Category: Premier League

Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s grip on power is tightening as Concacaf’s 41 member associations weigh a coordinated withdrawal of support, according to multiple reports emerging from North and Central America’s football confederation. The move follows months of escalating criticism over his leadership style, governance record and the fallout from the expanded Club World Cup, which critics argue prioritises commercial interests over the game’s integrity. With the next Fifa council vote scheduled for October, the potential defection of Concacaf’s 41 votes would represent the most serious challenge to Infantino’s presidency since he took office in 2016.

What sparked the backlash

The immediate trigger appears to be the controversial decision to stage the expanded Club World Cup in the United States in June and July, a tournament that saw European giants Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid withdraw amid safety concerns and fixture congestion. Concacaf’s general secretariat circulated a confidential briefing paper last week outlining concerns that the expanded competition diluted the quality of international football while enriching Fifa’s commercial partners. The document, seen by The Guardian, also highlighted what it described as “a pattern of opaque decision-making” in Infantino’s handling of key appointments and financial allocations, including the awarding of hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup to the United States, Canada and Mexico without a formal bidding process. While no formal vote has been called, delegates from at least six Caribbean nations—including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti—have privately indicated they would reconsider their support for Infantino if the current trajectory continues.

Why this moment matters

The stakes are unusually high because Concacaf is the only confederation outside Europe that wields real voting power on Fifa’s ruling council. Infantino’s re-election in 2023 was secured with a wafer-thin majority of 197 votes to 132, and the loss of Concacaf’s 41 votes would leave him vulnerable to a challenge at the next presidential election in 2027. Already, Infantino has faced criticism from within his own ranks: the head of the Dutch FA publicly questioned the Club World Cup expansion during a closed-door meeting in Zurich last month, while the Scottish FA has privately lobbied for greater transparency in Fifa’s financial disclosures, citing concerns over the $4.6bn in undisclosed payments made to Fifa executives between 2016 and 2022. A formal withdrawal of support by Concacaf would embolden those critics and could force Infantino to reshuffle his executive team or even bring forward governance reforms before the October vote.

The road ahead

For now, the situation remains fluid. Concacaf’s president, Victor Montagliani, has yet to take a public stance, though insiders report he is privately urging caution to avoid a destabilising split within the confederation. The confederation’s next executive committee meeting is scheduled for late September in Miami, where delegates will review a formal proposal to withhold support unless Infantino agrees to an independent audit of Fifa’s financial dealings and a moratorium on further competition expansions. If the motion gains traction, it could trigger a confidence vote at the Fifa council in October, where a simple majority of 16 votes would be enough to trigger a leadership review process. Infantino’s allies insist he remains confident of retaining Concacaf’s backing, pointing to recent infrastructure investments in the region—including $200m in funding for artificial pitches and youth academies—as evidence of his commitment. Yet with the Club World Cup’s reputation already damaged by withdrawals and safety incidents, the political cost of pressing ahead may soon outweigh the financial gains, particularly as Concacaf’s smaller nations, many of which rely heavily on Fifa development grants, face growing pressure to prioritise governance over funding.

What happens next hinges on whether Concacaf’s smaller nations, including Belize, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the Cayman Islands, can overcome their financial dependence and unite behind a common front. If they do, Infantino could face the most serious threat to his presidency in nearly a decade. If they falter, the status quo will prevail—but the reputational damage to Fifa’s credibility, already tarnished by the Club World Cup’s controversies, will linger long after the final whistle.

Gianni Infantino’s presidency at FIFA has reached a defining crossroads, with a coalition of national associations withdrawing support for his re-election bid and a reported White House intervention failing to materialise. The embattled FIFA president now faces a concerted push to force him from office before the next election cycle, as key confederations prepare contingency plans to destabilise his leadership. The crisis deepened after The Telegraph reported that US President Donald Trump would “do everything possible” to ensure Infantino remains in office, a claim that has since been met with scepticism following the White House’s denial of any involvement.

Pressure mounts as governing bodies abandon Infantino

The Football Association of Wales became the first major European body to withdraw its formal endorsement of Infantino’s re-election, citing “growing concerns over governance and the strategic direction of FIFA.” England’s Football Association followed hours later, stating it had “deep concerns regarding the recent decision-making process and the resulting damage to global football’s reputation.” Serbia’s federation also publicly distanced itself from the incumbent president, marking a rapid escalation in opposition across three continents.

