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      Jamie Carragher slams Fifa’s 32-team Club World Cup as ‘ridiculous’ and says players are ‘treated like cattle’

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      LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher has slammed Fifa’s 32-team Club World Cup as “ridiculous” and says players are being “treated like cattle”.Fifa president Gianni Infantino revealed the controversial 2025 plans on Friday as they look to compete with Uefa’s Champions League.
      Carragher has slammed plans for a 32-team Club World CupCredit: Getty
      Infantino insists player welfare is being consideredCredit: Getty
      It means the Fifa-run club tournament will more than quadruple in size from the current format with seven sides.
      The world football governing body initially wanted to increase the size of the Club World Cup from seven teams to 24 for China in 2021 – before the pandemic hit.
      Big clubs have already rejected the proposal – and the Premier League has also followed suit.
      And Liverpool legend Carragher has taken aim at Infantino and Co, saying players “need rest at some point”, and that they’re being “treated like cattle”.
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      Carragher also slammed the idea of a 32-team Club World Cup as “ridiculous” after recently discussing the possibility of a World Cup every two years.
      The Champions League winner fumed: “Like the ridiculous idea of the @FIFAWorldCup every two years, this is another one from Infantino.
      “Players need rest at some point, they are getting treated like cattle.
      “FIFA hate the Champions League and want something similar themselves. 
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      “European clubs should boycott it.”
      However, Infantino says Fifa are considering “the health and wellbeing of players” in their decision to create and expand competitions.
      In his lengthy press conference, Infantino said: “We have to take into consideration the health and wellbeing of players.
      “We need to ensure there is a rest period for players, a holiday period, ideally 72 hours between games.
      “Of course we need to be pragmatic on these topics. We will now consult on all these topics and elaborate.” More

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      France in injury crisis ahead of World Cup final as FIVE first-team stars including Varane and Tchouameni miss training

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      FRANCE’S preparation for the World Cup final has been thrown into chaos after a number of first-team stars missed training. The 2018 champions will be defending their title against a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina on Sunday.
      Raphael Varane missed France training ahead of the finalCredit: Getty
      Aurelien Tchouameni has been added to the growing list of absenteesCredit: Getty
      Semi-final goalscorer Theo Hernandez missed training due to a knee issue.Credit: Getty
      However, they have suffered an early dent to their aspirations of being the first team to defend the Jules Rimet since Brazil in 1962 with a number of stars missing training through illness and injury.
      Semi-final centre-backs Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate were both reported to be missing training due to flu earlier today.
      Kingsley Coman has since been added to those absent with flu, with the winger also feeling feverish before the Morocco clash.
      Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and full-back Theo Hernandez have been added to the list of absentees.
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      RMC report the pair are missing due to physical issues rather than viral.
      Tchouameni, who has been one of the shining stars of the tournament, was missing due to a hip bruise.
      Meanwhile, Hernandez is said to be missing due to a knee problem.
      Les Bleus suffered a pair of absentee’s ahead of the semi-final as Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano were forced to sit out due to illness.
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      Boss Didier Deschamps bemoaned how the flu-like virus was affecting training.
      He said: “In Doha, temperatures have fallen a little bit, you have air conditioning which is on all the time.
      “We’ve had a few cases of flu-like symptoms.
      “We are trying to be careful so it doesn’t spread and players have made great efforts out on the pitch and obviously their immune systems suffer.
      “Dayot Upamecano felt sick immediately after the match (against England).
      “It happens when you make such an effort, your body is weakened and you are more prone to be infected by these viruses.
      “We are taking all necessary precautions, we are trying to make sure it doesn’t spread but viruses are of course infectious and we have to take precautions against it.
      “We separated him from others and Adrien as well.” More

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      Arsenal star Ben White lobs snowball at team-mates while Kieran Tierney braves the cold in just a T-shirt and shorts

