Rabat: FIFA’s leadership issued an apology on Wednesday following a crisis meeting over President Gianni Infantino’s controversial proposal to open the World Cup to private investment. The meeting was convened in response to growing criticism of both the plan and Infantino himself. As a result, Infantino has decided to abandon the proposal. Despite the controversy, FIFA management expressed its support for Infantino to remain as president.
According to Deutsche Welle, the FIFA management board released a statement acknowledging mistakes were made after the proposal leaked to the media. The board reiterated its support for Infantino, emphasizing his status as the only official elected by the 211 FIFA Member Associations. The statement followed a meeting held in Rabat, Morocco, attended by the FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA Management Board.
FIFA also sent a letter to FIFA Council members and the 211 member associations, apologizing and promising a review. The organization stated it would no longer tolerate attacks on its integrity, good governance, and due process, and vowed to take necessary measures to protect its reputation. Calls for Infantino’s resignation have increased since he abandoned the contentious plan on Saturday.
The controversial proposal involved selling a 20% stake in a new commercial rights entity to private investors, potentially raising about $4.2 billion. The plan drew criticism due to the involvement of a company with familial ties to former US President Donald Trump, a known ally of Infantino. UEFA, Europe’s soccer governing body, had even threatened to boycott the World Cup in response.
Following the plan’s withdrawal, both UEFA and CONCACAF, the governing body for soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean, expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino’s leadership. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also criticized the lack of consultation during the proposal’s development.
European Leagues, representing over 1,300 clubs across Europe, stated that FIFA should not make unilateral decisions affecting clubs, players, and fans. The short four-week assessment timeline for studying the plan to expand the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 tournament was also criticized.
Infantino is facing a re-election bid in March at FIFA’s next Congress, which will be held in Morocco, co-hosts of the 2030 World Cup. Until the recent controversy, his bid for a fourth term seemed assured.