CONCACAF, the governing body for football in North, Central America and the Caribbean, has issued a statement following Gianni Infantino’s bombshell plan to sell stakes in the World Cup.

The FIFA president has faced swift and widespread backlash, with UEFA among those most passionate in raising concerns over the governance and monopolisation of the game. On Saturday morning, European football’s governing body declared it had lost confidence in Infantino following a series of public criticisms.

Several countries have also agreed to boycott future FIFA competitions, while Infantino has since made a sudden U-turn on his money-grabbing plans. After a wave of statements from across the football world, CONCACAF has now addressed the situation.

CONCACAF Issues Statement Amid Gianni Infantino’s Demise

REUTERS/ Lee smith

The American football body has, as expected, added to the pressure Infantino now faces as the sport’s leading figure. “Concacaf and its 41 Member Associations welcome the withdrawal of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE),” a statement read on Saturday evening.

It added: “A proposal of this magnitude does not reach that stage by accident. It is a symptom of leadership that has stopped putting football first. This recent unilateral and egregious act of poor governance and leadership follows a pattern of missteps and similar behaviour. A full review of this leadership must now take place.

“This concern is not Concacaf’s alone. It is shared across many confederations, Member Associations and those who serve and love the game. When people entrusted with protecting the game conclude they can no longer do so from within, the football family is entitled to ask how such a proposal was allowed to proceed, and who bears responsibility for it. FIFA is not a private enterprise. It is a body held in trust for the game and its members.

“Those appointed to serve it carry a fiduciary duty, a duty of service over power. Where that duty is not upheld, accountability cannot be optional. As mandated by our Member Associations, Concacaf’s FIFA Council members will engage directly, and through the FIFA Council, to ensure that questions of governance, accountability and leadership are addressed properly through the institutions and procedures established under the FIFA Statutes.

“They will also work within that same framework to determine how existing vast reserves can be dispersed to our membership via the FIFA Forward funding for football development across our region, without compromising our shared future. We are all simple custodians, serving a game that belongs to us all. The unity demonstrated by our Member Associations this week has reaffirmed that when guided by courage, integrity, and sound governance the game will remain where it belongs: in the hands of football – not a single individual.”

Infantino’s Time As FIFA Chief Is Evaporating

REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

While Infantino looked set to win March’s FIFA election by a landslide – partly because of the financial success of the World Cup, and largely due to the fact he has had no serious rival candidate – the 56-year-old now appears to be on increasingly shaky ground when it comes to his future in football.

That’s because countries are beginning to realise the damage he is doing and the unethical vision he has for football’s short- and long-term future. Now, UEFA top dog Aleksander Ceferin is encouraging nations to withdraw their vote of confidence in Infantino, while exploring potential challengers, so support can instead be thrown behind an alternative candidate.

As high as he climbed this summer, he could come crashing down even quicker. His close relationship with Donald Trump drew widespread mockery and criticism, but his vision for the working-class game could prove to be the final nail in the coffin. The tide appears to be turning, and the walls are beginning to close in on the FIFA president – someone Gary Lineker predicted would be no better than his disgraced predecessor, Sepp Blatter, in 2016.

Everton have agreed a deal with Arsenal to sign midfielder Christian Norgaard, according to David Ornstein.

The Toffees have already bolstered their midfield this summer with the arrival of Hayden Hackney, and making Merlin Rohl’s loan move permanent too. But the club have lost the experience of influential star Idrissa Gana Gueye, who departed at the end of his contract.

David Moyes has been keen to make additions to the squad this summer in order to climb up the Premier League table, and the club have now moved swiftly to agree a deal for the Danish star.

Everton Agree Norgaard Deal With Arsenal

Norgaard, who won the Premier League title with Arsenal last season, joined the club from Brentford last summer but struggled to make a major impact, making just seven appearances in the top-flight and 20 in all competitions, including just seven starts.

Arsenal have now made a big-money move to bring in Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, with a verbal agreement worth £77m reached, and Everton have swooped to bring in the 32-year-old from the Emirates Stadium now.

The two clubs have agreed a deal worth around £7m, and the player has agreed to make the move to Merseyside after just one year in north London.

The player is now set to undergo a medical next week ahead of the proposed move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and the deal is in the final stages of being formalised.

Norgaard has got huge experience in the Premier League, having been a regular for Brentford prior to his move to Arsenal, and will be seen as the natural replacement for Gueye both positionally and as a leader within the squad.

Manchester United fans have been quick to lay praise on an unsung hero following Michael Carrick’s side’s 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in pre-season on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Devils were made to work hard for the result, having initially been pegged back within five minutes. But a Bryan Mbuemo double signed, sealed, and delivered victory at AIK’s Strawberry Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.

Indeed, the Cameroon international is expected to play a starring role in his manager’s first full Premier League season in charge ahead of this month’s opening fixture at Hull City. But Carrick will feel galvanised by the return to form of another key player.

Man Utd Lay Praise on Unsung Hero in Pre-Season Win vs Atletico

When he signed for an initial £52.2m from Lille in 2024, Leny Yoro instantly became one of the most expensive teenagers in world football. While he has been a slow-burner up until now, this weekend’s action saw him move into a right-back role and thrive as a result of the position change away from his usual central role.

Reacting to his performance, which saw him effectively deal with Ademola Lookman and then be able to gallivant forward himself on the odd occasion, one X user wrote:

A second continued: “Leny Yoro has been a monster at right back for Man United against Atletico Madrid, he has pocketed Ademola Lookman and still surged forward progressively to whip in crosses at the opposite end,” as a third added: “Leny Yoro playing right back will save his United career, he has really improved.”

Elsewhere, another remarked: “Is Yoro becoming [Jurrien] Timber esque? ‘Cause the way he is moving at RB is perfect for some offensive coverage and excellent for defensive stability,” as a fifth concluded: “Carrick moving Yoro to his new position is a masterstroke!”

His Pre-Season Start in Numbers

Playing the full 90 minutes, the Frenchman had 68 touches, which led him to an 83 per cent passing accuracy (eight of which were in the final third), while he made seven ball recoveries, three clearances, three interceptions, created three chances, and successfully completed two tackles.

It was another promising display from right-back, and with Patrick Dorgu showing that he’s much better playing further forward, Carrick might not need to dip into the transfer market to solve the club’s longstanding issues in that position.