Fifa

Subterms

    More stories

    • 188 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd were FORTUNATE to only lose 7-0 against Liverpool as referee blunder is revealed

      by

      FIFA say ref Andy Madley should NOT have put Manchester United out of their Anfield misery by blowing up early.Madley only allowed three minutes of second half stoppage time in the 7-0 mauling despite Liverpool scoring six and the teams making substitutions in five separate windows between them.
      Two-goal Liverpool ace Mo Salah should have had more time to complete a trebleCredit: PA
      Bruno Fernandes and Co came under heavy fire after capitulatingCredit: Rex
      And while Fifa refs’ chief Pierluigi Collina understood the decision he said: “There should have been more time.
      “I can understand that giving the right amount of additional time when it is 7-0 is difficult to understand in this specific match.
      “But if the regulations of the competition say that goal difference is relevant for the ranking at the end, even one goal scored or not scored can make the difference.”
      Prem chiefs will be ordered to ensure extra additional time is added in matches next season.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      But the World Cup-style approach, which saw a staggering 27 minutes added to England’s opener against Iran, does not have to be followed.
      Collina explained: “Referees should add all the time for injuries, penalties and red cards, goal celebrations, substitutions and VAR checks.
      “They should also add on some time for free-kicks, goal kicks and corners, although we are looking at getting nearer 60 minutes of actual playing time, not 90.”
      United only trailed at the break to Cody Gakpo’s 43rd minute opener after an even first period.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      But once Liverpool went 3-0 up after 50 minutes it was only a question of how many more the home side would get.
      Red Devils’ boss Erik ten Hag labelled his team’s capitulation as “unprofessional”.
      Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah bagged doubles before sub Roberto Firmino got Liverpool’s seventh.
      And chances were flowing so fast late on it’s a real possibility United would have suffered more if the game had been extended much longer. More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd in huge Qatari takeover boost with Fifa refusing to ban nation states from owning clubs

      by

      FIFA chiefs have NO intention of intervening to prevent nation states buying clubs.Prem clubs are demanding action from League chief executive Richard Masters about Newcastle’s Saudi overlords.
      Fifa chief Gianni Infantino is unlikely to ban nation states from owning clubsCredit: Getty
      Court documents in the US revealed lawyers for Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Newcastle chairman Yasir al-Rummayan claimed they were both part of the state’s government.
      That appeared to fly in the face of the “legally binding assurances” about the control of the club given when the £300m takeover was approved in 2020.
      But Sun Sport has been told by senior Fifa figures that there is no reason to expect any moves by world chiefs to intervene.
      And in a boost to the Toon Saudis as well as the Qatari bid for Manchester United, Fifa President Gianni Infantino has made it clear he is entirely relaxed about the state ownership debate.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      A source close to the Fifa President said: “Gianni has the same view now that he had when he was at Uefa.
      “He said then that he believed any investment in football is good, wherever it comes from, provided that it is good investment.
      “That position has not changed.
      “He is the President of Fifa now and he believes what the game needs is investors, good people who want to put money into football, provided it is good.”
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      Infantino’s stance is no real surprise given his close links to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
      It is believed by many that the Fifa President is actively seeking to aid Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2030 World Cup, although Zurich insists Infantino is entirely neutral on that matter.
      But the news may be a relief for the Newcastle leadership especially with Masters feeling plenty of heat from rival club bosses who are demanding some form of action before this month’s next meeting of the Prem’s 20 “shareholders”. More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans baffled as Fifa president Gianni Infantino turns up at English football match and they can’t believe which one

      by

      FOOTBALL fans are scratching their heads after Fifa president Gianni Infantino rocked up at a random Championship game.The 52-year-old Italian-Swiss is rarely seen at matches in England.
      Gianni Infantino was in the stands at The DenCredit: Getty
      Fans were baffled by the game he chose to watch while in EnglandCredit: Getty
      Norwich won the game 3-1 to boost their promotion hopesCredit: PA
      And no one could have predicted the fixture he chose to attend on Saturday afternoon.
      Infantino was spotted at The Den for Millwall’s home game against Norwich.
      The Championship clash finished 3-2 to the visitors as the Canaries moved above Millwall and into the play-off places.
      But it was the Fifa boss’ presence at the match which got fans talking online.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Reacting on social media, one fan said: “No way is that really him 😂”.
      Another added: “Clearly asked to see the best team in London 🤷‍♂️”.
      A third replied: “Is he lost!! 🤣”.
      And a baffled fourth fan responded: “🤣🤣 wtf is going on here lol”.
      Most read in Championship
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Infantino’s bizarre visit to Millwall comes after he hit the headlines back in January for another strange public appearance.
      The Fifa chief appeared to take a selfie while standing by Pele’s open casket during the Brazil legend’s funeral.
      And he was forced to take to Instagram to explain his actions.
      He posted: “I am dismayed after having been informed that I am apparently being criticized by some people for having taken a selfie and pictures at the ceremony yesterday.
      “I would like to clarify that I was both honoured and humbled that teammates and family members of the great Pelé asked me if I could take a few photos with them. And obviously I immediately agreed.
      “In the case of the selfie, Pelé’s teammates asked to do a selfie of all of us together but they didn’t know how to do it. So, to be helpful, I took the phone of one of them and took the photo of all of us for him.
      “If being helpful to a teammate of Pelé creates criticism I’m happy to take it and will continue to be helpful wherever I can to those having contributed to write legendary pages of football.
      “I have so much respect and admiration for Pelé and for that ceremony yesterday that I would never do anything that would be disrespectful in any way whatsoever.” More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      I beat Tottenham star Richarlison to the Puskas Award but I work in construction and won’t let fame change me

