FIFA backs Infantino, apologises for World Cup privatisation plan
FIFA leadership has reaffirmed support for President Gianni Infantino following the withdrawal of a controversial plan to privatize World Cup commercial operations. The governing body apologized for the 'errors' made during the proposal process, which had triggered threats of a boycott from UEFA.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the internal governance challenges and power struggles within international sports organizations regarding commercialization.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has received the "full support" of senior directors on Wednesday but world football's governing body apologised for the controversy of the now-shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment.
Facing a barrage of criticism following the aborted plan, FIFA's leadership acknowledged "errors", while nonetheless backing under-fire Infantino following a crisis meeting in Morocco.
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Infantino has come under increasing pressure, even from within his organisation, over his handling of the proposal, and calls for him to step down had grown since he abandoned it last Saturday.
In a statement Wednesday, FIFA's leadership acknowledged "that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media".
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