Gianni Infantino has officially scrapped his plan to sell-off stakes in the World Cup after Uefa’s threatened boycott left his plans to privatise the tournaments in tatters.
Infantino is now is under mounting pressure from football federations as well as from within Fifa, with his long-term adviser Carlos Cordeiro, a key figure within Fifa, choosing to quit in protest over Infantino’s initial proposals, while Fifa’s chief operating officer has said that Infantino “deceived” staff over his plans.
Donald Trump meanwhile told reporters on Friday that he had not spoken to Infantino about the plans despite their close relationship and the fact that Josh Kushner, the brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, was expected to lead the proposed investor group.
It all resulted in Infantino giving up on the plans late on Friday evening but the Fifa president remains under intense scrutiny with many associations feeling his position is untenable and questions emerging as to what comes next
Follow all the latest news below:
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Infantino’s senior adviser quits in protest at World Cup plan
Gianni Infantino’s senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro quit on Friday, only adding to the pressure on the Fifa president.
Cordeiro, in announcing his departure, described the initiative to create Fifa Forward Enterprise as a “bad deal for football”.
He elaborated in a statement: “Football has been central to my life and after more than 35 years in banking, I understand both the value of this asset and the consequences of giving part of it away. That is why this proposal should be rejected.”
Gianni Infantino’s statement in full
Here’s Gianni Infantino’s full statement backing down from his World Cup sell-off plan:
“The Fifa Forward Enterprise project was intended to provide a basis for further strengthening our Fifa Member Associations and our sport worldwide, especially in those countries where support is most needed. And more so, as we said from the outset, to do this only if a majority of the Fifa Member Associations were in support and always subject to a consultation process with them, the FIFA Council, the Confederations and wider stakeholders.
“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place.
“Our purpose has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed.
“Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that mostly need our support.”
Trump denies knowing about Infantino’s sell-off plans
US President Donald Trump has denied discussing FIFA’s proposals to offer stakes to external investors with Gianni Infantino.
Speaking to reporters at Camp David, Mr Trump addressed the matter after Fufa announced earlier this week its intention to create a $20bn subsidiary to run the World Cup and its other events, although this plan has since collapsed.
This new subsidiary would have offered up to 20 per cent of its shares to outside investors and the proposed investor group was set to be led by a vehicle founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
The denial comes amid a close relationship between Mr Trump and Fifa president Mr Infantino, which developed before and during the World Cup this summer.
Football chiefs discuss vote of no confidence as Infantino under increasing threat
Football chiefs will consider whether to push for a vote of no confidence in Gianni Infantino following the controversy over his World Cup sell-off plan.
Federation chiefs have already started talking about the process of a vote of no confidence, which would first necessitate a meeting of the Fifa Council and then 43 member associations – a quarter of the 211 – to push for an Extraordinary Congress.
Before that, though, everyone is waiting to see how the dust settles. Football chiefs have felt it’s all been happening too fast to even properly register.
Fifa COO says administration ‘deceived’ by plans
Kevin Lamour, Fifa’s chief operating officer and about as high up as you can get in the organisation, just two rungs below Infantino, released an explosive statement condemning the plans on Friday.
He said in a statement to Associated Press: “What has been announced in recent days and what has been happening behind the scenes in recent months defies belief and imagination.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult for Fifa’s administration to work under these conditions and fulfil its mission.
“I have no authority to speak on behalf of my colleagues, and perhaps I am mistaken. But my feeling is that we all want to be proud to work for Fifa, and today, unfortunately, it seems that is no longer the case for many of us.
“I know I have a duty of loyalty to my employer. But I also, and above all, have a duty of loyalty to certain values and to support my colleagues.”
Football has spoken: Gianni Infantino must go
Fifa’s president operates with arrogance and autonomy – the worldwide rejection of his proposals to sell off stakes in the World Cup has to now stand for as a final rejection of Infantino himself, writes Jamie Braidwood.
Football has spoken: Gianni Infantino must go
CONFIRMED: Fifa scraps plan to sell World Cup stakes after boycott threat and widespread backlash
Fifa has scrapped its plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors, after widespread backlash and threats of a boycott.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino proposed the controversial plan in July, declaring that a vote would determine whether or not it would go ahead, but there was anger and concern from many voices in the footballing world, while Uefa said its member countries would boycott the World Cup if the plan went through
Full story:
Fifa scraps World Cup sell-off plan
Good morning and welcome to the latest on Fifa’s World Cup sell-off plan, which Gianni Infantino officially scrapped last night after coming under huge pressure.
We’ll have all the latest updates and keep n eye on what could come next
