Chapter 756 - 138: Counterattack to the Top! Winning Countless Awards! Golden Ball Award Controversy! War of Words with Blatter! Occupying FIFA!

When his remarks were reported, they immediately caused a massive uproar within the United Kingdom.

The league was on hiatus at the time, and since Wang Shuo was back in his home country, he naturally hadn’t heard the news.

Coincidentally, November 11 was Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom. Before the friendly match between England and Spain, England requested to wear commemorative poppies, but FIFA refused. Their reasoning was that the symbol carried political implications. This only added fuel to the fire.

In just two or three days, everyone from the Minister of Sport to the Prime Minister, and from Football Association officials to the Premier League administration, was blasting Blatter. Even the royal family of the United Kingdom stepped forward. Prince William wrote a strongly worded private letter to Blatter, expressing his profound dissatisfaction with FIFA.

The bosses of the twenty Premier League clubs held an emergency meeting and quickly reached a consensus. They issued a joint statement declaring that Blatter’s comments were a smear against the Premier League.

"England football has always been at the forefront of opposing racial and other forms of discrimination!"

Although the entire statement did not explicitly name Blatter from start to finish, every single sentence was practically pointing a finger right at his nose. The media of the United Kingdom was also completely unified in their stance: they demanded that Blatter apologize and resign!

The fire surrounding the World Cup bidding process was recently reignited! Forced by mounting pressure, FIFA made a concession, allowing the England national team to wear the commemorative symbol during their match against Spain.

However, Blatter and Ferdinand’s online flame war, as well as his ongoing feud with the British, continued unabated. It was right after the match between England and Spain that Blatter made the aforementioned remarks during an interview with Spanish media reporters.

"In just one year, from the World Cup bidding scandal to the dark corruption within FIFA, and down to this recent string of events, it’s clear that Blatter and the British are completely at odds.

"So, you could say you’re just caught in the crossfire this time!"

After Henry finished speaking, he let out a deep sigh. It wasn’t the first or second time this amateur outfit had messed up.

Was he really just caught in the crossfire? Wang Shuo reserved his judgment. It felt more like Blatter had suffered a setback against the British and was trying to save face at Wang Shuo’s expense. What was this? Picking on the easiest target?

At that moment, Wang Shuo suddenly recalled something Gao Huairen had told him before.

"With your current status and influence, playing football in Europe means you aren’t just representing your personal image, but the collective image of all our countrymen!"

If Blatter hadn’t made that specific comment about Wang Shuo never having played in a World Cup, Wang Shuo might not have taken it to heart. But by saying that, it was blatant discrimination. It was discrimination against all players who had never played in a World Cup.

If that was the case, this matter was far from over!

***

At the height of this media storm, Blatter’s remarks were quickly and feverishly reported by the global press.

The battle for the Golden Ball Award was already in full swing. As a result, the FIFA president stepping out to say such things at a time like this was like throwing a match into a powder keg. Public opinion around the world exploded!

The media of the United Kingdom, in particular, launched a unified assault. The Daily Mail led the charge, declaring, "Occupy FIFA! Tell Blatter to get lost!"

The Sun Newspaper quickly followed up with its own response: "Destroy Blatter’s power politics! Blatter must step down!"

Finally, the Daily Mirror offered a sarcastic jab: "Mr. Blatter, have you gone senile? Do you even know who Wang Shuo is?"

Even The Times, renowned for its authoritative and rigorous journalism, questioned Blatter.

"A Bundesliga treble winner, fifty-four goals in a single season, twenty-two goals in the Champions League, and countless individual awards. Blatter, are you saying someone like this doesn’t deserve the FIFA Golden Ball Award?

"If a track record like this isn’t enough to win, is there even a need to keep holding the Golden Ball Award?"

When the news reached his home country, it sparked a boiling wave of public outrage as well. Countless netizens criticized Blatter, viewing his comments as a pure form of discrimination.

"So what if he hasn’t made it to the World Cup? You’re judging an individual award, not a team honor!"

"Blatter, you claim to be against racial discrimination? No, you’re being racially discriminatory yourself!"

"What arrogant prejudice!"

At noon on November 19, the Premier League reignited its flames of war with the twelfth round, seeing Arsenal head away to challenge Norwich. Playing away from home and affected by the recent national team training camps, Arsenal conceded a goal early in the sixteenth minute of the first half.

But by the twenty-sixth minute, Wang Shuo scored a goal for Arsenal, successfully leveling the score. Just three minutes later, Wang Shuo dropped back to receive the ball and delivered a through pass. Hazard broke free on the left flank for a one-on-one and scored.

2-1!

A mere two minutes after that, a combination play between Wang Shuo and Hazard allowed the Belgian to assist Walcott in scoring the third goal. When the second half began after switching sides, in the sixtieth minute, Alexandre Song launched a long pass. Wang Shuo successfully beat the offside trap, received the ball on the right side of the penalty area, and chipped it into the net to score.

4-1!

In the end, thanks to Wang Shuo’s two goals and one assist, the Gunners pulled off a comeback victory away against Norwich.

In the post-match press conference room, having just finished the game, Wang Shuo made an appearance accompanied by head coach Wenger. The moment Wang Shuo appeared, the reporters who had been waiting at the scene erupted into an uproar. Countless cameras and microphones were instantly aimed right at him.

"Wang Shuo, what are your thoughts on Blatter’s remarks?"

"Wang, do you think Blatter’s comments will affect the ongoing voting for the Golden Ball Award?"