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      BEN WHITE was in good spirits at training with Arsenal as he was involved in a snowball fight with his team-mates.The defender is back with his club following his early exit from England’s World Cup squad.
      Ben White got involved in a snowball fight in training with ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Cedric Soares, Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira were also enjoying the snowCredit: Getty
      England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is already back in training following the exit from the World CupCredit: Getty
      Kieran Tierney braved the cold in just shorts and a T-shirtCredit: Getty
      Boss Mikel Arteta however opted for a warm coatCredit: Getty
      White left the Three Lions camp on November 30th due to personal reasons.
      There had been suggestions of a fallout between himself and assistant Steve Holland, but they have been played down by manager Gareth Southgate.
      England proceeded with the tournament and beat Senegal in the round of 16 before losing to France in the quarter-finals.
      White initially linked up with Arsenal at their training camp in Dubai but is now back in the country preparing for the return of the Premier League.
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      The other members of the Arsenal squad were also taking part in the snowball fight.
      Stars such as Cedric Soares, Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira were also taking aim at their team-mates.
      While most of the players had wrapped up warm, Kieran Tierney braved the cold temperatures in just a T-shirt and shorts.
      The Scottish defender was in good form before the break for the World Cup and will be hoping to make the left-back spot his own.
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      Mikel Arteta’s side have one more friendly game during the break, as they face Juventus at home tomorrow.
      Arsenal went into the break at the top of the Premier League table after a brilliant start to the campaign.
      The Gunners restart their season on Boxing Day with a clash against London rivals West Ham at the Emirates Stadium. More

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      Roy Keane shocks fans with new moustache look after SHAVING OFF bushy beard for ITV vs talkSPORT match

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      ROY KEANE has shocked everyone by shaving off his infamous bushy beard – and now he’s sporting just a moustache.The Manchester United legend is currently out in Qatar covering the World Cup as a pundit for ITV.
      Roy Keane has ditched his bushy grey beard while out in QatarCredit: ITV
      The Irishman revealed his incredible new moustache during a photo with talkSPORT’s Sam EllardCredit: Instagram @samellard
      As always, the fork-tongued and hard-to-please Irishman has been in the headlines throughout the tournament.
      He became embroiled in a bitter row over DANCING with Brazil’s manager Tite.
      And he showed that he still possessed some of the magic that made him one of the greatest midfielders of his generation by scoring the winner in an ITV vs BBC pundits match.
      Keane’s celebration was a work of art too – racing off with his top off before leaping over a wheelie bin.
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      Perhaps buoyed on by that heroic moment, the 51-year-old was back out on the pitch earlier to take part in another kickabout.
      This time he was lining-up alongside his fellow ITV pundits to take on their talkSPORT counterparts.
      Keane and his pals tasted victory once again out in the Middle East as they ran out 10-6 victors.
      But it will be his new-look that has most people talking this time rather than his robust views or antics on the field.
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      TalkSPORT’s Sam Ellard was in the opposition but afterwards he managed to nab himself a snap with the fiery Keano.
      Judging by the early comments on the post, the icon’s new appearance appears to have slipped the radar.
      However, upon closer inspection, you can see that the photo actually revealed that the ex-Nottingham Forest and Celtic ace has ditched his bushy grey beard with just two days to go before the World Cup final.
      And instead he now dons a magnificent grey moustache, accompanied by a ‘soul patch’ – a small patch of hair below his lower lip.
      Ellard captioned his snap with: “Today was the @itvfootball vs @talksport rematch. ITV winning 10-6.
      “Ally McCoist scored SIX goals. Keane and Neville oozing class…
      “Bring on the rematch in Germany.” More

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      11 World Cup stars who’ve put themselves in the transfer shop window including Gakpo to Man Utd and Gvardiol to Chelsea

