Infantino's problems mount as Wenger and key FIFA ally turn on him
Summary
FIFA President Gianni Infantino faced growing criticism and opposition over his plan to open the World Cup to private investment. The plan was quickly withdrawn after strong backlash, including threats of legal action from UEFA and criticism from key FIFA officials like Arsene Wenger and Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom.Key Facts
- Infantino proposed a plan to allow private investment in the World Cup through a new commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
- The plan could have raised up to $4.2 billion based on a $20 billion valuation of FFE.
- FIFA abandoned the plan after widespread condemnation and UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
- Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development, said withdrawing the project was necessary.
- Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom publicly criticized the handling of the plan and distanced himself from Infantino.
- UEFA sent a legal notice threatening action over what they called a "shabby, backroom, opaque deal."
- Several UEFA member associations withdrew their support for Infantino’s presidency.
- Some countries including Morocco, Kuwait, Qatar, and Lebanon continued to support Infantino.
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