All posts tagged: UEFA

FIFA lashes out at reports of Gianni Infantino reaching out to Donald Trump to save his job: ‘Pure fiction’

FIFA lashes out at reports of Gianni Infantino reaching out to Donald Trump to save his job: ‘Pure fiction’

Published by Parlour News

FIFA rubbished reports that Gianni Infantino had reached out to US President Donald Trump to save himself from the blushes and keep the top job at the apex football body. The FIFA President has been under fire of late, and UEFA has already confirmed that it has lost trust in Infantino. A lot was made about Infantino after the body reversed the red card given to US player Folarin Balogun at the request of Trump. FIFA cleared the air on the reports of Gianni Infantino reaching out to Donald Trump. (REUTERS) Recently, Infantino faced the wrath of UEFA, CONMEBOL and AFC after he revealed his plan to sell a minority stake in the World Cup‘s commercial rights. The growing opposition to the plan eventually led FIFA to call it off. However, Infantino’s job is now under threat as many voices are calling for the body to have a new chief. Amid the growing opposition to Infantino, a Times report claimed that Infantino repeatedly tried to contact Trump after the commercial rights plan collapsed. The report …

UEFA nations threaten to boycott World Cup

UEFA nations threaten to boycott World Cup

Published by Webster

3 min readUpdated: Jul 30, 2026 10:16 PM IST European football’s governing body UEFA’s member associations on Thursday unanimously voted to boycott the World Cup ⁠and other FIFA competitions in protest against FIFA’s plan ⁠to sell stakes to external ‌investors in a subsidiary that will run the ⁠global ⁠governing body’s tournaments. The decision was taken in a virtual emergency meeting convened on Thursday. “Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for ‌the next generation. As a result ​of today’s discussion, ​no UEFA ​national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and ​binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again ⁠open its governance or competitions to private ownership. Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination,” UEFA said in a statement. “UEFA and its 55 member associations stand …

UEFA slams world body’s private investment plans

UEFA slams world body’s private investment plans

Published by Webster

2 min readJul 29, 2026 12:53 PM IST European football’s governing body, UEFA, on Tuesday issued a stern threat to FIFA after reports surfaced that FIFA was seeking private investment in the World Cup and other events hosted by the world body. FIFA said on Tuesday that it plans to create a semi-private subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to sell minority, non-controlling stakes in the business operations of the World Cup and other tournaments. While retaining majority control, FIFA aims to raise $4.2 billion from long-term investors later this year. British newspaper The Times reported that FIFA president Gianni Infantino stood to profit from the scheme after his proposed next term at the helm of the world body runs out in 2031. Reports have also stated that discussions with potential investors were already underway. It comprises Thrive Capital, an investment company founded and led by Joshua Kushner, brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared and a subsidiary of JP Morgan Chase, the US bank that unsuccessfully attempted to bankroll the European Super League. In …

After WC snub, Somali referee Artan set to officiate 2026 UEFA Super Cup

After WC snub, Somali referee Artan set to officiate 2026 UEFA Super Cup

Published by Webster

3 min readJun 11, 2026 08:47 PM IST After Somalia referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States to officiate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, the UEFA on Thursday announced that he will officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final between Europa League winner Aston Villa and Champions League winner Paris Saint Germain on August 12 in Salzburg. “Following discussions with its sister confederation, Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), UEFA has today appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, which will take place on 12 August in Salzburg between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League winners Aston Villa,” UEFA said in a statement. “Despite his young age, Artan has established himself as one of the world’s top referees and has been on the FIFA international list since 2018. Among the most notable matches he has officiated is the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League final. In recognition of his performances, he received the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025. …

PSG crowned UEFA Champions League winners; Arsenal crumble in penalty shootout

PSG crowned UEFA Champions League winners; Arsenal crumble in penalty shootout

Published by Webster

Paris Saint-Germain refuses to let go of Europe. In a final of brutal margins and collapsing legs, the defending champions outlasted Arsenal 4-3 on penalties to retain the Champions League and confirmed their place at the summit of the game. Twice winners in a row, PSG held their nerve as Arsenal’s unbeaten European run finally cracked under pressure. Eberechi Eze’s miss opened the door, and Gabriel blazed the decisive kick high into the Budapest night, sending it into the stands as silence swallowed the Arsenal end. As PSG players sprinted onto the pitch in celebration, Gabriel dropped to his knees in tears, surrounded by heartbreak, while navy blue shirts swarmed the turf in scenes of pure triumph. For much of the evening, which ended 1-1 after extra time, Mikel Arteta’s side looked destined to complete the greatest achievement in the club’s history. Kai Havertz’s early strike gave Arsenal a precious advantage and appeared to put them on course for Champions League glory. Yet after spending much of the match defending their lead, the Gunners were …

PSG vs Bayern Munich Live Streaming: When and where to UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st leg Live | Football News

PSG vs Bayern Munich Live Streaming: When and where to UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st leg Live | Football News

