3 weeks ago
FIFA apologises, backs Infantino after failed World Cup stake plan
FIFA is the group that runs soccer all around the world.
Its leader, Gianni Infantino, wanted to sell a piece of the World Cup to make a lot of money for FIFA.
Many important people in soccer thought that was a bad idea.
They worried it would hurt the game and that Infantino was not listening to anyone.
So Infantino stopped the plan, and FIFA said sorry for the mistakes it made.
At a big meeting in Morocco, the people who work at FIFA said they still support him.
But many others, like European soccer leagues, the UEFA group and Canada's leader, do not trust him anymore.
Some people say he should quit before the next election in March.
FIFA also said it never promised Morocco the final game of the 2030 World Cup.
Soccer fans are now waiting to see what happens next.
FIFA apologised to its 211 member associations after withdrawing a plan to sell a 20% stake in World Cup commercial rights through subsidiary FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a deal reportedly worth around $4.2 billion that also drew scrutiny over a company with family links to US President Donald Trump.
At a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco, Secretary General Mattias Grafström and members of the management board reaffirmed their full support for President Gianni Infantino ahead of March's presidential election.
UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation voiced lost confidence in FIFA's leadership, while Luis Figo, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Jordan's FA President Prince Ali bin Hussein called for Infantino to go or refused to endorse him.
European Leagues called the FFE plan "dangerous," demanded governance reform with a formal role for stakeholders, and said they would reject the expansion or creation of FIFA competitions until reform is delivered.
FIFA denied reports that Infantino promised Morocco the 2030 World Cup final, while European Leagues criticised the "impractically short" four-week assessment timeline for expanding the 2030 tournament from 48 to 64 teams.
- Who
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Secretary General Mattias Grafström and FIFA's management board, opposed by UEFA, CONCACAF, the Asian Football Confederation, European Leagues, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Luis Figo.
- What
- FIFA apologised for the handling of its withdrawn proposal to sell a 20% stake in World Cup commercial rights through subsidiary FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and reaffirmed support for Infantino.
- Where
- Rabat, Morocco, where FIFA's leadership crisis meeting was held.
- When
- After the FFE proposal was officially scrapped last Friday, ahead of FIFA's presidential election in March.
- Why
- The FFE proposal raised serious questions about FIFA's governance, internal culture and decision-making, prompting calls for reform and for Infantino to step down.
FIFA leadership and Infantino's supporters
Critics and European football bodies
Infantino's presidency and re-election
FIFA leadership and Infantino's supporters
FIFA's management board and Secretary General Mattias Grafström reaffirmed their full support for Infantino, and many smaller associations, particularly in Africa and Asia, declared their loyalty to him with no challenger yet emerging.
Critics and European football bodies
UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation said they had lost confidence in Infantino's leadership; Mark Carney called his governance failure 'fatal'; and Luis Figo said he should resign, saying he had 'debased the office.'
FIFA governance reform
FIFA leadership and Infantino's supporters
FIFA acknowledged its mistakes, apologised to its 211 member associations in a letter and pledged a review of its processes, insisting its actions complied with regulations and that the errors were about process and communication.
Critics and European football bodies
European Leagues called the FFE plan 'dangerous,' said it raised 'serious questions about FIFA's governance, internal culture and decision-making,' and will reject the expansion or creation of FIFA competitions until governance reform is delivered.
2030 World Cup expansion and final venue
FIFA leadership and Infantino's supporters
FIFA has considered expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, denied that Infantino promised Morocco the final, and said a decision on the final host will be made in due course.
Critics and European football bodies
European Leagues criticised the 'impractically short' four-week assessment timeline and unilateral decision-making, while Spain's sports minister said Spain 'deserved' to host the final.
Key facts
- Organization
- FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association)
- FIFA President
- Gianni Infantino, seeking a fourth and final term in the March elections
- Failed proposal
- FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a subsidiary created to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights, now off the table
- Planned stake
- 20% sale to private investors, reportedly worth around $4.2 billion
- Crisis meeting location
- Rabat, Morocco
- Meeting outcome
- Management board and Secretary General reaffirmed full support for Infantino; mistakes acknowledged
- Internal dissent
- Arsène Wenger distanced himself; senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned; FIFA's COO said staff were 'deceived'
- 2030 World Cup co-hosts
- Spain, Portugal and Morocco; final venue decision pending
Quotes
FIFA President Gianni Infantino
President of FIFA, 211 member association elections
“"First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again."”
telegraphindia.com
“In turn, the FIFA President reiterated his full support for the FIFA Secretary General and the FIFA administration for their necessary and outstanding work in the delivery of his vision”
livemint.com
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom
FIFA Secretary General overseeing the organization’s governance
“Following a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, the FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA management board in attendance reaffirmed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino”
livemint.com
“"Certainly I don't have confidence in Mr. Infantino."”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Apology, but no exit: Fifa rallies behind Gianni Infantino after World Cup stake plan fails - Telegraph India
Fifa’s internal battle continues despite public show of support for Infantino - Telegraph India
FIFA apologises to members over failed sale of World Cup rights, backs Gianni Infantino: ‘It was agreed that…’
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