FIFA President Gianni Infantino has come under intense scrutiny after shelving a plan to allow private investment in the World Cup. The proposal, which aimed to raise up to $4.2 billion through a new commercial subsidiary, faced fierce opposition from UEFA and other football confederations. UEFA, which threatened to boycott all FIFA competitions, accused Infantino of losing their confidence with his'shabby, back room, opaque deal'.
UEFA's Strong Opposition
UEFA led the charge against the private investment plan, arguing it would undermine the integrity of the World Cup. In a strongly worded statement, UEFA said Infantino had broken promises made during his 2016 election campaign to be transparent and to ensure FIFA's money belonged to the member associations, not the president. UEFA also criticized Infantino for not using FIFA's $5 billion reserves to benefit the game.
Infantino's Response and Future
In response to the backlash, Infantino announced the withdrawal of the proposal, stating it was conceived to strengthen member associations but had created divisions. He pledged to focus on restoring harmony and growing the game, particularly in countries that need support. However, the incident has raised questions about Infantino's leadership and his chances of an unopposed re-election next year.
The Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF also welcomed the plan's withdrawal, emphasizing the need for transparency and consultation with all stakeholders. The African Football Confederation had urged its members to review the plan, but the meeting is now unnecessary. The resignation of Infantino's senior advisor, Carlos Cordeiro, added to the pressure, with Cordeiro calling the idea 'a bad deal for FIFA's member associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game'.