      by

      MARCIN OLEKSY has insisted his new found fame won’t change him after he won the prestigious Puskas Award. The Warta Pozna star is the first disabled winner of the gong and beat the likes of Richarlison to claim the prize.
      Amputee striker Marcin Oleksy scored an outrageous overhead kick that saw him win a Fifa awardCredit: Getty
      Unlike some of the more high-profile stars he was up against, Oleksy does not play football full-time and has a day job working in construction as a excavator operator.
      But he believes nothing much will change in his life – despite his extraordinary overhead kick gaining global recognition.
      He told Eurosport: “I am still the same Marcin. I don’t think anything has changed.
      “There are more phone calls and there is media interest but I haven’t changed. I watch the goal online with fans but it won’t change who I am.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “I love scoring goals like this. You can see that when I train, it’s very much part of my game.”
      Oleksy suffered his life-changing accident in 2010 but has continued a career in football at Polish club Warta Poznan.
      His extraordinary goal means he follows the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in winning the Puskas Award, given to the scorer of the most impressive strike of the year.
      Oleksy was up against Stal Rzeszow when a brilliant cross was played in his direction.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Using his crutches for balance, the Polish ace incredibly lifted his body off the ground before firing in a gorgeous overhead effort.
      He is the latest winner of the prestigious award after ex-Tottenham star Erik Lamela won it last year for his brilliant Rabona effort in the North London derby.
      Oleksy’s genius moment played on the big screen as he collected his award More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘It’s baffling and tone deaf’ – Fifa slammed for appointing supermodel Adriana Lima as global fan ambassador

      by

      FIFA have been slammed for appointing Adriana Lima as a global fan ambassador.The supermodel was given the role in order to “develop, promote and participate in global initiatives” ahead of the Women’s World Cup later this year.
      Adriana Lima has been appointed as a global fan ambassador for FifaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Adriana is a world-famous supermodelCredit: Splash
      The decision has been criticised as ‘baffling’Credit: Splash
      Ex-Fifa council member Moya Dodd has slammed the decisionCredit: Reuters
      However, the decision has been labelled as “tone deaf” by former Fifa council member and Australia international Moya Dodd.
      Dodd believes that it is sending an inappropriate message to players and fans.
      She said via The Athletic: “When a girl plays football, the world sees her differently.
      “Instead of being complimented on her nice looks or her pretty dress, she is valued for her game-saving tackles and brilliant goal-scoring.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “She’s admired for what she can do, rather than how she looks, putting her on a more equal footing with her brothers in a way that can alter the whole trajectory of her life’s ambitions.
      “In a Fifa World Cup year, that’s the message that should be ringing loud and true around the world.
      “Where a supermodel fits into this is truly baffling.”
      Dodd was on the committee for the successful World Cup bid to be held in Australia and New Zealand.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      She also referred to comments made by Lima in an interview with GQ in 2006 in which she said abortion was a “crime”.
      However, Lima’s publicist, Laurent Boye, has insisted that she has changed her views.
      She said in a statement: “We can proudly say that Ms Lima has been promoting a healthy lifestyle for several years and like many people, her position on many LGBTQIA+ and women issues has evolved and she is considered an ally.”
      The Women’s World Cup starts on July 20 as New Zealand face Norway in the tournament’s opening match. More

    • 238 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Karim Benzema slammed for latest social media post after Lionel Messi beats Real Madrid star to Fifa’s Best Award

