FIFA denounces 'concerted effort' to undermine Infantino as confederations split over World Cup sale plan

FIFA strikes back

FIFA issued a statement on Saturday denouncing what it called a "concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its president," without naming those accused. The statement followed a crisis meeting in Morocco on Wednesday, where FIFA's leadership reaffirmed its support for Infantino and apologised to its 211 member associations for mistakes in handling the proposed World Cup spinoff. FIFA said recent reporting included "unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims" and that it would challenge inaccurate reports "directly and vigorously." FIFA said it would not "support, facilitate or tolerate" any election process inconsistent with its statutes, adding that those without member support "should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA's established democratic processes."

The abandoned plan

The crisis stems from a secret proposal to spin off FIFA's commercial businesses into a subsidiary valued at about $20 billion, with private investors taking a stake. The Associated Press reports the share at 20 per cent, Die Welt reports 20 to 30 per cent, and the $4.2 billion FIFA hoped to raise implies about 21 per cent. Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, was the proposed lead investor. The plan was revealed in media reports, not announced by FIFA.

It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation.

FIFA conceded that without the support of its 211 member associations, the FIFA Forward Enterprise would not be established.

Confederations divide

UEFA's 55 FIFA members unanimously opposed the plan and threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments. CONCACAF, with 35 FIFA voting members out of 41 member associations, rejected the proposal and questioned the need for outside investment after what it called the most profitable World Cup in history, with revenue of about $12 billion. The AFC, with 46 FIFA member federations, declared solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF, saying "football should never have been placed in such a position." Together these three account for 136 of 211 votes; Infantino needs 106 for a majority, so the plan could no longer pass. By August 9, CAF and CONMEBOL had publicly backed Infantino, with CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez saying "We are with Gianni" during Infantino's visit to Colombia.

Cordeiro's resignation

Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, resigned over the plan.

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.

He argued FIFA "sits on billions of dollars in reserves and no debt" with $15 billion in revenue over four years, calling the sale "mortgaging football's future without any compelling justification." He urged other senior FIFA staff to speak out, saying decisions "should be made in the interests of football, not those who stand to profit from it."

Telegraph allegations and what comes next

The Daily Telegraph reported that a female employee with whom Infantino allegedly had an intimate relationship during his time as UEFA general secretary received a six-figure departure payment plus about €50,000 in MBA fees. UEFA acknowledged to AFP that a payment was made but said it conformed to rules then in force; FIFA dismissed the allegations as "categorically untrue." The Norwegian Football Federation has called on Infantino to resign, and Luis Figo demanded his resignation over "mafioso behavior." UEFA is seeking support for an Emergency Congress; its members provide 43 votes to call a meeting, but 106 are needed to unseat the president. Infantino, president for more than ten years, faces re-election next March, with November 18 the deadline for challengers. The Women's Under-20 World Cup in Poland from September 5 will be the first test of UEFA's boycott threat.