The short version
- The Fifa president has officially withdrawn a controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors following intense pressure from global football federations.
- European soccer authorities have threatened to boycott international competitions and are considering legal action against the organization's leadership over the proposed financial deal.
- Several national associations have withdrawn their support for Infantino’s re-election, while internal leaks suggest growing dissent among senior staff and council members.
The head of Fifa has formally abandoned a proposal to sell equity stakes in the World Cup tournament to private investors, marking a significant reversal after two weeks of escalating controversy. Gianni Infantino initially defended the scheme as part of a democratic consultation process but ultimately withdrew it following widespread condemnation from football governing bodies, politicians, and former officials. The decision comes after reports revealed that the plan could have generated tens of millions in personal profit for Infantino while involving relatives of prominent political figures.
The controversy began shortly after the conclusion of the World Cup when Infantino posted a lengthy message on social media criticizing journalists for spreading false rumors about greed and his connections to Donald Trump. He urged reporters to step back from their work and reflect instead. Hours later, investigative reporting exposed details of a secret plan valued at 3.1 billion pounds that would have allowed private investors to purchase stakes in the tournament. The deal reportedly involved Jared Kushner’s brother, drawing immediate scrutiny from political leaders and sports administrators alike.
As news of the proposal spread, Infantino attempted to downplay its significance by describing it as merely an offer under consideration through a democratic process. However, it soon emerged that Fifa had set a deadline for member associations to approve the plan or risk losing their annual financial distributions. This ultimatum sparked outrage across the global football community. Concacaf stated it learned of the matter only through media reports, while Uefa accused Fifa officials of exploiting the sport for personal enrichment.
European football authorities responded swiftly and decisively. Uefa convened an emergency meeting where all 55 member associations agreed to boycott Fifa competitions if the stake sale proceeded. Other regional bodies joined the backlash, amplifying calls for transparency and accountability. In the United States, Democratic lawmakers warned that Congress might launch an investigation into the matter, with Representative Jamie Raskin characterizing the proposal as a massive scam. Meanwhile, Trump publicly distanced himself from the scheme, stating he had never spoken to Infantino about it.
Despite Fifa’s initial insistence that it would proceed with consultations regardless of media criticism, the organization ultimately reversed course. Infantino issued a statement withdrawing the plan after listening to various viewpoints. Nevertheless, Uefa maintained its stance, declaring that confidence in Fifa’s leadership had been lost and emphasizing that no option should be off the table when addressing those responsible. Only Qatar’s Football Association offered public support for Infantino during this period.
The fallout extended beyond institutional responses to include internal dissent within Fifa itself. A rebellion appeared to emerge among council members, with several European nations withdrawing longstanding letters of support for Infantino’s re-election bid. England, Wales, Serbia, Finland, and Sweden joined forces in demanding leadership changes at the top. Additionally, lawyers representing Uefa ordered Infantino and his staff to preserve all documents related to the collapsed scheme, signaling potential legal action or regulatory complaints.
Internal communications further highlighted the depth of dissatisfaction within Fifa’s ranks. Mattias Grafström, the organization’s second-in-command, described the events as sad and reproachable in a leaked email to employees. Jordan’s Prince Ali bin al-Hussein accused Infantino’s administration of blackmail, alleging threats to withhold financial assistance from federations that refused to back his re-election campaign. These revelations intensified calls for reform and accountability across the global football community.
In response to mounting pressure, Infantino held a crisis meeting with Fifa staff in Morocco, claiming unanimous backing from employees while warning critics against attacking the organization’s integrity. However, Uefa doubled down on its boycott threat, reinforcing its position that significant changes were necessary within Fifa’s leadership structure. Former Portugal star Luís Figo also weighed in, arguing that Infantino had deceived stakeholders and prioritized personal gain over the sport’s well-being. With Victor Montagliani emerging as a potential challenger for the presidency, the future of Fifa’s governance remains uncertain.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗Two weeks that rocked Fifa: how Gianni Infantino unravelled, day by day
