Infantino’s future should be decided by election – CAF president

FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces mounting pressure after the English Football Association (FA) announced it would withdraw its support for his re-election campaign. The move follows the collapse of Infantino's controversial plan to sell a 20 percent stake in the World Cup to private investors through a newly formed entity known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The FA's decision adds to a growing list of international football bodies and influential figures criticizing the Swiss-Italian leader, who has faced unprecedented scrutiny over the past weeks. The FA confirmed it would send a formal letter to FIFA outlining its refusal to back Infantino's bid for a fifth term as president, according to reports from British media outlets. This decision aligns with similar moves by the Football Association of Wales, which had already announced its withdrawal of support. The English FA's stance signals a shift in sentiment toward Infantino, who has struggled to contain the fallout from the FFE proposal. Infantino introduced the FFE initiative in an effort to generate additional revenue for FIFA and its member associations. The plan aimed to raise up to $4.2 billion through a $20 billion valuation of the new enterprise, which would manage commercial aspects of major tournaments, including the World Cup and Club World Cup. Under the proposal, each of FIFA’s 211 member associations would receive a one-time payment of $20 million in early 2027, with their funding allocations for the 2027-2030 cycle increasing from $8 million to $20 million. Despite the financial incentives, the proposal drew sharp criticism from key stakeholders. UEFA, the European football governing body, denounced the plan as a “shabby, backroom deal” and warned of potential legal action. The organization also threatened to boycott the men’s and women’s World Cups unless the proposal was abandoned. UEFA’s condemnation was echoed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which stated it stood in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF, the North American confederation, both of which rejected the plan. The backlash intensified when the FFE proposal was leaked to the media, triggering a wave of public outrage. In response, Infantino held an emergency meeting with senior FIFA officials in Rabat, Morocco, where he admitted mistakes were made in the process. FIFA’s leadership acknowledged that the proposal had been mishandled and pledged to ensure such errors did not recur. Despite this, the damage to Infantino’s reputation appears irreversible. High-profile figures within football have also voiced their discontent. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who serves as FIFA’s chief of global football development, stated he was not involved in the FFE proposal and described the decision to abandon it as “absolutely necessary and beyond question.” Similarly, former Portuguese star Luis Figo criticized Infantino’s conduct, calling him “deceitful” and urging him to resign immediately. Figo argued that Infantino’s actions had undermined the integrity of the sport and jeopardized its future. The controversy has also drawn attention from global players' unions. FIFPRO, the international players’ association, condemned FIFA and its president for “abusing power” and failing to act transparently. The organization emphasized the importance of maintaining trust in football’s governance structures, particularly in light of the recent upheaval. Infantino’s position remains precarious despite continued support from certain regions, notably parts of Africa, South America, and Oceania. However, the alignment of UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC with the English FA and Welsh FA suggests a broader coalition opposing his leadership. With the upcoming presidential election in March, Infantino will need to secure 106 votes from FIFA’s 211 member associations to remain in power. The current climate indicates that achieving this threshold may be increasingly challenging. As the situation unfolds, FIFA’s secretary general, Mattias Grafstrom, has assured employees that they would be protected from the political turbulence surrounding the organization. Meanwhile, the focus shifts to whether Infantino can regain the confidence of key stakeholders before the next election. The outcome of this struggle will determine the future direction of world football and the legacy of one of its most polarizing leaders.