Prime Minister Andy Burnham has strongly criticised Fifa’s proposal to establish a private company to manage its competitions, asserting that the World Cup “was never anyone’s to sell”.

The football governing body confirmed plans for Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new entity designed to consolidate the sale of commercial rights with the operational delivery of its tournaments.

Fifa said that Thrive Eternal, a company formed in April this year with connections to the extended family of US president Donald Trump, is slated to lead the proposed investor group for FFE. The move immediately sparked considerable backlash from fans and Uefa alike, with the European football body warning that the plan “crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross”.

Mr Burnham joined the chorus of disapproval, taking to X to declare: “The World Cup is not a product.”

He elaborated: “Let me say this very directly. Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine. The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out. Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will.”

Fifa, however, maintains that it will retain “exclusive authority” over football governance, competitions, the match calendar, and all regulatory and sporting decisions.

The organisation added that the creation of FFE would significantly boost football development funding for national associations, projecting an expenditure of more than 10 billion US dollars (£7.5 billion) on development over the next four years.

Thrive Eternal, expected to spearhead the proposal, is run by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Mr Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Reports from The Times suggest that Fifa president Gianni Infantino could potentially assume the role of commissioner or chief executive of the new venture from 2031. Mr Infantino is currently seeking re-election for a four-year term as Fifa president next year.

In a statement, Uefa reiterated its grave concerns: “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. Uefa takes it extremely seriously. So should every national football association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game. The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not Fifa’s to sell.”

Atlético Madrid star Julián Alvarez has been advised by sources close to him to take into consideration issuing a personal apology to his employers.

This comes after the Argentine went public with his desire to depart the Metropolitano amid interest from La Liga rivals Barcelona.

Advertisement

The name of frontman Alvarez has of course positioned itself centre stage in the media headlines throughout Spain across the summer to date. After Robert Lewandowski was allowed to depart the aforementioned Barcelona on a free transfer, the 26-year-old was identified as the ideal replacement.

Desperate to secure a Camp Nou switch, Alvarez therefore confirmed whilst on international duty that:

“I spoke with ​people at the club, with those I had to speak with and the ​best thing for everyone is ‌a transfer. I want to fulfil my dream.”

To date, however, Atlético have refused to open the door to a transfer, leaving club and player alike in an awkward position.

Advertisement

With as much in mind, as alluded to above, Alvarez has this week therefore been urged to kickstart efforts to repair his relationship with the Rojiblancos.

As per a report from journalist Achraf Ben Ayad:

‘There are those advising Julián to offer an apology to Atletico.’

Conor Laird – GSFN

FILE– Gilas Pilipinas prospect Sedrick Barefield during a PBA game with Blackwater Bossing. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield is honored to be considered part of Team Philippines for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with his name listed in Gilas Pilipinas’ initial pool of players.

Barefield, along with Meralco’s Brandon Bates, was among those named to the 30-man pool for the quadrennial meet, where Gilas will defend the gold medal it won three years ago.

Barefield said he only knew of his inclusion when Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy mentioned their names during her appearance at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.

“I’m hoping that it’s a possibility,” Barefield said after Blackwater’s 102-93 loss to Phoenix in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

While Barefield is ineligible to represent the Philippines as a local in Fiba competitions, there’s a chance of him playing in the Asian Games with organizers only requiring a Philippine passport to be eligible.

The prospect of becoming a Gilas player, at least for the Asiad, is something Barefield hopes would come to fruition.

“It’ll be a dream come true, just to go out there and compete with those guys representing the country,” said Barefield. “It would mean the world, it would mean everything. That’s high-level basketball that you always want to be a part of, that you dream of being a part of.”

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of the Cricket Club of India (CCI), MIG Cricket Club in Bandra East, and three other clubs in the city for alleged violations of food safety and hygiene norms, officials said on Tuesday.

The CCI’s kitchen lacked segregation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food preparation areas, and FDA inspectors also found a large number of cockroaches and flies near food handling and waste disposal areas, said an official statement.

The FDA under its newly appointed commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has taken action against several famous eateries and food establishments in the city and elsewhere in the state over the last two months.

