La Liga president Javier Tebas has issued a stinging statement in response to Gianni Infantino’s 2026 World Cup rant.

Infantino has been accused of going ‘full Donald Trump’ with an unexpected statement posted on FIFA’s official website and across 15 slides on his Instagram account.

The under-fire FIFA president blasted critics of the 2026 World Cup, claiming they’ve been “consumed by hate” and urging them to “meditate, pray or watch a football match” in order to “find peace”.

Infantino claimed this summer’s tournament in North America featured “no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security” – ignoring the fact four supporters tragically died during World Cup celebrations in Mexico City.

He defended the treatment of Iran’s national football team, issues over visas, and even the hugely controversial Folarin Balogun red card situation.

“Indeed, ‘arguable’ referees’ decisions or ‘strange’ disciplinary rulings such as for instance potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide,” Infantino wrote. “It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising.”

La Liga President Responds to Infantino’s World Cup Statement

REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

Rather than convince people that the 2026 World Cup was a tournament without any downsides, Infantino’s statement appears to have had the opposite effect.

The “lame-duck FIFA president” now finds himself under even more scrutiny, with La Liga president Tebas tweeting:

Infantino Called to Appear Before Congress Over Trump Ties

Reuters/Mark J Rebilas

Meanwhile, Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House judiciary committee, has launched an investigation into Infantino, seeking documents that would detail the ties between FIFA and US President Donald Trump and his administration, per The Guardian.

“[Y]our election as FIFA president was supposed to mark a red-card break from a decades-long culture of corruption and scandals that dressed down world soccer’s reputation,” Raskin wrote to Infantino in the letter.

“Instead, at the start of your tenure, you dismantled FIFA’s ethical guardrails and disabled the organization’s ethics committee by pushing out most of its members. This lack of transparency and oversight has since paved the way for you to ingratiate yourself with the Trump administration via tactics that a New York University law professor and one of your former ethics committeemen described as ‘legal bribery’.”

Trump, who has close ties with Infantino, has reportedly lined up a potential new job for the under-pressure FIFA president.

Arsenal are now preparing their first official offer to bring a world-class superstar to the Emirates this summer, according to Sky Sports.

While Arsenal have completed the permanent signing of Piero Hincapie and brought in prolific winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, there has also been a lot of transfer disappointment.

The Gunners wanted to sign a high-profile left-sided attacker in addition to Tzolis, and they had made Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers their number one target.

A move to the Emirates for the England international had been expected to advance when the 23-year-old returned from representing his country at the 2026 World Cup, however Chelsea swooped in and agreed a £117m deal with their Premier League rivals.

Fabrizio Romano reported that the north London outfit were then making calls over a deal for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande who, at the time, looked likely to join Paris Saint-Germain after making it clear they were his preference over Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League.

Now, the 19-year-old sensation looks on the verge of joining Real Madrid instead, meaning the Gunners have once again had to explore other options.

However, Diomande’s impending move to the Bernabeu could actually potentially benefit Arsenal and their transfer plans.

Sky Sports: Arsenal Prepare First Vinicius Junior Bid

Reuters via Ueslei Marcelino

In recent days, Arsenal have been linked with a blockbuster move to sign Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, as they look for an alternative left-sided option.

Now, Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, posting on X on Monday night, says that the Gunners are now preparing their first official offer to sign the Brazil international, who was described by Carlo Ancelotti as ‘one of the best players in the world’ during the World Cup.

It’s claimed that the north Londoners are willing to submit the bid to Real, and the 26-year-old’s camp have been informed of Arsenal’s intentions.

However, the player and Real are still in talks over a new contract, and they have now sent a counter-offer to the attacker and his camp, as they look to reach an agreement after months of negotiations.

In 375 appearances for the La Liga giants, Vini Jr has scored 128 goals and registered a century of assists.

Arsenal to Accelerate Talks to Sign Another South American

According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, reporting for talkSPORT, Arsenal are also set to accelerate talks to sign another South American star in Bruno Guimaraes this week.

The Newcastle United captain has emerged as a key transfer target in recent weeks, although the Magpies are reluctant to lose the Brazilian given Sandro Tonali has already departed for Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

The report claims that Newcastle would be ready to reject an offer from their Premier League rivals worth £70m, but that Arsenal are ready to go north of that to land their top target.

Guimaraes is one of three South American players Arsenal are being heavily linked with right now, alongside Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid.

Any of these players would be a marquee signing and a statement of intent, as the Gunners look to retain their Premier League title and go one step further in the Champions League by winning the tournament.

Manchester United are still looking at the possibility of adding a new forward to their squad this summer.

The Red Devils have prioritised a midfield rebuild and so far have signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, while goalkeeper Karl Darlow and young winger Tynan Thompson have also arrived.

But the club are still pushing to make more additions for Michael Carrick as they prepare to return to the Champions League, and bolstering their forward line to ensure they’re not short on numbers in what they hope will be a long season remains something they have on their list of wants for the summer transfer window.

Man Utd Eyeing Conceicao

According to Fussball Daten, Man Utd have a strong interest in Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao.

Conceicao, who has been described as a ‘diamond’, was one of Portugal’s better performers in a disappointing World Cup campaign this summer, and has enjoyed a good spell at Juventus since joining from FC Porto in 2024, scoring 11 goals in 82 appearances.

The Portugal international has now emerged as a target for RB Leipzig as they look to replace Yan Diomande, who is on the verge of a stunning £100m+ move to Real Madrid, and it’s believed they are ready to pay around €50m (£43m) to take him to the Bundesliga.

However, it’s reported that Man Utd have been in close contact with the player’s camp about a move to Old Trafford. No formal offer has been made at this stage, but he is among the names being considered as United look to bolster their attack. Personal terms would not be expected to be an issue, either.

United were looking at a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville before Al Hilal joined the race and gazumped everyone by agreeing a £65m+ deal with West Ham. While Man Utd are keen to add to their attack, the future of Marcus Rashford may yet prove influential in any formal moves being made.

Conceicao Could Be Excellent Signing

Man Utd need an injection of pace in their attack, and someone who can play on either wing, take a man on and be a goal threat would be ideal.

Conceicao ticks all of those boxes, and at £43m he would be a value signing in this market. An attack consisting of Rashford, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, Benjamin Sesko, and potentially Joshua Zirkzee would provide plenty of options for the manager to choose from, and plenty of quality to win games.

United will have to be alert to his situation if they’re serious, because Leipzig will want to get a deal over the line quickly. But Bruno Fernandes knows the winger well, which may help swing things in their favour, and this is one to watch in the coming weeks.