Soccer-Asian confederation chief welcome's FIFA decision to scrap World Cup sell-off plan
FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces significant backlash from UEFA and CONCACAF after abandoning a controversial $4.2 billion plan to sell commercial rights to private investors. The regional confederations are calling for greater transparency and oversight in FIFA's governance.
Why it matters
The internal conflict within FIFA highlights the tension between commercialization of global sports and the need for transparent governance.
Aug 1 (Reuters) - FIFA President Gianni Infantino is under unprecedented fire after regional confederations UEFA and CONCACAF said on Saturday they had lost confidence in his leadership following his abandoned plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights.
The dramatic fallout from Infantino's scrapped $4.2-billion proposal has exposed growing unease within world soccer over his leadership style, with UEFA leading a chorus of criticism that could complicate his re-election hopes.
FIFA's proposal had triggered a fierce backlash from regional confederations who said they were blindsided by Infantino's plans to sell stakes to private investors in a new unit that would run FIFA events, including the World Cup.
Football officials are now demanding greater oversight of decisions that could reshape the governance and commercial future of the sport.
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