FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing an open revolt following a controversial proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup to private investors. The plan, known as the Football Forward Enterprise scheme, aimed to raise approximately US$4.2 billion before it was ultimately abandoned.
In an open letter to the football family, UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) condemned the move as a fundamental breach of trust and trust broken through deception. The three governing bodies asserted that football belongs to no individual and called for leadership that serves the sport rather than seeking to command it, accusing Infantino of placing himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority. Some of the governing bodies are now pushing for his resignation.
Simultaneously, Infantino is facing allegations that a former lover received a six-figure severance payment during his tenure as general secretary at UEFA. While Infantino has categorically denied these claims, FIFA has issued a statement defending its president against what it describes as a concerted and ongoing effort to undermine his leadership of the organization.
The crisis comes as Infantino prepares to stand for re-election next March. The situation has resulted in an increasingly bitter standoff between the FIFA president and the confederations that the world soccer governing body serves.