Former Gunners star calls for players’ boycott of the World Cup

Over the decades, Arsenal always had World Cup participants in their ranks, and some of them even won the competition. Midfielder Emmanuel Petit was the one, as the popular Gunner earned 63 caps and scored six international goals in his career and won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000. The Frenchman didn’t make a great career in Barcelona (just like Thierry Henry

Petit opens up about a rift with Henry in front of Wenger

Many active and retired players and coaches are against the constant complication for footballer’s careers, either with UEFA, or FIFA’s decisions to put more games into the calendar, in order to gain more money. After the Champions League’s expansion, which was scheduled by UEFA next season, FIFA decided to host the 2030 world cup on three continents! And Petit is not having any of it, in fact he calls for a players’ boycott.

“FIFA has once again lost a good opportunity to shine because of its intelligence. I have the impression that it is an entity above the world, who spends her time doing what she wants without caring a little bit about the world she lives in today. When it came out in the press, I thought it was actually a joke No, but seriously?! They put pressure on us and they point the finger at us today if we don't respect ecology, if we don't take the right actions. Do you think a little about ecology? Think about the supporters? It's already super expensive to follow your national team. "For me, it’s nonsense. It goes against the grain of the world we live in today. It only reinforces the image I have of FIFA. It's a structure that lives in a tax haven and is beyond all suspicion, which doesn't really care about what's happening in the world... except to rake in ever more money. And what about the players? The time differences you're going to experience, the travel, the logistics... I'm very surprised that no politician is stepping up to denounce this. At some point, maybe a little boycott of the players too, to say 'stop making fun of us” said Petit for RMC Sports.

Petit: 'If I was Caicedo or Lavia, I would choose Liverpool'

FIFA announced on Wednesday that it had given its agreement to organize the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, while awarding three of the first matches of the competition to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. A lot of travelling for the team and footballers, but FIFA is not bothered, since their officials won’t play, but only watch the games.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 8

Saturday

14.30: (7.00) Luton (4.50) Tottenham (1.49)

17.00: (1.63) Fulham (3.80) Sheffield Utd (5.70)

17.00: (2.05) Everton (3.60) Bournemouth (3.90)

17.00: (5.00) Burnley (3.70) Chelsea (1.80)

17.00: (1.70) Man.Utd. (3.70) Brentford (5.20)

19.30: (2.30) Crystal Palace (3.35) Nott.Forest (3.47)

Sunday

16.00: (3.20) Brighton (3.70) Liverpool (2.25)

16.00: (3.35) West Ham (3.50) Newcastle (2.30)

16.00: (3.60) Wolverhampton (3.50) Aston Villa (2.19)

18.30: (2.95) Arsenal (3.50) Man.City (2.55)

***odds are subject to change***