Infantino faces criticism over World Cup commercial rights plan
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has encountered significant criticism following his proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup’s commercial rights to private investors. Although the idea was withdrawn in late July, the plan has reportedly impacted his support for a re-election bid scheduled for next year. The proposal involved selling approximately 20% of a new entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which was intended to manage the commercial and operational aspects of the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments.
Among the investors for FFE was Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, who is also part of a group that recently agreed to acquire the Los Angeles Lakers. The controversy surrounding this plan has led to a breakdown in trust and increased division within international football, according to some organisations.
Key football bodies withdraw support
Several prominent football organisations have voiced their displeasure with Infantino or announced their refusal to back his re-election. These include UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Additionally, the football federations of England, Wales, the Republic of Ireland, and New Zealand have confirmed they will not support Infantino’s re-election.
New Zealand Football (NZF) has specifically called for an independent review of the steps taken to develop the FFE scheme. NZF believes that decisions and actions within FIFA have contributed to a lack of trust and increased division. They see this moment as an opportunity for all FIFA member associations to advocate for stronger governance, accountability, and transparency to maintain confidence in the administration of the global game. The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) welcomed FIFA’s decision to withdraw the FFE proposal and its commitment to review the issues, but did not explicitly declare or withdraw support for Infantino.
Despite the widespread criticism, some bodies continue to back Infantino. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the South American governing body Conmebol have publicly supported him for a fourth presidential term at the FIFA Congress in March. Some individual member nations have also gone against their confederations; for instance, Mexico, Grenada, and St Kitts and Nevis, all members of CONCACAF, have backed Infantino. Argentina is aligned with Conmebol in its support.
Support for Infantino amid controversy
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the recently concluded World Cup, has publicly supported Infantino. Giuliani, son of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, described Infantino’s critics as “jealous.” He suggested that the outcry is driven by “politics and pettiness,” drawing parallels to past criticisms faced by other public figures.
Giuliani stated that Infantino has elevated FIFA to a new level that many might not have thought possible. He urged observers to consider Infantino’s entire body of work, emphasising his continuous efforts to improve the organisation. Giuliani believes Infantino is the right leader for FIFA, despite the current controversies surrounding the commercialisation of sport.
The OFC Executive Committee acknowledged the progress in football development in Oceania under FIFA’s leadership over the past decade. They encouraged FIFA to use the review as an opportunity to identify and implement any necessary changes. New Caledonia, another OFC member, has reaffirmed its support for Infantino, contrasting with New Zealand’s stance.
The Women’s Under-20 World Cup, set to begin in Poland on 5 September, is being viewed by some as a significant test for UEFA’s stance. However, senior UEFA figures reportedly do not expect this development event to be included in any boycott, as it does not generate substantial revenue, and young women would bear the consequences of such a stand-off. This situation highlights the complex dynamics and differing perspectives within international football regarding Infantino’s leadership and the future direction of the sport.
Source: aljazeera.com
