Fifa president Gianni Infantino is scheduled to meet with senior leaders of football’s world governing body in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday. This meeting comes as criticism intensifies regarding his recently abandoned plan to sell off Fifa‘s commercial and event operations. The gathering follows a critical internal memo sent by secretary general Mattias Grafstrom to Fifa staff.
The proposed private investment plan, which aimed to control the commercial and operational rights of the World Cup and other major tournaments, has drawn significant backlash. Arsene Wenger, chief of global football development, stated he was “not involved” in Infantino‘s Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal and deemed its abortion “absolutely necessary and beyond question.”
Mounting Pressure and Internal Dissent
The controversy has led to widespread dissent within the football community. Prince Ali, president of the Jordanian Football Association, accused Fifa of creating a situation that “amounts to blackmail” concerning unpaid prize money and support for Infantino‘s re-election. These claims have not been independently verified, and Fifa has not commented on them.
Uefa has publicly expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino‘s leadership. Several member associations, including Wales, have withdrawn their support for his re-election, with England reportedly set to follow. This marks a significant shift, as Infantino had reportedly received pledges of support for his re-election bid from approximately 200 of the 211 member federations just weeks prior.
Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino‘s senior adviser on global strategy and governance, resigned over the plan, calling it “a bad deal for football” that would “mortgage football’s future.” He highlighted a lack of answers to fundamental questions regarding the deal’s necessity, beneficiaries, oversight, and competitive process.
In his resignation announcement, Cordeiro posed several questions that Infantino is expected to address. These include inquiries into the rationale behind the deal, its timing, the oversight mechanisms, who stands to benefit, whether a competitive process was followed, the governance structure, and the ultimate gains for investors versus the cost to football. Cordeiro noted that member associations were given a deadline of 19 September to approve the plan or risk missing out on additional funding.
Kevin Lamour, Fifa‘s chief operating officer, described the private investment plan as “the project of one person” and stated that Fifa‘s own administration was “deceived.” Grafstrom, in his letter to staff, characterized the events of the past week as “a sad and reproachable series of events” that were “difficult to comprehend and accept.”
The Meeting in Rabat and Future Prospects
The meeting in Rabat is understood to be taking place at Fifa‘s Africa office. Attendees are expected to include Grafstrom, finance chief Thomas Peyer, legal chief Emilio Garcia Silvero, chief of staff Daniel O’Toole, chief of member associations Elkhan Mammadov, and media relations director Bryan Swanson, alongside other members of the Fifa management board.
The purpose of the meeting is not entirely clear, but it is anticipated that Infantino will seek to mend relationships and secure his position. He may need to demonstrate contrition and propose reforms to regain the trust of his inner circle. Potential reforms could involve implementing additional checks and balances to prevent similar proposals from being developed in the future. There is also speculation he might reconsider plans for a 64-team World Cup or open up Fifa‘s cash reserves.
Despite the pressure, it appears unlikely that Infantino will resign by the end of Wednesday. He has shown no indication of stepping down and has been actively seeking support, with countries like Egypt, Morocco, Niger, Mauritania, and DR Congo issuing statements in his favor. Morocco, where Infantino has been based recently, is considered friendly territory for him, with its national football association supporting him.
However, Infantino will face serious questions regarding the controversial week for Fifa. Some attendees may question his ability to navigate the current crisis, especially given the strong criticism from European nations. While resignation is a possibility, it is also suggested that Infantino might view this as an opportunity to initiate a fightback, potentially issuing an apology and promising changes.
If Infantino chooses to continue, Uefa and other confederations might explore alternative avenues to remove him. One option is for the Fifa Council to call an emergency meeting, which would require 19 of the 37 members to request it. However, there are doubts about achieving the necessary 19 votes.
Another path is an extraordinary congress of the 211 Fifa member associations, which could be triggered if one-fifth, or 43 associations, make a written request. Uefa, with its 55 nations, has the power to initiate such a congress, which would take a minimum of two months, or more likely three months, to convene. This would effectively be a de facto election, requiring 106 votes to pass a vote of no confidence.
Infantino stood unopposed in his re-elections in 2019 and 2023. If a candidate wishes to challenge him for the presidency, the deadline to announce their candidacy is 18 November. Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is considered a potential unity candidate against Infantino.
Soccer legend Luis Figo has publicly called for Infantino to resign, stating he “must go.” In an op-ed, Figo described Infantino‘s conduct as “the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed.” He argued that Infantino has “debased the office of FIFA President” and has “lied, deceived and tried to feather his own nest at the expense of the game he is supposed to serve.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has not taken a stance on the proposal, while five African football administrators have expressed support for Infantino. Fifa previously stated that funds generated from the plan would be reinvested into the sport. The situation remains fluid, and the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting could significantly impact Fifa‘s future leadership.
The story could continue to develop if Infantino remains in his position after Wednesday.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
