Oxford united FC

Gianni Infantino faces leadership challenge as FIFA members rebel

Published

3 hours ago

August 2, 2026

info@oxinfo.co.uk

Council representatives from Europe and North America are attempting to secure support from at least 19 of the body’s 37 members – the threshold required under Fifa statutes to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).

If successful, that gathering could evolve into a vote of no confidence in Mr Infantino, whose presidency has been rocked by a collapsed commercial deal and deepening governance rows.

Discontent has been fuelled by his abandoned plan to spin off Fifa’s commercial operations into a $20 billion venture, including selling a 20 per cent stake to private equity firm Thrive Capital.

READ MORE: When Argentina legend Diego Maradona visited Oxford University

The proposal, which critics described as a sell-off of the World Cup, triggered fierce backlash, a threatened boycott by UEFA and accusations that Mr Infantino tried to push the project through unilaterally.

Following the U-turn, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin declared the confederation had “lost confidence” in the Fifa boss, while CONCACAF publicly demanded a full review of Fifa’s governance.

La Liga’s president has also called for Mr Infantino to be removed as Fifa president, increasing the pressure from within European football.

Council members’ anger predates the commercial debacle and was already sharpened by Fifa’s handling of the controversial lifting of Folarin Balogun’s suspension during the World Cup.

READ MORE: When Brazil legend and World Cup winner Pele held an Oxford United shirt

That decision is alleged to have been influenced by political pressure, prompting rebels to demand an independent external review and leading the Norwegian FA to complain to the International Olympic Committee that Fifa breached neutrality rules by bowing to pressure from President Donald Trump.

Fifa insists that due process was followed and that its ethics committee took the decision independently, but it has yet to publish a written report on the case, further inflaming tensions on the council.

For now, Mr Infantino retains key allies in Asia and Africa, and any attempt to oust him would depend on rebels building cross-confederation support ahead of a possible EGM.

But with UEFA and CONCACAF openly challenging his authority, the Fifa president faces an unprecedented battle to keep control of the game’s most powerful office.

READ MORE: When England and Euros hero Paul Gascoigne wore an Oxford United shirt

This comes after Oxford United owner Erick Thohir backed FIFA’s World Cup sell-off scheme put forward by Mr Infantino.

Oxford’s owner is also president of the Indonesian Football Association and has spoken to Sky News, vowing to support the FIFA president’s proposals.

Mr Thohir signed a deal with Infantino last year to form a FIFA ‘hub’ in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital.

The U’s owner is seemingly one of very few people in favour of the new plans, along with David Trunda, president of the Czech FA.

READ MORE: TV presenter sells £3.25m Cotswolds mansion with six bedrooms and sauna

“If FIFA members approve it, it will show there is a demand for this deal to happen,” the Yellows’ owner insisted, speaking to Sky News.

Should the plans be voted through by mid-September, all 211 member associations would receive a $40 million windfall.

The Indonesian FA are members of AFC who have opposed FIFA’s scheme, and Mr Thohir’s country is set to vote in favour.

He continued to Sky News: “Indonesian football has been transformed in the last three years – it has been cleaned up.

“The national team’s ranking has gone from 174 to 118 – to continue this transformation it needs funding.”

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Oxford united FC

Oxford United player ratings in impressive Ipswich Town win

Published

11 hours ago

August 2, 2026

info@oxinfo.co.uk

Jack Currie and Stan Mills scored the duo of goals to help Aaron Ramsey’s Yellows to the U’s fourth win from four pre-season friendlies.

The victory concludes a successful summer on the pitch amid worrying events off the field with the Yellows currently under a temporary transfer embargo.

Jamie Cumming – 7

The United goalkeeper managed his first clean sheet of pre-season and did so with some decent saves, remaining firm to deny a couple of shots at him and tipping a free kick over the bar.

A relatively comfortable afternoon.

Brodie Spencer (Peter Kioso 73) – 7

Strong in the tackle once again and kicked off the move for the first goal. Expect Spencer will be one of the best right backs in League One this season.

Sam Long (Helik 77) – 6

Did not notice him much, which is a good thing, but helped restrict Chuba Akpom to basically nothing up front.

