UEFA

FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has left the organisation, just weeks after publicly criticising President Gianni Infantino’s controversial proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other tournaments. FIFA confirmed that Lamour’s working relationship with the governing body ended on August 17, 2026, without providing further details. Lamour Leaves FIFA After Criticising Infantino Plan Lamour joined FIFA’s senior leadership team in November 2024 after previously being part of Infantino’s campaign team during his successful presidential bid

Qatar and Morocco are among six Arab football associations that have publicly expressed support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, despite growing criticism of his leadership following the collapse of a controversial private investment proposal. Six Arab Federations Express Support The football associations of Qatar, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan and Mauritania issued a joint statement backing Infantino and reaffirming their confidence in his leadership. The statement highlighted the role of Arab football in strengthening cooperation and bringing communities together, while praising Infantino's efforts to

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to hold a crisis meeting with senior FIFA officials in Morocco as pressure mounts following the collapse of his controversial proposal to sell part of FIFA's commercial rights. The failed plan has triggered widespread criticism from football governing bodies and cast uncertainty over his bid for a fourth term as FIFA president. Crisis Meeting in Morocco Infantino will meet top FIFA officials on Wednesday at the organisation's Africa office in Sale, Morocco, as he seeks to stabilise

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing mounting criticism after his proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of FIFA events, including the FIFA World Cup, was withdrawn following widespread opposition from regional football confederations. The backlash has prompted UEFA and CONCACAF to publicly question Infantino's leadership, raising concerns over governance, transparency and the future direction of world football. Controversial World Cup Rights Proposal Withdrawn The controversy centred on FIFA's reported $4.2 billion proposal to sell stakes in a new commercial entity

European football's governing body, UEFA, has warned that it will boycott the FIFA World Cup if FIFA proceeds with plans to allow private investors to acquire stakes in a new commercial entity overseeing its major competitions. In a strongly worded statement, UEFA said the World Cup "is not for sale" and insisted that football's governance should never be influenced by private investment. UEFA Warns of World Cup Boycott UEFA stated that no UEFA national teams would participate in any FIFA competition if the

FIFA has announced plans to establish a new commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), valued at $20 billion, in a move aimed at expanding football's commercial growth while continuing to invest in the sport worldwide. The proposal will be presented to FIFA's 211 Member Associations and the FIFA Council for approval. According to FIFA, FFE will consolidate the organization's commercial and event-related operations, while FIFA will retain full control over football governance, competitions, regulations, and the international match calendar. The governing body

The first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup has only just concluded, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino has already acknowledged that the tournament could one day expand to 64 teams. Speaking to Swiss television during the tournament, Infantino said the proposal is one of several ideas that could be explored after the competition, reigniting debate over the future size of football’s biggest event. Bigger Tournament, Bigger Financial Impact A 64-team World Cup would have major financial implications for global football. Making qualification easier for more

An aide to US President Donald Trump has called for the Fifa to swap Iran with Italy in the next World Cup, according to reports in the Financial Times on Wednesday. According to the FT, which cites people familiar with the matter, the plan is also part of an effort to mend relations between Mr Trump and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after her government and widely supportive sections of the Italian media fell out with the American president following his assaults on

Barcelona forward Raphinha tore into the officiating in their Champions League quarterfinal when his team exited 3-2 on aggregate to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, having ended both legs with 10 players. The Brazilian did not play in either match but accused the referees Clement Turpin, who officiated the second game, and Istvan Kovacs, of the first, of "robbing" his team. “I think it was a robbery, not just in this match but in the other one (the first leg) as well,” Raphinha told

Belgium has only achieved victory in two of the last ten games it attended and only managed to avoid taking the last positions of the table and top-sea relegation by virtue of superior head-to-head performance concerning the Israelis The Sunday Nations League defeat of Belgium by Israel 1 – 0 has however raised the stakes on coach Domenico Tedesco who still thinks that he is the best fit for the position Nonetheless, the replacement Domenico Tedesco thinks he knows best how to manage

