It’s been a tempestuous summer for FIFA president Gianni Infantino as he now looks at risk of losing his job. However, with most of UEFA against him, one major European nation could break ranks to stand by his side.

Infantino caused outrage in July when it was revealed that he had planned to privatise the World Cup by selling off shares to investors. He was soon forced to abandon the scheme when the footballing world came together to speak out against the notion.

Among his biggest critics were UEFA. The European football body had already slammed FIFA after Folarin Balogun’s red card was suspended, allowing him to play in the USA’s Round of 16 World Cup clash with Belgium. Adding to that anger, they then declared a loss of confidence in Infantino following his plot to sell the World Cup.

Despite the FIFA boss scrapping his plans, UEFA still intend to boycott the World Cup. Many nations have come out to retract any past support for Infantino, but it’s now been claimed that one major country plans on betraying UEFA.

Two-Time World Cup Winners Set to ‘Betray’ UEFA

REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo

In early August, Wales became the first nation to officially withdraw support for Infantino, and since then many others have followed suit. The likes of England, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Serbia, Greece, Albania, the Netherlands and Croatia all want a new person running FIFA when the elections are held in March 2027.

However, according to trusted journalist Romain Molina, two-time World Cup winners France are set to betray UEFA. In a YouTube video entitled ‘French Betrayal’, he explained how Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation (FFF), has remained publicly silent on the matter so far and is yet to officially withdraw support for Infantino.

UEFA will need 106 votes against Infantino from FIFA’s 211 members to force out the current president in the March vote. There are 55 members from Europe, and it was hoped internally that all should vote in line with UEFA, but that may not be the case.

Molina points out that French territory New Caledonia, who would be expected to vote in line with France, have recently released a statement showing support for Infantino. He then claimed that ‘this was the final nail in the coffin’ for UEFA’s doubts, as they now fear France will betray their planned boycott.

He explained that Diallo ‘doesn’t want to boycott,’ and has made that understood. Amid all this, the French Football Federation boss is said to have become Infantino’s ‘new best friend.’ However, Molina also notes that the rest of the FFF executive committee are not being informed, which suggests Diallo is acting alone in making these decisions on behalf of the federation.

Adding to the controversy, Molina adds that French president Emmanuel Macron is calling for unity, which appears to mean offering support for Infantino. Summing it up, he claims that, behind the scenes, France are standing behind the current FIFA boss.

France Have No Intention of Following UEFA’s Position on FIFA Boycott

Taking to social media, Molina added more context as he explained:

He also added: “Isn’t Philippe Diallo playing a double game? Since the start of the Infantino affair, the president of the FFF has refrained from any unpleasant comments. It’s increasingly whispered that his position (and his interests in advancing within international bodies) differs from that of Ceferin and the majority of UEFA members.

“Within the European body, doubts already existed and will be reinforced, since New Caledonia, an associate member of the FFF, has just published a letter of absolute support for Infantino. By engaging so much in politics, the president of the FFF might end up burning himself…”

It will be very interesting to see if we get any official statements on the matter from France, UEFA, or FIFA in the coming weeks.

Ben Jacobs has given an update on Manchester United‘s transfer battle with Arsenal for Leicester City youngster Louis Page who looks increasingly likely to arrive in the Premier League this summer.

Michael Carrick insisted this week that United needed more signings following the first-team arrivals of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, and Karl Darlow. With just over a week until the new season, the Old Trafford faithful have grown frustrated by the lack of business from INEOS since July.

Midfield had been the priority heading into the summer following Casemiro’s departure. While the Red Devils haven’t quite replaced him with a similar profile, they have moved for two exciting options and all signs have pointed to a third midfield signing.

Man Utd Lead Arsenal in Louis Page Race

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High-profile names such as Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni and AS Roma’s Manu Koné were on United’s shortlist. But neither looks set to join the club; instead, the next arrival could be one of English football’s top midfield prospects.