At the CCI, water was found dripping on stored food inside cold storage, drains were clogged, cutting boards were unhygienic, rotten vegetables, overripe mushrooms and expired food items were stored, and FIFO/FEFO (‘First In, First Out’ and ‘First Expired, First Out’) 
Practices and proper food labelling were not followed, it said. 
Check CWG 2026 DAY 5 (July 28) LIVE UPDATES, MEDAL NEWS AND INDIA FULL SCHEDULE here

Utensils were placed directly on the floor, and grease, sludge and stagnant water was found accumulated around food preparation areas, the statement further claimed.

It also cited the absence of colour-coded chopping boards which increases the risk of cross-contamination. These violations warranted immediate suspension of the club’s food licence under the Food Safety and Standards Act and related regulations, the authority said.

The food licence of MIG Cricket Club was suspended as an unauthorised catering agency without a valid FSSAI licence was operating from the premises, the FDA said.

The inspection at MIG Cricket Club also found live cockroaches and cobwebs in the kitchen, it said.

Other violations included improper handling and storage of raw, cooked, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, failure to conduct periodic food and water testing, unauthorised structural and management changes without informing the licensing authority, and the absence of qualified technical personnel and mandatory health records of food handlers, the FDA said.

Food licenses of RK Juhu Gymkhana, The Aparna Juhu Gymkhana and The Willindon Sports Club were also suspended for various violations, the release said.

FIFA plans to create a new commercial subsidiary valued at $20 billion (roughly €17.5 billion) and sell non-controlling minority stakes to investors, world football’s governing body announced on Tuesday. 

It called on its 211 member federations to back the plan, saying that if they voted in favor they “would benefit immediately from increased funding.” 

As soon as the news emerged, European football federation UEFA issued fierce criticism of the plan, saying it “crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.” 

The push comes immediately after this summer’s World Cup hosted primarily in the US, with FIFA listing a series of potential investors and advisors from the country. Infantino’s close relationship with US President Donald Trump had already prompted criticism in some corners prior to Tuesday’s announcement, which came a day after Infantino issued a fiery statement defending the tournament in the US and the controversies that accompanied it. 

What did FIFA say about the plan? 

FIFA said that it planned to set up a “new FIFA-owned and controlled subsidiary consolidating FIFA’s commercial and event operations” that it would call the FIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE. 

Advertisement

It said this company would be valued at $20 billion and that FFE would aim to raise up to $4.2 billion “this year” by “carefully selecting long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests in FFE.”

FIFA claimed that “all net benefits of FFE will be reinvested back into football worldwide,” without clarifying what constituted “net benefits,” or what gains investors then stood to make.

FFE would be responsible for FIFA’s commercial rights like broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing contracts, the statement said. By far the most valuable of these for FIFA are those connected to the World Cup, although other competitions like the recently and controversially relaunched FIFA Club World Cup also apply. 

Ahead of this month’s World Cup final in New York, FIFA President Gianni Infantino had told member associations that he wanted to “unleash the commercial potential and opportunity” of the organization. 

Advertisement

Infantino tried to portray the changes as seeking to more evenly spread out football funding and to “democratize” the game, seemingly in a pitch aimed at less wealthy (and more numerous) football associations in particular. 

“As its global governing body, FIFA is responsible for making sure the game reaches every corner of the world, and that the value it creates supports federations and communities everywhere. Our next stage of growth needs a structure built for it, one where the commercial side of the game operates as a focused, dedicated business, with its value shared more and better all around the world,” Infantino said in FIFA’s press release. 

“We intend to invest heavily even in the smallest or most remote parts of the footballing world, places that are too often passed over,” Infantino said, championing the new investment scheme dubbed the FIFA Fast Forward Programme, or FFFP.

2026 World Cup, the tournament that changed football forever

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Advertisement

How did UEFA react? 

FIFA’s press release was published soon after an article on the website of UK newspaper The Times — followed soon after by the Financial Times, Bloomberg and others — began attracting international attention. 

The European football federation UEFA issued a scathing response online soon after the news broke. 

“This crosses a line that football’s governing insitutions should never cross,” it said. “UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments, and everyone who cares about the future of the game.” 

UEFA said that the “soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially.”

UEFA and FIFA have clashed repeated in recent months and years under Infantino’s stewardship, including during the World Cup this summer. 

Advertisement

“None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell,” UEFA argued. 

UEFA, however, only represents around one quarter of FIFA’s member associations, so its opposition is by no means guaranteed to halt the plan. 

Cape Verde’s World Cup journey sparks national pride

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

What do we know about the proposed investors and advisors? 

