I have accepted that Trump will likely never get what's coming to him

Posted by Sounder on August 3, 2026, 11:29:58, in reply to "Reports that Infantino is begging Trump to save his job.*"

but Infantino falling in to the "everything Trump touches dies" category would be a nice consolation prize. Previous Message Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too.

But FIFA is denying it so who to believe?!?!

Posted by ATL on August 3, 2026, 08:37:45, in reply to "Reports that Infantino is begging Trump to save his job.*"

But can he do it on a rainy night in Port of Spain?*

Posted by ATL on August 3, 2026, 08:39:46, in reply to "Poch is back through 2030 World Cup…"

Previous Message Enjoy a rainy Trinidad and Tobago my dude. Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too. “We are old and tired and just want to be taken care of.” - Republican voter, Dec. 2024.

Wow, definitely thought there was slim chance on him staying.

Posted by Carl Spackler on August 3, 2026, 08:23:55, in reply to "Poch is back through 2030 World Cup…"

Wonder what how the contract is shaped so that he’s not tempted to bail before the 2030 WC. I imagine his name will constantly be in discussions for club jobs until then. Previous Message Enjoy a rainy Trinidad and Tobago my dude. Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too.

I think it's pretty clear that Infantino considers people like Trump, Putin, and various Arab Sheiks

Posted by ATL on August 2, 2026, 16:54:00, in reply to "Nice espn.com piece on why Infantino's plan made no sense"

as strategic partners. So having this investment coordinated within Trump world was a feature to him. Previous Message Such as what problem are they trying to solve with outside money? There are two reasons why a company might want to sell an equity stake in its business. The first is if it needs cash and access to capital to grow and scale its business. That's not the case with FIFA, which was sitting on around $2.7 billion of cash reserves before the bonanza that was the 2026 World Cup. And even without dipping into the reserves, with a halfway decent business plan and their sterling credit rating, they could finance whatever they might need to scale and grow their business without handing over equity. The other reason you might give up a slice of your business is to bring in strategic investors, partners with know-how who are experts at growing and scaling a business. Leaving aside the obvious point -- that with all that cash they could just hire whatever clever experts they might need -- FIFA just delivered the most financially successful World Cup ever. Does it really need Josh Kushner and Thrive Capital to find other strategic partners? It can't do it itself? ... Even somebody who is so foolish that they think it's better to have $20 million now and share future revenues with Kushner's investors than to grow FIFA organically ought to be able to understand that if you're going to sell out, you do it to the highest bidder -- not someone who negotiated a deal behind closed doors. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49511728/why-fifa-president-infantino-plans-sell-world-cup-made-no-sense “We are old and tired and just want to be taken care of.” - Republican voter, Dec. 2024.

There was nothing more predictable than the balogun thing being terrible for everyone involved

Posted by snipes824 on August 2, 2026, 11:45:46, in reply to "Guardian reporting that Infantino was already in trouble due to the Balugon incident "

Including the team getting their ass beat. Previous Message https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/02/gianni-infantino-could-face-leadership-challenge-as-fifa-council-members-rebel The Guardian has learned that moves to call an EGM were already under way before the emergence of Infantino’s abortive plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup, with council members demanding an independent review into the unprecedented decision to lift Folarin Balogun’s suspension during the World Cup, which involved multiple phone calls from Donald Trump.

So was the proposed sale just a pure corruption play?

Posted by DT on August 1, 2026, 10:41:34, in reply to "Infantino proposal dead. His tenure as head of FIFA might be dead next.*"

Try to get a giant bankroll that he and other FIFA officials could embezzle, or else get kickbacks from the buyers to enrich themselves? I can’t think of any plausible, legitimate reason for FIFA to mortgage future revenue like this. The only situation in which a move like that can make sense is if there’s a huge near term cash flow problem, such that you absolutely need immediate money on hand and are forced into it. Other than that, though, if you are offering a price for which there are buyers, then by definition it’s a bad deal for you. No venture capitalist would buy the future revenues unless they were clearly worth more than the amount they are paying for them. This is not some complex financial deal or one where there’s a lot of future uncertainty, like buying a company. It’s a straight purchase of future cash for present cash, with a very stable and easily projected value for the future revenue. Previous Message Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too.

Overplayed his hand for sure*

Posted by CWR10 on July 31, 2026, 22:21:48, in reply to "Infantino proposal dead. His tenure as head of FIFA might be dead next.*"

Previous Message Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too.

