year-old Swiss lawyer -- who is holding the meeting in FIFA's Africa regional office in Sale close to Rabat -- was in Morocco to celebrate last week's Feast of the Enthronement.
Morocco is to co-host the 2030 World Cup and Moroccan Football chief Fouzi Lekjaa is one of the few to have publicly supported Infantino since the humiliating climbdown.
#morocco #since #last
Infantino has come under increasing pressure, even from within FIFA, over his handling of the proposal, and calls for him to step down have grown since he abandoned it last Saturday.
One of those believed to be at the meeting is FIFA's secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom, whose internal email to staff criticising the plan was leaked on Tuesday.
Infantino, a 56-year-old Swiss lawyer -- who is holding the meeting in FIFA's Africa regional office in Sale close to Rabat -- was in Morocco to celebrate last week's Feast of the Enthronement.
Morocco is to co-host the 2030 World Cup and Moroccan Football chief Fouzi Lekjaa is one of the few to have publicly supported Infantino since the humiliating climbdown.
#morocco #since #last
3 months ago
Gianni Infantino has called a "crisis meeting" with the organization's top officials for this Wednesday (5) in Morocco, according to The Times.
The FIFA president's goal is to contain the growing pressure he has been facing since the initiative - later abandoned - to market the World Cup's rights.
The decision comes after more episodes that have reinforced his isolation.
Mattias Grafström, FIFA's secretary-general, has become the latest ally to criticize Infantino's plan.
In an internal email sent to the organization's staff, Grafström described the project as "a sad and deplorable sequence of events."
#wednesday #times #fifa #mattias
The FIFA president's goal is to contain the growing pressure he has been facing since the initiative - later abandoned - to market the World Cup's rights.
The decision comes after more episodes that have reinforced his isolation.
Mattias Grafström, FIFA's secretary-general, has become the latest ally to criticize Infantino's plan.
In an internal email sent to the organization's staff, Grafström described the project as "a sad and deplorable sequence of events."
#wednesday #times #fifa #mattias
3 months ago
Gianni Infantino has called an emergency meeting of FIFA staff in Rabat on Wednesday following comments by ***** ne Wenger that ramped up the pressure on the president, the Press ***** ociation understands.
Former ***** nal manager Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, issued a statement saying he was "not involved" in the plan to seek private investment in a company to run the World Cup but that the decision to withdraw it was "absolutely necessary and beyond question".
PA understands the meeting in Morocco was called after the weekend and is also to include secretary general Mattias Grafstrom and the FIFA management board, which includes the organisation's chief of staff Daniel O'Toole, chief legal officer Emilio Garcia Silvero, chief of member ***** ociations Elkhan Mammadov, HR chief Kimberly Morris, media director Bryan Swanson and communications director David Farrelly.
Grafstrom, the second most senior figure in the organisation after Infantino, is also understood to have contacted FIFA staff addressing the "sad and reproachable series of events" of the last week "which thankfully concluded with the project being permanently abandoned".
The plan to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a company to run the commercial and operational aspects of FIFA's tournaments, first emerged in reports by The Times and the Financial Times last Tuesday, before FIFA issued confirmation of some of the details. The most controversial aspect was the idea to sell 20% of FFE to private investors.
#wenger #grafstrom #understands
Former ***** nal manager Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, issued a statement saying he was "not involved" in the plan to seek private investment in a company to run the World Cup but that the decision to withdraw it was "absolutely necessary and beyond question".
PA understands the meeting in Morocco was called after the weekend and is also to include secretary general Mattias Grafstrom and the FIFA management board, which includes the organisation's chief of staff Daniel O'Toole, chief legal officer Emilio Garcia Silvero, chief of member ***** ociations Elkhan Mammadov, HR chief Kimberly Morris, media director Bryan Swanson and communications director David Farrelly.
Grafstrom, the second most senior figure in the organisation after Infantino, is also understood to have contacted FIFA staff addressing the "sad and reproachable series of events" of the last week "which thankfully concluded with the project being permanently abandoned".