FIFA said its structure would be similar to “other sports governing bodies with dedicated commercial subsidiaries,” and said that investors would be selected “against clear long-term, governance and strategic criteria.” 

Advertisement

It described ideal investors as long-term partners who could contribute capital and commercial expertise to help FIFA’s goal of growing the game. 

“Subject to these final agreements and required approvals, Thrive Eternal, a permanent capital holding company, is expected to lead the proposed investor group for FFE,” FIFA said, referring to the holding company set up this year by Joshua Kushner, brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior negotiator Jared Kushner.

Infantino’s relations with Trump came under scrutiny more than once amid the World Cup process — perhaps most notably when FIFA overturned the red card suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun ahead of defeat against Belgium, and when Donald Trump was given the inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize” in a much-mocked event last December. This came weeks before the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and then the war with Iran. 

FIFA also said that Greg Maffei, the CEO of BANN Ventures and formerly “the CEO of Liberty Media during its acquisition and ownership of Formula 1” motor racing, “has been a key commercial advisor and will remain involved in the establishment of FFE in this next phase.”

Advertisement

It said that investment bank JP Morgan was engaged to work alongside FIFA, and Rome-based economic consulting firm OpenEconomic were also “engaging with prospective long-term investors.” 

FIFA said that it was trying to set up a geographically diversified investor group and said it had received expressions of interest from every major region in the world. 

Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez

Don’t let the algorithm hide the news. If you rely on our team for trusted reporting, please take a moment to select us as your Preferred Source on Google, so you’ll always see our verified news first.

Advertisement

Smriti Mandhana’s 88-run innings off 50 balls, including four sixes, gives Manchester Super Giants a four-wicket win over Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred at Headingley.

MATCH REPORT: Classy Mandhana helps Super Giants beat Sunrisers

Available to UK users only.

Roberto Mancini has returned as Italy’s head coach for a second spell after a dramatic few days that saw Andrea Pirlo withdraw from the race and technical director Paolo Maldini resign.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed the appointment on Tuesday, just one day after Pirlo ruled himself out because of controversy surrounding his links to a Russian betting company.

FIGC president Giovanni Malago said Mancini was always his preferred choice.

“I believed that the best person to become head coach was Roberto Mancini,” Malago said.

Mancini takes over from Gennaro Gattuso, who left the role in April after Italy failed to qualify for a third straight FIFA World Cup. Under-21 coach Silvio Baldini had been in temporary charge.

The appointment comes during a period of major changes within the national team. Paolo Maldini, who had been named technical director only two weeks earlier, resigned after the decision not to appoint Pirlo. Adviser Leonardo also stepped down, while Claudio Ranieri has been named as the new technical director.

Mancini is no stranger to the Italy job. He first took charge in 2018 and guided the Azzurri to victory at Euro 2020, beating England in the final at Wembley. He also led Italy on a world-record 37-match unbeaten run.

However, his first spell ended in 2023 after Italy failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, losing to North Macedonia in the play-offs.

Before returning to the national team, Mancini managed Saudi Arabia and later Qatari club Al Sadd, where he won the Qatar Stars League before leaving the club in June.

At club level, Mancini enjoyed success with Inter Milan, Lazio and Manchester City, where he guided City to their first Premier League title in 2012.

His second spell as Italy coach begins with a UEFA Nations League home match against Belgium on 25 September, followed by an away game against Turkey three days later.

It’s day two at Glorious Goodwood with the Sussex Stakes the feature on the card. We have four selections for you using the best odds from betting sites.

Before you place your bet check out the best Goodwood betting offers to claim free bets, bet boosts and more.

Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (13.50, Goodwood)

Tuesday began well for us with Al Aali, so let’s see if lightning is capable of striking twice.

Hatteen is an interesting runner on his handicap debut for the Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy combination, which regulars will know is one I have a lot of time for. He was an impressive winner at Doncaster last time (1m4f, good to firm) and enters handicaps off a mark of 88, which gives him scope to improve again.

He is much respected but a pretty skinny price at the same time, with Infraad (William Haggas/Tom Marquand) another with potential and Cannes an interesting contender sent from Ireland by the excellent Joseph O’Brien.

The latter has to bounce back after a lack lustre run at Royal Ascot but I’d definitely not be writing him off and a win would not surprise. However, a really interesting entrant is BALTIC FLEET, who I am happy to take a chance on to small stakes at a good price on betting apps.

