FIFA Backs Infantino as UEFA Keeps Boycott Threat
Apnews · 2 SOURCESabout 15 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
FIFA sought to project unity after a high-level meeting in Rabat, Morocco, where senior officials reaffirmed full support for President Gianni Infantino following the collapse of a controversial World Cup rights sale proposal. The abandoned plan would have sold a 20% stake in a new commercial rights entity to private investors for roughly $4.2 billion, but it triggered strong resistance from member associations and was withdrawn last Friday. UEFA nevertheless said FIFA had not met the conditions needed to remove Europe’s boycott threat, insisting the proposals must be withdrawn and guarantees given that similar attempts would never happen again. The dispute has become a broader test of FIFA governance ahead of Infantino’s re-election bid next March.
Key Points
- FIFA said Infantino received full backing from Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom and management board members attending Wednesday’s crisis meeting in Rabat.
- The shelved proposal aimed to sell a 20% stake in a new World Cup commercial rights vehicle for about $4.2 billion.
- UEFA said it still lacked confidence in Infantino and maintained boycott conditions had not been satisfied after FIFA’s apology.
- FIFA sent a separate letter to Council members and associations apologizing for errors, promising a review, and admitting members felt excluded.
- FIFPRO condemned Infantino for a profound abuse of presidential power, while England’s FA and Amnesty also intensified pressure.
Why It Matters
The confrontation exposes a deep rift between FIFA and UEFA over who controls football’s most valuable commercial assets and how major decisions are made. With Infantino’s authority under scrutiny before next March’s election, the episode could shape future governance reforms, commercial strategy, and Europe’s willingness to cooperate with FIFA competitions.