World Cup 2026

[playwiththewind1st]

The man would take credit for the sun rising

There must be a little bit of life leaving his aids/advisors body every time he talks

They know the kind of vile human being he is, yet they serve him, so some unhinged outpourings would pale into insignificance, wouldn't even raise an eyebrow I'd say

There is every chance they are also vile human beings.

The more vile you are, the more money you can make in the USA.

Everyone in the inner circle gets a go at getting rich, in Trumpland; everyone around him, within his coterie, is happy & willing to do his every bidding.

You can now add FIFA to his fan base. Although, it has to be said that it always was a corrupt organisation, to start off with.

Infantino has been kissing ass for quite some time & is rapidly selling football out.

Belgium should withdraw & Trump will start nuking 'em, as if they were Iranians.

[trueblue1234]

At what point do countries seriously have to take action here? This is basically a case of FIFA going "Yeah we know that this is political influence, and we know that you know that too. But we don't care and we're going to do it anyway." There's no hiding this, or trying to argue the case for it. It's just so blatant that it's absurd. How can soccer look at this and not understand that this will tarnish soccer globally. The image of fair play will be gone completely. Even back pedalling now is going to look terrible.

[Milltown Row2]

I could half agree if the tackle was a bit iffy, but it's a blatant red card, whether there's intention or accidental it's a red

[playwiththewind1st]

At what point do countries seriously have to take action here? This is basically a case of FIFA going "Yeah we know that this is political influence, and we know that you know that too. But we don't care and we're going to do it anyway." There's no hiding this, or trying to argue the case for it. It's just so blatant that it's absurd. How can soccer look at this and not understand that this will tarnish soccer globally. The image of fair play will be gone completely. Even back pedalling now is going to look terrible.

You think it's bad now? Just wait till Trump hands over the trophy to Team USA on 19th July; he's already agreed the outcome, with Infantino.

[square_ball]

Putin will be raging he didn't think to put a phone call or 2 into FIFA when they were hosting.

[DaleCooper]

Putin will be raging he didn't think to put a phone call or 2 into FIFA when they were hosting.

Its like the Twilight Zone episode "its a good life"


Whenever he does something anathaema for other POTUS or world leaders the reaction is


"Its good the President did that, its very good!"

[JollyGreenGiant]

I cannot forget Infantino rubbing shoulders with Putin not long after the Skripal were poisioned in Sailsbury, and just a few short years after the first invasion of Ukraine. That was an indicator of what was to come.

[BigGreenField]

Martinez barely including Ronaldo in the tactical chat to the team at the water break is very funny given he won't take him off,

[trueblue1234]

From Belgium FA.

RBFA STATEMENT UPDATE
 
Following its previous statement, the RBFA wishes to publicly explain the events of the past few hours.
 
After learning through media reports of FIFA's decision to lift the automatic suspension of player Balogun, the RBFA sent a letter to FIFA requesting a copy of the decision, an explanation of the process that had been followed, and setting out its position regarding the applicable regulations.
 
As its only response, FIFA sent a letter to the RBFA stating that it considered this correspondence to constitute an appeal, that a judge had been appointed, and that the RBFA had only a few hours to complete that appeal. No information whatsoever was provided by FIFA.
 
For an appeal to be admissible, FIFA's own regulations state that the reasoned decision must first have been communicated to the appellant. While the RBFA was merely seeking legitimate explanations, FIFA itself created an appeal and immediately ensured that it would be declared inadmissible.
 
All of this occurred while FIFA simultaneously refused to respond to the RBFA's legitimate requests.
 
Furthermore, during the match coordination meeting, FIFA deliberately removed the section concerning the automatic suspension of players from its presentation. This topic had nonetheless been part of all such meetings before each of the previous four matches. The RBFA questioned FIFA, both orally and in writing, about the reasons for this change, yet once again received no response.
 
To be clear, as of this moment, the RBFA has still not received any decision or any explanation from FIFA regarding this matter. It therefore has no alternative but to challenge the player's eligibility for the upcoming match.
 
Regardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the RBFA is deeply concerned by the course of events and will continue to fight in the coming hours, days and months in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole.

I'm honestly can't believe the level of corruption here. (I know, I know, too naive!) Or rather the blatant nature of it. Surely there has to be some sort of pushback here?

[thewobbler]

FIFA should live to regret their recent behaviour.

They've always been corrupt in their own half boys club, half secret society sort of way. Indeed I'd harbour a guess  that their feeder organisations and the feeders to those organisations tended to operate in a similar manner at a national and regional level. Meaning that those who were able to climb the ranks knew which ladders led to where.

But this blatant and extraordinarily open declaration that they're above the law, above the rules, above reproach of any sort, can only work in a fascist regime.

And I don't think FIFA hold the balance of power they might believe.

Should any 3 of say Spain, England, Germany, France or Italy get together and jump ship, then FIFA's reign is over. Of course they'd sue, of course they'd fight, of course they'd wrangle. And there would be a period of a few years when the international game is a mess while sides are taken, conditions and constitutions are defined, and mergers are discussed.

But sooner or later it has to happen.

Infantino is the devil.

[Tony Baloney]

Sepp Blatter would have been red-faced at this.

[Tony Baloney]

In other news this match is very frustrating.

*That's better.

[gerrykeegan]

Very poor game. No urgency to it at all until now from Portugal.

[SouthOfThe Bann]

Cowardly display from Portugal.

What a waste of top class talent.

[AustinPowers]

Well, that was dull.