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FIFA Launch New Partnership With Saudi Fund for Development Worth up to $1bn

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FIFA have launched a new partnership with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and committed up to $1bn in funding towards sports infrastructure in developing nations.

The Memorandum of Understanding will see the money used for concessional loans for the construction and rehabilitation of sports stadiums and essential surrounding infrastructure in developing countries around the world.

FIFA say the move is “backed by compelling evidence of sport’s economic impact as independent reports estimate that the global sports economy contributes nearly two percent of world gross domestic product, underscoring its growing role as a driver of employment, tourism, and community development.”

FIFA Funding to Support National Governments

FIFA president Gianni Infantino
UEFA Congress – Maison de la Mutualite, Paris, France – February 8, 2024 FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the UEFA Congress REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

FIFA has 211 Member Associations, but the gap in infrastructure between them all is wide. The partnership therefore seeks to support national governments in designing, financing, and building modern multi-sport venues.

The initiative will also act as seed financing to attract other development institutions, private-sector partners and regional organisations, creating a scalable model for sustainable sports development across emerging economies.

“Sport is more than competition — it’s a catalyst for development and inclusion,” said Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of the SFD. “Through concessional financing, we are helping countries build the infrastructure they need to unlock potential, empower young people, and strengthen communities for generations to come.”

“FIFA’s role is to develop football worldwide, and many of our FIFA Member Associations need additional support for the infrastructure necessary to host competitions,” added FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

“Through this memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Fund for Development, up to $1bn will be made available via concessional loans to finance the construction and enhancement of FIFA-certified stadiums. This agreement is a crucial step in ensuring our FIFA Member Associations have the facilities to make football truly global.”

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My Football Idol was Man United Cult Hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko has exclusively revealed to GIVEMESPORT who his footballing idol was, and it’s a face familiar to fans at Old Trafford.

Sesko has just completed the first season of his career at the Red Devils following a £74m move from RB Leipzig last summer, where he finished the season as the club’s joint top scorer with 11 goals in all competitions, including strikes against Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, and Everton.

The 22-year-old has excited fans at the club with his high intensity and highly athletic style, and is tipped by many to become the long-term solution to the number nine position in years to come.

sesko

While speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the Slovenia international was asked about his greatest influences and footballing idols growing up, and he revealed that his main influence is a man who lit up Old Trafford during his career.

“My idol is Ibrahimovic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic,” he said. “Great player, of course. He was amazing. I looked at him a lot, but not just him.

“Just in general football, skills, goals, it was just something that I used to try to go out and copy. It could be in the summer when it’s really hot, I just wanted to get better.”

Ibrahimovic joined Man Utd on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain back in the summer of 2016, and scored a brilliant 28 goals in 46 appearances in his debut season, helping the club win the Carabao Cup and the Europa League under Jose Mourinho.

But he suffered a serious knee injury towards the end of that campaign, and while he returned to feature seven times the next campaign, the Sweden legend then departed mid-season to move to the MLS with LA Galaxy.

Sesko Reveals ‘Love’ for Cunha, Fernandes, and Mbeumo

Manchester United's Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko react after the match

During his exclusive interview with GMS, Sesko was also asked about his relationship with his current teammates, having joined alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha last summer.

All three players notched double digits for goals in their first season at the club, and Sesko believes the relationship they have off the pitch has contributed to their success on it.

“I think everyone has different kinds of skills that they can bring on the pitch, which is really important,” he said.

“We don’t have everyone with similarities, and it’s important in the club that they have all these skills. I think we’re all really skilled, and the quality that we brought this season, I think we can be more than happy.

“Not just that, I think we also work great as friends. It’s important to have good relationships that can bring success in the end.”


Benjamin Sesko with his Man United team-mates


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Rangers Want to Sign ‘Incredible’ Casper Widell Alongside Luke Graham

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Rangers have already made a strong start to their summer transfer window with the arrival of Lawrence Shankland, but they are already looking at the next deals they want to complete.

The Ibrox club have completed a move to sign Shankland on a free transfer from Hearts, with the striker penning a three-year deal at the Glasgow club and taking the number seven shirt ahead of his participation at the World Cup.

Now Danny Rohl is looking to add more options to his defence during the upcoming window, with a number of central defenders leaving and needing to be replaced.

Rangers Eyeing Casper Widell Deal

Rangers manager Danny Rohl looks on

According to a report by Rangers Review journalist Chris Jack, Rangers are eyeing up a move to sign Excelsior defender Casper Widell this summer.

Widell, who stands at 6ft 3 and has been described as ‘incredible’, enjoyed a strong season in the Eredivisie making 34 apperances as the team finished 13th in the Dutch top-flight.

The 23-year-old’s performances have attracted the attention of English Championship sides Derby County and Blackburn Rovers, but Rangers are also understood to be showing an interest in his services as they look to bolster their defensive options.

Derek Cornelius and Nasser Djiga have both returned to their respective parent clubs following their loan spells this season, leaving Rohl with just Emmanuel Fernandez and John Souttar as senior centre-back options

But even Fernandez has been heavily linked with an exit away amid interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, and that means that new defenders are a priority for Rohl.

Rangers Have a Huge Summer Ahead

Danny Rohl

After throwing away their chance at the Scottish Premiership title this season, Danny Rohl knows that this summer is of the utmost importance for him and Rangers.

The club have already addressed the issue of a lack of goals in their squad by adding long-term target Shankland, but defence is a big problem for them now after so many absences.

Widell may be a bit of an unknown, but he has experience playing at a high level, is only 23 meaning there is plenty of room for improvement, and physically looks more than capable of being able to cope. For the right fee, it could be a shrewd bit of business, and would help to fill a glaring hole in their squad.


Danny Rohl


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Liverpool In Talks to Sell Curtis Jones to Inter Milan

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Liverpool are in talks to let another first-team star leave Anfield this summer after it was confirmed that Ibrahima Konate would be on the move, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds confirmed during the season that both Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson would leave in the summer transfer window, and it was revealed earlier this week that France international Konate would follow them after failing to agree a new contract.

Manager Arne Slot was also sacked on Saturday in a surprise move, with GMS sources understanding that Andoni Iraola is the frontrunner to replace him. But there could yet be even more exits to come on Merseyside.

Liverpool In Talks to Sell Curtis Jones

Curtis Jones

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool remain in talks with Inter Milan over a deal that could see Curtis Jones leave permanently.

The midfielder, who has been described as ‘incredible’, has emerged as a top target for the Serie A champions, after showing an initial interest in January, although a deal never materialised.

Inter were hoping to pay around €20m (£17.3m) for the 25-year-old, who is out of contract next summer, and it’s understood that Jones would be willing to make the switch to the San Siro.

An agreement is not believed to be close, with Liverpool valuing him higher, but an exit has not been ruled out as the club look to raise funds ahead of a big summer window, following their record-breaking spend last year.

Jones Exit Would Be Final Nail

curtis jones

There’s some big exits planned at Anfield, but losing another academy talent for a minimal fee a year after losing Trent Alexander-Arnold for nothing would be a nightmare decision.

Jones has showed his quality over recent years, and there’s no doubting that he absolutely loves Liverpool having come through their academy as a child and supported them all his life.

That type of connection is what has been missing at Anfield for a long time, and letting him leave would just further desecrate the feeling around the club. He deserves to be given a chance and a new contract, not sold to the highest bidder.


Liverpool manager Arne Slot


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