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Liverpool and Oxford United legend takes aim at ‘sickening’ FIFA
The global football governing body recently announced a plan to sell a ‘multibillion dollar stake in the World Cup’s commercial rights, led by president Gianni Infantino.
The scheme received momentous backlash, with Europe’s footballing body UEFA agreeing to boycott the tournament.
Infantino planned to create a new company – FFE – which would manage the commercial and ticketing rights of every FIFA tournament.
The plan was to sell off 21 per cent of the company to private investment comanpies.
It was abandoned after criticism from across the footballing world.
Most recently, FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, was sacked three weeks after criticising the scheme, according to the BBC.
Outrage directed at FIFA came from every corner of the footballing world.
Speaking exclusively to the Oxford Mail, ex-Yellows forward Aldridge expressed his disdain for the world football governing body’s recent exploits.
“It’s like watching a cartoon show; it’s just beyond me,” the former Republic of Ireland international, who scored 52 goals in 77 Oxford appearances, expressed via BetGoodwin.
“I just couldn’t believe it when they came out and said they’re trying to sell the soul of football.
John Aldridge for Oxford United in the 1986 Milk Cup final (Image: Offside/Mark Leech)
“Infantino’s let us down a little bit.
“I’m a dinosaur, but football’s football and you can’t sell the soul.
“Look, it’s gone that way now with the World Cup and things; the money in football is absolutely nuts.
READ MORE: Aaron Ramsey’s Oxford United want to ‘dominate’, says defender
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“It’s nuts, absolutely nuts. But it’s still football. They should be looking after the grassroots more than anything.
“They should not be thinking about how they can make more money. They should be ploughing money into kids’ football and whatever worldwide, never mind making money for their own path.
“I don’t know if there’s a better word; it’s sickened me a little bit.
“I don’t know if [Infantino] can hold on to his job.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
“He has sort of signed his own death warrant.”
Former striker Aldridge helped Oxford win their only ever major trophy, the Milk Cup, 40 years ago before moving to Liverpool where he won the First Division title and an FA Cup.
The 66-year-old ended his playing career as a player-manager for Tranmere Rovers before retiring to concentrate on management.
He was in charge for a total of five years and can relate to new U’s head coach Aaron Ramsey i entering manager very quickly at the end of his playing career.
“The manager has got to, early on, get his own work right. On the players, on the system, and get a good start. That helps him get a good feel and vibe.
“It’s a fresh start and it’s just getting them to believe that they are good enough and get a good start and continue on.”
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Oxford United boss Aaron Ramsey on long-awaited Huddersfield clash
The Yellows travel to West Yorkshire on Tuesday night for their third League One fixture of the season.
Ramsey’s side have drawn and won each of their first couple of third-tier games so far and will face Huddersfield for the first time in a competitive match since 2004.
The Terriers have begun the campaign with the same record, looking impressive under manager Martin Drury.
Oxford beat last season’s play-off semi-finalists Stevenage last time out, two second-half strikes seeing a resolute United past their physical opponents.
“We want to be on the front foot,” Ramsey reiterated ahead of the trip to the Accu Stadium.
“We want to be controlling games and that’s the way that my staff and I feel like is the best way to do that and win football games.
“It’s difficult to just keep taking blows and blows and trying to keep the opposition.
“For me, it’s to have as much control on the game as possible.”
The last time Oxford faced off against the Terriers was in March 2004 when they were beaten 1-0 at home in the Third Division.
In their 26 total match-ups, the Yellows have won just nine whilst Huddersfield have come away victorious on 13 occasions.
Drury’s side finished ninth in the third tier last season but, after bringing in some good new signings, are set for a strong campaign in a competitive league.
“They’re a really good team,” Ramsey admitted.
“The manager has implemented his ideas across there and you can see that they’re a settled team with good ideas.
Oxford United manager Aaron Ramsey (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
“But, again, full focus is on us and on how we want to approach the game.
“We’ve had a few tests so far, which we really stood up to.
“So, it’ll be different on Tuesday, another tough test, but one that will prepare the boys as best we can.
READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United
READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge joins Tottenham Hotspur
“When the boys are playing the way that they are and buying into it, yeah, of course, there has to be positivity around there.
“Obviously, as well, there’s moments when we do look back on things and we identify areas that we can improve on.
“We want to win football games, so we need to score goals. We want to be exciting.”
Tuesday night also sees the arrival of transfer deadline day.
11PM – approximately an hour after full time in West Yorkshire – sees the window slam shut.
Oxford remain under a temporary transfer embargo, however Ramsey has said that the club is “working to try and come up with a few things” after Stanley Mills left for Championship club Preston North End last week.
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Oxford United CEO resignation after relegation and transfer embargo
Following a turbulent summer at Oxford United, which has included a change of manager and a transfer embargo, the club’s CEO has resigned.
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What next for Oxford United after Stanley Mills departure
The summer-long saga has felt more like a decade and surely head coach Aaron Ramsey has felt the same after enduring the ritual of being asked about Mills’ status on a weekly basis.
After missing the U’s first pre-season friendly, the winger scored in the second, a 2-1 win over Barnet, and featured in the following couple.
He then missed out in the first competitive game of the season, a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leyton Orient, before a move to PNE was confirmed by Ramsey ahead of the League One opening day, but not until January.
Mills messaged his boss requesting not to play in the 2-2 opening day home draw with MK Dons before coming off the bench to assist Gatlin O’Donkor in the Yellows’ 2-1 win at Stevenage.
That would prove to be the 22-year-old’s final display in a United shirt, the young attacker showing little enthusiasm upon Oxford taking the lead in Hertfordshire, hinting that his head had certainly been turned.
“I’ve known about it all summer and from the start I’ve wanted to be here, wanted to get going as a Preston player and now it is official.”
Stan Mills has joined Preston (Image: Jason Dawson)
Mills’ first words as a Lilywhites player say it all.
Considering the former Everton man has never scored more than three goals in a senior season, my personal opinion was that a January move would be ideal for all parties.
In an ideal world, Oxford would keep a star player for six months, Mills could get his numbers up as a standout player in a weaker league and PNE would get an in-form winger through the doors in the new year.
READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United
READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge joins Tottenham Hotspur
But patience is a rare virtue in football these days and off goes the winger to Lancashire.
So, what now for United?
The U’s are without a recognised right-sided midfielder – young Aidan Elliott-Wheeler could be considered – and remain under a temporary transfer embargo.
Aidomo Emakhu has played on the right so far this season and has offered some outlet but he does look much more comfortable in his more natural position on the right.
Oxford United’s Stan Mills celebrates Ciaron Brown’s goal against Preston North End (Image: Gary Oakley/PA Wire)
Then there is 17-year-old Mo Missanga, a youngster who helped change the tide on the opening day against MK Dons and who has excited supporters and the U’s boss alike.
Ramsey has hinted that the Yellows are searching for solutions, and it is understood that a loan transfer where Oxford do not pay any share of the player’s wages could be a way of bringing a player in before Tuesday’s deadline.
Given the circumstances, it will be difficult to replace the ability of Mills but there is certainly a sense of relief that this saga is over.
Now it is time to focus on the football and maintain a strong league position heading into January.
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