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CONMEBOL’s Statement Reacting to Infantino’s World Cup Plan Sparks Anger

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South America’s governing body, CONMEBOL, has sparked anger on social media with its statement reacting to Gianni Infantino’s controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

FIFA revealed earlier this week that they intended to raise hundreds of millions of dollars by selling a significant stake in the commercial rights of the men’s and women’s World Cups, and the Club World Cup, to investors.

They said that if the deal went through, they would distribute ‘over $10bn’ (£7.5bn) to FIFA’s 211 member associations.

The proposal did not go down well at all. UEFA released a strong statement on behalf of all 55 of its members saying that it would boycott the World Cup should the deal materialise.

CONCACAF [The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football] also expressed their opposition to the proposal, as did the AFC [Asian Football Confederation].

With great opposition and a lack of support, FIFA have now made a U-turn and scrapped their plans.

CONMEBOL’s Statement Causes a Stir

World Cup Trophy REUTERS/Henry Romero

Just hours before FIFA officially scrapped the deal, CONMEBOL made their stance regarding the proposal clear. They didn’t express their opposition like UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC have done, and instead decided to sit on the fence. Their statement read:

“Conmebol reaffirms that its priority will always be football: its values, its people and the passion that makes it the most popular sport in the world. We understand that the development of football requires commercial and financial decisions.

“However, these decisions must always be at the service of football and never above its essence. Football always comes first.

“Since Conmebol became aware of the proposal presented by Fifa in relation to the FFE project, and in compliance with its institutional procedures, it began a process of consultations with its Member Associations and convened a meeting of its Council with the sole purpose of analysing and evaluating said proposal with the responsibility and rigour that the issue requires.

“To this end, Conmebol asked Fifa for additional information and clarifications on different aspects related to the scope, structure, governance and possible effects of the FFE project.

“Conmebol will continue to act with prudence, responsibility and a spirit of collaboration, contributing to the strengthening of world football exclusively through institutional channels and the principles of good governance.

“Conmebol calls for the unity of the entire football family and to always put football before any other interest.”

Their failiure to condemn the proposal hasn’t gone down well on Reddit. One fan said: “Weak statement, they clearly want to find a middle ground and may have gone along with it without the strength of UEFA’s statement,” while another commented: “Utterly disappointing….but I’m not surprised.”

Fans on X also reacted badly. One said: “Shame on you CONMEBOL,” while a second stated: “Extremely disappointed in them.” A third wrote: “What a weak FA.”

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Gianni Infantino Scraps World Cup Proposal

FIFA President Gianni Infantino REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

In a statement, FIFA president Infantino said the deal was designed to ‘strengthen our sport worldwide’, but the proposal has now been scrapped due to it ‘creating divisions that are no longer in the interest of our objective.

Their statement read: “The FIFA Forward Enterprise project was intended to provide a basis for further strengthening our FIFA Member Associations and our sport worldwide, especially in those countries where support is most needed. And more so, as we said from the outset, to do this only if a majority of the FIFA Member Associations were in support and always subject to a consultation process with them, the FIFA Council, the Confederations and wider stakeholders.

“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place.

“Our purpose has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed.

“Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that mostly need our support.”

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AI Names and Ranks Every Match From Worst to Best

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SummerSlam has finally come to an end after a weekend of action which saw Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Oba Femi all claim massive victories in their respective matches.

The event was held at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it was just the second time the event was held over two nights, copying the formula that WrestleMania has had in the last few years.

The event featured star-studded matches like CM Punk vs Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins, and Brock Lesnar vs Oba Femi, and we’ve asked AI to rank the 12 matches at the event from worst to best.

12

Danhausen vs Dominik Mysterio

Danhausen vs Dominik Mysterio Screenshot via Netflix

The two have been feuding for several weeks now, with The Judgment Day getting involved to take control as a faction over Raw and stop Danhausen and his weird antics as the talent from some place far away set up a SummerSlam clash with the first-ever Human Monies on a Pole match.

The two finally met in the ring and the match was full of high-flying maneuvers, as expected, and a bit of Danhausen antics, before Judgment Day and Minihausens would square off. While that was all going on, Danhausen managed to sneakily grab the money from the pole, crowning him the winner.

AI didn’t seem to enjoy the match very much, so that’s why it has been placed bottom.

11

Trick Williams vs Baron Corbin

The United States Championship match saw a returning Corbin wanting to end Williams’ reign. The match also included famous rapper Lil Yachty, who came down to the ring with Trick Williams before the two squared off in the ring.

