FIFA president Gianni Infantino has scrapped the plan to sell off stakes in the governing body's major competitions, following widespread opposition. The move comes after European football's 55 member associations, Uefa, voted to boycott World Cups if the plans went ahead.
Infantino's Proposal Under Fire
FIFA's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said the governing body's own administration had been "deceived" about the project. Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino's senior adviser on global strategy and governance, resigned over the matter, saying the proposal was "a bad deal for football" and would "mortgage football's future".
The proposal had offered all 211 member associations $40m (£30m) if they backed private investment in FIFA's tournaments, including the men's and women's World Cups. However, the plans faced significant opposition from top governing bodies, including Uefa, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Infantino's Future in Jeopardy
Infantino, 56, is now under immense pressure as he seeks re-election for a fourth term as president at the FIFA Congress in March. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has publicly stated that Infantino is "the wrong man" to lead FIFA. Infantino has acknowledged that he needs the backing of the majority of FIFA member associations, meaning 106 of its 211 members need to vote in favour.
The opposition to Infantino's plans was unlikely to pass, given the rejections from Uefa and Concacaf, and the AFC's decision to stand in "solidarity" with them. With the governing bodies in Africa (CAF) and Oceania (OFC) set to discuss FIFA's plan in August, and Conmebol asking for "additional information and clarifications", it seemed that Infantino's plans were doomed from the start.
A New Path Forward
Infantino has stated that he intends to "bring all interested parties back together" in the "spirit of shared interest" in football. However, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to salvage his presidency and the future of FIFA's major competitions. The next few months will be crucial in determining the fate of Infantino and the governing body he leads.
Infantino's decision to scrap the proposal is a significant development in the world of football, and one that will have far-reaching consequences for the sport. As FIFA looks to the future, it remains to be seen whether Infantino will be able to regain the trust of the football community, or whether his presidency will come to an end in March.
Source: Joy Online
