Infantino faces backlash over World Cup investment plan
Gianni Infantino's position as FIFA president is under threat after his plan to sell off the World Cup triggered a tremendous backlash - but a viable challenger to his throne is yet to emerge.
European football's governing body UEFA met virtually on Thursday and, after a fiery meeting, fired out a powerful and damning statement which stated their willingness to boycott future FIFA tournaments. UEFA called Infantino's secretive behaviour around the proposal to invite third-party investment in tournaments
irresponsible and indefensible.
And although it didn't name him, it accused Infantino of
a profound failure of leadershipand of seeing his first duty as
to maximise financial return.
Infantino's attempts to effectively buy off FIFA members by offering $40m (£30m) if they back his plan have backfired spectacularly, with CONCACAF - North and Central America's governing body - following UEFA's lead later on Thursday.
CONCACAF said it rejected the proposal, criticising the
lack of due processat FIFA around the plans.
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UEFA and CONCACAF uniting in defiance of Infantino would appear to stop the plans dead in their tracks, while also throwing the Swiss bureaucrat's future as FIFA president into doubt.
Just 13 days ago the Guardian reported that more than 200 of FIFA's 211 members had formally endorsed Infantino for re-election for a fourth term, having first taken control in 2016. He was set to run unchallenged and extend his reign at FIFA congress in March.
However, his barefaced attempts to sell off football in pursuit of enrichment, which appeared designed to buy support, may have torpedoed his efforts. The only thing currently missing is a credible challenger.
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi had garnered some support, but a source has said he has
absolutely no ambition, no intention, nor any interest in this role at FIFA. He leads the European Football Clubs umbrella group, so already holds plenty of power of his own, having helped steady the ship after the failed European Super League coup in 2021.
UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has emerged as the biggest thorn in Infantino's side, having previously led the fightback against his proposal to stage the World Cup every two years. But the Slovenian reportedly also lacks the desire to mount a leadership challenge, unlike Infantino doesn't crave the limelight, and is happy at UEFA.
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi appears in the frame as a possible figure with support, but the source claim leaves little room for a bid, and his existing influence in European football is already substantial.
Legia Warsaw president Dariusz Mioduski has been backed by the Belgian, Spanish, Norwegian, German and Swedish associations, according to a report from talkSPORT earlier this month. Meanwhile, CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and Confederation of African Football (CAF) Patrice Motsepe may lack the desire to run against Infantino.
There is time for things to change, however with contenders given until November 18 to attract supporters and put forward their names.
The fiery nature of UEFA's statement suggests they could be seeking regime change at FIFA.
We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors,it reads.
The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.
It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football.
Time will tell if that
failure of leadershipleads to Infantino's downfall.
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