European soccer declares loss of confidence in FIFA chief over ’shabby’ private financing plan
European soccer’s governing body UEFA declared it has lost confidence in FIFA president Gianni Infantino, piling pressure on the beleaguered sporting chief despite the organization dropping a hugely controversial plan to sell private stakes in the World Cup and other top tournaments. In a blistering statement released Saturday morning, UEFA welcomed the decision by FIFA […]
FIFA studying impact of expanding men’s World Cup to 64 teams for 2030 edition
Reuters — FIFA is studying the impact of expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, according to a document seen by Reuters. The 2026 edition was expanded from 32 to 48 teams, adding four more groups and an extra knockout round in the process. South American confederation CONMEBOL had officially […]
FIFA President Gianni Infantino further isolated following senior advisor resignation and confederation revolts
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is finding himself increasingly isolated as pressure and opposition build against the world soccer governing body’s plan to inject private money into its competitions. European soccer’s governing body UEFA threatened Thursday to boycott future men’s and women’s World Cups in reaction to the proposal. North and Central America and Caribbean governing […]
AC Milan and Italy legend Franco Baresi dies at 66
Rome, ItalyReuters — Former AC Milan and Italy defender Franco Baresi, one of the most recognizable players of the golden era of Italian soccer in the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 66, his former club said on Friday. “The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco […]
European soccer teams vote to boycott World Cups over FIFA investment plan
In a rebuke of FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, UEFA’s 55 member associations voted unanimously today to boycott future competitions by soccer’s global governing body, including the World Cup. The decision came in response to FIFA’s plan to sell private stakes in upcoming World Cup tournaments that sparked backlash from fans and soccer associations […]
The Protect College Sports Act faces critical deadline
Chicago — Tony Petitti chuckled at the question, clearly amused at its bluntness if not the essence of the query. “I was wondering, Tony,’’ the reporter asked the Big Ten commissioner at his annual football media day, “is it a little bit sad that y’all have had to turn college athletics over to the federal government […]
What college football and horse racing have in common: Greed wrecking a good thing
On their face, they would seem as far apart on the sporting spectrum as tiddlywinks and shot put. On the one end sits college football, the billion-dollar industry that commands attention from August until January. On the other is horse racing, the niche sport that owns a five-week blip of the calendar. And yet, besieged […]