FIFA president Gianni Infantinos ploy to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors has angered another significant party. Carlos Cordeiro, one of Infantinos top advisors, resigned from his position at FIFA over Infantinos proposal. Cordeiro announced his decision in a scathing statement that made clear he was strongly opposed to the idea of selling stakes in the event.A portion of his statement read:As a Senior Advisor to the FIFA President, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup.Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for FIFAs Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game.Cordeiro then called for FIFAs proposal to be rejected.Later in his statement, Cordeiro claimed FIFA has extraordinary financial resources and doesnt need private investment. FIFA is set to make a revenue around $15 billion for the 2022-26 World Cup cycle, per The TimesCordeiro also questioned the timing of Infantinos proposal.Why this deal? Why now? What oversight exists? Who benefits? Was there a competitive process? What governance will be in place? What will investors ultimately gain, and at what cost to football?He eventually called the proposal a defining question for FIFAs future before announcing his resignation. Cordeiro was far from the only significant voice to take a stand. On Thursday, UEFA announced a boycott of the World Cup and all FIFA-run competitions until the proposal was scrapped and Infantino promised to never go down that road again. Concacaf didnt announce a boycott, but issued a critical response calling out Infantino for not going through the proper channels before trying to push a deal through.FIFA responded to both UEFA and Concacaf late Thursday, expressing disappointment that the proposal leaked. FIFA decided to put the decision on all member associations, saying they should all have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries.FIFAs statement declared, Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain.Cordeiro has been with FIFA since 2021. Prior to that, he served as U.S. Soccer president between 2018 and 2020. He resigned from that position after a disagreement with the USWNT over equal pay.In his resignation letter from FIFA, Cordeiro urged others at the organization to speak up in opposition to the proposal.

US President Donald Trump (R) and FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the 2026 World Cup (FRANCK FIFE)The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined UEFA and CONCACAF in condemning world football's governing body FIFA's proposed private investment plan, saying on Friday they were alarmed it had reached the point a "World Cup boycott has entered public discourse".A damaging blow to FIFA president Gianni Infantino came with the later resignation of a senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro, who issued an excoriating statement."As a senior advisor to the FIFA president, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup," wrote Cordeiro, a former head of the US Soccer Federation."Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally."It is a bad deal for FIFA's member associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game."His resignation and the AFC statement came hours after FIFA vowed to press ahead with an "open and democratic" consultation on the plan.The statement followed a pledge by Europe's governing body UEFA to boycott the World Cup if FIFA went ahead with its plan which set alarm bells ringing within the AFC."The AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing serious concerns over FIFA's proposal," the Kuala Lumpur-based body said in a statement."The fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a FIFA World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game," said the AFC, which represents 47 member nations, including Australia, China, Japan and Saudi Arabia.FIFA said in a statement all of its member associations should have a chance to consider the plan."Nobody is selling football," it said."This is not something FIFA would ever entertain."It also said it had heard feedback from UEFA and CONCACAF, the governing body for football in North and Central America, which said all 41 of its member associations had rejected FIFA's proposal to sell a stake in the business operations of the World Cup.The world body also said its planned consultation process had been "disrupted by incorrect media reports"."We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation," FIFA's statement said."We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each (member association) has the ability to express its vote based on facts," it said.FIFA has said the plan it announced on Tuesday could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the commercial subsidiary it proposed to run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.If approved, the project could provide each of FIFA's 211 member associations with a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027 and increase their funding allocation for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8.0 million to $20 million.Private investors would be allowed under the proposal to acquire stakes in the company but would remain minority shareholders.UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that Infantino "is the wrong man to lead" FIFA, calling the plan an "outrageous suggestion".