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      THE World Cup is always a glorious chance for stars to make a name for themselves and put themselves in the shop window.And even though Qatar 2022 has been staged in November and December, rather than the normal summer festival, plenty of players certainly made their mark.
      Cody Gakpo enhanced his reputation with three goals for HollandCredit: Alamy
      Premier League fans may see a lot more of this Goncalo Ramos celebration in 2023Credit: Reuters
      Now with the transfer window just a fortnight away, clubs will no doubt be clamouring to beat off the competition and land their targets.
      SunSport has picked out 11 Qatar heroes who may have secured big-money moves in the New Year thanks to their performances at the World Cup…
      Cody Gakpo, 23, PSV & Holland
      Arguably the most obvious choice of all, Gakpo was the main man for Holland with goals in all three group games to fire them to the top of Group A.
      He is currently tearing it up for PSV in his homeland but is a primary target for compatriot Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
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      The axe of Cristiano Ronaldo means another forward is needed – but the Red Devils have been warned it will take a record fee for PSV to sell.
      Goncalo Ramos, 21, Benfica & Portugal
      Talk about hitting the ground running – Ramos hit a superb hat-trick on his full international debut after replacing Cristiano Ronaldo.
      And immediately the transfer rumour mill started spinning in overdrive.
      Manchester United are considering a swoop for the Benfica man with 14 goals and six assists for his club this term – but they face competition from Newcastle and Bayern Munich.
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      Josko Gvardiol, 20, RB Leipzig & Croatia
      Yes he was linked with Chelsea in the summer before they landed Wesley Fofana – but Gvardiol’s stock has gone through the roof after his performances in Qatar.
      Gvardiol – the masked defender – was rarely beaten and proved a dominant force, helping Croatia reach the semis before Lionel Messi weaved his magic.
      Chelsea lead the race for a January deal although Manchester City and Real Madrid are also weighing up bids.
      Josko Gvardiol has been one of the best players at Qatar 2022Credit: EPA
      Sofyan Amrabat, 26, Fiorentina & Morocco
      Amrabat was arguably Morocco’s standout player in a team of record-breaking heroes with his dominant displays in midfield.
      His game against Spain was particularly impressive and has got plenty of clubs taking notice of former Watford man Nordin’s younger brother.
      Secret talks have already taken place with Liverpool – but Nordin wants his sibling to join PSG.
      Sofyan Amrabat gained plenty of attention with his performances for MoroccoCredit: AP
      Enzo Fernandez, 21, Benfica & Argentina
      The central midfielder has been a key cog in Argentina’s run to the final in Qatar, breaking up play and helping deliver the ball for the attack to cause chaos.
      Liverpool are said to have “agreed” a deal with Benfica for the rising star, who is also a target for City, United and Wolves.
      However, recent reports state Fernandez has a staggering £104million release clause in his contract.
      Enzo Fernandez could also be on his way out of BenficaCredit: Getty
      Mohammed Kudus, 22, Ajax & Ghana
      The attacking midfielder was poised to join Everton in the summer before a late deal fell through – and he proved what the Toffees were missing at the World Cup.
      Kudus scored twice in the thrilling win over South Korea and bolstered his reputation – then declared he is no worse than Neymar.
      Everton look to be in pole position over a £40m transfer to England with the likes of Tottenham and Barcelona also circling.
      Mohammed Kudus may be on his way to Everton after a summer move failedCredit: Reuters
      Youssoufa Moukoko, 18, Borussia Dortmund & Germany
      Somehow Moukoko has only just turned 18, having burst on to the scene with Borussia Dortmund what feels like years ago.
      Now a first-team regular with 11 goals in 59 appearances, he was named in Hansi Flick’s Germany squad – and left as one of the few to come away with much credit.
      Despite only coming on in the 90th minute in the Japan defeat, Moukoko is wanted by some of Europe’s elite as Chelsea and Barca on a cut-price deal with his contract ending in the summer.
      Youssoufa Moukoko only got a couple of minutes of action for Germany in QatarCredit: Getty
      Azzedine Ounahi, 22, Angers & Morocco
      Let’s be honest, not too many outside of France and Morocco had heard much about Ounahi four weeks ago.
      But his brilliance for the Atlas Lions in Qatar thrust him onto the world stage.
      Leicester were the first club linked with making a £39m bid to Angers for the box-to-box midfielder but West Ham and Newcastle may rival the Foxes for his signature.
      Leicester could pay £39m to land Azzedine Ounahi from AngersCredit: Getty
      Dominik Livakovic, 27, Dinamo Zagreb & Croatia
      There were question marks over the Croatian goalkeeper situation heading to Qatar – but now it is simply exclamation marks instead.
      Livakovic kept clean sheets against Morocco and Belgium before saving a record four penalties in the shootout wins over Japan and Brazil.
      He could have joined United or Nottingham Forest in the summer but now Leeds are leading the race after Bayern pulled out.
      Dominik Livakovic has excelled between the sticks for CroatiaCredit: AP
      Harry Souttar, 24, Stoke & Australia
      Born in Scotland, representing Australia.. and flourishing in Qatar…
      Souttar was a colossus at the heart of the Socceroos defence.
      He played a key role in the Aussies reaching the knockout stages where they were beaten by Argentina.
      Now back with Championship side Stoke, the club he joined from Dundee in 2016, and fully fit after his ACL injury in 2021, he will surely be snapped up by a Premier League club in the New Year – but the Potters want £25m.
      Harry Souttar was a beast at the back as the Aussies reached the last 16Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Randal Kolo Muani, 24, Eintracht Frankfurt & France
      Muani has grabbed his sliding doors moment after Christopher Nkunku limped out of France’s final training session before the World Cup and the new Frankfurt ace stepped up.
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      Despite 12 minutes of international football under his belt, he played well in the full 90 of the Tunisia defeat but then came off the bench and scored 44 seconds later to wrap up the semi-final win over Morocco.
      Tottenham and Liverpool were both keen on Muani before the World Cup – but now they are likely to need to stump up at least £69m if they can prise him away from the Bundesliga, where he has scored five and assisted ten in 14 games.
      Randal Kolo Muani sealed France’s spot in the final seconds into just his fourth capCredit: AP More

