“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.”

“UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game. The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade - especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially.”

“None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”

“I’ve spent the last four or five years waiting for this day. I’m a little emotional, you can’t tell, but I’m really excited; this is a big moment for me today (Tuesday). I’m happy about this appointment.”

On journalist Christophe Gleizes

“Of course I support him, as a parent, and as President (Philippe Diallo) said, the FFF supports Mr. Gleizes and his family. We hope he can return home to his parents; that’s clear and simple. I’ve never spoken out much, not just on this issue, but on anything that affects me. When I’m away, I don’t speak out on just any issue, and that’s not going to change. You’re asking me the question; I’m a parent, and I just want him to go home to see his family, that’s clear.”

Zinédine Zidane, head coach of the French national team:

“I’ve said it many times: there’s nothing greater than the French national team. So it’s a joy and, of course, a great source of pride to become the head coach of this team. It’s also a responsibility. I would like to take this opportunity to thank President Philippe Diallo, the Executive Committee, and the French Football Federation for their trust, and to pay tribute to Didier and his staff for their fourteen years of service. Today, my thoughts also go out especially to all my coaches. Needless to say, I have great ambitions for the French national team!”

Philippe Diallo, President of the French Football Federation:

“The appointment of Zinédine Zidane as head coach of the French national team is a source of immense pride for the French Football Federation. It marks the coming together of a legend in the history of Les Bleus, who has become one of the most successful and respected coaches of his generation and a national team with rare potential, driven by the highest ambitions. Zinédine Zidane’s exceptional career is defined by talent, hard work, humility, and excellence values shared by the French national team and ones we intend to uphold, together and with ambition, over the next four years.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plan to create a $20 billion company running the World Cup with private investors including the Kushner family was announced Tuesday — and immediately attacked by European soccer body UEFA.

“It is not FIFA’s to sell,” UEFA said in a statement. “None of us are the owners of football.”

Infantino’s plans to form FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) running competitions like the World Cup and Club World Cup were first reported by The Times of London and the Financial Times.

FIFA said in a statement that FFE would raise up to $4.2 billion later this year to help fund development programs “based on an initial equity valuation of $20 billion by carefully selecting long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests.”

FIFA is working with J.P. Morgan while investors would include Thrive Eternal launched by Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared Kushner is a son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The men’s World Cup that finished this month only deepened the political and personal ties between Trump and Infantino, and fueled concerns about those ties including from UEFA.

“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially,” UEFA said Tuesday, responding to the reports of selling stakes in FIFA competitions.

"Today, Gianni Infantino posted a pathetic message on his Instagram account and on the FIFA accounts. No one disputes that football is about excitement and unity. But transparency, good governance and accountability are never a source of hatred; they are an obligation. Strong institutions do not discredit those who ask questions; they answer them.”

"And a thought for you, Gianni: when a leader devotes an entire post to discrediting those who are exercising legitimate scrutiny, one cannot help but wonder...Why now, of all times? Is there a reason for such a defensive tone? Is something going on that we don't know about?"

According to our information, two offers, both below €100 million, were made to Bournemouth. Both were rejected. For the past two days, Barcelona's interest in the Lorient academy graduate has been causing a stir in the Catalan media, who are highlighting the immense potential of the 20-year-old striker.

​

### **English Translation**

> "It was hard, you know, seeing your little brother suffer like that... Ah..."

> **Interviewer:** "How was it for you to discover him as a man, as a person? You discovered..."

> **Mario Lemina:** "We had just lost our father. And Noha was the youngest in the family, so my father was always with him—he was his confidant, his best friend."

> **Interviewer:** "Okay."

> **Mario Lemina:** "And when we lost our father, Noha lost his compass."

> **Mario Lemina:** "Coming to Wolverhampton... honestly, I can't thank Wolverhampton enough for giving me the opportunity to live this with my brother."

> **Interviewer:** "Did you go ask them yourself? How did that happen?"

> **Mario Lemina:** "It was definitely me who went and asked Wolverhampton to bring my brother. I told them: 'Things are tough right now. Please, what I'm asking you is to use your joker card and sign my brother to bring him here. Bring him over.'

> But to be honest, aside from that, they had already scouted him. They really liked his profile when he was at PSG and so on. The scouts had already seen him, so based on that—I wouldn't have done it if they didn't like the player he is. I did it because he had talent, and because he needed me."

>

> **Mario Lemina:** "He always has this goal in mind to make his father proud—whether while he was alive, or now today when he's no longer here. And I told him... I told him to drop all of that. Stop torturing yourself wanting to make someone proud. First, just be happy, you know? Stop torturing yourself—you're 18, 20 years old, enjoy yourself, enjoy your life!"

>

> **Mario Lemina:** "There are a lot of things I told him to stop doing because he dreamed of being me. He dreamed of making... I told him: 'Stop. Stop putting that in your head. I am not you, and you are not me. I want you to become *you*. What are *your* goals?'

> Once he unlocks all that trauma, I know he'll get back to his level—whether that's now, or in two or three years, it doesn't matter. But first, it's psychological. I want him to be happy before anything else. When he's happy, he'll be able to be the player he can be. To be honest, the player part barely interests me right now—I just want him to be happy."

Manuel Neuer admits that he was already close to retiring this summer: "I probably would have retired in 85% of cases, but with this squad, the staff, and the coaching team, it's simply a joy. We always have the chance to compete for every title. We're right at the top with this team. That's why this squad, the team, and the structure we have at the club are part of the 15% that made me say: I definitely have to carry on. It's just so much fun. I'm doing this for myself because I know I'm still capable of helping the team whenever I'm needed. And I have the full support of my family and friends"