Gianni Infantino makes first statement since FIFA Forward Enterprise debacle was scrapped by organization
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has officially scrapped his controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors following widespread backlash. The move has severely damaged his standing within the organization and weakened his position ahead of the upcoming re-election.
Why it matters
The failure of this proposal represents a major governance crisis for FIFA and highlights the tension between commercialization and traditional football governance.
It has been a chaotic week, to say the least, for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Infantino was already on thin ice among soccer fans, with even much-maligned former FIFA President Sepp Blatter calling for his removal after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Instead of laying low, Infantino basically embraced a villain role. His plot to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors was unearthed by Martyn Ziegler of The Times, leading to public outrage. Major governing bodies in the sport, with UEFA at the forefront, were outspokenly against Infantino's plan.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in