In an exclusive interview, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed his skepticism towards FIFA President Gianni Infantino and discussed topics including the Hillsborough disaster, the England team, and Everton.

Burnham told GiveMeSport reporter Sam Coe that Infantino's proposed World Cup investment plan was the "final straw" and that he had harbored concerns about FIFA's direction for years. He also shared his thoughts on the Hillsborough disaster, player dementia, England's prospects of winning Euro 2028, Kane, and his feelings as a lifelong Everton fan.

Burnham has consistently criticized FIFA's proposal to bring private investment into the commercial aspects of tournaments, believing that Infantino is no longer leading the organization in the right direction. When asked why he believes Infantino is unfit for the role, Burnham said: "The direction of FIFA under him, and the plan to sell off the World Cup to investors, has certainly deepened a feeling – which I've had for a while – that he's not leading the organization, and therefore football, in the right direction. This has been going on for a while, but this clearly isn't sustainable. When neither UEFA nor CONCACAF can trust it, it means a large part of world football considers it unacceptable."

Burnham revealed that his concerns about Infantino's leadership did not start with this recent controversy. He admitted to having reservations about the 2022 World Cup but had previously been willing to give Infantino's tenure a "vote of confidence." When asked if the latest proposal was the final straw, Burnham said: "Yes, I think it is. I had worries about the 2022 World Cup and everything surrounding it, on and off the pitch. It didn't feel right, and it never has. Given everything FIFA has been through before, I was willing to give this era a vote of confidence, and I have done so until now."

FIFA has denied that its proposal amounts to selling off football, but Burnham believes the broader issue is that commercial interests are increasingly influencing the sport. He warned that if making money becomes the primary goal, football could lose what generations of fans truly love. "My point is that football needs to be protected from being completely consumed by commercial interests. Ultimately, football is about the joy of the game, and using the power of football to give back to grassroots as much as possible. It feels like the people at the top have forgotten this; they just see it as another tool to make money. If football becomes that, and only that, then it kills what we have loved since childhood."

One of the most significant football-related issues in Burnham's political career has been his support for the families affected by the Hillsborough disaster. On April 15, 1989, Burnham was at another FA Cup semi-final, and he has since been fighting for justice. When asked how this experience shaped his views on football governance, he said its impact went far beyond football itself. "It was more about how the country should be governed, because a city in England cried out for justice for 20 years, and the country didn't listen. It wasn't until the 20th anniversary of Hillsborough, and the calls for justice for the 96 (now 97), that the wall of lies and silence was broken. This was truly the most defining moment in my political journey, because I was at another semi-final that day, I knew some people who were there, and I experienced everything that followed. It's hard to believe that a completely false and defamatory version of events against the people of Liverpool could persist for so long, until the second inquest in 2016, where Liverpool fans were completely exonerated of all accusations of causing the accident. They had nothing to do with the incident, and it is unacceptable that this country allowed such a situation to continue for so many years."

Burnham also stated that, as Prime Minister, he would continue to advocate for the treatment of former footballers suffering from dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. He has previously supported the "Football Family for Justice" campaign, arguing that English football has not addressed the issue with the same urgency as American football. "I don't think enough is being done. I support the 'Football Family for Justice' campaign. Look at the NFL; they faced the problem, took a more proactive approach to deal with it, and supported those affected. But I haven't seen that from English football. Particularly for players from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, the number of people suffering from dementia is enormous. Their stories and their families' stories are heartbreaking. I know there are some small initiatives, but I don't think it's enough, and I will continue to support them in getting help." Burnham believes that a compensation model similar to industrial injury compensation should be considered, as generations of players were not fully informed or protected from the risks they faced. "In my view, this should be like an industrial injury compensation scheme, because people were not protected, they were not fully informed or supported, especially when the sport has made so much money, and this money was built on the foundations laid by people of that era. We are not talking about spending a lot of money, but we are saying that those in the sport should recognize their responsibility to support these people, and I will continue to support this cause. I did this as Mayor, and I will do this as Prime Minister."

The conversation then turned to Euro 2028, with major tournaments returning to the UK and Ireland. Everton's new stadium, Bramley-Moore Dock, is one of the venues, giving this lifelong Everton fan another reason to be excited. "When the Euros are held at our new stadium, it will certainly be good for Everton Football Club. I'm very much looking forward to it, but speaking for the country, I think this tournament will be fantastic for us. I think English football has been getting stronger. Third place in the World Cup is an excellent springboard for the Euros. I feel we have a great chance to win; we are very, very close. Perhaps the overall result of the World Cup was fair based on our performance, but on a different day, in a different tournament, we could have won. We are getting closer, and I feel we will soon cross that hurdle."

Burnham particularly hopes to see captain Kane lift a major trophy with England. Euro 2028 could be one of Kane's last chances to win international honors, and Burnham regards him as one of England's greatest ever strikers. "Given the level of effort he has put in for England, he deserves a trophy. He is the best striker we have seen since Alan Shearer. He is so outstanding, and how wonderful it would be to see Harry finish in that way."

Speaking about Everton, Burnham joked that his fan status was predetermined from birth. "How did I become a fan? I had no choice at all. My mother's side of the family, my father's side of the family, I was already blue before I had barely taken a breath. So I have always been an Evertonian." Looking ahead to the new Premier League season, Burnham believes Sean Dyche is the right person to lead Everton forward and is encouraged by the foundation laid by the club's new owners. "New season, full of hope. I believe we have chosen the right manager, Sean Dyche. He led us forward last season, and we played well at times, but perhaps the squad lacked depth and we slipped in the final stages. But there is certainly quality, and we played some great football. The new stadium on the best nights is an unparalleled place, and the atmosphere is superb. So the fundamentals are falling into place, and the new owners are too." Burnham also hopes that McNeil will stay at the club. "I hope they invest some money this summer. I hope McNeil gives us another year, at least I hope more than that, because he was delightful last season, and he brought a personality that Everton fans can totally identify with." However, Burnham urgently hopes Everton will address one issue before the transfer window closes. "The signs are good, but there's one thing I'd like to request: sign a right-back. We need a right-back. Poor Ashley Young can't play another season at right-back. He's a good player, an excellent center-back. Buy a right-back."

At the end of the interview, Burnham conducted a quick Q&A. He predicted Everton would finish seventh, Manchester City would win the Premier League, his favorite WSL player is Steph Houghton, his favorite stadium is Bramley-Moore Dock, he chose Lineker over Kane, and Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo. Although Burnham claimed he usually doesn't eat during games, last season's Everton McNeil-themed doughnuts were an exception. "I usually don't eat during games, but last year I developed a soft spot for McNeil doughnuts. I think my nieces bought them occasionally, so that's how we raised funds to keep Jack—after all, those doughnuts probably cost eight pounds each or so. The McNeil fund was paid for by doughnuts."

AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com