Paul Hayward

@paulhayward.bsky.social

Sportswriter at The Observer. Journalist since 1987. Author of 'England Football - The Biography.'

From the number of senior Fifa figures turning on Infantino it's clear they're hoping to save Fifa by sacrificing its leader. But how can Fifa ever claim credibility again after 1. Blatter-era corruption. 2. Blatter's successor trying to sell the World Cup. 3. Trump/Balogun.

Uefa confirm threat of World Cup boycott... "As a result of today’s discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given..."

It might be hard for people who saw only the drama of Kevin Keegan's managerial career to appreciate what a megastar he was in the 1970s and early 80s. A self-made working-class hero and glamorous with it. Very sad to think of English football without him.

Reciting the names of players who should have gone to a World Cup is hypothetical hindsight, but I'm going to pick two who would have been useful against Argentina... Harry Maguire. Morgan Gibbs-White.

Thomas Tuchel is being very cunning here. He's blaming the players for his substitutions (they'll see that, and won't like it.) He's within his rights to say England don't keep the ball as well as other top nations in big knockout games, but he's casting himself as a bystander.

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England's recent tournament record.. 2018 - semi 2020 - final 2022 - quarter-final 2024 - final 2026 - semi A vast improvement - but no longer a consolation when an opportunity is wasted, as it was last night with that fatal second-half siege.

That ferocious second-half response earned Argentina the win. Thomas Tuchel will have to face the music for England trying to defend the lead for so long and camping in their half. Argentina were too dangerous for that to work for such a long period.

Attended the launch today of a commendable initiative by @SussexCCC to boost cricket in state schools in the county. The private-public sector imbalance in English cricket isn't sustainable - or acceptable. It's called 'Breaking Boundaries.'

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This is actually Andy Burnham's second bid for power. The first was in 1933 (check the resemblance). From the artists-against-fascism exhibition at the Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne.

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Why has TV, at this World Cup, consistently panned to Infantino in the stands. It's happened in every game I've watched that he's attended. Who decided that Infantino is like royalty and has to be shown? Was it TV....or Fifa?

That was a man inspired. The British wild card Arthur Fery spins and falls to the ground after reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals with a straight sets win over the No 9 seed, Flavio Cobolli. 6-4, 7-6, 6-0.