Former England striker Gary Lineker’s tweet about Gianni Infantino from 2016 has resurfaced this week, just as FIFA’s top dog unveils plans to make billions by selling stakes in the World Cup. Unsurprisingly, the controversial proposal has sparked a wave of backlash from football fans and governing bodies.

Recently appointed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is among those to publicly criticise Infantino, while UEFA has issued an explosive statement condemning the way Sepp Blatter’s successor has monopolised the working-class game. But they are just two of the thousands who have grown weary of FIFA’s direction, particularly over the course of this summer.

Claims of corruption have come thick and fast throughout the World Cup, with alleged favouritism towards Argentina and the decision to rescind Folarin Balogun’s red card at the request of Donald Trump emerging as the two main flashpoints. But it seems Lineker was well ahead of the curve in seeing this coming.

Gary Lineker’s Tweet About Gianni Infantino in 2016 Resurfaces

Even 10 years ago, Lineker had doubts about Infantino, 56, who is already a Swiss millionaire before profitting from his leadership over football. The former Tottenham and Barcelona striker had his reservations about whether he would be any better than Sepp Blatter in the 2016 FIFA election, writing on X (see the full post below):

Football fans have been left stunned by how well Lineker’s predictions have come true. Blatter was ousted after the Swiss attorney general opened criminal proceedings against him over a $2 million payment to UEFA President, Michel Platini, as well as allegations of selling World Cup TV rights to former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner for below their true value.

The same claims of corruption are now being made against Infantino, whose money-hungry ways have led European lawmakers to prompt an investigation into him, his management of football, and his relationship with the White House.

Gianni Infantino’s Astonishingly Still Set For Re-Election

REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Infantino has the formal endorsement of more than 200 FIFA members for re-election as the body’s president despite the climate of unrest that has swirled since the World Cup’s conclusion.

The Guardian reported just last week that only a handful of Fifa’s 211 member associations are still to send letters of support for Infantino, who is on course to be voted into a fourth term by a landslide at its congress in March. A small number of European associations are among the outliers, with Germany the highest-profile FA yet to provide official backing.

Candidates must be put forward by 18 November, before which time letters can also be withdrawn or transferred to a different contender. But Infantino is currently the only runner and some FAs feel they have, nonetheless, come under persistent pressure from within FIFA to confirm their allegiance. In theory, that should not be permitted under FIFA’s ethics code, but makes it incredibly difficult for the current leader to be dislodged.

Incoming Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle revealed his preferred style of play and his biggest managerial influences in an exclusive interview with GIVEMESPORT in 2024.

The 38-year-old is expected to be named as the next Newcastle boss after Eddie Howe’s shock exit was confirmed out of nowhere on Thursday morning.

According to GMS sources, Howe made the decision to leave St James’ Park with the parting between the two parties amicable, with the summer player exits one of the factors in his decision.

Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali have already left for Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, while Arsenal are working on a deal to bring captain Bruno Guimaraes to the Emirates.

Howe informed club officials weeks ago that he was keen to leave, but he wanted to ensure that a suitable replacement was found.

His successor looks set to be Al-Ahli coach Jaissle, who is expected to take charge ahead of the squad flying out to Spain for their pre-season training camp.

GMS spoke exclusively to the former Red Bell Salzburg boss in December 2024, where he provided insight into his philosophies.

Matthias Jaissle’s Preferred Playing Style and Formations

via Reuters

When asked about his playing style, Jaissle said he is heavily influenced by his background with the Red Bull model.

He told GMS: “Due to my past at both Salzburg and Leipzig, I have this identity in my blood to put stress on the opponent as high up the pitch as possible. I want my teams to play in a really intense and aggressive way. And I want to score goals from offensive transitions.

“I am always refining my style, but essentially, and I know it’s easy to say, we want dominance in all phases of the game. So firstly, controlling the transition phases is important, but you also need to find good solutions in possession, especially now we are often facing a low block.

