{
  "id": 161651,
  "title": "Gianni Infantino calls meeting amid mounting criticism as Jordan alleges 'blackmail'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/gianni-infantino-calls-meeting-amid-mounting-criticism-as-jordan",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-05T04:54:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/08/05/gianni-infantino-calls-meeting-amid-mounting-criticism-as-jordan-allege-blackmail/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Rabat, Morocco, Fifa President Gianni Infantino convened a meeting with high-ranking officials as the embattled leader attempts to mend his reputation following widespread criticism over a scrapped World Cup sale scheme. Infantino's plan to sell shares in the World Cup to private investors was swiftly met with vehement opposition, leading to its immediate withdrawal. Nevertheless, concerns about Infantino's leadership and decision-making have persisted among member associations and influential members of world football. Jordan's Football Association (FA) president, Ali bin Hussein, launched a vehement attack on Fifa and Infantino on Tuesday, accusing him of \"blackmail.\" Bin Hussein's allegations, posted on X, claimed that Fifa had verbally promised assistance to Jordan's Football Association (FA) if he endorsed Infantino. The Jordan FA president, who is also the half-brother of King Abdullah II, expressed disappointment in being taxed by the US government for participating in the World Cup, a situation not faced by teams based in Canada and Mexico. Jordan FA chief Bin Hussein emphasized that the tax burden should have been allocated to the players and staff, rather than the association. Moreover, Jordan FA is still awaiting the reimbursement for reaching the Arab Cup final in Qatar, money that Bin Hussein claims has not been paid since December, while Fifa boasts about its substantial reserves. Recent developments have seen several European national associations, including England's FA, formally withdraw their support for Infantino's re-election at the upcoming Fifa Congress in Morocco in March. Denmark had also stated it would not vote for Infantino. However, Infantino still enjoys backing from several football associations, including Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, and Morocco, which is co-hosting the 2030 World Cup. President Infantino's primary concern at this point is to prevent the triggering of an Extraordinary Congress, which would require formal written requests from 43 or more Fifa member associations.",
  "summary": "Gianni Infantino has called senior staff members to a meeting in the Moroccan capital of Rabat, according to reports, as the embattled Fifa president looks to overcome mounting criticism over the now scrapped World Cup sale plan. Infantino's controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors was met with swift and vociferous opposition, forcing Fifa to withdraw the proposal…",
  "key_points": [
    "Fifa President Gianni Infantino holds meeting in Rabat, Morocco",
    "Jordan FA president Ali bin Hussein accuses Infantino of 'blackmail'",
    "Several European associations withdraw support for Infantino's re-election"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Infantino calls executive meeting as criticism mounts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/infantino-calls-executive-meeting-as-criticism-mounts",
        "published": "2026-08-05T02:08:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}