TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday he no longer has confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, adding to growing pressure on the soccer leader after his abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup sparked a global backlash.
Carney said Infantino committed a “fatal” governance failure by not consulting senior advisers, including FIFA’s chief operating officer and board members.
“It should be fatal,” Carney said. “Certainly I don’t have confidence in Mr. Infantino."
Canada co-hosted the 2026 World Cup with the United States and Mexico, and Carney appeared alongside Infantino at several tournament events.
Carney’s comments came days after Infantino abandoned the proposal following fierce opposition from the Union of European Football Associations, national soccer federations and senior FIFA advisers.
Infantino had proposed creating a $20 billion company to run the World Cup with private investors including the Kushner family, but drew backlash.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham last Sunday called Infantino “the wrong man to lead” world soccer.
FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
UEFA’s 55 member associations had agreed to boycott the World Cup and other FIFA competitions if the plan moved forward, while the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football and the Asian Football Confederation also opposed it.
Despite Infantino’s reversal, UEFA said it would work with other confederations to ensure a similar proposal “cannot occur again.”
While Infantino has retained support from some member associations, including 2022 World Cup host Qatar, Carney’s comments added to the growing criticism of FIFA’s governance.
FIFA’s next presidential election is scheduled for March in Rabat, Morocco. Candidates have until Nov. 18 to enter the race.
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a campaign event for Liberal Party Beaches-East York byelection candidate Tanveer Shahnawaz at The Stone Lion Pub in Toronto, on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a housing announcement in Toronto, on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)
CLEVELAND (AP) — New York Mets rookie Jefry Yan jumped high in the air with his feet spread apart, landed on the front of the mound and then slapped the grass with his left hand while briefly going to a knee.
It was an emphatic celebration for the 29-year-old left-hander after striking out the first batter he faced in his major league debut during the Mets' 6-5 win in Cleveland on Wednesday night.
“Honestly, I was really excited. I was also a little nervous,” Yan said through a translator.
Yan's viral moment came after pinch-hitter Angel Martínez took an 88.7 mph slider for a called third strike to open the Guardians sixth. After the leap and slap, Yan stood straight up with his feet together and lifted both arms over his head.
“Once I had him with two strikes I said, you know what, I'm going to throw that slider,” he said. “And if I freeze him, which is exactly what I did, I celebrated accordingly.”
That was already a signature celebration for Yan, who did the same after striking out a batter in a Mets spring training game earlier this year.
After Martínez struck out, the Guardians loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. But Yan escaped without giving up a run with his second strikeout and an inning-ending grounder.
“Once I was able to get out of the inning, I said, you know, I can finally breathe right here," he said.
Mets interim manager Andy Green added: “It’s real stuff. It’s really impressive. To get out of a bases-loaded jam, get your first punchout, just excited for him. He deserves that.”
Yan bounded off the mound, slapping his hand against his glove several times, after the inning ended. Cleveland fans booed as Yan went to the dugout with the Mets ahead 4-3.
“If they want to yell at me, if they want to boo me, they can do whatever they want,” Yan said. “I’m in my zone. And yeah, I’m going to enjoy my game any way that I want to.”
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New York Mets relief pitcher Jefry Yan makes his Major League debut and delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
After striking out Cleveland Guardians' Angel Martinez during his Major League debut, New York Mets relief pitcher Jefry Yan reacts during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
