Gianni Infantino calls meeting amid mounting criticism as Jordan alleges 'blackmail'

Fifa president Gianni Infantino faces mounting pressure following the abrupt cancellation of a controversial plan to sell a 20 per cent stake in the organisation’s commercial rights, which aimed to generate up to $4.2 billion. The proposal, announced earlier this week, sparked immediate backlash from key football confederations, leading to its rapid withdrawal. Major bodies such as the Union of European Football Associations (Uefa) and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) strongly opposed the move, with Uefa threatening to boycott the World Cup and all Fifa competitions unless the plan was rescinded. The plan, which proposed the creation of a new entity to manage Fifa events including the World Cup, was met with widespread criticism. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined Uefa and Concacaf in opposing the initiative, issuing a statement that expressed serious concerns over introducing private investment into Fifa’s flagship competitions and the decision-making process around the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE). The AFC emphasized its solidarity with Uefa and Concacaf in condemning the proposal. With increasing resistance, Fifa abandoned the sale plan within days. This reversal leaves Infantino in a precarious position. He recently oversaw the successful hosting of the World Cup in North America, a milestone that bolstered Fifa’s reputation. However, the fallout from the failed sale proposal could impact his upcoming re-election bid. Infantino, who has held the presidency since 2016 and has been re-elected unopposed twice, initially appeared poised for another term. His re-election for the 2027–31 term was considered a near certainty, supported by strong backing from African and Asian confederations. Despite this, the controversy surrounding the sale could complicate his campaign. Former Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce suggested that while Infantino still likely has sufficient support, the situation remains uncertain. “If things continue at the pace they are continuing, who knows?” Boyce remarked to the BBC. Uefa has publicly distanced itself from Infantino’s leadership, stating it has lost confidence in him. In a statement, Uefa noted that the task of restoring trust in Fifa has only just begun. The European body criticized the current leadership for losing not only its confidence but also that of many other stakeholders in football. Uefa thanked supporters, fans, leagues, clubs, players, and officials who opposed the sale scheme, highlighting the broader sentiment against the proposal. The statement from Uefa signals a potential shift in support dynamics during the upcoming elections. The next Fifa presidential election will take place at the Fifa Congress in Morocco on March 18 next year. Currently, Infantino is the sole candidate running for the post, though others can submit their names for consideration by November 18. Infantino currently enjoys endorsements from over 200 federations, giving him a strong base of support. However, the events of this week may influence the political landscape. On Friday, a senior adviser to Infantino, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned immediately, citing the sale proposal as “a bad deal for football.” Cordeiro’s departure underscores the internal tensions arising from the controversy. As the situation unfolds, the outcome of the upcoming election remains uncertain, with the possibility of shifting alliances and changing perceptions among member nations.