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      Italy legend looks unrecognisable as he arrives in Qatar ahead of World Cup final

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      AN Italy legend looked unrecognisable after touching down in Qatar for the World Cup final.Football fans around the globe are bracing themselves for an epic encounter between France and Argentina this weekend.
      An unrecognisable Italy legend touched down in Qatar ahead of the World Cup finalCredit: Instagram
      Countries including England, Brazil and Portugal have fallen by the wayside in their quest for world domination.
      And numerous football legends have made their way to the Middle East for Sunday’s showpiece event between Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
      One iconic figure who turned up in Qatar today used to be the Italian national team’s star player.
      He did not get to witness Roberto Mancini’s men in action after Italy failed to qualify less than a year after winning the Euros.
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      But he is no stranger to heartbreak on the pitch either.
      This legendary forward won numerous club and individual awards, yet he is best known for missing a penalty in Italy’s 1994 World Cup final defeat to Brazil.
      He scored 27 goals in 56 games for his country, while also netting 278 times in 605 club games.
      Yes, it’s none other than iconic Italian No10 Roberto Baggio.
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      The former player was none other than iconic No10 Roberto BaggioCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      The Ballon d’Or winner infamously missed a penalty in Italy’s 1994 World Cup final defeat to BrazilCredit: AFP
      Now 55 years old, the former Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan star was mobbed by supporters as he touched down in Qatar.
      Once sporting long dark locks and beard to match, he was unsurprisingly looking a little greyer almost 30 years on from his infamous miss.
      Baggio, who helped Italy finish third at the 1990 World Cup, needed to score his penalty in the USA 1994 final shootout against Brazil to keep Italy’s hopes alive.
      But despite winning the Ballon d’Or the previous year, Baggio ended up blasting his spot-kick over the bar to give Brazil their fourth World Cup win.
      Even to this day, Baggio admits he has not forgotten the moment he skied Italy’s dreams wide.
      He said last month: “I will never forget it. That was a childhood dream come true and then it ended in the most absurd fashion and I never got over it.
      “The people always showed me great love and affection, they understood my suffering, but I am very demanding with myself.
      “I had a thousand opportunities to miss a penalty in my career, that was the one I really couldn’t miss.” More

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      Liverpool identify their ‘next Thiago’ as they enter talks for £30million World Cup star