The rapper was looking to get involved when Corbin was back to his heel ways as he brought the US Championship into the ring with the intention of hitting the champion with it, but it worked against the rap star as the challenger hip-checked Williams into Yachty, who went through a table with Williams then blindsided when Corbin finally hit him with the belt as the referee was distracted.

Corbin then hit the End of Days to end Williams’ 105-day reign as the United States champion and cement his long-awaited return, with this being his second reign with the title, with the first being in 2017.

10

Fatal Influence vs The Bella Twins & Paige

Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Lainey Reid, & Fallon Henley) have been feuding with The Bella Twins and Paige for multiple weeks now, and it all culminated in this SummerSlam match-up against the new and the old.

It was the new that had their hand raised in victory this time around, and it didn’t take long for Nikki Bella to showcase her true heel side, as she turned on Paige in the aftermath of the match.

The whole thing was sadly spoiled, however, by a serious shoulder injury sustained by Brie, who is likely to be sidelined for the foreseeable.

9

LA Knight, Solo Sikoa & Royce Keys vs Jacob Fatu & The Usos

The two sides had been feuding for weeks, and it all culminated in a brawl to start off the match before Solo Sikoa and Jey Uso were the only ones left in the ring.

The match featured constant momentum swings, with Jacob Fatu showcasing his trademark power, The Usos delivering tandem offence, and Royce Keys holding his own against the veteran Bloodline members.

The closing stretch broke down into an all-out brawl before LA Knight capitalised by hitting the BFT to score the decisive pinfall, giving his team the victory. The win also continued the ongoing storyline involving the fractured Bloodline and hinted at future confrontations involving Roman Reigns and the group’s rival factions.

8

Liv Morgan vs IYO SKY

The start of Night 1 saw a clash for the Women’s World Championship between Liv Morgan and IYO SKY. Sky won the opportunity to face Morgan by winning the Queen of the Ring, and the match was very competitive until Morgan’s friend Roxxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez got involved.

In the final moments, SKY tried to perform her signature Over The Moonsault, but Morgan was prepared as she brought up her knees and she connected with Oblivion right after, before hitting a Codebreaker and another Oblivion before victory.

7

Gunther vs Nick Aldis

The SmackDown GM returned to the ring as Morning Glory by Oasis blared through the speakers at U.S. Bank Stadium to commemorate the return.

The match saw some impressive moves from Aldis, who many thought would be rusty having not wrestled since his Impact Wrestling stint, and he was challenging Gunther, who is known for his technical abilities. In the end, though, Gunther would overturn the glorious return of Aldis, as he hit him with his deadly sleeper hold which the GM tapped to.

6

Penta vs Chad Gable

Ever since being unmasked as one of the El Grande Americano’s, Gable decided to return to the States to compete for Penta’s intercontinental Title.

The match was filled with technical brilliance as Gable showed off his physical strength and Penta showed his high-flying abilities all in one. The emotion in Gable could be seen for miles with the Minneapolis native finally getting the Ankle Lock to beat Penta, as Gable’s family all came to the ring to congratulate him on his victory.

5

Finn Balor vs Sami Zayn vs Gunther vs Kevin Owens

This match saw the surprise return of Kevin Owens to the ring and the late addition of Gunther. The match was filled with extreme moments as the former looked as if he hadn’t missed a day of wrestling even with 17 months out.

The Canadian would go on to Stunner his on-and-off best friend Sami Zayn for the victory and become the number one contender for the WWE Undisputed Championship in the process.

4

Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match

This match included Jade Cargill, Charlotte Flair, Chelsea Green, Tiffany Stratton, and Lash Legend.

The match was packed with spectacular ladder spots, near-wins, and chaotic multi-woman exchanges as each competitor came within inches of grabbing the championship.

In the closing moments, after the other competitors wiped each other out in a frantic scramble, Chelsea Green seized the opportunity, climbed the ladder, and unhooked the title to become the Interim WWE Women’s Champion – the first world championship victory of her WWE career.

3

CM Punk vs Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes & CM Punk Screenshot via Netflix

Punk and Rhodes are two of the most gifted wrestlers in the world, and they showed that at SummerSlam with an incredible match which saw both men countering each other every time as they put on an incredible co-main event.

There was a surprise return when Rhodes was RKO’d by Randy Orton, who had feuded at ‘Mania, and Punk took advantage, hitting a GTS on Rhodes to retain.

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Leeds Told to Pay £42m to Sign Igor Paixao

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Leeds United will have to fork out over £40 million to recruit a top attacking target this summer, having missed out on a move for Julian Brandt.

