FIFA gave up on 20 billion dollars: when the fans say no, even Infantino retreats

The plan was simple and highly profitable. FIFA wanted to spin off a separate company holding television rights, sponsorships, licences and ticket sales, then sell a fifth of it. Business valuation: around 20 billion dollars. Cash in hand: around 4.2 billion. Then the world said no. UEFA openly warned that its members would boycott FIFA competitions if private investors took ownership of commercial rights, and CONCACAF and the Asian confederation said the same after it. The investment firm Thrive Capital pulled out of negotiations, the bank running the transaction closed the file and the story collapsed. FIFA's chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, said publicly that the top of the house had not been informed and that this was "one individual's project, not FIFA's". Adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani has already announced a candidacy against Gianni Infantino at next year's elections. So pressure works. The question is why in the Balkans we so rarely try the same method.

Vinícius is lowering his price to stay at Real, and Arsenal is waiting for a slip

Vinícius Júnior's contract with Real Madrid expires next year and the two sides still have not agreed. Madrid offered around 20 million euros net per season, which the Brazilian's camp rejected. He wants a package close to 30 million made up of base salary, performance bonuses and a separate renewal bonus - and it is that last part that is the sticking point. Now, according to British reports, he is prepared to lower his demands. Arsenal is not sleeping and hopes the talks stumble once more, because after the outflow of forwards London is short of a top name. Vinícius's numbers are hard to ignore: 128 goals and 100 assists in 375 matches for Madrid, plus four goals at the World Cup. This is what most of our clubs will never see - a player negotiating on his own for a sum larger than the annual budget of an entire league.

Salah in Turkey? Trabzonspor is offering 34 million euros for two seasons

One of the best footballers of the past decade may end the story in the Süper Lig. Turkish media report that Mohamed Salah has received an offer from Trabzonspor worth around 34 million euros for two seasons, while some of them claim he is heading to Beşiktaş after all. Trabzonspor even issued an official statement on the matter, which by itself says how hot the subject has become. Turkish football has played the same role for years - the place big names go when the West starts looking at their birthday instead of their statistics. For fans in the region the story has a practical side too: if Salah plays in Trabzon, watching him suddenly becomes a few hours' drive away.

Pelister opened a fan shop after 81 years of existence

Bitola got something that sounds small and actually says a great deal. On 31 July FC Pelister ceremonially opened the first official club shop in its history - after 81 years of existence. Eighty-one. That is how long supporters had to wait to be able to legally buy their club's shirt in one place, instead of hunting online and through private sellers. This is where Macedonian football hurts most: it is not about talent on the pitch, it is about clubs operating for decades without the most basic commercial infrastructure. When marketing is left to goodwill, the revenue stays where it has always been - with nobody. Bitola took a step others should have taken long ago. How many clubs here will repeat it before the end of the year?

Friendly tests before the restart: Struga TL beat Ohrid 3:1

Macedonian clubs used the holiday break in the domestic league for practice matches. Struga Trim Lum beat Ohrid 3:1, with goals from Diakité, Maleski and Nuhija, while top-flight newcomer Shkendija A played a test against Pelister. Friendlies mean nothing in themselves - every coach knows it and every fan forgets it the moment they see three goals. But what is worth watching is whether these sides hold the rhythm once matches for points begin, because that is exactly where Macedonian clubs have been losing for years. Good preparation, weak season - we know that formula by heart.