Fifa chief Grafstrom blasts Infantino's failed World Cup plan in staff email
Gianni Infantino's botched attempt to sell off a portion of future World Cup profits has received yet more stinging criticism – this time from within Fifa. In an internal staff email, obtained by Sky News, secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described Infantino's failed plan as a “sad and reproachable series of events”, which is “difficult to comprehend and accept”. Grafstrom joined Fifa from…
Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell a portion of future World Cup profits has been harshly criticized from within Fifa. In a recently released internal staff email, secretary general Mattias Grafstrom called the failed scheme a "sad and reproachable series of events," which the organization fortunately abandoned. The plan involved creating a new company (FFE) to manage World Cup competitions and selling around 20% of it to private investors.
Sources suggest that high-ranking officials, including Grafstrom, were blindsided by the scheme. Uefa, along with Concacaf, announced their loss of confidence in Infantino's leadership, while the Asian confederation (AFC) called for institutional reform. Five European national associations have withdrawn their support for Infantino's reelection at the upcoming Fifa Congress, with Denmark stating it never intended to vote for him.
AFC chief Arsene Wenger, who also admits to not being aware of the plan, has called for transparency and integrity at Fifa.
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Also reported by 8 other outlets
- Wenger says scrapping Infantino's World Cup plan was 'absolutely necessary' dawn.com
- FIFA apologises for World Cup private investment controversy france24.com
- Constant Omari, former FIFA council member: 'Infantino must have the courage to resign or seek a vote of confidence' lemonde.fr
- Battle lines drawn within FIFA as key figures break ranks with Infantino japantimes.co.jp
- Canada PM Carney says has no confidence in Fifa’s Infantino freemalaysiatoday.com
- Infantino calls emergency FIFA meeting as pressure grows rte.ie
- UEFA’s threatened legal action against Infantino and FIFA: What we know aljazeera.com
- FIFA governance debate set to outlive Morocco truce despite backing for Infantino channelnewsasia.com
