END OF BEGINNING?
You have to hand it to Gianni Infantino, his timing was impeccable. After the relative on-field success of the Geopolitics World Cup, Fifa’s omnipresent overlord knew he had to strike while the iron was hot. There would be a small gap in the news cycle. Domestic seasons around the world would be starting soon and there is always transfer news to dominate column inches and air time. But Gianni would not be denied. It was time to announce his grand plan. People like the World Cup? Great! Then why not sell stakes in the World Cup to rich private investors and make Fifa some more cash – genius! However, he managed to get his timing all wrong, allowing the brave boys from Uefa and Concacaf to take action, the former threatening to boycott all Fifa competitions until the plans are ditched.
Uefa and Concacaf received more support on Friday morning in the shape of the Asian Football Confederation, which released a statement saying it “stands in solidarity” with its counterparts. That now means – and this, reader, is a fast-moving tale, which means Football Daily could be even further behind the curve than usual by the time you read this – that 143 of Fifa’s 211 members stand against Infantino, despite a Limmy-esque doubling down from Fifa in the early hours of Friday morning, which said, without parody, that “nobody is selling football. This is not something Fifa would ever entertain.” Well, we guess you can’t sell the World Cup if most of the big nations aren’t even involved.
One now has to wonder whether Infantino can withstand it all. The scale and ferocity of the backlash to his plans bring to mind the fierce opposition that met the idea of €uropean $uper £eague in 2021 – only this is on a global scale, with whole confederations voicing concern. What makes all this wilder was that Infantino’s position seemed genuinely impregnable even after the GWC, the Folarin Balogun controversy and all that. Just a fortnight ago it was reported that he would be reelected as Fifa president by a landslide in March, standing unopposed, with more than 200 of Fifa’s 211 member associations sending formal letters of support. This then would appear to be pure self-destruction, an own goal of epic proportions. Even Infantino’s senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned with immediate effect on Friday, calling his plan “a bad deal for football”. It seems confederations, executives and even those inside the Fifa machine are finally waking up and smelling the coffee.
What happens next? If Infantino wants to remain in his gig, he surely has to bin the proposals and back down, something we’re pretty sure he isn’t keen on. But with his position under threat, perhaps he will break the habit in an attempt to cling on to power. Or perhaps Fifa will start acting like a proper democratic organisation and force his resignation, before holding an election in which the best candidate is chosen for the role. Maybe someone who champions fairness and equality? Maybe someone who puts the game of football before any financial gain for Fifa? We can but dream.
FRANCO BARESI (1960-2026)
Tributes have been paid to the former Milan and Italy defender Franco Baresi, one of the most recognisable players from the golden era of Italian football in the 1980s and 1990s, who has died at the age of 66. “The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi,” said the club. “His example and integrity will be forever etched into the club’s DNA, just as his iconic No 6 shirt is.” Former teammate Paolo Maldini added: “Today I feel the same thing as to when for one reason or another you were unable to be on the pitch with us. How are we going to cope without our captain?” There’s also a warm piece from Jonathan Wilson.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Everyone who spoke said it was unacceptable. The word ‘blackmail’ was used. Not by us, but by others. Bringing external owners into football’s core business is an alien element, and it should remain an alien element” – Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness reveals what went down inside Uefa’s meeting on Thursday when member associations voted 55-0 in favour of a boycott threat following Gianni’s latest grand wheeze.
RECOMMENDED FOLLOWING
Big Website: on BlueSpace, TikBook, Instachat, you name it.
I have no problem with Gianni Infantino seeking to sell the commercial rights for the next World Cup finals for $20bn or more. This is the biggest sporting competition and deserves to raise as much revenue as possible from sponsors. That he can offer all the member countries upwards of $30m each would be a godsend for many smaller associations. What I do expect for the good of the game and for spectators of all ages is that the broadcasting of all matches remains free to air and doesn’t end up behind expensive paywalls. It’s bad enough in the UK that the Premier League, Football League, Prem Rugby and all first-class cricket matches are now behind paywalls and that access to actual matches is priced well beyond the average spectator’s ability to pay. How are fans, particularly those who are young and/or from poorer households, going to be able to afford to see matches? Fifa, Uefa and the FA have a duty to bring their sport to the widest audience possible at reasonable entrance prices at stadiums or for free on television. Rant over” – Tim Leech.
Amid all the speculation over the demise of Eddie Howe at Newcastle (yesterday’s Football Daily), surely one look at that new kit would’ve been enough to see off anyone with a modicum of taste. He departs with dignity intact” – Steve Bennett.
If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day goes to … Steve Bennett. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here.
