England legend Stuart Pearce wants to see heavy punishments handed out to Argentina after they were charged for numerous breaches by FIFA.
FIFA have charged Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina with assault. Thiago Almada has been done for unsporting behaviour as well.
As a nation, Argentina face several very serious charges. These include racism and discrimination by their supporters.
They have also been charged with using sport to promote a non-sporting political message.
This relates to the use of the banner after their win over England in the World Cup semi-finals in which they claimed that the Falkland Islands were Argentine territory.
The banner read ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’, which translates as ‘The Falklands are Argentine’.
The final charge is to do with breaching order of security, directly relating to delayed kick-offs.
And speaking on Breakfast with Andy Goldstein and Angelina Kelly, Pearce said: “What do you think they are going to do to the Argentinian players?
“Bear in mind, they upgraded Jarell Quansah’s suspension and a six-game suspension to a Qatari [Assim Madibo].
“So, a player, after the game has finished, throwing punches…
“If you set a precedent for banning a player for six games for an accidental tackle, which I think is ludicrous because he wasn’t a well-known player.
“Then bans for Ronaldo were quashed.”
4
Pearce goes in on FIFA
It wasn’t just Argentina in Pearce’s sights this morning as he took aim at FIFA as well.
Gianni Infantino plans to sell off the World Cup and has offered each nation up to $40million to ensure they voted for it by the middle of September.
Since, UEFA have revealed that every single one of their nations would boycott the FIFA’s competitions should Infantino’s plan come to fruition.
The FA are one of the associations to back these plans, so if they go ahead, England won’t be at the World Cup and no English team would be at the Club World Cup either.
Pearce was speaking before the UEFA statement dropped, but he feels that fans and players would be harmed by these plans.
He said: “I am really dubious of any idea that comes out of them. Any idea, I mistrust.
4
“Greed seems to be at the centre of everything, and not the fans.
“But I then feel sorry for the players if you end up boycotting it. What about the generation of footballers that never get to play in a World Cup because of that?”
What next?
talkSPORT exclusively understands that UEFA are set to be joined by other football federations in proposing a FIFA boycott.
Infantino’s plan is to potentially merge FIFA’s commercial and operational arms merged into one private-equity firm.
They involve selling stakes of the World Cup to private investors, with Donald Trump said to be involved in discussions.
4
The 57-year-old plans to run for FIFA president again, but talkSPORT understands that UEFA are trying to find a candidate.
One name who had significant support in UEFA circles was Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
However, those close to Al-Khelaifi insist he had no aspirations to stand, nor give up his roles at PSG and beIN Sports.
A spokesperson for Al-Khelaifi said: “Mr. Al-Khelaifi has absolutely no ambition, no intention and no interest in the FIFA role and all this media noise, and instead will continue to quietly and constructively support all the institutions of world and European football.”
UEFA’s statement
The UEFA statement against Infantino’s plans is damning.
They said: “UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions.
“UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.
“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.
“It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football.
“National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of football’s greatest competitions or bear the consequences. This is not a “democratic decision”, but governance by intimidation – an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game.
“But our opposition goes far beyond process.
“The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure. From that moment onwards, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders.
“This model has no place in world football. Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain.
“Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.
“As a result of today’s discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership.
“Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.
“There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments.
“Some things are simply too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.”
