El jefe de la FIFA, Grafstrom, critica el plan fallido de Infantino para la Copa del Mundo en un correo electrónico del personal.

FIFA’s secretary general, Mattias Grafstrom, has sharply criticized former president Gianni Infantino’s controversial proposal to spin off a portion of FIFA’s future World Cup revenues into a separate entity, calling the initiative a “sad and reproachable series of events.” The internal email, obtained by Sky News, highlights growing discontent among senior FIFA officials over Infantino’s management style and decisions. Grafstrom, who joined FIFA from UEFA a decade ago and was appointed secretary general in 2024, expressed frustration over the handling of the proposed creation of a new company, FFE, which aimed to manage FIFA’s competitions and sell up to 20 percent of its interests to private investors. According to Sky News, the email did not explicitly name Infantino or reference speculation about his potential removal from office, though it acknowledged the turmoil surrounding the situation. Grafstrom emphasized the importance of unity among FIFA’s administrative staff, urging them to focus on serving football and its member associations in accordance with FIFA statutes and regulations. Infantino faces mounting pressure as several key stakeholders have voiced concerns over his leadership. UEFA and Concacaf, two of FIFA’s most influential regional governing bodies, issued strong statements expressing a loss of confidence in Infantino’s ability to lead the organization effectively. These developments mark a significant shift, given that both organizations had previously supported Infantino during his tenure. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), once a staunch ally of Infantino, did not directly challenge his leadership but called for broader institutional reforms within FIFA, citing the lack of consultation regarding the FFE plan as “totally unacceptable.” This sentiment reflects a growing unease among FIFA’s member associations about the direction of the organization under Infantino’s stewardship. Several European national football associations have taken formal steps against Infantino’s bid for re-election at the upcoming FIFA Congress in Morocco. England’s Football Association (FA) and four other European nations have withdrawn their support for Infantino’s candidacy, signaling a critical blow to his prospects. Meanwhile, Denmark’s national association stated it would never have voted for Infantino in any election, further isolating him politically. Despite these challenges, Infantino still enjoys the backing of several key member associations. The federations of Morocco, Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Sri Lanka have publicly pledged their support for the Swiss-Italian leader, who has presided over FIFA since 2016 and seeks to extend his term until 2031. FIFA’s chief of global football development, Arsène Wenger, also weighed in on the controversy, stating he had been unaware of the FFE plan until it appeared in media reports. In a statement released through FIFA, Wenger condemned the lack of transparency and reaffirmed his belief in an independent FIFA committed to serving the sport with integrity and openness. He endorsed the decision to abandon the FFE project, calling it “absolutely necessary.” As the situation unfolds, the focus shifts to how FIFA will address the governance issues raised by the FFE debacle. With multiple factions within the organization questioning Infantino’s leadership, the coming months could determine whether he retains control of FIFA or faces a leadership change. The outcome of the upcoming FIFA Congress in March will be pivotal in shaping the future of the organization.