FIFA and Gianni Infantino have released another statement after gathering in Rabat for crisis talks.

Infantino has come under serious fire in recent weeks after it emerged FIFA were attempting to sell off stakes in their major competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.

FIFA and Infantino were forced to scrap their plans after huge backlash. The 56-year-old has since faced numerous calls to resign from his position.

UEFA have stated they have no confidence in Infantino and want to see him replaced, while Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has said the same.

Luis Figo has also backed those calls, saying that ‘it’s not too late to save football’ and that the Swiss should ‘go now’.

Infantino Retains the Support of FIFA

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FIFA revealed that emergency talks held in Rabat, Morocco, were ‘constructive and positive’. They stated that Infantino still has the support of football’s governing body. Their statement started:

“It was discussed and agreed that the processes, communications and interactions between the FIFA President, the FIFA Secretary General and the FIFA Management Board that support the delivery of this vision can and should always be continuously improved in terms of their effectiveness and efficiency.

“The great work of the FIFA Administration that ensured a successful delivery of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ was acknowledged, and which would not have been possible without the FIFA President, the FIFA Secretary General and FIFA Administration speaking as one voice and working as one team.

“In this regard, FIFA’s top management is fully confident that the outcomes of today’s meeting will strengthen FIFA’s governance, help restore confidence in the organisation and enable us to prepare for the major events and challenges ahead in a united and transparent manner while continuing our mission to develop the game around the world.”

FIFA Apologise For Controversial World Cup Plans

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FIFA’s board also addressed their controversial World Cup plans. They acknowleged that they made mistakes and wished the process had been handled differently, while they also revealed they have apologised to its 211 member associations. The statement continued:

“The meeting also addressed the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, where mistakes made were acknowledged. It was agreed that it was not the intention for the FIFA Council and FIFA Member Associations to feel excluded from the process and that the process should have been handled differently. It was further acknowledged that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media.

“In a separate letter to the FIFA Council and FIFA Member Associations, an apology was made for these errors together with a commitment to ensure they do not happen again. A review will now be conducted, and a report will be presented to the FIFA Council at its next scheduled meeting.”

FIFA Send Warning to Critics

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FIFA have released statements in recent days hitting out at publications for spreading ‘fiction’. They denied that Infantino had appealed to Donald Trump and the White House in a bid to save his job, while they have also poured cold water on claims that Infantino has offered the 2030 World Cup final to Morocco in exchange for their support.

Signing off their statement, they said they would no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity and stressed that everything done was in compliance with FIFA rules. The statement concluded:

“There are always lessons to be learned, and FIFA will continue to improve its processes in light of this experience. In this instance, however, it is important to stress that, although mistakes were made, everything that was done was done in full compliance with the FIFA regulatory framework.”

Liverpool are leading the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola but they should be on high alert amid one of the Premier League’s rising stars potentially being on the move.

A new attacker is on the Reds’ list of priorities following Mohamed Salah‘s departure and doubts over Cody Gakpo’s future. The Dutch forward is linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, while Federico Chiesa could still head for the exit door.

This might mean Andoni Iraola will be short on both wings ahead of the new season, which starts in just under three weeks’ time. Rio Ngumoha is undoubtedly ready for more first-team action but it’s important that he is handled with care at the start of his career.

Saudi Giants Prepare Bid For Liverpool Target

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While Liverpool remain focused on a deal for Barcola, there are other names on Iraola’s wishlist, including his former Bournemouth winger Rayan. The Reds are reportedly one of five European clubs eyeing the Brazilian, who starred during the second half of last season at the Vitality.

Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also interested in the 19-year-old. But he could be on his way out of Europe amid reports linking him with Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal.

Brazilian outlet Ge Globo reports that the Saudi club are readying an offer to Bournemouth for the player and want him to replace fellow countryman Malcolm. They are aware that it will be a high investment amid European clubs also battling for his signature.

Rayan made a red-hot start to life in the Premier League after he joined the Cherries in January. He flourished under Iraola, registering five goals and two assists in 15 appearances.

The Brazilian wonderkid’s impressive exploits earned him a call-up to Brazil’s squad for the World Cup. He appeared in all but one of their five games and even took on a starting role after Raphinha suffered an injury.

Barcola And Rayan Would Take Reds Back To Title

With Liverpool already showing interest in Rayan, they can make a statement by reuniting him with Iraola. He could be Salah’s replacement on the right and rotate with 17-year-old Ngumoha.

Not only that, Iraola used his versatility last season, playing him on the left wing as well as up front. This adaptability holds similarities to Gakpo, who can be used out wide and as a centre-forward.

Moving for Rayan, hailed ‘world-class ‘, wouldn’t mean the Reds pull the plug on a deal for Barcola. Adding both players to Iraola’s squad would be an incredible way to start the Spaniard’s reign and as proven last year, money isn’t a major issue.

It’s worth noting that the Bournemouth star has a £130 million release clause in his contract, but it doesn’t become active until next year, per The Athletic. That could mean now is the time for the Anfield chiefs to try to negotiate a more reasonable fee and if they get it somewhere around the £85m mark, that would be a huge success.

Arsenal are plotting a stunning move for Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior but are seemingly putting contingency plans in place if they fail to land the Brazilian.

Vinicius has emerged as the Gunners’ top target to bolster Mikel Arteta’s attack amid a contract stand-off with Madrid. He has a year left on his current deal and has failed to agree on a new one with the La Liga giants.

Los Blancos are believed to have told Vinicius that they will look to sell him if he doesn’t extend his contract. That has put the Gunners on alert, and a move for the 26-year-old has been ‘approved at all levels internally‘.

Vinicius’ preference is to remain at the Estadio Bernabeu and the terms of a new contract are the only obstacle standing in his way. The Premier League champions are thus looking at an alternative should they miss out on the forward.

Arsenal to Pivot to Liverpool-Linked Barcola

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Arsenal were linked with Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola earlier this summer but talk of Vinicius had seemed to rule out a move for the Frenchman. That came to Liverpool‘s advantage, and they are reportedly frontrunners to land the winger.

According to Alex Crook of talkSPORT, the Gunners are likely to pivot to Barcola if they are unable to bring Vinicius to the Emirates. His preference is currently Anfield but joining Arteta’s side is also appealing.

Barcola has rejected contract offers from PSG and is seemingly eyeing an exit this summer. The 23-year-old has been unable to secure a regular starting berth in Luis Enrique’s attack due to the star-studded forward options at the club.

If Arsenal are to turn to Barcola, they not only have to see off competition from Liverpool, who are at the front of the queue. They may also have to fork out £140 million, a fee the Parisians are demanding for the former Lyon star, per SunSport.

Arsenal Need Vinicius Resolution Quickly

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Barcola is the best option for Arsenal should they miss out on Vinicius, and he’d be an exciting addition to Arteta’s squad. A pacey, tricky and confident winger, he is one of France’s most talented attackers.

The main problem the Gunners have is that they may be in a race against time, with Liverpool pursuing a deal for the PSG star. By the time they learn of the outcome of Vinicius’ contract saga, he might have already committed to a move to Anfield.

The Merseyside outfit’s interest stretches back to last summer when Fabrizio Romano reported that they viewed him as a ‘world-class player’ but didn’t make a move. This time, Andoni Iraola’s Reds are pushing ahead with efforts to sign him, and that highlights why they are in the strongest position to secure his signature.