He’s 20/1 at the time of writing and that looks attractive. He ran well on his handicap debut at York (1m4f, good) in May and followed that with a better effort when second in a small field at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) last time.

After that race, he was bought out of George Boughey’s yard for £170,000 and is now at Ian Williams’ Worcestershire yard. I’d be pretty confident there is more to come from him, given that the horses that filled first and third at Wolverhampton have both gone on to win since, so that form is working out well.

William Buick rides for the first time and if the unexposed Space Blues gelding can continue his rise, he could go much closer than his current price suggests.

Goodwood day two racing tip 1: Baltic Fleet (Goodwood, 13.50) – 1pt each-way @ 20/1 (William Hill)

A cracking Group 3 contest where the front two in the market, Sayidah Dariyan and FLORA OF BERMUDA, both have to prove they’ll get home over this far.

We sided with Royal Velvet at Royal Ascot but it appears she might have just gone over the top on her last two starts, while Zanthos does get this trip and is a danger and Planet Seeker – who dead-heated for first in this last year – is another who should be involved.

However, I’m just siding with Flora Of Bermuda because she’s such a good, consistent yardstick for a sprinter. She’s officially the best in this field over shorter than this but I think she’ll see it out, as she wasn’t stopping when winning the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville (6½f, good to firm).

She’s a strong finisher with a good attitude and she represents a stable (Andrew Balding) that’s in good form and I am surprised that, at the time of writing, she’s not heading the market. She did, after all, beat the market leader by 2l last time they met and they meet on the same terms this time. Hopefully she can head the field past the post.

Goodwood day two racing tip 2: Flora Of Bermuda (Goodwood, 15.00) – 1pt win @ 7/2 (William Hill)

Speedy juveniles to the fore here with Richard Hannon-trained Pershaada heading the market after a C&D novice win and a fourth in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, where she was a place in front of CROWNBREAKER.

I think the latter represents a bit of value at a bigger price than the favourite on horse racing betting sites, having shown her 100/1 Queen Mary fifth to be no fluke by heading to France and winning in Listed company since.

She’s got bags of pace and while there may be less exposed contenders, I actually think her extra experience could prove positive in a race like this. With her trainer among the winners, she looks a lively each-way player who could prove up to winning this.

The unbeaten Adonius could be anything but will have to improve on what he’s produced to add to his CV, while El Floridita is another who is not ruled out.

Goodwood day two racing tip 3: Crownbreaker (Goodwood, 15.35) – 1pt each-way @ 9/2 (Bet365)

While we can’t dismiss outsiders out of hand after what happened with Qirat last year, it really would be a big surprise if this prestigious prize didn’t go to one of the three leading contenders, Opera Ballo, Gstaad or BOW ECHO.

It may not be original to side with the favourite but he’s earned that tag and I think he’ll be better suited by this quicker track than he was at Royal Ascot in the St James’s Palace Stakes (1m, good to firm) last time.

His 2,000 Guineas win was the best performance in that race since the great Frankel and I think that’s always worth bearing in mind. He’s beaten Gstaad fair and square and although there may not be too much in it any longer, he holds the cards.

I am also a big fan of Aidan O’Brien and I can see the argument that he is also still improving, especially as he pushed the selection much closer at the Royal meeting.

He wouldn’t be an undeserving winner but he’s got it to do and he’s officially still got 5lb to find with George Boughey’s mount. That’s considerable and if you’re backing him you’re surely having to do so hoping that the favourite misfires.

Opera Ballo is, in fact, the second best on official ratings as they go to post and he’s a Group 1 winner who has a CV that reads 7-10. He’s the best of the older horses but it will be tough for both he and Ten Bob Tony to successfully concede 8lb to both Bow Echo and Gstaad.

Goodwood day two racing tip 4: Bow Echo (Goodwood, 16.10) – 3pts win @ 5/4 (Betfred)

It is important to practice safer gambling online, and regulated bookmakers can help bettors stay in control of their betting through their detailed safer gambling hubs.

As you’ll find on all UKGC licensed horse racing betting sites, there is a range of tools available such as deposit limits, profit and loss calculators, reality checks and self-exclusion options.

If necessary, there is also a product block available.

If you need to seek help for a gambling problem, there are various charities that can help if you ever feel your gambling has got out of hand:

We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.