- 'Time for a hydration break' -UEFA said in an earlier statement none of its national teams would participate in any FIFA competition "for so long as these proposals remain alive"."The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product... No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale," it said.Infantino had described the initiativeon Wednesday as a "golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally".However, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who boycotted the World Cup final to show unhappiness with FIFA, said there was no place in world football for such a model."Football's future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return," he said."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."The European Union praised UEFA on Thursday for "defending the integrity of the game".UEFA also received approval from Chelsea's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso, who was a member of the 2010 World Cup-winning side."We have seen a great World Cup, and some things they (should) stay the same way. So it's good to defend the interests from other people," he said in Sydney, where the London club are on a pre-season tour.CONCACAF members, including the three co-hosts of the recent World Cup, unanimously rejected the proposal on Thursday.On a lighter note a beer brand that is a major UEFA sponsor posted an advert with the line 'Time for a hydration break, Gianni? Probably,' referring to the pauses in each half for the players at the World Cup.bur-pi/lp

The WNBA has three games on tap tonight, but which teams are playing Friday night?Here's a look at WNBA schedule, where to watch, results, standings, and more:WNBA games today: WNBA TV schedule for tonight, Friday, July 31, 2026Seattle Storm at Atlanta Dream, 7:30 p.m. ET, IONDallas Wings at Washington Mystics, 7:30 p.m. ET, IONIndiana Fever at Portland Fire, 10 p.m. ET, IONWill Caitlin Clark play for Indiana Fever vs Portland Fire today, Friday, July 31? Fever-Fire injury reportIndiana's Caitlin Clark (back) is probable, Aliyah Boston (right lower leg) is probable, Monique Billings (left hip) is probable, Damiris Dantas (left knee) is out.Portland's Sarah Ashlee Barker (left knee) is out, and Sania Feagin (left knee) is out.What is Indiana Fever at Portland Fire start time tonight, Friday, July 31, 2026? When is Fever WNBA game today live?The Indiana Fever at Portland Fire game is at 10 p.m. ET Friday, July 31, 2026, at Moda Center in Portland.What channel is Indiana Fever at Portland Fire on TV today, Friday, July 31, 2026? Where to watch Fever vs Fire WNBA game tonight liveCatch Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever at Portland Fire via ION on Friday, July 31, 2026.Watch Fever action with a free Fubo trialHow to stream Indiana Fever at Portland Fire tonight, Tuesday, July 31? Streaming Fever-Fire WNBA game today liveWatch Fever vs. Storm on FuboWhat is Dallas Wings at Washington Mystics start time tonight, Friday, July 31? When is Mystics-Wings WNBA game today live?The Dallas Wings at Washington Mystics game is at 7:30 p.m. ET Friday, July 31, 2026, at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C.What channel is Dallas Wings at Washington Mystics on TV today, Friday, July 31, 2026? Where to watch Mystics vs Wings WNBA game tonight liveCatch Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings at Washington Mystics via ION on Friday, July 31, 2026.Watch Fever action with a free Fubo trialHow to stream Dallas Wings at Washington Mystics tonight, Friday, July 31? Streaming Wings-Mystics WNBA game today liveWatch Fever vs. Storm on FuboWhat is Seattle Storm at Atlanta Dream start time tonight, Friday, July 31? When is Dream-Storm WNBA game today live?The Seattle Storm at Atlanta Dream game is at 7:30 p.m. ET Friday, July 31, 2026, at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta.What channel is Atlanta Dream vs Seattle Storm on TV today, Friday, July 31, 2026? Where to watch Storm at Dream WNBA game tonight liveCatch Dominique Malonga and the Seattle Storm at Atlanta Dream via ION on Friday, July 31, 2026.Watch Fever action with a free Fubo trialHow to stream Seattle Storm at Atlanta Dream tonight, Friday, July 31? Streaming Dream-Storm WNBA game today liveWatch Fever vs. Storm on FuboWNBA scores, results last night: WNBA games for Thursday, July 30, 2026Minnesota Lynx 104, Toronto Tempo 72; box score:Minnesota Lynx at Toronto TempoChicago Sky 94, Connecticut Sun 88; box score:Connecticut Sun at Chicago SkyLas Vegas Aces 104, New York Liberty 99; box score:New York Liberty at Las Vegas Aces2026 WNBA standingsWNBA Eastern Conference standingsIndiana Fever (18-10)Atlanta Dream (17-10)Washington Mystics (15-12)New York Liberty (16-13)Toronto Tempo (10-18)Chicago Sky (10-18)Connecticut Sun (7-22)WNBA Western Conference standingsMinnesota Lynx (24-6)Las Vegas Aces (20-8)Golden State Valkyries (19-9)Dallas Wings (18-10)Portland Fire (11-17)Phoenix Mercury (11-18)Los Angeles Sparks (10-17)Seattle Storm (6-24)Chris Sims is a trending reporter for Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter:@ChrisFSims.This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What is WNBA schedule of games tonight? Do Caitlin Clark, Fever play today?