UEFA Champions League has evolved over the years and 2024-25 calendar season will be the first time the tournament will undergo a new change, the first alteration to the format of the competition since the 2003-04 season when the round of sixteen phase was introduced. The structure of the UEFA Champions League – UCL – will now incorporate the number of 36 teams as compared to the 32 teams in the last season. The group stage has now been substituted with a league

The competition for extra places in the Champions League intensifies as European leagues vie for higher coefficients and performance in continental competitions. With two leagues set to earn additional spots in the revamped 36-team Champions League, the race heats up as the knockout stages unfold. While Italy, Germany, England, and Spain lead the charge, other leagues remain in contention. The coefficient system, based on wins, draws, and bonus points for advancing in competitions, determines the allocation of extra spots. However, the battle for

A22 Sports Management, a key player in the formation of the European Super League (ESL), has taken a bold step by making public a letter sent to UEFA, urging an immediate halt to what they claim is anticompetitive behavior. The move to publish the letter on social media platform X follows allegations by A22 that UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin mischaracterized their initial communication, prompting them to demand compliance with EU rules and court rulings. The letter, dispatched on Tuesday, accuses UEFA of engaging

Borussia Dortmund is set to face Paris Saint-Germain in a crucial UEFA Champions League Group F match, and there are compelling reasons why Dortmund could emerge victorious in this encounter. Here are five key factors that contribute to Dortmund's potential success in this high-stakes match. 1. Taking the Group by Storm Despite facing challenges in the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund has been a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League. After five games, they lead Group F with 10 points, securing their

Borussia Dortmund faces Paris Saint-Germain in a crucial UEFA Champions League clash, with Dortmund already securing progression but aiming to secure top spot in Group F. The 'Group of Death' has seen intense competition, and Dortmund's journey has been impressive, bouncing back after an initial loss to PSG with undefeated performances in the next four matches, including victories against Newcastle and AC Milan. Despite their European success, Dortmund has faced challenges domestically, recently being eliminated from the DFB Cup by Stuttgart and suffering

With the conclusion of the Champions League qualifying play-offs, the four pots for the group-stage draw have been finalized. This development provides a clearer picture of potential opponents for Manchester United in the upcoming season's group stage. The eagerly anticipated UEFA ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, commencing at 17:00 BST. Fans can stay updated on live developments via the United App, as well as anticipate reactions through a special episode of The Debate. Watch: https://www.sportsmonks.com/premier-league/city-renames-pitch-in-honor-of-alex-williams/ As

Uefa has ended its legal fight against Barcelona, Juventus, and Real Madrid over their involvement in the proposed European Super League. The clubs were among the 12 "founding" members of the breakaway league, which later collapsed. The trio, who have refused to renounce the project, were being investigated for "a potential violation" of Uefa's legal framework. Uefa says it is now "as if the proceedings had never been opened". "The Uefa Appeals Body has declared today the proceedings null and void," a statement

Denmark captain Simon Kjaer and the medical team that saved Christian Eriksen's life are the recipients of this year's Uefa President's Award. Eriksen, 29, suffered cardiac arrest during Denmark's Euro 2020 defeat by Finland in Copenhagen on 12 June. Kjaer has been recognised for showing "exceptional leadership qualities" in his response to the situation. Thanking the medical team, Inter Milan player Eriksen said: "You did a fantastic job and saved my life." "Also a big thanks to my friend and captain Simon and

European soccer governing body UEFA has ordered Ukraine to remove the phrase "Glory to the heroes" from the inside of its new national team shirt ahead of the European Championship for political reasons, after a complaint from Russia. Russia on Wednesday had complained to UEFA over Ukraine's kit, which is emblazoned with a map including Crimea and words from a military slogan. UEFA said the map was not a concern, and neither was the phrase “Glory to Ukraine” on the outside of the

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus over their attempts to launch a breakaway Super League, European soccer's governing body said on Tuesday. The clubs are the only three of the original 12 to have not distanced themselves from the project following an outpouring of criticism. "Following an investigation conducted by UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors in connection with the so-called 'Super League' project, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus FC for a potential