The plan to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a company to run the commercial and operational aspects of FIFA's tournaments, first emerged in reports by The Times and the Financial Times last Tuesday, before FIFA issued confirmation of some of the details. The most controversial aspect was the idea to sell 20% of FFE to private investors.
#wenger #grafstrom #understands
3 months ago
Pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino intensified on Tuesday, with opposition emerging from within world football's governing body as well as from external critics over his since-abandoned proposal to open the World Cup to private investment.
Former **** nal manager **** ne Wenger, appointed in 2019 by Infantino as FIFA's chief of global football development, said in a statement on Tuesday that "the decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question".
His remarks followed hot on the heels of an extraordinary internal email to FIFA staff, seen by AFP, in which secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom appeared to distance himself from Infantino on the issue.
Previously seen as close to Infantino, Grafstrom describes the fiasco surrounding the plan as "a sad and reproachable series of events".
He adds: "Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue."
#fifa #Football #pressure
Former **** nal manager **** ne Wenger, appointed in 2019 by Infantino as FIFA's chief of global football development, said in a statement on Tuesday that "the decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question".
His remarks followed hot on the heels of an extraordinary internal email to FIFA staff, seen by AFP, in which secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom appeared to distance himself from Infantino on the issue.
Previously seen as close to Infantino, Grafstrom describes the fiasco surrounding the plan as "a sad and reproachable series of events".
He adds: "Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue."
#fifa #Football #pressure
3 months ago
Gianni Infantino has come under more pressure from within Fifa after the governing body's secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described the abandoned World Cup sell-off plans as a "sad and reproachable series of events" in an internal email to staff.
Swedish official Grafstrom, who is one of Fifa's top bosses, did not mention the embattled Fifa president by name but said in his email that while the turmoil surrounding Fifa is "difficult to comprehend and accept.... individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go". Grafstrom's email to Fifa staff was first reported by Sky News.
Mattias Grafstrom has warned that 'individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go' (David Davies/PA Wire)
It comes after ***** ne Wenger, Fifa's chief of global football development, said Infantino's decision to abandon his sell-off plan was "absolutely necessary and beyond question".
The former ***** nal manager claimed to have no knowledge of the plans before reports of Fifa selling off stakes in its tournaments to private investors emerged in the media. He said that Fifa has to serve the game with "commitment, transparency, and integrity".
#fifa #mattias #sell #individuals
Swedish official Grafstrom, who is one of Fifa's top bosses, did not mention the embattled Fifa president by name but said in his email that while the turmoil surrounding Fifa is "difficult to comprehend and accept.... individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go". Grafstrom's email to Fifa staff was first reported by Sky News.
Mattias Grafstrom has warned that 'individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go' (David Davies/PA Wire)
It comes after ***** ne Wenger, Fifa's chief of global football development, said Infantino's decision to abandon his sell-off plan was "absolutely necessary and beyond question".
The former ***** nal manager claimed to have no knowledge of the plans before reports of Fifa selling off stakes in its tournaments to private investors emerged in the media. He said that Fifa has to serve the game with "commitment, transparency, and integrity".
#fifa #mattias #sell #individuals
3 months ago
Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel stormed to victory in Tuesday's 26.1km individual time-trial at the Tour de France to shave valuable seconds off Tadej Pogacar's overall lead.
Belgian Evenepoel, 26, blasted over the stage 16 course along the shores of Lake Geneva 28 seconds quicker than reigning champion Pogacar in second.
Everyone else finished more than a minute back, with Dane Mattias Skjelmose taking third at 1min 04sec.
That performance by the world and Olympic time-trial champion -- on Belgium's national holiday -- cut four-time Tour winner Pogacar's overall lead to 4min 32sec.
"It's amazing, it was a very nice TT (time-trial), a lot of people on the side of the road," said Evenepoel.
#time #tour #lead
Belgian Evenepoel, 26, blasted over the stage 16 course along the shores of Lake Geneva 28 seconds quicker than reigning champion Pogacar in second.
