FIFA says leadership fully supports President Infantino

Following a crisis meeting in Morocco on Wednesday, August 5, FIFA's leadership has reaffirmed its full support for President Gianni Infantino. The proposal to sell a 20% stake in a commercial rights entity to private investors, which would have raised approximately $4.2 billion, sparked widespread criticism and was subsequently withdrawn.

Infantino faced intense scrutiny, including some from within FIFA, which questioned his re-election as president in March. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom expressed regret over the series of unfortunate events that led to the proposal's abandonment in an internal memo to staff. FIFA has apologized to its members and promised a review, emphasizing that the process should have been handled differently.

The proposal, which involved a company with family ties to US President Donald Trump, drew criticism from UEFA, CONCACAF, the AFC, and European football's governing body. Despite the controversy, Infantino retains numerous allies, particularly in regions where FIFA's financial support is vital. Infantino, who has held the presidency since 2016, currently faces no clear challenger for the 2031 election, giving him a strategic advantage.