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5 days ago
- Entertainment
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What comes next? Inside Fifa's grand plan after Club World Cup
At MetLife Stadium on Wednesday, Gianni Infantino was walking around with a grin fixed to his face, looking to shake everyone's hand. The Fifa president was essentially basking in how the Club World Cup had gone, and he was in a similar mood at the opening of the Fifa Office in New York's Trump Tower the day before. If most of the focus there has been on the deepening of the relationship between Infantino and Donald Trump, senior football figures are shocked by another element. The Fifa president has chosen the very building where US authorities approached Chuck Blazer and started the process of 'flipping him'. The disgraced football official notoriously had two apartments in Trump Tower, including one for his cats, where he embezzled all of his money. Blazer's evidence would ultimately bring down 'the old Fifa' in 2015. That was how Infantino rose to president the next year, making the symbolism remarkable. Fifa, of course, maintains this shift shows how far it's come. Other figures feel it shows how the football world is being turned upside down. Another description of Infantino this week is that he has been behaving like 'a founder' – a Mark Zuckerberg or Jeff Bezos. In that light, it's hard not to think he sees himself as the founder of the new Club World Cup. Whether the tournament has actually been worth such celebration depends on your perspective, not least what continent you're from. South Americans have loved it, some big games have sold out, and there have been decent viewing figures on free-to-air channels. The response has still been lukewarm in Europe, with empty seats visible, while there haven't exactly been many memorable moments. Since the tournament is new, it lacks mythology and true stakes. It says much that most of the discussion still keeps coming back to prize money. The injury to Jamal Musiala also showed another cost. None of that really matters with regards to Fifa's aims, though. It sees most criticism as being driven by a jealous Uefa. Above all, Infantino has proven to clubs that Fifa can deliver the tournament. That might primarily be down to Saudi money, but this was a resource the clubs had been trying to unlock for years. Many have been trying to sell shares to the Public Investment Fund. If that shows the tournament still can't stand on its own, it's also why Al-Hilal's shock last-16 victory over Manchester City might genuinely end up as one of those unduly influential results. Even if it was partly a fluke, the 4-3 win immediately makes the Saudi Pro League that bit more serious. You only have to contrast that to the struggles of the much older MLS. Some have even talked about a potential 'big bang' comparable to India's victory in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup, and the IPL's eventual dominance of cricket. Such progress will mean PIF keeps investing in its teams, while further committing to Saudi Arabia's own ambitions, which go beyond the 2034 World Cup. This is where Fifa is as intertwined with the kingdom as it is with the Trump administration. The governing body would, of course, repeat that all of this is simply about spreading the wealth of the game beyond the European superclubs, which is noble and overdue. The truth will only be revealed when we see where the money goes. Some club owners have already questioned why we're no longer hearing as much about the competition's 'solidarity target' – the money spread to non-qualifiers – especially since they believe that was supposed to be elevated through ticket money for knockout games. Dynamic pricing has brought a lot of that down. Scepticism persists. Aside from a mechanism to increase Fifa revenue and keep voters happy, more critical voices have long seen this project as a trojan horse for Saudi clubs to have their own Champions League and the big clubs to finally have their super league. Figures from A22 were even at MetLife on Wednesday, alongside Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. Whatever the truth, this summer's progress has only propelled existing discussions. It's an 'open secret' that big clubs are talking about the tournament taking place every two years, even though Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin thinks he has an agreement that it will only be every four. Those who didn't qualify are envious of the prize money. Some insiders consequently expect qualification to be changed so it's more based on coefficient – club performance – and an eventual expansion to 48 teams. It is sub-optimal for Fifa, after all, that hundreds of millions of Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona fans don't care. In that scenario, big European clubs could have leverage and demand Fifa introduce PSR-style regulation to constrain the Saudi clubs. Infantino's response would be a wonder. Some sources even talk of more outlandish plans. There are claims that the Fifa competition department has started to brainstorm ideas for the future, and one of them is a radical new calendar. The plan would see the year broken into three similar-length blocks, one for the domestic game, one