Everyone else finished more than a minute back, with Dane Mattias Skjelmose taking third at 1min 04sec.
That performance by the world and Olympic time-trial champion -- on Belgium's national holiday -- cut four-time Tour winner Pogacar's overall lead to 4min 32sec.
"It's amazing, it was a very nice TT (time-trial), a lot of people on the side of the road," said Evenepoel.
#time #tour #lead
3 months ago
Will Ferrell and Viveca Paulin wed in 2000
They share three sons: Magnus, Mattias and Axel
Paulin is a former actress turned art collector
Will Ferrell has found someone to laugh at his jokes forever: his wife, Viveca Paulin.
The pair first met in an acting class in 1991, but their romance was short-lived. While appearing on the MeSsy podcast in July 2024, Ferrell recalled that it was "kind of too much too fast at too young."
They share three sons: Magnus, Mattias and Axel
Paulin is a former actress turned art collector
Will Ferrell has found someone to laugh at his jokes forever: his wife, Viveca Paulin.
The pair first met in an acting class in 1991, but their romance was short-lived. While appearing on the MeSsy podcast in July 2024, Ferrell recalled that it was "kind of too much too fast at too young."
4 months ago
Sweden boss Graham Potter was delighted as his side opened their World Cup campaign with a 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia at the Estadio Monterrey on Sunday night.
They appeared a world away from their dismal qualifying performances with an **** ured win over error-strewn Tunisia, with Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari bookending the scoring, Mattias Svanberg finding the net and the star pairing of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres also on the scoresheet.
Potter was jubilant afterwards but also appeared to have picked up an injury over the course of the match, as he was pictured bleeding from his right ear.
“I don’t know what happened. Someone scratched me, or bit me. I’ll have to **** yse the video footage,” he joked, via Swedish publication Sportbladet.
Sweden still have to face **** an and the Netherlands in a difficult Group F, with the two sides playing out a 2-2 draw on Sunday.
They appeared a world away from their dismal qualifying performances with an **** ured win over error-strewn Tunisia, with Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari bookending the scoring, Mattias Svanberg finding the net and the star pairing of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres also on the scoresheet.
Potter was jubilant afterwards but also appeared to have picked up an injury over the course of the match, as he was pictured bleeding from his right ear.
“I don’t know what happened. Someone scratched me, or bit me. I’ll have to **** yse the video footage,” he joked, via Swedish publication Sportbladet.
Sweden still have to face **** an and the Netherlands in a difficult Group F, with the two sides playing out a 2-2 draw on Sunday.
4 months ago
Mattias Svanberg capped off Sweden’s comfortable win over Tunisia in his World Cup debut. Wolfsburg’s midfielder scored seconds after coming on as a substitute in a 5-1 victory for Graham Potter’s side. Holstein Kiel’s Alexander Bernhardsson also played his part until Borussia Dortmund’s Daniel Svensson replaced him in injury-time.
At the other end, Ellyes Skhiri, Rani Khedira, and Elias Saad started for Tunisia. Eintracht Frankfurt’s midfielder captained the side, while the German-born Khedira made his competitive debut. Saad’s Augsburg teammate Ismaël Gharbi played the final ten minutes for the Eagles of Carthage.
Sweden opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a memorable goal for Yasin Ayari. Brighton’s midfielder decided to play for his home country after his Tunisian father encouraged him to do so. Similar to the incident in the last World Cup when Switzerland’s Breel Embolo scored against his home country Cameroon, Ayari didn’t celebrate his stunning goal.
Graham Potter’s side doubled their lead in the half-hour mark with Alexander Isak’s first goal in a major tournament. The former Borussia Dortmund striker linked up well with Viktor Gyökeres with a perfect counterattack move.
Tunisia reduced the deficit before the break when Hertha BSC’s academy product Omar Rekik headed home Hannibal Mejbri’s delivery. Isak returned the favor to Gyökeres as Skhiri dispossessed for Sweden’s third goal in the hour mark. The former St. Pauli loanee was instrumental in their qualification with a hat-trick against Poland in the playoff final.
