As Fifa continues to face scrutiny from some confederations and fans, Thierry Henry has encouraged players to use their voice as the political battle for control of international soccer unfolds. The former Arsenal and Barcelona forward turned pundit spoke with the Guardian on Tuesday alongside Kate Scott and Jamie Carragher as CBS and Paramount prepare for this season’s Champions League broadcasts. The ensuing month has seen the Fifa president face significant criticism, with Uefa exploring potential legal options against Infantino.
Scott, who anchors the CBS panel comprising Henry, Carragher and Micah Richards, spoke extensively about 2021’s attempted Super League project and the ensuing debacle in an Apple TV documentary. The Super League saga seemed to pit the business interests of the sport’s business class against the game’s heart, represented by players, coaches and fans. The latest situation involving Fifa has progressed in a similar spirit.
The next vote is slated for 18 March 2027, with no alternative having declared their candidacy. For Henry, though, the voice of the players can – and should – be a bigger part of the conversation. You saw it with the NFL … At one point, the players are always on the side: go entertain, take your money, leave.
We can all have a view whether it’s a good one or a bad one … But for me, the players have more power than they think they have. And if they want it to change, they can make it happen – especially nowadays.” This is an extract from Soccer Desk, a newsletter from the Guardian US.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
