The first European nation has shown support to Gianni Infantino over his hugely-controversial FIFA World Cup stakeholder plan.

The football world has been rocked by FIFA and Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup. Infantino, who has served as FIFA president since 2016, is reportedly eyeing a ‘£15 billion sell-off’ to private investors.

In exchange for allowing private investors the opportunity to pay billions for involvement in the planning of future World Cups, Infantino is offering each of FIFA’s 211 member associations the chance to make £15 million ($20 million) instantly if they vote through his plans. A further £50 million ($66 million) will then be given to each association before 2038.

A deadline of September 19 has been set for the 211 member associations to decide if they want to accept the deal.

UEFA accused Infantino of “crossing a line” in a statement released after the plans were revealed by The Times.

“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross,” the statement read. “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.”

UEFA Member Nation Supports Infantino’s World Cup Proposal

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UEFA, led by its President Aleksander Ceferin, will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday involving all of its 55 member associations.

However, one European nation has rocked the boat by saying it is broadly in agreement with Infantino’s proposals.

The president of Czech Republic’s football association, David Trunda, believes the £15 billion ($20 billion) plot would provide valuable additional funding for grassroots football and infrastructure development in the country.

“I can see the pragmatic benefits for Czech football from working in close co-operation with [FIFA president] Gianni Infantino and his team,” Mr Trunda told Sky News.

Despite being an outlier among UEFA’s member nations, Mr Trunda maintains that European football’s governing body remains “a very important partner”.

He added: “I was elected a little more than a year ago, and for me personally all the projects I have experienced in cooperation with FIFA have been very positive for the development of European football.”

CAF President Also Supports Infantino’s Plan

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Meanwhile, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has also thrown his support behind Infantino’s plan.

“We took a decision, and I personally support Gianni Infantino,” Motsepe told reporters, per ESPN.

“I come from a background where when people have been loyal to you, you never stab them in the back. You never do that.”

However, the English FA have expressed “deep concern” about the situation, with a spokeswoman commenting: “We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.

“Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.

“When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by Fifa, we will make our views clear, and comment further.”

Manchester United are among the clubs showing a strong interest in Mexico sensation Gilberto Mora after his performances at the World Cup, according to TEAMtalk.

The Red Devils are keen to add to their midfield this summer after losing Casemiro at the end of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte has suffered a serious knee injury. Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have been brought in for a combined fee of £85m, but the club are now pushing for a third midfielder to complete the rebuild.

A number of names have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but the club have now emerged as one of the teams taking a close look at the supremely talented teenager.

Man Utd Eyeing Gilberto Mora

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Mora, who has been described as ‘fearless’ and compared to Barcelona star Pedri, shone for Mexico during the World Cup this summer despite being just 17, and has now attracted the attention of a number of Europe’s top clubs.

Man Utd are understood to have shown an aggressive early interest in a deal for the Tijuana central midfielder, but they have got strong competition for his signature.

Liverpool have made direct contact over a deal, while the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Ajax, PSG, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan are also said to be monitoring the situation.

Mora is understood to prefer a move to Real Madrid as his dream scenario, but he is not pushing to leave the Mexican side, who value him at around £25m due to the growing interest around him.

It’s also stated that Tijuana have a structured release clause as part of his contract which is designed to protect their interests, while his current deal runs until 2029, meaning they are under no pressure to sell this summer.

Mora is a Superstar in Waiting

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Man Utd are in the market to strengthen their midfield options, but they are looking for players who can walk straight into the first-team and make an immediate impact.

While Mora is undoubtedly a superstar in the making, whether he could walk into the Premier League aged 17 and be someone who can affect games the way United need him to is a major question mark.

Should the club decide to proceed with a move for the teenager, it would likely be an extra deal, rather than the final midfield signing of the window. But they would have to put together a major pitch to convince him to join them over all the other interested clubs, which makes this a situation to watch in the coming weeks.

Liverpool are now ready to smash the British transfer record again to sign a ‘world-class’ star for Andoni Iraola.

Liverpool chiefs are working overtime to strengthen Iraola’s squad ahead of the new season, with the only brand-new arrival so far this summer being Victor Munoz.

In a summer where the Reds have lost some key voices from the dressing room in Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate, and off the back of a disappointing season, that is clearly not enough.

A freshen up of the squad is needed and one of the big priorities is bringing in a replacement for Salah, who has been such a key player for the Merseyside outfit for a number of years in terms of his quality and extraordinary record of goals and assists.

As well as needing a response in the Premier League after a miserable defence of their crown, Iraola will also want to perform better than they did last term in the Champions League too.

While the Reds have decent depth on the left flank in Munoz, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha, that depth is lacking on the opposite side, with Federico Chiesa and Jeremie Frimpong two of the main options available there.

Liverpool Ready to ‘Demolish’ Transfer Record for Bradley Barcola

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According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are now ready to ‘demolish’ their transfer record to sign Barcola this summer, after holding positive talks over a deal with the player’s representatives.

The Reds are now ready to make their move for the France international, with GIVEMESPORT sources revealing that their first bid is in the offing.

TEAMtalk report that the Merseyside outfit have been given fresh encouragement from the ‘world-class’ PSG winger’s camp over a move to Anfield, and while there is no agreement on personal terms yet, they aren’t expected to be an obstacle in any potential deal.

Liverpool are said to have made it clear they are willing to break the British transfer record again to bring the 23-year-old to the club, less than 12 months after they paid £125m to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.

PSG value Barcola at around £145m, but that asking price seemingly hasn’t deterred the Reds, who believe that he is the ‘closest fit’ to Salah available anywhere in Europe.

Liverpool Make £85m Barcola Alternative ‘Dream’ Signing

According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, reporting for talkSPORT, Liverpool have identified exciting Bournemouth winger Rayan as their ‘dream’ target should they fail to make progress on a move to prise Barcola away from the Parc des Princes.

The Brazilian teenager only joined the Cherries in January, but he made a big impression in the second-half of the 2025-26 campaign with five goals in 15 Premier League appearances, striking up a strong partnership with Eli Junior Kroupi to help the south coast outfit qualify for Europe for the first time in their history.

It’s unclear how much Bournemouth would demand to sell Rayan this summer, with a £85m release clause for clubs incoming for 2027 for a player who looks to have a huge future ahead of him.