Sports
FIFA President Infantino under pressure to step down
Infantino is fighting to save his job after a fierce backlash against his plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup.
•Gianni Infantino
President Gianni Infantino held emergency talks with other FIFA directors in Morocco on Wednesday, a source told AFP, amid a wave of criticism over his now-shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment.
Infantino has come under increasing pressure, even from within FIFA, over his handling of the proposal, and calls for him to step down have grown since he abandoned it last Saturday.
One of those believed to be at the meeting is FIFA’s secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom, whose internal email to staff criticising the plan was leaked on Tuesday.
Infantino, a 56-year-old Swiss lawyer — who is holding the meeting in FIFA’s Africa regional office in Sale close to Rabat — was in Morocco to celebrate last week’s Feast of the Enthronement.
Morocco is to co-host the 2030 World Cup and Moroccan Football chief Fouzi Lekjaa is one of the few to have publicly supported Infantino since the humiliating climbdown.
In a related development, former Real Madrid and Barcelona star Luis Figo has called for “deceitful” Gianni Infantino to quit as pressure mounts on the under-fire FIFA president.
Infantino is fighting to save his job after a fierce backlash against his plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup.
The 56-year-old wanted to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors through his FIFA Forward Enterprise.
The plan sparked a cascade of criticism for Infantino and has been rejected by three continental confederations, forcing the FIFA chief to ditch his divisive idea.
Sports
Lagos declares readiness to host 2026 CAF Awards
Hosting an event of this scale means every single detail counts and our team is working hard behind the scenes to make sure we get it right,” the governor said in an X post on Monday.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured that the state is ready to host this year’s CAF Awards.
Nigeria has previously hosted the CAF Awards on four occasions, with Lagos staging the most recent edition in January 2015.
The CAF team arrived in Nigeria last Thursday for an inspection of facilities being put forward by the country to host the organisation’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly and annual CAF Awards ceremony.
A five-man team from the Confederation of African Football inspected the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, popularly known as the National Theatre, the designated venue for the ceremony.
The team is led by former NFF presidential aspirant and CAF’s Head of Safety and Security, Dr Christian Emeruwa.

• Officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation and the Confederation of African Football during the inspection of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Iganmu, Lagos, ahead of this year’s CAF Awards. Photo: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The delegation also included Mohammed Bakeer (Technology), Inas Ahmed (Travel and Accommodation), Salah Mostafa (Transport) and Hervé Dassoundo (Branding).
They were received by officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission, led by Director-General Lekan Fatodu, as they inspected the National Theatre on Monday.
Sanwo-Olu said the state was committed to ensuring that Lagos delivers a successful event.
“We guided them through the venue and gathered their feedback. Hosting an event of this scale means every single detail counts and our team is working hard behind the scenes to make sure we get it right,” the governor said in an X post on Monday.
” Lagos is ready and we look forward to putting on a brilliant show for African football.”
Sports
UEFA Considers World Cup Boycott Over FIFA’s $20bn Investment Proposal
UEFA strongly opposed the proposal, insisting football “isn’t FIFA’s to sell” and criticising the lack of transparency surrounding the plan.
UEFA is preparing an emergency meeting of its 55 member associations to discuss FIFA’s proposed $20 billion private investment plan, with a potential World Cup boycott among the options being considered.
The proposal, unveiled by FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, would create the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new subsidiary responsible for the commercial and event operations of FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.
FIFA said the venture would seek minority investment while retaining full control of football governance, with funds intended to expand development programmes for its 211 member associations.
UEFA strongly opposed the proposal, insisting football “isn’t FIFA’s to sell” and criticising the lack of transparency surrounding the plan.
Sources told ESPN there is significant resistance within the European governing body.
Sports
Idi Amin’s grandson disqualified from Commonwealth boxing bout
He was jeered out of the ring after a tempestuous bout against England’s Damar Thomas in the super-heavyweight division.
•Aziz Abdul, Idi Amin’s boxer grandson
The grandson of former Ugandan president Idi Amin saw his bid for Commonwealth boxing gold end in disgrace as Aziz Abdul was disqualified for a headbutt in his quarter-final on Wednesday.
Amin famously declared himself the “King of Scotland” in 1976, having developed a fascination with the country with his remark inspiring an Oscar-winning film, “The Last King Of Scotland”.
Aziz arrived in Glasgow declaring his dream of becoming “the new king of Scotland.
But he was jeered out of the ring after a tempestuous bout against England’s Damar Thomas in the super-heavyweight division.
Despite landing three sweeping left hooks in the opening round, a short, stabbing left by Thomas earned a plainly displeased Aziz a standing count.
Aziz swung wildly throughout the second and was deducted his second point for persistently punching Thomas in the face as they exited a clinch.
AFP
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