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.

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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.”