RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesIn the blue corner, Gianni Infantino, and in the red corner, Uefa chief Alexander Ceferin, who has become an increasingly vocal opponent of his administrative peer [Getty Images]
Just after the World Cup, before the start of the big European league seasons, it is supposed to be the quietest time in football. But there was no quiet time this year, Gianni Infantino saw to that.
The fact that a powerful man was trying to grab more power, influence and money for his organisation shouldn't be a shock, this is what happens in business. The fact that a FIFA president tried it on, shouldn't be a shock either. There is a precedent for that style of behaviour .
He clearly thought his position of ultimate power had been cemented by a successful World Cup but the danger signs were there for real fans looking on.
Football can't be allowed to be totally dominated by one individual or indeed partly controlled by a group of businessmen who might just have profit, instead of the good of the game, at the forefront of their minds.
Fortunately UEFA was not only strong, but they were acutely aware of the importance of the threat, hence reaching for the 'nuclear option' of withdrawing from World Cups right away.
It almost restored some of my faith in the governance of the game.
A little scepticism goes a long way
Organised fan protests brought down the doomed European Super League project the first time around – but supporters must remain vigilant [Getty Images]
I suppose the reason for being a little reticent in proclaiming Uefa the honourable white knights here is that we aren't sure of what their next move will be.
These organisations live on squeezing as much money out of the game as possible. Dark mutterings of a European Super League have never fully gone away – and they know it. If and when these debates resurface, we will see if Uefa are equally as altruistic or if they try to grow their tournaments even more to stifle competition from breakaway groups.
The last European Super League lot seemed to have planned their coup on a boozy night out with the details jotted on the back of a cigarette packet in a cab back to their hotel. The next time will be better formulated, so beware. There are big battles still to be fought.
As for Infantino, he needs to personally apologise for his error, instead of blaming everyone else particularly the media, for misreading the situation.
Nobody's perfect – not even me!
Celtic supporters' celebrations spilled onto the pitch during May's dramatic title decider at Celtic Park [Getty Images]
That is what we do in football. I made a mistake in a commentary at the end of the last game of the Scottish season. I want to and will apologise for my error as soon as I have a big enough platform in front of those specific supporters over the next few weeks.
From my angle in the gantry I thought I saw a punch thrown, but it appears it was a confrontation or maybe just goading from one of the hundreds of Celtic fans who invaded the pitch just before the end of the game.
Goading is not physical violence and I will take it on the chin, the way the Hearts player probably didn't. My apologies too those offended.
That is what football folk are trained to do. If a keeper or a defender makes an error, he walks into the dressing room and puts his hand up. There might be anger or frustration towards him, but if it is considered an honest error it is accepted as such.
The question is, was Infantino's error of judgement an honest one?
The brave long walk
"Let's catch up in Sardinia this summer, I know a great little fish restaurant on the beach.." [Getty Images]
The new season is almost upon us and yet another top manager has decided to take some time off.
Eddie Howe left Newcastle in a very honourable way as far as I can see. As the years have gone by the job description didn't exactly live up to what was said on the tin. I am sure the owners would love to have given him more money, and initially thought they could but the Saudi Public Investment Fund are hamstrung within the guidelines – and the latest rule changes seem to make it even more onerous for them.
Eddie could have stayed but even though he lost around £400million worth of top players in a short period of time, he would have still got saddled with the blame for failure in the end, even though he has lifted the club a huge distance since he came in.
For some the stress just isn't worth it in the modern English Premier League. Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp felt the same way even if their departures were different reasons.
In times gone past, this willingness to walk away to protect their mental wellbeing would have been seen as a weakness. Happily, because of the strength of these guys, it isn't the case anymore and I applaud them for changing those unhealthy attitudes in the game.
When you know you need a break after such a long intense slog, you should be allowed to take it without any stigma attached.
Course (over)correction?
Danny Welbeck, 35, has joined Chelsea from Brighton, signalling a major change in tact from the Blues in the market [Getty Images]
When a business gets something wrong, the executives sometimes do the precise opposite just to show that they have learned their lesson.
There can however be a problem of overshooting the target in their eagerness to fix the problem. Chelsea fans may think this could be happening down at Stamford Bridge, as the obvious lack of experience in the squad built according to the initial Clearlake plan was clearly flawed.
However, getting in the soon-to-be 36-year-old Danny Welbeck and chasing the currently 36-year-old Jordan Henderson is risky. Two exceptional players, both exactly the types you want in the club's current predicament, but with the obvious possible flaw: they might not have that much time left at the top. That's before you consider the possibility of injuries ...
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