Jacobs, though, has revealed that Old Trafford bosses are confident of landing Leicester’s teenage starlet Page, despite interest from Arsenal. He said on the latest episode of GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast:

Page, dubbed “fantastic,” is one of the most highly-rated teenagers who has only made 22 senior appearances for Leicester but has already caught the eye of two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs. Likened to Jude Bellingham, the left-footed central midfielder has earned glowing reviews following his performances in the EFL Championship last season.

The 18-year-old won the Championship Apprentice of the Season award at the 2026 EFL Awards earlier this year. His former Foxes boss Marti Cifuentes tipped the Lutterworth-born midfielder for a bright future:

Page mostly operates as a number eight and he possesses incredible vision along with clever movement. He has three caps for England U19’s to his name and many believe he can become a top talent in the Premier League.

Man Utd Youth Focus Could Pay Off

United have focused on building for the future during this window, and should they win the race for Page, he’d be the latest youngster to arrive at Old Trafford. INEOS’ strategy has already proven successful, as evidenced by Ayden Heaven’s impressive start to his career with the Red Devils after arriving from Arsenal in February 2025.

One of the biggest academy arrivals this summer has been Tynan Thompson, who joined from Tottenham Hotspur. The club agreed on an £8m package deal for the 18-year-old, who is held in similar regard to Page.

Welsh goalkeeper Kit Margetson has also joined Darren Fletcher’s youth squad, arriving on a free after the 20-year-old left Swansea City. And the latest is 18-year-old Colombian attacking gem Cristian Orozco, who has headed to Old Trafford from Colombian Categoria Primera A side Fortaleza CEIF.

United fans feel Carrick deserves more backing and are eager for INEOS to add more proven names to his squad. But they are also enthused by a clear strategy to secure long-term success by trusting in youth.

Tottenham Hotspur have added Newcastle United transfer target Amar Dedic to their shortlist of Djed Spence replacements, according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs.

Tottenham have already signed six new players for Roberto De Zerbi this summer, and they are working on two more deals for Savinho and Cody Gakpo of Manchester City and Liverpool respectively.

With so many players coming to Spurs, it is inevitable that some first-team players will be on their way too, with Spence and Cristian Romero set to join Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid in the coming hours and days.

While Tottenham are well-stocked at left-back, it is a different story on the opposite flank where World Cup winner Pedro Porro is the undoubted first-choice right-back after signing a new long-term deal this summer, but he has little specialist competition for his spot.

Archie Gray can play there but his main position is in midfield, meaning it is no surprise that the north London outfit are likely to bring in a replacement for Spence before the September 1 deadline.

Fabrizio Romano has reported in recent days that Newcastle are closing in on an agreement with Benfica to sign Dedic, who has agreed personal terms on a move to St James’ Park.

He is a player of interest to Spurs too as they consider their right-back options too, according to Jacobs, speaking on the Last Word on Spurs live stream late on Wednesday night.

He said: “Another hotly sought-after fullback that I believe is capable of playing both sides is Amar Dedic, who is at Benfica, a player that Matthias Jaissle knows very well, and it’s Newcastle moving at the moment, and they’ve got confidence.

“I feel they’ll be better prepared because they will have known for quite some time that there was a concrete possibility that Spence could go.”

Tottenham Need to Make Fast Move to Land Dedic

via Reuters

As mentioned, Newcastle appear to be close to wrapping up a deal for the Bosnia and Herzegovina international, meaning it would need a last-gasp Tottenham transfer hijack to land the 23-year-old from under their noses.

The Magpies will be more than wary of that happening though, given they have already lost out on deals for Victor Munoz and Johan Manzambi this summer.

Dedic is only one of the names on Spurs’ shortlist, with further links to Neco Williams of Nottingham Forest and Daniel Munoz of Crystal Palace.

De Zerbi’s preference for players with Premier League experience is no secret given all six confirmed arrivals this summer have it, along with Savinho and Gakpo.

That could mean that while there is clearly an appreciation for Dedic, other targets could be prioritised given the player appears to be moving closer to joining Newcastle.