Ciaron Brown (Golding 77) – 6.5

Popped up slightly more with some defensive contributions and was comfortable playing out from defence with Long.

Jack Currie (Leigh 77) – 8

Was everywhere on the left side.

Combined with Aidomo Emakhu spectacularly all afternoon, overlapping and underlapping frequently to bamboozle the Ipswich wide men.

Popped up in a terrific position to poke home the opener.

Jamie McDonnell (Bradney 73) – 6.5

Felt like he grew into the game and looked confident especially in the second half, pressing with energy and playing nice, simple passes to those further forward.

Cameron Brannagan (Snowden 77) – 8

Led by example and was at the crucial pivot in Ramsey’s ball-playing system.

Had a few efforts blocked as well, but was key in the midfield for United.

Stan Mills (Elliott-Wheeler 73) – 6

Did not have his most joyful afternoon, not quite getting the beating of his man and picking up a booking, but still managed to score with some brilliant pressure.

He will thrive this year.

READ MORE: Aaron Ramsey opens up on Oxford United latest injury struggles

READ MORE: Oxford United beat Premier League foes Ipswich in pre-season finale

Stan Mills scored Oxford United’s second goal against Ipswich (Image: Oxford United)

Tyler Goodrham (Sibley 73) – 7.5

Brilliant in the pockets, creating and taking chances, and looks a really mature no.10.

Aidomo Emakhu (Dembele 66) – 8

Fashioned many a chance, confidently beating his man on the left, and is even adding some flicks and tricks to his game. Impressed.

Mark Harris (O’Donkor 73) – 6

Was in the game and a couple of efforts which were saved but nothing too troubling.

Tyler Goodrham takes on his man for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

Substitutes:

Peter Kioso – 6.5

Michal Helik – 6

James Golding – 6

Greg Leigh – 6

Harrison Bradney – 6

Leo Snowden – 6

Aidan Elliott-Wheeler – 6

Louie Sibley – 6

Siriki Dembele – 7

Gatlin O’Donkor – 6.5

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Oxford united FC

Aaron Ramsey opens up on Oxford United latest injury struggles

Published

1 day ago

August 1, 2026

info@oxinfo.co.uk

The U’s beat Premier League side Ipswich Town 2-0 on Saturday, Jack Currie and Stan Mills bagging the goals to deliver a 100 per cent record in pre-season.

Ramsey has guided the Yellows to four wins over the course of four friendlies against three lower-league sides and top-tier Ipswich.

Unfortunately, two United players suffered injuries during two of the fixtures which is not ideal due to the current transfer embargo that Oxford are operating with, meaning the club are not able to register any new players.

Jin-woo suffered a back problem after scoring in a 3-1 win over Aldershot Town before Ruben Roosken was stretchered off in the 3-1 victory over Crawley Town in midweek.

“He’s with the specialist at the moment,” said Ramsey regarding the South Korean forward.

“We’re looking at probably a couple of months for him with a back issue.

“It’s been a bit unfortunate with the things that we’ve sustained so far, with these sort of contact injuries.

“Specialist next week, and then we can get a better timeframe on that.”

The timeframe for Roosken is seemingly similar.

READ MORE: Greg Leigh back impressing for Oxford United in pre-season

“We feared the worst for him, but it’s a little bit more positive than we anticipated,” the boss continued.

“Still, though, it’s not weeks, it’s probably months.

Oxford United wing back Ruben Roosken (Image: Oxford United)

“He’s seeing a specialist again next week, which will hopefully give us a little bit more information on timeframes.

“But initial thoughts are that it is a bit more positive.”

Also missing today were De Keersmaecker and fellow midfielder Will Vaulks.

“Brian’s obviously come back from an illness and then did a bit of heavy lifting as well with Ruben and helping out with his family while he was in hospital and things like that.

“He was helping out with the kids and things like that.

“So I decided to give him an extra couple of days off from mentally and also because he was up until early hours in the morning trying to help out, so it would be unfair to try and put him through this game today.

Oxford United attacker Jeon Jin-woo (Image: Jason Dawson)