Ahead of the Indianapolis Colts' third training camp practice, the team announced that linebacker CJ Allen has been removed from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.He is now available to practice right away.A calf injury is what landed Allen on the PUP list originally, although GM Chris Ballard said on Tuesday his stint there would be brief.we have removed LB CJ Allen from active/physically unable to perform list. pic.twitter.com/GO7VHOfN3q Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) July 31, 2026Allen is in line to be the Colts' starting MIKE linebacker this season -- an important role in any defense. This player is responsible for taking in the play call, relaying to the rest of the defense, and then making any pre-snap adjustments. The MIKE-backer is essentially the quarterback of the defense.During offseason programs, Allen acclimated himself well to that role in Lou Anarumo's defense."He's again another guy that never left this building all summer and works his butt off both physically and mentally," said Anarumo about Allen's early training camp absence, via Locked on Colts. "He's around. He sees what's going on, so I'm not worried about it."This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts LB returns to practice after brief time on PUP list

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The Women's Pro Baseball League will begin its historic first season on Saturday, August 1. The league is the first professional women's baseball league in over 70 years and consists of four teams featuring the best and brightest baseball stars from all over the world. The league's four teams are the New York Heights, San Francisco Firebells, Boston Hunters and Los Angeles Queens, all named in honor of specific women who left an indelible mark on history. Every game of the 2026 season will be held at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, IL, with the season opener scheduled for August 1 at 5 p.m. ET between the Los Angeles Queens and the New York Heights.Here's what you need to know about tuning into the first-ever Women's Pro Baseball League season, how to get tickets to games, and where to watch.How to watch the Women's Pro Baseball League Dates: August 1 - September 6, 2026Location: Robin Roberts Stadium, Springfield, ILChannel: N/AStreaming: YouTubeWhen is the 2026 Women's Pro Baseball League season?The first WPBL season kicks off on Saturday, August 1. Games will run through September 6. What are the Women's Pro Baseball League teams?There are four WPBL teams in 2026: the New York Heights, San Francisco Firebells, Boston Hunters, and Los Angeles Queens.Where are Women's Pro Baseball League games held?WPBL games this year will all be held at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, IL. (Roberts, who passed away in 2010, was an accomplished Hall of Fame pitcher in Major League Baseball, not to be confused with the journalist Robin Roberts.)How to stream Women's Pro Baseball League games:The complete season of Women's Pro Baseball League games will stream for free on the WPBL YouTube channel.Women's Pro Baseball League Opening Week Schedule:The following is the opening week schedule for the WPBL season, you can find the complete game schedule here. All times Eastern.Saturday, August 15 p.m.: Los Angeles Queens vs. New York HeightsSunday, August 26:30 p.m. San Francisco Firebells vs, Boston HuntersWednesday, August 56:30 p.m.: Boston Hunters vs. Los Angeles QueensThursday, August 66:30 p.m.: New York Heights vs. San Francisco FirebellsFriday, August 76:30 p.m.: San Francisco Firebells vs. Los Angeles QueensSaturday, August 81 p.m.: Boston Hunters vs. New York Heights6:30 p.m.: Los Angeles Queens vs. San Francisco FirebellsWhere to buy WPBL tickets:You can see all your ticket options for WPBL games, including single game, season tickets and more, on the league's website. Buy WPBL tickets