Infantino under further pressure as FIFA number two distances himself

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing mounting pressure after his failed plan to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors. The proposal, which aimed to raise $4.2 billion, was met with widespread criticism and ultimately abandoned.

In an email to FIFA staff, secretary-general Mattias Grafström expressed regret over the "sad and reproachable series of events" linked to Infantino's plan, describing it as creating "turmoil which is difficult to comprehend and accept." Grafström did not directly mention Infantino, but his comments echoed those of other senior FIFA executives who have distanced themselves from the embattled president.

Arsène Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, also expressed surprise at the plan, stating he knew nothing about it and that it was "absolutely necessary" to drop the proposal.

UEFA has confirmed that it has sent a preservation letter to FIFA, notifying them to retain data, documents, and electronic messages as potential evidence. The European football body has been considering legal action against Infantino and FIFA. The controversy has also sparked divisions within FIFA, with some member associations withdrawing their support for Infantino's re-election.

An extraordinary congress can be triggered if 43 FIFA member associations submit a formal written request, which could potentially lead to Infantino's removal from office.

Brief written by urgent.news from Le Monde English, Associated Press, The Island Sri Lanka, The National UAE, Free Malaysia Today — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.