“When our opponents ‘park the bus’, it’s about being creative and disciplined and finding a good structure to create as many chances as possible without being wild on the pitch. It’s a never-ending process because you always need to develop your ideas as a coach without abandoning your roots.

“At Salzburg, I played a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield. At Al-Ahli, we use a 4-2-3-1 system. You have to adjust to the squad you have as well as the circumstances. For example, the temperature can be a factor. This was a learning process for me, to adapt without losing my principles. I don’t worry too much about the exact formation. It’s fluid.”

READ MORE: You can read an exclusive interview with the new Newcastle boss here.

Jaissle Influenced by Rangnick, Klopp and Tuchel

REUTERS/Paul Childs

Jaissle is early in his managerial career at 38 years of age, but he has confirmed that some of his biggest influences are Germans who have managed in the Premier League, as well as Pep Guardiola and Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi.

He added: “I have always tried to be authentic as a coach and find my own way. Of course, I have influences. Ralf Rangnick played a big part in developing my ideas because I played under him for most of my playing career. And in my youth, I had Thomas Tuchel, so I have followed his principles and career.

“Then there’s Jurgen Klopp – I often looked at the transitions he put in place with Liverpool. In possession, I like how Pep Guardiola finds structure and balance. And there’s a lot to take from Roberto De Zerbi’s build-up as well. It’s a constant learning process. And in the next few years, I’m sure there will be a different coach to draw inspiration from. It’s not about copying other coaches, it’s just about being inspired by them.

WWE has revealed Roman Reigns‘ post-SummerSlam schedule, which has seemingly hinted at the possible outcome of this weekend’s match against Seth Rollins.

Reigns puts his World Heavyweight Championship on the line against his old foe, with the two once again meeting, only this time, with bigger stakes than ever before.

Reigns initially won the title back at WrestleMania, defeating CM Punk, before successfully defending his title against his cousin Jacob Fatu.

With an eagerly anticipated match-up at SummerSlam on the horizon, and Reigns’ schedule after the Premium Live Event revealed, it looks like the ending of this weekend’s clash may have already been spoiled.

Roman Reigns Takes on Seth Rollins at SummerSlam

Once again, the two former Shield members meet in the ring. A historic rivalry, and one which may be settled this weekend, as Rollins looks to take back his title.

The Visionary has been looking to regain gold ever since he was forced to relinquish it due to injury. Since then, Reigns has only kicked on, as he became champion in a legendary clash with CM Punk. It was so good that The Tribal Chief received his first-ever five-star match from Dave Meltzer.

What makes this weekend’s tussle all the more interesting is that the pair haven’t met one-on-one since Royal Rumble 2022. That night, Reigns retained the Universal Title. However, what bodes well for Rollins is, in one-on-one matches, he holds a slight edge, with five wins and four losses in their 10 matches.

Roman Reigns Post SummerSlam Schedule Revealed

Reigns’ next few months of appearances have already been revealed by WWE‘s social media page. He has already been confirmed to be at the Monday Night Raw after SummerSlam, which may be a sign that he will successfully retain his title and defeat Rollins. One quote tweet even said: “He shows up on Raw after SummerSlam lmaooo it’s so over for us.”

Outside the immediate aftermath, he is also set to appear two more times in August, on the 17th and the 28th, the latter being a double taping of Raw and SmackDown in Cleveland, Ohio.

However, the activity soon fades away, as he is only set to feature once in September. That event being in Mexico City on the 14th for Raw. Furthermore, he is only scheduled twice in October, though, one appearance will be at Money in the Bank. In the lead-up to the big event, he will be on Raw that same week, as it takes place in St Louis, Missouri.

With the news, some fans are fairly disappointed as it looks like Reigns is set to once again keep his championship. In addition to this, he also doesn’t seem to be too active after August, which also isn’t ideal.

He appears in the movie Street Fighter, which comes out in October. All the press for the movie may be a factor leading to this inactivity.