Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Premier League Chief Condemns Infantino’s World Cup Investment Plan
FIFA is the group that runs the World Cup.
Its president, Gianni Infantino, considered bringing private investors into the tournament.
Richard Masters, who leads the Premier League, strongly disagreed with that idea.
He said FIFA created its own problem and hurt its reputation.
Masters believes FIFA should protect the World Cup for future football fans.
Kevin Lamour, a senior FIFA official, criticized the plan and then left his job.
UEFA and England’s Football Association have also withdrawn or withheld support for Infantino.
Masters said a future candidate should promise to reform FIFA.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters called FIFA’s World Cup investment proposal a “self-inflicted wound.”
Masters said FIFA had pressed the “self-destruct button” by considering private investment in the World Cup.
He argued FIFA should not sell a stake in the tournament because it is a nonprofit organization.
FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour left his position after criticizing Gianni Infantino’s plans.
UEFA and England’s Football Association have opposed Infantino, who is seeking re-election next year.
- Who
- Richard Masters, Premier League chief executive; Gianni Infantino, FIFA president; Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s former chief operating officer; UEFA and England’s Football Association.
- What
- Masters criticized Infantino’s plan to bring private investment into the World Cup and potentially sell a stake in the competition.
- When
- Lamour left his position on Monday; Masters said Infantino is up for re-election next year.
- Where
- The comments were reported from London and concern FIFA and the World Cup.
- Why
- Masters said the proposal was harmful because FIFA should hold the World Cup in trust as a nonprofit organization.
- Critic
- Richard Masters, chief executive of the Premier League
- FIFA president
- Gianni Infantino
- Proposal
- Bringing private investment into the World Cup
- Masters’s assessment
- He called the plan a “self-inflicted wound” and said FIFA had pressed the “self-destruct button.”
- Senior departure
- FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour left his job on Monday after criticizing the plans.
- Opposition
- UEFA has criticized Infantino, while England’s Football Association has withdrawn its support.
- Next election
- Infantino is up for re-election next year.