The catalyst for this backlash was the abrupt abandonment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a plan that would have allowed FIFA to sell shares in marquee tournaments including the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup. Critics argued the scheme risked commercialising football’s most sacred competitions, and its collapse has intensified scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership ahead of the presidential vote. The FFE’s failure followed intense criticism from member associations, with Wales explicitly citing the proposal as a factor in its decision to withdraw support.

White House denies reported Trump intervention

Reports claiming Infantino sought a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to shore up his position were swiftly denied by Dylan Johnson, US Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs. Johnson publicly stated that no such meeting had been scheduled, contradicting claims that the Trump administration was preparing to intervene on Infantino’s behalf. The denial underscores the fragility of the FIFA president’s diplomatic support, despite reports in The Telegraph that Donald Trump would “do everything possible” to ensure Infantino remains in office.

The episode highlights the widening rift between Infantino’s allies and opponents, with the White House’s refusal to engage signalling that even high-profile backing may not be enough to salvage his campaign. The denial came after The Times reported that Trump had privately expressed support for Infantino, raising questions about the extent of US involvement in FIFA’s internal politics.

UEFA and confederations plot resistance

According to The Times, UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation are preparing to “paralyse FIFA” if Infantino proceeds with his re-election bid. The report suggests these confederations could establish rival international competitions, effectively creating a parallel structure to undermine FIFA’s authority. Such a move would represent an unprecedented challenge to the organisation’s monopoly over global football, with potential long-term consequences for the sport’s governance.

The threat of fragmentation comes as Infantino’s opponents seek to exploit the fallout from the FFE collapse and the erosion of trust among member associations. The strategy appears designed to force Infantino’s resignation or, failing that, to render his presidency unworkable. UEFA’s leadership, led by Aleksander Čeferin, has been particularly vocal in its criticism of Infantino’s recent decisions, with sources within the confederation indicating that contingency plans are already in motion.

What comes next for FIFA’s embattled president

With the presidential election looming, Infantino’s future hinges on whether his remaining supporters can counter the growing resistance. The withdrawal of endorsements from Wales, England, and Serbia—combined with the White House’s refusal to intervene—leaves him politically weakened. The reported plans by UEFA and other confederations to “paralyse FIFA” add a further layer of pressure, raising the prospect of institutional schism.

Should Infantino press ahead with his candidacy, the coming weeks will determine whether his opponents can coordinate a unified front capable of derailing his campaign. Alternatively, a tactical retreat—whether through resignation or a strategic withdrawal from the race—could spare FIFA the turmoil of a prolonged power struggle. Either way, the fallout from the FFE debacle has exposed deep divisions within world football’s governing body, and the path to resolution remains far from clear.

Jacob Bergström’s Champions League journey began in a Subway sandwich shop, not a youth academy. The 31-year-old striker, who once balanced shifts behind the counter with amateur football at 22, will line up for Mjällby against Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday night—a club he helped transform from third-tier obscurity to Swedish champions and cup winners in just six years. His path—from stacking bread to scoring in Europe’s premier competition—mirrors Mjällby’s own improbable rise, one that now pits them against Yaya Touré’s Slovan Bratislava in a tie that feels like a David vs Goliath narrative, even if the Slovakian side’s new manager brings Premier League pedigree.

From sandwiches to Strandvallen

Bergström’s footballing education didn’t follow the academy route. At 22, he was still playing non-league football while working at Subway, a reality far removed from the academies churning out players for Europe’s elite. His breakthrough came in 2018 when Mjällby, then in Sweden’s third division, took a chance on him. “When I first came here, we were in the third division,” Bergström told BBC Sport. “I was so happy to sign. It was so big to me then. I never dreamed of anything like this.”

That gamble paid off. Over the past year, Bergström has been instrumental in Mjällby’s historic double, lifting the Allsvenskan title and the Swedish Cup for the first time in the club’s 87-year history. His physical presence up front and knack for big moments—including scoring on his Champions League debut—have made him a talisman for a club that only Bergström turned professional when he was 24. The striker’s connection to Mjällby runs deeper than trophies; he and his family now live in Hallevik, a coastal village of fewer than 1,000 residents where Strandvallen, the club’s seaside stadium, sits nestled between some woods, a campsite and an outdoor swimming pool, a short walk from the Baltic Sea. “You have the ocean and the people,” he said. “It’s so beautiful by the water and the beach.”

Cycling to glory, embracing the grind

Bergström’s daily routine reflects his no-frills mentality. He cycles to training and matches at Strandvallen, a habit that underscores both his commitment and the club’s modest setup. Hallevik’s population swells in summer with holidaymakers, but the winter months leave the village quiet—a reality Bergström and his family have embraced. “In the winter there’s not many people here, so it doesn’t fit for everyone, but it fits for us,” he said. That fit is evident in Mjällby’s fanbase, which has grown from regional obscurity to averaging 5,000 supporters at home games last season, drawn by the club’s fairytale success.