At the other end, Ellyes Skhiri, Rani Khedira, and Elias Saad started for Tunisia. Eintracht Frankfurt’s midfielder captained the side, while the German-born Khedira made his competitive debut. Saad’s Augsburg teammate Ismaël Gharbi played the final ten minutes for the Eagles of Carthage.
Sweden opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a memorable goal for Yasin Ayari. Brighton’s midfielder decided to play for his home country after his Tunisian father encouraged him to do so. Similar to the incident in the last World Cup when Switzerland’s Breel Embolo scored against his home country Cameroon, Ayari didn’t celebrate his stunning goal.
Graham Potter’s side doubled their lead in the half-hour mark with Alexander Isak’s first goal in a major tournament. The former Borussia Dortmund striker linked up well with Viktor Gyökeres with a perfect counterattack move.
Tunisia reduced the deficit before the break when Hertha BSC’s academy product Omar Rekik headed home Hannibal Mejbri’s delivery. Isak returned the favor to Gyökeres as Skhiri dispossessed for Sweden’s third goal in the hour mark. The former St. Pauli loanee was instrumental in their qualification with a hat-trick against Poland in the playoff final.
4 months ago
Sweden moved to the top of Group F at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by claiming a 5-1 win against Tunisia in Monterrey.
Yasin Ayari and Alexander Isak put the Blågult – led by former Brighton boss Graham Potter – into a seemingly comfortable lead within the opening 30 minutes, but Tunisia were able to clinch a goal back and bring the dynamic of the game into question just before the break thanks to Omar Rekik.
Having been teed up by Viktor Gyökeres in the first half, Isak returned the favour and selflessly played the ******* nal frontman through on goal with an hour played in Mexico.
And there was late VAR drama as Mattias Svanberg saw his goal disallowed by VAR for offside, before an in-depth review overturned the decision after spotting a slight touch from Isak had kept the 27-year-old onside.
Deep inside stoppage time, Ayari added his second – and Sweden’s fifth – to bolster the Blågult’s goal difference, which could prove decisive given the competitive nature of Group F.
Yasin Ayari and Alexander Isak put the Blågult – led by former Brighton boss Graham Potter – into a seemingly comfortable lead within the opening 30 minutes, but Tunisia were able to clinch a goal back and bring the dynamic of the game into question just before the break thanks to Omar Rekik.
Having been teed up by Viktor Gyökeres in the first half, Isak returned the favour and selflessly played the ******* nal frontman through on goal with an hour played in Mexico.
And there was late VAR drama as Mattias Svanberg saw his goal disallowed by VAR for offside, before an in-depth review overturned the decision after spotting a slight touch from Isak had kept the 27-year-old onside.
Deep inside stoppage time, Ayari added his second – and Sweden’s fifth – to bolster the Blågult’s goal difference, which could prove decisive given the competitive nature of Group F.
5 months ago
French-Iranian author and illustrator Marjane Satrapi, best known for the graphic novel "Persopolis" and its 2007 film adaptation, has died in Paris at the age of 56.
Satrapi's family and friends revealed the shocking news.
"Marjane Satrapi died of grief just over a year after the death of Mattias Ripa, her husband and the love of her life," stated the press release from her loved ones.
Producer, actor and screenwriter Mattias Ripa died on 8 April 2025.
Born in Rasht, southwestern Iran, on 22 November 1969, Satrapi was an outspoken critic of Iran's theocratic regime.
Satrapi's family and friends revealed the shocking news.
"Marjane Satrapi died of grief just over a year after the death of Mattias Ripa, her husband and the love of her life," stated the press release from her loved ones.
Producer, actor and screenwriter Mattias Ripa died on 8 April 2025.
Born in Rasht, southwestern Iran, on 22 November 1969, Satrapi was an outspoken critic of Iran's theocratic regime.