      by

      KARIM BENZEMA has been criticised for social media posts made after he was snubbed at the Fifa Best Awards.Lionel Messi scooped the player of the year gong at Monday’s ceremony in Paris.
      Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema failed to scoop the men’s player honour at the Fifa Best AwardsCredit: AP
      Messi claimed the award for a second timeCredit: Getty
      The Argentine, 35, claimed the honour following his World Cup triumph in Qatar.
      He beat fellow nominees Benzema and Kylian Mbappe to the award – and matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of two wins.
      And Real Madrid’s talisman does not appear to have taken the decision well.
      Benzema, 35, posted a screenshot from a fan account which listed all his achievements from August 2021 to December 2022 – the time period in consideration for the awards.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Benzema shared this post of his achievements between August 2021 and December 2022
      Benzema also posted this picture with the caption ‘Good night’
      The forward, who missed the World Cup through injury, then shared a picture of himself smiling and the caption: “Good night” and a smiling emoji.
      Benzema’s social media posts have not been received positively by fans.
      One fan said: “World Cup year and he wasn’t even part of the squad, shouldn’t complain.”
      Another added: “No way this one-season wonder is still crying 😭😭”.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      A third replied: “Why’s this guy so salty ffs”.
      And a fourth responded: “What a cry baby”.
      Benzema’s comments come despite Messi including him in his own top three.
      By contrast, the Real striker’s team-mate David Alaba voted for Messi – although he later clarified his vote was collaboratively decided by the Austrian national team.
      Benzema won the Ballon d’Or last year after bagging 44 goals in 46 games to help Los Blancos win LaLiga and the Champions League.
      But Messi inspired his country to their first World Cup in 32 years with a host of remarkable performances.
      He also contributed 15 goals and 14 assists for Paris Saint-Germain in the first part of the season prior to the World Cup break. More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch Lionel Messi ‘send magician into retirement’ as he brutally shuts him down mid-trick at Fifa Best Awards

      by

      AS if Lionel Messi’s magic wasn’t enough on the pitch, it seems he is more than capable of some off it.While in attendance at the award ceremony for Fifa’s The Best, Messi was confronted by magician Julius Dein.
      Lionel Messi was named Fifa’s The Best Men’s PlayerCredit: Reuters
      Magician Julius Dein attempted a magic trick on MessiCredit: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpNykZ5uwk0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
      But Messi saw through the trickCredit: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpNykZ5uwk0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
      He attended alongside wife Antonella RoccuzzoCredit: The Mega Agency
      The Londoner took Messi’s phone and attempted to play a trick with the flashlight on the phone.
      Dein seemingly took the light off of it directly before putting it in his mouth, chewing it and then blowing it back onto the phone.
      However, Messi was not to be fooled and simply responded: “I know this one,” before producing a gleaming smile.
      The shutdown left Dein joking: “Well that didn’t go according to plan 🤦‍♂️,” before admitting: “I’m retiring.”
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      But fans were left perplexed as to why he would challenge a fellow “magician”.
      One fan said: “U were challenging a magician.”
      A second remarked: “Trying to show magic to a magician.”
      A third wrote: “Mate you can’t fool a magician 😂.”
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      While a fourth asked: “Are you trying to teach magic to the greatest magician ever?”
      The 35-year-old Argentine, who attended the Paris ceremony with wife Antonella Roccuzzo, won his second Fifa Best Men’s Player title following his World Cup heroics in Qatar.
      The gong puts him level with Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of two wins.
      Messi was also named in the FIFPRO World XI alongside Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe.
      In the women’s award, Beth Mead was pipped by Alexia Putellas but was named in the women’s World XI alongside Lionesses team-mates, Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh.
      England boss Sarina Wiegman and Manchester United’s Mary Earps won best women’s coach and goalkeeper respectively following their Euro 2022 glory last summer. More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea star Thiago Silva labels Fifa Best voting ‘a joke’ as he fumes at bit-part Man City ace beating Lewandowski

      by

      THIAGO SILVA has blasted Fifa’s best-player voting as a “joke” after Julian Alvarez came seventh – ahead of Kevin De Bruyne and Robert Lewandowski.Summer arrival Alvarez has struggled for a regular spot at Manchester City but bagged four goals in helping Argentina win the World Cup.
      Julian Alvarez had a breakthrough World Cup but being voted the world’s seventh best player surprised many. including Thiago SilvaCredit: Getty
      Thiago Silva has suggested the voting was more than a bit mixed upCredit: AFP
      Lionel Messi topped the poll of FIFPro players, selectors, journalists and fans with 52 votes.
      And the next four on the list were also no great surprise.
      French hitmen Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema notched 44 and 34 votes respectively.
      Then came Croatia’s evergreen midfielder Luka Modric and Etihad goal machine Erling Haaland.
      READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS
      But controversy hit once the list got down to players with fewer than 20 votes.
      Sadio Mane was sixth, ahead of Alvarez and Moroccan stylist Achraf Hakimi.
      The next four places were taken by Neymar, De Bruyne, Vinicius Junior and Lewandowski.
      And Chelsea’s Brazil defender Silva, 38, broke ranks when he saw that ranking.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Responding to protests over Alvarez’s bit-part role, Silva wrote: “It’s a joke”.
      But the City man’s Argentina team-mate Messi has defended him, saying: “During the whole World Cup, he was extraordinary.
      “He ran everything. He fought for everything – creating chances, fighting. For us, he was the surprising discovery, and he deserves everything that has happened to him because he is a lovely guy.”
      But to make the Fifa ratings even more embarrassing, Fifa initially listed alvarez under “Spain”.
      In fact, no Spanish players made the top 14, while England’s only representative was Jude Bellingham. More