The striker’s journey also highlights the human side of football’s lower tiers. His move to Mjällby in 2018 wasn’t just a career step; it was a return to roots. Bergström grew up an hour’s drive north in Karlskrona, a naval city where handball and ice hockey dominate local sport. Football was always his calling, but the path was anything but conventional. Even after joining Mjällby, he juggled part-time work before finally going full-time at 24—a timeline that makes his Champions League appearances all the more remarkable.

The tactical underpinnings of Mjällby’s miracle

Mjällby’s rise wasn’t just about Bergström, but his role as the focal point of a team that defied expectations. Playing in a remote coastal village with limited resources, the club’s strategy relied on physicality, direct play, and a collective belief that bordered on stubbornness. Bergström’s ability to hold up play and link with teammates in tight spaces became a cornerstone of their success, particularly in a league where smaller clubs often prioritise counter-attacking football. His Champions League debut goal—scored in a qualifier against a side managed by a former Premier League champion—wasn’t a fluke but the culmination of a system that maximised his strengths: strength in duels, aerial presence, and an unshakable mentality.

Against Slovan Bratislava, Mjällby will face a team managed by Touré, whose experience in England’s top flight adds a layer of intrigue. While Slovan’s resources and pedigree dwarf Mjällby’s, the Swedes’ cohesion and Bergström’s form could make this more than a formality. Touré’s side may have the technical edge, but Mjällby’s journey is built on resilience—a trait Bergström embodies.

For Bergström, the Champions League isn’t just another competition; it’s the realisation of a dream that once seemed impossible. From sandwiches to Strandvallen, his story is a reminder that football’s beauty lies in its unpredictability. As Mjällby prepare to face Slovan Bratislava, their striker’s journey—one of sweat, sacrifice, and sheer belief—will be on full display. Whether they upset Touré’s side or not, Bergström’s tale has already defied the odds.

Cam Norrie opened his Canadian Open campaign with a controlled straight-sets victory over Camilo Ugo Carabelli, sending a clear signal that he remains a threat on North American hard courts this summer. The British No 1 dropped just two games in each set to advance to the second round in Toronto, underlining his consistency ahead of the US Open swing.

Norrie’s controlled start sets the tone

Norrie began the match with a 6-3 first-set win, immediately asserting his baseline game and dictating rallies from the opening exchanges. Ugo Carabelli, ranked 81st in the world, struggled to unsettle the top seed, managing only three break points across the first two sets. Norrie converted one of those opportunities at 3-3, when a sharp backhand return set up a forehand winner that broke the Argentine’s serve. The British No 1 then held serve at 5-3 with a 128mph ace down the T, sealing the set with a clinical hold at love.

The second set followed a similar pattern. Norrie broke early to take a 2-1 lead with a 130mph first serve followed by a backhand down the line that Ugo Carabelli could only watch pass by. He consolidated with a hold at love, including three consecutive first serves at 125mph, to move within two games of victory. Ugo Carabelli saved two set points with deep returns that forced errors from Norrie, but could not prevent the top seed from closing out the match on his second championship point, finishing 6-3 6-3 in 73 minutes.

Ugo Carabelli’s hard-court challenge continues

For Ugo Carabelli, the loss marks another early exit on hard courts this season, extending a run of frustration in North America. Despite his ranking inside the top 100, he has now failed to progress beyond the first round in three of his last four hard-court appearances, including defeats in Washington and Cincinnati. His inability to capitalise on break chances against Norrie—he converted just one of five—highlighted familiar issues under pressure, particularly when facing second serves that dipped below 90mph. The Argentine’s aggressive style, built on deep groundstrokes and a strong return game, has not yet translated into consistent results on the fastest surfaces. With the US Open series approaching, Ugo Carabelli will need to refine his approach if he is to avoid another swift exit in New York.

What comes next for Norrie

Norrie’s next challenge awaits in the second round, where he could face either Alexander Bublik or Thanasi Kokkinakis, depending on the outcome of their first-round match. Bublik, known for his explosive serve and net play, would test Norrie’s return game, while Kokkinakis brings a more varied game with heavy topspin from the baseline. A win would set up a potential clash with a top-20 opponent, offering another opportunity to test his form before the Grand Slam. The British No 1 has not dropped a set in his first two matches in Toronto, and his measured start—including 78% first-serve accuracy and 11 winners off the ground—suggests he is peaking at the right time.

