Infantino Apologises but FIFA Council Concerns Remain Unresolved
Gianni Infantino faced renewed pressure inside FIFA’s ruling council after offering an apology over his abandoned World Cup commercial-rights proposal but providing no fresh documentation on the plan, the Folarin Balogun disciplinary case or other concerns raised by European football leaders.
Apology does not ease European concerns
The FIFA president opened Thursday’s three-and-a-half-hour council meeting in Zurich by expressing regret to colleagues for the way the private-equity proposal emerged. The project, involving an investor group led by Joshua Kushner, became public nine days after July’s World Cup final and caused a sharp split across the game.
Infantino had proposed carving out commercial rights for FIFA tournaments into a new subsidiary, with the outside investors expected to hold at least a 20% stake. The planned transaction was valued at $4.2 billion before it was withdrawn later in July.
Debbie Hewitt, FIFA vice-president and chair of the English Football Association, said the apology appeared to carry “some contrition”. However, she said council members received neither documents nor substantive answers about the proposal.
When asked for written evidence on the plan, Infantino asked European representatives to submit their questions in writing. Hewitt said the president must address them, adding that failure to do so would leave him “not fit to be the FIFA president.”
UEFA delegates seek accountability
UEFA is leading opposition to Infantino ahead of FIFA’s presidential election in March. Eight of UEFA’s representatives sit on the 37-member FIFA Council, which had not convened since the dispute surrounding the investor proposal began.
Bernd Neuendorf, the German football chief and one of those UEFA delegates, said the meeting failed to resolve the central issues. “No satisfactory answers were provided,” he said.
Neuendorf argued FIFA needs leadership capable of repairing damage to its standing, saying the governing body requires a person of integrity who can restore a reputation that has “undoubtedly been lost.”
Outstanding issues remain unresolved
- Infantino’s proposed $4.2 billion World Cup rights arrangement was revealed after the July final.
- The proposal envisaged investors led by Joshua Kushner taking at least 20% of a tournament-rights subsidiary.
- FIFA subsequently dropped the plan, but council members have still not received supporting paperwork or detailed explanations.
- At Thursday’s meeting, Infantino apologised for the process and requested written questions from his critics.
- European officials left Zurich maintaining their challenge ahead of March’s presidential vote.
FIFA also did not provide details about Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red-card matter, including the circumstances in which U.S. President Donald Trump intervened to assist the United States forward.
The council will, however, consider whether FIFA should continue its peace prize. The award was created and presented to Trump last December.
Legal scrutiny adds to pressure
UEFA has separately applied to courts in the United States for permission to obtain evidence connected to a criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland. The filings raise potential concerns over the management of FIFA finances, focusing on the valuation placed on the proposed commercial-rights company.
- Infantino apologised for sidelining council colleagues over the private-investment plan.
- No new documents were presented on the withdrawn $4.2 billion proposal.
- Questions concerning Balogun’s World Cup dismissal also went unanswered.
- FIFA will review the future of its peace prize, introduced for Trump last December.
- UEFA’s campaign against Infantino remains active before the March election.
