Connect with us

Sports

New Zealand break with OFC to withdraw Gianni Infantino support

Published

on

New Zealand have broken rank with Oceania’s football governing body to become the latest nation to withdraw support for Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

Infantino has lost support from three regional confederations – Europe’s Uefa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf (North and Central America and the Caribbean) – over his aborted plans to sell 20% of the World Cup’s commercial rights to private investors.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) and South American governing body Conmebol have backed the 56-year-old to win a fourth presidential term at the Fifa Congress in March.

New Zealand have followed several individual member nations including England, Wales, Norway, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in confirming they will not support Infantino’s re-election bid.

“New Zealand Football is also seeking an independent review of the steps undertaken to develop the Fifa Forward Enterprise Scheme (FFE),” a statement read.

“After careful consideration, NZF has formed the view that decisions and actions within FIFA have contributed to a breakdown in trust and increased division within international football, and that an independent review is required to restore confidence and trust.

“NZF believes this point in time represents an opportunity for all Fifa member associations to advocate for stronger governance, accountability and transparency which are fundamental in maintaining confidence of the administration of the global game.”

New Zealand was the only one of the OFC’s 11 members to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

NZF chief executive Andrew Pragnell said: “We’ve called for an independent review specifically because what we don’t want to see is a sort of in-house quick washover of this.

“An independent review is something else that has been called for by other confederations that will help restore some of the trust.”

The Oceania Football Confederation said it welcomed Fifa’s decision to withdraw the proposal, but stopped short of declaring or withdrawing support for Infantino.

“The OFC Executive Committee welcomes Fifa’s decision to withdraw the FFE proposal and its commitment to review the issues surrounding the project,” the statement said.

“The OFC recognises the progress achieved over the last decade in advancing football development in Oceania under Fifa’s leadership and encourages Fifa to use the review as an opportunity to identify and implement any changes that may be necessary.”

>

Continue Reading

Sports

Wafcon 2026 final: Cameroon 3-0 Malawi – Marie Ngah Manga helps Indomitable Lionesses to first title

Published

on

Cameroon cruised to a 3-0 victory over tournament debutants Malawi to claim their first ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title.

Marie Ngah Manga’s close-range header put the Indomitable Lionesses ahead in the 20th minute and Naomi Eto doubled the lead with a stunning volley on the half hour mark in the Moroccan capital Rabat.

The Central Africans made it 3-0 in the third minute of first-half added time as Eto rounded Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo and put the ball on a plate for striker Ngah Manga.

Malawi, the lowest-ranked side at Wafcon 2026 at 153rd in the world, reached the final on the back of the attacking prowess of the Chawinga sisters Tabitha and Temwa.

However, the two Scorchers stars were well marshalled by the Cameroon defence, who ensured that the Southern Africans were unable to secure a fairy tale ending to their unexpected run at the tournament.

Ngah Manga missed a glorious chance to complete her hat-trick three minutes into the second half when she went past Sikelo but fired wide from six yards with the goal gaping.

The Scorchers had their best chance just after the hour mark as Cameroon keeper Michaely Bihina saved a low effort from Tabitha Chawinga before her younger sibling turned and fired the rebound wide.

>

Continue Reading

Sports

European Athletics Championship: Jazz Sawyers takes long jump silver for Great Britain

Published

on

Great Britain’s Jazz Sawyers puts on “one of the performances of the championship” to take silver in the women’s long jump, finishing just one centimetre behind gold-winning Larissa Iapichino.

READ MORE: Athletics on BBC Sport

Available to UK users only.

>

Continue Reading

Sports

Rodri: Watch midfielder’s defining Manchester City moments as move to Barcelona announced

Published

on

BBC Sport takes a look back at the moments that defined Rodri’s time at Manchester City, from important goals to injuries and a Ballon d’Or, as the great midfielder takes his next step in his career.

READ MORE: Barcelona agree £65m deal to sign Rodri from Man City

Available for UK users only.

>

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2017 Zox News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by WordPress.