With the US Open just weeks away, Norrie’s progress in Canada provides early evidence that he is building momentum on hard courts. His clean serving and disciplined baseline play will be crucial if he is to make a deep run in New York, where he reached the fourth round last year. The Canadian Open’s fast courts reward precision and power, and Norrie’s ability to dictate play from the baseline has been a key factor in his success this week.

Norrie’s victory sets the stage for a pivotal stretch in his season. A strong showing in Toronto could propel him into the top 10, while another deep run would further cement his status as a reliable hard-court performer. For now, the focus remains on maintaining this level of performance as the summer hard-court swing intensifies.

Sepp Blatter’s 12-year ban from football remains in force, but the shadow of his downfall now stretches over the man who replaced him. Gianni Infantino, who took the FIFA presidency in February 2016, is facing a crisis of confidence among the game’s most influential voices, raising questions about whether the governing body’s leadership can survive intact. With Blatter’s suspension running until June 2028 and Infantino under sustained pressure over controversial plans to sell minority stakes in FIFA competitions—including the World Cup—to private investors, the organisation finds itself trapped between past scandals and present turmoil.

Blatter’s ban endures as the past refuses to fade

Sepp Blatter, the 90-year-old former FIFA president, is still serving a combined ban of more than 12 years from all football-related activities. His first suspension came on 8 December 2015, when he and Michel Platini were handed eight-year bans—later reduced to six years—over a £1.3 million payment made in 2011. Both men denied wrongdoing, arguing the money was compensation for Platini’s advisory work between 1998 and 2002. Though they were cleared of corruption charges in Swiss courts in 2025, Blatter had already announced his resignation in June 2015 amid a US-led corruption inquiry. His departure cleared the way for Infantino, who assumed the presidency in February 2016.

Blatter’s troubles did not end there. On 11 March 2021, he received an additional six years and eight months, extending his exclusion until June 2028. This second ban followed multiple breaches of FIFA’s ethics code, including unauthorised media interviews and public statements that contravened the terms of his initial suspension. Even as legal vindication arrived years later, the reputational damage and operational restrictions remain. FIFA’s ethics committee confirmed in its ruling that Blatter’s conduct had “undermined the integrity of the organisation,” a finding that underscores the depth of the governance failures during his tenure.

Infantino’s leadership unravels as allies retreat

Infantino’s position has grown precarious after plans to sell minority stakes in FIFA competitions—including the World Cup—to private investors sparked fierce opposition. The English Football Association is reportedly preparing to withdraw its support for his re-election, following the Welsh FA’s lead. UEFA, Europe’s governing body, has publicly distanced itself, stating in a 27 February 2024 statement that “the current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA’s confidence but also that of many other members of the football family.” The growing defiance suggests Infantino’s grip on power is weakening, with major stakeholders questioning both his strategy and transparency.

This is not the first time a FIFA president has faced existential criticism. Blatter’s reign from 1998 to 2015 was defined by scandal, culminating in his resignation under the weight of US corruption charges. Yet the irony is stark: the man who replaced a disgraced leader is now confronting his own legitimacy crisis, with the spectre of Blatter’s failures still haunting FIFA’s corridors. The Mirror Football understands that at least five European national associations are now reviewing their positions on Infantino’s re-election, with concerns centred on the lack of consultation over the proposed investment deals.

The governance vacuum at football’s summit

FIFA’s current predicament reflects deeper structural weaknesses. The push to monetise competitions through private investment has collided with resistance from traditional stakeholders, who argue that such deals prioritise commercial interests over the sport’s integrity. The withdrawal of support from national associations risks destabilising Infantino’s re-election bid, particularly if other confederations follow UEFA’s lead. Meanwhile, Blatter’s enduring ban ensures he remains a symbolic reminder of FIFA’s ethical lows, even as his legal exoneration complicates the narrative of his culpability.

The organisation now faces a choice: double down on Infantino’s market-driven agenda or pivot toward reform that rebuilds trust with federations, players, and fans. The absence of a clear successor—amid Blatter’s exclusion and Infantino’s embattled status—leaves FIFA in a leadership vacuum, with no obvious path to stability. FIFA’s own statutes require a two-thirds majority for presidential re-election, meaning that even a partial withdrawal of support could prove decisive. With the next election due in 2027, the clock is ticking for Infantino to regain the confidence of the football world.

For now, Blatter’s suspension stands as a relic of football’s most turbulent era, while Infantino’s future hangs by a thread. The question is no longer whether FIFA can escape its past, but whether it can navigate a present that increasingly resembles the dysfunction that once defined Blatter’s reign.