for the international club game, and one for internationals. It should be stressed that these are mere ideas so far. More cynical voices believe it would mean a plan that is ready to go for the game's next Super League moment, in what is already a fraught period in football politics. There is obviously constant discussion about the international match calendar, with Arsene Wenger currently leading a Fifa taskforce. That's in a context where the bread and butter of the sport – the domestic leagues – aren't presided over by Fifa and don't produce money for them. A belief already exists within the governing body that 20-team leagues are too big. Even more powerful actors are now trying to reshape the game. It is just as symbolic that the Club World Cup's first final ends up featuring a state-owned club, in Paris Saint-Germain, and a private equity-owned club, in Chelsea. The competition duly ends as it began. You can sign up to DAZN to watch every Club World Cup game for free
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Junior Boks down Argentina to make World U20 Champs final
The Junior Boks were heavily penalised during the game, but their fast start to the first half allowed them to still walk away as comfortable winners in the end. Junior Springbok wing Jaco Williams was on the score sheet, as they beat Argentina U20s in their World Rugby U20 Championship semifinal in Italy on Monday night. Picture:A heavily penalised Junior Springbok team still managed to show enough class to power their way to a comfortable 48-24 win over Argentina U20s in their World Rugby U20 Championship semifinal at the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella in Viadana, Italy on Monday night. The Junior Boks found themselves on the wrong end of the referee's whistle, particularly at the breakdown and at scrum time, as they conceded 16 penalties to just six from Argentina, while they also received two yellow cards. Despite those struggles they still outscored their Southern Hemisphere rivals six tries to three, as they set up a final meeting on Saturday with huge rivals New Zealand U20s, after they defeated France U20s 34-26 in the earlier semi. Flying start It was another flying start to the game from the Junior Boks as they ran in four tries in a 14 minute spell, after going over for their first in the eighth minute. Livewire scrumhalf Haashim Pead was heavily involved, breaking from a ruck and getting close, where the chicken wing offload found inside centre Albie Bester to run in untouched. Straight from the kick-off Pead was handed his sixth try of the tournament, to go with four try assists, as big loose forward Bathobele Hlekani burst down the middle, offloading to flying eighthman Wandile Mlaba, who in turn found Pead following up to go over to make it 14-0. Argentina then got themselves on the board with a penalty from flyhalf Rafael Benedit, but the Junior Boks continued on, as flyhalf Vusi Moyo put up a high kick for wing Jaco Williams to chase, with him going over, followed by lock JJ Theron crashing over, both converted by Moyo for a 28-3 lead after 22 minutes. Most of the rest of the half was then an impressive defensive shift from the Junior Boks, as Argentina bashed away on their line and were largely repelled. But with two minutes left in the half prop Simphiwe Ngobese was yellow carded after an infringement under a team warning, with the South Americans rumbling over a lineout maul to make it 28-10 at the break. Second half The second half started much like the first ended, with the Junior Boks being penalised at the breakdown, Argentina on the front foot, and they went over first in the corner through wing Timoteo Silva, to bring them right back into the game at 28-17 after 52 minutes. But the Junior Boks managed to calm things down through a couple of penalties to Moyo, moving them into a 34-17 lead in the 58th minute. Argentina were now making mistakes, and a lost ball in midfield allowed the Junior Boks to snap it up and attack, with outside centre Demitre Erasmus breaking and putting away Bester for the converted score to effectively make the game safe at 41-17 after 60 minutes. Argentina however kept plugging away, and another yellow card to Junior Bok replacement prop Oliver Reid for repeated infringements again, gave them the extra man and eventually replacement back Ramon Miranda dotted down in the 71st minute. It was the Junior Boks who finished on top though as wing Cheswill Jooste stepped his way through to put the cherry on the cake on the fulltime hooter. Scorers South Africa U20: Tries – Albie Bester (2), Haashim Pead, Jaco Williams, JJ Theron, Cheswill Jooste; Conversions – Vusi Moyo (5), Dominic Malgas; Penalties – Moyo (2) Argentina U20: Tries – Agustin Campos, Timoteo Benedit, Ramon Miranda; Conversions – Rafael Benedit (2), Pascal Senillosa; Penalty – Benedit
TimesLIVE
14-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Mnebelele, Junior Boks know what's coming in U-20 semi against Argentina
