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Asian Football Confederation rejects Fifa’s World Cup plan

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Fifa’s contentious proposal to sell stakes in a World Cup company appears to have been dealt a decisive blow, following the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) decision to join Uefa and Concacaf in rejecting the plan.

The future of Fifa president Gianni Infantino now seems increasingly uncertain. The AFC’s statement not only condemned the plan but also highlighted “fundamental weaknesses in Fifa’s consultation and decision-making processes that must now be addressed”.

It is understood that the 41 nations comprising Concacaf, representing North and Central America and the Caribbean, are losing, or have already lost, confidence in Infantino’s leadership. Meanwhile, Uefa has vowed to boycott Fifa competitions should the proposal not be withdrawn.

Infantino had previously stated that the creation of a new company to manage the World Cup and other Fifa competitions would require the approval of a majority of Fifa’s 211 member associations. With the collective opposition of the AFC’s 47 members, Concacaf’s 41, and Uefa’s 55, a formidable bloc of 143 nations now stands against the plan, making its passage highly improbable.

Uefa has also vowed to boycott the World Cup unless the plan is withdrawn
Uefa has also vowed to boycott the World Cup unless the plan is withdrawn (PA)

The proposal involved establishing Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) and selling a 20 per cent stake to private investors, with Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Eternal reportedly earmarked as the lead investor group. Joshua Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, who is the son-in-law of United States President Donald Trump.

Both the AFC and Uefa have expressed dismay that member associations were reportedly unaware of the plans until media reports surfaced.

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The AFC’s statement read: “The AFC stands in solidarity with Uefa and Concacaf in expressing serious concerns over Fifa’s proposal to introduce private investment into Fifa’s flagship competitions and the decision-making process around FFE.”

It continued: “The fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a Fifa World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game. Football should never have been placed in such a position.”

The confederation further elaborated on its concerns: “While the immediate debate centres on FFE, the AFC considers this issue extends far beyond a single proposal. Rather, it has exposed fundamental weaknesses in Fifa’s consultation and decision-making processes that must now be addressed.

“While the AFC notes Fifa’s latest clarification on the proposal, the central concerns surrounding governance, institutional process and meaningful consultation remain unanswered.”

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Fifa has been approached for comment regarding these developments.

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KO artist who fought Canelo sets his sights on Chris Eubank Jr

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Chris Eubank Jr has not fought since his underwhelming rematch with Conor Benn, but the 36-year-old is now being targeted by a fierce knockout artist, who is willing to travel to London for the opportunity to face him.

Eubank scored an iconic win over Benn last April but when they rematched seven months later, he felt the full effects of a brutal weight cut, narrowly avoiding a stoppage defeat as he survived until the final bell on unsteady legs only to lose a wide unanimous decision.

Since then, the Hove-born contender has been advised to move up in weight and return to the super-middleweight scene, but he has also been linked to a catchweight clash with Michael Zerafa in Australia – a bout which would take place at 164lbs.

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New York’s Edgar Berlanga has now thrown his hat into the ring though, after revealing on ‘The Last Stand’ podcast about his intentions to face Eubank before the end of the year.

“I would love to step into the ring to end the year with Chris Eubank Jr. I feel like that fight is going to be a big fight in London.

“I told Keith [Connolly], I said that I would rather not do it out here in America. I would rather go to London, where he is from [U.K.], you know what I am saying? We can make a big, big fight happen. He is on the radar.”

Berlanga’s most high profile fight came back in 2024 when he challenged Canelo Alvarez for his unified super-middleweight crown, suffering a unanimous decision defeat, one of two losses in his career after also coming up short against Hamzah Sheeraz.

He has since signed with Zuffa Boxing and in his debut with the company on Sunday he knocked Steven Butler out after seven rounds, recovering from a second-round knockdown to earn the 19th stoppage victory of his career.

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In an interview with The Ring, Berlanga has now doubled down on his call-out of Eubank, hoping he can convince the Briton to swerve the Zerafa fight in favour of a clash on home soil.

“I’m looking forward to getting a real big fight with Chris Eubank. Let’s do it in London. It’s going to be big.”

Eubank maintains that he is currently a free agent, but it is unclear whether he is still contracted to Boxxer, with promoter Ben Shalom appearing to believe that their deal has not expired.

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Danhausen Names His Price For Major “Uncurse”

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Danhausen has named his price for yet another major uncursing. He has shockingly asked for ten million dollars and that is something that he has never done before.

The Very Nice Very Evil star has been on the lips of all sports fans ever since he helped the New York Knicks win the NBA title in June. The Knicks had not won the NBA championship in 53 years and only did so after he lifted their curse.

He has since become a household name and has also appeared on a lot of sports channels where they spoke about his powers. Danhausen will be taking on Dominik Mysterio at SummerSlam which will be held in Minnesota.

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He was posing for pictures with the fans when a fan asked him what would it take for him to uncurse the Minnesota Vikings, who have never won the NFL Championship. He jokingly said that it would take ten million dollars for him to uncurse the Vikings.

Danhausen makes bizarre request to the New York Knicks

The name Danhausen has been etched in the history of the New York Knicks. Ever since they won the NBA title, thanks to their curse being lifted, he has been praised by many of the Knicks players themselves.

After they won the title, the former AEW star made a bizarre request to the New York Knicks. He asked for a one day contract with the franchise so he can play and retire as a world champion. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, after the historic championship win, the former AEW star wrote:

“Danhausen is requesting a one day contract with The KNICKSHAUSEN so he may retire from basketball’s as a champion of the world”

It is the off season right now and there is not a lot of movement. However, given the kind of coverage and sensation the team has received from the WWE star, it should come as no surprise if they decide to adhere to the request and give him a one day contract.

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