Tuchel backs FA's Infantino stance and sends message to England star

Thomas Tuchel has backed the Football Association’s strong stance against Gianni Infantino.

FA chair Debbie Hewitt this week wrote to the beleaguered FIFA president demanding answers over the World Cup sell-off plan and also clarity on why Folarin Balogun’s suspension was overturned.

England boss Tuchel likened the FA’s support for him as to why he also backed their stance and his voice will be loud among the UEFA protest against Infantino.

Tuchel said: “I felt the full support from all my bosses through the World Cup, through the whole tournament.

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“There was a moment, a very special moment before the Mexico game where we had a talk and my bosses told me: ‘We know that anything can happen in a football match and we know that anything can happen in a match in Mexico in a World Cup, but don't worry, we see what's going on and we want to continue like this.’

“This was a beautiful moment for me as a coach,” said Tuchel before throwing his weight behind their stance.

“I just told you how I am backed from my bosses, so it's the minimum I can do is back my bosses, I would say,” Tuchel said. “So they have my full support on that and I back their opinion.”

Meanwhile, the England boss has been promised game time after his England World Cup snub.

Tuchel said he felt a “duty” to play Mainoo in at least one of the four Nations League games after the Manchester United midfielder did not get a single minute for England in the summer.

But Tuchel called him up this time and spelt out just how much he wants to play him after the disappointment of the summer. He said: “I expect him to be on the pitch and it’s my duty to put him on the pitch.

“That was totally on me, he did not put a foot wrong at the World Cup. He was class in behaviour and on the training pitch.

“It was a big competition. We also played Reecey [James] in midfield, Elliot Anderson is fantastic, Declan Rice is a very unique player. So we trusted them more than we trusted Kobbie.

“It was difficult for him, difficult for me. He got injured before the France game [the third-place play-off] so we could not even give him minutes there which hurt me. Maybe he was more hurt but it was my responsibility.”