Published by Webster

2 min readApr 28, 2026 09:48 PM IST PSG vs Bayern Munich UCL 2026 Semifinal Live Streaming: Defending champions Paris St Germain host six-time champions Bayern Munich in the first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League semi-finals at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Bayern come into the match having confirmed a record-extending 35th Bundesliga title for themselves and remain on course to win a treble. However, their head coach Vincent Kompany won’t be in the technical area or anywhere near the team as he has been suspended. Luis Enrique’s PSG are at full strength. They are appearing in their third straight semifinal and face a Bayern side who are yet to lose in any competition since Jan. 24 and scored 19 goals in the past five games. Ligue 1 leaders PSG also rested some first-teamers in a 3-0 win at Angers on Saturday and hope to have midfielders Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz ready to start alongside Joao Neves at Parc des Princes. Bayern’s Harry Kane, meanwhile, netted his 53rd goal of another prolific season …

After World Cup debacle, Italy warned of being dropped as Euro 2032 co-hosts due to poor infrastructure | Football News

After World Cup debacle, Italy warned of being dropped as Euro 2032 co-hosts due to poor infrastructure | Football News

Published by Webster

2 min readApr 2, 2026 09:44 PM IST UEFA president Alexander Ceferin has warned that Italy could lose their co-hosting rights for the 2032 European Championship unless the existing football infrastructure is upgraded. The development comes a day after the country failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for an unprecedented third consecutive time. It has led to the Italian football federation president Gabriele Gravina stepping down from his position amid mounting criticism at home. “Euro 2032 is scheduled and will take place. I hope the infrastructure will be ready,” Ceferin told Gazzetta dello Sport. “Otherwise, the tournament will not be played in Italy.” The tournament is set to be co-hosted by Italy and Turkey. Italy boast some of the most iconic football stadiums but clubs that play in them have struggled with renovation work. With the exception of Juventus, almost every major club in Italy, including AC Milan, Inter Milan, Lazio and AS Roma, play at stadiums that are ultimately owned by public authorities. Ceferin expressed his support for Gravina , who is …

UEFA detail reasons why Finalissima between South American giants and Spain was not rescheduled

UEFA detail reasons why Finalissima between South American giants and Spain was not rescheduled

Published by Webster

2 min readMar 15, 2026 08:01 PM IST UEFA announced that the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain was cancelled after Iranian strikes on American bases in middle eastern countries had put the match at the Lusail stadium in Doha, in doubt. UEFA confirmed on Sunday that despite many attempts to reschedule the match across different venues, the participants weren’t able to come to a decision and the match would thus have to be cancelled. “After much discussion between UEFA and the organising authorities in Qatar, it is announced today that due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima between UEFA EURO 2024 winners Spain and CONMEBOL Copa América 2024 champions Argentina cannot be played as hoped in Qatar on 27 March. UEFA said that multiple options were put in front of the Argentine Football Association, including a 50-50 split of fans at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid but most of the options provided were refused for various reasons. “The first option was to stage the match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium …

UEFA Champions League: Fighter pilot as mental coach, taking common responsibility for errors – how Norwegian underdogs Bodø/Glimt made it to last 16 | Football News

UEFA Champions League: Fighter pilot as mental coach, taking common responsibility for errors – how Norwegian underdogs Bodø/Glimt made it to last 16 | Football News

Published by Webster

4 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Feb 25, 2026 09:12 PM IST Norway continued to dominate in Italy even after the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics wrapped up as Bodø/Glimt stunned Inter Milan in the round of 32 playoffs of the UEFA Champions League. To put this achievement in perspective, the club come from a town (Bodø) so small that their entire population, of just over 42,000, could comfortably fit into Milan’s San Siro stadium, which seats 75,817. For a team that comes from such a humble place, unconventional methods might be the only way they can prosper. It is not a new concept for football clubs to employ a club psychologist, yet Bodø’s approach remains unique: their mental coach, Bjorn Mannsverk, is a former fighter pilot. In an interview with Sky Sports last year, he spoke about developing the practice of ‘The Ring.’ After conceding a goal, players immediately gather in a huddle, not only to discuss their errors but also to collectively share the responsibility. He said he got the idea from his combat days. “When …

Vinicius Jr’s alleged racial abuser suspended for Real Madrid-Benfica return Champions League leg by UEFA

Vinicius Jr’s alleged racial abuser suspended for Real Madrid-Benfica return Champions League leg by UEFA

Published by Webster

3 min readFeb 23, 2026 09:45 PM IST UEFA have chosen to suspend Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni for the blockbuster Champions League knockout stage rematch between the Portuguese giants and Real Madrid at the Spanish capital. Prestianni was accused of racial abuse by Madrid winger Vinicius Jr and UEFA, suspecting that a protest or demonstration of sorts would be unleashed, have chosen to suspend the Argentine ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. In the first leg, Vinicius scored the only goal of the game and celebrated. But after what seemed like a back-and-forth conversation between players, he was allegedly called a racial slur by Prestianni, an accusation that’s unclear because of the player pulling his shirt over his mouth. The match was suspended for ten minutes after the Brazilian immediately rushed to complain to the referee and was later backed by teammate Kylian Mbappe who confirmed that he had heard the Benfica player’s words. “Following the appointment of a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector (EDI) to investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour during the …