Infantino wants Russia and Qatar must deliver in 2018 and 2022

Sepp Blatter's successor at the world football governing body will not consider a change in venue, despite investigations into the awarding of both tournaments

New Fifa president Gianni Infantino has dismissed the idea of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups being moved from Russia and Qatar respectively and called on tournament organisers to deliver "the best World Cups in history".

With the allocation of both tournaments under investigation by the FBI, there had been suggestions the bidding process could be re-opened to allow other countries the chance to stage football's showpiece event.

But Infantino, speaking on Monday during his first full working day in the job after winning Friday's election to succeed Sepp Blatter, has called for everyone to focus on ensuring the tournaments go without a hitch.

He told reporters in Zurich: "Concerning Qatar and Russia, the decisions were taken in 2010 by the executive committee, but since 2010 there has been speculation and allegations and noise.

"It's now necessary to organise the best World Cup in history in Russia in 2018 and in 2022 in Qatar."

In addition to Infantino's rise to power, Fifa also voted in a series of reforms on Friday in a bid to end the corruption which tainted the Blatter era.

One of them was the provision to reveal the salaries paid to senior officials, including Infantino.

The Swiss said the issue of his remuneration had not been discussed as yet.

When asked what he would be paid, he said: "I have no idea yet. I know you can't believe it but it's not (for the) money that I was candidate to become Fifa president.

"I have not discussed with anyone about my pay or what my pay will be. We will see."

Source: Goal.com

Arsenal want to have Higuain and Aubameyang

The Gunners are said to have big plans for the summer that would shock fans who are used to the London side's historical frugality in the transfer market

Arsenal are preparing summer bids for Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain and Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with hopes of signing both players, according to a report in Don Balon.

With Petr Cech, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil all providing world-class quality in other positions, the Gunners are looking for two players of similar talent to lead the goalscoring charge.

Landing both players would signify a major coup for Arsene Wenger, with the pair being courted by a plethora of clubs across Europe.

Nonetheless, Arsenal are said to be hopeful of signing at least one of the players to replace Olivier Giroud as the club's main frontman.

Source: Goal.com

Kampl breaks leg and will miss rest of the season

The former Dortmund man will definitely be out for the rest of the Bundesliga season after coming off injured against his ex-club earlier in the month

Bayer Leverkusen's hopes of clinching a Champions League spot have been dealt a major blow with the news midfielder Kevin Kampl will miss the remainder of the campaign with a broken leg.

Slovenia international Kampl was initially thought to have torn a calf muscle when he was taken off against former club Borussia Dortmund on February 21, but further tests revealed a broken left tibia.

The 25-year-old joined Leverkusen for a second time in August 2015 after a disappointing eight-month spell at Dortmund and has been one of the club's best performers this season.

Roger Schmidt's men are sixth in the Bundesliga, just a point behind fourth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach.

Source: Goal.com

Bender hopes to see Dortmund commit into stars club

The likes of Gundogan, Hummels, Schmelzer and Mkhitaryan all face uncertain futures, but their team-mate wants them to sign extensions to their current deals

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender has reiterated his hope that the club can tie down their key performers to new contracts, a week after he agreed fresh terms.

Bender extended his contract until 2021 last week but Dortmund are yet to secure the long-term futures of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gundogan and Marcel Schmelzer.

The quartet all see their contracts expire next year, with Bender stating after signing his new deal that he "would be glad if some of my other team-mates would follow in the coming weeks".

And speaking to Kicker on Monday, he added: "We didn't really discuss [my statement] in the dressing room.


"I just wanted to say that we are a totally committed bunch of guys, and it's a whole lot of fun. I hope that it was food for thought for one or two players to not give it up.

"I don't want to pressure anyone, but I would personally be delighted if a few would opt for Borussia in the end."

Bender has been with Dortmund since 2009, winning two Bundesliga titles and the DFB-Pokal under former coach Jurgen Klopp.

Dortmund are on course for Pokal and Europa League success under Klopp's successor Thomas Tuchel but trail league leaders Bayern Munich by eight points ahead of the sides' meeting at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday.

"Changes just for the sake of it don't automatically make sense," added Bender, who filled in at centre-back during Sunday's 3-1 win over Hoffenheim.

Source: Goal.com

Infantino has begun Fifa reign with star-studded tournament

Carles Puyol, Robert Pires and Deco were among some of the icons on display in Switzerland as the Swiss national officially took over from Sepp Blatter

Fifa president Gianni Infantino played in a seven-a-side tournament alongside a host of football greats in Zurich on Monday to mark his first day in office.

Infantino was elected on Friday to replace Sepp Blatter, whose long reign ended in disgrace with the 79-year-old serving a six-year ban from all football-related activity amid a corruption scandal at the governing body.

But successor and Swiss compatriot Infantino held a seven-a-side tournament on his first day in the job in a bid to help the organisation become synonymous with football rather than off-field matters.

Former England and AC Milan boss Fabio Capello was present as coach, while Infantino captained a side that included Luis Figo, Michel Salgado and Paolo Maldini.


Among the three other teams were star names such as Carles Puyol, Robert Pires, Clarence Seedorf, Deco and Andriy Shevchenko.

"Football is back at Fifa, and Fifa is back in football," said Infantino. "As of today, I'd like that when we speak about Fifa, we speak about football. That's why I arranged these games today."

World Cup-winning former Spain captain Puyol added: "It is a symbolic act. If we talk about the football governing body, then it’s very positive to have the players playing an active role in it."

Source: Goal.com

Besic pens contract extension at Everton

Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder Muhamed Besic has done enough to impress manager Roberto Martinez to extend his contract at Goodison Park until the end of the 2020-21 season

Everton midfielder Muhamed Besic has signed a new five-and-half-year deal with the Premier League club.

The fresh terms keep the 23-year-old at Goodison Park until the end of June 2021.

Bosnia-Herzegovina international Besic joined Everton from Hungarian side Ferencvaros in July 2014 and has made 40 first-team appearances to date.

"I'm really happy to have signed a new contract with a club such as Everton," Besic told Everton TV.


"After a year-and-a-half with the club, it makes me proud that they have given me a new deal.

"When I first arrived here it was difficult for me, but now I feel at home. The supporters, as well as the manager, the staff and my team-mates, have all made me welcome at the club and I feel really happy.

"It was very easy when I heard about it. It was clear that I wanted to stay and sign the new contract.

"When people look at my game, before and now, I think I have improved a lot in many different areas. But, like you have seen, I am still adapting to the league and I will continue to work hard and give my best.

"We always speak about things we want to achieve, Europe and other things. We have to show it on the pitch and do it. The next 12 games and also Chelsea in the FA Cup, I hope we can do our speaking on the pitch."

Source: Goal.com

Higuain rejects new Napoli contract

The club's owner claimed the striker is "running around like he has a brick in his pocket" - a statement the prolific and in-demand Argentine has not taken lightly

Gonzalo Higuain will turn down any offers of a contract extension with Napoli, accoring to a report in Fijaches.

The striker, currently the top scorer in Serie A, was recently called out by club president Aurelio De Laurentiis for being overweight, which has caused the Argentine to call time on his playing days at Stadio San Paolo.

Higuain, who is reportedly being courted by Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG among others, has been in scintillating form this season and should not find it difficult to secure a summer move elsewhere at the end of the 2015-16 season.

Source: Goal.com