FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, encountered intense backlash over plans to sell a stake in its commercial and event operations. Late on Friday, Infantino announced a halt to these plans, acknowledging the controversy they stirred among the global football community.
The proposal drew criticism from major football organizations, including UEFA, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). UEFA warned that its 55 members would boycott FIFA competitions, including World Cups, if the proposal continued.
Despite FIFA’s initial insistence on proceeding with the plan, internal dissent emerged. Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino’s adviser, resigned, criticizing the deal as detrimental to FIFA’s member associations and the future of football. Additionally, Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s chief operating officer, expressed staff dissatisfaction with Infantino’s leadership.
One aspect of the plan involved setting up FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE) to manage significant events like the World Cup, selling a 21% minority stake to investors for $4.2 billion. This fund aimed to support FIFA member associations through a new program, the FIFA Fast-Forward Programme.
However, strong opposition from 137 of FIFA’s 211 member associations complicated matters. FIFA needed majority support and approval from its Council for the proposal to advance. While CONMEBOL didn’t reject the plan, it emphasized aligning financial decisions with football’s core interests.
Infantino, since taking over from Sepp Blatter in 2016, initially appeared to have secured another term as president in the upcoming 2027 election. However, the recent turmoil has weakened his position and may invite challengers.
Lise Klaveness, the Norwegian Football Federation president, noted Infantino’s eroded trust due to governance issues. The situation leaves Infantino vulnerable, with significant elections looming.