Ajax won the race for the former Borussia Dortmund star, who was highly admired by the Whites. The Dutch side snapped up the winger on a free transfer, following the expiration of his contract in Germany.

That was a blow for Leeds and sent the Premier League club back to the drawing board for recruitment. Daniel Farke’s side have now been handed another setback, learning that Marseille will demand a huge fee to part with Igor Paixao.

Marseille put £42m price tag on Leeds target

Igor Paixao

Leeds United interest in the player emerged over the weekend, with the club having been linked with the Brazilian 12 months ago. Paixao registered 12 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances for Marseille last season.

The Ligue 1 outfit are under pressure to sell this summer with UEFA monitoring finances following a breach of regulations. Mason Greenwood, Hamed Traore and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have already departed and Foot Mercato claims that Paixao could be next.

It’s reported that the winger is only the third choice purchase at Elland Road and the valuation held by Marseille could prove tricky for any deal.

Marseille owner Franck McCourt is said to have put a lofty €50 million price tag on the player, equivalent to around £42 million. That is between €15 million and €20 million more than Leeds are understood to be willing to pay.

Paixao only arrived in the south of France on a £30 million move from Feyenoord last summer, and has another four years left to run on his current deal.

Igor Paixao dreams of Premier League opportunity

Leeds Rhinos v St Helens - Betfred Women's Super League Grand Final
LEEDS, ENGLAND – MAY 07: A general view inside the stadium prior to the Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final match between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens at Elland Road on May 07, 2022 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

The winger is known to be keen on a move to the Premier League. When speaking to GE Globo in 2022, Paixao said: “The Premier League is a dream for me. Making it to the national team is another goal.

“I’m going to work towards that, so I can be at the Olympic Games. And of course, I want to give my family an even better future, be able to help more, and have a well-established career in football.”

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Paixao missed out on the Olympics in 2024 with two-time defending champions Brazil not qualifying and has only played his football in the Netherlands and France since moving to the continent from his home country in 2022.

The player was handed minutes in the Champions League against Newcastle United and Liverpool last season, playing 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over the Magpies in France before a cameo in the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.

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Aston Villa Hold Talks Over Jack Grealish Reunion to Replace Morgan Rogers

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Aston Villa have ‘discussed’ the possibility of a reunion with a club hero at Villa Park this summer as Unai Emery looks to plug the hole left by Morgan Rogers.

The Villans pocketed a staggering £117 million for the England international, in a much-needed cash injection this summer. The Midlands outfit are navigating a £19.5 million UEFA fine for a ‘significant breach’ of its squad cost rule for 2025.

Even with the profit made on Rogers, who cost the club just £15 million in 2024, Aston Villa must shop wisely and a loan move for a former winger could be on the cards.

Aston Villa discuss Jack Grealish reunion

Jack Grealish

The Sun claims that transfer chiefs at Villa Park have discussed the possibility of bringing Manchester City star Jack Grealish back to the club. The 30-year-old made a £100 million move to the Etihad Stadium in 2021, but the wheels have come off his stay in Manchester.

Grealish revived his career with a loan move to Everton last season, scoring two goals and picking up six assists over the first half of the campaign, before a foot injury in January ended his campaign.

The forward, who earns around £300,000-a-week, is now fit again and has been training with RCD Mallorca this summer, but was left out of Enzo Maresca’s side for a pre-season tour of Hong Kong and Seoul.

Everton are known to be keen on bringing Grealish back to the Hill Dickinson Stadium and could compete with any transfer interest from Aston Villa.

A product of the academy at Villa, the England international played 213 times for the side in the Premier League and Championship.

Leon Bailey close to Villa Park exit

Leon Bailey in action for Aston Villa

The need to recruit in wide positions is set to be made more important as Aston Villa prepare to sell Leon Bailey to newly promoted Hull City – even with Alejandro Garnacho arriving from Chelsea.

The Jamaica international was sent on loan to Serie A outfit Roma last summer but was recalled in January and went on to make 13 Premier League appearances before the end of the season.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

The player has been left out of the Aston Villa pre-season squad as a move to the MKM Stadium edges closer, although a deal has not been announced by the clubs.

There is no shortage of suitors for Grealish, who could be allowed to leave the Etihad Stadium on another loan move with no part to play under Enzo Maresca.

As well as Everton, La Liga giants Atletico Madrid are admirers of the player with clubs in Saudi Arabia and the USA willing to offer big wages for the winger.

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