Siphosethu Mnebelele and Vusi Moyo have been dreaming of playing rugby for South Africa since their early high school days at King Edward VII School (KES) in Johannesburg. Now the two schoolboy friends are forming an integral part of the Junior Springboks' World Rugby U-20 Championship campaign in Italy. Mnebelele, a former South African Schools captain, and Moyo have been stalwarts for the Junior Boks as they seek to advance to their first final since 2014. Such a feat would provide their first U-20 world champs triumph since the Handré Pollard, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Steven Kitshoff inspired victory in 2012 at a packed Newlands in Cape Town. The Junior Boks progressed to the semifinals on the back of three impressive victories in the group stage over Australia, defending champions England and Scotland. Running rugby 🤌🤌 Dominic Malgas finishes a beautiful Junior Boks' team move 👏👏 📺 Stream #WorldRugbyU20s on DStv: — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 9, 2025 On Monday evening they face fellow southern-hemisphere rivals Argentina at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana (8.30pm Italy and SA time) for a spot in the 2025 final. Hooker Mnebelele recalled how he and flyhalf Moyo dreamed of higher honours while enjoying their schoolboy rugby days. 'We spoke the other day about how we often said to each other how great it would be to, when we are older, achieve national honours for the country,' said Mnebelele, whose nickname is 'Esethu'. 'Vusi and I have been playing together since our early high-school days for the Golden Lions and last year we both played for the SA Schools side, as well as the SA U-18 team. Now here we are, playing together for the Junior Boks, which is a dream come true. Playing for the Junior Boks is a huge honour and something we don't take for granted.' The soft-spoken Mnebelele and Moyo are part of the South Africa U-20 leadership group in Italy. Looking forward to the all-important semifinal against Argentina, the hard-working hooker said they know what to expect from the South Americans. What a start for the Junior Boks 🇿🇦⚡ Jaco Williams does it all himself 👏👏 📺 Stream #WorldRugbyU20s on DStv: — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 9, 2025 'They are good with their set piece, on attack and defence they are direct and play with a lot of passion. We have done our homework on them and had a good week of preparation, fixing what went wrong against them in the Rugby Championship. 'Coach [Kevin Foote] used to tell us how tough our group would be as soon as our camp started back home in Stellenbosch. Looking back over the past three weeks, I believe our tough group has prepared us well for the knockout stages. 'However, those games are behind us and we will have to work hard against Argentina, who are a quality side.' Moyo is the tournament's leading points-scorer with 34, while Junior Bok scrumhalf Haashim Pead leads the try-scoring list with five. New Zealand and France play in the earlier semifinal at the same venue (6pm). Junior Springbok team to face Argentina: 15 Gilermo Mentoe 14 Cheswill Jooste 13 Demitre Erasmus 12 Albie Bester 11 Jaco Williams 10 Vusi Moyo 9 Haashim Pead 8 Wandile Mlaba 7 Bathobele Hlekani 6 Xola Nyali 5 JJ Theron 4 Riley Norton (captain) 3 Herman Lubbe 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele 1 Simphiwe Ngobese Replacements: 16 Jaundré Schoeman 17 Oliver Reid 18 Jean Erasmus 19 Jaco Grobbelaar 20 Matt Romao 21 Ceano Everson 22 Dominic Malgas 23 Stephanus Linde SA Rugby media
Glasgow Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Ex-Celtic star could be set for stunning move to Brazil
Reports indicate that Brazilian side Flamengo have made a formal approach for the 26-year-old, just a year after he joined the Baggies permanently. Johnston, who impressed during a loan spell at The Hawthorns, hasn't replicated his form this season, scoring three goals and assisting five. Despite this, the former Celtic man has caught the eye of the South Americans. According to the Express and Star, Flamengo are prepared to pay around £5 million for Johnston. Read more: West Brom are reportedly content with the deal, as it would represent a profit and help adhere to profit and sustainability rules. The move is described as "progressing well" and is understood to be a life-changing opportunity for the winger. Johnston netted seven goals during his initial half-season loan spell at West Brom.
The National
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The National
Ex-Celtic star Mikey Johnston set for stunning Brazil move
The winger signed on full-time for West Brom in last summer's transfer window after a sensational loan period the season prior. He hasn't quite produced the same output in his first season as a permanent Baggies player but has still piqued the interest from Brazilian giants Flamengo. According to the Express and Star, the South Americans have submitted a formal approach for the former Hoops man and are willing to pay around £5 million. Read more: Albion are happy with the deal as it would give them a profit just a year after buying from Celtic and helps them fall in line with profit and sustainability rules. There is also and understanding it would be a life-changing move for the 26-year-old. The deal is said to be "progressing well." Johnston scored found the net an impressive seven times during just half a season after initially joining the Midlands said on loan. This campaign hasn't been quite as scintillating - scoring three and assisting a further five.