CONCACAF also rejects unanimously but stops short of boycott.*

Posted by SurfTheBoneyard on July 30, 2026, 14:59:25, in reply to "UEFA votes unanimously to boycott FIFA competitions over Private Equity plan *"

Previous Message Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too. Sky Marshal of the Luftwaffle “Surf is just a national treasure.” — Jackie

Articles have been very vague about where future revenue would go

Posted by Potomac on July 30, 2026, 12:19:47, in reply to "UEFA votes unanimously to boycott FIFA competitions over Private Equity plan *"

I think old Gianni may have overstepped on this one.

Posted by SurfTheBoneyard on July 30, 2026, 10:55:11, in reply to "UEFA votes unanimously to boycott FIFA competitions over Private Equity plan *"

I mean quietly corrupt is one thing and FIFA can respect that. Openly corrupt like Trump is another. Previous Message Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too. Sky Marshal of the Luftwaffle “Surf is just a national treasure.” — Jackie

Well since they let all his best players go…

Posted by SurfTheBoneyard on July 30, 2026, 9:29:35, in reply to "Eddie Howe leaving Newcastle"

And set him up to fail, why not? Previous Message https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49486537/eddie-howe-set-leave-newcastle-sources Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too. Sky Marshal of the Luftwaffle “Surf is just a national treasure.” — Jackie

I'm guessing Howe to coach the 3 lions*

Posted by VIV on July 30, 2026, 8:20:37, in reply to "Eddie Howe leaving Newcastle"

Previous Message https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49486537/eddie-howe-set-leave-newcastle-sources Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too. "the alchemy of the tartar sauce and cheese with the fish combined with the buttery steamed bun is so good." - Sounder re: a Filet O Fish

Now THAT’S a mess*

Posted by Carl Spackler on July 30, 2026, 7:49:18, in reply to "Eddie Howe leaving Newcastle"

Previous Message https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49486537/eddie-howe-set-leave-newcastle-sources Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too.

All it would have done is allowed England to get to the finals

Posted by TarheelIllini on July 28, 2026, 13:45:32, in reply to "IFAB: Embolo red card should not have been given (the Athletic)"

Why didn’t they clarify this after Miggys red?*

Posted by CoronaTheirAss on July 28, 2026, 13:24:03, in reply to "IFAB: Embolo red card should not have been given (the Athletic)"

Previous Message https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7473204/2026/07/27/world-cup-mistaken-identity-law-embolo-almiron/?unlocked_article_code=1.1FA.HnE2.gmKz5F8FxRop&source=user_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share Global football’s law-making body has said that mistaken identity should not be used in instances of simulation as it was during the World Cup finals. The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which determines the laws of the game, clarified that mistaken identity can only be used to identity the player who committed an offence rather than the offence itself being reviewed or changed, as in instances of player simulation. They added that the use of the mistaken identity clause going forward was subject to a review of the VAR protocol at the World Cup.

Only would cost 182 million*

Posted by CoronaTheirAss on July 26, 2026, 13:37:26, in reply to "Arsenal are exploring a deal for Vini Jr. OH MY *"

Previous Message Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too.

Feels like vini’s camp pushing for a new deal in Madrid.I’ll be shocked if this happens for Arsenal*

Posted by VIV on July 26, 2026, 12:36:40, in reply to "Arsenal are exploring a deal for Vini Jr. OH MY *"

Previous Message Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too. "the alchemy of the tartar sauce and cheese with the fish combined with the buttery steamed bun is so good." - Sounder re: a Filet O Fish

Chin up Gunners, help is on the way!*

Posted by Sammich on July 25, 2026, 22:04:02, in reply to "Arsenal are exploring a deal for Vini Jr. OH MY *"

Previous Message Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too. What we've become is contrary to what we want Take a bow

He’s tired of scoring goals in open play

Posted by DT on July 25, 2026, 15:04:57, in reply to "Arsenal are exploring a deal for Vini Jr. OH MY *"

Wants to get back to tackling the goalie to score on corners, which is what originally made him fall in love with the beautiful game. Previous Message Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Posted by SurfTheBoneyard on July 25, 2026, 14:34:00, in reply to "Arsenal are exploring a deal for Vini Jr. OH MY *"

But man do I hope I see it. Previous Message Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too. Sky Marshal of the Luftwaffle “Surf is just a national treasure.” — Jackie

I think Newcastle is trying to dominate in the U20 division. Clown shoes*

Posted by Desert on July 25, 2026, 9:50:09, in reply to "Arsenal signed Tzolis. NUFC making moves that signal Bruno G is being sold *"

Previous Message Previous Message Spurs and Middlesbrough agree to £20 million fee for Will Lankshear transfer. He’s a promising talent but a very young striker with little EPL experience. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8rnjvpm0g4o Looks like Spurs will get £50 million for Bergval too.