The Asian Football Confederation said on Saturday it welcomed the scrapping of FIFA's proposal to allow private investment in the World Cup.

After causing a few days of uproar in the footballing community, FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Saturday scrapped the plan to sell stakes to private investors in FIFA-run events, including the World Cup.

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to resume his career after the Football Association and the World Anti-Doping Agency "resolved his appeal" against a ban for failing a doping test.

Grass-covered pitches, steep bounce, persistent seam movement and unfamiliar conditions have often made life difficult for visiting Asian sides, with Bangladesh enduring one of the toughest struggles.

Lionel Messi's post-World Cup break could be coming to an end on Saturday night when Inter Miami host the Columbus Crew.

Barcelona signed teenage winger Jesse Bisiwu on Friday from Club Brugge for a reported 8.5 million euros ($10 million).

Here is a chronological timeline detailing how the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal unfolded, blew up into a global football crisis, and was ultimately killed off in a matter of days.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Saturday he had scrapped a plan to allow private investment in the World Cup following fierce backlash from football officials worldwide.

The answer may arrive sooner than anyone expected.

Newcastle confirmed the departure of manager Eddie Howe on Friday following a five-year stint at St James' Park.

England cricket chief Rob Key has left the door open for a dramatic international comeback by former Test captain Ben Stokes, who announced his shock retirement in late June.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Friday Gianni Infantino was "the wrong man" to lead FIFA following the launch of a controversial plan to sell stakes in competitions to private investors.

FIFA is studying whether to expand the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, according to a document seen by Reuters, in a move that could reshape soccer's showpiece tournament when it celebrates its centennial.

England centre-back John Stones has joined Inter Milan on a free transfer after spending 10 years with Manchester City, the Italian champions announced on Thursday.

Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer said on Friday he has a point to prove this season after missing out on England's World Cup squad, while hailing new manager Xabi Alonso as a "breath of fresh air".

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has defended his side's direct style of play following their disappointing World Cup exit, insisting the Selecao simply do not possess the midfield quality required to dominate possession in the manner of champions Spain.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined UEFA and CONCACAF in condemning world football's governing body FIFA's proposed private investment plan, saying on Friday they were alarmed it had reached the point a "World Cup boycott has entered public discourse".

Baresi wore Milan's number 6 shirt with such distinction that the club withdrew the number after his retirement.

On Thursday, Europe's UEFA voted unanimously to boycott all FIFA tournaments, while CONCACAF, the regional federation for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, rejected FIFA's proposal.

The backlash has spread beyond Europe.