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      LIVERPOOL have been keeping a keen eye on the World Cup in Qatar and may have found their next bargain.Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat could find himself in the Premier League in the new year with interest from Liverpool after his stellar performances during the World Cup with Morocco.
      Sofyan Amrabat has impressed for Morocco at the World CupCredit: Getty
      His displays were vital in helping Morocco become the first African team in history to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
      According to Footmercato, the 26-year-old would be available to the Reds for just £30million, the same price as Spanish maestro Thiago cost them from Bayern Munich in 2020.
      Jurgen Klopp has made it known he is looking for options to improve the midfield after injury worries with Jordan Henderson and Thiago earlier in the season.
      Jude Bellingham has been heavily linked to a move to Merseyside yet a price tag of over £100million has put that move in doubt.
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      Amrabat left fans impressed after his performances against Spain and Portugal.
      With a value way less than that of Bellingham’s, the Moroccan has reportedly become the more appealing option for Klopp.
      The midfielder is most comfortable playing just ahead of the defence, which he has excelled at for Morocco, helping them keep clean sheets in four of their six games during the tournament.
      Liverpool fans will see Amrabat as a perfect replacement for Fabinho who has struggled for form since the start of the season after being one of their key players.
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      If the Moroccan does make the move over to the Premier League, he will be following in his older brothers footsteps with Nordin Amrabat featuring in the league for Watford during the 16/17 season. More

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      Sinisa Mihajlovic dead aged 53: Inter Milan, Lazio and Yugoslavia World Cup legend passes away after long cancer battle

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      SERBIAN football legend Sinisa Mihajlovic has died aged 53.The 63-cap Yugoslavia international, who was manager of Serie A side Bologna until September, had been suffering from cancer.
      Sinisa Mihajlovic has died aged 53Credit: AP:Associated Press
      Mihajlovic represented Yugoslavia at the 1998 World CupCredit: Reuters
      Mihajlovic, pictured here with Lazio, spent much of his club career in ItalyCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Mihajlovic announced he had been diagnosed with cancer in 2019 while manager of BolognaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Mihajlovic, who was first diagnosed with Leukemia in 2019, confirmed in March that he was undergoing a fresh round of treatment.
      As a player Mihajlovic represented Yugoslavia at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
      He spent much of his club career in Italy, playing for Inter Milan, Lazio, Roma and Sampdoria, as well as Red Star Belgrade and Vojvodina in his native Serbia.
      Tributes have poured in following news of his death, with Serie A describing Mihajlovic as “an icon of football and life” in an emotional statement.
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      It said: “Serie A is deeply saddened by the passing of Sinisa Mihajlovic, an icon of football and life.
      “His pure class as a footballer and coach, his strength and his humanity are an example that leaves an indelible mark on Italian and world football.”
      Mihajlovic went into coaching after hanging up his boots, which included a year in charge of Serbia.
      He also had spells with the likes of AC Milan, Fiorentina, and Torino.
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      In 2018 he signed a three-year deal to manage Sporting Lisbon but was sacked just after just nine days when the club changed presidents.
      In 2019, while boss of Bologna, Mihajlovic announced that he had been diagnosed with an acute form of Leukemia.
      He kept his role while he battled the illness, before he was sacked in September of this year.
      Bologna wrote on Twitter following the news of his death: “Goodbye, Mister, you will forever be in our hearts.”
      While former club Lazio, who Mihajlovic spent six years playing for, wrote: “SS Lazio mourns the passing of Sinisa Mihajlovic: a great Lazio man, a warrior on the pitch and in life.
      “His courage on the pitch was second only to that shown in the face of a serious illness, which never weakened him spirit and temper. 
      “An indelible trace in the history of Lazio will remain of this fighter with a big heart, not only for having been Champion of Italy, but for the message of hope in the face of the difficulties that he was able to represent up to the last moment of his life.
      “We will remember him as he deserves, with the infinite embrace of his team and his people. Our deepest condolences to the family.”
      In April emotional footage showed the moment he was paid a surprise visit by his players while undergoing treatment in hospital.
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      Known for his set-piece taking ability, Mihajlovic scored a free-kick for Yugoslavia against Iran at France ’98.
      At club level he won Serie A twice, once with Lazio and once with Inter, as well as the European Cup with Red Star Belgrade in 1991.
      Mihajlovic played for, and managed, a number of different Serie A clubsCredit: Getty More