Zurich – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has abruptly withdrawn a contentious proposal to create a commercial venture and sell minority stakes to private investors, a move that comes just days after its announcement and follows a wave of sharp condemnation, including threats of a boycott from European football federations.
Swift Reversal Marks Setback for Infantino
The swift about-face represents a significant defeat for Infantino, who had championed the plan, unveiled on Tuesday, aimed at capitalizing on FIFA’s lucrative tournaments, including the World Cup and the Club World Cup. The decision was made in the wake of the recently concluded, highly profitable men’s World Cup held across North America.
A particularly contentious element of the proposed deal involved selling a minority stake to private investors, notably including a firm led by Joshua Kushner, brother of former President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The specific financial terms and the extent of the stake offered were not fully detailed in the initial announcement.
In a statement, Infantino acknowledged the widespread opposition. “Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place,” he stated. “Our purpose has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve,” he added. “As a result, this proposal will not proceed.”
European Nations Threaten Boycott
The plan encountered immediate and strong opposition from the moment it was revealed. European nations, led by UEFA, the continent’s football governing body, voiced their disapproval vehemently. They took the unprecedented step of threatening to boycott the World Cup if FIFA did not abandon the proposal entirely. UEFA characterized such a deal as the “sale” of football, signaling deep concern over the commercialization of the sport.
While CONCACAF (North, Central America, and Caribbean) and the AFC (Asia) also expressed opposition, they did not escalate their stance to the level of boycott threats.
Internal Dissent Adds to Pressure
The opposition was not confined to external bodies; FIFA’s own ranks also saw significant dissent, further undermining Infantino’s initiative. Carlos Cordeiro, a key advisor to the FIFA President, resigned from his post earlier on Friday, citing his disagreement with the plan. Additionally, Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s chief operating officer, publicly denounced the proposal in a statement to the Associated Press, asserting that FIFA staff had been blindsided by the initiative.
Lamour controversially referred to the plan as the “project of one person,” a clear reference to Infantino. He further stated his willingness to face termination for his outspoken criticism, adding, “At least I’ll sleep well tonight.”
Infantino’s Future Under Scrutiny
This episode marks a considerable setback for Infantino, who recently presided over the most financially successful World Cup in history, with FIFA projected to generate $15 billion over the past four years, largely from the men’s tournament. However, Infantino’s tenure has been marked by a series of controversies, including backlash over elevated ticket prices and the controversial awarding of a “Peace Prize” to former President Trump.
Infantino, widely expected to seek a third term as FIFA President next year, had highlighted the substantial revenue generated, much of which is intended for distribution among FIFA’s 211 member associations. Nevertheless, the proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup was perceived by many as a step too far, placing him under intense pressure from both external stakeholders and internal FIFA officials.
In his statement, Infantino expressed his intention to reconcile the differing viewpoints. “Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that mostly need our support,” he said.
